Advertising promotes modified reality, through its effectiveness of portraying bliss and narrowing societal standards unethically, thus leading the unbelievers to scrutinize at its infallible downside.
Every time monthly magazines arrive in the mail, pages are immediately leafed through. Readers' eyes are fixed on stunning snapshots of advertisements. Perhaps too much credit is given for such an unethical industry. If argued, the downside would have more bullet points.
Most girls are easily influenced in what they see, hear, and this so results in the acceptance of what society has framed as natural. Walking into malls, there are posters on either side of the hallways, each encouraging shopping by offering attractive discounts. Consequently, consumers who think that they are saving money end up spending more. It's like a negotiation with a con artist. People soon realize that they have a hole in their pocket when they lack cash or have their cards declined. So while the advertisements are beneficial for corps, consumers walk out and into the majority crowd and its recession. Meanwhile, saving money isn't the only way costumers thought they were achieving happiness. Websites like Abercrombie and Fitch advertise with fresh phrases such as, "Here's to longer days & short dresses" and "Here's to laid-back days and lightweight layers" with photos of models drenched in bliss. It is misleading when costumers think that wearing what these euphoric models wear will bring them happiness, for it will be happiness of materialism, which is unquestionably temporary. True happiness cannot be bought, but rather found and kept. Still, it enforces the harsh truth that happiness could be gained by following current trends. Schoolgirls of recent years appear to turn their hallways into a runaway and fashion bullying is on the rise. Back in 2008, girls were shut out of the "in" group for not wearing Abercrombie in Clifton, Virginia, "the sweetheart suburban town of estates and grandeur." It contributes to the bitter truth that advertisements set standards that determine happiness. Certain clothes, although portraying similar images of people shot with happiness, do not carry out happiness as fashion bullying does suppress it. On the critical point of view, happiness should not be determined by what people wear, and moreover, by shopping for clothes.
Advertising establishes the notion that how you drew makes who you are in society. First impression, labels, stereotypes... no wonder advertising proves to be effective. On the other hand, teenagers dress in ways that they want to be perceived as. Maybe behind those black, sleek clothes, there's a sweet, shy girl who wants to find her place in society. She is who she wants to be... with her clothes. Likewise, there could be a girl who dresses so floral, with flutter layers, but she's more of a fit for metal-pointy clothes that matches her everyday, get-out-of-my-way attitude. Advertising, with its false promise of happiness, also seals deceitful impressions from society. It's America, yes, and you can dress however you want, of course, but sometimes dressing just to fall into the space instead of finding your place isn't what our founding fathers would agree on. They fought for a freedom of expression among many other freedoms, and there wouldn't be America if the patriots were all loyalists. That's one way to look at the advertising/perception situation: loyalists buying their labels. At the same time, dressing in certain labels results how people will accept you in society. This therefore explains the "wrong-girl-right-clothes" theory mentioned earlier. If the mean girl dressed in porcupine metal jewelry and clothes, she may not be as admired or taken in society as she would be. The serene, introvert wouldn't belong in a more noticeable clique if she didn't dress in intimidating Black Canary clothes. Acceptance is why people dress the way they do. Advertisements set those standards, as always. And the rest is how society will take you. Advertisements also implant the idea that "To really dress well is to fit well". While this might be true for its models, it certainly has a negative impact on society. In AP Psychology, students learn about various disorders that girls take in their endeavor to become skinny. Anorexia, bulimia, you name it. This originates with seeing models flaunt their high-fashion apparel in stem-like figures. So shopping would not be enough; girls had to make themselves a clone of what they see so frequently. "How you dress makes who you are in society, how you fit takes where your acceptance belongs in society." Although indirectly implied, there cannot be more truth to what advertisements are sculpting.
At length comes a group of critical unbelievers, also known as researchers, columnists, parents, and psychologists, all of whom complain of the downside to apparel advertising. Advertising does display happiness, which would be considered the purest element among its artificial standards of trends and shape. But does outer beauty of contemporary age now considered more important than inner beauty? To think, advertisements have models indulged in happiness because of how they look, wear, and fit. Their photos do not tell anything of their inner beauty, and their smiles could be a ploy to make their mark on the world, but a mark of unethical standards should be disregarded. Seeing advertisements affect the way teenagers see and treat themselves. Students at Fort Lauderdale High, after being exposed to magazines and advertisements embedded within, are more likely to talk about what they think of themselves figure wise; advertisements succeed in sales as they succeed in destroying students' self-esteem. "I feel thick", "I hate myself", et cetera are a couple of random things one would hear while walking through the school's hallways, eating at the patio, or after school before extracurriculars. Photoshopping fashion snapshots frame unrealistic ideals that results in the questionable statement as to whether teenagers will ever be happy with who they really are. Perhaps how they feel will change as they realize that advertisements' photos of the apparel industry are edited during photoshopping. The attempt of boosting sales brings unethical advertisements, which in a karma-like backfire, reveals the photoshop trick. Though advertisements could be deemed unethical, there are and in continuance, costumers who buy their fictional standards. Credulous page-turners and "in-style" consumers will shop their way to shallow happiness, which could cause impulsive buying. Parents are concerned about their teenagers' financial instability, and while they hope their teenagers' allowances will be managed wisely, advertisements slowly hook teens to break their budgets, which leads to a possibility of the inability to pay tuition for future education. Education is part of the American Dream, and advertisements could be ruining it. Besides that, trends and new arrivals could be distracting in the schools' environment and interrupting the success of students' true potential. Some years ago, Tyra Banks hosted a talk show that brought out the popular and unpopular girls on stage. Advertisements sneakily smuggle their standards into the schools' environment, and thus results in what has become of the schools. Parents who went through it understands that fashion bullying is comparable to a reign of terror, and columnists collect research on the analyzation of that matter. With advertisements, researchers will always have more to add to their statistics and its downside appears to be never-ending, or its end, if ever lived to, seems distant.
Advertisements minimize the freedom of expression, with labels for certain trends and certain collection of styles, thus bringing consumers to be narrow-minded and ignoring their self-impressions. Audacity rules, but suppressed by the recent reign of modified reality. While corporations are eager to put out persuasive ads, which are deemed successful in carrying out its profitable purpose, the unethical procedure towards cash for the headquarters and its branches may be impacting America in ways underestimated. With luck, criticism of the unbelievers could find an egress to the dystopia of impressions advertising has created.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
The Aftermath of The Cask of Amontillado
The sunlight spilled through the leafless spaces of the oak above. Each Earl sister was an adventurer herself, but reacted to the tour differently. Novelle Scotia, one of the sisters, kept lifting her chin every so often and flipped her tousled waves as if her actual purpose was to catch each breathtaking sight along the trail. Her amber eyes took everything in generally, and her silent exhalation left the turtledoves' chirps unbroken. Her interest lies in all things aesthetic, as she herself was an aesthete. Novelle Scotia's major is Environmental Archeology, which was slightly more related to this tour than her sister, and although their pace matched, she was different in matters of perspective. She scrutinized at one kind of plant, bird, or butterfly momentarily before shifting to the next since she always had to write papers such as the analysis of plant physiology or biodiversity. Scotia Rosemarie was skeptical of commercials, first experiment results among many other things, which made her financially stable, successful in confirming data and conclusions, and street-wise, as she was an extrovert, unlike her typically introvert sister. Her gray eyes were calm and patient, but shone with unbiased judgement. She ended up on this tour with her sister because they both signed up for Mediterranean Mysteries as their elective, each having a different intention: Novelle Scotia thought that mysteries in an artisan land was beautiful, and Scotia Rosemarie wanted to have more incredulity to shatter. "Ouch!" Novelle Scotia screamed. THe tour group ignored her, lost in their observations. Novelle Scotia paused on the trail. Scotia Rosemarie broke away from sightseeing a minute later and glanced back. She followed her sister's gaze toward a bite bigger than a mosquito's bite. "Maybe if you stopped acting like an It girl, dressed properly, and lit that citrus candle I gave you, you could've had a 90% chance of avoiding that bite." Scotia Rosemarie commented, waving one hand unseen underneath her trench coat and held up her mug with a strongly scented candle in the evening-turned-twilight. "And listen to you complain about your straightened hair getting frizzy the other 10% of the time?" Novelle Scotia questioned provokingly. Scotia Rosemarie always took people's blunt remarks well, however candid they were. If she was irritated, she certainly didn't express it. So she replied, "I just mentioned wishing that it was less humid."
"And you combed your fingers through your hair, indicating----"
"Indicating that if you thought that I said otherwise, or assumed what you did, you have strangely intruded my mind."
Silence.
Thought so, Scotia Rosemarie thought to herself. Novelle Scotia didn't want to be involved in anything strange nor be described or accused as an intruder. So she twirled ahead of her sister, letting the wind whip her skirt and catch full volume of it, as if to forget their conversation. Her sister concealed most of her face with a sheer scarf, and put on a pair of night vision glasses to see beyond their trail. When they arrived at the brick and stone dome, Novelle Scotia said to her sister, "Your hair, like mine, matches your trench coat."
"Thanks, " Scotia Rosemarie replied, both appreciating her sister's attempt to pacify their relationship and not appreciating her obvious comments.
"Good evening!" Their tour guide began. "If you didn't hear my self introduction earlier because you were busy shopping at the airport," she paused and glanced at Novelle Scotia before returning her eyes to the group, "my name is is Eve Shire, and I am your tour guide. For another time, I suggest that more of you will wear adventure-appropriate clothes." She pointed at her outfit that looked as if it came out of an Indiana Jones movie. "I know that we're in Italy, but we're on an educational tour, and not at a fashion show." Novelle Scotia giggled from the group, which Scotia Rosemarie thought was ironic. Eve Shire continued. "The catacomb which you will tour was rumored to be where the real Romeo and Juliet died. There are evidences that these star-crossed lovers existed, and you are for yourselves to decide if it is true that they were buried here."
