An Itroduction to the "Hero"

Gilgamesh seems to be a thorough epic. The story of a fearsome hero, strong, powerful, mighty in every way. This ultimate idol gives the impression of a greedy ruler, who only felt superior for his qualities. His people value him too much for what he really is. Probably Mesopotamians who were familiar to the book could accord better to the main character and the story itself, but for me is just an ancient story, with a meaning to be discovered.

This course is all about mankind past, present, and future. I look forward to this epic and forth filling the questions asked in the first class, even though until now I don’t see how they relate. ”Gilgamesh the strongest one of all, the perfect, the terror.” (pg.4), this citation makes my point, Gilgamesh is all about power and strength, for me a hero is about heart. Still, it doesn’t appear bad or anything, it is a key piece of history, basic for culture.

Just Another Good-bye

Many readers expected more to this ending. For me it was just fine, the lesson had been finished, and there was enough bonding to realize what had been lost. The story of the last pupil of Ishmael before his death, is unthinkable, but still by the book itself, several other pupils will eventually stand out.

Ishmael dying is certainly impacting, but still this would be what spices the ending, what captures. You realize that all his teachings were worth it in every way, and his death is entirely valued, even considered a lesson. He certainly has left his footprint, a great legacy for anyone. A goal searched by every person, which sometimes brings trouble to get. Legacy is mostly acquired by time, by history a step at a time. Ishmael made his last step, while his pupil was to make the first of a new life.

When the book ends with, “WITH GORILLA GONE WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR MAN?” (pg. 263), is the example of the same situation happening to the solitary character. He might be wondering what he will do. Honestly what troubles me is what the quotation represents, to what we ourselves as Takers are going. We are destroying, aware of it in another matter and saving the world without knowing the way. So when everything is gone but us, will there be hope for man?

Sentence Fragments: Exercise 3

My brother was always my best friend when I was a child, especially as we two were almost alone in the world. We lived with our old grandmother in a little house, almost a shack, in the country. Whenever I think of him now, I see a solemn, responsible boy, a boy too old for his years, who looked out for me no matter what. Once there was a bully, John Anson, who looked enormous to me, though he was probably an average twelve-year-old. John had it in for me because he liked Littice Grant, who liked me. He decided to beat me up right before her eyes. I was lucky my brother came by. He didn't interfere any. He just stood there. Somehow, though, his presence gave me confidence. I licked the stuffing out of John Anson. If my brother hadn't been there, I don't think I could have done it.

Sentence Fragments: Exercise 2

1. How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, a couple of my friends, Rick and Lon, the duo who were providing the entertainment that night for the club.

How can a person find patriotism in a local night club? Well, it did not take me too long. About four weeks ago, in a little night club in Louisville, Kentucky, Rick and Lon provided entertainment for that night in the club.

2. For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" being all levels of government, and "quasi-political" churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

For the past twenty years, the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan has been measuring the level of Americans' trust and confidence in their politicians and quasi-political trust and confidence in their political institutions and their leaders. "Political" pertains to all levels of government, and "quasi-political" consist of churches, labor unions, large professional/business associations, educational institutions, and the like. The result is that a very sharp decline has taken place every year since 1964.

3. For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans who feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder. Adding worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.

For 200 years Americans believed in better jobs, better homes, a better life for one's children. This confidence no longer exists. Polls now indicate that fewer Americans who feel they are better off today than they were five years ago. A public-opinion analysis group has found that large numbers of Americans, at some times and in some places, see themselves as lower on the ladder, that have worse living conditions and anticipation of further decline over the next five years.

4. Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face. As if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.

Well, in looking at the picture at the left you see an old lady. She has a very funny look on her face, as if she's lonely and just wants to be left alone. She also looks as if she has seen a lot and experienced lots of things.

5. A president is an appointed leader. Someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable. Just hopefully assumes. Assumes through his past record as a politician, over the years' buildup of experience and handling situations.

A president is an appointed leader, someone who is a decision maker in the executive branch of our government. This doesn't necessarily mean that the person the people elect is capable, it’s just hopefully assumed through his past record as a politician, over the years' buildup of experience and handling situations.

Sentence Fragment Exercises—#1

__F__ 1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad experience.

__F__ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.

__C__ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did not encourage students' questions.

__F__ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult to distinguish between them.

__C__ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and a few glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for anything.

__C__ 6. It can be really embarrassing to be so emotional. Especially when you are on your first date, you feel that you should be in control.

__F__ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious, and elite group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.

