Letter from Mr. Grant

Dear Mobile Connections,
I am Mr. Grant and I was writing pertaining to my friend Jefferson. He has just been sentenced for a crime he did not commit. While on trial, he was compared to a "hog". This has really affected the way he sees himself now. He sees himself as less than a man and now his mind is just everywhere. While on a trip visting him in his cell, we tried our best to comfort him but we got no response. When he finally decided to talk to us all we got was,"It doesn't matter...None of it matters." It really hurts knowing that my friend is being sentenced to death row and I have no way to make him feel like a man before dying. How am I supposed to make him feel like a man before dying?

Sincerely,
Mr. Grant Wiggins

Quotation Assignment

"He's still going to die... Why not let the hog die without knowing anything?" (Page 31)

4. Does the quotation provide detail about the setting? If so, what type of description does it provide? How does the setting description classify the time period? The quotation does provide detail about the setting. It describes the way blacks were treated then. It classifies the time period by putting the reader in the time frame of racism and allowing the reader to understand the point of view.

5. Does the quotation symbolize the lack of freedom of a black person at this time? Does the quotation symbolize the history of oppression of a black person? If so, to what part of history does the quotation relate? This quote does in fact symbolize the lack of freedom of a black person at this time. Yes, it does symbolize the history of oppression of a black person. This quote relates to the Pre-Civil Rights South.

Chapters 3 - 4 Discussion Questions

Chapter 3

1. Pichot's insistence that Jefferson "did it" redirected the plot narrative by setting a sad tone.  It allowed some of his more racist feelings to surface. He believes that the blacks are below them and barely acknowledges everything she says to him me. It's like he thinks of her as his slave even though she's a free woman.

2. Miss Emma was exhausted from Jefferson's trial and conviction. Grant knew that Miss Emma wanted his help, however he also knew that her mind was everywhere and she did not have the energy to beg him for help..

3. When Grant went away from college, he vowed to never enter through the servant's entrance of Pichot ever again. He refreshed that in his memory and how he felt that when he was young. It like things have never changed.

4. Miss Emma prevailed on Henri Pichot to speak to the sheriff because she knew blacks were often denied the right to speak their thoughts and feelings. Yet, their is much irony here as Miss Emma seems to have no problem speaking for herself.

Chapter 4

1. The description of Bayonne further expounds on the summation in Jefferson's trail by comparing him to a hog and how they were going to slaughter as one.

2. Grant wants to leave because he feels like he is not living his life to the fullest, he feels trapped in a sense. The only reason that he has not left is because he does not want to leave without Vivian.

Blog Post Assignment 7

1. Why do you believe that Kien saw so vividly ?
2. Why do you believe writing seemed to make Kien feel better ?
3. On page 85, Kien states that he misses Phuong even after she had another man in her home and it caused much hurt. Why do you believe he still misses her ?
4. On page 86, Kien became bewildered,confused, deeply troubled, and began to pace around the room and memories flared up again and again. What do you believe was his reasoning for staggering over to his desk to write ?
5. On page 90, There is a quote that states," There is no terrible hall in death," What do you think the author meant by this ?
6. What did Quong beg Kien to do ?
7. Describe the room Kien was writing in.
8. What does the author mean when he says "Razor's Edge" ?
9. Why does Phuong describe herself as a Dark Chapter of Kien's life?
10. What does Kien mean when he says everything seemed to change ? Pg. 87

"Two Kinds'

1. Yes, parents do pressure their children to achieve. One may think this is true because the parents only want what is best for the child. If pressuring the child and constantly being on them is the only way then so be it.

2. Some conflicts that parents have with children are different point of views. The parent may feel as if their way is the only and correct way.

3. Yes, anyone can be anything they want to be. If one puts their mind to something and works hard their goal can be obtained.

4. Not all conflicts have a winner. Every conflict does not end in favor of either side; Compromises will often be put into play to satisfy each side.

5. My relationship with my parent is very different from that of a Chinese child. I am not forced into an occupation; I have a choice on what I would like to be in life. My parent and I have more of a permissive relationship. A Chinese child on the other hand has more of an authoritative relationship with their parents. Either its their parents way or no way.

Blog Post Assignment 3: "Tween Years"

            This article was about the Agua Dulce trail in Agua Dulce, California. In 1998, their committee welcomed the PCTA for the major trail project. at this time they were under the administration of Dr. Ben York. They received many grants from several groups. Amounts received were of great quantity. 1 of the many things I found interesting was that in the late 2000s Agua Dulce received a $50,000 grant that recognized their achievements in the area of trail protection. An interesting fact I found was that in 1993, Dr. Ben York took over the mantle of leadership of the Agua Dulce soon to pass down years later.

QUESTION
What is so special about the Agua Dulce? What are real reasons people hike long trails with intense measures?

This article can be read at: http://www.pcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/tweenyears_2012_spreads.pdf?884c9e

Blog Post Assignment 2

The areas in my writing I feel need the most improvement are my use of mechanics. This is both capitalization and punctuation. From time to time I tend to place punctuation marks where they do not belong. I plan on seeking the extra help needed to understand the placement of punctuation marks. I will first try to get an understanding while it is being taught. If this does not work I will further help such as after school tutoring. As a result of going to tutoring I should have a better understanding of the mechanics of grammar. I felt as if the best parts of my writing was the overall flow and in depth details. My paper made points that were very imperative steps in obtaining a job.