Journal #6- chapters 15-17 from the perspective of Dill

I knew that when I returned to Maycomb this time there would be more trouble. There was a mob of hundreds of people outside Atticus’s house because of Tom Robinson! Well not hundreds, but there were many people outside, enough to be called a mob. They were all oblivious to what we all felt inside that house. We were pretty scared for everybody, but it was interesting. Atticus would not dispel them any time soon. He knew that they wanted something to do with Tom Robinson, so he went down to the jail to protect him. Mean Aunt Alexandra wouldn’t let us follow him. She said it was too dangerous, but we’ve been up to the Radley’s house, and we survived. That didn’t stop us though. We still followed Atticus after we snuck out of the house. There were even more people down by the jail. They all looked different though. It was people we know. All of the people complacently indulged in protest. Scout really showed Walter Cunningham what it was like to be in Atticus’s position right now.
When the trial was starting, it was amazing to see all the towns’ people who wanted to watch the case. I sure learned about all the people that inhabited Maycomb, Like Dolphus Raymond. Everyone thought he was drunk. He married a colored woman, and had half white, half black kids. Now the white people don’t want them because they’re black, and the black people don’t want them because they’re white. All the people sat and ate lunch on the grass with acquiescence, although most of them probably weren’t too amiable if they wanted to listen to a court case like this.

Journal #5- Chapters 12-14 From the perspective of Calpurnia

I was excited to take Scout and Jem to my church. I doubt they've been around this many colored folks in their life. I was happy to see everybody welcome them as if they've been going to the church their whole lives. However, only one person had not been as welcoming, but that didn't matter. First Purchase church was not very ecclesiastical because we didn't have any money to acquire these things. I know that many of them know I work for a white family, and some of them may think that I'm educated so I need to talk like the rest of them so I don't feel any different or I don't get treated any differently. Since Tom Robinson was Atticus's defendant, I think that there should be no problem with acceptance.
I think Alexandra needs to know that Atticus, Scout and Jem consider me a member of the house hold. I am used to the talk about segregation and Tom Robinson's case. This family would not have gone far after the death of Atticus's wife, Scout and Jem's mother, if I wasn't there to help them out. I think that Alexandra has too many big ideas for this family that is fine as it is right now. She wants to begrudge the freedom that Atticus has set up for Jem and Scout. These kids should not be encumbered by her.

Journal #4- Chapters 10-11 From the perspective of Jem

I was sure that Atticus could never do something a normal father could do. Me and Scout always have to go out on our own to have fun because Atticus never comes. Today, When Tim Johnson was inconspicuously following us, I was afraid he would put us into peril and hurt us because Atticus couldn't do anything to protect us. But when Heck Tate didn't want to shoot the dog when he came into town and Atticus did, I was confused he was just showing off because Atticus never does that. Instead he took Heck Tate's gun and shot it square in the face. It was then I knew that Atticus was much different than other fathers, but he could still do things normal fathers could do. He just didn't brag about it.
I thought the next day would be a simple one, where me and Scout just go to the town without anything being cantankerous. But whenever we had to go to town, we always had to pass by Ms. Dubose's house. She always criticized us for things we couldn't control. We were just being ourselves, minding our own business and she could always find something wrong. Sometimes she yelled so much her voice was inaudible. This time when we passed her house, She insulted Atticus, which is something I can't take, especially from other adults. On the way back from town, I was still so angry I took Scout's new favorite toy and used it to wreck her plants. I didn't care if It was new, and I didn't care if she was a poor old lady. It made me feel much better to ruin her flowers. But if I knew my consequences, I wouldn't have done it in the first place. I have to read a story I can barely understand to Ms. Dubose for two hours. I don't know why Scout comes with me. I thought Scout was too scared of her and still angry at me for breaking her baton. But I guess I apologized by helping her up. She never contradicts me anyway. After a few months, Ms. Dubose died. I thought she was going to haunt me forever because she sent me a flower before she died, but Atticus thinks it was her way of forgiving me.

Journal #3- Chapters 8-9 from the perspective of Atticus

Scout has me perplexed sometimes. Now is the time someone would say that she was growing up to be a lovely young lady but she just can't seem to mature. Of course I know Scout is just an ingenuous girl, and I can't change that, but I'm alright with that. But sometimes it gets the best of her. I feel she is even isolated because of how she beats up whoever wrongs her. It's not that I want her to change, its just that I wish she would become more acquainted with the idea of being less rude and more lady like around the family.

Journal #2- Chapters 4-7 from the perspective of Dill

I'm sad to be leaving Maycomb again. I'll especially miss Jem and Scout. I've grown so close to them over the past few summers that they feel like siblings to me. Theres no way to evade the trip back to my hometown though because I have to go to school. I was happy to have one last outing with Jem and Scout even if it was at 2 am. We went to the old fishing pool together. It was a little boring just because the three of us always get into trouble doing more interesting things. Jem had the idea to go try and see Boo Radley again. It was unanimous that we all had to go see him again. I knew it was a bad idea, but I was just so curious to know if the old legends were true. Scout was tormented st night by the thoughts of Boo Radley coming to get her, that I wanted to know if the legends were true so she wouldn't have to be scared. I was afriad Jem's tyranny would put us in danger some day. I thought he was done for when we saw the huge shadow in Boo's window. Unless we were chameleons, We were all done for the way Boo shot at us. Luckily we escaped. I hope Jem was satisfied with the appearance of Boo. Either that or he's just too scared to go back.

Journal #1- Chapters 1-3 from the perspective of Jem

Ever since scout was born, i've always felt live i've had to be the older brother, which meant to never condescend to her level. When Scout and Dill got an eccentric idea to see what Boo Radley looked like, I wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't chicken out and tell them I was too scared. Boo was intimidating. Whether it was fact or fiction that he was six feet tall and malevolent, the neighborhood would still be intimidated by him. I decided I would just bang on his house a few times. He probably would ignore it anyway. But I was wrong. I could have sworn he poked his head out the window once or twice. It was not enough for us to see what he looked like, so Scout and Dill will still be irked with the legend of Boo Radley.

A long way gone post #6

"His lips were about to utter something, But they stopped shaking, and he was gone." Said by Ishmael on page 208
Significance: Ishmael thought he was finished with seeing his loved ones die, but as soon as his uncle dies its like he is pushed back into his traumatic memories. This scene reminded me of when Gasemu died because it seemed like he died the same way Ishmael's uncle did.
Connection: Ishmael reacted differently to his uncles death than he did for Gasemu's death. I can relate to this because if I hear about something bad that happened to someone I don't know very well, I cant feel empathy because I dont know them, but if the same thing happens to one of my friends or family members, then I know how it feels.
Question: What would your reaction be to his uncle's death if you were Ishmael?

"I concluded to myself that if I were the hunter, I would shoot the monkey so that it would no longer have the chance to put other hunters in the same predicament." said by Ishmael on page 218.
Significance: I think this quote means that if someone was about to be faced with something horrible like war, Ishmael would want to save them the trouble of loosing people close to him by eliminating war before it starts.
Connection: This is the last quote in the book, and I think it shows how much Ishmael has grown up. Before he would have given an unrealistic answer to the Monkey question, but now since he has seen a lot, he can give a real answer to the question. I can connect because once someone asked me a question that I didn't know the answer to, but then a few weeks later I discovered what they meant and I knew how to answer the question.
Question: How would you answer the question Ishmael's friend's grandfather asked?

Long way gone post #5

Quote "Are you familiar with the city?" Uncle asked
"Not really" Said by Ishmael and Uncle on page 182
Significance: Ishmael has been out of touch with the city for so long and he is finally starting to get back into civil life. Its also showing that Ishmael is going to start healing.
Connection: I have felt this way when I've been away from my home for a week or two, and when I get back im sort of unfamiliar with my home surroundings and the city I left. Its like you have forgotten where your from and adapted to your surroundings
Question: How do you think Ishmael will rehabilitate himself with his Aunt and Uncle?

Quote: "My conception of new york city came from rap music" Said by Ishmael on page 193
Significance: The perceptions of what people think of america around the world is all different for every person. When he explained how he thought New York was a gang city, it shows that music has an influence on what people think.
Connection: If I hear a song thats about something then I automatically think that what the song is about must be true, even though it might not be.
Question:Do you think that Ishmaels opinions on America will change? how so?

A long way gone post #4

"My nickname was "green snake" because I would situate myself in the most advantageous and sneaky position and would take out a whole village from under the tiniest shrub without being noticed" Said by Ishmael on page 144.
Significance: I think the significance of this quote is how the army treats each other, and how soldiers handle their job. It seems like Ishmael is killing for joy because its all he knows how to do now.
Connection: Whenever someone gives me a nickname like that, I feel like I have to keep doing what I do to maintain that name. And thats probably how Ishmael felt when he was given the nickname.
Question: How do you think all the other boys in the army react to their nicknames?