__F__ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to himself and his parents that he is a man.

__F__ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that we would never enter that door in her home again.

__C__10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this makes me happy.

__F__11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife. Hoping she would accept his apology.

__F__12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends had a little too much to drink.

__F__13. Although it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour. My old rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me.

__C__14. With my brother standing by my side, I reached for the pot handle. Tilting the pot way too much caused the boiling water to spill.

__F__15. The small, one-story houses are all the same size and style. With no difference except the color.

__F__16. Being a friend of mine like he was when we first joined the soccer team. Together we learned a lot.

Michelle Obama's Speech Corrected

Text of Michelle Obama's speech at the convention
By The Associated Press – 1 day ago

Prepared remarks of Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, for her address to the Democratic National Convention on Monday night in Denver, as released by the Obama campaign:

OBAMA: As you might imagine, for Barack, running for president is nothing compared to that first game of basketball with my brother Craig.

I can't tell you how much it means to have Craig and my mom here tonight. Like Craig, I can feel my dad looking down on us, just as I've felt his presence in every grace-filled moment of my life.

At six-foot-six, I've often felt like Craig was looking down on me too - literally. But the truth is, both when we were kids and today, he wasn't looking down on me — he was watching over me.

And he's been there for me every step of the way since that clear February day 19 months ago, when — with little more than our faith in each other and a hunger for change — we joined my husband, Barack Obama, on the improbable journey that's brought us to this moment.

But each of us also comes here tonight by way of our own improbable journey.

I come here tonight as a sister, blessed with a brother who is my mentor, my protector and my lifelong friend.

I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president.

I come here as a Mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world — they're the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future — and all our children's future — is my stake in this election.

And I come here as a daughter — raised on the South Side of Chicago by a father who was a blue collar city worker, and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and me. My mother's love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, and her intelligence reflected in my own daughters.

My dad was our rock. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early thirties, he was our provider, our champion, our hero. As he got sicker, it got harder for him to walk, it took him longer to get dressed in the morning. But if he was in pain, he never let on. He never stopped smiling and laughing — even while struggling to button his shirt, even while using two canes to get himself across the room to give my mom a kiss. He just woke up a little earlier, and worked a little harder.

He and my mom poured everything they had into me and Craig. It was the greatest gift a child can receive: never doubting for a single minute that you're loved, and cherished, and have a place in this world. And thanks to their faith and hard work, we both were able to go on to college. So I know firsthand from their lives — and mine — that the American dream endures.

And you know, what struck me when I first met Barack was that even though he had this funny name, even though he'd grown up all the way across the continent in Hawaii, his family was so much like mine. He was raised by grandparents who were working class folks just like my parents, and by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills just like we did. Like my family, they scrimped and saved so that he could have opportunities they never had themselves. And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do; what you say you're going to do that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

And as our friendship grew, and I learned more about Barack, he introduced me to the work he'd done when he first moved to Chicago after college. Instead of heading to Wall Street, Barack had gone to work in neighborhoods devastated when steel plants shut down, and jobs dried up. And he'd been invited back to speak to people from those neighborhoods about how to rebuild their community.

The people gathered together that day were ordinary folks doing the best they could to build a good life. They were parents living paycheck to paycheck; grandparents trying to get by on a fixed income; men frustrated that they couldn't support their families after their jobs disappeared. Those folks weren't asking for a handout or a shortcut. They were ready to work — they wanted to contribute. They believed — like you and I believe — that America should be a place where you can make it if you try.

Barack stood up that day, and spoke words that have stayed with me ever since. He talked about "The world as it is" and "The world as it should be." And he said that all too often, we accept the distance between the two, and settle for the world as it is — even when it doesn't reflect our values and aspirations. But he reminded us that we know what our world should look like. We know what fairness and justice and opportunity look like. And he urged us to believe in ourselves — to find the strength within ourselves to strive for the world as it should be. And isn't that the great American story?

It's the story of men and women gathered in churches and union halls, in town squares and high school gyms — people who stood up and marched and risked everything they had — refusing to settle, determined to mold our future into the shape of our ideals.

It is because of their will and determination that this week, we celebrate two anniversaries: the 88th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, and the 45th anniversary of that hot summer day when Dr. King lifted our sights and our hearts with his dream for our nation.

Destruction of Creation

Every story has a premise, which is the basis to developing that story, later on is enacted. Chapter 12 of Ishmael is the story already enacted, describes and summarizes mostly everything reached during the novel. Takers and Leavers are obviously always surrounding the main topics, so at the end the story is divided in two.

