Fahrenheit 451 Analysis

3.) Name the three parts of Fahrenheit 451 and explain how they are relevant to respective content. Use specific examples from the in your argument.

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 is composed of three different sections, each with a separate title. Each title is there for a reason, as it connects to the content within the specific section.
The first of the three sections is called "The Hearth and the Salamander". I wasn't sure what a hearth was, so I looked up it's definition. A hearth is; the floor of a fireplace, but it also defined as home, and comfort. It think both sides of the definition are relevant to the book. Montag is a fireman, so fire is an average part of his life. The very first sentence of the book is  "It was a pleasure to burn.". Firemen in this book don't put out fires, they instead create fires to destroy books which are illegal is the society. Burning is a comfort for Montag. In the beginning, burning gives Montag a purpose, burning is something enjoyable and beautiful. Burning is Montag's hearth, it is his home. I also looked up the word salamander, knowing that it was a liZard. What I didn't know, is that a salamander is also defined as a mythical creature- and one that has the possibility of surviving in a fire. While there is a machine at the firehouse called the salamder, I think that Clarisse is the 'main' salamander in Montags life. Clarisse asks Montag "'Do you ever read and of the books you burn?'" and at the time Montag is shocked almost at the idea of reading. But Clarisse sets off this fire inside of Montag (pun completely intended). The idea of reading, and the idea of knowledge and secrets becomes incredibly attractive to Montag. Clarisse represents this mythical creature who can survive fire- she is a unique person in this society, she sticks out like a sore thumb, she has knowledge that no one else does.  Clarisse is what gets Montag started on the idea of reading.
The second section is entitled "The Sieve and the Sand". Sieves are people that cannot keep secrets. And while sand is loose debris, similar to dirt, it's also the passing of time. Both of these connect to Montags wife Millie. Millie knows that Montag has books. She realiZes that her husband has been collecting books, and that scares her. " He searched the house and found the books where Mildred had stacked them behind the refrigerator." Millie is ready to turn Montag in, she represents the sieve in Montags life. The sand represents a part of Montags life that's leaving him, which I also think is represented by Millie. "'Millie, does-' He licked his lips. 'Does your family love you, love you very much, love you with all their heart and soul, Millie?'" Millie's 'family' on her television screens has become more important to her than her husband. Millie ends up turning Montag in- becoming the sieve in his life, and becoming a mere memory- the sand.
The last section of the book is simply called "Burning Bright". it starts of with Montag being forced by his Captain Beatty to burn his own house. "'...but piecework, with a flame thrower.'" Montag does as he's told, he burns his, destroys everything. He then kills Beatty, and runs. The "burning" part of the title is quite literal, and I think the "bright" has a lot of meaning. I interpret the "bright" as smart, and intellectual. "'Welcome back from the dead.'" Granger says to Montag. Granger is one of the group Montag finds after he runs away and escapes the city. Granger and the rest of the group memoriZe books- these are the people that accept the importance of books and knowledge and run away from society to pursue it. These people are "bright". Montag joins the group, and we leave him with them.
Ray Bradbury has reason for each of the sections titles. He used symbolism to foreshadow what was going to happen in each section. And for me, by going back and looking at the titles, I was able to understand the book as a whole much better.

TU Tuesday- Local

http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts/northern-lights-changes-name-to-upstate-concert-hall/23235/

While this article is really just about Northern Lights changing it's name to Upstate Concert Hall (which I think is ridiculous- if it's just a bar, why make it sound so much fancier than that? I love this place don't get me wrong, but I do not like the new name.), I think it's more about identity. The "new" owners- who have really owned the venue for about seven years- want to move on from the past. They want this as a place of their own, and they think that Upstate Concert Hall is a more fitting name. They have all the rights to change the name. They own it, operate it, and have fixed it up. I just can't get past the name. To me, the name doesn't fit. But hey- they improved the venue, so maybe the name will come around as a good change as well.

7.) Do you think Memorial Day is about remembering death or celebrating lives?

I think that Memorial should be about celebrating lives. People that go into the army and fight wars for us, fight those wars to protect us. They literally die to let us live. If we don't celebrate our own lives, then them ding for us was a waste. Memorial Day should be a bittersweet holiday for those who celebrate it. Of course you do want to remember the soldiers that died, and appreciate what they've done for you. It's equally important though to celebrate your own life and the lives around you. They died because they knew that you had a reason to live. Prove to everyone that died for you that it wasn't a waste, and that you're going to do something with your life. The best way to show your appreciation for everything the soldiers have done to you is to do something with your life. Honor them through your own actions on your own life.

Both Bradbury and Gatto are against traditional schooling in one way or another. In Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Bradbury expresses a disapproval of schooling through character Beatty saying "'Out of nursery, into college and back to nursery.'" By this Bradbury is trying to say that you start of strong in school. As a kid, you learn. You become educated, and then you hit a wall. You stop learning. If you stop learning and lose knowledge, then why go to school in the first place?
Gatto is also against the traditional school setting of  "...six classes a day, five days a week, nine months a year, for twelve years." This forced schooling causes boredom, and clones according to Gatto. Not only are the students of traditional schooling bored from classes all day long, but the teachers are bored to. How can teachers get excited about teaching kids, if the kids don't care? It goes both ways though: why would a student care if a teacher doesn't? Gatto sums it up in saying that traditional schooling consists of "Laboratories of experimenting young minds, drill centers for habits and attitudes that corporate society demands." We're not teaching these kids: instead, we are grooming them to play a role in our society. "'School is shortened... Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts'"? Bradbury says through character Beatty again. Forget education: as long as people know how to play a helpful role to society, then we're all good.
Exactly what Gatto is against about traditional schooling is what Bradbury shows through the knowledge of character Beatty. Schools do nothing to create independent, thinking individuals according to both authors. Instead, schools produce mindless kids to do necessary jobs to keep society running as it is.

