Could Foreverland be a possible society?

Foreverland is a transcendentalist society where everyone and everything is equal. There is no judging of beliefs or criticizing others wants and needs. It is a society that works in harmony. In a world like ours today it might be possible to have a society such as Foreverland work sufficiently. However it would have to be in an undisturbed area that no other powers could obtain or influence. With the power hungry trend that is occurring in our nation the belief that Foreverland would remain untouched is unlikely. But  if there was a possibility that Foreverland could thrive on its own then yes the society would be able to survive. With its system of rules about behavior the society would stay transcendentalist. Also the warm and welcoming atmosphere it provides is a key factor that all humans thrive on. Everyone wants to feel welcomed and Foreverland gives them that experience everyday. It is believed that Foreverland could be a possibility in today's standards.

In Foreverland there are five rules that are applied to every ones daily lives no matter what the cause. All of the rules fall under one major clause- no judging. In Foreverland judging someone in a hurtful way is strictly prohibited. If someone is caught judging another citizen in Foreverland at the maximum of three times they will be exiled from the island and never allowed to return. As this punishment may sound both strict and harsh it is necessary to protect the happy and welcoming environment that Foreverland provides to all of its people. This system will allow the Foreverland community stay strong in its ways of equality and keep out those who try to ruin the society's good name.In Foreverland equality is what matters most. The protection of that equality is Foreverland's first, major, and only priority.

In a perfect society there will always be a flaw. However in Foreverland the flaw is not within the society it is the outside coming in. the world today has such an imperialistic look on society that every country, territory, or state is just another profit to take in. With Foreverland's natural beauty and aura of perfection it is almost impossible not to want to claim it as ones own. This is the flaw with Foreverland in our world today. The corruption in this world is to immense for a society like Foreverland to handle. If there was a way that the society could remain untouched then Foreverland would thrive and become a better society every single day. This one flaw could take the society down in an instant. This is what holds Foreverland back from becoming a reality.

Foreverland is a society where everyone is welcome. It gives off a feeling of warmth and welcoming. In Foreverland no one is turned away. Even if there is a record of this person as a criminal Foreverland will give them a second chance. In this society equality is of the utmost importance. Second to equality is self love. Every citizen is to feel loved and welcomed. No one is to be judged or excluded. With this as a priority Foreverland instantly attracts citizens from any part of the world. Everyone desires to feel loved, it is what makes them human. With Foreverland providing this necessity to every ones access the quantities of citizens would be endless. Foreverland's wholesomeness attracts people like flies to honey and gains more respect with each citizen it gains making it thrive more then any other society known to man.

Foreverland is the perfect society. For Foreverland to be real today is not as impossible as it seems. With its welcoming environment and its policy for conduct, Foreverland will increase its chances of becoming a reality more so everyday. The only drawback is the corruption that will be placed upon it by other imperialistic powers. Without the harmfulness of other powers influence Foreverland would definitely be a major possibility in the world today. The priorities of equality attract citizens which would make the society increase not only in population but in respect. The more respect a society gains the better it stands in the world. Foreverland will someday be a reality and when that reality comes the world will become an ounce more transcendentalist.

Dead Poets Society

The "Dead Poets Society" is a heart-touching and mind-blowing experience that exemplifies the dangers of non-conformity. Being a non-conformist in any society in any era is always dangerous. People will view the non-conformist in a different light. But as a non-conformist, the duty of being and individual does not lay heavy as a grievance upon ones shoulders. It is an honor to be away from the conformity, to break apart from the petty rules and regulations of society. In "Dead Poets Society" the four main students are thrust into Welton Academy for Boys, a school in which the motto's are "Tradition, Discipline, and Excellence." The arrival of Mr. Keating send the boys into a non-conformist uproar. Suddenly the Dead Poets Society is reformed and it is the students perfect haven from the rules Welton Academy has burdened upon them. And truth be told with the start of a club that promotes being an individual the school goes into a whirlwind of non-conformist breaking the bonds that Welton Academy has held onto for so long.


http://youtu.be/r9-uIRZZR40

Mr. Keating is the main non-conformist in the film. His teachings towards the students show them a different light of the world and how being different or an individual is not necessarily a bad thing like Welton Academy portrays it to be. The teachings of seizing the day, finding your own walk, and just encouraging the boys to do what the heart really desires shows not only the bravery of the teacher but the passion that the teacher has for the students. Mr. Keating knew of the consequences. Welton Academy did not tolerate being different. Everything must and always will be the same. Proper and undisturbed at the slow moving pace it has always continued on. Risking his job and even his reputation Keating still pursues on to teach the boys no matter what deadly end he will face. By saving the boys from the conformists of their society he is risking himself to their persuasive and repetitive ways. And yes, in the end Mr. Keating is indeed withdrawn from his teaching position but all in all it does not matter. He gave those four boys and so many others the chance to be and individual. To prove they are worth more then what their administrators and parents want them to be. Without Mr. KEating those boys would have never learned the real and true meaning of "Carpe Diem!".

Modern Transcendentalist

http://lyrics.wikia.com/Charlene_Kaye

http://youtu.be/83fJ7hlZkpA
http://charlenekaye.com/photos/

Charlene Kaye, musical phenomenon and Michigan University graduate, is the pure definition of transcendentalism. The unique style generates an aura of confidence. Her music genius thrives from pop to soft rock and even to techno and punk. With the fluctuation of her techniques she has always received criticism but that's the price that is paid for being a unique personality. Although the harsh critiques that are received sting there are always the band-aids of the compassionate writers to help heal the wounds of the critics. “Kaye plays with effortless intelligence and agility, moving all over the fretboard. Between songs, the room was silent: if there’s any need for proof that there’s a mass audience for accessible, attractive rock that’s not stupid, Kaye is it" (New York Music Daily). Throughout college Kaye was the outcast. Her life revolved around her music and her schoolwork until she met the one group of people who she really related to, the Starkids. Starkid is a theatre group of Michigan students who create musicals and are considered the "nerds" of the school and Charlene instantly fell in love with them. With the help of the Starkids Charlene Kaye gained her confidence and the respect of her many fans. Now Kaye is on tour all over North America with the Starkids promoting her fourth album. Charlene Kaye is an inspiration to anyone who is striving to achieve their dreams. Her determination and courage to push for what she wanted is a symbol of hope to everyone. Her unique personality and confidence is what makes her the perfect transcendentalist.

Waldon Essay- Progress

http://youtu.be/SKL254Y_jtc

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.

-Henry David Thoreau

http://youtu.be/TxAGGyrvJ9c

Progress has always been apparent in societies history. Not only has it helped our community but also our technology and economy. Our advances in electrical and eco-friendly technology have increased efficiency in the community making it thrive in its productivity. Economically, we have made changes in currency and organization. Any minor flaw that is found in our economic system is brutally attacked and conquered by the progress of the economy and fixed to increase the steady flow of productivity. The people's view on progress has always been divided and always will be. Progress increases the productivity of a community and creates new jobs and fields for people to thrive in. For those who deny progress, the denial adds onto inefficiency of progress. Progress is necessary and should not be looked upon as a burden. It has to be accepted and not downtrodden. For progress to work it has to be accepted by society.

            Economically, our community has been through trials and tribulations. Starting with the Great Depression of the 1930's America has been through major economic problems. When the Depression started, the government did not know how to fix the problem for there had never been an economic crisis this large in the history of America before this epidemic. President Franklin D. Roosevelt pulled the country out of the Depression with the usage of his new ideas to not only save but support the economy by giving citizens new occupations in which they could earn money to save their homes and families. Even today the country is facing economic troubles similar to those of the Depression. Economic specialists are not only looking at what Roosevelt did to save the country eighty years ago but also coming up with new ways to support the economy for the next trial it has to go through. Progress of our economy has been increased majorly in its stability. Besides counting its minor faults, the economic system has been proven to rebound any troubles it is faced with. Without progress and the knowledge society have gained there would be no way to rebound successfully from am economic crisis.

            The technological process of the society is immense. Every year more and more technological advances are made. Whether it is advances in communication, appliances, or machinery, technology is always advancing with progress. With communication advances have been made that not only do you not have to write to someone with an actual pen and paper, it can be sent and received in less than a minute. The improvement in regular appliances makes ones life easier and more efficient. Cars for example are the main source of transportation in the world. Without them it would take days to get from one state to another but thanks to technology a car can make a trip from Florida to Michigan in exactly twenty-two hours when a horse and buggy would have taken days and maybe even weeks. Factories as well are improving. Mass productions of almost any items can be made in little to no time with the new technology that machines are created from. Instead of having one woman sew shirts for a company with a regular sewing machine, factories now have machines that produce almost twenty time as many shirts the woman could have made in a week. Technology is what lives depend on today. Without it, the society may not be able to survive. The community has become so dependent on the technology that has been created that it is remade almost every year to fit the new needs of the citizens. None of that would be possible without the use of progress. The more advances in technology, the more the society thrives and develops into a greater and more powerful being.

