"The Storm" Journal Entry pg. 199

I see the title as possibly referring to the emotional storm that occurred throughout the piece. There was passion, love, worry, and other emotions shown by characters in the piece. None of these emotions and the events that tie in with them are completely developed, but the reader can infer the previous relationship Calixta and Alcèe had, as well as Bobinot and Bibi's relationship with Calixta and the state of Alcèe's marriage.


At the end of the piece, when Alcèe wrote the letter to his wife, there is a whirlwind of drama almost. Alcèe and Calixta were just messing around, when they both have spouses. Maybe I'm exaggerating things a little bit, but that's just my view of it. 

"The Storm" Reading Literature pg. 198

1. The coming storm shows the reader some of the qualities and emotions of the characters. Bobinot is described to be caring to his wife, shown when he buys her the shrimp. Calixta is described as worrisome due to the storm, and as usual. The storm is the cause of everything that happens throughout the piece. The storm gives a reason for the interaction between Alcèe and Calixta, as well as Bibi and Bobinot being forced to stay in Friedheimer's store. 
2. I see it as somewhat both. It can be taken literally, meaning the storm was over and so was the rush of emotion that was caused by the storm's passing. In the irony sense, there is no way Calixta and Alcèe are completely happy, based on their interactions in the piece. 
3. The details tell us that Calixta is married to Bobinot and has a son, Bibi. The reader also finds out that Calixta and Alcèe had once been lovers; their interaction during the storm shows this to be true. 

"Good Night and Good Luck" SOAPSTone Analysis

Speaker: There isn't a clearly defined speaker in the film, but Murrow could be seen as the speaker. The other characters could also be seen as speakers.
Occasion: The whole McCarthyism ordeal and Murrow and his news team's actions towards Senator McCarthy.
Audience: Anyone who watches the film would be considered the audience.
Purpose: The purpose of the film is to inform the people of today of the occurences between Murrow and McCarthy in an easier way. 
Subject: The main subject of this film is the role of Edward Murrow in the collapse of Senator McCarthy and the idea of McCarthyism.
Tone: The tone of this film is very serious and strong willed (in the case of Murrow and Friendly's attitudes toward McCarthy).

My Opinion on The Crucible

Arthur Miller wrote The Crucible as one huge metaphor in relation to McCarthyism. In order for Miller to not fear conviction, he used the Salem Witch Trials as a metaphor for the happenings with McCarthyism. If Mr. Urban had not told the class Miller's purpose, I probably never would've thought about it that way. I think Miller got his point across to the readers; he accomplished his goal.


I enjoyed the story in The Crucible just as entertainment. The ending killed me though. It's just one big cliff-hanger, leaving the reader to guess and wonder what happens next. In a way, to end The Crucible this way makes sense. Miller wanted to inform the people of the time of the troubles of McCarthyism. McCarthy never held responsibility for the death of anyone. In The Crucible, the town's government had hanged twelve convicted already but were not responsible for their death fully. McCarthy was this way too, in my eyes. Maybe that's just me, but whatever. 


I loved the characters and how Miller portrayed them throughout the story. The evil, passion, and overall emotion they all showed amazed me. I could sense the emotion while we were reading it in class (sounds weird, I know), Proctor and Elizabeth especially. How the two grew and developed through the acts was great. 


We need to read more stuff like this! Jus' sayiiinn'. 

"Half-Hanged Mary" SOAPSTone Analysis

Speaker: The speaker of the poem is Mary Webster.
Occasion: The hanging of Mary Webster, who was accused of witchcraft in the 1680's in a Puritan town in Massachusetts during the witch trials. 
Audience: There is no audience addressed by the reader, but it seems as if anyone who reads the poem would be the audience. The audience could also be Puritans of the time to show the feelings Mary Webster had towards them.
Purpose: The purpose for Margaret Atwood writing this poem is to tell the story of Mary Webster being hanged, yet managing to live through the ordeal.
Subject: The subject of the poem is the hanging of Mary Atwood and the witch trials. 
Tone: The author's tone can be perceived as grim, in my opinion.  

"Are You Now or Were You Ever" Questions

1. By using the metaphor of the Salem witch trials, Miller allowed the reader to experience the same actions and occurrences happening in real life through a different setting, as to allow them to fully see and understand the message. He showed the idea of McCarthyism through the actions of the girls in the play.
2. The criticism is that Miller believes the government does not acknowledge the truth. The power of the Robeson's declaration and how the fact was brought to light leads it to be called a rocket that lit up the sky.
3. The theme would be coming to senses with what's around you. The whole point of The Crucible was to get people to not conform with what everyone else was saying, to see McCarthyism for what it really is.
4. I think Miller is using the Devil as a metaphor for McCarthy. Not necessarily calling McCarthy the Devil, just simply using it as a metaphor to coincide with The Crucible. It is vital for the people to remember that everyone has their own opinion and they should voice these opinions. 

Girl in Front of 9/11 Mural Journal Entry (pg. 160)

The photograph shows the mural that has been created in remembrance of the events of 9/11. The mural in itself has an enormous amount of emotion poured into it. The photograph does the mural no justice in the emotion meant for it to show. 

I find the mural itself more moving because anyone can take a picture, but not everyone can make a piece of art like the mural. The person who painted the mural was moved so much that he/she decided to post something that anyone can see at anytime. Someone can take a picture of the mural, but you don't feel the total emotion and amazement as you would if seeing the mural for yourself in person.