Similarities and Differences Between Thoreau and McCandless

Both Thoreau and McCandless have the desire to live more simpler. Taking time to enjoy different details of life that the people around them don't necessarily notice like they do. They both live nature and everything in it. However, I gather from the reading and watching the movie that these two people differ in that way they prepared themselves. Thoreau seems more prepared about what he is doing; more knowledgeable than McCandless. Thoreau seems to take time in planning while McCandless seemed to make an impromptu decision to venture off on a great Alaskan adventure. McCandless also seems to be a little bit more irresponsible by giving away all of his savings and burning his identity and other assets.

Imitation Poem from Blood Dazzler

After reading Blood Dazzler by Patricia Smith, there were few poems that really stood out to me but the one that I chose to do an imitation poem of was "Rebuilding" on page seventy. This stood out to me the most because after the destruction of hurricane Katrina, my church organized a mission trip there the following summer. I was motivated to go after our town took in several families that lost every material possession and several family members and I thought if I was in their situation I would greatly appreciate a hand.

I look around me
and see destruction
there are no more trees
no more creatures
no more freedom

I look around me
and see pain
there is no more happiness
no more smiles
no more freedom

I look around me
and see hope
there are better days to come
new lives
more freedom

Blood Dazzler Response

What are the major themes in this piece? Are there any minor themes as well? Is there and kind of "subtext" in this essay? What kind of murmurs run below the surface?

The major themes in Blood Dazzler is the destruction and devastation of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans area. The poems that Patricia Smith constructed show a variety of feelings and thoughts that ran through the head of the people who lived in New Orleans. Some people looked at it as if it was just a thunderstorm. They survived past hurricanes, what makes this one any different? Smith also, explores the pain, worry, sarcasm, and loneliness that Katrina caused. I think there there are several minor themes that all come together to make this grand concept of confusion and devastation of the hurricane. One poem that stood out to me is one on page ten. It is just talking about leaving the dog behind. That this storm will pass quickly and he can survive a little rain. Just leave him some Alpo and we will see him in a couple days. I think this stood out to me because my family was forced out of our home in the flood of 1993 and 2008 when the Des Moines River came over its banks and invaded our farm. The Department of Natural Resources and country Sheriff told us that we needed to leave our home and to leave our animals behind. Leaving them would be simple but they are champion livestock that bring in more income than some people make in a year. We were told that this flood will come and go and that the chances of our land being effected was slim, but that wasn't the case. These floods lasted a week plus and if we didn't take our animals with us, we wouldn't of had anything upon returning home.

Snapshot Three: Alive

on top of the world
free
happy
like every other ten year old girl

until

crashing to the bottom
alone
breakable
confined to a hospital bed and set of IVs

wishing

running wild through a meadow
peace
comfort
for the storm of today to end tomorrow

but

the fight continues
months
years
hanging on to every minute

living

different than before
careful
studious
alive more each day

for

the end is not now
breathe
believe
the sun will shine again

Snapshot Two: Fences

Growing up on a farm, you view animals as a commodity.
You raise them from birth but sell them to slaughter when they reach market weight.
There is no compassion.
No attachment.

I stand on the fence.
Animals are my livelihood, but mother nature is an ancestor.

You cannot avoid your history but you are the one in charge of your future.

I am tied to the land; as my family was.
I grow crops. Plow and seed the land. Harvest it for its fruits.
I graze livestock on the land.

I am tied to the land; as my ancestors were.
I appreciate the wildlife; preserving natural habitats.
I find beauty in the untamed and untouched.

So I stand on the fence.

Snapshot One: Crowning Moment

Hooves pounding in the distance
The crowd cheering

I am next to run

The sun beating down
Both him and I sweating

Nerves consuming me

We enter
He rears with excitement

I turn him loose

We fly around 3 barrels
Fast and tight

13.11 seconds

Reflection of "Place" by W. S. Merwin

Does any particular image run throughout the essay? If so, why does the author chose it? Does it have any "metaphorical significance"? Does it transform in any way from the beginning to the end of the essay?

The image that runs throughout the entirety of the poem is the image of a tree. Merwin starts off giving you the idea that today is the last day of the world and that the only thing he would do is plant a tree. This puts the image of a tree in my mind. He says that it would not be for fruit but a tree that has never stood on the earth before. From this I excluded the thought of a fruit bearing tree and pictured a tree similar to an oak or maple. Merwin is able to use little words to paint a picture in you mind; especially at the end when he say that the clouds are passing over each leaf one by one. I think there is some metaphorical significance to this piece because he says that the world is coming to an end but yet he wants to plant something new as if it will still stand after everything is destroyed. When I first read this, I didn't think of how I could write a response to it but looking deeper I saw that our world may not be dying tomorrow but it is coming and maybe if we plant something new, things could get better or even though the world is dead, this tree represents new life.

Ninemile Wolves Response

What specific details stay in your mind? Why? How do these small details lead to larger ideas?

Some specific details that stick in my mind is from the beginning of the passage where Rick Bass vividly describes the wolves tearing apart a carcass; how the blood seeps into the snow and they leave nothing behind after them. I believe this stays in my mind because the visualization that given drew me in and I was able to picture everything and i relate well with visuals. However, these small details lead to something greater. As the passage continues, a conflict is revealed between the wolves and the humans. Some human portray the wolves as wild beasts who are just going to destroy their livelihood while others feel that it is wrong to push these wolves out of there natural wildlife. Rick explores both sides of the controversy and from my interpretation of the story, i would say that he sides with the idea of reintroducing wolves to the area.

Terry Tempest William Response

Look at the transitions between paragraphs or between sections. How does he or she make these transitions? What effects do they have on the forward momentum of the piece?

Every transition is smooth and ties the new paragraph to the previous. She seems to know just the right time to end one thought and move onto the next. I was never lost between one paragraph to another. The sections were also linked to other in a way that reminded you one last time of what you previously read and ties it into what is to come. There was never a point where I felt like I was being told the same information over. I feel as if the choice of words was carefully thought out and that enhanced how the reading flowed along. Overall, the piece was interesting and enjoyable.