Inequality as Equality

Throughout the year, we have discussed numerous works by different authors and explored varying points of view and ways of thinking. Each reading has contained some type of message or idea that gives the story its meaning and makes it memorable. However, I think that the work that has made the largest impact is Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron." This story showed me that complete and total equality is dangerous as well as impossible. It is senseless to seek absolute equality in a society that is comprised of unequal individuals. Just as the existentialists believe that people commit actions in order to authenticate themselves, I believe that people are born with certain skill sets that are able to help them authenticate themselves. As I said before and as we discussed in class, I think that there should be separation between honors and non-honors class. I feel that it is unfair to students who comprehend some material faster and easier than others to learn at the pace of those who might take longer to process concepts. After all, I think that being fair is about what each person needs and not what the group in its entirety needs. As I also said before, I firmly believe that the education system should be more individualized than it is today. People should be separated into the intelligences that they possess according to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. This would establish a more centralized approach to education and help people have greater success in an area where they are especially strong. Although the education would be unequal this way, I feel like it does create a chance for more equal opportunities for each person. That is what I believe equality should be about. Everyone may not receive the same treatment as others, but they should still have the same opportunities that others have to succeed. Unfortunately, this is not the case since many people are born or raised in surroundings that deny them the opportunities that more fortunate people possess. Vonnegut's story also showed me that we should not try to "handicap" others just because they may boast qualities that not everyone has. The ballerina scene is meant to show the beauty and success that arises when people are able to exhibit their talents and skills without handicaps. However, I do not mean to say that people should treat others differently. Just as I believe that people should have the access to equal opportunities (but sometimes in different ways), I believe people are entitled to equal treatment. Although Vonnegut's story did not drastically change much about the way I view the world, it did show the danger and absurdity of trying to achieve totalitarian equality. Yet, it did help to reinforce some of my views on different issues. It made me think and rethink some of the ways in which society currently works. Overall, I believe the most important aspect I learned from "Harrison Bergeron" is that some times, the only way to reach equality is through inequality.

The Ballerina Scene in Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron"

Often times in literature, authors use utopian societies in order to critique or warn about the dangers that some courses of actions or ideals can have on society and the future. Kurt Vonnegut employs such a tactic in his satirical short story, "Harrison Bergeron." He constructs a "perfect" society in which every person is made to be equal in every possible way. Those who are above average are "handicapped" by a totalitarian ruler, the Handicapper General. Vonnegut primarily criticizes this idea of total equality through the ballerina scene. He uses different metaphors in order to show how inequality in talent and intelligence creates a beautiful, diverse, creative, and interesting world. At first, the ballerinas on television are mediocre, ungraceful, and clumsy. The fact that they are tied down with bags and other handicaps like the mental radio hinder their ability to effectively dance and express themselves. Later on, when Harrison Bergeron escapes and enters the television station, he selects one of the ballerinas to be his "empress." She then takes off her mask and reveals that she is "blindingly beautiful." This action symbolizes a newfound freedom from a repressed state along with a will to not conform and challenge the status quo. The bold action by the ballerina shows that she is not satisfied with the world that forces her to suppress her talents and appearance and that she is willing to fight for her own freedom. At the same time, Harrison Bergeron's valiant storming into the TV station and self-proclamation as the new "Emperor" symbolize the same defiant spirit. Vonnegut then eloquently describes the dancing of Harrison Bergeron and the ballerina in order to demonstrate the benefits that inequality has on society. The once pedestrian dance that appeared on the television is converted into an elegant, heroic, engaging, and true form of art. Vonnegut shows his audience a magnificent side to humanity, one that cannot be achieved when we strive for complete and total equality. The ballerina kissing the ceiling metaphorically states that without "handicaps" to obstruct our progress, we are able to achieve and accomplish more. When the Handicapper General appears and kills Harrison Bergeron and the ballerina, Vonnegut warns his readers that rebellious spirits will not be able to live for long under the rule of a totalitarian government, especially if people who are able to act, like George Bergeron, remain passive and conform. Because everyone is not created with equal attributes and skills, I feel that there is not point to creating a society with total equality. This brings to mind the discussion we had over Harrison Bergeron. I agree that students should be separated into regular classes and honors classes because I believe it leads to greater success for those who are able to learn material faster. However, I deeply believe in Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. According to Gardner, humans are born with different intelligences with different levels. I feel as though people would be able to accomplish greater things if their multiple intelligences were identified and focused on in order to stimulate their specific talents. It is useless to strive for total equality in a society composed of dissimilar individuals.

