Animal Farm: A Fairy Story Influences the Kingdom of Gweeblets

George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel Animal Farm was originally subtitled “A Fairy Story,” leaving the reader baffled by its relevance to the content of the story. Initially, the story doesn’t resemble a fairy tale at all; the subtitle seems meaningless, perhaps even mismatched. How could Orwell possibly consider his story to be “A Fairy Story”?

                When the subtitle is pondered a little more, the relevance becomes evident. Orwell’s choice of words is very purposeful. Every fairy tale is written without conscience, and without morality. In the introduction to the book, C.M. Woodhouse compares Animal Farm to fairy tales. He says, “They take place in a world beyond good and evil, where people (or animals) suffer or prosper for reasons unconnected with ethical merit” (Woodhouse, pg. x). It is Orwell’s matter-of-fact story telling that makes Animal Farm a “Fairy Story.”

                Understanding this concept has shown me the importance of displaying the Gweeblet Kingdom in this same non-biased way. I want the reader to have negative feelings about the Kingdom without my personal opinions. This is not to say that I will not place my opinions in my story at all, but they will very subtle and tactfully placed, similarly to the mannerisms of Orwell. During the direct telling of the story (told from several changing perspectives) I plan on writing with the matter-of-factness in a fairy tale; there will be no conscience—no morality. There will be, however, the very opinionated, very moral pages of “The Book”, written from the perspective of Paine. This is where I will be able to speak my mind without subtlety. The voice of Paine in his pages is my way of direct communication with the reader. The contrast of the moral-free world with the opinionated pages of “The Book” should create a very interesting dystopian work.

                In addition to showing me the importance of writing in a voice that lacks morality, Animal Farm has provided me with a working example of a dystopian novel that substitutes humans for something else, while truly capturing and displaying the human spirit through it. This is the most essential piece to creating my story. My primary goal is to make the reader feel a genuine connection to the Gweeblet race in order to understand the moral lessons hidden within my story. The skillful substitution of animals for people in George Orwell’s Animal Farm is an inspiring example of this element used successfully in a dystopian novel.

For the Gweeblets (Rough Draft, Still Worth the Read)

Number 776: An Introduction
The market was congested; filled with hundreds and hundreds of Gweeblet faces. This was far from unusual on a work day. Unlike the outside world, a workweek in the Kingdom consisted of nine days. Eight days were strict work days, and the remaining was the universal day of rest.

Every male Gweeblet (otherwise known as a Gwent) had a job in the Kingdom. Work was mandatory for each Gwent. Those who didn’t work were expelled from the walls without hesitation. Each day, in the final hour of light, an enormous mass of Gwents gathered in the center of the market. It was at this time that each working Gwent collected their daily wages and bought food or other household items. This was the only market in the Kingdom that they could spend their salaries; as far as they were aware, it was the only one that existed.

There were four wooden stands in the center of the market that stood together and faced in different directions. It was at these stands that the Gwents desperately fought for their wages. They were ants; each fighting for a fraction of a tiny crumb. In all the commotion over the simple morsel of food, they lost sight of everything else. They were determined to have that crumb. For who knew if they could find another? Who knew if they would survive without it? They reduced themselves with questions like these; they stripped themselves down and remained with only the most primeval function of organic life-- survival. The remarkable thing about the Gweeblet race, the one thing that set it apart from any other creature on the planet, was its celestial capacity of reason. It, unlike any other species on its planet, was capable of eternal life. It could create, and grow beyond its work. It could absorb, retain, and expand through consciousness. It could sustain an idea from one unit to the next; it could nurture it, and in its growth-- improve upon it. Its purpose, above all else, was to progress. It would face obstacles, no doubt, it may stumble upon them, it may even stumble over them; but unlike any other creature, this can be said of the Gweeblets-- in spite of every obstacle that stood before it, the Gweeblet race would progress. Oblivious to the excess of food around them, the ants continued to fight for the crumb.

Number 776 stood in the outskirts of the crowd. Despite the presence of the dense mass that surrounded him, he was very noticeable due to his lavender robes which stood out against the blue jumpsuits like a beacon in the dark. The combination of his deviating attire and his frail figure and awkward poise made him the only describable character in a crowd of Gwents wearing blue. He was tall in comparison to the average Gwent. Being the youngest son of one of the few upper class families, his body was frail from the absence of manual labor. His limbs were long and protruded at the joints, lacking both muscle and tone. Even though his muscles were undoubtedly tender, Number 776’s large bone structure made him appear to be immovable, as if nothing could set him off balance. His face was slender and long like the rest of his body. His clean facial hair covered the majority of his head evenly except for behind his ears. Here, the fur grew thicker and longer and came out at two opposite points just slightly above his eye line. His eyes were like two dark sapphires, a very unusual color for a Gwent. Although he was not a member of the working class, Number 776 could be seen in this crowd nearly every day.

After a full day of work, the average worker was rewarded with two tin coins. The average meal for a small family was about five coins; most families needed several workers to provide for their food alone. Stealing in any form was strictly forbidden and would result in severe punishments. To steal from another family was unheard of.

The impatient crowd gathered around the stands demanding their wages as always. Each of the exhausted Gwents looked eerily similar. In fact, to society each of these Gweeblets were the same. They wore the same blue jumpsuits. They worked the same jobs, the same shifts, and were paid the same wages. The only thing that made one Gweeblet different from the next was the unique number they were assigned at birth.

As the bodies gathered around 776, he couldn’t help but look at the other numbers. Number 831 possessed a familiar face. Number 623 was brittle and old, far too old to be working sixteen hour days. Considering the numbers were assigned at birth, the purple robed Gwent determined that Number 779 had been born only weeks after him.

Number 776 hated the Numbers. He understood that assigning a number to a Gweeblet made him just that-- a number. The educated upper classman wanted to know personality. He wanted to feel more of a connection to each Gweeblet. He wanted more than just a number sewn onto a jumpsuit.

776 wished that the numbers could be meaningful. He often tried to interpret them as if he could gain some knowledge about the owner, but he knew the only information that he could possibly attain was an approximation of their age. To the King, these people were nothing but a number. They were of no value other than the work they provided. One number was as disposable, as interchangeable, as the rest.

Number 776 knew there was more to a Gweeblet than his number. He knew that each had personalities, dreams, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Each had an entire lifetime of stories that was personal to him alone, and this was far more valuable than any finite number. Every Gweeblet that stood in the market now, including him, had a name.
His name was Paine.

An Interview with Will Husted

For the rough draft of Will Husted's story (mentioned in the following interview) click here.

Q) In a few short sentences, can you describe the plot to your story?
A) A shepherd will search for the cause of his sheep disappearing while learning to cope with their deaths. His search for answers and his dreams will help him prevent the death of his sheep.
Q) What is the ultimate theme that your story is trying to teach?
A) My story is trying to teach that the spectrum of morality goes deeper than right or wrong; it is circumstantial and as broad as the spectrum of human emotions.
Q) Who is your protagonist? Describe.
A) My protagonist is John the Shepherd, and he is a man in his 20's who lives in the Great Plains, close to the Great North Sea.
Q) What is your protagonist's main goal?
A) Above all else, John will try to protect his herd of sheep.
Q) Does your protagonist have any secondary goals? If so, what are they?
A) In order to protect his herd, John wants to uncover the cause of his disappearing sheep.
Q) Who is your antagonist? Describe.
A) He is a wolf who lives somewhere on the Great Plains and eats the sheep for sustenance.
Q) What is the wolf’s ultimate goal?
A) Above all else, the wolf wants to survive. It must eat to survive, and finds opportunities to eat the defenseless sheep.
Q) How will the goals of the protagonist and the antagonist create conflict?
A) The Wolf's need for survival leads him to kill and consume one of John's sheep. John's need to protect his herd makes this unacceptable, and leads him to stop this from happening.
Q) How will this conflict resolve?
A) John will end up tracking the wolf, but instead of killing him when he finds him; he gives the Wolf meat and trains him to help him herd his sheep.
Q) What advantages will your protagonist have over your antagonist?
A) Human intelligence and human reason.
Q) What advantages will your antagonist have over your protagonist?
A) The wolf is clever and can physically overpower John. He also lacks moral guidelines effecting his decision making.
Q) Are any of your character's traits influenced by people in your life?
A) No, both of the characters of the story portray (symbolically) unrealistic views on the nature of moral decision making.
Q) Are any of your personal beliefs reflected in the story?
A) Yes, my beliefs on morality and the way that human's make decisions directly influence the story in every way.
Q) What age group is your story directed to?
A) Anyone who can read and analyze on even a small degree will be able to read and comprehend my story.
Q) How will the stories resolution teach the theme you are trying to convey?
A) John makes a compromise to his moral beliefs by adopting the wolf instead of killing him.
Q) What elements did you add to your story to make it interesting?
A) The element of viewing John's internal moral conflict using his dreams will grab the reader’s attention.
Q) What books influenced the creation of your story?
A) Aesop's Fables were the most major influence on my story.
Q) When your story ends, what emotions will your readers experience?
A) The reader will feel a strong sense of attachment to John's level-headed decision making abilities.
Q) Is there anything else worth mentioning in your story that hasn't been mentioned yet?
A) John is as dependent of his sheep as they are of him.

