Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

Socratic Seminar Reflection #1

The Socratic Seminar as a whole was something that allowed my understanding of the text to be extremely influenced. It allowed me to see how others thoughts about the text, and also see how they analyzed certain scene, and or explain what they thought was symbolized through key events and figures. It helped me to see that there is more to offer in this book than just a story about a dystopian rule, but that with the state of society in 1949 Orwell thought that this was where the society was headed. When Lina went more in depth about the children in the book of 1984. Someone asked about whether our generation was going down the same path that the children in 1984 were on. I hadn't before then ever thought that maybe this could have been a possibility.

One statement that I agreed with was that 1984 was based off of the totalitarian regimes during World War II. I thought that the book was based off of the totalitarian regimes such as the ones in Germany, Russia, and Spain, especially since Orwell wrote the book shortly after World War II, Animal Farm. I just feel that Orwell like to use a lot of symbolism as a writer, to often get a certain reaction in people. The statement that was said that I agree with the least, was when someone started to explain that they felt that the use of too much power can't lead to an end to societies. While I think that this is very possible do to the masses feeling overpowered, and wanting to rise up in an effort of rebellion.

I think the thing that worked the best in the seminar was the fact that mostly everyone came well prepared with great discussion questions, which allowed everyone to participate and give their opinion on subjects. I feel that also the use of rhetorical appeals was very well, though we used the same ones, I feel that we did well, due to the fact that it was our first time, and I feel that like overtime we will be great at using rhetorical appeals.

The thing that I feel could have been better in our seminar would be the flow of the discussion, I just feel that it didn't feel real. It didn't seem that people were just trying to get points, its just that I don't feel it was good. Maybe it was who was the discussion leader, and the way that he did everything Ms. Hunter said not to do, but I just feel it could have been so much better, especially with the great questions and people within our discussion.

Othello Dramatic Reading Words and Actions Video

Othello Dramatic Reading Words and Actions Video 

Statement of Intent

Over the course of producing my dramatic reading I thought that it would be best to see how others have portrayed Iago in many other self productions, with countless broadcasts of the comical aspects of Iago, I choose to do a more riddled and questionable tone. This then apples to a more emotional approach which would lead the viewer to more suspense of what's to come in the following scenes. I utilized pauses in my reading, also to evoke a mysterious and dark nature, which also showed what I felt was Iago's tone was during this soliloquy.

From becoming the character that is Iago, I found that you truly do become a dark and malicious person when you have to reenact the same parts of any type of dramatic text constantly, to a point when you feel that you are no longer playing a part, but evoking something that is now a part of you and is slowly rising to the surface. I also learned that it is truly not easy to just say lines, but that you truly have to use specific tones and utilize pauses to convey what you want an audience to feel.

I feel that the soliloquy that I choose is something, truly gave the reader a key insight into the character that is Iago, with showing that he is not only conniving and malicious, but that he truly thought out the steps to take before executing his ideas in his master plans. This soliloquy showed how he would develop the plot into its climax, and how he would use many events to further complicate situations "from behind the curtains" in the same way that a puppet master does. I feel that with my effective use of pauses and shifting tones, I effectively furthered the conflict as did Iago, with increasing the mystery and suspense.

Chapter 8 : Surrounded ~ 2000 and Title Justification Essay #3

Chapter 8 : Surrounded ~ 2000 : Theme Tracking 

Quote 1 :  "Y’all know there is a reward for Tony and Wes if you just tell us where they are.  It’s a lot of money.  You sure you don’t need that money?’”
Analysis : This quote shows a police officer bribing some of Wes’s friends and family assuming their disadvantaged financial situations.  It illustrates a gap between the rich and the poor in Baltimore, and shows that richer people, such as the cop, believe that they can exploit the lower classes.


Quote 2 :  “The truth is that there are two Baltimores.  Almost every other major city in this country leads the same double life.  Those who brag about Baltimore often ignore these substandard areas.  Yet these were the areas Mayor Schmoke knew would determine his legacy of success or failure.”
Analysis : This quote explains how Baltimore and other U.S. cities are divided between a rich and middle class section and a poor, less developed section.  The quote shows that it is crucial to integrate these areas, especially under a political leader such a Schmoke, so that all of the people in a city can thrive.


Quote 3 :  "Two masked men had run into J-Browns Jewelers waving guns at the customers, ordering them to the ground. Costumers screamed in fear and quickly followed the orders as two more masked men entered."
Analysis : The crimes revealed here demonstrate the affect of the convict over the victim. Wes' life drastically changed from the beginning of crime as a drug dealer to something more grand of trouble. Since this crime was going to be Wes' last job on the streets, I suppose his motivation was to go hard or don't do it at all. He rather go all out for it with his brother because he knows it's going to end bad anyways.


Quote 4 : "Crime in Baltimore and its suburbs had spiraled out of control, particularly in the city proper." 
Analysis: This quote shows how crime in Baltimore has escalated to another level. The author chose to write this to tell the reader how Wes' life in Baltimore has become very dangerous. This is a serious issue that should have been dealt without Wes involved. Never should he have associated himself with the wrong crowd because it started upheavals in Baltimore affecting other people. 

Quote 5 :"Look, I just found out that my sons are wanted for killing a police officer. If I find anything out, I will tell you, and I will cooperate however I can."
Analysis: The author demonstrates here how the crimes have grown much dangerous that not only has he brought himself down, but he's gotten his mother involved as well. He should have stopped while he had the chance and take the opportunity to be out the drug game. Instead the drug game influenced him to participate in even worse crimes such as murder. He could have at least left his family out of it, but then he starts conflict for her mother with the police.

Title Justification Essay

The third and final part of the book is entitled " Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled".  This part of the book was very dramatic and filled with many life choices that would dramatically change the life of the characters forever, whether that be bad or good. From the beginning, the reader knows the fates of the two Wes Moores, but they are intrigued on how their lives will play out.  While chapter seven breezes over author Wes’s military recognition and the other Wes’s return to drugs, chapter eight is when the final life-altering murder occurs and the other Wes is sentenced to life in prison.I believe Wes Moore entitled this part of the book "Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled" because he wants to show the true way that our choices shape out lives, no matter how big or small.

For "Paths Taken"  I believe the author means what the characters  chose to do with their lives. For example, Author Wes chose to continue with his life in the military momentarily, until going to college and working with the mayor of Baltimore. Now he is bettering his life. Unlike the other Wes Moore. For him life is going poorly. He has four kids and two baby mother and is min jail for the robbery and will be for the entirety of the rest of his life . Trying to better his life always ends up ruining it. Committing murder and getting jail for life was a great example of "Paths Taken", for "Expectations Fulfilled" it is a different story. In a way it is shown that both of the Wes Moores' have met someone's expectations whether they were great aspirations that were expected from a teacher or mentor, to the expectations of a person who saw the very worst in them. Overall, I feel that the  author used the appropriate title for this collection of chapters, due to the content within them. 

The third part of the book "Paths Taken and Expectations fulfilled" was a powerful part of the book due to the fact that we were able to see character development to its full potential. We are able to see, as readers, how the characters became who the are they are today, and get to see how the story ends. These few chapters are able to shows the good and the bad choices made and further goes to shows where the Wes Moores' are going with their lives. Although the question still remains, could their stories have been interchanged?  Who is there to blame for ruining the life of one Wes when another Wes with a parallel childhood excelled?  Perhaps Wes Moore leaves these questions to suggest to the reader that maybe the person who controls our lives, is not always entirely ourselves.