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Week 33 Lesson 165
Quiz Show did not tell the truth about key historical figures. Did this break the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness’?
This is a standard question. And yeah they did. Telling a partial truth is still a partial lie, plain and simple, they lied. There is no need for table talk.
Week 29 Lesson 145
“Compare and contrast the attitude of each movie regarding guns.”
Both of the movies I watched for these lessons were based around guns. The first of these two movies was High Noon, a Western themed movie. In this film, the Marshal of an old small town located in New Mexico, called Hadleyville is newly married to Amy Fowler. Shortly after they were married the marshal, Will Kane, begins to prepare to retire and leave the small town of Hadleyville. However, before it is possible, Kane must first protect his town from a deadly gang run by Frank Miller who has been released from jail. While Kane knows he must do his duty and protect Hadleyville, his wife Amy is a pacifist and wants them to leave town before Miller arrives on the train. Fast forward a little bit and Miller is having a showdown with the gang, in the empty streets of Hadleyville. Kane eliminates two gang members but is wounded in the process, while Amy shoots another but is used as a shield by Miller. She finally gets away from Miller, so Kane could have a clean shot. After they win both Kane and Amy leave town, and the movie ends.
Just like in the film High Noon, Shane is a technicolor American Western movie. In this film a mysterious man named Shane arrives at a barely settled valley in which he is hired by a local farmer. While he is working at this ranch, a cattle baron named Rufus Ryker hires various ruthless people to harass and run the people that live in the valley away. Throughout the movie it’s a constant battle and fight between the settlers and the hired men. In the end Ryker invites Shane to meet so they can negotiate, but has the intentions of killing Shane. Shane is warned in advance and comes prepared. Shane and Ryker’s gang have a shoot down and Shane wins because of his experience with firearms.
Each of these movies are Western filmed. In both of them the main character has a great sense of loyalty and justice, and each are willing to give their lives to protect their loved ones. Also in both of these movies the main men leave the town they live in after the showdowns. But unlike the other movie Shane was a wanderer and did not have anything keeping him in that place besides his loyalty. Other than that they were fairly similar movies.
Week 27 Lesson 135
“Which of the three authors would you prefer to read on your own time? Why?”
If i were to choose one of these American authors: O. Henry, Jack London, and Ambrose Bierce. All three of these authors offered unique perspectives on life that influenced literature in their own unique way. All three writers had at least a degree of cynicism in their writing, although some writings were more hopeful than others.
O. Henry (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910) was a short story writer famous for his surprise endings. Some of his most famous works include The Last Leaf (1907), The Gift Of Magi (1906), The Ransom Of Red Chief (1910). His stories were known to deal with dark and ominous situations, but would often end with hopeful note. The Gift Of Magi is easily his most popular writing, it has been adapted and parodied numerous times on the stage and screen.
Jack London (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916) was an American author, journalist, and social activist. His most memorable story is To Build A Fire. This tale is about one man on trek with his dog through the forests near the Yukon River during dangerously cold winter weather, who ignores the advice of an old prospector that encourages him to not travel alone. When reading this story, it is perfectly clear that this man is an idiot, as he is only braving through the dangerous and deadly cold weather just to have dinner with “the boys”. After stopping for lunch, he breaks the ice soaking his feet and lower legs, he tries to light a fire several times but fails, and he grows weaker by the minute. He tries to kill his dog for warmth twice, but his fingers were too cold and stiff to even function. His dog then leaves him to find warmth and food at a camp, and the man freezes to death. This story is most commonly seen as a well written cautionary against ignorance.
Ambrose Bierce (June 24, 1842 – 1914, Month Unknown), a man above all else famously known for being cynical. One of his most popular works is Devil’s Dictionary, an A-Z satirical dictionary with dark and cynical definitions. This author was easily my least favorite due to his work being 100% negativity. Dark/Cynical humor may only be funny in small doses
Out of these three authors I would read O. Henry on my own time. O. Henry’s stories offered a twinkle of hope for his characters, even if the story would end with a bitterly ironic punchline such as (The Cop and The Anthem). But not all stories have to end happily, I prefer a story ending to be happy and hopeful as opposed to being dark and morbid (as in case of London) or just straight down negative (as with Bierce).