Leavers’ side of the novel is always the good side, in this chapter mentioned as the “endangered”, in which the destroyers are rationally the Takers. Daniel Quinn probably intends to make our culture aware, of how foolish we are acting towards the rest of humanity. We always have the idea that we came here from evolution, a point that the author is trying to disapprove throughout the novel. In this section of the book Ishmael finally states his analysis towards this point, “Man became man by living in the hands of the gods.” (pg.237). For anyone this knowledge is insane, some don’t believe in the gods, others just don’t get, but for what Daniel Quinn says throughout this chapter, his logic verifies everything. Besides as a reader, you think that the ones living in the hands of the gods were the Leavers, and that their story was innocent and naïve. Then I suppose Takers really take everything.

Leavers and Takers both are doing a great job in enacting their stories, “The Taker’s story is, ‘The gods made the world for man, but they botched the job, so we had to take matters into our own, more competent hands.’ The Leavers’ story is ‘The gods made man for the world, the same way they made salmon and sparrows and rabbits for the world; this seems to have worked pretty well so far, so we can take it easy and leave the running of the world to the gods.’ “ (pg. 241). As seen before, the quotation summarizes the several points made about Takers and Leavers developed in the book; their premise, story, and result that so far have been totally opposites. Isn’t it ironic that what we perceive as readers to be good (Leavers), is the contrary to what we as a culture are?

At the beginning of the course we tried to define the question of humanity in general, why are we here? Most said to produce, do better, others to destroy, and very few said that man here was to be the first, the experiment for the rest of history, and in Ishmael’s words, “He’s the trailblazer, the pathfinder. His destiny is to be the first to learn…” (pg.242). They were right, although it seemed confusing, according to Quinn they were right. The question I was asking, was man following what they intended for him?

Ishmael provides his pupil a program for mankind to save the world, and a program for him to save the world in his own way. So, was this it, the end of an entire revolution in Ishmael’s mind? When Ishmael says to his pupil “You understand that I’m finished with you.” (pg.253) means that also our path as Ishmael’s pupil is undone; we are left just as the student mentioned.

Creators of Destruction

Leavers are no far primitive as Takers get to be. This section of the novel develops another perception towards Leavers, who are supposedly meant to be uncivilized, in the book described as “repulsive”.

As said in the passage, “We’re on our way to discovering why you feel you must carry the revolution forward even if it destroys you and the entire world. We’re on our way to discovering what your revolution was a revolution against.” (pg.217), explains how our culture is always beside all odds. We were the ones who made this future to ourselves; we were the creators of this destruction. In opposition to Takers, Leavers are always interrelated to the environment, something that seems quite archaic to our culture, nonsense, proves stupidity as well. The novel continues establishing the idea that Takers are no better than Leavers, a thought applied by Mother Culture since the beginning.

Mankind is constantly, growing in a technological way. They have wide options to what to wear, what to eat, where to go, anything they want, they can have it. In that case, the excerpt, “Then the gods will finally have no more power over us. Then the gods will have no more power over anything. All the power will be in our hands and we’ll be free at last.” (pg.228) shows the ambition and greed of humanity toward their future, their gods, and their relation to nature. Takers are fundamental to this point; they seem to think it’s just the start, the beginning of an entire life to go ahead. What they are warned by some, but then are forgotten and left behind, they are destroying as they are “developing”. Only they are leading themselves to devastation.

What comes into matter is how man became man, not by effortless evolution, but a further more analysis by Ishmael’s pupil. As a reader, one tries to define this affair, all understood by the context of Takers and Leavers. When Ishmael says, “And this is what your revolution does for you: It puts you beyond the reach of that appalling nightmare. It puts you beyond the reach of the gods.” (pg.229), he illustrates the final concept of how man became man. Basically, this was due to man living in his own hands, unknown to what is left, to what they have vanished. Then the author acknowledges new terms for Takers and Leavers, “The Takers are those who know good and evil, and the Leavers are . . . ?´ `The Leavers are those who live in the hands of the gods.” (pg.229) Reading you realize, is life really worth it? Are we in a path of uncorrectable mistakes?

Hero or Villain?

As enlightened in the novel culture means “the sum total of what’s passed along, of course, not just information and techniques, it’s beliefs, assumptions, theories, customs, legends, songs, stories, dances, jokes, superstitions, prejudices, tastes, attitudes. Everything.” (pg.198-199). Then it’s seen throughout the book how Leavers have a different culture than Takers. Takers’ perspective towards Leavers is superiority. Leavers instead are unconcerned to Takers. Chapter ten of Ishmael emphasizes the differences amongst both idealists.

In my opinion, Leavers are made the heroes of the novel during this chapter. Their intentions are noble, the main characteristic of any hero. Although they are indifferent to the rest of humanity and only improve between themselves, Leavers still are more “helpful” than Takers. Leavers don’t care much about mankind, but they co-exist and respect further more with the rest of species. In the phrase “Take it or leave it” corresponded to the beginning of the book, to represent the meaning of Takers and Leavers is an apparent example of my position. When people say this expression the situation usually involves a proposal, either tangible or insubstantial, were the proposal is to be taken or leaven. Most people take it, in the belief they have an advantage, which is the same thought Takers have about themselves. When people choose to leave it, instead they think that what they have in mind is better than the choice their given. Leavers don’t only think this; it is proved in the book, by Ishmael’s words.

Takers on the contrary, are selfish, and only are in need to improve their tools, their best achievement, which doesn’t even benefit themselves. They keep on destroying the world and will eventually raze with everything. Then Takers are shown as the villains in chapter ten, the destructors of the world, who always get the option of taking, and always being in advantage.

In this section of the book Quinn does an official clarification about Takers’ and Leavers’ thoughts. He shows his point between the two different cultures. As said in the passage, “That’s what Takers want. We don’t want to know a way to live that works well. We want to know the one right way.” (pg.204), Takers are always willing to find this way. They are given this by all the prophets, that is their importance, that is what they carry out. Instead Leavers have searches for a way that works well to live for several generations. This accumulation, known as culture, has been saved by each group of Leavers in their own sense. The majority of mankind is known to destroy, and the few exceptions are known to store.

In the novel Daniel Quinn said, “And every time the Takers stamp out a Leaver culture, a wisdom ultimately tested since the birth of mankind disappears from the world beyond recall, just as every time they stamp out a species of life, a life from ultimately tested since birth of life disappears from the world beyond recall.” (pg.207), exposes a topic with extreme significance. It basically gives a notification that the world is being destroyed, piece by piece by the Takers, who we blong to.

Perception is no Misconception

Ishmael seems to be an amusing book. Unfortunately I haven’t finished it. Until know I’m in the beginning, and what I can talk about the most is my perspective of the novel to this point. As I have always distinguished in books, the opening is the most tedious part. I can recognize it is awfully confusing in some sections.

The novel begins with the ad, “TEACHER seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person.” (pg. 4). From this point I understood this was going to be a singular book. Saving the world, is what we all trust in, the problem is that we don’t act to this belief, is just something we know is right. Although, doing the right thing is misjudged, we mostly depend on what others say, so this is were our perception is seen as misconception. In Ishmael we then consider as our first thought and “odd” book, a gorilla teaching a human? So there is where we begin our journey as Daniel Quinn’s pupils, learning and understanding what is being analyzed.

My further expectations to the book are for greater thoughts about humanity. It appears to be especially deep, in the sense were you acquire knowledge. I am a person that doesn’t read much, and certainly this is a novel that I have enjoined. It is clear that life itself is underestimated.

Blog Questions

1. What is the difference between a blog and a book?

The difference between a blog and a book is that a blog is far more efficient than a book. A blog is faster with more freedom and a book is tight and slow. When you write a book you choose a topic and stick with it, there is specific information you are to follow. In a blog you are allowed to pass does boundaries, write about anything, use visual aid, music, anything you want. Besides a book is to be purchased, meanwhile a blog is available to anybody, at any time. Another advantage is that in blogs people can comment about your post, give their opinion, in a book you don’t get to know the reader at all. At the end what matters of a piece of writing, is mostly to know that your purpose was set.

2. How have blogs changed recently?

Before blogs were mostly unknown, now that internet is more available and used by numerous people its popularity has increased. This way several types of blogs have emerged, such as personal, of questions, even for business and advertising. Besides people are able to visit others´ blogs and comment, so they form communities.

3. Why might you read a blog?

You probably read a blog because they interest you. You want more acknowledging information of that topic. People get to comment, to share their opinion, in other words to compare their thoughts. Basically blogs are a great source to inform people in ANY topic they want, either for fun or academic.

4. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?

Yes, you should always doubt of a blog. Mainly because blogs are written and accessed by anyone, so in many cases it can be false just gossip, so you should verify your information on a reliable source. People simply share their opinion in most situations, so what they say is their perception about that certain topic.

5. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?

I would probably name my blog “Falling for Life”, because I like all about happiness and deep quotes, feelings, and the reality in every person. In addition the title sounds persuasive, for the searchers to find it interesting.