She went on with her lecture about the evidences of the real Romeo & Juliet and their story. Novelle Scotia, although very much liked Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, found the lecture boring, and a tad bit frightened about going to explore an underground cemetery. "I'd rather not tamper with my natural ignorance," she said in a low voice. Eve Shire's outfit seemed as serious as her personality. Her sister paid the lecturer undivided attention. When she decided to not let her mind drift off and listen, the lecture ended. That quickly. As the tour group descended down the staircase, their tour guide guide was far ahead, with Scotia Rosemarie following closely behind. The tour guide hold her peace to let their imaginations grow.
"It's eerily uncomfortable!" Novelle Scotia exclaimed.
"I'm with you," Klara Engelstad agreed. Klara Engelstad was another student from their women's college, and her appearance mirrored Scotia Rosemarie's, even though they are unrelated by blood. She was serious about studying on-site, but the catacombs were her place in preference. Scotia Rosemarie wished that her sister would hold her tongue. She almost believed Romeo & Juliet's existence, but her doubts held her back from falling into persuasion. The Romeo & Juliet story that she just heard of was a coincidence to Shakespeare's play, and even if she thought it was real, she would keep it to herself to avoid disbelief and explanation. Novelle Scotia caught up, and started to knock on the burial entrances, in an attempt to soften her fear. Eve Shire tried to be patient, yet she spoke firmly, "We're with you. Let those who rest in peace rest." Upon Novelle Scotia's last knock, however, she, Klara, Scotia Rosemarie, and the group heard empty space behind it. "The irony keeps on getting intense," Aria Romanova said. Novelle Scotia was the last person anyone expected to discover anything. Eve Shire sensed the group's curiosity elevating. "Alright, let's get back to the hotel," she said, hoping that saying something about the hotel would invite comfort and convince everyone to retreat to shelter. She hoped that Romeo & Juleit would be buried behind that brick wall, but decided that some mysteries should be left undisturbed. Most of the tour group, including Eve Shire, left. Scotia Rosemarie remained, as she was interested, along with her sister and Klara Engelstad. Whether it was Romeo & Juliet's mystery or not, Klara would leave without knowing about the empty space and why there was no entrance. So Klara pulled out a hammer from her beige, suede bag and swinger at the brick wall with determination. The bricks were more fragile than estimated, perhaps by age or the damp conditions underground. When the wall collapsed, it unveiled a secret long hidden: a skeleton in the shape of an elderly man was chained to the wall on the opposite end. There was a wooden branch, shaped like a torch at one end, that laid on the floor of that unfortunate room.
"I think that the torch dimmed and burned out. The man didn't die from fire because his clothes and skeleton survived; he must have died from suffocating from the smoke and was deprived of oxygen. He died before starvation," Novelle Scotia pointed out.
"Who was the man?" Klara wondered.
"Doubtless he was noble. Maybe it was revenge. But it is a crime," Scotia Rosemarie concluded.
Montressor lived in his antique estate at peace all these years. He has forgotten what he had done fifty years back because he was ashamed of not feeling guilty or sad that he buried that night at the back of his mind. Reclining in his soft, cushioned sofa, he held up a withering rose by the fireplace. The edges of its petals seemed all the more fiery against the blazing background. "Scarlett," he described the rose. That very word brought back flashes of memories of his wife, from their engagement to her end. She caught the cold, and he tried to nurse her back to health, but even with all the medicine, all their wealth, her case was hopeless. He tried to not think about her end, and instead, about their life together. "Scarlett," he repeated, and her name echoed in their house. He saved each of the little moments of their life together to be replayed each day, so that everyday's reminiscence differs. When he was done replaying, he turned on the television. A reporter right outside the catacomb said, "Investigators claimed that this historical crime scene occurred about fifty years ago." The camera shifted to a group of young women whose faces were blurred. One of them began to speak. "We're college students from northwestern Europe and traveling to write papers on our first-handed experience of the Mediterranean mysteries. Originally, this particular tour was to see if Romeo and Juliet were buried here. Luck led us to another road, and we found a chained prisoner who ran out of it," said the woman with skinny jeans, an ivory flutter-sleeved shirt, and a beige, suede bag. A woman with a dark red dress, a matching rose in her hair, black stilettos, and a french manicure stepped forward and declared, "I was knocking underground, and I couldn't really see in such a dark place, but I remembered knocking a plain wall, and behind t sounded like empty space. My friend knocked it down, and the chill ran up my spine."
"We thought it would be ideal to keep our identities blurred. If this crime happened fifty years ago, then the avenger must be somewhere around seventy years old or so. People around here live long, and most Italians have lived here all their lives, with their title and inheritances," The girl with the trench coat said.
"Too close," Montressor said, wide-eyed. These women were simply too close to the truth. He turned off his television, but could't turn off the past that haunts him. Ire erupted from within him. he was provoked by what he had done, and swung his walking stick to purposely shatter a nearby glass vase. But then he cooled down by unlocking that secret happiness of having taken revenge. Then he heard an elderly man's deep voice, crying out, "The Amontillado!" with a rich, hopeless laughter that followed. Montressor typically daydreamed of the past, alternative scenarios that could've happened, and remember many voices adequately, but this time his voice seemed real, as if the past crossed into the present. Montressor said aloud, "Fortunato, you are not real." Maybe it was his mind and anxiety deceiving him. Fortunato's voice replied, "What is real?" Montressor became confused, but confusion faded as dear sank in. Fortunato was replying, and he definitely wasn't imagining it. "Leave me to my peace," Montressor said, trembling. There was a moment of silence. Then, when Montressor thought that Fortunato left he spoke again. " I won't leave you as you have left me." From the top of the staircase, he was a figure descending. He couldn't see that well, but soon after realized that it was his servant, Marinella. It was a quick relief before he returned to anxiety. What if she knew? Around the time that Fortunato disappeared, the town started talking about what might have happened. But that was decades ago. Maybe she didn't hear. Maybe she doesn't know. But then she served the teacup as gently as it was fragile, and her movements were perfect, but fleeting as it never were. When she turned around to leave, she appeared as a captive fleeing. Montressor rose higher from his slightly bent posture, and called out, "Marin..." She stopped, but did not dare to look back. She hinted unwilling obedience, as if it was the quickest egress out of this situation. Montressor walked towards her and have her a comforting, cozy hug. She exhaled, and when all of the nervousness left her, Montressor said, "Thanks. He then injected her with a colorless, odorless liquid and she fell to the floor. From a faraway crevice of a mahogany door, his wine taster, Francesa heard and watched everything. She was not only a wine taster, for her master, but an eavesdropper for herself. She knew that she couldn't trust anyone; everyone seems to be hiding something. Her sleek, ebony mane contrasted the ignis of the logs in the chimney. She had to seek help. She sought shelter from a feudal conflict that she decided to runaway from, and now it's time to runaway from such madness in this former haven. An hour came to pass. She stepped outside her room, walked quietly downstairs to get herself a glass of water. After greeting Montressor innocently, and without malice nor knowledge of her friend's disappearance, she offered to cook his favorite dish. "I must go to get wheat though, for pasta without wheat isn't pasta."
"Of course, of course," Montressor replied. He seemed sad, but calm at least.
"Then the champagne ran out from Sunday's bash. Will you fancy more tonight?"
"I ought to sip some, lest my gelato is deemed too sweet."
"Then leave it to me," Francesa said.
"Let it be so."
Francesa hiked through the forest to the catacombs. It was almost night again. Almost dinnertime. She got the ingredients to cook for Montressor tonight. So since she did as she said she would, her mind shifted to other matters. Please, she thought, let luck come; let me find the students. A girl walked toward her, and held out her hand the western way. "Hi, my name is Scotia Rosemarie."
"Hi," Francesa said in return. Her voice started to choke. She grabbed Scotia Rosemarie's wrist, and kneeled. Her eyes rained, and sorrows silenced her. She has seen too much. She knew too much.
"Do you know something?" Scotia Rosemarie said, trying to be calm towards Francesa, who was emotionally unstable.
"My, my master..."
Klara approached. "What is going on?"
Novelle Scotia came soon after. "I think she knows something."
"Montressor," Francesa began, hesitated to breathe, then resumed. "is my master, and landlord. He has recently fell into inevitable hallucinations, and sometimes, I pity him. I think that his life was too malignant, and he ought to rest. But now that I still think so, I think so for different reasons."
"Different reasons?" Klara couldn't stray from the weeping Francesa.
"Yes. He mumbled, 'Fortunato' just lately and that is the name of the man who was long gone. Rumors say that he has been intoxicated with wine and slept forever for what he loved. But heard what Montressor said. A servant girl that lived next door to me heard it, and because Montressor take tea during tea time, she served him tea as if she didn't hear. But he has an uncanny ability of detecting soon-to-be traitors. Except for me. I am the daughter of smugglers, and while a wine taster, an actress as well. I am the last one he can guess is lying, and the first he claims loyal."
"We are not here to persecute you. For you have the key to our mystery, we must hear it out," Klara said.
So Francesa told them about Montressor and what people thought became of him, of Marinella and her untimely death, and all the details that contribute to her conclusion----Montressor had something to do with the death of Fortunato.
"I must go home. It is an hour before dinnertime, and forty to get home."
"Wait," Novelle Scotia declared rather bluntly. "Will you show us----"
"----the way?" Scotia Rosemarie finished the question.
"Yes, but I must run. I am frightened."
So The girls ran to Montressor's estate, and they, except Francesa, hid in his botanical garden. They watched through the kitchen windows that extended to the dining room.
Montressor reclined, and Francesa remained unsuspected of eavesdropping.
She prepared his dinner, with its champagne and gelato set to the side.
Montressor followed the aroma of the herbs and looked as if he craved for food.
