literary essay

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                       4/27/14
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Literary Essay

 

 

                              The play Romeo and Juliet is a classic heartbreaking romance tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The story Romeo and Juliet takes place in the streets of Verona where two households called Montague and the other Capulet are sworn enemies. Within theses families two star crossed lovers go through thick and thin in order to keep their love alive but because there families are rivals they can't be together. Unfortunately in order to be together Romeo and Juliet killed themselves in order to be with each other in the after life. After reading the story numerous times I have come to the conclusion that the Hatred and rivalry between the Montague's and Capulet's

motivates them.

 

                          One reason why I have come to this conclusion is because in Act 3 scene 1 as Mercutio murdered by Tybalt, Romeo was infuriated and full of rage and was motivated to avenge Mercutio's death. for example it says " Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio Slain!/ Away to heaven, respective lenity,/ and fire eyed fury be my conduct now!"(3.1.117-119) this quote explains Romeo's anger because he is just realizing that Mercutio was actually murdered and hurt badly. and because of this he is livid and infuriated. Another example is Romeo says "My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt/In my behalf; my reputation stain'd/With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour/Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,/Thy beauty hath made me effeminate/And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!" (3.1.104-110) from this you can tell that he is still enduring Mercutio's death and at the end he talks about his temper showing that he is getting angry.

 

                            Another reason why Hatred and rivalry between the two households motivates them is so that they can protect their families for example after Tybalt's death Capulet was motivated to protect her daughter by getting her married to Paris and inherit his wealth later on in life. for example.When Paris asks for Juliet's hand in marriage, Lord Capulet tells him that Juliet is too young to get married. ("Too soon marred are those so early made,"(1.2.55) he says, clearly referencing his own wife, whom he married when she was younger than Juliet. In retrospect, Lord Capulet seems to think that marrying her when she was so young was a bad idea.) He also says he will not agree to let anyone marry Juliet unless his daughter consents to the match. He suggests that Paris start to get to know Juliet at the party the Capulets are holding that night. But after Tybalt's death Lord Capulet changes his mind and decides to have Juliet be married because after everything that's been going on with the Montague's and the Capulet's, Lord Capulet is expecting his own death and wants Juliet to inherit his wealth and get married before then.

 

                          My final reason why Hatred and rivalry between the two families motivates them is so they won't be insulted and made fun of by each other. for example at Lord Capulet's party Romeo and his gang come to crash the party Tybalt is infuriated and wants to confront Romeo and fight him. in the text it says " What dare the slave come hither, covered with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now by stock and honor of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin'"(Act 1, Scene 5, 56-60) What Tybalt is trying to say is that he will be honored if he kills Romeo who is disrespecting the Capulet's. This shows that he wants to protect the family name and will stand up to Romeo. Another example from the text says "But this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall."(Act 1, Scene 5, 92-93) Tybalt is not planning to forget that Romeo intruded into the Capulet's ball and he will get revenge

 

                        In conclusion William Shakespeare wrote an incredible play that will last throughout  time. The story of two crossed lovers were brought together by fate and went through obstacles that changed their lives. In the end even though Romeo and Juliet die in the end this book taught people all across the world what it's like to love, trust and even be motivated to challenge your arch enemies. what Shakespeare was trying to accomplish and tell the world with this story is that love is strong and it can change people. after reading this story I have come to the same conclusion and hope to use that knowledge in my life. Romeo and Juliet knew what it's like to love... do you know what it'slike to love?  

 

Who should be allowed to marry

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                        4/24/14
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                     The article "Who Should Be Allowed to Marry?" is  an outstanding article trying to encourage the United states of America to legalize gay marriage. Just 10 years ago only one state legalized same sex marriage and now there are seventeen. But gay marriage is still one of the most politically divisive arguments in America. Throughout the article the author Patricia Smith talks about the supreme court's opinion and other courts throughout the nation. Smith also talks about attitude shifts and how overtime how America's opinion changed overtime. She says it's because of shows with gay characters such as Ellen and Will and Grace that help Americans accept gay people in society. I agree with Patricia Smith and think Gay marriage should be legalized in more states.

                    One reason why same sex marriage should be legalized in more states is because gay people should have the same rights as everyone else. It's not fair that other people should have a right and others don't just because of who they are. If you think about it the argument of whether or not to legalize gay marriage is because it's the same as not letting black people vote. there were only a couple states where freed slaves can vote only white males could vote at the time. Can't you see it's a similar situation. there is nothing wrong with wanting to marry someone.

                      Another reason why gay marriage should be legalized in more states is because many legal rights and family protections are connected to marriage. for example " Social security provides the sole means of support for some elderly Americans. All working Americans contribute to this program through payroll tax, and receive payments upon retirement. Surviving spouses f working Americans are eligible to receive social security payments." these are the benefits of marriage and it shows  not only why other states should legalize gay marriage but also why people get married.

                  In conclusion same sex marriage should be legalized all over the United States not just seventeen states. Because Gay people should have the same rights as other Americans and because legal rights and family protection is connected to marriage. These reasons show why you should let Gay people marry each other and also to accept gay people in society because they are no different then any other American. You shouldn't exclude others just of what they might like their beliefes and especially of who they are. because in the end were all just human beings.

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                     3/20/14
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Tell The World

 

 

 

 

                         Through poetry we tell the world who we are, where we're from, what we love, what we think, what we feel, and why we hope. The book Tell The World by Sherman Alexie is a stunning collection of poems by Teens. Their words represent the thoughts, hopes, and dreams of teens around the world. While reading these poems I have encountered many connections with the poets like dealing with what we love, where we are from what we feel. But overall who we are as a person. Still being only 13 years old I haven't found my own path in this world and hope to eventually find one in the future. This is a theme that I never wrote about in the past and didn't really pay attention too. But after going over it in my head I have come up with a theory. In the book one of the many themes is who you are as a person and I think the author included this message so teens can express their personality.

 

                         One reason why Sherman Alexie chose to include this theme so teens can express their personality and to separate themselves from other people. For example in the text it says "I am Hip Hop and Rand B. My mother is Old School. I am Rap. My grandmother is smooth Jazz." This proves that teens are expressing their personality because in this poem the poet is trying to tell the world that she is different from her parents and her grandmother and that she's her own person.

 

                          Another reason of why Sherman Alexie chose to have teens  express their personality is also to express how they feel about who they are. for example in this poem it said "Half Palestinian, Half Jew what is this world coming too? How did this happen? How can I feel ." in this part of the poem it shows how she is obviously confused of who she is and doesn't know how to react because she doesn't know if she's Jewish or from Palestine. another example from another poem is "I'm like a modern day tea cake. my mom named me Michael Newby but I'm better known as prince Akzionz." From this the poet Michael doesn't really like his name and feels like prince Akizionz is what he truly is.

 

                           My Final reason why Sherman chose to have teens express their personality to is also to accept who they are as a person. for example in one poem it said "I am lightning, I crackle and I boom look at me, look at me I branch across the sky." in this part of the poem the poet is not only accepting himself but trying to get the world to accept him I think the lighting representing him being a reckless and every where he goes he messes up everything but he 's trying to say that just accept me for who I am. Another example of a poem that describes a poet accepting himself is "I can be American and not from America, but the fact that I'm hear it's who I am! America is and will always be my country." in this part of a different poem the author is trying to tell the world that even though I might not look American that's who I am. Also again the poet is asking the world to accept her as an American.

 

                        In Conclusion Poetry can tell lots of stories and can help with problems and expressing who you are as an individual. The book Tell The World has collections of poems from teens of who they are as a person, because at this stage of life many teens throughout the world are trying to find out who they are what they like and what they dislike. The author Sherman Alexie used this method so teens can express who they are and accept who they are and how they feel about who they are and also to use these poems to separate themselves and become their own person. After reading this book I have many solutions and wonders about my self and who I am now, who I was in the past, and what I dream of becoming in the future. Now let me ask you a question, who are you?

         The book Hoop Dreams is an inspirational, heartbreaking, and a true story about two high school basketball players from inner  city Chicago. One named Arthur Agee and William Gates, who both dream of playing in the NBA. These two ball players go through obstacles that will change there life for ever.  For example issues with parental drug abuse, poverty, gang violence around the neighborhood, and teen pregnancies. While this is still going on at home characters in the book go through many obstacles at school, like injuries on the basketball court, school grades, college struggles. But throughout all these things that are going through each characters life they always keep track on what's really important and never gives up.

        
             Throughout the book  poverty is a real big issue for Arthur Agee.  His parents just didn't have enough money to pay his school and to take care of there kids. As a result Arthur couldn't come to school anymore until his parents paid tuition. Arthur was not in school for over two months. This shows how his parents are poor because they didn't have enough money to pay for the school and be able to pay for food  and bills. Another example to show how poverty was a problem for Arthur is that when the Agee family stopped paying the water bill, the light bill and the heat for the house every thing shut down all the lights went off and there was no water or heat in the house it was just dark and extremely cold. It was hard surviving in the dark for the Agee family.  Although there were hardships the Agee family had to go through, it didn't stop Arthur who battled hard to keep his dream alive.
           In the Agee family Arthur's father Bo does drugs and cheats and beats his wife. Bo is the only one who supplies the family with food. So when Bo left the house to get high of drugs he didn't come back for a long time and was caught and was sent to jail. Without Bo, Arthur and the rest of the family didn't really have food. and the mother couldn't keep a job to provide all the supplies that her family needed and after a while they started to live in a very poor environment. This shows how Arthur is poor and that Sheila couldn't provide her family with anything after her husband left.
              In conclusion poverty was a big issue for characters in the book, as the adults didn't have enough money to pay for the children to attend catholic school. Another example of poverty discussed in the book is how they couldn't pay their bills, therefore everything was shut off in there house. The light, water and heat went off, the Agee's lived in darkness for a long time. Another example is when Bo left the family and Sheila was not able to keep a job and bring food for her family. Because of all this, it was hard not only for Arthur but his whole family suffered as they lived in very poor conditions. But all this didn't stop Arthur for working to achieve his goal, it didn't stop Arthur from keeping track on what really is important. Arthur like many people in the book are brave and have courage for not giving up on there dream. Even in the worst moments he didn't give up of going to the NBA

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                              2/13/14
 

Time For a Raise?

                         The article "Time for a raise" is about President Obama increasing the federal minimum wage. no one should live in poverty. If you work at a job that makes you do hard work all day but doesn't give you a dissent reward don't worry Obama is going to find a way to help. Obama is pushing $7.25an hour to $10.10 an hour by 2015. for some people it's a constant struggle trying to keep up with rent, taxes and more with just $8.00 an hour. Some minimum wage workers live with their parents and can't afford a car or an apartment. The federal minimum should go up fro $7.25 to $10.10 an hour.

                         One reason why it should go up is so that people can afford their own apartment or house a car and more. for example according in the article it said "I have to live with my parents. I would like to be able to afford a car and an apartment." this shows how because he doesn't get paid a lot of money he has to live with his parents in order too have somewhere to sleep and have food to eat. Another example is when Roberto said "it's a constant struggle" all this  shows how Minimum wage workers struggle to provide food for themselves and shelter where they can sleep.

                        In conclusion minimum wage workers are working hard  and they deserve a raise instead of $7.00 why not $10.00 so that people can afford food a place to sleep and other things too to help them survive. and keep up with rent and taxes and other bills too. America Needs Obama's help and he's doing what he can to help minimum wage workers.

                     

Jackson Boutin                                                                                                                      1/30/14
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                The book "Foul Trouble" by John Feinstein  is a great story about an incredible athlete almost destroying his whole career. Terrell Jamerson is the best high school basketball player in America. His team is ready to the win the championships and colleges are offering full scholarships.  Plus Terrell is also living like a rock star getting autographs and press coverage at every game. It seems like he has it all basketball talent and fame.  But that's not how his best friend Danny Wilcox sees it who's also a top prospect himself. Danny knows and is suspicious about sneaker guys and managers who say they that sneaker deals are good but there really not. after reading ten chapters there has already been a handful of reporters and so called money makers who have tried to mess and destroy Terrell's reputation. so far he already has been smoking weed and was suspended for a game because of it. As a result Terrell can and might be investigated by the NCAA. Terrell as well as Danny have to play hard and aggressive on and off the court to survive the recruiting game. After summer was over and school had started Terrell's mind is completely focused on which college he should go to but out of the three colleges he visited he learned a lesson: There are people who will use you to get some where and there are those who care about you.

 

                 one reason why people would use you is to get to someone else. for example in the book many colleges not only recruited Terrell but his best friend Danny because they thought if Danny goes to there college so will Terrell. This all happened because they mainly want Terrell because with a great basketball player as Terrell you probably will make it to the final four. Luckily Terrell and Danny realized that they don't need to go to the same college and are able to be stars on their own.

 

                 Another reason why someone would use you is to get to someplace. when being recruited, a coach is looking for someone to get them to the next level, meaning the NCAA championships, final Four and more. After visiting each college it seems that each coach said that Terrell would be a big piece in helping them win a championship. but while reading I realized that Terrell was looking for a school where he not only can play basketball but stay for 4 years and get an education. so I knew some schools who were only looking at his athletic ability will be denied. After visiting Atlanta and looking at there college I knew from the start that this was not the type of school for Terrell. it's all about sports and girls and partying. they don't take academics seriously like Terrell does.

 

                   My final example of being used is being used to get money. for example the "dudes" as Danny calls them is a group of old friends of Terrell who are getting revenge on Terrell for not having time for them and spending way more time with Danny. They are using the mistake that Terrell had made back at the summer camp against him so that he will be able to get money from agents and shoe mangers. After reading that chapter I was disgusted and unhappy about the Dudes behavior in doing such things to there so called friend. friends are supposed to have each others backs. But what the dudes don't realize is that Terrell has a plan and hopes to get people like money managers and agents arrested and fined by the NCAA. and will do so because he's friends with a reporter who is writing a story about agents and how they can damage careers.

 

                    In conclusion you can be used in many ways to get Someone, someplace, and the most popular, money. and some people will go so far to get these things. The book Foul Trouble inspired me and taught me many lessons not only in basketball but also about life. colleges will do anything to get to a superstar such as Terrell Jamerson. That's why he has to be careful because they don't care about him they only care about championships, and money. That's why Terrell needs to chose a college that cares about you and is not going to use you.

  

                

 

 

 



Jackson Boutin                                                                                                          1/9/14
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Foul Trouble

 

                          The book "Foul Trouble" by John Feinstein  is a great story about an incredible athlete almost destroy his whole career. Terrell Jamerson is the best high school basketball player in America. His team is ready to the win the championships and colleges are offering full scholarships.  Plus Terrell is also living like a rock star getting autographs and press coverage at every game. It seems like he has it all basketball talent and fame.  But that's not how his best friend Danny Wilcox sees it who's also a top prospect himself. Danny knows and is suspicious about sneaker guys and managers who say they that sneaker deals are good but there really not. after reading ten chapters there has already been a handful of reporters and so called money makers who have tried to mess and destroy Terrell's reputation. so far he already has been smoking weed and was suspended for a game because of it. As a result Terrell can and might be investigated by the NCAA. Terrell as well as Danny have to play hard and aggressive on and off the court to survive the recruiting game.  The Theme of this book is not to be cocky. just because your good doesn't mean you shouldn't practice. Don't throw away your career by smoking or doing drugs like Terrell almost did.

 

                          One reason why you shouldn't throw your career away and be cocky because you can be even better in the future. for example in the book Danny kept on calling player s the next Lenny Cooke. A top high school basketball player in 2002. Lenny Cooke and Lebron James were the top high school basketball players in the country. except Lebron got drafted in the NBA and one two championships and is now known as the best basketball player in the league right now. Lenny Cooke is a nobody now who took an unexpected road. and has never played a single quarter of pro basketball. To clarify he is calling Players who are messing with agents and throwing away their career Lenny Cooke cause they are doing the same thing he did ten years ago.

 

                       Another example Why you shouldn't be cocky and practice all the time is because things like drugs aren't going to solve problems they're going to make them worse and even add to your issues. After getting high Terrell was caught and was suspended for a game. In the book it said " Without Terrell to power the offense or Danny to lead the defense, the rebels looked lost from the start." The quote is telling you that drugs can result in a penalty like health issues and consequences that Terrell and Danny had to go through but in the real world there even worse doing drugs can result in getting killed or end up in jail with other drug users and deals. With out Terrel or Danny the Rebels were lost and the toreros won 85-66 but was still able to get another win in the next game.

 

                      In conclusion don't be cocky and full of yourself always practice to get better don't throw it away by doing drugs or other illegal stuff it will only increase your problems by having to deal with headaches and other health issues. Or you might just end up like Lenny Cooke and be a high school star to a nobody on a street with a name that has been forgotten. I'm still reading the book Foul Trouble and enjoy it a lot. This book teaches a lot of life lessons like another book I read called Hoop dreams. Both authors trying to teach young kids with dreams as playing pro basketball don't happen so easily you have to work at it and practice and not make careless mistakes like doing drugs. So watch your back and take care of yourself because when your the number one recruit, everyone is trying to make a play.