            The society in general changes with progress as well. In the rules and regulations we follow to the styles that are considered appropriate to the standards in the community. Comparing today and just ten years ago security in America has changed greatly. After the 9/11 terrorist attack the community came together for the greater good and helped make new precautions that has saved lives across the country. Advances in medicine have been made to save the average persons life. Thanks to progress the life span of a human being has gone up every single year. Progress in society bring the people together. Together the community has the power to almost change the world thanks to progress. People deeds and actions are what defines a society's progress. The progress made up in ones lifetime and the progress of the current generation is what defines the society. As the progress of a society grows the more the following generations have to look forward to.

            Progress advances our society in technology, economy, and community. Those who deny the progress are denying the generation of an era. Without the advances of the economy, the world would have no currency and be in a constant bartering battle with one another. Technology today saves lives, makes communication faster, and makes over all life more efficient. The society of any country is defined by what is done with the progress given and how the community brings themselves together to make a better world for the following generations to come.  For all of the aspects of progress to fall into place the community must unite and except progress for what it is and let it continue the journey on to create a better life for those in the future. Progress is a necessity and always will be. There will be changed in technology, economy, and society but thanks to the progress of the past the people of today will continue on with the progressive style that has been made and thrive into a greater power.

Declaration of Independence from Grosse Pointe South- Rachel Montgomery, Mai Qiang Hipsley, Connor Reinman, Autumnbre Moore, and Zoie Uznis

Everyday, decisions are being made for schools without the students’ representation. While a bunch of adults make decisions on our school, we, the students, are suppose to stand on the sidelines and concede to whatever decision the adults make. We want to represent ourselves and we are willing to fight for what we think is right. We needed representation on the school board and on the city council. The adults needed to hear the opinions we have as students, instead of basing it off their own judgment. It’s too late now though and we want to form our own source of representation. We, the students of the Grosse Pointe Public School System, believe we deserve the power to make the decisions made about our school.

            While the adults may say we have representation by having student councils or student associations, we only receive partial representation. It’s one thing to be able to pick out decorations for a party, but another matter entirely to decide on matters that really affect our school. We, the students, want that ability to decide on the issues that truly could affect us, the school or even our education. We want our own school board that will be the one and only group of students that will make the decisions on our school. We can no longer have a bunch of adults, who are not in or graduates of our school, being the deciders on these matters. We, as a student body, needed to be the final deciders on everything. The students are the ones that know what happen inside and outside of the school. We are the ones that get the blunt of the blow whenever the deciders on the city council or school board make decisions about our school. They don’t really know what happens in the everyday lives of the students, so they shouldn’t be the deciders of our future. Issues that affect all schools, such as snow days, need the students to be the deciders. We don’t want the adults saying what happens because they are not the one’s walking to school in the freezing cold or even driving to it on the icy roads. Then when it comes to each individual school, we need to be the deciders on issues, such as the classes we have and class sizes, because these issues could affect our education as students. The adults aren’t there in our classrooms with us or know what classes we need. They don’t need to be deciding these matters for us. So we, the students, believe it is a basic right for the students to be the only representatives on these issues.

            We, the students of the Grosse Pointe Public School System, deserve this basic right as students of the schools. We are willing to do whatever it takes for us to get what we think is right. We want our own representation and we will no longer wait to act upon this. The adults will no longer be the superiors, for we are stepping up and fighting back. We are our own deciders. We are our own source of representation.  We are the Grosse Pointe Public School System.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->I.      <!--[endif]-->The district has given us an early start in school, and an early start to the school day as well.  Save Monday, the school day starts earlier than is acceptable to students. 8:00 a.m. provides little time to be sufficiently prepared for yet another school day in the morning.  After rising out of bed, deprived of sleep by large amounts of homework from all seven classes, students have to make their groggy way to school and wake themselves up by first hour.  Students need to have more time in the morning to be adequately prepared for the school day.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->II.    <!--[endif]-->The district has provided us with dances as an opportunity to unwind.  However, we students are locked into these dances as if they were jail sentences.  Some students can only stay at the dance until ten, but are locked down until 10:30.  Whether it's a large event the following day or just overly protective parents, most students have a reason.  Should students need to leave a dance early, they should be allowed to.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->III.  <!--[endif]-->Late homework in inevitable.  It simply cannot be avoided: students will turn things in late.  Steep penalties for late homework are being issued by teachers who seem to have little to no respect for students.  After all, the concept of filial piety says that we should respect our elders, and our elders should respect us too.  If students cannot complete their homework, they should not be penalized.  Students should be given two days free of penalty to complete homework and turn it in late.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->IV.  <!--[endif]-->Buses are a service that most other schools in the Detroit area have, and that we lack.  Taking a look at a simple comparison, the amount of snow days between Grosse Pointe South and another school in another district show a landslide in favor of any other school in any other district.  A simple way to make students happier is to increase the amount of time off, in the increments of a short but great snow day, sprinkled over the school year.  The way to increase the amount of snow days is to add buses to the district.  Thus, the way to the student’s hearts' is through a system of buses.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->V.    <!--[endif]-->The lunchtime should be longer. It’s too short, barely have enough time to eat, socialize, being back in time for class without rushing in at the last moment.  The lines in the school lunchroom are too long. They don’t have enough people working the lunch counter. It takes them four to five minutes to serve one person when there is at least twenty or thirty people waiting for food and by the time that the last person is served they only have about four or five minutes to eat. If they are in that long line waiting for food then they won’t have time to socialize with their friends and talking to teachers about extra help and catching up on the thing that they missed. Some kids like to go out for lunch, but they know that if they do then they will have to rush back to the school; they will have to get a carry out and eat the food on their way back to the school.