"You've tasted much of my champagne," he commented in a jolly manner.
"As you advised beforehand," she said. "Dine well, my lord."
He clutched his silverware, started to dig in, and turned on some jazz music.
Then the entrance was violently intruded by three of the girls he recognized on the news, with reporters and photojournalists.
"Francesa!" He still believed that Francesa didn't tell them so, even if she heard him.
They questioned him if he knew anything about the skeleton at the catacombs, then embraced him, cuffed him, and took him away, despite his absolute denial.
He looked shocked.
Scotia Rosemarie said, "Innocence, denial. Those things give away, sir."
He was taken to the psychiatric hospital.
Francesa visited him, and brought samples of different kinds of wine each time.
He accepted it with gratitude.
Then one day, another servant of Montressor came to visit him. His name was Romeo, and like Montressor, he lost his beloved one, but did not die like the original Romeo with his Juliet. He was appointed as the new servant by Francesa, who saved up enough silver to hire a servant to do Marinella's dusting duties. Francesa told him the story of everything that has happened to Montressor, and what she found it along the way, being a wine taster in his estate. After Francesa visited Montressor, and brought his wine, which she couldn't identify what kind it was, and left him to his peace, Romeo said in his deep voice, "The Amontillado."
He strongly believed in justice. He believed that torturing evil will make the torturers become what they despise. To eliminate evil would be the one thing that will prevent what might come. Just because people didn't see things coming doesn't mean it won't.
Montressor tried to breathe calmly, but his heart was racing, and his teeth was starting to tremble, though it wasn't of the chill Autumn air. Did he hear that? Was it mind tricks? His imagination, his imagination, he wished. But that deep voice that was so similar to the one he had heard fifty years ago... Those words. Everything was exactly what he wished to run from, to forget and find euphoria in his lost haven.
Romeo stood behind Montressor, and placed his hand on Montressor's shoulder. Reality took his breath away, and Montressor dropped back to his lounge, stiff and blue.
"And you combed your fingers through your hair, indicating----"
"Indicating that if you thought that I said otherwise, or assumed what you did, you have strangely intruded my mind."
Silence.
Thought so, Scotia Rosemarie thought to herself. Novelle Scotia didn't want to be involved in anything strange nor be described or accused as an intruder. So she twirled ahead of her sister, letting the wind whip her skirt and catch full volume of it, as if to forget their conversation. Her sister concealed most of her face with a sheer scarf, and put on a pair of night vision glasses to see beyond their trail. When they arrived at the brick and stone dome, Novelle Scotia said to her sister, "Your hair, like mine, matches your trench coat."
"Thanks, " Scotia Rosemarie replied, both appreciating her sister's attempt to pacify their relationship and not appreciating her obvious comments.
"Good evening!" Their tour guide began. "If you didn't hear my self introduction earlier because you were busy shopping at the airport," she paused and glanced at Novelle Scotia before returning her eyes to the group, "my name is is Eve Shire, and I am your tour guide. For another time, I suggest that more of you will wear adventure-appropriate clothes." She pointed at her outfit that looked as if it came out of an Indiana Jones movie. "I know that we're in Italy, but we're on an educational tour, and not at a fashion show." Novelle Scotia giggled from the group, which Scotia Rosemarie thought was ironic. Eve Shire continued. "The catacomb which you will tour was rumored to be where the real Romeo and Juliet died. There are evidences that these star-crossed lovers existed, and you are for yourselves to decide if it is true that they were buried here."
She went on with her lecture about the evidences of the real Romeo & Juliet and their story. Novelle Scotia, although very much liked Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, found the lecture boring, and a tad bit frightened about going to explore an underground cemetery. "I'd rather not tamper with my natural ignorance," she said in a low voice. Eve Shire's outfit seemed as serious as her personality. Her sister paid the lecturer undivided attention. When she decided to not let her mind drift off and listen, the lecture ended. That quickly. As the tour group descended down the staircase, their tour guide guide was far ahead, with Scotia Rosemarie following closely behind. The tour guide hold her peace to let their imaginations grow.
"It's eerily uncomfortable!" Novelle Scotia exclaimed.
"I'm with you," Klara Engelstad agreed. Klara Engelstad was another student from their women's college, and her appearance mirrored Scotia Rosemarie's, even though they are unrelated by blood. She was serious about studying on-site, but the catacombs were her place in preference. Scotia Rosemarie wished that her sister would hold her tongue. She almost believed Romeo & Juliet's existence, but her doubts held her back from falling into persuasion. The Romeo & Juliet story that she just heard of was a coincidence to Shakespeare's play, and even if she thought it was real, she would keep it to herself to avoid disbelief and explanation. Novelle Scotia caught up, and started to knock on the burial entrances, in an attempt to soften her fear. Eve Shire tried to be patient, yet she spoke firmly, "We're with you. Let those who rest in peace rest." Upon Novelle Scotia's last knock, however, she, Klara, Scotia Rosemarie, and the group heard empty space behind it. "The irony keeps on getting intense," Aria Romanova said. Novelle Scotia was the last person anyone expected to discover anything. Eve Shire sensed the group's curiosity elevating. "Alright, let's get back to the hotel," she said, hoping that saying something about the hotel would invite comfort and convince everyone to retreat to shelter. She hoped that Romeo & Juleit would be buried behind that brick wall, but decided that some mysteries should be left undisturbed. Most of the tour group, including Eve Shire, left. Scotia Rosemarie remained, as she was interested, along with her sister and Klara Engelstad. Whether it was Romeo & Juliet's mystery or not, Klara would leave without knowing about the empty space and why there was no entrance. So Klara pulled out a hammer from her beige, suede bag and swinger at the brick wall with determination. The bricks were more fragile than estimated, perhaps by age or the damp conditions underground. When the wall collapsed, it unveiled a secret long hidden: a skeleton in the shape of an elderly man was chained to the wall on the opposite end. There was a wooden branch, shaped like a torch at one end, that laid on the floor of that unfortunate room.
"I think that the torch dimmed and burned out. The man didn't die from fire because his clothes and skeleton survived; he must have died from suffocating from the smoke and was deprived of oxygen. He died before starvation," Novelle Scotia pointed out.
"Who was the man?" Klara wondered.
"Doubtless he was noble. Maybe it was revenge. But it is a crime," Scotia Rosemarie concluded.
Montressor lived in his antique estate at peace all these years. He has forgotten what he had done fifty years back because he was ashamed of not feeling guilty or sad that he buried that night at the back of his mind. Reclining in his soft, cushioned sofa, he held up a withering rose by the fireplace. The edges of its petals seemed all the more fiery against the blazing background. "Scarlett," he described the rose. That very word brought back flashes of memories of his wife, from their engagement to her end. She caught the cold, and he tried to nurse her back to health, but even with all the medicine, all their wealth, her case was hopeless. He tried to not think about her end, and instead, about their life together. "Scarlett," he repeated, and her name echoed in their house. He saved each of the little moments of their life together to be replayed each day, so that everyday's reminiscence differs. When he was done replaying, he turned on the television. A reporter right outside the catacomb said, "Investigators claimed that this historical crime scene occurred about fifty years ago." The camera shifted to a group of young women whose faces were blurred. One of them began to speak. "We're college students from northwestern Europe and traveling to write papers on our first-handed experience of the Mediterranean mysteries. Originally, this particular tour was to see if Romeo and Juliet were buried here. Luck led us to another road, and we found a chained prisoner who ran out of it," said the woman with skinny jeans, an ivory flutter-sleeved shirt, and a beige, suede bag. A woman with a dark red dress, a matching rose in her hair, black stilettos, and a french manicure stepped forward and declared, "I was knocking underground, and I couldn't really see in such a dark place, but I remembered knocking a plain wall, and behind t sounded like empty space. My friend knocked it down, and the chill ran up my spine."
"We thought it would be ideal to keep our identities blurred. If this crime happened fifty years ago, then the avenger must be somewhere around seventy years old or so. People around here live long, and most Italians have lived here all their lives, with their title and inheritances," The girl with the trench coat said.
"Too close," Montressor said, wide-eyed. These women were simply too close to the truth. He turned off his television, but could't turn off the past that haunts him. Ire erupted from within him. he was provoked by what he had done, and swung his walking stick to purposely shatter a nearby glass vase. But then he cooled down by unlocking that secret happiness of having taken revenge. Then he heard an elderly man's deep voice, crying out, "The Amontillado!" with a rich, hopeless laughter that followed. Montressor typically daydreamed of the past, alternative scenarios that could've happened, and remember many voices adequately, but this time his voice seemed real, as if the past crossed into the present. Montressor said aloud, "Fortunato, you are not real." Maybe it was his mind and anxiety deceiving him. Fortunato's voice replied, "What is real?" Montressor became confused, but confusion faded as dear sank in. Fortunato was replying, and he definitely wasn't imagining it. "Leave me to my peace," Montressor said, trembling. There was a moment of silence. Then, when Montressor thought that Fortunato left he spoke again. " I won't leave you as you have left me." From the top of the staircase, he was a figure descending. He couldn't see that well, but soon after realized that it was his servant, Marinella. It was a quick relief before he returned to anxiety. What if she knew? Around the time that Fortunato disappeared, the town started talking about what might have happened. But that was decades ago. Maybe she didn't hear. Maybe she doesn't know. But then she served the teacup as gently as it was fragile, and her movements were perfect, but fleeting as it never were. When she turned around to leave, she appeared as a captive fleeing. Montressor rose higher from his slightly bent posture, and called out, "Marin..." She stopped, but did not dare to look back. She hinted unwilling obedience, as if it was the quickest egress out of this situation. Montressor walked towards her and have her a comforting, cozy hug. She exhaled, and when all of the nervousness left her, Montressor said, "Thanks. He then injected her with a colorless, odorless liquid and she fell to the floor. From a faraway crevice of a mahogany door, his wine taster, Francesa heard and watched everything. She was not only a wine taster, for her master, but an eavesdropper for herself. She knew that she couldn't trust anyone; everyone seems to be hiding something. Her sleek, ebony mane contrasted the ignis of the logs in the chimney. She had to seek help. She sought shelter from a feudal conflict that she decided to runaway from, and now it's time to runaway from such madness in this former haven. An hour came to pass. She stepped outside her room, walked quietly downstairs to get herself a glass of water. After greeting Montressor innocently, and without malice nor knowledge of her friend's disappearance, she offered to cook his favorite dish. "I must go to get wheat though, for pasta without wheat isn't pasta."
