Reflections Of My Essays

Ideas & Content
In my Julius Caesar essay, my main idea was to prove that Brutus was a honorable and patriotic person towards Rome and was willing to die in the name of Rome. ' Brutus realizes that Caesar is no good to Rome due to Cassius’ persuasion and decides to act for the people of Rome for he is an honorable man and loves Rome with patriotism.' My writing usually made sense and it had a clear and focused topic. I tried my very best to include interesting and relevant ideas but failed to do so sometimes as there was a time constraint. I almost always explained how my quotations related to the main idea. I believe that I need more improvement in finding better ideas.

In my alchemist essay, I feel that i did a really good job and I had a clear main idea, 'Santiago’s journey allows him to find his one true love, meet new people who give him new perspective of life, and gain enlightenment by learning the Language of the Universe.' My writing always made sense and my topic was clear and focused. I knew my topic pretty well and included interesting and relevant details. I always explained how my quotations related to the main idea.

Organization
In my Julius Caesar essay, my organization was okay throughout the whole essay. I began with an interesting quote, “And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, which hatch’d would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell.” and I also had clear topic sentence, 'Brutus realizes that Caesar is no good to Rome due to Cassius’ persuasion and decides to act for the people of Rome for he is an honorable man and loves Rome with patriotism.' Most of my body paragraphs started with clear topic sentences and I mostly established the context before inserting a quotation. My conclusion could have been a lot better because I feel that I rushed through it.

In my alchemist essay, I did begin with an interesting quote that set the scene, “I have inside me the winds, the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe.” and my thesis statement was pretty straight forward too, ' Santiago successfully achieves his destiny through his reliability, ambition, and open mindedness.' All most all of my paragraphs began with clear topic sentences and I always establish the context before introducing a quotation. I believe that I ended with a really good conclusion.

Personal Growth
I don't see much improvement in my essay, instead I see that my level of writing has decreased. This could be because we had a time limit and we weren't given much time in class to prepare for it. Those are the only reasons I can think of.

SLR
The SLR I chose for my essays was reason critically because I had given a reason for every point I made. I provided proof for my quotes and suggestions most of the time. The main aim of the essay was to show that I understood what I was reading and this could only have been possible by reasoning what my opinions.

Brutus, A True Roman

“And therefore think him as a serpent’s egg, which hatch’d would, as his kind, grow mischievous, and kill him in the shell.” (pg 64). This is a quote from Julius Caesar in which Brutus is plotting to kill Caesar as he finds out what dangers Caesar could do if he had gained the power of a king. So he should be killed while he his still weak and not when Caesar is at his highest point because by then it would have been too late. Brutus realizes that Caesar is no good to Rome due to Cassius’ persuasion and decides to act for the people of Rome for he is an honorable man and loves Rome with patriotism. Little does he know that there are still citizens out there who are ready to kill in the name of Caesar.

Throughout the whole play, Brutus has been shown as an honorable person and is ready to do anything for the people of Rome. Honor was in Brutus’ blood as his ancestors saved Rome from tyranny and took away the kingdom from Rome and turned it into an independent republic country. Brutus realizes that it is his duty to stop Caesar from becoming a king because if Caesar had been crowned king, he would receive ultimate power and that would have allowed Caesar to ruin the whole of Rome and bring it to pieces. Brutus knew that he couldn’t let that happen as he was too loyal to Rome. Brutus felt that he was doing the right thing for the people of Rome and his honor led him to the assassination of the mighty Caesar. Later on in the play, after Caesar is dead, Anthony, Caesar’s dearest friend put up a war for Caesar. Brutus found out that he was bound to loose and decided to die in the hand of his own friend rather than being dishonored and killed by Anthony, “It is more worthy to leap in ourselves than tarry till they push us.” (pg 214) This quote is a metaphor and it means that they should sacrifice their lives rather than wait and die in Anthony’s hands. Brutus’ had no intention of being killed by his own enemy because he had been betrayProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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by Anthony and decided that it would have been best to die by Strato and not disgrace his honor. Way before the war, on the day that Caesar died Anthony wanted to make a speech for Caesar’s funeral, “And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, speak in the order of his funeral.” (pg 120) Brutus’ response to this was, “You shall, Mark Anthony.” (pg 122) Brutus’ lets Anthony come up and speak because he believed that it was for the good of Rome and that Caesar deserved to have a great funeral. Brutus was loyal and humble as he did all this for Rome because Rome did truly love Caesar. This shows that Brutus was an honor man because he still had respect for Caesar and Anthony and didn’t mean to harm any of them but instead his main goal was to save Rome. Brutus was a true honorable man and loved his country with all his heart.

Rome meant everything for Brutus and he died trying for the sake of Rome. Brutus’ patriotism led him into to doing great things, which he could never have done without his patriotism. He never wanted Rome to be a kingdom again for he loved Rome too much to watch it shatter in front of him due to Caesar possible changing nature leading to His corruption. Brutus was so devoted to Rome that he fell in Cassius’ trap and was willing to kill Caesar without a fixed reason. The moment he realized that Caesar was a possible treat to Rome, he acted like bolt and plotted a great assassination. “I know no personal cause to spurn at him, but for the general.” (pg 62) Brutus was not afraid to give up such a great man and put himself into so much trouble only for the sake of the Rome and its people. This clearly shows his devotion and patriotism toward Rome because Brutus did loose a lot by doing this but he believed that this is was Rome needed. Brutus had nothing against Caesar at all accept the fact that he could have become a threat. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (pg 128) Brutus said this during his speech at Caesar’s funeral. He was trying to convince the public that he had done all this for them and it was best that Caesar had been killed. This is a perfect example for Brutus’ patriotism for his own country.

Caesar blood had been sacrificed for honor and patriotism. These two motivators led Brutus into the assassination of Brutus since Caesar had turned ambitious and was a risk for Rome’s future. Brutus was not able to achieve his goal because all Brutus wanted was peace and freedom in Rome and by killing Caesar, another great man rose to take revenge. Brutus’ whole plan had been unsuccessful because his goal wasn’t to kill Caesar but instead, to have Rome united and happy. This was the definitely a noble and worthy cause since everything he did was intended towards the good of Rome and its people. Brutus died trying his best. Brutus was a true Roman.

The Lost Boys reflection

Reflection

My collage clearly showed thinking creatively because of all the various pictures that I put into it and the fact that some of them show the war, culture, hope, and suffering. I put on some quotes from the ambassador and one of the lost boys himself to get the viewer to interact with the collage. With each word on my six word memoir, I linked it to a separate image that matches with the word.

I believe that I reasoned critically because every word and image that I put on my collage had its own meaning. Some of the words and images were linked too, making the viewer feel empathy for the lost boys of Sudan as they have suffered so much already.

I feel that my collage communicates effectively by creating the awareness of the lost boys plight because most of my pictures show their suffering and struggling for a better life. The best part of the collage which shows the plight is the quote from Dave Eggars, "Whatever I do, however I find a way to live, I will tell these stories." It shows how much they have been through and how much courage they still have to go on.

I was living ethically because I demonstrated empathy and evoked an emotional response with my pictures and six word memoir. Especially with the picture right in the middle where a baby is crying and it is associated with loss. Once again the quote by Dave Eggars helped too.

Peter's Journey

Peter has struggled all his life as a Lost Boy of Sudan because he had been greatly affected by the Sudan Civil War. The lost boys were all part of refugee camp within Africa and once in awhile a few people were sent to America to start a new life. At first, Peter was sent to Huston and he didn't like it there because he wanted an education and none of the schools had actually accepted him. So he decided to go to Kansas where Peter managed to find a high school out of several and enrolled himself there. One of the main problem he faced was earning his own money. Peter went to school at eight o'clock everyday and came back at half past three in the after noon. He cooked himself a meal from 3.30pm to 5pm and then he had to go to work till 10.30pm. When he came home, Peter had to do his homework which usually lasted him till 1am. He had a very busy day as he had to work while he was in high school so that he could play for his education, food and schooling. Peter had to adjust to the new lunch hours because in Africa they only ate twice a day. After sometime, Peter realized that it is not okay to have physical contact with the same gender and it was a little bit hard for him to take this in. One major difficulty he faced was racism. Since Peter was darker than the rest of the people, some people stared at him and this got him uncomfortable. He quickly learned that there were lots of stereotypes against darker people and this got him slightly upset. Peter faced religious difficulties too because he was used to a different culture back in Africa.

One of the most important things Peter did to deal with these problems, was shifting to Kansas where he knew he would find a good high school and would be able to have a brighter future. This was a great step for him. He also started working after school so that he could earn enough for his living. Peter joined the local church to fit the people in America. He tried to make lots of friend within his school too. Peter also learned the slang that was being used over there and this didn't make him stand out. After awhile, Peter realized that there was no way to get rid of all the stereotypes that had been made and so he decided to live with it. Doing all these things, allowed Peter to start a new life. A life that was better than his old one even though it was harder but it was still worth it.

Julius Caesar Acting

I have chosen the part in which Decius persuades Caesar to go to the capitol. Caesar decides not go to the capitol because his wife, Calpurnia, has a dream about Caesar statue spouting out pure blood like a fountain. Decius convinces Caesar to come by re-interpreting by saying that the dream signifies Caesar as the life line for the whole of Rome and that they have come to wash their stains instead of bathing their hands in it happily. Decius also tell Caesar that the senate has decided to crown Caesar on that very day and if Caesar does not come, he may not get the crown. This makes Caesar angry at his old decision and then decides to go to the capitol with all the conspirators.

This passage is very significant because if Caesar hadn't gone to the capitol, the assassination wouldn't have taken place and the whole plan would have been ruined. Without the assassination, there wouldn't have been a conflict in the story and it wouldn't be able to go on.

Act 2 Scene 2 lines 65 - 107

Caesar: Shall Caesar send a lie?
Have I in conquest strech'd mine arm so far,
To be afreard to tell greybeards the truth?
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come.

Decius: Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause,
Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so.

Caesar: The cause is in my will: I will not come;
That is enough to satisfy the Senate.
But for your private satisfaction,
Because I love you, I will let you know:
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home.
She dreamt tonight she saw my statue,
Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts
Did run pure blood; and many lusty Romans
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it.
And these does she apply for warning and portents
And evils imminent; and on her knee
Hath begg'd that I will stay home today.

Decius: This is all amiss interpreted;
It was a vision fair and fortunate:
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes,
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd'
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood, and the great men shall press
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance.
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified.

Caesar: And this way have you well expounded it.

Decius: I have, when you have heard what I can say:
And know it now. The Senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar.
If you shall send word you will not come,
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock
Apt to render'd, for some one to say,
'Break up the Senate till another time,
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.'
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper,
'Lo, Caesar is afraid'?
Pardon me, Caesar; for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this,
And reason to my love is liable.

Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpurnia!
I am ashamed I did yield to them.
Give me my robe, for I will go.

Duet
Decius: Me (Saksham)
Caesar: Rohil

The Lottery

Personally, I would have called this story 'the black box' because it makes the reader wonder about the story whereas 'the lottery' sounds pretty straightforward. the title 'the black box' would catch attention and it would get people asking questions and that would create tension. I thought that someone would win money in this lottery because that's what a lottery normally is until the author told us that the people were hesitating and that they didn't want to see their result, "there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously." At that point, I was unsure about my prediction and I had a feeling that the lottery wasn't about winning money but about something bad, something people weren't looking forward to. I felt really angry when the end of the story wasn't given to us because I had so many questions to ask and that got me frustrated. I became very curious when I was handed the mystery paper and I was confused at what was happening. I had no idea what was inside it, I was totally lost. I failed to follow the instruction because when I got home, I totally forgot about it and I had to open it the next day. The black box actually made me feel nervous because I didn't know what to expect from it and when I got a blank piece of paper, I felt so satisfied. The ending of the story was sad because I didn't like the idea of sacrificing your life for no reason at all. My predictions were correct because I knew that something bad was going to happen but I never expected to end like this. If I had re-read the story before reading the end, I might have made a better prediction. The author clearly left voids in this story and she did this because she wanted us to ask questions and engage with the story. Not having a title or the information about the author really made me wonder about what was going on and the fact that we weren't given an ending truly frustrated me. And the text clues made it worse because it got me thinking about the story in many different ways and deep down, it confused me. The mystery paper made the story come to life and it annoyed me because I didn't know what was happening. The delayed ending, and in my case the really delayed ending, caused lots of tension and after reading the ending I was truly satisfied. This was a great discovery for me because I never knew that I could get so frustrated over a story.

Power of the VOID (band)

The Mission Statement:

The International School of Kuala Lumpur provides an (silence) exceptional education that challenges each student to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding to become a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.

I chose to put my silence/void there because it creates a lot of tension. You are just about to reveal what ISKL provides and all of a sudden there is a stop, this gets the listener asking questions in their minds. Then tension is released when all the questions are answered after the silence. This is an excellent way to create tension because you hold the information back and this catches the listeners attention and gets him thinking as well.

One of the easiest ways for a composer to create tension in their music is by putting a pause in the piece. Just before the pause, the composer could use crescendos and accents to create a bigger tension during the pause. This would allow the listener to ask questions and engage with the music and thus a void is created.