Week 26 Lesson 130
“Would You rather watch a movie alone in a theater or online if they cost the same? Why?”
Movie tickets can vary based on what theatre you go to, and you might end up spending more money driving to that local theatre than staying at home and watching it online. But then again, it would be nice to be alone in a theatre, have no one interrupt and talk during the movie, and to just have peace and quiet to enjoy the movie. Some people might find being alone in a theatre uncomfortable due to the quiet atmosphere, some people might want a friend or two to join them, or even a sibling. But in the end I would rather watch it online so I could watch it with my family and spend time with them, instead of being alone.
Week 25 Lesson 125
“Why was this movie the first blockbuster?”
Birth of a Nation was a movie released in 1915, with a 3hr and 15 minute runtime. This was the first movie to be viewed in the white house in 1915. In that time most movies were not very long. so it was pretty huge when this movie was released. I thought the movie was great, although the only audio was music, it would have been easier to follow along with the story if there was visual dialogue to be heard. The movie also consisted of a lot of racism, but I really enjoyed watching this film, and I was impressed with the screenplay in this movie.
Week 24 lesson 120
“Is this novel a defense of liberty?”
This novel follows an extremely smart young Progressive man, in his mid-20’s he assumes dictatorship of the United States. He justifies this by saying it will be better for the people. He basically tears everything in the government down, then starts from the ground up. He does everything from promising employment for the unemployed, to expanding the United States.
Many of the Progressive ideas are admirable: helping the poor, women’s vote, fighting corruption in the government and business world. However Progressivism also believes in a large government, which isn’t going to allow liberty to remain very long. Helping the poor shouldn’t necessarily be the government’s job, it should be charities and churches. As soon as the government starts requiring you that people give through the government, they’ll stop giving as much outside the government and ultimately give less.
Week 23 Lesson 115
“Would I have voted for the income tax amendment in 1912, based on the arguments in this book?”
If I had been able to vote for the income tax amendments in 1912, I would not have done so. Since I would most likely still be the same person, raised in the same family, but only at a different time in history, then I would most likely have the same view of what taxes do to the economy. This tax does not make the economy freer. Nothing passed in Wilson’s presidency, during which the amendment was passed, has ever indicated this. It was all disguised under the cloak of progressivism. This is a nice way for the government to say, “We don’t want the economy to remain free because it doesn’t give us what we want. So, we will just intervene and make it work for us, no matter who might be hurt. Oh, and we also don’t care how this will affect the free market in the long run.”
Week 22 lesson 110
“Which of the three authors would you prefer to read on your own time? Why?”
If i were to choose one of these American authors: O. Henry, Jack London, and Ambrose Bierce. All three of these authors offered unique perspectives on life that influenced literature in their own unique way. All three writers had at least a degree of cynicism in their writing, although some writings were more hopeful than others.
O. Henry (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910) was a short story writer famous for his surprise endings. Some of his most famous works include The Last Leaf (1907), The Gift Of Magi (1906), The Ransom Of Red Chief (1910). His stories were known to deal with dark and ominous situations, but would often end with hopeful note. The Gift Of Magi is easily his most popular writing, it has been adapted and parodied numerous times on the stage and screen.
Jack London (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916) was an American author, journalist, and social activist. His most memorable story is To Build A Fire. This tale is about one man on trek with his dog through the forests near the Yukon River during dangerously cold winter weather, who ignores the advice of an old prospector that encourages him to not travel alone. When reading this story, it is perfectly clear that this man is an idiot, as he is only braving through the dangerous and deadly cold weather just to have dinner with “the boys”. After stopping for lunch, he breaks the ice soaking his feet and lower legs, he tries to light a fire several times but fails, and he grows weaker by the minute. He tries to kill his dog for warmth twice, but his fingers were too cold and stiff to even function. His dog then leaves him to find warmth and food at a camp, and the man freezes to death. This story is most commonly seen as a well written cautionary against ignorance.
Ambrose Bierce (June 24, 1842 – 1914, Month Unknown), a man above all else famously known for being cynical. One of his most popular works is Devil’s Dictionary, an A-Z satirical dictionary with dark and cynical definitions. This author was easily my least favorite due to his work being 100% negativity. Dark/Cynical humor may only be funny in small doses
Out of these three authors I would read O. Henry on my own time. O. Henry’s stories offered a twinkle of hope for his characters, even if the story would end with a bitterly ironic punchline such as (The Cop and The Anthem). But not all stories have to end happily, I prefer a story ending to be happy and hopeful as opposed to being dark and morbid (as in case of London) or just straight down negative (as with Bierce).
Week 21 lesson 105
“Would you read more of Mark Twain’s writings even if they were not assigned in a course? Why or why not?”
Samuel Clemens (better known by pen name Mark Twain) was an American author, publisher, humorist, and lecturer, among other things. Some of his most famous works include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Prince and the Pauper. Twain’s work was very popular for it’s exaggeration for the sake of humor, as this was a rarity in literature in his time. Twain would later publish short stories with political messages, such as satire The Disgraceful Persecution of a Boy, which sharply condemned the hypocrisy of the treatment of the Chinese immigrants on the Pacific coast. The story is about a boy on his way to Sunday school who was arrested for stoning a Chinese man. Twain has left such an impact that his works are still read and adapted for the stage and screen over 100 years after his death. Mark Twain’s works not only reflected his times but they helped to evolve American literature as a whole. In my life, I plan on reading more of Twain’s works on my own accord, and while I would not do it as my first choice for personal reading, I think it would be exciting to read more of the works of a man considered to be one of the greatest American authors of all time.
Week 20 lesson 100
“Did the Gettysburg Address use Christian language and imagery to support the Union cause?”
The Gettysburg Address was given by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, in result of the Union defeating the Confederates at the Battle of Gettysburg. Being on the side of the Union, his wishes were to reunite the country. He never desired nor planned on the South seceding during his presidency, but he decided to strive for unity rather than completely disregard the South. When hearing the speech, a familiar idea comes into mind. Focusing our attention on the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ had made a statement in which Lincoln had reiterated into his own words during the two-minute-long speech. 1 Corinthians 15:58 states that the children of the Lord will not do anything in vain. In the Address, Lincoln states: “It’s is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honoured dead,” “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…” Lincoln wanted to emphasize the importance of the Union soldiers’ work for the mission of re-uniting the Country. Lincoln also used another Christian image when he stated that the Civil War was a moment in time when the Union and the issue of human equality had massively struggled. Jesus always encouraged the fact that all men are equal to one another, and that he died for everyone, not just a select few of people. But the thing is Lincoln didn’t always push for human equality. He was also quite moderate on abolition/slavery. And this right here is where the speech becomes contradictory. We do not know whether he said this because he wanted to please the crowd, and if he really meant it, we do not know for sure.
Week 17 lesson 85
“How fair was Twain’s critique of Cooper’s literary style?”
Mark Twain’s writing is more well known, and he incorporates humor into his critique. He was brutal. This kind of critique makes you think of the author that he is critiquing in a completely different way. Twain starts with a direct quote and then turns the tables on that literary piece. He confronts three men who evaluated and analyzed coopers literary works and style. He is brutal in his criticism. He challenges people’s perception of this author. Tge question you ask yourself when writing criticism is “is this accurate?” Twain is very accurate in his analysis. Twain made literary art, and wanted to show his audience the differences bewteen good and bad literature. He does ridicule, Cooper. He attacks the facts, using logic to show how silly and laughable it is. Twain heavily uses rhetoric to tear apart Cooper. And because of this Copper isn’t to be taken seriously, this was visible because of Twain.
week 16 lesson 80
“Were the detailed descriptions of the people around the two main characters equally important in the two stories?”
Irving was an american writer, Irving’s writing is very detailed in his description of his surroundings. His ghost story draws us in. With a very simple plot and very descriptive account, he encourages his readers to have a big imagination, Irving’s characters were simple, and his character development was little to nothing. The simplicity of his writing makes this book easy to read. You could argue that every author’s character description is very important. He wrote two short stories and they became very popular, you probably heard of them! He wrote “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow”. Both of these stories were created very quickly, and were intended to be a series. Both stories were equally important to the series.
week 15 lesson 75
“How believable is this book?”
Parson Weems wrote the very first biography of Goerge Washington, America’s first President.
Parsons biography instantly became one of America’s best sellers and most widely read in the 19th century. The audience may not have known that the book was extreme hagiography, which means the Weems thought very highly of Washington, and just wanted to make sure everyone knew that.
Much of the book is on Washington’s early life and his life as an American General, Colonel, and lieutenant. The book also refers to the admirers he had, even despite all political differences.
From Weems book, we can conclude that Washington was a very faithful man. He was very close to his Father and Mother, he loved to serve others, and he was exceptionally talented. After the passing of his Father, he considered going to sea to sail until his mother pleaded him not to. He chose to stay for the sake of his Mother and to honor her.
While much of the book is just pure praise, there is a false tale that was snuck into it by the author. Weems’ intentions behind this made up story are unknown, but it could have been to possibly attract a larger audience.
The tale of most popularity asked this question: did Washington chop down his Father’s cherry tree? As a matter of fact, he didn’t. Weems was very clever in creating such a believable tale, in which millions believed.
To conclude, the language of Parson Weems when speaking about Washington is rhetorical and always positive. This biography is believable, especially because many still believe the cherry tree story.
week 14 lesson 70
“If you wanted to make money by writing a self-improvement book for Americans, what topic would you choose??”
Self improvement books have been a staple of the American book industry since the days of Benjamin Franklin. Self improvement books can be truly effective and helpful, while others are written by authors seeking a quick profit for themselves while offering very little substance in their advice. If I were to write a self improvement book, I would center it around Jesus Christ. As a Christian, my greatest source of help is the God who created me and loves me. The first step to self improvement is to realize that there is something bigger and better than you and any other person. I would advise the reader to open up the Bible, and read with an open heart and mind. And by doing this they can realize that all people sin, and fall short of the Glory of God. When we become committed to serving God for the rest of our lives on earth, God can begin to work in your life. And being a Christian does not make life easy, but you do receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is our guide and ever present strength, and it keeps us going everyday. God has a personal plan for everybody on Earth, and when you accept Christ God can begin using you for good. With God in your life, you always have a purpose.
Week 13 lesson 65
Write a critique of Paine’s pamphlets from the point of view of a loyalist in 1778.”
Thomas Paine was definitely a gifted writer, however it’s a shame he uses his writing skills to create propaganda that will further separate the colonies. Not only is Thomas Paine spreading fear and anger, he is also spreading falsehoods about the nature of our government, and our king. As this war goes on, Paine only makes things worse with his propaganda. As the british people, we shall condemn Paine.
One detail that has angered Paine’s readers is the role of the King. Numerous times he has described King George as an all-controlling tyrant. In Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense”, he states that “The powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the king, he will have a negative over the whole legislation of this continent”. The King shares power with parliament, and would never be able to behave as a tyrant. Paine also incorrectly states that a “small island” (England) is not able to rule a larger country. In Common Sense, he writes “Small islands not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island,”. Paine is ignoring the neighbor to the north, Canada, who has remained loyal to England during this war. It is downright foolish for Paine to ignore the very existence of Canada, a very successful colony. America and Canada are too very similar neighbors, however there is one difference, Canadian colonists have no desire or interest in independence.
Thomas Paine’s writings are ignorant of basic facts, and only succeed as propaganda.
Week 12 lesson 60
“The most illogical argument in Common Sense”
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776. He presented his argument for why he felt a revolution was necessary. Paine said that his arguments were plain and of a common sense nature. Not so much. It became America’s first best seller. I do not know how that managed to occur. Persuasive speaking and writing was being used more than logic. For example he stated that a country should have no debt. He then contradicted himself and said that it should have debt.
Thomas Paine quotes: “The debt we may contract doth not deserve our regard if the work be accomplished. No nation ought to be without a debt. A national debt is a national bond; and when it bears no interest, is in no case a grievance. Britain is oppressed with a debt of upwards of one hundred and forty millions sterling, for which she pays upwards of four millions interest. And as a compensation for her debt, she has a large navy; America is without a debt, and without a navy; yet for the twentieth part of the English national debt, could have a navy as large again. The navy of England is not worth, at this time, more than three millions and a half sterling.”
To me, this was the most illogical argument in Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
I have read most of these and to me they are pretty well written and the make sense but they…
Week 9 lesson 45
If you had heard these two sermons, would you have assumed that you were the target?
Edward delivered a sermon titled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He wanted the sinners in his audience to believe that they will one day be judged, and that the judgment that they will face will be terrifying. He made it clear to his audience that he was not joking, he was very serious. He was trying to scare people into conversion by making up terrifying metaphorical images, and he constantly reminded his audience that God had the power to bring them under judgment, and that the only reason you aren’t dying today to be sent to hell is the fact that God is sustaining you, God is holding back justice against you and it is only his mercy and his will, that was preventing this. This sermon was targeted to everyone, every sinner. I don’t believe in everything they said completely, and I found some of this sermon disturbing, but I do believe that I was indeed a target of his sermon.
Whitefield delivered a sermon called “Marks Of a True Conversion”. Whitefield said that people’s hearts and heads are what deceive them to sin. Whitefield’s sermon was explaining how we weren’t doing good enough, we are all deceived by our hearts as well as our minds in thinking that the lives we live are good enough to get into heaven, when it is not. And Edwards just wanted us to be afraid.
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Week 8 lesson 40
“If you had been a member of the General Court, how would this sermon have influenced your politics?
If i was a member of the General Court witnessing this sermon, it would not have any political influence on me. The objective of this sermon was to persuade and change the views of the people who attended the General Court. “Theopolis Americana” was an essay on the Golden Street of The Holy City and was Published in 1710. In the beginning of Mather’s sermon he cited passages from Romans II, he discussed the issues of God’s casting away of the Jews, the conversion of the Gentiles, and also the future conversion of the Jews. He also discussed on the book of Revelations. Mather spoke many times of the final judgement, he believed that God would create a new Heaven and new Earth, and that Jesus would return, and I believe this as well. He Preached of a coming Kingdom of God. Mather preached of Jerusalem being rebuilt, New England will have a new place in it, as well as America, the Roman church would be overthrown and the jews would be converted. He also discussed slavery. He very much disliked the fact of people being kidnapped and sold to slaver. Mather warned about alcohol as well, and he was very serious about it, talking about it for two pages. This sermon didn’t change my views at all, and I don’t think it changed anyone’s view when it was published. Mather’s sermon wasn’t highly political at all. He was simply applying his telling the court his views and applying Biblical scripture that fit into his idea of America.
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Week 7 lesson 35
In what ways was Penn an advocate of middle class morality
William Penn was born in 1644 at Tower Hill, London, an early Quaker, an English real estate entrepreneur and the founder of what we now know as Pennsylvania. He was a strong supporter of democracy and religious freedom. Due to his christian worldview Penn was an advocate for middle class morality and favored middle class living and the simple life, he advises people to do the same. He describes this in a section of Fruits Of Solitude. Seek not to be rich, but to be happy. The one lies in Bags, the other in Content: which Wealth can never give.” He says that a person needs no more than a good amount of clothing, and that if someone is in possession of more than he/she needs, they are robbing the poor, and if one has more than enough, to give it away.
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Week 6 lesson 30
“Discuss the views of Cotton, Winthrop, and Rowlandson regarding the Puritans’ errand in the wilderness.”
Mary Rowlandson: Taken captive for eleven weeks by Native Americans during King Philip’s War, she documented the harshness of her condition and the Natives who surrounded her. Of course, being a wife of a Puritan minister and a devoted follower, a major theme that the readers can notice of this account is the hope she maintained through it all. Through lack of food, cold climate, and abuse from her mistress, her thoughts roamed back to Scripture
Winthrop wrote a sermon called “A Model of Christian Charity”, and in this sermon he discussed the keeping strong faith while on his Journey to America. His “wilderness” in this case were the obstacles they faced from crossing the Atlantic and beginning a new life in the new land.
Lastly, John Cotton wrote a catechism for children on the Puritan religion. He wanted the same as Winthrop did, for the puritans to grow more and more in their faith, just in case there would be anyone to steer them away from it. He wrote this believing it could help children’s faith grow and including facts about the puritans simple enough for them to understand. And his “wilderness” was whether or not the children would continue with this faith, or rebel against it
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Week 4 Lesson 20
“Was Bradford’s account a morality tale for future generations?”
William Bradford (Born 1590, Died 1657) was an English Separatist leader in Leiden, Holland, and in Plymouth Colony. He was a signatory to the Mayflower compact which was a civil covenant that was formed while aboard the Mayflower in 1620. His journal of Plymouth Plantation, covering what took place from 1620 to 1657 in Plymouth Colony.
Throughout the story Bradford faced many hard times
The group of people later known as the Separatists, had wanted to be able to worship in their own way that they believed, he believed that the church was becoming far too complicated and losing its original purity which lead to them attempting to worship privately, but they had eventually been caught and persecuted. After this turn of events they then decided to separate from England and its church, which is why they’re known as the “Separatists”. I think that this part of the story shows a point of good integrity due to the fact that Bradford and the Separatists were willing to leave a civil life and enter a life of uncertainties and potential hardships in order to pursue what they thought was the proper way to worship God. And I personally think the fact that they were willing to do this is amazing, and just shows their love for God, and wanting to worship him properly.
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Week 2 Lesson 10
“Between Alvar and Las Casa’s books Who was more Interesting”
Both Cabeza de Vaca and Las Casas wrote great books on their encounters with Native Americans while in America. Vaca traveled to America from Spain in 1527 with his crew of 300, only 3 made it out alive. Casas was a friar from Spain who traveled to many places in the 16th century, such as Central America and North America, to preach to others about God.
I personally think Las Casas’s encounter with the Native Americans is most memorable when comparing the two pieces of literature because of the level of cruelty he describes. He tells us many repetitive stories of the Spanish mistreating the Native Americans, while at the same time preaching the gospel… that disappointed Casas.
Week 1 Lesson 5`
“The most memorable story or description in the memoir — and why.”
When Cabeza de Vaca is mentioned, not many people can recognize the name or any part of what he did to help the world by leaving behind his account of the New World. Christopher Columbus, however, was thought to have been the first to discover the “New World” , and is known worldwide as the first Italian explorer in America. Because Cabeza de Vaca was not the first explorer to reach the New World, he is not as widespread as Columbus himself, but he did play an important role in what we know about America in the 1500’s. One thing that I noticed that was more memorable than any other occurrence, was the variety of Native American tribes he encountered. While reading the document I lost track of how many tribes he encountered because he listed so many. And it was very intriguing to learn how people lived in America Centuries ago.
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