"Of course, of course," Montressor replied. He seemed sad, but calm at least.
"Then the champagne ran out from Sunday's bash. Will you fancy more tonight?"
"I ought to sip some, lest my gelato is deemed too sweet."
"Then leave it to me," Francesa said.
"Let it be so."
Francesa hiked through the forest to the catacombs. It was almost night again. Almost dinnertime. She got the ingredients to cook for Montressor tonight. So since she did as she said she would, her mind shifted to other matters. Please, she thought, let luck come; let me find the students. A girl walked toward her, and held out her hand the western way. "Hi, my name is Scotia Rosemarie."
"Hi," Francesa said in return. Her voice started to choke. She grabbed Scotia Rosemarie's wrist, and kneeled. Her eyes rained, and sorrows silenced her. She has seen too much. She knew too much.
"Do you know something?" Scotia Rosemarie said, trying to be calm towards Francesa, who was emotionally unstable.
"My, my master..."
Klara approached. "What is going on?"
Novelle Scotia came soon after. "I think she knows something."
"Montressor," Francesa began, hesitated to breathe, then resumed. "is my master, and landlord. He has recently fell into inevitable hallucinations, and sometimes, I pity him. I think that his life was too malignant, and he ought to rest. But now that I still think so, I think so for different reasons."
"Different reasons?" Klara couldn't stray from the weeping Francesa.
"Yes. He mumbled, 'Fortunato' just lately and that is the name of the man who was long gone. Rumors say that he has been intoxicated with wine and slept forever for what he loved. But heard what Montressor said. A servant girl that lived next door to me heard it, and because Montressor take tea during tea time, she served him tea as if she didn't hear. But he has an uncanny ability of detecting soon-to-be traitors. Except for me. I am the daughter of smugglers, and while a wine taster, an actress as well. I am the last one he can guess is lying, and the first he claims loyal."
"We are not here to persecute you. For you have the key to our mystery, we must hear it out," Klara said.
So Francesa told them about Montressor and what people thought became of him, of Marinella and her untimely death, and all the details that contribute to her conclusion----Montressor had something to do with the death of Fortunato.
"I must go home. It is an hour before dinnertime, and forty to get home."
"Wait," Novelle Scotia declared rather bluntly. "Will you show us----"
"----the way?" Scotia Rosemarie finished the question.
"Yes, but I must run. I am frightened."
So The girls ran to Montressor's estate, and they, except Francesa, hid in his botanical garden. They watched through the kitchen windows that extended to the dining room.
Montressor reclined, and Francesa remained unsuspected of eavesdropping.
She prepared his dinner, with its champagne and gelato set to the side.
Montressor followed the aroma of the herbs and looked as if he craved for food.
"You've tasted much of my champagne," he commented in a jolly manner.
"As you advised beforehand," she said. "Dine well, my lord."
He clutched his silverware, started to dig in, and turned on some jazz music.
Then the entrance was violently intruded by three of the girls he recognized on the news, with reporters and photojournalists.
"Francesa!" He still believed that Francesa didn't tell them so, even if she heard him.
They questioned him if he knew anything about the skeleton at the catacombs, then embraced him, cuffed him, and took him away, despite his absolute denial.
He looked shocked.
Scotia Rosemarie said, "Innocence, denial. Those things give away, sir."
He was taken to the psychiatric hospital.
Francesa visited him, and brought samples of different kinds of wine each time.
He accepted it with gratitude.
Then one day, another servant of Montressor came to visit him. His name was Romeo, and like Montressor, he lost his beloved one, but did not die like the original Romeo with his Juliet. He was appointed as the new servant by Francesa, who saved up enough silver to hire a servant to do Marinella's dusting duties. Francesa told him the story of everything that has happened to Montressor, and what she found it along the way, being a wine taster in his estate. After Francesa visited Montressor, and brought his wine, which she couldn't identify what kind it was, and left him to his peace, Romeo said in his deep voice, "The Amontillado."
He strongly believed in justice. He believed that torturing evil will make the torturers become what they despise. To eliminate evil would be the one thing that will prevent what might come. Just because people didn't see things coming doesn't mean it won't.
Montressor tried to breathe calmly, but his heart was racing, and his teeth was starting to tremble, though it wasn't of the chill Autumn air. Did he hear that? Was it mind tricks? His imagination, his imagination, he wished. But that deep voice that was so similar to the one he had heard fifty years ago... Those words. Everything was exactly what he wished to run from, to forget and find euphoria in his lost haven.
Romeo stood behind Montressor, and placed his hand on Montressor's shoulder. Reality took his breath away, and Montressor dropped back to his lounge, stiff and blue.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
U.S. History module 8
8.02 The 1980s
"1980 election: This was a political event because it caused a change in the government. Americans wanted a firm, patriotic leader who had a plan to fix the economic problems carrying over from the 1970s. Jimmy Carter was running for reelection, and Americans overall were very unhappy with his leadership. Ronald Reagan emerged as his challenger, a former actor with great public skills and a plan. They elected Ronald Reagan in 1980 who had a controversial plan for fixing the U.S. economy, later dubbed “Reaganomics.”"
Reagan and Nicaragua: Political. When Nicaragua went through a revolution to take down their government because it was corrupt, the Sandinistas took power. The Sandinistas preferred to postpone elections and emulated the Soviet Union. Reagan decided to help fund the Contras, who wished to take down the Sandinistas. Americans were afraid that Reagan's involvement would make it somewhat similar to the Vietnam War. His consequence was an investigation of the Iran-Contra Affair.
Reagan's Plan: Economic. Former President Reagan proposed to decrease the government's taxes, influence over business, and relaxed rules in banking and savings. Job training, mass transportation development (underground metros, buses...), and student loans were reduced as well, since the government needed a balance. He increased defense spending, and in consequence, people thought that he wasn't caring for the poor.
1980s Deregulation: Economics. Since people thought that the poor was less cared for by Reagan, he made changes to his plans. People started to buy more(consumerism) in 1983 and initiated or returned to investing in the stock market. Consequence: The stock market crashed 3 years after his reelection and American found low-paying jobs under Reagan, thus causing a controversial debate of Reaganomics.
Sun Belt: People were leaving the Rust Belt, where industrial and manufacturing was in the Northeast and Midwest, for the Sun Belt, the South and West. Globalization caused plenty of unemployment in the prior booming corporations. Many workers were displaced as businesses extended overseas. Since the 1950s, there had been a demographic shift.
The Cold War Ends: Social/political. Mikhail Gorbachev founded reforms in the Soviet Union——Perestroika and Glasnost. His people had more rights. This caused Reagan to challenge the sincerity of his reforms. Reagan addressed Gorbachev at the Brandenburg Gate, saying that the Germans were separated from each other and that there was doubt of mankind's freedom. Reagan demanded Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. When the wall came down, Germany reunified in 1990.
First Lady's impact: Social. Cocaine ravaged many cities. First Lady Nancy Reagan visited many schools to warn schoolchildren of drug use. Although many students listened and avoided teenage drugs, others went down the wrong path. As of today, far from the "War on Drugs," there are stoners and people who are non-addicts. Her impact couldn't help everyone, as everyone made their choices, but inspired people then to stay away.
Punk/Glam Rock: Social. Both were the music of the 1980s. Its popularity brought the Live Aid concert. The concert was watched all over the world, and with support, millions were raised to relieve famine in Africa. The Live Aid concert, which helped Ethiopia especially, took place in Mid-Atlantic America and England. A consequence was famine relief, and soon music was reached outer space; it was method of waking up astronauts.
1. Ronald Reagan's policies had a negative effect overall, in my opinion. I respect the fact that his plans kind of parallel with Calvin Coolidge's. He also was definitely anti-Communist and preferred the Berlin Wall to be torn down, which I would support, were I in his place. But for this country, for America, his improvement was a temporary mark that faded. I believe that countless low-paying jobs would affect people's happiness (referring to the history of minimum wages and strikes), and the our happiness would be what will bring our economy up, or crush it down. If the urban poor do not improve, it will leave the majority with the doubt of how much change there was.
2. I would think that it's the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Wall has been there for so long and I agree with Ronald Reagan when he addresses Mikhail Gorbachev. The Berlin Wall reminds me too much of the Union and the Confederacy and the sad segregation in the early 1900s.
"1980 election: This was a political event because it caused a change in the government. Americans wanted a firm, patriotic leader who had a plan to fix the economic problems carrying over from the 1970s. Jimmy Carter was running for reelection, and Americans overall were very unhappy with his leadership. Ronald Reagan emerged as his challenger, a former actor with great public skills and a plan. They elected Ronald Reagan in 1980 who had a controversial plan for fixing the U.S. economy, later dubbed “Reaganomics.”"
Reagan and Nicaragua: Political. When Nicaragua went through a revolution to take down their government because it was corrupt, the Sandinistas took power. The Sandinistas preferred to postpone elections and emulated the Soviet Union. Reagan decided to help fund the Contras, who wished to take down the Sandinistas. Americans were afraid that Reagan's involvement would make it somewhat similar to the Vietnam War. His consequence was an investigation of the Iran-Contra Affair.
