The Rape of the Lock Response

   To me, the Rape of the Lock is kind of incomprehensible. After finish reading two Cantos, I still don’t understand what’s really going on throughout the whole story. The only thing I know is that the Baron stole a lock of Belinda’s hair, and she was furious about it. Although there were sylphs trying to warn Belinda from being attacked by the scissors, it was unsuccessful. At last, the lock of hair rose to the sky and became the star, which symbolized for Belinda’s lasting fame. I think the reason I don’t understand the story might be the language being used, which is in between modern and old English. Thus, it’s difficult for me to find out the significance of this famous mock epic, the technique of juxtaposes that Pope used, and the flirtatious affair that Pope is trying to satirize. As for result, I don’t really know how to connect the satires used in this mock epic to the events that happened in the world we’re living now.

Candide Question #10

10. An archetype is a pattern that has appeared in literature across cultures and times. A common archetype is the journey: A hero is thrust into a strange world to face dangers and wonders. How does this excerpt from Candide express the archetype of the journey?

        This excerpt from Candide expresses the archetype of the journey in ways that Candide is in harsh condition when he is expelled from the earthly paradise: he sleeps supperless between two furrows in the open fields, which snowed heavily in large flakes; moreover, the shivering Candide is penniless, dying of cold and exhaustion, and he halts sadly at the door of an inn. He is deceived and forced to join the military when two men notices him and said that they would not only pay his expenses, but would also never allow him to be short of money.

The Rape of the Lock Question

8. How does the poem apply to contemporary life? What passages could serve as satirical commentaries on people’s behavior today?

1.      How do the heroes of this mock epic differ from the conventional epic hero?

The heroes of this mock epic differ from the conventional epic hero in ways that heroes of this mock epic don’t encounter trials and accomplish challenging tasks.

2.      Why have “the heroes and the nymphs” fathered at Hampton Court?

The heroes and the nymphs fathered at Hampton Court because a party is held at the Court.

3.     What events serve as “epic battles”?

The event of Belinda playing card games with two other gentlemen and Belinda combating with the Baron demanding for the return of the lock serve as epic battles.

4.     Who and what is Pope mocking in this epic?

In this epic, Pope is mocking the young gentleman Rober, Lord Petre, who steals a lock of Arabella Fermor’s hair and set off a quarrel between the Fermor and the Petre families.

7.   In Canto III, line 86, Pope juxtaposes, or places side by side, dying

husbands and dying lapdogs. What is the effect of this juxtaposition? Find other surprising juxtapositions in the poem, and describe their effects.

l   The effect of this juxtaposition is that it shows royal residence as a place which both serious matters of state and frivolous social occasions happen.

l   There are other surprising juxtapositions, such as in Canto III, lines 1 to 8: at Hampton Court, statesmen discuss the fall of tyrants-and also of young ladies. Meanwhile, Queen Anne is sometimes served political counsel-and at other times, tea. The effect of this juxtaposition is the grandiose and the trivial; in Canto V, lines 49 to 58: even though the lock is gone forever, its very loss will ensure Belinda’s lasting fame. The effect of this placing is the short-lived and the eternity.

l   The poem applies to contemporary life in ways that the society of that time and the society existing now have lost proportion in valuing: trivial subject is given the attitude of gravity and solemnity, which shall be treated with truly important issues.

l   Passages that describe noble men and women having parties, card games, and affairs could serve as satirical commentaries on people’s behavior today.  

The Black Death

     “The Black Death,” also known as “The Plague” caused great amount of death during the 18^th century. It originated from mouse, which made its appearance especially in dirty, filthy environments. London at that time was having the Industrial Revolution, which made poor people even poorer, and the wealthy even richer. During that time, most people didn’t even have places to stay. They slept on streets and searched food on roads or trash cans. Combining the cold winter, the massive pollution, and bad hygiene, mice came along. Mice only made the already suffering condition even worse, thus there was “The Black Death.” With no treatments to cure this disease, the result was the death of lots of people.

What I know about the 18th century

   The Restoration was when the English monarchy restored its position, and it took place from 16^th century to 18^th century. In 18^th century, a significant event happened in England that would change the rest of the human history, which was the Industrial Revolution. During the Industrial Revolution, people no longer worked at homes. Instead, they moved to cities and worked in factories, which caused urbanization. Moreover, factories were built near where workers lived so that it was more convenient for them. What concerned to factory owners the most was how they could make the greatest profit by only using the least cost. They didn’t care about how workers lived, thus workers’ rights were deprived of. Moreover, children were employed to do jobs such as cleaning machines or delivering components. Children might get crippled due to accidents, but the factory owners still wouldn’t care about these children. They would only think that it’s the children’s own fault for not being careful.

Verbal Irony

    Swift uses irony throughout the whole proposal: he satirizes how English landlords abuse Irish family and he suggests that the solution to solving the poverty problem in Ireland is through eating infants at age one. The reason this is an irony is the writer doesn’t actually mean what he writes. As for result of eating babies, the Irish family would get a new food source, social problems would get eliminated, and there would be less Catholics. With the reduction of Catholics, Swift is satirizing Protestants’ prejudice toward Catholics. In addition, Swift also satirizes the Irish for accepting all the bad treatments they receive rather than rebelling against the English landlords.