           

<!--[if !supportLists]-->VI.  <!--[endif]-->Extra credit should be allowed in every class at all times. Students need extra to improve their grades. If a student isn’t a strong test taker they will need to have extra credit to boost up their grade. If an assignment is missed or failed by a student they can use extra credit to make up some points. Extra credit is a lifesaver to some students. Students also use it as a pull up. There could be a limit to how mush extra credit a student is given. So they don’t depend on extra credit too much really needs it then the teacher should provide. Extra credit is not a fall back for students, but only something to give you a little push.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->VII.                  <!--[endif]-->The class school schedule should be changed. There should be three classes in the morning and three in the afternoon.  With this schedule the students will be less reluctant to go to school. With all of the information that is given to a student in one of our regular school day they will forget half of it before they leave to go home.  If the day is changed to our way then the students will have enough time to process all of the information that they are given. More students’ homework will be done. The more time the students will have time to do it and study for tests and quizzes.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->VIII.                <!--[endif]-->The rule of having no cellular devices in class has always been and issue. Students are constantly getting their phones apprehended by administrators for the simplest things as checking the time. It is one thing to get the phone taken away for texting a peer during a test or quiz to cheat but it is definitely another to be texting a parent asking for schedule changes or if they dropped something off in the office. Students do not want to use the school provided phones located in classrooms unless it is an emergency. It is much simpler and less disruptive to send a quick message to a parent or guardian instead of disrupting an entire class to make a phone call.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->IX. <!--[endif]-->             Facebook is a social Internet site that is used by almost every student today. The fact that it is blocked in school is inconvenient to all students. The website keeps students connected with one another. Students can frequently check in with each other between classes to catch up on a homework assignment or compare study guides to do better on quizzes or tests. Facebook is not a bad thing like the administration seems to think. It will actually improve on student’s capability to communicate with each other and make our school a joined community.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->X.   <!--[endif]-->             The bathrooms in Grosse Pointe South high school are horrendous. There is graffiti in almost every stall. There is always a shortage of toilet paper and soap. The actual toilets are disgusting and unsanitary. It is not healthy for students to be associating with such filth. Regular cleaning and sanitary enforcements should be looked into. Not only will this give our school a better image but it will keep students from getting sick.

We as the outnumbering student body have agreed on ever matter included within the document, signifying our strength in number and ambition to receive basic and deserved rights. If we are not to receive such fundamental rights then actions against such unjust authority must and will be initiated within the next 30 days. We can no longer live under the wrongful dictatorship of King Provenzano and the administration. Such tyranny has forced a separation between hierocracy and the people. We will no longer be subject to such oppression. We declare ourselves free of unwarranted and arbitrary rules and restrictions made and enforced by the school district. We now represent a new and free nation- of students. We will be taking our education elsewhere leaving the unjust Grosse Pointe South school district. Under this new administration we will be able to arrive at school at a decent hour of the morning, have a longer lunch break, less class periods in a day, nicer bathrooms, freedom at school dances, provided buses, usage of facebook, chances for extra credit and no more cell phone restrictions. We the students join together to create an equal and fair representation involving school decisions unlike the strict and oppressing system of the old administration, which ultimately lead to such separation.