Reagan's Plan: Economic. Former President Reagan proposed to decrease the government's taxes, influence over business, and relaxed rules in banking and savings. Job training, mass transportation development (underground metros, buses...), and student loans were reduced as well, since the government needed a balance. He increased defense spending, and in consequence, people thought that he wasn't caring for the poor.
1980s Deregulation: Economics. Since people thought that the poor was less cared for by Reagan, he made changes to his plans. People started to buy more(consumerism) in 1983 and initiated or returned to investing in the stock market. Consequence: The stock market crashed 3 years after his reelection and American found low-paying jobs under Reagan, thus causing a controversial debate of Reaganomics.
Sun Belt: People were leaving the Rust Belt, where industrial and manufacturing was in the Northeast and Midwest, for the Sun Belt, the South and West. Globalization caused plenty of unemployment in the prior booming corporations. Many workers were displaced as businesses extended overseas. Since the 1950s, there had been a demographic shift.
The Cold War Ends: Social/political. Mikhail Gorbachev founded reforms in the Soviet Union——Perestroika and Glasnost. His people had more rights. This caused Reagan to challenge the sincerity of his reforms. Reagan addressed Gorbachev at the Brandenburg Gate, saying that the Germans were separated from each other and that there was doubt of mankind's freedom. Reagan demanded Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. When the wall came down, Germany reunified in 1990.
First Lady's impact: Social. Cocaine ravaged many cities. First Lady Nancy Reagan visited many schools to warn schoolchildren of drug use. Although many students listened and avoided teenage drugs, others went down the wrong path. As of today, far from the "War on Drugs," there are stoners and people who are non-addicts. Her impact couldn't help everyone, as everyone made their choices, but inspired people then to stay away.
Punk/Glam Rock: Social. Both were the music of the 1980s. Its popularity brought the Live Aid concert. The concert was watched all over the world, and with support, millions were raised to relieve famine in Africa. The Live Aid concert, which helped Ethiopia especially, took place in Mid-Atlantic America and England. A consequence was famine relief, and soon music was reached outer space; it was method of waking up astronauts.
1. Ronald Reagan's policies had a negative effect overall, in my opinion. I respect the fact that his plans kind of parallel with Calvin Coolidge's. He also was definitely anti-Communist and preferred the Berlin Wall to be torn down, which I would support, were I in his place. But for this country, for America, his improvement was a temporary mark that faded. I believe that countless low-paying jobs would affect people's happiness (referring to the history of minimum wages and strikes), and the our happiness would be what will bring our economy up, or crush it down. If the urban poor do not improve, it will leave the majority with the doubt of how much change there was.
2. I would think that it's the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Wall has been there for so long and I agree with Ronald Reagan when he addresses Mikhail Gorbachev. The Berlin Wall reminds me too much of the Union and the Confederacy and the sad segregation in the early 1900s.
U.S. History module 7
7.02 Peace or Power?
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was told to get up from her seat on the bus, but she was tired and so refused to give up her seat for white passengers. She was arrested. The NAACP fought charges, saying it was unconstitutional, and organized the bus boycott. So Rosa Parks initiated the situation, and the NAACP led the boycott. This event was non-violent because African Americans didn't react aggressively, but rather passively for 381 days by taking other ways of transportation, thus having a significant impact. It was a success, for in the end, the Supreme Court eliminated the Montgomery bus law.
Freedom Rides
The first Freedom Ride left Washington, D.C. with thirteen riders on the Greyhound heading to New Orleans. They sat in outlawed positions, defying unenforced laws. Most participants were members of CORE and SNCC. Arrest and violence were aimed at Freedom Riders. JFK sent federal Marshalls to restore order in Alabama and because of the violence, requested a cooling off period. The Greyhound bus drivers almost stopped for good, but the Kennedy Administration told them to resume since the Freedom Riders would like to finish what they started. In Alabama and Mississippi, the riders were supposed to be safe during their travels, so they were arrested. After they were arrested, they weren't safe because they were abused in captivity. Despite this, 450 Freedom Riders participated throughout the summer since the first riders in May and while jailed, sang songs of freedom. This event is non-violent because the Freedom Riders were determined in taking part of this protest and accepted their arrests, including lifting up their hopes in prison. The Freedom Ride was a success because President John F. Kennedy enforced laws ending segregation, and segregation signs were gone.
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, 200,000 people marched to the capital of America singing songs of freedom, with one of the most famous songs being "We Shall Overcome", and carried signs. The March ended at the Lincoln Memorial. Leaders of the March on Washington were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, A. Philip Randolph, and Whitney M. Young. MLK gave the most famous speech of the March, the "I Had a Dream" speech. This event was non-violent because the March was not an attack; it was an exercise of their freedom of speech. The March on Washington was a success because President Kennedy gave hope towards it, and after MLK's assassination, his dream came true.
I think that non-violent protests were more effective, and more well-known than violent protests. Schools teach the non-violent side more, and it is exemplary in schools because school authorities prefer reporting bullying instead of reacting physically. I think that non-violent protests were effective because violence in response to violence would bring more violence and the rejection of white Americans and African Americans' peaceful coexistence would be indifferent to segregation. I think, though, that both kinds of protests were enough to initiate change, whether peaceful or threatening, if persistent.
7.03 Minority Rights
Betty Friedan wanted to understand why many women her age were discontent despite material comfort and family. But the mainstream did not acknowledge that women in the 1950s had any reason to be unhappy, unless they had ambitions outside the home, so... Friedan surveyed many young wives and mothers and wrote The Feminine Mystique, which helped bring attention to the issue of women's lack of opportunity and rights.
Women wanted to be equal to men in almost all areas of life, but back in those days, women were thought to be inferior to men in talent and pay, so there was a 1963 act established for women to earn an equal pay to men for performing the same tasks, Title IX for all genders to take opportunity of government-funded sports activities, employment despite gender differences, and Billie Jean won the tennis tournament.
Native Americans wanted to have better living conditions, but the U.S. government throughout history took their lands, broke their treaties, forced them to travel to reservations, and tried to Americanize them, so NCAI fished at an abandoned prison island since Abe Lincoln signed a treaty that any government abandoned places may be reclaimed by Native Americans and AIM had armed Native Americans gathering at Sioux, where there was a massacre in 1890.
Hispanic Americans wanted better salaries and percentages of employment since their arrival to the American Southwest, but since there were many illegal immigrants integrating with the legal immigrants despite efforts of the government to prevent it, both kinds of immigrants were treated similarly, so Cesar Chavez, along with other Hispanic Americans, boycotted grapes in the region, and other citizens throughout Americans also boycotted grapes to support the cause.
Women established the National Organization for Women and as of 2012, has about half a million members. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique since she couldn't publish her article on the research and surveys of her former peers, alumni from Smith College, regarding their happiness as homemakers. The Women's Rights Movement were similar to the other groups that demanded change in that there are usually two kinds of groups with different perspectives. Think Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. versus Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. ERA versus STOP ERA. NCAI versus AIM. Non-violent protests were mutual in all of these groups: African Americans, women, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was told to get up from her seat on the bus, but she was tired and so refused to give up her seat for white passengers. She was arrested. The NAACP fought charges, saying it was unconstitutional, and organized the bus boycott. So Rosa Parks initiated the situation, and the NAACP led the boycott. This event was non-violent because African Americans didn't react aggressively, but rather passively for 381 days by taking other ways of transportation, thus having a significant impact. It was a success, for in the end, the Supreme Court eliminated the Montgomery bus law.
Freedom Rides
The first Freedom Ride left Washington, D.C. with thirteen riders on the Greyhound heading to New Orleans. They sat in outlawed positions, defying unenforced laws. Most participants were members of CORE and SNCC. Arrest and violence were aimed at Freedom Riders. JFK sent federal Marshalls to restore order in Alabama and because of the violence, requested a cooling off period. The Greyhound bus drivers almost stopped for good, but the Kennedy Administration told them to resume since the Freedom Riders would like to finish what they started. In Alabama and Mississippi, the riders were supposed to be safe during their travels, so they were arrested. After they were arrested, they weren't safe because they were abused in captivity. Despite this, 450 Freedom Riders participated throughout the summer since the first riders in May and while jailed, sang songs of freedom. This event is non-violent because the Freedom Riders were determined in taking part of this protest and accepted their arrests, including lifting up their hopes in prison. The Freedom Ride was a success because President John F. Kennedy enforced laws ending segregation, and segregation signs were gone.
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, 200,000 people marched to the capital of America singing songs of freedom, with one of the most famous songs being "We Shall Overcome", and carried signs. The March ended at the Lincoln Memorial. Leaders of the March on Washington were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, A. Philip Randolph, and Whitney M. Young. MLK gave the most famous speech of the March, the "I Had a Dream" speech. This event was non-violent because the March was not an attack; it was an exercise of their freedom of speech. The March on Washington was a success because President Kennedy gave hope towards it, and after MLK's assassination, his dream came true.
I think that non-violent protests were more effective, and more well-known than violent protests. Schools teach the non-violent side more, and it is exemplary in schools because school authorities prefer reporting bullying instead of reacting physically. I think that non-violent protests were effective because violence in response to violence would bring more violence and the rejection of white Americans and African Americans' peaceful coexistence would be indifferent to segregation. I think, though, that both kinds of protests were enough to initiate change, whether peaceful or threatening, if persistent.
7.03 Minority Rights
Betty Friedan wanted to understand why many women her age were discontent despite material comfort and family. But the mainstream did not acknowledge that women in the 1950s had any reason to be unhappy, unless they had ambitions outside the home, so... Friedan surveyed many young wives and mothers and wrote The Feminine Mystique, which helped bring attention to the issue of women's lack of opportunity and rights.
Women wanted to be equal to men in almost all areas of life, but back in those days, women were thought to be inferior to men in talent and pay, so there was a 1963 act established for women to earn an equal pay to men for performing the same tasks, Title IX for all genders to take opportunity of government-funded sports activities, employment despite gender differences, and Billie Jean won the tennis tournament.
Native Americans wanted to have better living conditions, but the U.S. government throughout history took their lands, broke their treaties, forced them to travel to reservations, and tried to Americanize them, so NCAI fished at an abandoned prison island since Abe Lincoln signed a treaty that any government abandoned places may be reclaimed by Native Americans and AIM had armed Native Americans gathering at Sioux, where there was a massacre in 1890.
Hispanic Americans wanted better salaries and percentages of employment since their arrival to the American Southwest, but since there were many illegal immigrants integrating with the legal immigrants despite efforts of the government to prevent it, both kinds of immigrants were treated similarly, so Cesar Chavez, along with other Hispanic Americans, boycotted grapes in the region, and other citizens throughout Americans also boycotted grapes to support the cause.
Women established the National Organization for Women and as of 2012, has about half a million members. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique since she couldn't publish her article on the research and surveys of her former peers, alumni from Smith College, regarding their happiness as homemakers. The Women's Rights Movement were similar to the other groups that demanded change in that there are usually two kinds of groups with different perspectives. Think Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. versus Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party. ERA versus STOP ERA. NCAI versus AIM. Non-violent protests were mutual in all of these groups: African Americans, women, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
U.S. History module 6
6.01 The Fifties and Sixties
Veterans/What did they gain in World War II?
They gained the loss of unemployment. They gained the opportunity to travel overseas to fight, and to country untouched by destruction. Veterans came back to America with benefits of the GI Bill.
Veterans/what challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Returning veterans came back to take their former jobs, and along the war, they had to set society's homemaking standards as the women were unwilling to give up their World War II occupations. Veterans who lived far from major cities has no channel or one channel to watch on televisions in 1951. Not many could afford televisions immediately after the war. They also needed homes for their new families, and the cities were too crowded.
Veterans/What progress did they make for their postwar period?
Veterans were educated and thanks to the GI Bill, could start businesses or buy homes with low-interest rates. Most settled in the new suburban Levittowns. Returning veterans made families, thus causing the baby boom, which lasted from 1946-1964.
Veterans/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
There will be war again in the following decades for the veterans and their children. Some veterans will be traumatized by the experiences during WWII and the wars after that.
Women/What did they gain in World War II?
Women gained the right to exercise their knowledge. Some who went to college found use of it as they take men's occupations temporarily, such as mending aircraft or running businesses.
Women/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Women faced unemployment again as returning veterans take their jobs back. The posters recruiting women to help during World War II had no purpose in the following decade. Their ambitions are clouded by society's expectations.
Women/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
Women decided to speak out how they felt about society's standards. Betty, a homemaker, mother, and article writer, interviewed Smith College's alumni, who reported dissatisfaction with their roles. Betty found no one to publish her article because it went against the ideal belief of women, so she published her novel, The Feminine Mystique.
Women/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
Women will probably fight, or protest, to alter their public image. They will speak to revert back to those days when they could take occupations of men. As more women become educated and determined, society will soon have to cross out the idealistic homemaker.
African Americans/What did they gain in World War II?
African Americans gained the equal privilege to fight. They also had jobs during World War II.
African Americans/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
They knew that they would be returning home to face discrimination.
African Americans/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
African Americans founded a kind of music, known as rhythm and blues. This soon became Rock-and-Roll. African Americans' music were broadcasted on radios. Jackie Robinson was a baseball champion. African Americans changed history through the integration of sports and music.
African Americans/What struggles might this group have in decades to come?
Although the baby boomers enjoyed rhythm and blues as well as Rock and Roll, their parents are concerned of the music roots. As another decade arrives, there will be tension as the schools integrate races. The discrimination will decrease in the following decades, and the 1980s will have influential African Americans like in the 1950s and the Jazz Age.
6.04 The Korean War
North Korea wanted to stay with its communist government and spread communism throughout the peninsula, but the United States feared communism aggression and the domino theory, so the United States and the United Nation sent troops to South Korea, thus creating a seesaw war.
General MacArthur wanted to attack North Korea troops from the west coast, which was a success widely praised, but his confidence led to a disrespectful encounter with President Truman and commanding the soldiers as he saw fit, so he was relieved from his duty.
President Truman wanted General MacArthur to follow his orders since the president is the commander-in-chief, but MacArthur wanted to eliminate Chinese communism, which led to Republicans smearing Truman's reputation, so Truman decided to fire General MacArthur and nor run for reelection.
China wanted to keep American troops off their border assist North Korea, but their help only made the Korean War a seesaw conflict, so the Chinese drove the UN force south of the 38th parallel before the cease-fire and armistice.
The United Nations wanted to help South Korea, but the war was ongoing and both sides had advantages at different times, so North and South Korea signed an armistice in 1953 and there is a demilitarized zone with United States troops in South Korea.
1.How did General Douglas MacArthur react to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
General Douglas MacArthur made a counterattack towards North Korean troops. Whatever his moves were, it was to support his belief to eliminate communism. He underestimated China's army, but meant to prevent the domino theory. He is anti-communism.
2.How did President Truman respond to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
President Truman sent troops to the Korean peninsula to keep Korean communism from spreading all over Korea and maybe Asia. He was anti-communism as well, but knew his limits and didn't want to create a greater threat to Asia's communism and provoke China. He also knew that he was failing his popularity, and blamed for "losing China." All this explained where he stood and the lengths that he went.
3.Which leader's actions were the most justifiable—General McArthur's or President Truman's? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
I think that General MacArthur's actions were the most justifiable. Although I don't agree with his rising confidence that would soon doom his intentions, he had creativity and knew where he wanted his troops to go, which faded when he was relieved. President Truman relieving him was like the sudden death of President Roosevelt. I believe that if he was temporarily relieved and his confidence died down, then granted a second chance, he would have seen things differently and win the cause America has hoped for.
4.Would the outcome of the Korean War have been different had General MacArthur not been fired? Why or why not? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
Yes and no. I think that at some point, every general will have their strengths and weaknesses. Victory at one time does not predict another. I think that China's advances were underestimated and General MacArthur should have been prepared for that. His confidence led to his downfall. So letting him stay would not make the ending different. But if he was temporarily relieved, that is to hope that he doesn't come back with a grudge, or better yet, have a month-long return-to-America vacation to think things thoroughly, he might return to the war clear-minded and with advantageous plans towards victory.
6.07 Disillusionment
Question: Explain how events such as the Vietnam War and Watergate affected the American public’s opinion of the U.S government.
The majority of the American public before the 1960s trusted their government. They believed that with the rights they have, it is sensible to believe that there's much truth to what their government say or does. In other words, they have no reason to doubt their government. In an attempt to contain communism, however, the U.S. government sent young soldiers across the ocean. People began to resent that, but only some. Mostly college students, whose education were interrupted or blocked. They thought that the Vietnam War was going to be short-term, but although years of the executive power heightening, they saw otherwise. The living room war was televised, and the people saw what happened to the American troops that were sent there. They wanted an end; the war dragged on. Distrust of the president arose. Pentagon papers were published. The court overruled Nixon and his administration when they wanted an end to these Pentagon Papers. The Supreme Court decided that freedom of the press will assure the people that their government is not deceiving them. These publications shocked the public and the early 70s were a time of disillusionment. The Watergate scandal was the next upcoming thing that shattered American trust. The burglars that tried to break into the Watergate headquarters had ties to the executive branch. The president tried to soften FBI investigation. The Washington Post undermined his denial of involvement with the Watergate event. He refused to show his video tapes. However, he eventually had to give up these tapes. Americans realized that he was a crook. People in the executive branch have done wrong deeds and the so during the 70s, American believed that their government was run by criminals. Distrust of authority led to reformed opinions of the government.
Veterans/What did they gain in World War II?
They gained the loss of unemployment. They gained the opportunity to travel overseas to fight, and to country untouched by destruction. Veterans came back to America with benefits of the GI Bill.
Veterans/what challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Returning veterans came back to take their former jobs, and along the war, they had to set society's homemaking standards as the women were unwilling to give up their World War II occupations. Veterans who lived far from major cities has no channel or one channel to watch on televisions in 1951. Not many could afford televisions immediately after the war. They also needed homes for their new families, and the cities were too crowded.
Veterans/What progress did they make for their postwar period?
Veterans were educated and thanks to the GI Bill, could start businesses or buy homes with low-interest rates. Most settled in the new suburban Levittowns. Returning veterans made families, thus causing the baby boom, which lasted from 1946-1964.
Veterans/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
There will be war again in the following decades for the veterans and their children. Some veterans will be traumatized by the experiences during WWII and the wars after that.
Women/What did they gain in World War II?
Women gained the right to exercise their knowledge. Some who went to college found use of it as they take men's occupations temporarily, such as mending aircraft or running businesses.
Women/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Women faced unemployment again as returning veterans take their jobs back. The posters recruiting women to help during World War II had no purpose in the following decade. Their ambitions are clouded by society's expectations.
Women/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
Women decided to speak out how they felt about society's standards. Betty, a homemaker, mother, and article writer, interviewed Smith College's alumni, who reported dissatisfaction with their roles. Betty found no one to publish her article because it went against the ideal belief of women, so she published her novel, The Feminine Mystique.
Women/What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
Women will probably fight, or protest, to alter their public image. They will speak to revert back to those days when they could take occupations of men. As more women become educated and determined, society will soon have to cross out the idealistic homemaker.
African Americans/What did they gain in World War II?
African Americans gained the equal privilege to fight. They also had jobs during World War II.
African Americans/What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
They knew that they would be returning home to face discrimination.
African Americans/What progress did they make in the postwar period?
African Americans founded a kind of music, known as rhythm and blues. This soon became Rock-and-Roll. African Americans' music were broadcasted on radios. Jackie Robinson was a baseball champion. African Americans changed history through the integration of sports and music.
African Americans/What struggles might this group have in decades to come?
Although the baby boomers enjoyed rhythm and blues as well as Rock and Roll, their parents are concerned of the music roots. As another decade arrives, there will be tension as the schools integrate races. The discrimination will decrease in the following decades, and the 1980s will have influential African Americans like in the 1950s and the Jazz Age.
6.04 The Korean War
North Korea wanted to stay with its communist government and spread communism throughout the peninsula, but the United States feared communism aggression and the domino theory, so the United States and the United Nation sent troops to South Korea, thus creating a seesaw war.
General MacArthur wanted to attack North Korea troops from the west coast, which was a success widely praised, but his confidence led to a disrespectful encounter with President Truman and commanding the soldiers as he saw fit, so he was relieved from his duty.
President Truman wanted General MacArthur to follow his orders since the president is the commander-in-chief, but MacArthur wanted to eliminate Chinese communism, which led to Republicans smearing Truman's reputation, so Truman decided to fire General MacArthur and nor run for reelection.
China wanted to keep American troops off their border assist North Korea, but their help only made the Korean War a seesaw conflict, so the Chinese drove the UN force south of the 38th parallel before the cease-fire and armistice.
The United Nations wanted to help South Korea, but the war was ongoing and both sides had advantages at different times, so North and South Korea signed an armistice in 1953 and there is a demilitarized zone with United States troops in South Korea.
1.How did General Douglas MacArthur react to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
General Douglas MacArthur made a counterattack towards North Korean troops. Whatever his moves were, it was to support his belief to eliminate communism. He underestimated China's army, but meant to prevent the domino theory. He is anti-communism.
2.How did President Truman respond to the events in Korea? What was his stance on the Korean War?
President Truman sent troops to the Korean peninsula to keep Korean communism from spreading all over Korea and maybe Asia. He was anti-communism as well, but knew his limits and didn't want to create a greater threat to Asia's communism and provoke China. He also knew that he was failing his popularity, and blamed for "losing China." All this explained where he stood and the lengths that he went.
3.Which leader's actions were the most justifiable—General McArthur's or President Truman's? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
I think that General MacArthur's actions were the most justifiable. Although I don't agree with his rising confidence that would soon doom his intentions, he had creativity and knew where he wanted his troops to go, which faded when he was relieved. President Truman relieving him was like the sudden death of President Roosevelt. I believe that if he was temporarily relieved and his confidence died down, then granted a second chance, he would have seen things differently and win the cause America has hoped for.
4.Would the outcome of the Korean War have been different had General MacArthur not been fired? Why or why not? Support your claim with evidence from the lesson.
Yes and no. I think that at some point, every general will have their strengths and weaknesses. Victory at one time does not predict another. I think that China's advances were underestimated and General MacArthur should have been prepared for that. His confidence led to his downfall. So letting him stay would not make the ending different. But if he was temporarily relieved, that is to hope that he doesn't come back with a grudge, or better yet, have a month-long return-to-America vacation to think things thoroughly, he might return to the war clear-minded and with advantageous plans towards victory.
6.07 Disillusionment
Question: Explain how events such as the Vietnam War and Watergate affected the American public’s opinion of the U.S government.
The majority of the American public before the 1960s trusted their government. They believed that with the rights they have, it is sensible to believe that there's much truth to what their government say or does. In other words, they have no reason to doubt their government. In an attempt to contain communism, however, the U.S. government sent young soldiers across the ocean. People began to resent that, but only some. Mostly college students, whose education were interrupted or blocked. They thought that the Vietnam War was going to be short-term, but although years of the executive power heightening, they saw otherwise. The living room war was televised, and the people saw what happened to the American troops that were sent there. They wanted an end; the war dragged on. Distrust of the president arose. Pentagon papers were published. The court overruled Nixon and his administration when they wanted an end to these Pentagon Papers. The Supreme Court decided that freedom of the press will assure the people that their government is not deceiving them. These publications shocked the public and the early 70s were a time of disillusionment. The Watergate scandal was the next upcoming thing that shattered American trust. The burglars that tried to break into the Watergate headquarters had ties to the executive branch. The president tried to soften FBI investigation. The Washington Post undermined his denial of involvement with the Watergate event. He refused to show his video tapes. However, he eventually had to give up these tapes. Americans realized that he was a crook. People in the executive branch have done wrong deeds and the so during the 70s, American believed that their government was run by criminals. Distrust of authority led to reformed opinions of the government.
U.S. History module 5
5.01 World War Again
1. The U.S. favored neutrality even before World War I. It wanted to have nothing to do with war, but things happen. Ideas about neutrality changed with three-fourths of the population expected war, and Roosevelt initiated intervention with foreign warring countries. As Roosevelt began supporting democratic countries and he mistrust peace from totalitarian countries, neutrality acts altered, thus convincing Americans to reconsider normalcy as they foresee the inevitable spiral of incidents.
2. The point where U.S. turned down its isolationist nation and defied normalcy was when the neutrality act was passed by Congress. Although the First Neutrality Act with its Cash and Carry policy (hinting the beginning of a series of conflicting interferences) was subtle, it was undeniable that the slightest involvement pushed the U.S. off its edge of neutrality. U.S. was no longer neutral was Roosevelt and Churchill made agreements in Newfoundland. Evidence of the States' fading neutrality revealed through isolationists' preferences to help Allied nations, even when it means having a war.
3. First Neutrality Act- This act opposes the idea of the nation's wish to return to normalcy. It disrupts normalcy, and the Nye Committee had every right to investigate whether or not America was pushed into World War I in favor of profits. The First Neutrality Act was proof that although Americans wanted to keep themselves apart from warring nations, they sure sought after profits. Egotism therefore drifted the states from its prior aim----- isolationism.
Cash and Carry- cash and carry policy shattered the very meaning of isolationism. Even if the warring nations had to support themselves to and fro to gain supplies, and America was being paid in cash, it would only be the first chapter of America's impulse to intensify its actions with international intervention. The only exception for the cash and carry policy is that it supports the U.S. economy as it dived into the Great Depression.
U.S. aid to China- Yes, this is also defying the concept of isolationism, but since China is halfway across the world, and two countries alone in its imperialist conflict doesn't have much to intertwine with Europe and its pre-World War II tangling tummbleweed. It is more tolerable for the U.S. to sympathize with China. U.S. just wanted to help and in 1937 until today, China hasn't forgotten that. U.S. and China has always been good partners, aiding in imports, presumably since defending China and isolating it from Japan. It might anger Japan, who is tied to Germany and Italy, but one of Europe's treaties were weak without the United States, so these countries know and have learned during World War I that the U.S. is strong.
Lend-Lease Act- The Lend-Lease Act is so biased, it almost eliminates the idea of isolationism. First, the cash and carry policy is intervening with foreign nations, but the lend-lease act suggests that the U.S. could aid any nations involved in a war, casting the notion that the hopes for normalcy is lost as U.S. interests in warring nations surpass the former.
5.04 Holocaust
My name is Hannah Kaplan. My world, my life, and the very ground I stood on was almost flawless. If there were mistakes, it was only to drive perfection into my destiny. I was born in Poland to an extended family of affluent Jews. I myself am also one, as the cliche goes, "the apple does not fall far fro the tree." My family owned a business selling apparel of every kind and elegant sheets of fabric. Several friends of mine were loyal, as they saw my mother as their benefactress. Even the neighbors who disliked us would not dare to oppose us. But that was then; a long while back I was a seven-teen year old girl who was often lost in her books, skilled in strings, and enjoyed finding herself in a catch. What were others' grandeur delusion was my reality. Then that evening came. I was in the boutique founded by my grand parent, and while painting a gown that I intended to sew out of intrinsic motivation, I was aware ere the glass windows shattered. I ran to the corner of the room as my arms were scraped, to a corner where I cowered behind a line of coats. A chill ran through my spine and fear penetrated my mind. It was the moment when I felt as though my dignity had evaporated. Alas, I was soon discovered as my concealment served to be only temporary. One of what I recognized to be a Nazi took me by my arm and threw me in to the back of a truck covered in mud and dried blood. The attack came so harshly that I convinced myself that wherever I was being sent to, it wasn't going to be pleasant. It was then that I was told that I was going to be sent to a labor camp, which didn't sound anywhere near destinations I would otherwise eagerly look forward to, and not being fond of the Nazis, much less the truck I was thrown in, I found it difficult to believe that it was a labor camp that I was heading to. My mother, father, and other relatives were also in the truck. They all acted like they tolerate this acrid situation. I couldn't. I won't. As much as I wanted to speak my thoughts, none of my people did, so neither did I, lest we would get shot by the armed Nazis. After a while, I was led to a concentration camp. I think their discrimination has gone too far. My family members were separated into different groups. My life was spiraling down. The whole scenario was is amiss. I was thrown into a place where people surrounding me appeared half-dead and I wondered what will become of me. Indeed, escape was not an option because barbed wire encircled us. I haven't heard of my family ever since we were separated. I knew that I wanted to be idealistically slim, but being starved wasn't part of the plan. I counted the nights since arrival and after the fourteenth night, which turned to daylight, my camp was liberated. The Nazis were out of sight, and unfortunately, so was my family. Having studied English in school, I understood what the armed men were saying. We were given some bread and water, then told to go anywhere we could find refuge. Unquestionably, my imprisoned peers were frightened to leave the area, holding with them the possibility that the Nazis would find them again and they will be shot. I couldn't bear the stench of dead corpses right around my imprisonment about a mile away, so I occasionally inhaled when necessary and dashed across the field, looking to the sky, to avoid what remained of their untimely deaths. While hiding in a forest and surviving with berries, I thanked God for my liberation. I was soon founded by Eisenhower, and sent on a ship. Many months later, land come into sight. It was America. The War Industries Board initiated aiding me. I will strive to regain the social standing that I once lost. My world has changed in that I will never take the belongings I have for granted. I ought to patronize others no longer as i faced worse consequences following Hitler's theory.
5.06 War Ends
The United States and Allied forces had to use the bombs on Japan because they believed that it was the only way to end the war quickly. Many military leaders knew that fighting the Japanese would cost multiple lives, as evidenced by the 82-day battle of Okinawa when approximately 50,000 Allied troops were deceased or injured. Despite the fact that more than twice the Allied troops were Japanese and killed, they weren't prepared to surrender. Not even when Tokyo was attacked and engulfed in flames. The obvious way to victory was to further bomb Japan, thus saving effort and lives of Americans. This way meant that the Japanese weren't prepared to die nor fight, but unexpectedly lost their lives.
These bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was an absolute tragedy of the 1940s. Americans decided to save their own lives and the lives of their people, but destroying humanity on the other side of the world would contradict what they attempt. If the scenario was seen from the Pacific side, the Japanese would like to save their people, too. Even thought they were ready to fight to their deaths, they were ready to fight and die, not just die or suffer all of a sudden. Like General Dwight Eisenhower said, Japan was close to defeat, so it unnecessary. Admiral William Leahy, an adviser to both Roosevelt and Truman during World War II, said that bombing Japan with mass murder weapons would make Americans like the barbarians of the Dark Ages. Bombs should have not been dropped on these cities because in a way, it was like cheating; having your people saved and others die when some aren't even in battle. Even if the Americans fought the Japanese, which would be the alternative, the Japanese would have outnumbered in deaths.
The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not as necessary as President Truman thought. Americans should have believed the rumors of the Holocaust and rescued all the Jews, then gather all the Nazis that have tortured and still intend to, and have them bombed. The root of evil, once gone, shall prevent more sinister deeds to come. If that seems unjust, consider what America has done to Japan. We have done something of similar equivalency to what Hitler had done. Eisenhower was right in thinking about what the world would think of us. What would they think? To have innocent lives killed and many survivors dying from the radiation, their businesses destroyed like during Kristallnacht. This terror could have been prevented, if isolationism returned and some treaty was made to divide the Allied regions from Japan.
1. The U.S. favored neutrality even before World War I. It wanted to have nothing to do with war, but things happen. Ideas about neutrality changed with three-fourths of the population expected war, and Roosevelt initiated intervention with foreign warring countries. As Roosevelt began supporting democratic countries and he mistrust peace from totalitarian countries, neutrality acts altered, thus convincing Americans to reconsider normalcy as they foresee the inevitable spiral of incidents.
2. The point where U.S. turned down its isolationist nation and defied normalcy was when the neutrality act was passed by Congress. Although the First Neutrality Act with its Cash and Carry policy (hinting the beginning of a series of conflicting interferences) was subtle, it was undeniable that the slightest involvement pushed the U.S. off its edge of neutrality. U.S. was no longer neutral was Roosevelt and Churchill made agreements in Newfoundland. Evidence of the States' fading neutrality revealed through isolationists' preferences to help Allied nations, even when it means having a war.
3. First Neutrality Act- This act opposes the idea of the nation's wish to return to normalcy. It disrupts normalcy, and the Nye Committee had every right to investigate whether or not America was pushed into World War I in favor of profits. The First Neutrality Act was proof that although Americans wanted to keep themselves apart from warring nations, they sure sought after profits. Egotism therefore drifted the states from its prior aim----- isolationism.
Cash and Carry- cash and carry policy shattered the very meaning of isolationism. Even if the warring nations had to support themselves to and fro to gain supplies, and America was being paid in cash, it would only be the first chapter of America's impulse to intensify its actions with international intervention. The only exception for the cash and carry policy is that it supports the U.S. economy as it dived into the Great Depression.
U.S. aid to China- Yes, this is also defying the concept of isolationism, but since China is halfway across the world, and two countries alone in its imperialist conflict doesn't have much to intertwine with Europe and its pre-World War II tangling tummbleweed. It is more tolerable for the U.S. to sympathize with China. U.S. just wanted to help and in 1937 until today, China hasn't forgotten that. U.S. and China has always been good partners, aiding in imports, presumably since defending China and isolating it from Japan. It might anger Japan, who is tied to Germany and Italy, but one of Europe's treaties were weak without the United States, so these countries know and have learned during World War I that the U.S. is strong.
Lend-Lease Act- The Lend-Lease Act is so biased, it almost eliminates the idea of isolationism. First, the cash and carry policy is intervening with foreign nations, but the lend-lease act suggests that the U.S. could aid any nations involved in a war, casting the notion that the hopes for normalcy is lost as U.S. interests in warring nations surpass the former.
5.04 Holocaust
My name is Hannah Kaplan. My world, my life, and the very ground I stood on was almost flawless. If there were mistakes, it was only to drive perfection into my destiny. I was born in Poland to an extended family of affluent Jews. I myself am also one, as the cliche goes, "the apple does not fall far fro the tree." My family owned a business selling apparel of every kind and elegant sheets of fabric. Several friends of mine were loyal, as they saw my mother as their benefactress. Even the neighbors who disliked us would not dare to oppose us. But that was then; a long while back I was a seven-teen year old girl who was often lost in her books, skilled in strings, and enjoyed finding herself in a catch. What were others' grandeur delusion was my reality. Then that evening came. I was in the boutique founded by my grand parent, and while painting a gown that I intended to sew out of intrinsic motivation, I was aware ere the glass windows shattered. I ran to the corner of the room as my arms were scraped, to a corner where I cowered behind a line of coats. A chill ran through my spine and fear penetrated my mind. It was the moment when I felt as though my dignity had evaporated. Alas, I was soon discovered as my concealment served to be only temporary. One of what I recognized to be a Nazi took me by my arm and threw me in to the back of a truck covered in mud and dried blood. The attack came so harshly that I convinced myself that wherever I was being sent to, it wasn't going to be pleasant. It was then that I was told that I was going to be sent to a labor camp, which didn't sound anywhere near destinations I would otherwise eagerly look forward to, and not being fond of the Nazis, much less the truck I was thrown in, I found it difficult to believe that it was a labor camp that I was heading to. My mother, father, and other relatives were also in the truck. They all acted like they tolerate this acrid situation. I couldn't. I won't. As much as I wanted to speak my thoughts, none of my people did, so neither did I, lest we would get shot by the armed Nazis. After a while, I was led to a concentration camp. I think their discrimination has gone too far. My family members were separated into different groups. My life was spiraling down. The whole scenario was is amiss. I was thrown into a place where people surrounding me appeared half-dead and I wondered what will become of me. Indeed, escape was not an option because barbed wire encircled us. I haven't heard of my family ever since we were separated. I knew that I wanted to be idealistically slim, but being starved wasn't part of the plan. I counted the nights since arrival and after the fourteenth night, which turned to daylight, my camp was liberated. The Nazis were out of sight, and unfortunately, so was my family. Having studied English in school, I understood what the armed men were saying. We were given some bread and water, then told to go anywhere we could find refuge. Unquestionably, my imprisoned peers were frightened to leave the area, holding with them the possibility that the Nazis would find them again and they will be shot. I couldn't bear the stench of dead corpses right around my imprisonment about a mile away, so I occasionally inhaled when necessary and dashed across the field, looking to the sky, to avoid what remained of their untimely deaths. While hiding in a forest and surviving with berries, I thanked God for my liberation. I was soon founded by Eisenhower, and sent on a ship. Many months later, land come into sight. It was America. The War Industries Board initiated aiding me. I will strive to regain the social standing that I once lost. My world has changed in that I will never take the belongings I have for granted. I ought to patronize others no longer as i faced worse consequences following Hitler's theory.
5.06 War Ends
The United States and Allied forces had to use the bombs on Japan because they believed that it was the only way to end the war quickly. Many military leaders knew that fighting the Japanese would cost multiple lives, as evidenced by the 82-day battle of Okinawa when approximately 50,000 Allied troops were deceased or injured. Despite the fact that more than twice the Allied troops were Japanese and killed, they weren't prepared to surrender. Not even when Tokyo was attacked and engulfed in flames. The obvious way to victory was to further bomb Japan, thus saving effort and lives of Americans. This way meant that the Japanese weren't prepared to die nor fight, but unexpectedly lost their lives.
These bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was an absolute tragedy of the 1940s. Americans decided to save their own lives and the lives of their people, but destroying humanity on the other side of the world would contradict what they attempt. If the scenario was seen from the Pacific side, the Japanese would like to save their people, too. Even thought they were ready to fight to their deaths, they were ready to fight and die, not just die or suffer all of a sudden. Like General Dwight Eisenhower said, Japan was close to defeat, so it unnecessary. Admiral William Leahy, an adviser to both Roosevelt and Truman during World War II, said that bombing Japan with mass murder weapons would make Americans like the barbarians of the Dark Ages. Bombs should have not been dropped on these cities because in a way, it was like cheating; having your people saved and others die when some aren't even in battle. Even if the Americans fought the Japanese, which would be the alternative, the Japanese would have outnumbered in deaths.
The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not as necessary as President Truman thought. Americans should have believed the rumors of the Holocaust and rescued all the Jews, then gather all the Nazis that have tortured and still intend to, and have them bombed. The root of evil, once gone, shall prevent more sinister deeds to come. If that seems unjust, consider what America has done to Japan. We have done something of similar equivalency to what Hitler had done. Eisenhower was right in thinking about what the world would think of us. What would they think? To have innocent lives killed and many survivors dying from the radiation, their businesses destroyed like during Kristallnacht. This terror could have been prevented, if isolationism returned and some treaty was made to divide the Allied regions from Japan.
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