Crucible Post 2

     To be willing to deny what you believe in or lie to protect yourself is a hard decision. Ideally what you should do is stand up for your beliefs and not let what anyone else says phase you. But often that is not what people do. Many people in life are cruel. Your first instinct is usually to protect yourself. If you arn't the same or think something different then people can tease you or make you feel like an outsider. Those are not things that one wants for themselves so they would obviously try to avoid those consequences at all costs. Some people will say they would stand up for what they think no matter what but if they were put into that situation it is most likely that they would lie.  If someone stands up to others to defend their beliefs they are very brave. Most people do not react the same way.
    
     Personally, I would probably lie to protect myself. I wish that I could say I would stand up for what I thought no matter how other people reacted to it but in reality I would probably not. The fear of being an outsider or being made fun of is very large. If I had control over myself being accepted by others I would obviously choose to be accepted rather than an outsider.  If it was something small that I would not be willing to put up a fight for I would  lie about it then. If I felt very strongly about something or if I was asked about my religon I wouldnt lie becuase things like that are important to me. And just becasue others would judge me about it I would still say what I thought. For the most part I would do everything in my power to protect myslef unless it was something I really cared about then I would just hope people accept me for my opinion.

Crucible Post 1

    Much of how people operated  during this time period and even now was and is based on power. Whoever held the most power basically determines who is in control. In the beginning of act one Parris mainly had all the power. He was the Reverend of the church so  many people respected him. He was the only one there who had any title in the church so he had the highest ranking. Reverend Parris obviously had a lot of power since he was so concerned about it and his ministry even more than his daughter that could be dying. You could also tell that Parris held most of the power by how he acted. He often gave orders. For example, when he wanted Tituba to leave the room in the begging he just yelled at her. He constantly questioned Abigail and she was obligated to answer to him. He defiantly tried to control the room.
    Towards the end of act one the power in the room changed. Before Reverend Parris held most of the power but when Reverend Hale arrived it quickly shifted to him. He was much more skilled in the field of witch craft then Reverend Parris was. Hale had killed a witch in Beverly so the people were eagerly awaiting for his arrival in hope that he could deal with the girls situation in a more productive way. Reverend Hale could determine if what was causing Betty’s illness was related to witch craft or not. Parris was not as experienced in witchcraft so he could be less of a help. For Hale to come see Betty and the other girls was necessary so they could deal with what had happened. Since they were all counting on him he held most of the power. In the beginning of act one the majority of the power was owned by Reverend Parris but by the end it had been handed over to Reverend Hale.

Sinners Follow Up Post

     If people today had been preached the same sermon that was given in 1741 the reaction could be different. People would still be very terrified after hearing Hell described to such an extent. And it would still be horrible to hear someone say that God held so much hatred toward all the people on Earth. One aspect of the sermon that would not change was how unsettling and troubling it was to everyone who herd it.One difference would be that the sermon would probably be taken a lot less seriously than it was taken in 1741. Today it would probably be dismissed by many and they would just assume it was some crazy minister. Many ministers and preachers deliver sermons by yelling so even though the message being given had great intensity and and disturbing content it would probably be not taken as seriously. Living in this time period the people have herd all sorts of different opinions and points of view to religion. They have also been educated enough to create their own opinions of religion. Back then they probably basically had the same view and there was only one small church in the whole town. So for their one and only minister to be telling them all these horrible things it would leave a big impact on them. If the same sermon was given in this time period it would still be very disturbing but it would not be as popular or taken as seriously.

"Sinners in the hands of an angry God" Post

  

     This video is about the sermon that terrified the people of New England. It was given by Jonathan Edwards on July 8^th, 1741. The sermon  he delivered is by far the most famous one that has ever been preached. The people who he preached it to were terrified. It left many people with new thoughts and changed the way of American life forever. The sermon created a lot of controversy.  After Jonathan Edwards gave the sermon many people were very intimidated by him. It changed many people’s view and forced them to look at Christianity in a new way.

      People were obviously very scared of this sermon and effected by it.  The video led me to believe that the sermon was about the intense wrath of God and what he was capable of. Jonathan probably spoke about all about the punishments that one could receive by not acting correctly.I also think he was describing Hell to such an extent that it frightened people a great amount. He was trying to awake the people and to show them that nothing should be taken for granite. Hell was a place that they did not want to end up in. By reading this sermon in his mind he believed he was doing everyone a large favor. I think that the sermon would also include a lecture about sinners and how they deserve to go to Hell. He was probably telling the people that by sinning it would send you to Hell so they had complete control on where they would up. The sermon given by Jonathan Edwards left a large impact on the people of New England.

Descriptive Post

http://www.infobarrel.com/Media/Christmas_Tree_and_Presents



    

     When Christmas comes to mind this the picture that most people think of. This is the perfect image of a traditional Christmas morning.There is the ideal Christmas tree standing tall and confident in the corner filled with a variety of decorative ornaments and lights. Resting on its peak is a bright golden star. The floor surrounding the tree is filled with beautifully wrapped gifts of all shapes and sizes. Right next to the tree is a fire place. There is a warm crisp fire crackling inside of it. On the mantle and draping down the side of it is holly. Two big red,white,and gold stockings are hanging from the mantle at opposite ends. Each one is stuffed to the point where there are gifts peaking out of the rim. The room is filled with Christmas lights and soft glowing candles. It has a luminescent glow to it. This is a beautiful image and can make you practically taste Christmas.

Expectations

     The expectations that Mr.Provenzano should have of his second hour American Lit students should be very high. Some of these should include good behavior in class, all homework and school work to be completed and turned in on time, and lastly full effort should be given by every student.
    
     Good behavior is very important for a successful class. If a class is full of student who fool around then it will not provide a good work environment. One should be quite when the teacher is talking or other students are focusing on work. When the teacher gives out an assignment or is giving directions to the class one should always follow them. Another aspect of good behavior is respect. Mr.Provenzano as well as the other students in the class deserve respect. Being polite and kind also fall under the category of good behavior. When a peer is reading a paper or speaking ones undivided attention should always be given. Good behavior should be expected.
    
     When a teacher assigns homework or a project they usually assume the student will complete it. An expectation of this class should be that all work is finished thoroughly. The teacher takes out time making up lesson plans and homework. If the teacher is doing their job and making lessons we should at least complete them. The whole reason we come to school is to learn. If we wish to learn we should be willing to do the work that is required. If someone does not do the work then they shouldn't be expecting a good grade. all the students should have both home and school work finished.
    
     All the students in American Lit second hour should be giving their full effort at all times. Everyone should always be striving for their best. This class should be no exception. If a sudden only finished half an assignment they are just showing bad work habits. Lazy students should not be tolerated. Everyone is capable of reaching a certain level of work. Therefore the students should be producing work of that level with everything they do. By not giving ones full effort then to some extent it is like disrespecting the teacher.
    
     The expectations of this class should include all work to be completed, good behavior during class, and full effort to be provided.

About Me

     My name is Grace Harper and I am currently in 10^th grade. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland and lived there for about a year. After living there I moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts. I lived there for 8 years and moved at the end of second grade. When my parents told me I had to leave and move to Michigan I was devastated. It was so upsetting that I had to leave all my friends behind. But when my family and I got to Grosse Pointe we all loved it.
     
     I am very fortunate to have a family as good as mine. I have two younger siblings. One is named Emme and she is 11 the other is named Charlotte and she just turned 6. My parents got divorced when I was in second grade so I live with my mom on weekdays and every other weekend I go stay at my dads house. My dad just got married this past November and has a new wife named Jean. She is very kindhearted and the two of us get along great. The two of them are also expecting a new baby boy that is due sometime next week. We are all very excited. My mom is getting married on November 12^th. Her fiancé Larry has three children named Lauren, Mikey, and Margoux. We all get along great and have a lot of fun together. I have known them for about 6 years already so its like were already family. I also have big families on both my mom and dads side. They are all crazy and chaotic but they just make my life more entertaining.
    
      I run on the cross country team for south. The sport takes up a lot of time and energy. To be a good runner you really have to be dedicated and want to do it. Most people probably think running is so boring and a waste of time but the feeling you get after you finish a race is amazing. You feel so accomplished and want to do it again. Its very challenging but its defiantly worth all the hard work. Its such a big team with great girls and everyone gets so close throughout the season its great. The team just feels like one big family.