Crucible Epilogue

The town of Salem. Never again will it be the thriving Puritan village it used to be, not after the trials. I stood on a hill overlooking the town I single handedly destroyed, shivering out of fury in the cold evening air. The man I loved was dead, I’m known as the taker of innocent lives, and my white name in the village had been blackened. All because of Elizabeth Proctor. As I start to walk down the hill towards Salem I thinks to myself of how I should have destroyed Elizabeth when I had the chance but how my love for John Proctor had gotten in the way. My twisted mind had remade the trials in my head. In my eyes Elizabeth was the reason for John’s death not I and it was not John who had called me a whore, it was Elizabeth. Elizabeth caused the problems, Elizabeth is the reason I’m no good in Salem, and she killed the man I loved. These thoughts have been rolling over in my head for five years. Now, at the age of twenty-three, I have come back to Salem for my revenge. Slowly and sulkily I shuffle down the main road gazing through darkened windows into a black abyss like my heart. Five years, I thought, five whole years to think and wonder what happened to that woman. As I look out onto the horizon and sees my old workplace- the Proctor House. It seems to be the only house with smoke coming out of its chimney or candle light flickering through the windows, making them glow in the night. As my demonic thoughts about Elizabeth begin to brew I attempt to repress them. Revenge on Elizabeth is not the reason I have come back to this God forsaken town, no I came to forgive, to forgive all of those who hurt me and to receive forgiveness from those who I had hurt. But Elizabeth deserves to die! The difficulty of repressing my hatred to Elizabeth is strengthening; it’s as if the closer I get to her the more I want her dead. I am less than ten feet from the house now and Elizabeth’s silhouette is as plain as day in the window. I watch as she bends over to pick up what looks like a small child. I walk closer to the house, step by step my rage increases until I cannot hold it in any longer. I scream a horrifying yell that would frighten those in the Devil’s grasp. Elizabeth’s silhouette hastily puts down the child and runs outside. She bursts through the front door and stops immediately when she sees me. Our expressions match each other. A stunned, resentful look hardens our faces. Elizabeth’s everlasting beauty that I remembered so vividly has been washed out of her face. She is old and looks as if she hasn’t slept since I ran away to Boston.

“What are you doing here Abigail?” she asks in a stern motherly tone.

“I’ve come back,” I say. “I’m…I am trying to forgive and be forgiven.” Yet the thought of this wretched woman who I have plotted the death for for so many years now forgiving me seems almost impossible.

“Abigail, there is no one left to forgive you. No one can forgive you. You killed innocent people, people who's lives were the only luxury they had. With all due respect, did you rally think you could come back and just pretend that none of this had ever happened?”

“Because I have forgiven! Because I forgave you for stealing the man I loved! I deserved him Elizabeth not you! He loved me, he said so himself. He denied it because of you. You’re the reason he is dead!” Elizabeth paused and looked at me with almost concern. She stands there shaking her head. When she looks up at me there are tears rolling down her cheeks.

“You silly, silly girl. You think he loved you? Where in the bible does it say that adultery is equivalent to love? You have confused the bond you two made for something much greater than you could ever imagine. You don’t know what love is.”

“How dare you say that he never loved me! How dare you! John and I had something real and you were the one obstacle that was in the way and refused to budge!” I yelled violently back at her. “But now that’s about to change isn’t it?” I draw my hands behind my back and pull out a kitchen knife. “I didn’t want this to happen today Elizabeth. I thought you would admit for what you did. John died because he loved me! He died so that my name would still be pure in the village!” As I begin to walk towards her she makes no movement back or to run away.

“Abigail, listen to me. Before John died I took the blame for his affair. Now I am the one to carry the weight on my shoulders of the mistake you made. John died a good man and for a reason he believed in, not because of me or you.” She pauses. “Don’t do this Abigail. You know you’ll regret it someday. I have four children to raise now. I have a husband who needs me-.”

“You mean Johns replacement!’ I yell back at her. “If you loved him Elizabeth there would be no reason for you to try and have another man in your life!”

“Well if Patrick is such a great man then he can do perfectly fine without you.” I walk towards her, knife in hand. “I loved John everything that happened at the trials was for him and you had to go and change his mind on me. I know it was you who told him to tell the court of our love. If you could have just stayed out of this you would have already been dead and John and I would have been together!”

“I did it because I love John! He died for his name not for me. I would do anything to see him again-.”

“Well then today is your lucky day!” I walk towards her and bury the knife deep into her heart. She crumples over and falls to her knees. She looks up at the sky as blood trickles from her mouth.

“Forgive me John,” She says, “I tried.” And as she took her final breathe she looks up one last time clutching the knife and whispers, “I will always love you,” then falls to the ground. She is dead. I walk over to her corpse and pull the knife out of her body. I have gotten what I always wanted, I thought, and yet it doesn’t feel right. I am a murderer. I did kill the innocent people of Salem and now Elizabeth is dead adding onto the list of the innocent who I destroyed. As I look down at Elizabeth my eyes well up with tears. I turn around and starting walking back the way I came. There is no need for me here. I will only cause more damage. I walk back up the main road I have walked hundreds of times. It is time for me to leave, it is time for the people of Salem to start anew and not let me, Abigail Williams, destroy them again.

What three people were the most responsible for the Salem Witch Trials?

The Salem Witch Trials were the most devastating events in all of Puritan history. Who would have thought that a group of young girls could ruin an entire towns reputation. Mary Warren, John Proctor and Danforth are the three main people that the responsibility for the trials lays entirely on. Both John Proctor and Mary Warren both knew the truth of the trials and couldn't bring themselves to tell the truth and ruin their reputation. Danforth, who knew that the trials were ridiculous when model citizens were being tried, couldn't step up and admit that they had taken it to far and admitted he was wrong. All three people strive for the power in the town, yet when the opportunity to seize and do what was right came along, they all figured their power would be lost. The power surge in Salem is in fact the main cause of the witch trials. All three Puritan citizens however, thought that lying to cover up their faults would hold their powerful position.


Mary Warren, a naive follower to both Abigail Williams and John Proctor, was on the inside circle of power from the beginning. She was part of the dancing group of girls who started the trials. She knew of the lies that were being told and that the people that the girls were accusing would either die or be tortured until death seemed like a gift from God. Yet, instead of telling the truth, the greediness to feel powerful and like a leader obscured the moral decision to let the innocent people keep their lives instead of dying over a false assumption. She continued to lie to the court until John Proctor, who was brought to his senses by his wife Elizabeth, forced her to go to Danforth and tell him the truth. But under the pressure of the court and of Abigail, Mary Warren's cries of the truth were stifled by Abigail and her forceful lies which eventually turn Mary onto John and accusing him as the Devils man calling out lies such as "My name, he want my name! 'I'll murder you,' he says, 'if my wife hangs! We must go and overthrow the court,' he says!" (119). It is as if lying is the one way to feel respected in Salem. As long as you have the power, the feeling of longing for it will never leave.


John Proctor is a good man who is blackened by the sins of adultery and lying. Seven months before the trial he had an affair with Abigail Williams herself. Abigail's strong attachment to John leads her to share with his a small but entirely important fact that all of her and the other girls accusations were entirely false, that they were just messing around in the woods and did not want to get in trouble. John keeps this sliver of information away to himself because deep down he does feel as if getting involved in the trials will make him lose his good name in the village and even his soul if he lies. But with the conviction of his wife from Abigail John goes to court, Mary Warren in hand, and tells the judges everything of his past and how he is already weighted down with sin. But even as he confesses his deepest secrets the trials continue. It is often wondered if John had confessed that he knew of Abigail's plan that the trials would have been ended the moment they were even thought of but the thought of John losing his position of power in the village and his good name was to much of a sacrifice until Elizabeth was convicted. Even minutes before his death he still cried out "It is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live with my name? I have given you my soul; leave my name!" (143). The loss of his name was of the most importance to him but in the end John realized that the struggle for power in Salem wasn't in his favor and that he did not even want to be in the running for it. All that mattered was his wife and his children and the reputation he left behind for them.


Deputy Governer Danforth was not a part of the Salem Witch Trials in the beginning. He thought it was just another case he was needed in. But as he soon reached Salem an eerie feeling crossed through him. Danforth must have felt the power switch from the officials in Salem to himself and the other judges. With all of the power that he and the other judges had, Dan forth could have stopped the trials at anytime. He could have told the villagers that it was all nonsense and that they had nothing to worry over. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility and Danforth knows that he has both of these almost all to himself. In the beginning of the trials when the outsiders of the community were tried he looked upon it as no big deal but when model citizens such as Rebbecca Nurse and Martha Corey were charged it did seem to get suspicious. One might think that he would have just called the trials off and say that it had gone to far, but no, Danforth must have been determined to keep the power to himself because admitting you were wrong meant that the person who had the power made a mistake and that their power was to great of a responsibility to them. zit seemed as if those who were tried were those who were against him and his power. "Hang them all over the town! Who weeps for these, weeps for corruption!"(144). He had gone mad with power, thinking that he and those who though his ideas were right were the ones who knew all and that they could choose the fate if the innocent people. Unlike John Proctor and Mary Warren, Danforth did not lie to others, he did something even worse, he lied to himself. He tricked himself into believing that since he had the power his decisions would be right. The power in Salem caused the insanity of many people, and Danforth's corruption caused the death of them.


Mary Warren, John Proctor, and Danforth all caused the trials to expand in length and in seriousness that was never predicted to happen. All three lied not only to other but to themselves. Their quest for power, which was not always clear, took a turn for the worse and ended up killing people the cared about. It did not matter if they were considered the good guy, the bad guy, the follower, or the leader, their actions in the Salem Witch Trials will forever be remembered in history and by God. The lies for power were not worth the guilt that was brought upon all three of them. Although this epiphany was not realized until to late, the deaths over the power struggle in Salem will be remembered forever. John, Mary, and Danforth's lies and struggles will mark the town for its biggest mistake. The souls lost to their lies will haunt them for eternity and make them regret the feeling of power that they once longed for.

