East of Eden pt.1

John Steinbeck's East of Eden vividly describes (in its first 25 pages) the major setting of the novel, which is the Salinas Valley in Northern California. He also introduces us to the two major families in the story: the Hamiltons and the Trasks. Samuel Hamilton is an Irish immigrant coming to the United States with his wife Liza. Both are educated and hard-working people, and their lives are eventually entwined with the Trasks, particularly Adam Trask. Adam comes from a strict, orderly military family, and his father, Cyrus, takes great pride in that. However, when Adam's mother drowns herself in a puddle, Cyrus gets re-married and Adam gets a new brother: Charles. As both boys age, their relationship because very cometitive and tense, resulting in the separation of the brothers (Adam is enlisted in the army and Charles remains at the farm).

Question: Does sibling rivalry happen as a result of how the children are raised or is it a mental issue?

Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God

Jonathan Edwards' sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God", complains on the sinful and destructive nature of human beings, speaks out about the the wrath and anger of God, and explains our opportunity to change ways and turn towards God. Edwards warns about the sinful weight we carry and how the earth loathes having to carry us. He describes God holding us in his hand like a spider over the fire, and that it is by the sheer mercy of God that we have not fallen into hell.
This sermon was one of the most enjoyable texts I have ever read, because I believe every word it says. I also enjoyed the imagery created by Edwards and the metaphors involved.
The argument made by the writer is that mankind can depart from their evil ways and turn to God.

Question: Does the way religion influence a person differ as locations (city, ctate, country) differ?

Gonzalez and Daughter Trucking Co.

Gonzalez & Daughter Trucking Co., written by Maria Amparo Escandon, expresses the journey faced by a woman in search for individuality and the hardships that sometimes come with belonging to two cultures. The novel describes Libertad Gonzalez, a prisoner in Mexico, as she creates a weekly Library Club and reads to her fellow inmates. Instead of reading books from the lirary, she ends up telling the story of her life on the road with her father, the situations she faced as she grew older and the encounter with one man that made her rebel against him. Escandon writes about the independence that individuals begin to feel as they approach maturity.
This novel was enjoyable because it connected with me as a Mexican-American girl, and the plot, characters and situations were great as well.

Question: Is a person's decision to rebel influenced by the people around them or is it an inward desire?

I Can't Believe its not American Butter

The second chunk of T.R. Reid's "The United States of Europe" continues informing its readers on the fast and powerful rise of the European Nation. The part of this chunk that got my attention the most was the chapter that talks about how many of our "American" brands are actually owned by European businesses. European ownerships range from comsumer products and retailing to transportation and heavy manufacturing. Reid continues on to list some of the brands that are owned by European companies: DKNY, Hawaiian Punch, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, LA Dodgers, Welch's Grape Juice, and many other companies. The author uses a direct and informative tone, while being humorous at the same time, and his writing style is literal yet picturesque.

Simile- "In essence, the U.S. economy is like an addict that needs a sizeable fix every day." (Pg. 122)

Repetition- "The grand old palaces, the stunning new architecture in the big cities, the rolling rural downland, the lush green parks, the cheery village pubs, the charming street markets, the sweet voices of the boy choirs in the majestic cathedrals, the roomy black cabs, the red double-decker buses..."( Pg. 144)

Clarification: How could European ownership of "American" brands create tension between both world empires, and how could that affect our relations with them?

The Butt of Every Joke

The first section of my book, T.R. Reid's "The United States of Europe," informs readers on the attitude of the Europeans toward us and the views they hold about us. It also explains how the Europe has decied to come together and how they've worked hard for decades to become not more powerful than the U.S., but equal to it, so that there is some balance in the level of power. The author's tone is a bit amused, but serious, and a bit offended, and his writing style is concrete.
Repetition- "The Italians make fun of our pizza. The Norwegians make fun of american sports. The English make fun of American accents. The French make fun of Americans' French.." It emphasizes the many views and jokes Europe has about America.
Anecdotes-"The Lardburgers were going at it again. "Ah got no gas in mah SUV," Stacey Lerdburger screamed at her husband, "And you spent all our money buyin' ammo for your stoooo-pid rifles. So how'mah goin' to git to the welfare office? Will you tell me that?". It is used in order to explain the image that comes to British minds when they think of Americans.

Application- How might European views of America affect our interactions with them in the future?

The One Environmental Issue

In the New York Times article The One Environmental Issue, the author discusses the critical issue of global warming and the fact that it is mostly the Democratic candidates who are taking those issues into their own hands by creating methods of transforming the way America uses and produces energy. The [unknown] author also goes on to state how the Republicans haven't gone much far with this issue, with the exception of John McCain. More than half of the state senators are now reaching agreements to lower greenhouse gases. Democratic candidates are also stating that they will "seek global accord" in order to reduce emission, and some are even willing to join with big emitters like China, early on in their administrations. The author uses a direct tone to emphasize how much we need a candidate who is willing to give honest accounts on the issue.

Questions
Clarification- Has the issue of global warming been taken into consideration more because of the presidential elections?
Application- If the issue of Global Warming was ignored, how would we be affected (as a nation)?

L.A.'s Low Homicide Rate

LA Times' Editorial entitled L.A.'s Low Homicide Rate explains how LA's homicide rate has decreased substantially and how they have the lowest homicide rate since 1970. Perhaps the biggest reason for this decrease, the (unknown) author states, is the police's effort to catch street gangs. Another reason for the drop in homicide rates is that rising home prices have brought in wealthier people, causing gang members to move to cities like San Bernardino or even other states. However, even with these good news, the battle with gangs-the main cause of killings in Los Angeles- is far from over. Even though the rate might still be a little high, with more solutions being created in order to keep that rate from increasing, its possible that in the near future, our homicide rate will be even lower and our streets safer.

Tone- optimistic, cautious, direct

Clarification- Why have homicide rates increased in cities like San Bernardino or the Bay Areas?
Applcation- Is it possible for one problem to arise as a result of solving another (like gangs)?