Tried and True

A.) Anybody could be your future husband/wife. Don't judge them.

B.) Books are your friends. Read.

C.) Collect something. Don't become a hoarder, but have a collection that means something to you.

D.) Dance. One of my favorite quotes is "There are shortcuts to happiness: dancing is one of them."

E.) Everyone deserves a second chance. But a fifth? Not so much.

F.) Forgive, but don't forget. Memories can hurt, but will help you out.

G.) Give someone a hug, everyday. You'll brighten their day, and yours too.

H.) Have a bad day every once in a while: it'll help you to appreciate the good days.

I.) Imagination is awesome.

J.) Jump off something (don't hurt yourself) because it's fun. It's even better if you do it with someone.

K.) Kill them with kindness. If someone really gets to you, do nothing but prove you are the bigger person.

L.) Love! Whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, family member, of friend. Having someone you love in your life is such a great thing.

M.) Music is the best thing in the world. Who cares if you're not a musician; listening to music can and will do so much for you.

N.) Never say never. I hate that quote,  but it implies trying new things which is fantastic.

O.) Open up to people and you'll meet some great people.

P.) Popularity is stupid. Don't care what the "popular" people think of you: as long as you have your own friends, you're in good shape.

Q.) Question everything. Learn to doubt, but learn to learn.

R.) Respect everyone. You don't know what's happening in their life, and you have no right to give them anything less than respect.

S.) "S" is the best letter to have in Scrabble. You can put it at the end of almost any word, and get points for the entire word. It's awesome.

T.) "To infinity, and beyond!" Do it. Whatever bring you to "infinity". Find happiness in new adventures.

U.) Unique. Be unique. Don't be normal, normal is boring. "Why be normal, when you can be yourself?"

V.) Vote in elections! Get your opinion out there somehow, your opinion does matter.

W.) "Why" is the best question word, because people then explain something to you. Ask "why" and listen to the answer.

X.) "X" is the worst letter ever. Don't name your kid a name with an "X" because that's just asking them to get mad at you.

Y.) You should be your number one concern. If you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of others.

Z.) Zealous is an awesome word because it's a cool way of saying emotional. Be Zealous in what you do.

TU Tuesday- Commencement Speech

http://www.sweetspeeches.com/s/2030-amy-poehler-2011-commencement-address-at-the-harvard-university

Amy Poehler gave a commencement speech for the Harvard class of 2011. At first I thought that was a little weird; why would a comedian give a commencement speech for the best college in the country? As I read on though, she made a bunch of great points. As an example of Poehler's comedic side, she opens up the speech with "Friends, Romans, countrymen: lend me your beers." Later she says "I graduated from Boston College. Which some call the Harvard of Boston." Throughout the speech she makes some funny remarks, but she does have something nice advice to share.
"...the answer to a lot of your life's questions is often in someone else's face." I completely agree with that, and I almost find it funny that she's telling this to a bunch of Harvard grads. I know she meant it as some nice life advice, but it's almost making fun of them. They obviously incredibly smart if they're graduating from Harvard- so I can't help to wonder if Poehler is making fun of the stereotype that nerds don't socialize with other people. I know she's not, but the second time I read through the speech, that's what came to my mind.
It's really great advice though. "Hold someones hand while you do it." I think that's great. It's encouraging these recent grads to try new things and make something out of their life. It's also encouraging them to do it with someone, find someone that makes you happy: whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, a friend, a coworker, a family member etc. Spend time with the people in your life, enjoy their company and try new things with them. I think that's awesome. Martin Rutte said "You have to do it by yourself, and you can't do it alone." I think this is a point that Amy Poehler would agree with based on her speech- you may be told that you have to do something alone, but you'll never get anything done without support of loved ones. You need to learn to appreciate the people in your life, as they provide so much for you.

85 How I Went From Very Shy to Less Shy

Three groups of people got me to come out of my shell. Camp, GOHTY and GP.
If you ask anyone what I was like up until freshman year, they would tell you that I was the sweet, quiet girl. Even if you ask people today that I don't really know, they'll tell you that. But ask my friends- or really anyone I've had a few conversations with- and they'll give you a completely different answer.
Summer before freshman year was my first year going to camp. I was in a bunk with thirteen other girls I had never met before in my life and I only knew two people in the entire unit. I kind of had to become more outgoing. I became more comfortable talking to complete strangers, and some of those strangers are my best friends today. I came into freshman year talkative and friendly, a different person than I was in eighth grade.
Freshman year, I joined my temple youth group (then called Temple TI's, now called GOHTY). I was the seniors favorite freshman. They loved me, and they were such great role models. They were always incredibly nice and inclusive. If it weren't for that group of seniors, I probably wouldn't be involved in GOHTY at all.
Last but not least, GP. GP is the most supportive group of people I know. I could walk into rehearsal any one day singing Brittany Spears at the top of my lungs, and instead of laughing at me people would join me. We're all a little weird, and being with other people who are comfortable with being a little out there helped me to be comfortable with it.
Sophomore year has been a new Julia. I went to camp again last summer, made even better friends and learned to have fun and not care about what others think. I joined the GOHTY board, learned how to lead programs and services and how to be comfortable in front of other people. And in GP, I had a decent sized role which helped make me more confident in my voice and mostly in my singing.
Eighth grade me was quiet, shy, and not comfortable around anyone besides my small group of friends.
Tenth grade me is loud, talkative, sarcastic, and comfortable with almost everything about myself.