"I extended my toes toward the fire to warm them and saw that they were pale and had begun to rot." Said by Ishmael on page 150.
Significance: I chose this quote because it shows how horrible their living conditions are. It also shows how Ishmael has pretty much "forgotten" to take care of himself.
Connection: This quote reminded me of when people get so caught up in something that they forget to eat or drink. This happens to me a lot with many different things
Question: Why do you think Ishmael's feet were rotting? and what do you think were some of the other problems he had that were like this?

a long way gone post #2

Quote #1: page 47, Ishmael. "I could have written a science paper on the experience." I chose this quote because it made me feel happy for him that he was finally laughing for once in a long time. It also made me think that he was confused to why he was laughing at a time like this, and it was causing him to ponder the idea like it was a scientific theory. I can connect with this because i've seen people randomly laugh at hard times and i've experienced it myself. I think Ishmael is a fun-loving boy, but since he was faced with poverty and war he hasn't had time for fun or laughing, and this was a way to vent his feelings.
Question #1: If you were in Ishmael's position, what would your outlook be on life?

Quote #2: page 50, Ishmael "I spent the night in the arms of those trees, Between earth and sky." One reason I chose this quote was because I liked how it was written and I think it displayed imagery very well. I also chose this quote because it seemed metaphorical to me in the sense that Ishmael was being comforted by a tree very high up in the sky, and that it shows how desperate he is to fulfill his everyday needs like food and sleep.
Question #2: How do you think Ishmael felt when he was with some of his family again? Do you think he should continue his journey or stay back with the tribe?

a long way gone post #2

From Haven to Home reflection

Part 1: From Haven to Home

The purpose of this exhibit was to learn about the Jewish impact in history and in America, and how the Jews saw America as a haven at first and then a home. I learned that Jewish people came to Amsterdam in 1654, but they were denied by the governor. During the establishment of America, the 2,000 Jews that lived in America were protected by the first amendment. In the civil war, it’s estimated that 9,000 Jews fought for the Union and 3,000 for the Confederacy.

Starting in 1880, Millions of Jewish people came from Russia, Rumania, Austria, and Hungary to live in America, mostly to be free from religious control. During the great depression, the Jewish people in Germany were blamed for the economic crisis, and fled to America when Hitler and the Nazi’s started the Holocaust.

A few interesting things I learned was that there are synagogues where every one of any religious beliefs are welcome. There are also synagogues that meet the needs of gay people and feminists. I thought it was interesting how there are many beliefs of Judaism, and different Jews believe in different things.

Part 2: Children of immigrants

The photograph I chose was a scared little boy being fingerprinted at the airport. I chose this picture because it shows that moving to a new country can be nerve-wracking to anyone.

The quote I chose said “Home is a place to protect my family and me. A place to sleep, eat, study and take a bath. Also the sweetest and softest place I’ve ever been in.” I chose this quote because it shows how your home is the only place you can feel comfortable and be free. I think the same could be applied to your country too.

The essay I read was about a boy’s mother who was born and raised in Vietnam. When the boy was young, he and his mother lived in a dangerous and poor area of town, and he explains how many people thought he would never get a proper education or live a good life because of his poor background. But he ends up going to a good school and pursues a good job. This story shows me that immigrants might have a harder time settling into the country because of all the trouble they have to go through to get to America.

A long way gone post 1

“They had carved their initials, RUF (revolutionary united front) on his body with a hot bayonet and chopped off all his fingers” Said by Ishmael on page 21

I think this quote shows how the RUF’s hostility. I also think the quote shows how much horrific experience Ishmael goes through. Since this book talks about child soldiers its shocking to think that anybody could have carved RUF on the dead person’s body. This quote reminded me of Invisible Children because the story takes place during an African war. This character is a brave boy who is about to be faced with a horrible situation.

“It was the only way to get through the night." Said by Ishmael on page 29

I chose this quote because it was sad to know that children like Ishmael had to fight and scavenge for their food. It also shows how hard times are and how tragic the warzone is. Most people in America don't realize that many people all over the world don't get food all the time.This quote reminded me that poverty always exsists.It also showed that even civil people can become greedy and savange when something is scarce.

Immigration

An Immigrant to me is someone who migrated to America from a different country to find a better life. The reason I'm connected to immigration is because I have a lot of friends and family members who immigrated from different countries. I think many immigrants come to America because we are a free country with lots of job opportunities, free education,and a good government that lives under the constitution. The affects of immigration in San Diego are more multi-cultured thing around the city. Since there are many Mexican-American immigrants in the city, there are parts of the city like Old Town and street names in different languages.