The Woman Figure in Hemingway's "Cat in the Rain" and "Hills Like White Elephants"

The woman figure in Ernest Hemingway’s “Cat in the Rain” and “Hills Like White Elephants” are both different and similar. The wives in both short stories are dealing with issues regarding pregnancy and babies. In “Cat in the Rain,” the wife has a strong desire to have her own baby from the very start. However, initially, the wife in “Hills Like White Elephants” has her doubts and does not seem to want to have the baby that she is carrying as seen through her comment that the hills “look like white elephants.” The women in both stories are also traveling and visiting different places. Both wives seem to enjoy traveling but the wife in “Cat in the Rain” wants more out of life. Her comments that she wants longer hair, a cat sitting on her lap, candles, her own set of silverware, and new clothes show that she is unsatisfied with life. Her strong statements near the end that she wants a cat immediately demonstrate her extreme yearning for a child and a different life. This can be contrasted to the wife in “Hills Like White Elephants” because she seems to be lamenting the change that the birth of her child will bring about in her life and her relationship. She believes that they won’t be able to travel the world as much and that their love for each other will deteriorate. She is more resistant to change than the wife in “Cat in the Rain.” However, both women characterize very similar ways of thinking and expression. In contrast to the direct, rational, and literal way in which the husbands communicate, the wives use a more metaphorical and figurative approach. They use phrases and symbols to indicate their thoughts and wants instead of plainly stating it. For example, the cat in “Cat in the Rain” symbolizes a baby for the wife and the phrase “hills like white elephants” are a metaphor for the pregnancy of “Jig.” Both women strive to gain the attention of their husbands to feel loved and get them to figure out how they are feeling. Jig uses subtle phrases and tries to get her husband to recognize how “bright” her comparison of the mountains to the white elephants was. The other wife tries to get her husband’s opinion on her hair and tell him all of the things that she wants. In addition, both wives seem to be in decaying relationships. As mentioned before, the wife in “Cat in the Rain” seems to want a different and new life and the wife in “Hills Like White Elephants” believes that if she does not abort, her relationship will be destroyed. However, the relationship in “Cat in the Rain” also displays some frailty because of the husband’s inattentiveness. Furthermore, the padrone giving her the cat represents another option and another life for the wife. Overall, towards the end of “Hills Like White Elephants,” the wife indicates that although she rejected the idea at first, she is considering having the baby, as shown by her final words, “There is nothing wrong with me. I feel fine.” Therefore, at the end of each story, both women are in a position where they desire newborns.

Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" and Banksy Artwork

In his essay "Shooting an Elephant," George Orwell uses metaphor and symbolism in order to demonstrate his true feelings towards the British Empire and its decline, and show a situation that humans have to deal with in everyday life. From the beginning of the essay, the readers are able to see the British influence over the colonies through Orwell's telling of the fact that the Burmans played soccer and had soccer fields. However, the Burmans' constant harassing and fearless taunting of Orwell and other Europens shows some of the deterioration of the British Empire. Overall, the elephant in Orwell's essay is an extended metaphor for the British Empire and its effect and control over the Indian colonies. Orwell states that the Burmans had no weapons or any way to defend themselves against the elephant's upheaval. This metaphorically shows the impotent and helpless initial state of the Burmese population against the British Empire. The elephant's rampage through fruit stands and assault on livestock symbolizes the British takeover and raid over the Indian economy. Later on, Orwell tells of the elephant's trampling of an Indian "coolie," metaphorically showing the British violence through colonization and demonstrating Orwell's view of the British Empire. Furthermore, the deceased's body position of crucifixion is another metaphor of the European influence over the Indian colonies and their imposing of their religious beliefs. When the narrator calls for the elephant rifle, he remarks that the Burmans were uninterested when the elephant was destroying their houses but now that they saw that the elephant was going to get shot, their interest peaked. This can be seen as both a metaphor for the human appeal to violence and the Burman satisfaction at the upcoming destruction of their oppressor. Orwell's struggle against the crowd near the end is a metaphor of the battle with conformity that humans often face. The elephant's slow and long death symbolizes the British Empire's own gradual and prolonged downfall. The last minutes of life where the elephant is down but still breathing can also be seen as a metaphor for the continued yet powerless presence of the British Empire in some colonies at the time. Orwell's final thoughts show how easily a crowd can "colonize" a human being and take his freedom away. Ultimately, Orwell's use of metaphor throughout the narrative helps to shape his story into an essay with underlying content.

