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Lihtsalt ilus #minaise #myself #beauty #justmyself #sunclasses #music #listeningmusic (at Elroni Rong)

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[evelynminaise]

Singularly Whole

AP English (English Language and Composition); Huckleberry Finn/Walt Whitman Essay

March 1, 2011

Aaron DeVera, a junior at Foothill High School, snuck a peak at his AP English teacher’s annotated copy of Walt Whitman’s Democratic Vistas.  He paid special attention to the underlined paragraphs, indicated them on his own copy, and laid it back down on the front desk as if nothing happened.  Upon telling a fellow InFlight student journalist of his adventure of the day, his friend winced and stated what he knew she would: she could never do something like that – “It’s just not me.”  Of course, Mr. DeVera simply shrugged.  “Do something morally ambiguous. You’ll learn something.”  While Aaron DeVera did not literally mean to tell his classmate that she too should violate her English teacher’s privacy, his words disclosed the truth.  At one point or another, one must impulsively do what he or she feels necessary, eschew the conscience gnawing at the back of the mind, and let moral growth take flight.  That encompasses what America stands for as a whole: overcoming problems, ethically improving, and altogether unknowingly finding an American unity in that flourishing state of mind – the same type of unity Walt Whitman called for in Democratic Vistas.  Mark Twain answers that call with his novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; the ways his characters deal with certain situations reveal the American overlap of overcoming hardships coinciding with moral growth.

Widow Douglas’ continual hospitality towards Huck and personal growth on both parts set an example for how the correct type of democracy should spread through America.  America should harness a “spinal meaning” by forming “a typical personality … to the uses of the high average of men -- … not restricted by … the masses” (Whitman 19).   Exposure to different personalities also helps to find that common personality Walt Whitman seeks, for Americans encompass a variety of meanings and backgrounds.  If Americans open their eyes to the similarities rather than differences and see it as diversity, acceptance will bring a peaceful sense of unity.  When aiding Huck Finn, Widow Douglas does not shy away from the opportunity by retreating to her end of society.  By inviting Finn into her niche, she opens up the environment around her to unknown potential to create the diversity that will eventually make up the backbone value for the social environment around her.  The more opportunity for knowledge available to her and the society, the more likely they will create a foundation to which they can refer back.

Jim, Huckleberry Finn’s moral mentor, faces internal dilemmas of his own, reflecting the ethical growth that Walt Whitman seeks in America. Whitman states that there should be a “theory of development and perfection by voluntary standards, and self-reliance” in America (Whitman 1).  America should aim to raise standards continuously until citizens find internal rather than societal motivation to improve themselves and society.  Both Whitman and Twain stress voluntary development. At one point, Jim and Huck discuss an incident where Jim asks his daughter ’Lizabeth to do something, and when she ignores his request, he “fetch’ her a slap side the head” only to realize “she was plumb deef en dumb” (Twain 156).   Jim recounts the incident to Huck, saying that he cried because he did not know he hurt his daughter for a reason she could not help.  Not only does Jim understand where he went wrong, but his remorse through harsh realization and willing vulnerability in front of a white man track his moral growth.  Such moral growth in a man who would, at the time, stereotypically be seen as savage benefits Huck as it introduces a new point of view for seeing Jim and potentially other black slaves, and important step forward for Huck’s state of mind.

Ultimately, admitting the situation to Huck allows both Jim and Huck to learn, which proves that Jim arrives at the ideal adult morality stage. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Jim transcends any material concern, landing him close to self-actualization (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).  Jim’s role as a slave hinders his social interaction in society yet, in turn, helps him overcome its shallow certainties.  By acknowledging his mistake, Jim grows.  Without knowing it, he brings himself one step closer to “self-reliance”.  Jim’s evident development foreshadows what will come for Huck; Mark Twain’s strategic foreshadowing proves Jim to be the moral arrow of the novel.  A mentor like Jim cannot guide if he or she has not conquered problems of his or her own.  If individual Americans learn this lesson from Jim, America as a whole can go through the same transformation, bringing them one step closer to the vistas Whitman seeks.

Huck Finn realizes his own mistakes and tries to correct them when the Duke and Dauphin sell Jim into slavery, serving as the moral apex of the novel.  He accomplishes what all American citizens should aim for – correcting future mistakes and making up for past ones.  Finn brings out best parts of American culture and what it should be, which is of “manly and courageous instincts, and loving perceptions, and of self-respect” to later form “universalism, which, [is the] true child of America” (Whitman 19, 20).  According to Democratic Vistas, Huck Finn’s moral accomplishments represent America’s goals as a nation.  After learning so much from Jim, Huck takes it upon himself to save Jim from the horrible trap of slavery.  By traveling enough of his hero’s journey down the Mississippi – free of hypocrisy and outside interference – he forms his own identity, and any sort of social boundaries dissipate; black, white, slave, free, poor, rich – it all has nothing to do with how Finn sees the world at that point.  Upon realizing that “Jim was gone” and re-sold into slavery, Huckleberry Finn “set[s] down and crie[s]” (Twain 211).  He immediately embarks to find Jim.  Without knowing it, Finn enters post-conventional thought by disregarding the status quo and transcending into acting upon his moral feelings (Kohlberg’s Moral Stages).  America’s situation must reflect similarly.  Since America is a mosaic of different types of people coming together to form a piece of artwork, it could not be as meaningful as it is beautiful without adopting Finn’s ideals he learned from Jim.

The novel’s ending calls to question Huckleberry Finn’s moral growth; such an effect spurs the discussion and personal inquiry that Walt Whitman requested a great literary work accomplish. Walt Whitman says, “national rage, fury, [and] discussion, [is] better than content” (Whitman 15).  Regardless of Twain’s motivations for writing the book’s ending, he created a national inquiry about the moral implications behind it.  This tests the knowledge nestled in the American identity, which one can uncover through other great works of literature.  In the last chapters of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer returns, and Huck once again follows his companion of the past.  In a sense, Huck reverts back to the old ways the reader thought he abandoned.  But the aspect of the ending that determines a reader’s interpretation of it lies in the last paragraph.  Huck tells the reader that Aunt Sally will adopt and “sivilize” Huck, and he “can’t stand it[, for he has] been there before” (Twain 294).  At the very least, Huck thinks and acts independently.  Most importantly the ending spurs discussion and dialogue, a healthy part of the spread of ideas and flourishing intelligence of the masses.  This same dialogue will encourage the spread of democracy.

Mark Twain features one of America’s founding qualities – moral growth from harsh circumstances – to illuminate the characters in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  While Walt Whitman’s overall vision of a clear and hopeful democratic vista may be so detailed that it seems to look off into a completely unknown horizon, America will eventually achieve his vision by honing in on moral developments the same way Mark Twain does in his novel.  Similarly, Huckleberry Finn’s journey reveals a broader scope of moral progression throughout The Adventures in that individual growth leads to a common identity in society.  While one does not need to seek as many uncomfortable circumstances as Aaron DeVera, one can certainly take heed to his mantra – he will learn more from taking risks and spending his life getting into tense situations rather than jumping through flaming hoops avoiding them.

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Works Cited

“Kohlberg’s Moral Stages.” Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA. Web. 28 Feb. 2011. <http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm>.

“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Http://images.wikia.com/psychology/images/c/c3/Maslow’s_hierarchy_of_needs.png. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.

Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. United States of America : Tom Doherty

            Associates Inc, 1988

Whitman, Walt. “Democratic Vistas.” American Studies at the University of Virginia.       Web.

                        http://xroads.virgina.edu/~Hyper/Whitman/vistas/vistas.html

[evelynminaise]

We the People in jeopardy

InFlight, Opinions

May 2, 2011

On Friday, April 15, next year’s We the People team gathered around in B-14 to receive the news they hoped would never come: federal funding for We the People had been cut. The future of the program is now uncertain on so many levels.

Unfortunately, no one knows what to think of his or her acclaimed title as a member; next year will not be like any of us had imagined it in the past, especially those who’d wanted it since Freshman year.

We the People lost federal funding because it was classified as an earmark to an education bill. Because of the growing financial issues, government officials considered cutting earmarks.

As a student who’s taken too many electives, the budget cuts are familiar. But this issue is much more of a problem to me than ever before. It’s personal to so many people.

We the People is not just an elective or ordinary history class. It focuses on educating students in civic involvement in hopes of raising a generation of willing and proactive individuals. It is so ironic that congressmen eliminated such an important bill that could raise future politically active individuals.

We the People Coach Jeremy Detamore says that the situation is “still up in the air. Local Bay Area teachers are coming together in May to discuss the program’s future. Every teacher that has done We the People consistently will continue [the program as best they can] for now.” Detamore is optimistic that if California WTP teachers have their way, there will indeed be a state competition as close to normalcy as possible. “Hopefully that will happen.”

I feel lucky to have such a dedicated coach surrounded by others just like him. However, it doesn’t erase the fact that California’s budget crisis becomes glaringly so by the year. How much longer can we tell students who reach for the moon that they must settle for the stars? Let’s hope they shine just as brightly in the meantime.

[evelynminaise]

Our Latin Hopes Reduced to a Flicker

Pleasanton Patch, Blog Column

May 4, 2011

With education budget cuts in full swing, here's one high school student's take on the overlooked effects of California's financial crisis.

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I am on such good terms with the Latin program as a whole because of my initial friendship with some of the students; I’ve known some since the seventh grade! Checking in on friends turned into saying hi to the beloved Mr. Heinitz and listening in on review sessions. I became a groupie, and it’s been more rewarding than I thought.

I’ve known Latin students since my freshman year of high school, even though I am a fourth-year Frenchie. Foothill High School proudly stands by its Latin program, a rara avis (Latin for “rare bird”) these days, especially in California public schools. Not even our rival school, Amador Valley High School, can boast about their high tanking Latin students – their class is nonexistent. We, however, can boast and see no shame in doing so.

And we do have a right to boast, as our program is one of the most successful I know. This year, the Latin students participated in their first statewide Latin Convention. At the convention, Foothill won second place (in their first year!) among small schools by producing many students and teams whose individual success propelled Foothill to success. A Foothill student scored higher than any other convention participant on the convention’s Roman History exam, and other students placed among the top honors in other tests like mythology and grammar. Furthermore, Latin III Certamen team placed second statewide. Certamen is a quiz-bowl style game that tests students on their overall knowledge of Latin and Roman life. As this is their first year in the Convention, these students surely have potential to place first in years to come, if not next year. Likewise, on the National Latin Exam, a prestigious standardized Latin test, numerous students also achieved gold and silver (that is, making very few mistakes). Three students received perfect scores within the past two years, one of them two years in a row. The Latin program is raking in too many honors to count!

It’s tough to deny that the Latin program is a gem among Foothill’s many. And now I must come to a sad ending to an otherwise encouraging story: Foothill’s Latin program is facing serious obstacles next year. Foothill projects Latin’s four levels will be forced into one class size, jeopardizing the future success of the program, and any extra funding will be cut out. This is just one example of California’s harsh budget reality. How exactly do we tell dream-chasing students that their efforts have been flushed away?

Cue the long sigh and typical teenage eye roll. It’s sad that my inquiry has become a rhetorical question due to its unanswerable nature. When someone can fix aspiring students’ problems, let me know. I’ll be the girl waiting in the currently missing light at the end of the tunnel, as that light has dimmed out to a mere flicker due to budget cuts.

If you would like to encourage Foothill Principal John Dwyer to keep the Latin program and any other program in jeopardy, please send an email to [email protected].