Crucible Post Two

In The Crucible, John Proctor tells Reverend Hale that he believes in witches even though he clearly states in previous conversations that he does not. In those days, Puritans took everything in the Bible literally because to them God's word was the law and if the law was broken you were to be condemned to hell. In the Bible it is stated that witches, demons, and figures of that nature do roam the earth waiting to drag sinners down into Hell to associate with the Devil and leave their Christian lives for a way of sin. Proctor seems to be the only truly sane being in Salem during the trials but if he states his true opinion on the witchcraft that has been aroused in the village he will be accused just like the other women. Therefore, in order to save his life Proctor lies to hail and to the other citizens and says he does believe in witches just to save his and his family's lives and well being.


The matter of John Proctor lying to the officials of Salem to save his life is a conspired act among people today. Was he morally right to lie? Or was he to cowardly to stand up to his true beliefs? If i were put in Proctors case and had my family and my own life on the line then I would have to back down to my beliefs and deny any acknowledgement of trespassing upon an unpopular belief. However, if the consequence of my true beliefs were nasty looks or an outcasting of a group of people, then I would stand up for what i believe in and proclaim what I thought was right because, as Abigail and John Proctor show us, if there is a leader out there you will soon come to find you will have followers. 

Crucible Post One

The Crucible is a book of power hungry characters who are all battling each other for the most power in Salem. Parris, the reverend, is a cruel man that would sacrifice his own daughters life for a good reputation among the people in the village even though there are only a select few that actually side with him through hard times. There is also the five mischievous girls, Abigail the leader and her four followers Betty, Ruth, Mercy, and Mary Warren. All five of them are accused as witches but instantly take that power and turn it against every other woman in the village. Suddenly they have the power and they control over every woman in the towns lives. But in the shadows there lurks three other power hungry people. Goody Putnam, her husband Mr. Putnam, and Reverend Hale. The Putnam's, who are the richest people in Salem, are the first to accuse anyone guilty or not. They both are in it for the land, the money, and the power. Reverend Hale is the designated "witch finder" and is given the power to decide who is a witch and who isn't. But with great power comes great responsibility and with seven people after this so called power there are bound to be dastardly consequences.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Response

The reaction of the people when Jonathan Edward's sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was one that would be remembered throughout generations. Edwards preached of how God hated everyone on Earth. He hated them more than the people that were already in Hell. He spoke of God as if he were just waiting to kill each and everyone of them and drop he or she into the fiery pit known as Hell. One would think that Edwards would preach this with anger and frustration in his voice but it was actually the opposite. He spoke in a monotone voice, giving the people time to ponder each word and let the fear of all of their fates sink in. Not only were there men and women listening, but children as well. Jonathan Edwards went from town to town frightening entire cities with his sermon. Even today peoples reactions wouldn't have differed from those when the sermon was given. Readers of the sermon in the twenty-first century are still spooked by his chilling tales of fire and brimstone.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" Post

In the video, “Sinners of an Angry God Introduction”, the narrators dark voice tells the story of Jonathon Edwards. Edwards was a man devoted to his God and spent his life trying to show his people the truth of hell and salvation. His sermon, “Sinners of an Angry God” frightened the population and changed New England forever. He believed hell was a place and that if the people did not seek salvation they would all be doomed. The sermon started controversy, divisions between religion, and Jonathan Edwards was thought of as almost insane. The sermon was so powerful it changed the face of New England forever.

The Introduction states that the sermon was delivered to try and show the people what hell would be like and how they needed salvation. Edwards must have threateningly spun tales of fiery walls and demons at every corner to frighten the people and show them what would happen if they did not repent and redeem themselves. The masses of frightened people must have gone around trying to repent and eventually changed New England with different religions and tensions within the religions towards one another. Jonathon Edwards frightened the people into changing their religious ways. Even though the narrator stated that Edwards was viewed as a kind, loving man, the impression the sermon gives shows no compassion but only the thought of striking fear into the hearts of the people. Jonathon Edwards’ intentions of scaring the people into salvation clearly worked. From then on it seems everyone had a drastic change in caring about their sins. They repented and begged for salvation all because of Jonathon Edwards’ sermon.

Descriptive Post

Your soaring through the air. You close your eyes, tilt your head back, and let the wind blow your hair back as you spin around and around and around. You feel like your flying and you forget about the hard red plastic seats and focus on the horizon of palm trees and blue sky whirling around you. The cement floor and turquoise steel gate are a blur underneath you. You put your hands up and grab the metal chains connecting you to the spinning base. You have completely forgotten about the long line you waited in. It's completely gone underneath you. The hedges that surround the gate with their small red flowers are a haze beneath your feet. The wind whips your blonde hair back and you let go of all your worries and let them fly into the wind around you. For the other people its just a carnival ride but to you, it's a way to let everything go.

Expectations for Honors American Literature Students

As Honors American Literature students, the expectations for patience, reading comprehension, and extensive writing skills are higher than ever before.

Patience has always been necessary in any English class. However, in Honors American Literature, students are expected to have more patience then ever used in any previous English classes. Patience is most needed when reading any of the numerous novels chosen for this class. Students are expected to be able to sit down, read passages of the novel, and dissect the passage as if they were having a conversation with the text. Taking the time to analyze the passage, annotate, and find a hidden meaning beneath the text us an extensive process only a truly patient mind can handle. Honors American Literature students are expected to have already acquired this great deal of patience. To gain this patience you must be above average in maturity. Honors students have this capability because as the more advanced portion of the student body, they know how patience can help strengthen the mind and make succession in Honors American Literature, as well as any other class, much easier.

With the many novels given in this class, reading comprehension is a necessary tool to succeed in Honors American Literature. To fully understand the task at hand, the student needs to be familiar with the writing style and rhythm of the novel. This skill comes with the time and effort of reading many different novels with changing styles so the student can familiarize themselves with any kind of reading material. The familiarization with different texts enables the student to comprehend the novel at a deeper level. With extensive comprehension the student can now dissect the passage and look at the authors structure of writing and the meaning of the text. This enables the student to get a deeper look at the novel. Every English students needs reading comprehension. Honors students also need reading comprehension but the capacity for it is much greater.

Every English student needs to have an above average writing ability. In Honors American Literature, students are expected to have a greatly extensive knowledge in writing skills. Writing is a key part of Honors American Literature. Students must be able to use different literary techniques and make them identifiable to the reader of the paper. Students must know proper usage for terms such as alliteration, personification, and onomatopoeia and use these skills within the writing along with the other numerous writing techniques. A Honors American Literature student is expected to not just insert quotes, but to embed them within the paper and make it flow along with the rest of the text. As an Honors student the expectations for writing is increased tremendously. It is as if the students are looked upon as young, future authors in the process of writing a novel.

All English students are expected to be great readers and writers. As a Honors American Literature student, the expectations are to be a superb and detail oriented writer, have a patient and thoughtful mind, and to read any text and comprehend it as if the student was discussing the novels darkest secrets. The students in the class have amazing literary abilities. That is why they are Honors American Literature students.

About Me

Hi! I'm Zoie Elizabeth Uznis :)

I'm 14 years old (baby sophomore SADDLE UP woohoo!)

have three 'adorable' little brothers (Jack Ben and Peter- PB&J)

danced since I was 2 years old (I danced before I walked apparently)

 and now GPS Varsity Cheerleader for the 3rd season in a row.

I was born in Royal Oak, Michigan and I lived there as a happy only child for two peaceful years until my little brothers were all born. By the time my youngest brother Peter was born five years after me, my parents decided Michigan was to cold for us so we moved all the way down south to West Palm Beach, Florida. I lived in Florida for eight nice, warm, years before my parents decided, "Hey, let's move back to Michigan!". So we packed everything up and moved to the lovely area known as Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Since then I've been a Bronco and now a Blue Devil :) I like high school a lot more than middle school but I mean who doesn't. My all time favorite class ever is, and always has been, English. No, I'm not trying to suck up here to Mr. Provenzano I always loved reading and writing since i was a little kid. In fact, as dorky as this may sound, I actually want to be an English teacher when I grow up. My favorite book of all time actually happens to be To Kill A Mockingbird. But besides school I love photography. I'm actually kind of addicted to Tumblr (it's the best website you'll ever go on trust me). If you don't know what it is it's a lot like Blogger but for pictures mostly. Check it out if you haven't already http://zoozy96.tumblr.com/. I love anything like artsy and pictures definitely go right into that category. I'm a cheerleader if you didn't know GO DEVILS!  I eat like I should be 5,000,000 pounds... seriously it's a problem ;) I would die if I didn't have music. I have my radio on 24/7 or at least have my ipod with me at all times. My favorite type of music and yes I'll admit it is probably country. My favorite song EVER is sung by my idol...Elvis Presley. 

Well that's everything about me that is remotely interesting! Haha I hope you actually took the time to look at the pictures, listen to the song, and learn something about Zoie Uznis that you never knew before!(: