September 7th, 2010
Picture: http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/
Showing You Care About Someone in a Special Way, Helps Make the Person Feel Important
Showing you care about someone in a special way, helps make the person feel important is a dominant theme in the story, ‘Thank You Ma’am’ by Langston Hughes. Hughes’ story is about a large woman called Luella whom undesirably meets a young boy named Roger who tries to snatch her purse. Luella was ashamed of Roger and thought he deserved to learn a lesson. She kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter and then picked him up and shook him until his teeth rattled. She then took him home and told him to that he aught to be her son; therefore she can teach him a lesson. Right after she said this, it made me feel like she actually did care about Roger and felt like he could be a better person, she just has to believe in him. After this scene, Luella started to care for Roger. She cleaned his face, made cocoa for him, and even fed him dinner. Then after all of this was over, she began to trust Roger and believed that he was now a better person. That is why Luella decided to give Roger the $10. This shows that showing someone you care about them in a special way helps make that person feel important. Throughout the time Luella was with Roger, she showed that she believed in him and was slowly gaining his trust. Then, after the meal together, Luella decided that Roger had learned his lesson, so she gave him the money, and told him to go home and get some rest. When Roger left with great smile, he wanted to say more than, “Thank You Ma’am” but Luella had already shut the door and they never saw each other again. Roger felt like he learned a new lesson that night and was thankful that he actually met Luella.
In the, ‘Make a difference’ video, Mrs. Thompson was a 5th grade teacher who, on the first day of school, told her students that she loved them all equally. But there was one little boy, who was in the front row, slumped in his seat named Teddy Stallard. Mrs. Thompson noticed that Teddy didn’t have any friends, his clothes were always messy, and he constantly needed a bath. Though one day, whilst looking through Teddy’s files, Mrs. Thomson was in for a surprise. His 1-2 grade teachers wrote great things about Teddy, but his 3rd grade teacher wrote that the death of Teddy’s mother was hard on him, though he still tries to do his best. And Teddy’s 4th grade teacher wrote Teddy doesn’t show much interest in school and sometimes sleeps during class. This made Mrs. Thompson realize that Teddy was actually capable of achieving the goals the teachers set, its just no one cares to help him. Mrs. Thompson cried for a while and than started focusing her teaching on kids like Teddy. What Mrs. Thompson did was very brave, and she showed us that she cares about Teddy and believes that he can improve in his learning; he just needs help and encouragement to lead him towards the right way of learning. What Mrs. Thompson did for Teddy was she showed him that she cares for him, therefore making Teddy feel appreciated and giving him the courage to try something new. Teddy later grew up into a very successful doctor and got married. And throughout the process of achieving this, he always sent a letter to Mrs. Thompson telling her that she was his favorite teacher ever. This shows that when someone shows you that they care about you, it helps give you more self-confidence and determination.
When you show someone special that you care about them, their behavior towards you might change and they may feel more important in the inside. In the case of Luella and Roger, Luella proved that Roger could actually be kind and doesn't have to steal from anyone. She did this by helping him and guiding him through that night teaching him right from wrong. Eventually, Roger was able to learn his lesson and Luella was willing to give him the $10. In the case of Mrs. Thompson and Teddy, Teddy was mourning the loss of his mother therefore causing him to drop grades in class and not be bothered to try anymore. But when Mrs. Thompson showed him that she cares, he was able to go back to the way he used to be and finish high school, collage, and university. Both Roger and Teddy were taught lessons and proved to us that when someone helps gives you self confidence and shows belief in you; it makes the other person feel better.
Picture: http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/
August 16th, 2010
Betrayal Scars the Soul
Betrayal scars the soul is a dominant theme in Roald Dahl's short story 'Lamb to the Slaughter. The main character, Mary Maloney picked up a leg of lamb and clouted her husband , Patrick Maloney, over the head with it, leaving him dead on the floor. When Patrick told Mary he was leaving her and that he was going out for supper, Mary suddenly had this great emotional shift which completely defied the character we knew from the beginning. Right after the shift she switched right back to the person she used to be. Throughout the beginning of this story Dahl makes Mary's character seem very innocent. Mary Maloney, was a 'perfect housewife' who loved and cared for her husband very dearly. She served her husband well and ensured that he was always satisfied with what he has. Mary was very much robotic though. She served her husband even when he didn’t ask for anything, she made the house perfect awaiting for his arrival, and when he arrived home she luxuriated in his presence. This is why when Patrick Maloney announced that he wanted to leave her, her perfect lifestyle got shattered and she didn’t know how to react. Now Mary has to live knowing that her husband betrayed her. Also, after killing Patrick, Mary schemed to cover up her crime and lied to the detectives and herself. After this, she went to the grocery shop to get her alibi back and then when she got back home, she was able to convince herself and everyone else that she didn’t do it. This proves to us that Mary does care for her husband very dearly and only killed him to not be the lady whose husband left her.
Betrayal can be seen from many different ways. In the article "Exchange student shares story of betrayal", it shows us that people we love can really betray you and it is mostly the people we least expect. This young girl (Tak) is determined to become a doctor, though because of what her housing mother did to her, she would be lucky to even get an education. Tak’s housing mother drained at least $57,000 from her bank account. Her host mother has known her for about 3 years now and Tak has grown a bond with her. Though when Tak discovers her host mother has drained at least $57,000 from her bank account, its just unbelievable and Tak doesn't know what to do next. If Tak doesn't pay $2,800 she will be deported and won't have enough money to get any education. Tak’s housing mother was helping Tak and gained trust from her but then she turned around and stabbed her in the back. This is why Tak has now learned that it is hard to trust other people and not all 'friends' and trustworthy. Tak was on the road to achieve her goal but a few obstacles have occurred whilst on the journey and this one is too big to forget and has left a tremendous mark.
Betrayal is when you act disloyal towards someone else and turn against them. After being betrayed, the result is occasionally when you learn not to trust that person again and your soul gets scared and can't be fixed. In Lamb to the Slaughter, Mary Maloney got a scar when her husband announced that he was leaving her and, to make matters worse she killed him. Also, in the news article, Tak started to trust her housing mother but got stabbed in the back when she drained out all of Tak's money out of the bank. Mary killed her husband because she loved him so much and she didn’t know what life would be like without him. She spent her whole married life catering for Patrick and when we leaves her, she won’t have anything to do. As with Tak, all that money was for her and her family’s education and living costs. Without the money, she can’t continue school and has to be deported from the U.S. Now Mary and Tak both learned that the people you love aren’t always the people you can trust. Both of these people have to live with that big scar in their heart and nobody can fix it, not even themselves.
