quarter One Reflection

In this class, I feel I did pretty well. My first paper was a bit shaky because I was just getting back into the routine of school. In this class I feel I have learned alot about writing overall. Enriched English has really pushed me to write stronger thesis statements because coming into this year, I really felt I was lacking in that area. One thing I learned was how to analyze photographs. I never thought aobut how much thought is put into creating a single photo or movie scene. Some techniques I learned were medium, long and close shots, which can really create different feelings from the photo. I feel that, again, writing a good thesis statement is something I have somewhat imporvied on but I feel that I still need to work on it to be a good writer. Something I'm struggling with is organizing my ideas when writing a paper. I know what I want to say but putting it into words is more difficult. I think my class environment is pretty good. I feel I learn as well as enjoy the class and my classmates really help me because they have really good ideas. I feel like I can share more of my thoughts to the class which in turn will benefit me and my classmates. I really struggle with this aspect becasuse I tend to be shy around new people, but now that I've gotten to know everyone more I hope I will learn to speak up. My goal for quarter two is to get a decent grade on the big research project coming up. I'm happy with my grade in this class so hopefully I can keep it there.

outside reading post 5

the novel a thousand splendid suns , like in many pieces of literature, the themes of stuggle and conflict are presented throughout the story. Towards the end of the Book, Rasheed, has now married Laila, because she thinks her love, Tariq is dead. Mariam is greatful to have another person to talk to, but Rasheed doesn't treat either of them well. He frequently beats them both and criticizes them constantly. And in this time periode woman had barly any rights. They were basically proporty of their husband. They were not allowed to have any contact at all with the opposite gender. In public, they had to wear veils so no other man could look at them . Rasheed was very stricked about these policies, so when Tariq shows up at Laila's door, Rasheed does not take that too well. After hearing that Laila talked with Tariq, he starts brutally beating her. Laila is near death, when Mariam steps in and hits rasheed over the head with a shovel, and kills him. In this time periode, even diobeying your husband is unheard of, so killing him is beyond belife. Mariam went against the rules of society to save both her and Laila's life. And although Rasheed had never suffered any consiquences for beating his wives, becasue of this societies unjust rules and beliefs, Mariam will suffer execution for merly defending herself and Laila.
This novel I feel is similar the the film we watched in class called, On the Waterfront. In this film, the main character Terry goes against societies better judgment and stands up to the mob of his community, Just like Maiam stood up the beating of her husband. They both followed their own instincts instead of those of their society, and although they both sufferred major consiquenses, they also both saved lives as well.