Lefties: Forced to Change for Their Own Good?

The meaning behind conformity can be seen in a variety of ways. People who are left handed tend to get the brunt of it, the majority of the time. In the article, "Lefties Aren't Special After All" the author mentions how people starting from a young age in the 20th century, ended up having to conform into the world of right handed people. During the 20th century, lefties were forced to learn how to write with their right hand, instead of just naturally using their dominant hand which is their left hand. In many aspects being left handed in general, and the use of the left hand was seen in a very negative way in the 19th and 20th century.

Left handedness is a way that lefties everywhere are basically being forced into the world of conformity, and a world where nothing changes, but stays consistent. During that time period, according to the article, lefties seemed to have more fear when it comes to the school environment. The reason that may come up is because of how teachers were forcing lefties to write with their right hand, and not promote or do anything at all with the left hand, which is believe to be the "hand for unsavory tasks". In my opinion being forced to write with my right hand if I was in a similar situation if anything should make a person feel stronger for having accomplished that task, rather than lowering their confidence. Being a lefty may have its ups and downs, but that is what makes a person unique. Although a person can't really choose which hand they right with most of the time, they can still be their own person. Now that we're in the 21st century, Left handed people don't have to go through the torture of conforming into a society of right hinders, and living in a society where no one knows what it is truly like to” live the life of the lefties”.

(article used) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/opinion/sunday/lefties-arent-special-after-all.html?pagewanted=all

Is Grouping Together in the Work Place Always Beneficial?

During a majority of individuals lifetimes, they may need to aquire a job. When working in the workplace, it is important that you get the job done and have a good enough relationship with your co workers most of the time, and help contribute ideas along with the coworkers as well. Although working in a group in some individuals views may be better than shying away from the group and expressing your own ideas, Thinking of your own ideas can teach people how to become more independent. According to Nicholas Wade's article "Researcher Condemns Conformity Among His Peers" where he comments on how People despite their age and profession, all give into the ways of conforming in the workplace. I strongly agree with what the author Nicholas Wade has to say, because I feel that conformity doesn't discriminate, and the context of the word conformity is really the more mature version of what peer pressure is.
Examples of grouping together in the work place is when a coworker may have doubts about pitching an idea because they want what the majority wants. Some people don't want to go against the majority or be trashed by others based on the factor of jealousy. Having your own opinion seperate from someone elses and flowing with it, is what truly what defines your sense individuality, and what you stand for. Conformity can be defined in numerous ways, good or bad.

Conformity can be seen as a positive and negative aspect.It is a topic that may persuade others to find their own path, and to think for yourself. According to the article, conformity or as children may refer to it "peer pressure" will never leave your side. Everyone at somepoint in their lives will deal with the pressure of conforming no matter the situation that they are put in. The idea of going against conformity in the work place relates well to the literary work, Bartleby by Herman Melville, because of his courage to go against authority, and do what he chooses by simply using the phrase "I prefer not to." even though going against everyone in the work place all the time may have not been in his best interest.

(article credit) http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/researcher-condemns-conformity-among-his-peers/

Religious Conformity

Being dedicated to a religion or believing in a higher power may be the only aspect in someone’s life that they may be able to hold on to. Everyone’s vision of religion can be very different depending on the type of person that they are.This is very evident when the author Michael Welch of the article "Christian Religiosity, Self-Control and Social Conformity" explains how the idea of conformity can change someones beliefs very quickly due to self control or others actions. Religion is a very touchy subject, because of the views such as abortion and believing in life after death and more. Although a variety of religions have these same aspects, others do not so most people conform into a religion. I feel that conforming into a religion that YOU want is what is really important when making a decision of this extent. However even though that in my opinion is a sensible choice, others may think otherwise and just conform into religion based on others choices. For instance, in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller Tituba doesn't believe in the lord, but goes against her beliefs when forced to say that she does, to protect herself and the group of girls. I feel that the play connects very well to the issue of conformity because of the religious aspect of the play itself. In my opinion that is a big example of conforming into a religion that goes against somebody’s beliefs, and even personality and personal opinion as well.

(article credit)

http://search.proquest.com/docview/229852536/136DCA6206C58A4C4A3/22?accountid=34765

Girls and Their Strive for Perfection

Every Girl strives to be perfect. Girls in my generation now, have different views on what it means to be perfect, and how exactly to get to the so called "level of perfection" status. Girls find their vision of perfect as a necessity not a want, so in time girls turn into teenagers, they become even more self conscious as they age. For instance, girls find that being a model, or having the body of a model is the definition of what perfect is or should look like in their perspective of things. Also, having the impression that having to look like a model is a must, changes the way girls even look at not only themselves as people, but their peers as well. Once girls start to change their mentality of how they look, it can spread low self esteem to their friends as well. This can be a danger to many girls physically and mentally because of the peer pressure girls have to go through in their lives.

            In relation to The Great Gatsby written by F.Scott Fitzgerald, the article relates to this novel through the theme of the American dream and conformity. In the novel, Gatsby’s vision of the “American dream” is to fit in with the people Daisy associates herself with in order to become closer to Daisy as the days go by. Gatsby’s way of conforming into society is that he became rich, and fit in with a society where it is considered normal to have a big amount of luxury handed to you at your feet. Gatsby’s pressure to conform into a society of people, who have money, is equally as similar to the pressure put upon girls to be perfect, whether it come from a magazine, TV or even peers, it starts with one person. Yourself.

(article credit)
http://www.shiftwithlara.com/2010/08/why-do-girls-strive-for-perfection-in-their-appearance.html

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation

The novel I am reading is called How to Ruin Your boyriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles. I find this novel to be great to read because, it deals with teen issues today but yet contains humor throughout the story as well. Another thing is that, Teens can sometimes relate to this novel well, and Teenagers don't have to hold onto their emotions more than they usually do. In the novel the main charactr is Amy Nelson, she can be very tough at times. She is sometimes a very spoiled young woman, who always got what she wanted even if she didn't do much. Amy in the novel goes to meet her boyfriend in Israel named Avi. What she doesn't know so far is that she probably won't be treated any diffrently than the rest of her friends. Amy goes on an adventure to get closer to her boyfriend Avi, and her family as well.

The Murdered House

One of the novels I read this quarter was The Murdered House by Pierre Magnan. I found this novel to be interesting. This wasn't one of my favorite books to read this quarter. I am not that all interested in mystery novels, they don't interest me as much as other literary works. In this book, the main characters name is Seraphin Monge, and he was put into an orphanage while not even a month old. Throughout the book Seraphin is trying to uncover the murder of his family, and how they were murdered. Seraphin tries his hardest to find the people in the village who feels that they killed his family. Once again, this novel was very nteresting but not usually a novel that I would normally read.

As I Lay Dying

The novel As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a very interesting yet very sad novel to read. In this novel William Faulkner writes about Children living in a house with their sick mother Addie. She has been ill for quite some time, and they suspect that she is going to pass away soon. For part of the book one of the children Cash starts to build a coffin for his sick mother, right in front of her bedroom window. This novel was very interesting yet difficult to read as well because of everything that went on in the book. The novel really starts out sad but later on the novel becomes about the children's issues themselves. I felt that overall this was a great novel to read because of the different views of different characters in the novel.

Prom

One of the novels I read this quarter was Prom written by Laurie Halse Anderson. This novel was very interesting to read and really touched some issues some teens may go through in high school. What I found interesting about this novel was that it touched teen issues but in my eyes i was still able to read behind the lines and find the humor that was in the novel as well. This novel is about a teenage girl named Ashley Hannigan, who isn't the best student and she doesn't really care for anything around her, but she will do anything to go to her high school prom to make her high school experience some what interesting in her eyes. This novel revolves around Ashley Hannigan's life and her friends and family around her. This novel really teaches people how to live with what you have, and make the best out of everything you get. Ashley, deals with her family and friends but still manages to pull through and work hard for what she wants for her school and her life in general.

Twilight

Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, is a very interesting novel. Edward and Bella have a very mysterious and interesting romance throughout the novel. It gets stronger and stronger throughout the book. They have a forbidden Romance between mortal and vampire, which made me very curious to keep on reading the book. They would go to far lengths for eachother, and do anything to protect eachother when in danger. The best thing about the novel was that It left you wanting to read more and the story helped you predict what may happen next. This novel also leaves me wondering what will end up happening next within their relationship, and how they will get through their obstacles that they may bump into throughout their forbidden relationship and how they can get through thick and thin with eachother.

Return to Paradise

The novel Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles was very intriguing. I thought that the novel was intriguing because every word on every page captured my attention right away. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading more and more of it each day. The reason the book was so intriguing was because of the on and off again romance between Caleb and Maggie. The best part about the book I personally think was, how strong Caleb and Maggie's relationship really is, and how their bond can never be broken no matter what the circumstances are. I loved how they would go beyond the limit for eachother no matter what.

Thirteen Reasons Why- Jay Asher

        Over the summer, I read a novel called Thirteen Reasons Why written by Jay Asher. This is an incredible novel,and I would definitley read it again just to have the  feeling of suspense all over again. The main character in this novel is Clay Jensen. Throughout the story, Clay recieves a package that may change his life forever. He goes through 13 cassette tapes to find out why he is one of the 13 reasons that Hannah Baker made the biggest decision of her life. The decision to end it. Clay follows Hannah's story, when he is provided with a map and each tape takes him to a different star on the map that leads to different places in the story, involving one of the 13 people named on the tapes, and their impact on Hannah's life. Which helped her make her decision to end her life. All 13 people mentioned on her 13 cassette tapes, gave her 13 reasons for her to end her life for good. For Clay, one night, would either make or break his life forever and his way to find out was going through each and everyone of those cassette tapes, to go through his story in Hannah's eyes.

Catalyst- Laurie Halse Anderson

       Over the summer, I read a book called Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. The main character in the novel is a girl named Kate Malone. She is trying to sort out her life in high school, and is feeling very confident that she will get accepted into MIT. Everything seems like it was going to turn out just the way she wanted it to, until her whole world turns upside down. Kate Malone's neighbor Teri Litch ends up moving in with her, and things don't start off very well. Kate tries to be very considerate towards Teri but she doesn't appreciate anything Kate does for her. By the very end of the book, problems start to mend. I find the end of the book very interesting because, it keeps me hanging. Kate and Teri start to be civil but the author, Laurie Halse Anderson doesn't fully explain what their relationship stands by the end of the novel. I am not certain on whether they are friends or enemies. I find that cliff hanger was very intriguing and the novel makes me want to continue reading Laurie Halse Anderson's novels.

Leaving Paradise Summary/Movie Connection

In the novel, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, the two main characters in the novel Caleb and Maggie end up becoming closer now than they were before the accident even occured. This shows that they have bonded throughout the book, and their relationship with eachother has grown closer. This novel reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, because Maggie and Caleb are forbidden to see eachother or Caleb will suffer the consequences, and as for Romeo in the Tragedy, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo is told to banish the town of Verona and go to another town. These two stories are really great love stories, yet end in a very tragic way.

Leaving Paradise POV

In the novel, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, The Point of View of the book is very interesting. Throughout the novel, there turns out to be two POV's in it. They are alternate Point of Views of the two main characters, Maggie Armstrong and Caleb Becker. Simone Elkeles switches things up by, alternating the point of views. This helps see both Maggie and Caleb's story throughout the book, and what their take is on what happened the night of the car crash.

A Raisin in the Sun Ending

By the end of the novel, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, The characters in the novel end up being able ti fufill their life long dreams after all. Also one important thing that I noticed in the book is that, Beneatha had straight hair at the beginning of the novel but by the middle to end of the book she keeps her hair natural. In my opinion it seems that she is starting to accept her heritage more now than she ever did before, and she is not afraid to be who she really is. Also neither is the family, now that they get to achieve their dreams and go places.

Leaving Paradise Plot

In the novel, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, one of the main characters named Maggie Armstrong is in the hospital because of one moment that changed her life forever. Another one of the Main Characters named Caleb Becker spent 9 months in The Juvenile detention center. While he spent a long 9 months there, Maggie Armstrong spent her time going through physical therapy...and all of this happened because of a car crash that turned both of their lives upside down.

A Raisin In The Sun Main Idea

In the novel, A Raisin in the Sun written by Lorraine Hansberry, has many ideas in the novel. The basic main idea of the novel though, is based on dreams. The characters in the novel, have dreams that they really want to accomplish, but feel they are being held back because of their race and the rules in their lives. Throughout the play, many characters have dreams such as one of the main characters Beneatha, she wants to become a doctor and Walter Younger wants to be able to have enough money to afford important things for his family. The novel takes you through the characters dreams and to see if the character becomes succesful and reaches their dreams or if you see them fail to reach their goals.

A Raisin In The Sun Plot

In the novel A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry the storyline deals with a family living in Chicago, that have many issues that need to be adressed. Also it has to do with civil rights, and women's movements during that time. The novel also has to deal with justice and struggle during the time set in the book. Also this book takes you through the struggles and issues that the family might have in the novel.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: Book Comparisons

The novel I am reading is called Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen. This novel of hers, reminds me a lot of her other books. Sarah Dessen has characters from her other books, that are featured in her new books. Also her characters have very similar personalities. Also her books deal with romance, drama and decisions which make the book even more interesting. Also the book catches peoples eyes when dealing with drama and romance. Another thing is, that the characters all have different situations, but they all have something in common, they go through drama and romance at the same time.

Books I've Read This Year

I have read many books throughout the year such as,
1. Street Love by Walter Dean Myers
2.Ending of Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet
3.When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
4.Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers

Over the Summer of 2009 I read, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. I am currently reading Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen.