Essay reflection

"Sometimes we have to look to the past, to succed in the future"

Essay Reflection

Over the course of the year, I have completed 2 main essays. These two essays discuss the novel “The Alchemist”, by Paulo Coelho, and the play “Julius Caesar”, by William Shakespeare. My essays, over all, made sense and did address the topic in a clear and focused way. My writing also demonstrates that I fully understand the topic as I have extracted quotes from the books and described them as how they relate to my topic. Even though in all of the areas mentioned above I have done well, I still could use and put more interesting details in my essays to help blend the ideas together and communicate in a more effective manner.

The structure and organization of my essays are one of my strongest points as I can introduce an idea with a catchy and clear hook. I then build on it with quotes and finish it with a strong conclusion. But, the part that stands out most in my writing is the thesis statements. The combination between the thesis statements and the topic sentences is often what makes my essays interesting.

I think there is a significant amount of improvement in my essays because my quotes are better explained and they are more relevant and related to the idea. Also, my vocabulary is smoother and it allows better transition between paragraphs.

One of the SLR’s that I had to use while building the collage was thinking creatively. This was because we didn’t have boundaries and we had the freedom to take risks and try new things. Also, we had to come up with a creative idea in a way to demonstrate the Lost Boy’s journey from Sudan to America and their sufferings through that journey.

Collage Reflection

Think creatively

Some of the most creative parts of my collage is my words and text. I think it is because it shows my ability to creatively blend abstract ideas and applie them into one phrase to create a descriptor.

Reason Critically

I managed to use my images in such a way that I was able to divide my collage into two parts, hell and heaven. I chose certain images and put them in hell to show the lost boys’ suffering and pictures of peace and words of hope in heaven to show their hope when they arrived in America.

Communicate Effectively

My collage creates awareness because it shows that they have been through a lot and it shows us what they’ve been through as well. It also shows they are still in the process in recovery and that they are getting better. It makes us aware that “Times Change”

Live ethically

I think my collage will make my viewer feel happy, first of all, because it shows a story of recovery and hope for the lost boys and maybe the viewer would like to help or volunteer to help. I also think that it speaks to them because it’s not just a story of hell and pain but a story of their journey into hope and the prospect of a better life.

Marcus Brutus - friend, ally, killer

The Un-justified End

“There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d th’eternal devil to keep his state in Rome as easily as a King.” Throughout the course of the novel, Brutus’ motivation helps his accomplish his goal of restoring Rome to it’s former glory, a republic. He fights to continue the legacy that his ancestors fought for, a free Rome, as seen in the quote above. Brutus’ patriotism to Rome is evident, as is his chivalry to his ancestors and Romans, and these traits help him accomplish his goal, a Roman republic.

Brutus acted against his best friend because he felt that his love for his country, his patriotism, comes above all else, even friendship. The reason for Brutus’ patriotism is that he feels the need to live up to the name of Brutus as his ancestors fought for the Roman Republic and honour for Rome. The behavior that resulted form this is the death of Brutus’ best friend, Julius Caesar. Brutus claims the killing was for the people and the general good of Rome, but the people only take the story for a few minutes until Mark Antony changes their view and causes a revolt that leads to the death of Brutus and his fellow Conspirator and friend Caius Cassius. Act 3, scene 2. lines 20 – 21.(p.128) “If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: not that I love Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” This quote is extracted from Act 3, scene 2 where Brutus is delivering his speech at Caesar’s funeral. The quote states that Brutus loved Caesar as much as anybody, just that he loved Rome more, enough to give hi life for it. Act 3, scene 2. Line 41 – 43 (p.130)“As I slew by best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.” The quote here comes form the same act 3, scene 2 as the one above. Here, Brutus says that he is prepared to lay his life down if Rome wanted it, a true patriotic gesture. I think that Rome doesn't treat Brutus like he should be treated but as an exile and outlaw who murdered their friend and leader. I also think that the honour of Brutus is so great for his country that he is prepared to do anything to salvage it.

The chivalry of Brutus comes from his ancestors, who fought for Rome in the name of glory and honour. Brutus knows that he is about to lose what his ancestors fought so hard to gain and he wants to continue the legacy of a republic. Because of this honour, many respect Brutus and he respects them back, but not equally. To the lower classes, he doesn't love them as much as he loves his friends and nobles. Act 2, scene 1. lines 170 – 173 (p.74) “But, alas, Caesar must bleed for it. And, gentle friends, let’s kill boldly, but not wrathfully;” This quote is taken when Brutus is explaining to the conspirators that they should honour Caesar by giving him a honourable death fit for he gods. The quote shows how Brutus respects his enemies as well as his friends, thus his enemies respect him too. Act 5, scene 5. lines 68 – 72 (p.218) “This was the noblest Roman of all. All the conspirators save only he did that they did in envy of great Caesar; he only, in a general honest thought and common good to all, made one of them.” The quote here was spoken by Mark Antony and it’s directed to the fallen Brutus. It states that Brutus was the most honourable roman of all and that he was the only one who acted against Caesar for the common good, not for personal gain. Mark Antony saying this, as an enemy, shows how much Brutus was respected and honoured by his enemies as well as his friends. I think that for someone to be respected by both friend and foe it takes something really special and it truly says something about how people see him.

The clash between friendship and patriotism is Brutus’ conflict and, unfortunately, even tough solved, does not accomplish his goal of a Roman republic. The motivators of Brutus caused him to act in ways that define chivalry and patriotism, he slew his best friend and he offered his life for the country he loved, and, when the time came to need of his death, he took it willingly. Brutus partially completed his goal because, even tough the republic was not founded and honour did not come to Rome, it did to the name of Brutus. He tried his best and his enemies respected him for that so he still honoured his ancestors by fighting for what he thought was right. I think he didn’t fully achieve his goal because he made careless mistakes by not talking to the people in the right way and not explaining to them fully why he did what he did. In my opinion, Brutus’ goal was a noble goal and that he would have been honoured had he accomplished it. But, as he didn't, it wasn’t worthy because it bore no fruit for him. So, through and through, the end did not justify Marcus Brutus’ means.

The Promised land

When I was first told that I was going to America, I was very scared. I was scared to leave behind my friends and my family, but I knew America held opportunities and possibilities that I could not find in Kenya. My name is Peter, and I am a Lost Boy.

When I was a young boy till about 6 months ago, I used to live in a refugee camp because northerners from my country, Sudan, attacked my tribe, the Dinka tribe. They demolished all of my families’ land and they killed our people. But, for a while, I thought my luck had changed. In the refugee camp, I took a test that would decide my future! When the results came back, I was overjoyed! I was going on a real plane! To America!

When we arrived in America, we were very happy but shocked with the things around us. There were more cars than I could count and the houses were tall, big and grand. We were so afraid that it would fall on us at any time! The one agonizing thing in Houston was that the people found it hard to understand us though we were speaking in English. I was living with my friends and one of them was a very ethical man named Santino. Together, we supported each other through the first 5 months in Houston, Texas, and that had made life there bearable. We knew we had to work hard in order to succeed. Our plan was to buy a house that we would both move into, just the two of us, separate from the rest of our friends. But, as luck would have it, I could not get into a school in Houston. Worst still, I was not working in a very good job. By now, I was very disappointed with my life in America. I had wanted to go to school and make something out of my life. I needed to ease the troubles that I was facing so I decided to look for neighboring cities to start afresh. I finally came to the conclusion that my new life would be based in Kansas City. There, I wanted everything that I did not have in Houston, like a girlfriend, my own house, money to send back to my home in Africa, and, most of all, a real education. I made it a quest within myself to achieve my goal.

Settling in Kansas was not as hard as in Houston. I managed to get my birth certificate and go into a high school. With that my confidence grew and my determination to succeed was even stronger. I met many new people and encountered many new opportunities. In school, I even tried out for the basket ball team and got involved in the church. In the end, I managed to get a girlfriend, good grades, and I graduated.

---- The alliance for the Lost Boys in America

Duet acting

Jonathan Silva

partner: Aditya Cavale

The context of the passage me and my partner have chosen is in act 1, when Caesar has left for the games and Brutus and Cassius have stayed behind. They are discussing Caesar and how he is becoming a dictator. In secret, Cassius is planning a conspiracy and wants Brutus to join, and eventually lead the group.

Act 1, scene 2. Lines 133 – 175.

Cassius: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we pretty men Walk under hus huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Caesar: what should be in that ‘Caesar’? Why should that name be sounded more than yours? Write them together, yours is as fair a name; Sound them, it doth becomes the mouth as well; Weight them, it is as heavy; conjure with ‘em, ‘Brutus’ will start a spirit as soon as ‘Caesar’. Now in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he is grown so great? Age, thou art sham’d! Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods! When went there by an age, since the great flood, But it was fam’d with more than with one man? When could they say, till now, that talk’d of Rome, That her wide walks encompass’d but one man? Now it is Rome indeed, and room enough, When there is in it but one only man. O, you and I have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once that would have brook’d Th’ eternal devil to keep his state in Rome As easily as a king.

Brutus: That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; What you would work me to, I have some aim: How I have thought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter. For this present, I would not, so with love I might entreat you, Be any further mov’d. What you have said I will consider; what you have to say I will with patience hear, and find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things. Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this: Brutus had rather be a villager Than to repute himself a son of Rome Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us.

Cassius: I am glad That my weak words have struck but thus much show Of fire from Brutus.

The significance of the passage is that this is where Cassius plants the thought of Caesar as a dictator in Brutus’ mind. He spurns the thoughts of Brutus to make him think that Caesar is weak and useless. He does this by telling him of the stories of the race in the Tiber and the sickness in Spain, for these encounters show Caesar’s weakness. Brutus says he will think about it thus Cassius knows he has done his job and Brutus is reconsidering Caesar.

The School of Athens

• How can art be a mirror of society?

Most artist paint what they see around them, which is society. They observe the daily life and try to capture the detail, movement and people which, together, make up the society of a city. When an

artist goes out on the street, he/she observes the anatomical accuracy of the people and incorporates these details in their painting, thus transferring from them cultural society to art. So, you can tell the nature of a society in its art because the art is the society.

• Write a paragraph that identifies where you are in the painting and explains why you see yourself as that part.

If I were to be in the painting, I would be the Greek god Apollo on the left. Apollo was the son of Zeus and is god of the Sun, prophecy, medicine, colonization, archery, poetry, dance and intellectual inquiry. It is said that while he brings up the sun, his sister, Artemis, brings up the moon. I would be Apollo because I enjoy the poetic part of literature but I don’t take it too seriously, just as he does. Apollo is also quite mischievous and fun and likes to ask questions. I think I posse these attributes, especially asking questions. Like Apollo, I am restless and curious, I am always ambitious and have trouble listening and sitting still. I have to learn to control this, just as Apollo probably has since his (around) 2009 years in existence.

One step ahead,,,

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest minds of his age. He was an artist, an architect, an engineer and a scientist. But most of all, he was a man of the renaissance. He had painted some of the most renowned paintings and invented things that were way more advanced than his people could handle. He covered all the areas that related to the human nature and the nature around him as they were the things that interested in most. The way that he created his work was unique and surprised all the nobles that happened to look upon it, they all wanted to patronise him but he only wanted the best donors to his work. He went to places and did things that no one else there to go and do. These things that he did not just made him a man of his time, but a man of the renaissance.

CrossBow Machine
- Leonardo da Vinci

Let us not forget.......

Peter J. Ganci

FDNY Chief of Department- 9/11 Victim

Peter J. Ganci (1946-2001), chief and 33-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Despite his high rank in the department, he was known for being humble, unpretentious, and fond of practical jokes. Ganci started out in the FDNY in the 1960s, fighting fires in Brooklyn and the Bronx. He steadily rose in rank, eventually becoming a battalion chief in the late 1980s. Continuing to advance, Ganci earned more promotions in the 1990s. In 1999, he was selected as acting chief and later was officially named chief of the department. On September 11, Ganci raced to the World Trade Center and remained active on the scene even after the first tower fell. Despite the apparent dangers, he walked toward the collapsed building to coordinate rescue efforts. Then the second tower fell, burying him under several feet of rubble. At his funeral, hundreds of firefighters turned out to say good-bye to their courageous chief. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughter Danielle, and sons Christopher and Peter.

The victims of 9/11 lived in a world characterized by terrorism, danger and calamities that eventually came to bear upon them. They were born into, lived and died in this very same world. They probably had forgotten about the treacherous nature of the world. However when danger did strike, many of the victims like Mr. Ganci rose and met it in the eyes. I chose Mr. Ganci because he is a constant reminder to us of the bravery that transcended our world in the face of fear and danger. The bravery and inner strength displayed by the likes of Mr. Ganci cannot be easily forgotten and continues to inspire us to this day. The fear provoked that day is unforgettable and continues to alert us to the dangers that exist in our world. Initially a setback and shock to the world over that transcended cultures, boundaries and beliefs, the events of 9/11 also proved that the humankind is a strong creature that can rise to challenges, overcome fear with bravery and be caring towards one another when required. The bravery that overcame fear and danger that day that has transcended the world and to this day affects our lifestyles and culture. Let us not forget either 9/11 or people such as Mr. Ganci and the rest of the victims.

PRETI, Mattia
St. George Victorious over the Dragon

Intuition sleeps in the grains of time........

Intuition

Intuition sleeps in the grains of time,

Engulfed in knowledge and mystery,

Heralding the Soul of the World

- Jonathan Silva

Intuition's journey through time

Intuition is a stain on the world’s history, a footprint of human nature that we have left upon the world. Intuition can be found along the world's timeline, a skill that has transcended time and culture and has been used and will be used for generations to come. Wars, crisis, and historical events, these are some of the places where you can find the intuition displayed by world leaders or world dictators. Their ability to wriggle out of tough situations either inspires us or disgusts us, their quotes move us or hurt us but, despite their views of the world, they continue to touch us with their intuitive skill. Their ability to conquer any challenges thrown at them in an instant is complimented by their intuitive skill. We value those skills for their ability to motivate us, to inspire us and to help us in times of despair and times when there is no hope. From past to present, we will always value the intuitive skill of the world that is all around us, surrounding us, and engulfing us.

LEFEBVRE, Claude
A Teacher and his Pupil

Explore and Discover

Nine Lives

Curiosity is a trait that has a negative and a positive side to it. Curiosity is also a trait I happen to have, for better or for worse. Santiago, a boy of many virtues, also has the trait of curiosity and this can be explained when he takes risks, risks that no one knows the outcome to. Curiosity will allow you to take risks, to explore and to question, but not always for the better. Curiosity can also lead to consequences, consequences that can affect you deeply. You first have to embrace curiosity before embracing challenges as curiosity motivates you, the thought of an un-scripted plan leaves you thirsty for an answer. I am not sure what my destiny is but when I find out, I hope that the curiosity I possess now will still be there, helping me to take risks, to explore and to discover.

Curiosity - Gerard Ter Borch