Blog #17

My expectations relating to this tends to side with what my classmates are going to say during our discussion sessions. In my expectations, I would like to make sure that I know what I am going to tell when it is my turn to do so. I expect that my group will have the necessary information needed to gain my expectations and that I give them the necessary information needed for them. I expect that the other students should also have information to share to my group and I. I would also like them to listen to what I have to say and shut their mouths. I would also like to make sure there laptops and cell phones are powered off and put away, so that they will not have the tendency to touch it. That way that I will know that they are paying close attention to my group and I. I would like them to demonstrate their thoughts about the novel The Things They Carried in a way that will make sense to them and that I am able to interpret how they think. I expect that the teacher will look at me as though I know what I am doing and that the things I speak are what the teacher thinks is correct.

The Shaper

A modern day shaper that paints a similar picture of the world is Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is like Grendel because as a child he was raised by his mother. His father was around, but he was called by his sons as their manager and not their dad. He emotionally and physically abused him. Michael Jackson is the king of pop that not only thinks he is the best, but also that he is above most people. Grendel is like him because he believes that any human being or creature is beneath him. The other point that shows that Jackson is similar to Grendel is that Jackson does not care about people's criticism about him. When many thought that he molested children, he did not care about what they say. He knows that he did not commit the crime,and that he really likes children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0&ob=av2n

A modern day shaper that paints a similar picture of the world is George Lucas for directing the movie Star Wars. Star Wars was a film that was fought between the good and the bad. The Jedis were the good and the Sith were the bad. When I read Grendel, I think about the monster being both good and bad. The good thing about Grendel is that he has emotions and cares about his mother. The bad thing is that he kills the Danes for no reason and does it for the fun of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5psCjg5-cI&feature=related

Blog 16

I believe what the narrator says when he insists regarding “stories are for those late hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are.” My experience towards this takes me seven years back, when I was just an elementary student at a primary school. As the time of a seven year old, I was still able to remember the things that go through my mind when I think about the immediate situation that surrounds me. One warm summer day, my family gave me a task. They wanted me to attend a ceremony for a friend. As I think about this moment, I can sense the things that go through my mind. The things like what will I do there and when will I need to be there. I am unaware of the immediate past and consequences that I may see when I get there. As I appear at the ceremony, I can feel the pressure on me for attending this event. I am not sure what is the point of coming to this event, when I am not a friend of this person. I am unable to question this, since my parents have already told me that I needed to attend the ceremony and that I cannot escape this task. All I can think about is the time spending on listening and paying my respects to the person. After about an hour, I departed from the event and took a ride home. After paying my respect for this person, I begin to experience the event and the point of it. I can look back at myself for being an arrogant and selfish kid towards this situation. Even though, this happened when I was seven years old, I still think about the positives and negatives relating to my past.

Blog 15: The Things They Carried

If I am going away and could take five things, I would take with me a knife, radio, canteen, clothes, and rifle. I would take these things because they are very important and can guide you through life. A knife can be used to chop, cut, sharpen, reflect, and stab things. Some examples that the knife is used is for chopping trees, cutting wood and animals, reflecting it as a mirror, sharpening tools, and stabbing living organisms. A radio can be used to call for help when you are in a tough situation. A canteen can be used to carry water or medicine in. Since I can only take five things with me, I would not be able to take a first-aid kit or a bowl. Clothes can be used to keep me warm and dry in various weather conditions. The rifle can be used to hunt and kill enemies that I may come across. For example, deer, horse, buffalo, and cows. All of these things are placed in a knapsack that is carried with me. These things would tell someone that I think before I do anything and that I know what I am up against in order to survive in tough conditions.