http://webtoolfeed.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/nostopping1.jpg

I chose this particular piece of artwork by Banksy because I thought it was very subtle, yet quite interesting. The rat seems to be stuck inside a hamster wheel with no way out and the "No stopping" sign seems to be keeping it there. I believe Banksy is trying to say that humans are like the rat in the wheel. The times where the cars are not allowed to stop are very similar and close to the work hours of the average person. Therefore, in this case, the wheel represents work. Banksy is saying that humans are forced to abide by a certain work schedule which gives them very limited, if any, freedom. The ideals of society, represented by the "No stopping" sign, often make humans conform and not challenge the norm. Banksy is saying that people are stuck in a continuous cycle imposed by society thereby making us no more than rodents inside a hamster wheel.

I believe Banksy's message is very similar and can be compared to another one of his artworks:
http://webtoolfeed.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/4602805654_db8b6569fb_b1.jpeg

Project One Visual Text/Thesis Statement Draft

In this Ted Talks video, the speaker employs the use of comedy, background information, scientific data, and strong images to persuade his audience into changing their perspective of vultures and to urge them to act in their defense.

http://www.ted.com/talks/munir_virani_why_i_love_vultures.html

Composing Process

Writing is not one of my favorite things to do. In the past, my most fierce procrastination has emerged when I have writing assignments, especially essays. However, I do believe I am getting better at controlling my procrastination. When a writing assignment is first announced, I usually take it home, read the prompts, and think about it over periods of time. I gather my thoughts about how I want to address the topic, think of different examples I can use, and find some key points that I want to point out or discuss. Occasionally, I write these on a sheet of paper or make a note of it on my phone. When I start the assignment depends on the difficulty and the time I estimate will take me to complete it. In most instances, I have done the assignments in one sitting, except for when I have several questions about the assignment or just want to make sure I am doing things correctly. In this case, I begin writing the assignment and go to my teacher with any questions. I usually give him or her an example of what I have written just to make sure that I'm on the right track. Once I feel comfortable with my understanding of the assignment, I commence writing. I like to sit at a desk while I am composing because it gives me the right posture and the sort of "feel" that I associate with doing homework. Most of the time, I try to write in a place that is devoid of many sounds that can distract me or make it hard for me to concentrate. Thankfully, since I lived only with my mom, I didn't have to worry about background noises such as music, talking, or children cheering (not that I have anything against it, it's just annoying when you have to focus). If I ever do have to deal with sounds, I go to another room or try to zone it out. While I'm writing, I like to use my computer's dictionary/thesaurus as much as possible and have the prompt or guidelines to the assignment nearby. I often read over each sentence or paragraph and try to avoid using the same words, especially transitions, close to each other. The dictionary also helps me whenever I have difficulty finding the right word to express my thought. Whenever I get overcome with writer's block initiating or finishing a paragraph, I try to think it over and over. When that doesn't work, I take a break away from the computer or discuss my problem with someone else. In addition, I sometimes take breaks whenever I've reached a halfway mark or when I am only missing a couple of paragraphs to finish. Once I have completed the assignment, I read it over and ask someone to read it for me. I consider any input, edit if I have to, and do one last, quick check before I send it to the printer. Through this class, I hope to overcome my procrastinating habits, expand my vocabulary, be exposed to more authors, books, and styles of writing, and maybe even increase my fondness of composing. I also hope to improve my writing, but especially my critical thinking abilities.

A little bio...

Hello! I'm Alvaro Giraldo. My friends call me Alvaro, Al, Alvy, and so on. I was born in Cali, Colombia, where I attended the Lycée Français Paul Valery for 6 years. In the summer of 2006, when I was 11, my mom and I moved to the United States. After jumping around different states, we finally ended up in the small town of McBee, SC. I attended high school there and was a part of the music program from 8th to 12th grade. I played trumpet in several different ensembles and sang in the chorus and the all-male a cappella group. Now, I am a part of Tiger Band and plan to join other ensembles in the next years. In addition to English, I also speak Spanish and a small amount of French. I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Music and later pursue a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering.