Education

What Emerson describes in paragraph 12 of his essay, Education, is strikingly similar to our education system today. Teachers do not teach students to meet their individual and unique needs but rather "do for the masses." And while teachers are not to blame for the this style of teaching, it wasn't their choice, they are forced to teach all of their students in the same way. Every person is different with needs unmatched by anyone else. Our education system today can make students feel as if their teacher is apathetic towards them. As Emerson said, education "cannot be done for the masses." One could argue that the education laws and standards encourage the art of lazy teaching. Teachers don't have to challenge their brighter students because they have to "reef their sails for the dull sailors." By really only having to work their duller students, they can take the easy way out. And the fact that this is encourage by No Child Left Behind act is truly sad.

Tiffany and Co.

In this affectionate jewelery ad, a woman is displayed with a signature blue box in her hand while an attractive man stands behind her and wraps his arm arounds her and leans in to kiss her neck.

This obvious use of pathos appeals to both men but mainly women's intimate and sensual desires for romance. The couple has obviously just shared a close and personal moment which is often associated with giving a woman a nice piece of jewelry whether it's a necklace or an engagement ring. This image surely tugs at the heartstrings of all women. All people want love and a companion. But a girl grows up dreaming of the perfect man, the perfect wedding, and of course, the perfect ring which surely come out of a little blue box. Women crave a fairytale story which this ad projects.

Ethos is also used in this ad. By seeing the signature blue box in the woman's hand the viewer immediately knows it's from Tiffany's. A common brand heard throughout a girl's life and most likely boys growing up with sisters, the viewer knows the brand is quite elegant and reliable. It's often viewed as store for wealthy socialites in the upper class.

Although not much logos is used in this is ad, there are a few examples of its use. The couple's fancy clothes in the ad is a sign of a wealthy couple.The couple also appears to be standing on a balcony that could be a penthouse apartment. The viewer could infer that the jewelery company is high quality and worthy of their money because the couple seems to have money.

Sense: Story

"the third time I tried to kill myself I used a rope." Aftere deciding to do Pink's experiment Riff on Opening Lines, I went to my bookshelf and chose a book at random. My hand chose Crash Into Me, a book about a group of suicidal teenagers. I wasn't exactly thrilled to be honest. For this experiment, Pink advises to choose a book and create a story based on the first line. I sat down and thought for awhile. But it was a little hard to concentrate with all the stress of preparing for my upcoming trip to Europe. My mind kept adding things to my to-do list that I have to accomplish before Wednesday. I though the stress would make my head explode. Ironically, this led to my inspiration for my story. The story of a businessman drowning in his work with an unsupportive family came racing through my mind. I needwwma little push but I enjoyed Pink's experiment. I might even say it was fun to test my R-Directed Thinking.

In our small town,
The smell of dead chicken makes me frown.
The smell of the bread however is nice
And will always suffice.
These smells fill our town.

Our town so small, it's like a cage.
Sometimes it fills me with rage.
And one day I'll pay the price
When I leave this place.

In the future I'll surely drown
People will think I'm simply a clown.
They'll think I'm covered in lice
Or I like to keep pet mice.
I can't keep up, I'll tumble down
When I leave this place.

The young woman wept
At the thought of the secret still kept.
Laying in the peaceful arms of the dark,
Her fate she began to accept.

Knowing what she must soon do,
This much she knew,
It wouldn't be easy.
But she had no clue.

She brushed her hair
And went downstairs.
She grabbed his hand
And looked at him with a sad stare.

As she told him,
His expression turned grim.
He stared at his feet and thought of the future
And could see his chances becoming slim.

He put on a brave face
He made her a promise
Then he took her in a warm embrace.
He took her in a warm embrace.

Lost

What happens to a friendship lost?

Does it simply fade
like the sunlight after a long day?

Does it become a memory
that slips to the back of the mind left forgotten?
Like a child's old toy laying untouched in the attic.

Maybe it's as if it never happened.
Like a conversation spoken between two strangers.

Or does it turn into hate?

Antigone

Ancient Greek tragedies usually involved a major character. One of this character's flaws causes a chain of events that leads to his or her downfall. Such is true of the story of Antigone. Antigone's own desires her selfish and blind to reason leading to her early demise.

Antigone insists "[her] brother she will bury" and no less for she is "no traitress." Ismene, Antigone's sister, tries to convince here it's unreasonable. The consequences of being caught going against the king's orders of leaving him to rot are too great to risk. All of their family is dead and they shouldn't "fall like the rest." But, Antigone's desires make her immune to Ismene's reasoning. Antigone will not meet Ismene's needs that are much more attainable and will end up being more fulfilling. Without thinking, Antigone goes to bury her brother.

Ismene's plea was not enough to stop Antigone. Attempting to "[bury] the man that [Creon] forbade", Antigone is caught, arrested, mand brought before the king, Creon. Creon offers for her to be "loosed from the burden of [the] heavy charge" as long as she does not attempt to do so again. Many would jump off this offer, but Antigone refuses. She would only go out and try again. Antigone would rather be locked up or executed than to simply follow the king's rules. She declares him an enemy before she listens to him. He begs her to let him pity her but she says no. She is only going to die in the end.

Antigone's selfish wishes make her deaf to the voice of reason. She jumps to irrational decisions thinking only about what she will gain and not what's best for everyone around her. She not only destroys what left of her family but her love's family as well. Her tragic cannot be blamed on anyone but herself.

Karla.

An evil act of violence. An unforgivable crime. A guilt free killer. These words easily describe Karla Faye Tucker. In 1983, Tucker and her boyfriend hacked two people to death with a pickax during a break in. Both influenced by drugs, broke in to steal a motorcycle and killed the owner and a woman with him. The couple walked free for about a month until a close friend turned them into the police. Karla went on trial and became the first woman sentenced to death in Texas since the Civil War.

Six weeks before her execution date, Tucker had an interview with Larry King from CNN. After nearly fifteen years in prison, Karla talks about turning around her life, a life with Christ. accepting the the obscenity of her crimes, trying to move on, her remorse, her guilt, and how God helps her through it.

Yet Karla was still put to death. Is it fair that she turned her life around but was still punished? What if other criminals on death row could make the same transformation? What if they don't have time before they're executed? Do they really learn from their crime? Tucker said in the interview, "Jesus has gone down into their hearts and completely changed them, and they have become caring people. They have changed. They're now helping others" (Tucker).

The death penalty isn't justice. Death penalty is killing. It's murder. It's an eye for an eye. Revenge. We are a country founded on justice. A country who believes that every human life is precious. A country that believes in forgiveness and second chances. Death penalty denies this.


Tucker, Karla. CNN, 21 March 2007. Intervew by Larry
King. 1988. Print. 24 Feb 2011.