[evelynminaise]

Cool Cat

Bay Area News Group

May 2, 2011

A new website redefines the word "pointless": www.nyan.cat. Log onto the website and you will find a pixel-y cat with a Pop-Tart body moving in place on your screen, a train of rainbow following behind. Turn on your sound with discretion -- a never-ending train of "nyanyanyan" (apparently a version of meow) follows. The website counts how many seconds you stay on it. After social networking sites circulated the link, Nyan Cat's fame skyrocketed. Don't be shocked to find Nyan Cat shirts around school because I suspect this cool cat will be around for a while.

[evelynminaise]

Akinator

Bay Area News Group

March 2, 2011

An amazing, captivating, and procrastinating-inducing website has presented itself; and, no, it is not Facebook. www.akinator.com allows you to play 20 questions with a “genie” named Akinator; however, you can only use characters or people, not inanimate objects. It is a wonder how accurate this system can be – whether it’s a Harry Potter house elf or Doctor Who himself, the most obscure of characters are no match for Akinator. Approved and tested by Foothill’s journalism class to our teacher’s dismay/own interest, this website is guaranteed to entertain you for hours on end for reasons you will never comprehend.

[evelynminaise]

Christmas lesson in consumerism

Bay Area News Group

December 20, 2010

As we decorated our Christmas tree a couple weeks ago I started thinking about what I wanted for Christmas. Asking for a new laptop could wait until senior year, my closet is pretty up-to-date ...

I could've asked for some expensive items that my parents would be willing to get me. They always seem to be searching for something to surprise me with, but fall flat every year because they start shopping late. But it's also partially my fault - I never ask for an iPhone or an e-reader or the BCBG dress that catches my eye. I'm not entirely sure if I even want these things. This year I even wrote a bit of a sarcastic Christmas list, asking for sleep, no homework and Starbucks instant coffee.

My parents never put much focus on the gifts aspect of Christmas. I always knew Christmas as a time to go to church and an excuse to have giant potlucks at friends' houses. And after seeing the documentary, "What Would Jesus Buy," I'm glad I never got too caught up in the buy-buy-buy mentality of the season.

My English class watched the film before Thanksgiving break. All debatable and/or subliminal religious connotations aside, it really showed us that our holiday season is consumed by, well, consumerism.

All we do is buy and spend until we grow tired of waiting in long lines. Our gifts are deemed worthy based on their prices, and the amount of gifts we receive and feel obligated to buy per year grows just as steadily as our dissatisfaction.

The class found watching the movie uncomfortable but that's probably because most aspects of the film's message were true.

Instead of refuting Reverend Billy's message in the film, my friends and I found ourselves spending long hours discussing his philosophical premise. We questioned our own past habits. It was like a therapy session - for Christmas addiction.

I took the opportunity to turn what would usually be a New Year's resolution into a holiday season resolution. I vowed to focus on finding gifts for my family that I know they'll use, buying small presents for only the closest of friends, finding creative ways to express appreciation to my teachers (who are probably the most deserving of Christmas gifts in the first place) with well-written cards and surprise deliveries of homemade desserts, and to simply spend less time at the mall.

I would love to buy only charity gifts for all my friends and family, but most of them are out of my budget. (Babysitting doesn't pay a lot.) However, I am interested in looking into a unique charity to donate any Christmas money I'm gifted.

So far, the shopping tactics are working fine. I don't go into the mall without knowing exactly what I want to buy. My time spent at the mall is minimal anyway due to items on my to-do list such as writing this column. I'd much rather spend my time contemplating word choice than falling in love with a pair of shoes I don't need.

Maybe Reverend Billy's blunt message to "Stop Shopping!" isn't the easiest rule to follow. While it may be cliche, it's the truth: Spending more thought than money on a gift will help us learn more about each other than anything else. That's a revelation I'd be happy with any time of year.