Retreat of the ‘tiger mother’

   After her controversial article was published, Chua receives many criticizes via e-mail or comments on the newspaper’s Web site. As this article mentions, Chua is just writing a memoir rather than parenting guide, so I think people shouldn’t judge her so harshly. Every household has different methods of raising children, and some are more kind, some are more demanding on academic achievement. In addition, she is just writing her own story, people really don’t have to be so overreacted. Instead, people should just use the attitude of reading a novel to treat Amy Chua’s book. When Amy Chua said that her real crime is telling the truth, and people are not that honest about their parenting, I feel this is so true. How many parents can say they’re perfect that they have no fight with their children ever? I’ve never heard of and I think it’s impossible for not having any conflict with family members. Although Amy Chua’s parenting method might sometime be too excess, her children are thankful toward the way that Chua uses. As long as her children didn’t result in depression or unhappiness, other people really don’t have the right to say that Amy Chua is a “tiger mother.’

Why Chinese Mothers Are Not Superior

   To most Asian parents, grade is the most important thing to them. They expect their children to achieve high in academics, and care less about extracurricular activities. I totally agree with the author that this kind of parenting is only a short term success because children aren’t given enough freedom to search for themselves. After graduating from college, our roles transform from students to employees. Having been only studying school subjects for such a long time, it’s hard for Asian children to find where their interests are at first few times. We’ll definitely make many mistakes before finding jobs that we really want and that are truly suitable for us. Defining success doesn’t necessarily limited to meanings of studying in prestigious schools, working in high positions in large companies, and earning lots of money. Rather, I think that achieving success is accomplishing one’s goal in one’s specialized area. Although these areas might be small or unnoticeable, as long as people are satisfied with their doings and lived enjoyable and happy lives, I think that’s called success.

Why Chinese Mothers are Superior

   I think this article portrays the difference in parenting model of Western and Chinese parents really true. In Chinese culture, parents and schools only focus on children’s academic performance rather than extracurricular activities. When schools end, we directly go to cram school so that we are capable of competing with others, thus making both parents and teachers proud. Also, parents would try to let children to cram for all subjects, which is just like what the article mentions: Chinese parents would sacrifice everything for their children’s future. In contrast, Western culture’s teaching method varies greatly from that of Chinese. Western parents want their children to have as many extracurricular activities, to join as many clubs as possible. Parents simply want their kids to enjoy the fun social life rather than always studying like nerds. In addition, Western parents would use more encouraging language when seeing their children don’t perform that well academically because they’re afraid of hurting children’s self-esteem. Unlike Western parents, Chinese parents tend to use insulting, harsh language to try to motivate their children to excel to a better level or achieve what they expect of their children to do. However, I don’t really agree with this kind of method because I think this would only cause drawback.

The Knight's Tale VS A Knight's Tale

    “The Knight’s Tale” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” and the movie “A Knight’s Tale” are similar and different in some ways. The element of courtly love can be seen in both stories. In “The Knight’s Tale,” the two wounded warriors, which are Arcite and Palamon, are being captured by Theseus and put into prison. The two prisoners fall in love with Emelye, who is Theseus’s sister-in-law, and they decide to have a duel. Similarly, in “A Knight’s Tale,” William the peasant and Sir Adhemar are fond of the noble lady Jocelyn. William and Sir Adhemar also fight against each other in the jousting tournament. However, the class of William and Sir Adhemar is different from that of Arcite and Palamon. In “The Knight’s Tale,” there are three temples to the gods: Venus, the goddess of love; Mars, god of war; and Diana, goddess of chastity. Before the battle day, Palamon asks Venus to let him get the victory in the name of love, Emelye tells Diana the desire to remain a virgin, and Arcite begs Mars to win the tournament. In the end, Arcite wins the battle, but still unable to marry Emelye due to severe wounding caused by Saturn. Everybody in Athens mourns for Arcite’s death, especially Emelye and Palamon. Theseus couldn’t stand for their long grieving, and he requests them to cease mourning. In the end, Emelye and Palamon obey Theseus’s order and enjoy their happy marriage. In contrast, the movie doesn’t is without the praising part. In addition, William not only wins Jocelyn’s heart, but also the battle. Nevertheless, the endings for both stories are joyful ones, in which Palamon and Emelye, and William and Jocelyn live happily ever after.

Reflection 2 Term 2

     First semester of the senior year is almost over, and now it’s a great time to think back what I’ve gained and learned throughout the year. First is the pressure from both heavy school works and college application. Time is especially important for us, but is always not enough; I wish I can have 48 hours a day rather than 24 hours. Not only we have to handle such great pressure within only limited time, but also we have to endure scolding from Ms. Pamela constantly. Second is the closer connection with other seniors. I start taking AP courses this year, and I stay after school since the beginning of the year for discussing and writing homework with others. I become friends with those I’ve never would have thought talking to: just like two parallel lines finally have a connection due to the challenging courses. To me, I’m happy to stay after school because I can talk with friends and finish the work at the same time. Also, I think I’m more productive at school compared to at home. Third is the final exams, which I study extremely hard this time. And the paid-off is great: I’m pretty satisfy with my grades for all subjects, probably the best of what I get since grade 9. Now, the first semester, the most stressed out one, is finally finished. From now on, I could finally enjoy the rest of my senior year because I only have to focus on school work.