Honors Literature #2

Hallie Chavis

Honors Lit #2

10/28/09

In the Heart of the Sea

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex is a nonfiction novel written by Nathaniel Philbrick and is a National Book Award winner. It tells the story of not only the whaling ship the Essex, but it tells the story of Nantucket, Massachusetts and how whaling came to be. Back in the 19th century, whaling was done in lifeboats by shooting arrow shaped projectiles into the whales that were loaded with explosives. The idea was to shoot them with the arrow and wait for it to explode in the whale so that the whale couldn't escape or fight back. In the Heart of the Sea is a true story about when a whale fought back.

Personally, the most interesting parts of the novel are as follows, Henderson Island and the Essex crewmen on the island, the deaths and cannibalism, and finally, the rescue. Henderson Island is described as a small remote island that is completely uninhabited. The men don't know how to ration the materials and end up using all of the resources on the island, the men decide to leave the island in hopes of finding somewhere else to land. Although most of the crew left, three of the crewmen stayed behind, which seems like nonsense because as described previously, all the food and fresh water had been exhausted. The men were later rescued which is a feat in itself since they survived on the island for over 90+ days after the Essex had sunk.

Cannibalism takes up a huge portion of the story of the Essex. From the 8 people rescued, 7 seamen had been eaten for food by the other sailors. By this time, the men were suffering from tobacco withdrawals, edema and malnutrition amongst many others. They had random outbursts of anger and violence due to the lack of vital needs of their diet and an unhealthy amount of sodium in their systems. 95 days went by with the men on the lifeboats waiting for one another to die, when the Dauphin sailed up to them, they were so mentally unstable at that point they didn't even notice. In the book there was also a sacrifice that took place. One man had to shoot another man on the crew in order to eat him and provide at least a couple days nourishment. The irony is apparent as well, the man who was sacrificed was Owen Coffin, who sadly never got a proper burial.

The rescue was probably the most amazing part of the book. "On the morning of February 23, the crew of the Dauphin made a similar discovery. Looking down from a restless forest of spars and sails, they saw two men in a whaleboat filled with bones." (p. 188) The men were too weak to stand by themselves and were sucking on the dried out bones of their cannibalized crew. It was a traumatizing event, and everyone was shocked to find out that they had even survived 3 months with the conditions they were in. Although, Nantucketers had a quite large delay, the mail they would send would not reach them until a couple, if not a few months after it was written. The locals were oblivious to what had happened. Nonetheless, the rescue of all the lifeboats has made an immensely powerful story and was the inspiration for the great novel, Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

Honors Literature

Choose a classic novel from American history that relates to any time period prior to World War One. Read the novel and answer the following prompt:

(Hint: you are responding to the 1998 AP Literature Question)

In his essay "Walking," Henry David Thoreau offers the following assessment of literature:
"In literature it is only the wild that attracts us. Dullness is but another name for tameness. It is the uncivilized free and wild thinking in Hamlet and The Iliad, in all scriptures and mythologies, not learned in schools, that delights us."

Choose a novel that you may initially have thought was conventional and tame but that you value for its "uncivilized free and wild thinking." Write an essay in which you explain what constitutes its "uncivilized free and wild, thinking" and how that thinking is central to the value of the work as a whole. Support your ideas with specific references to the work you choose.

MSB Blog #18

I really learned that I need to take a stand when my group gives me too much work and tell them that we need to divide it up evenly and it's unfair to push everything on me because I know the program InDesign the best. I should tell them that that's why we are here, to learn and make mistakes and learn from them.

During the Newspaper project I furthered my experience with professional critiques and working with Adobe InDesign. I feel as if the content of the newspaper was alright, the quality wasn't as great as it could have been but I feel like in the time frame we were given, we did the best we could. Taking this all from the Newspaper Project to MSB, I feel like I can really run the show myself. I can edit my own videos, I can write my own scripts, I can make my own storyboards and all together be the best I can be.

MSB Questions

Wow, this website is so amazing, I can't even begin to describe how helpful the author is with all of the information, videos, and real life events that happened and are happening now. I would like to find a way to interview someone in charge of the website or someone closely related to get a more personal look at the seals and how deeply affected some people are.

http://savesandiegoseals.com/

This website is very helpful because it gives very recent up to date news on how the saving of the seals is coming, recent/up and coming lawsuits concerning the seals etc... An interview with someone who runs this website or a representative would give me a more logical perspective on this issue.

http://www.lajollafriendsoftheseals.org/

This organization is non profit and shows you the steps to help protect the seals and who to address them to, how to make people aware and this is definitely something I could pass out and include in my video that I make.

http://www.oceanoutfallgroup.com/helpsealthedeal/

California Fish & Game Commission

The California Fish and Game Commission is in charge of, quite obviously fish and game, they also have the power to turn Casa Beach into a Marine Protected Area.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/

California Department of Justice

The California Department also has the power to ensure that Casa Beach remains protected and that the seals remain unharmed.

http://www.ag.ca.gov/

Congresswoman Susan Davis

Susan Davis has written a letter asking for the protection of Casa Beach addressed to the California Department of Justice. She is a key player in helping save the seals.

http://www.house.gov/susandavis/

Honors History Writing

Hallie Chavis

 

William McKinley: Next American Hero

 

 

 

William McKinley is running for President of the United States of America this year. He is concentrating heavily on protective tariffs and the gold standard.

 

Protective tariffs would mean the taxation on imported and/or exported goods. Taxation upon foreign goods would put a heavier stress on buying domestic goods which would ultimately help the people. More domestic buying means higher employment rates.

 

McKinley was quoted saying, “I am a tariff man, standing on a tariff platform.”

 

Criticism has been flying at McKinley who has been avoiding being labeled as a "monometallist" for concentrating on passing The Gold Standard Act.

 

McKinley was awarded "The Loving Cup" which has an inscription of the words "In Silver we Believe, When Redeemable in Gold..." by silversmiths who believe in the metallic money McKinley stands for."

 

McKinley has our best interest at heart. He will protect America and do what he determines is best for us. We are in struggling times, and with both candidates stressing heavily on the advantages and disadvantages of having tariffs and converting our money. Many are confused about who to give their vote to.

 

The president in running also has plans to annex Hawaii, he said “We need Hawaii just as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is Manifest Destiny.”

 

Annexing Hawaii would make it a permanent part of the United States of America, it would also allow us to set up a naval base there, since it is a body of land completely surrounded by water.  Along with annexing Hawaii, McKinley has annexed Puerto Rico, Guam and the former Spanish territory the Philippines. 

 

The working class makes up a large portion of America, and William McKinley recognizes that. He believes in the working class hero and that they are the roots of our country.

 

Modesty is a good quality of a president, and when it has to do with William McKinley, nothing rings truer. He is a humble man with great plans for our country. He has nothing but the best in his mind to help you and our great nation.

 

“I have never been in doubt since I was old enough to think intelligently that I would someday be made president.” Said McKinley.

Another great aspect of McKinley’s campaign is that he is focusing heavily on cultural pluralism.  Cultural Pluralism is when everyone individually chooses their own identity and religion to form a unique nation.

 

If we all choose our own identity, we wouldn’t have to worry about conforming everyone to one belief. McKinley is about the people. He cares about you personally and has shown it in his platform. You lead your own life, and you have your own individual rights.

 

Not only is cultural pluralism about religion, it’s about how you live your life, the food you eat, the music you listen to and the way you live. Voting for McKinley ensures the whole nation will get to live their life the way they want to. Everyone is accepted no matter their religion, their heritage, or anything of the sort.

 

The Front Porch Campaign has had a significant effect on the minds of voters everywhere. McKinley has made dozens of speeches in and around his hometown because that is the area he knows best. He can concentrate on areas based upon his experiences at home.

 

As far as credibility goes, McKinley is an American Civil War Veteran, so you can bet that he has experience with fast thinking and quick decisions. He is 54 years of age and has all the wisdom he could have possibly attained. He is not only prepared for the job, but he has experience dealing with political issues. He was the 39^th Governor of Ohio for 4 years and in that time, gained the experience necessary to become the 25^th President of the United States.

 

William McKinley is the breathe of fresh air that we need. He is immediate relief for our country and we are guaranteed that he will run in office to the best of his ability.

 

 

Media Saves the Beach Ideas & Comments

From Jasmine Roesner's blog, I realized that interviewing someone would help my project a lot. It started to get me thinking about my own video ideas. I'm happy about reading this blog, because I have started thinking more about my own project and it's outcome.

Jasmine Roesner---http://jasminemoniquer.blogspot.com/

From Emilie Colwell's blog, I noticed that her blog is very neat and easy to read, and has some great ideas for possible questions for my video, since I have to have something to yell into a microphone about!

Emilie Colwell---http://emilieheartsblog.blogspot.com/


From Deejay Rich's blog, I learned that other animals had been affected by our pollution and some questions he has about it. By looking at all 3 of their blogs that they posted, I have gotten a few more ideas toward my videos and what I could potentially be asking.

Deejay Rich---http://deejayplaysguitar.blogspot.com/

Story Excerpt

Post an excerpt from the story;

"The Coast Guard is responding to two oil spills reported this morning in San Diego Bay.

The first spill, covering about a quarter-mile off Shelter Island, was reported by workers at the High Seas Fuel dock there. The second, reported by a helicopter pilot, was spotted about a quarter-mile south of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, extending back toward the National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. yards."

1. What is the issue, controversy or event in the story? What are the basic facts?

The San Diego Bay had two reported oil spills in one day a few months ago. The spills happened around Shelter Island and near the Coronado Bridge.

2. What information is missing from the story?

Some necessary information would be did they clean it? Were any animals or sealife or people harmed?

3. What would be your next steps if you were creating a follow up to this story?

If I were recreating a follow up story to this, I would answer the questions I asked above, and reference other oil spills and their effects. Probably also talk about previous SD oil spills.

Huckleberry Finn

Many fictional books, and even non-fictional books constantly are centered around a character having to choose between two things. More often than not, the character in their attempt to find the correct answer/right way to go, is faced with a decision. As is the case for Huckleberry Finn. Typically, the characters choices are somewhere in between the lines of a choice that will benefit them and their crowd of friends which is not necessarily right or correct, versus a choice that will benefit one person, the underdog, the one no one will stick up for and in the short term the character will not benefit positively from this choice.

Huckleberry Finn has an abusive father and he is placed under the care of Widow Douglas and Mrs. Watson, two unbearably dull people. Huck Finn is smart, although not civilized or accustomed to being a proper gentleman, he is smart. He fakes his own death and proceeds to the Mississippi River. He runs into Mrs. Watson’s slave Jim, and the two embark on an adventure down the Mississippi River to Illinois. During this time, Jim describes to Huckleberry his life and his past. They come to a common understanding and during a trip to town, Huck Finn dresses as a girl, and discovers that there is a $300 reward for Jim’s capture, due to the belief that he killed Huckleberry. Huck warns Jim of the danger and they continue down the River.

Huck Finn has to think fast, does he turn Jim in and admit he isn’t really dead? After a series of events leading up to Jim’s capture and being sold to Tom Sawyers aunt and uncle, Huck realizes he needs to help Jim and needs to help him become a free man. Huck manages to take Jim back with the help of Tom Sawyer and in the process reveals he is not dead quite obviously. He also makes sure that people know Jim genuinely is a good, kind person and he just wants to be free. Huck Finn’s viewpoint of Jim changes in a completely different way. The first chapter in the book is a juxtaposition with the end of the book, Tom sneaks Huck out past Jim and in the end Tom and Huck are the ones sneaking Jim out from his new owners.

Against all odds, Huck befriends an African-American and learns that everyone just wants to be free. In the book, he questions his past beliefs and what was drilled into his mind as a child, he reconsiders his thoughts about Jim and how he is a slave. The book goes through many transitions and is completely different than how it started in the beginning, Jim is the common ignorant black slave, and Huck Finn is a rebellious young boy. Huck realizes that Jim is "white underneath" and understands that not everything you are taught is factual.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has a powerful message with the line, "All right then, I'll go to hell" for Jim and for him to become a free man. The reader really senses a strong connection come to be throughout the novel between Jim and Huck, and it adds to the emotion of the story. Identity is a strong aspect of this novel, and it displays a good tie between a young boy with conflicting emotions and confused about his identity, and the message of the story. The story was written after the Civil War when black rights were extremely limited and the stereotype about African Americans was that they were the slaves, always have been and always will be. Mark Twain is an exceptional writer and I'm sure changed many decisions about Black Codes and blacks in general. Even published in 1884, it still is relevant to differing identity changes in modern time.

MSB Questions

List at least three questions that interest you for Media Saves the Beach! For each question, provide a little context, so we know where your thoughts are headed, why you thought of it, what you might do to answer it, etc.

Is there more than one Gyre in the world?
-I think this would be very interesting to learn about and potentially make a video about, for the fact that we already know widely of one Gyre, the Eastern Pacific Gyre, but is there another one?

How are the currents affecting more populated areas of housing?

-Could branch off of it and go into something about Sunset Cliffs and how it's populated and people are trying to shut down the arch because of the currents being unsafe.

Are whales or other large sea animals effected from the pollution?

-WHALE WATCHING! Test some water or get results from Coast Keeper and see if the water further out is infected with bacteria as well.

Honors History Writing

The Redneck Ride


There have been mainly two beliefs about the Civil Wars ending, that it was the start of modern America and it was the second Revolution. Well it was both. The Southern states are known for their pride in the Confederacy and their history in the Civil War. Their pride so much in the Confederacy that they would parade Confederate Flags around that were as popular as 7/11’s in Southern California. The pride that Southerners have in their history and town may seem like a good thing right off the bat, but in turn, it cost a 19 year old his life. Michael Westerman graduated from Todd Central High School, and their mascot was the Rebels. Naturally, with a mascot that’s a Rebel, you can assume the Confederate Flag will be included into it. A truckload of African-American teenagers chased the car all the way to the Kentucky-Tennessee border and fired shots into the red Confederate clad car.

The Ku Klux Klan and the Badass Black Brothers are racially heated groups that will stop at nothing to achieve what they want. Most known, the KKK has a few sister groups if you will, the Red Shirts and the White League. These were predominantly around in the later 1800’s and were basically mini-militia that would take care of people that were in the way for the better of the Confederacy, you could say. The KKK even goes as far to have their own website to talk about their goals, articles on “Jews Favored in Russia”, a Twitter you can follow them on, and a poorly constructed ceramic glazed figurine of a Klansmen ‘heiling Hitler’ which is available for purchase.

Segregation is more commonly linked to the 1960’s and overcoming. That’s not the case for this story. “…Redbone himself, a ruddy-bearded man, stood behind the bar wearing a polka-dot cap and a T-shirt adorned with a swastika. He served me a beer, then turned to chat with a man whose shirtfront proclaimed, "I've Got a N****r in my Family Tree." The back of the shirt showed a lynching - a black man dangling from a branch.” (Dying for Dixie, 89) Clearly there’s still some hostility toward African-Americans. This quote was published in “Dying for Dixie” by Tony Horwitz in 1995, when Horwitz, journalist, was researching the death of M. Westerman in his hometown of Todd County, Kentucky. Many white Southerners liked to consider themselves a “Redneck”, much like Michael Westerman, who had a “Redneck Ride” decal on his Chevy, which was accompanied by the Confederate Flag waving in the Kentucky wind.

There is a multitude of hate-crimes that occur everyday. There were people who got beaten because they didn’t support Prop 8, which was trying to finalize that gays and lesbians could not be wed, but could only participate in a “civil union”. There was a racially heated hate crime that happened within a few weeks ago of a black fisherman, because a trio of white males didn’t like the color of his skin. They however did mention that if the color of his skin had been white, the fight would not have been provoked. It seems we have come so far, at least with technology and you would think with segregation and racism since Barack Obama is clearly not white. It’s disheartening to see how children are raised now with a pure hate for other races, to think that other people should be below them, and still working for them—with the new technological age, it’s getting easier and easier to find things out on the internet, and find places where the KKK is meeting, they’ve even got their own website! It’s too easy to gain access to these things.

How is the war over if there is still a shooting war happening? It apparently doesn’t count if there’s no publicity while it’s being fought. The end of the Civil War marked nothing but the end of a chapter in history books. It started a Revolution, it modernized America, Mr. Westerman, Michael’s dad was quoted saying, “They say that war ended a long time ago. But around here it's like it's still going on.” (Dying for Dixie, 124) Michael Westerman was shot to death on January 14, 1995 with his wife Hannah Westerman driving to their first date since their twin daughters births 5 weeks prior.







1. "Metro Briefs - Washington Times." Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News. Ed. Washington Times. Web. 02 Oct. 2009. .
2. Horwitz, Tony. Dying for Dixie. Confederates In The Attic. Pantheon, 1998. Print.
3. "The Knights Party." What is White Christian Revival. Web. 02 Oct. 2009.