Introduction to Andrew: a Father, an Alcoholic, a Criminal Mastermind

Short Story Introduction

Andrew sat alone in the break room. The color scheme was nauseating. The walls were an insufferable shade of peach and everything else that occupied the space seemed to be painted the exact same shade of white. He loved this room when it was uninhabited by his co-workers, all of whom he resented for personalized reasons. His long legs were planted firmly on the beige tiles while his back arched forward in the chalk colored chair. Pointed elbows dug into the surface of the table and held his thin rawboned arms upright. He clutched an aluminum thermos between ten bony fingers. It contained his choice beverage-- Canadian whisky. He threw his head back and took a long swig, his Adam’s apple protruded outward. His eyes clenched shut as his muscles forced the syrupy drink down his throat. He trained his sight on the clock above the door and waited for his vision to restore. It was 4:14. In one minute Andrew would quit his job.
He could see his boss approaching through the window. As his frail hand neared the handle, Andrew choked down another sip of whisky. The door swung open inward, Mr. Harington stepped in. He moved past the employee, completely oblivious of his presence. Andrew struggled to find the courage he needed to speak to the private owner of Harrington Bank. He had an intimidating presence despite his small stature. The unsettling aura that surrounded him was a direct result of his over-confidence and pride. It was apparent to Andrew that he had never once been denied any of his desires. He was the beneficiary of the Harrington fortune. He had become greater than any of his successful ancestors. He was Harrington Bank.
The short man walked with a slightly noticeable limp, favoring his left leg. He nearly reached the door on the opposite side of the break room when Andrew rose from his chair. He opened his mouth for a moment but made no sound. His mouth had the sensation of dryness; the aftertaste of alcohol suddenly intensified in his throat. He wondered if the smell was evident in his breath.
“Mr. Harrington, I quit.”
The man stopped abruptly in his steps and turned to face his employee. He tried to mask his reaction to the pain he experienced as he shifted the weight to his bad hip. This momentary weakness could only be seen in his eyes, which briefly screamed with extraordinary discomfort.
“What was that?” He asked, challenging Andrew’s courage.
“I said, ‘I quit.’ My therapist says I need a change. Something big-- something drastic. He says if I never leave my comfort zone then I’ll continue down a destructive path.” He paused for a moment. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here.”
“You’re not leaving.”
Andrew looked down into the other man’s dark brown eyes. “I’m sorry, but I have to make a change. I quit.”
In the blink of an eye the short man lunged forward, grabbing the inebriated man by the tie. The frail hand clenched surprisingly tight and the soft knuckles drove forcefully into his collarbone. Andrew’s back was plastered into the peach wall. Harrington had brought his subordinate to eye level.
“You are not ‘quitting’, and let me tell you why. You are far too valuable of an employee to lose. Therefore, I refuse to let you leave. If you decide to never come back, I’ll personally see to it that you never find another goddamn job as long as you live. I promise you this.”
“But you can’t do that.” Andrew said, cowering behind thick rimmed spectacles.
“I can do whatever the hell I want you miserable piece of shit.” He extended a delicate finger toward his face. “You are mine. I own you. I own your mortgage. I pay your salary. I lease your car. I own every goddamn thing you own!” He tightened his grip on the tie, and gave the bony man one final assertive shove. “So if you honestly think that you can leave without my permission, you’re only deceiving yourself.” The frail hand released its tight grip. “Come on Andrew,” he smirked,”What would your wife th--”
Harrington was set off balance by a heavy blow to his nose. He stumbled backwards bringing the table with him on his descent to the hard floor. The thermos was catapulted into the air. It did several summersaults before clanging to the ground, spilling its contents on the beige tiles.

Common Sense Sparks a More Important Revolution

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is one of the most significant works of literature in history. This relatively short pamphlet was one of the greatest arguments for the independence of the American colonies from British control. It inspired a revolution over three hundred years ago in the East. Now it is about to inspire a revolution in the Gweeblet Kingdom.

In Common Sense, Paine explains the evil nature of monarchy in the simplest wording of the time period. He says that while society is a blessing, government is a necessary evil. In an absolute monarchy, the thirst for absolute power is a natural disease. The most natural form of government is one that is entirely under the control of the people. Paine says, “However prejudice may warp our wills, the simple voice of reason will say it is right.”

Paine provided a strong argument for democracy, and pointed out the flaws of the British government. He also provided a structure for a successful representative democracy with a system of checks and balances to prevent any one person from having too much control.

In For the Gweeblets, my tale of a dystopian society set in the middle ages, a man (ironically named Paine) will create a book similar to Common Sense. He will reveal the evils of the omnipotent King, but at the price of his life. During his execution, a small child will recover the book, unaware of its treasonous contents.

The King, who has already proven ruthless and efficient, will stop at nothing to recover the novel and destroy it. As the book is passed amongst members of the community, the perspective will change, and the story will be told from their point of view. As the book is passed along, the knowledge within will spread like an infection, infuriating the King of the Gweeblets. His actions become frantic and irrational, strengthening the desire for independence. Even the growing demand for independence is not enough to defeat the mighty King and the brainwashed society. Soldiers will be on high alert. Spies will infiltrate into the highest ranks of the revolution. Punishment will become a daily occurrence.

Although resistance seems futile, there is a small sliver of hope that lies within the power of the written word. Perhaps one book can change history.

Week 6 Comments

To Ms. Kennett:
I like your plan to have the hermit return home and realize it is what she has been searching for the whole time. I think this will send a great message to the children. In the story, are you planning on referencing the other novels you mentioned, or are you going to make allusions to them without a direct reference?

To Chris:
It seems you have planned your story very well so far Chris. I look forward to reading the final version. The Librarium seems to be a lot like the government in 1984. I definitely recommend 1984 to you for more research, as the Wings of Justice serves a very similar function to the Thought Police.

To Tucker:
I liked the video you linked to the post. I also thought your comparison between the Garden and a house of worship was awesome. You did a great job of showing how passionate you are for our team. Good post Tucker!

To Tyler:
I know the cause for all this anger you have built up. Cam Thissel and I have constructed a voodoo doll with locks of your hair. Every Tuesday, during our study, we insert a needle into the anger part of your voodoo doll head. By the properties of science, you get angrier every week. In all seriousness though, I can relate with you. The stress that seniors accumulate is crazy. You should see me when I'm driving, I get furious if someone goes any less than five over the speed limit. So most of my anger is directed to elders that probably don't deserve it.

To I agree that music is simply awesome. I enjoy almost all types of music with few exceptions. (country being the only type I can't stand)I think that even today's music has a lot to teach and inspire, but sometimes it is more difficult to find under the image that most artists hide behind. Being a musician, I really enjoy hearing that people appreciate the art and can relate to music. I also liked that one song was able to change your entire life. That is the kind of effect that I love seeing come out of music.

Responses:
My kingdom is going to be low-tech, even before the printing press. I plan on having one copy of a book known as "The Truth" being passed among the major characters of the story. Perhaps the greatest victory in the story will be creating more copies of "The Truth" and spreading its influence. The King will ruthlessly pursue this book to prevent an uprising. I think instead of technology, I am going to use elements of magic to control the citizens.

Oh yes Tucker, there will be exile...

Land of the Gweeblets: Prologue

No one is aware of the date in the Kingdom. The Great King has ruled for somewhere between forty five and fifty years. His father, King Gwenitine VII, reigned over the Gweeblets before him. Before VII, came VI, then V, and so on. No one can remember a time when they weren’t under the control of the Gwenitine family. All knowledge of the past was destroyed as far back as Gwenitine III. The original language of the Gweeblets, an elegant and descriptive dialect, was replaced with the Gwentinese under the rule of IV.
The Gwentinese language is very basic. It was created for the sake of communicating ideas in their simplest form: most thoughts are single words. There are no descriptive words. From a young age, the Gweeblets are taught only to serve the King. They have been programmed to fear the world outside of the Kingdom beyond rationality.
Each member of society serves one specific function and nothing more. They wear color coordinated jumpsuits that represent this function. Each Gweeblet is given a number at birth that will represent them for the rest of their lives. Although they may respond to names given by their parents, these names will mean nothing to the government. The number is each Gweeblets’ official name. This number will be significant in many ways, but it is most important in the raffle. This raffle enlists young Gweeblets into the King’s personal army, selects annual Birthgivers, and “rewards” a few lucky families each year.
Every Gweeblet serves a specific purpose, but each purpose serves a common goal; to benefit the King. Men are workers. They provide the labor in exchange for Duplings, the only currency in the Kingdom. The only place that accepts Duplings is the market. All the profits from the market go directly to the King. Therefore, the King gains from both the labor and the spending of pay. Women are Birthgivers. They have children when they are told to. After the child is born, the King chooses the fate of the child. He may allow the family to raise the child, a great privilege, or he may sell them to a far off kingdom.
Starvation is a huge problem in the Kingdom, as the King sells the majority of the food to the outside world. He pays workers too little to afford the overpriced market food. Thievery is strictly prohibited, resulting in immediate exile to the outside world. This is the average Gweeblet’s greatest fear. The King has numerous ways of watching for crime, and his punishments are extremely strict. No Gweeblet has ever gone unpunished for a misdemeanor. Perhaps none will.

Week 5 Comments

Responses:
To Will: Yeah Will that would be awesome and yes I jam with the entire band every day at school. I will turn to my right and talk to you about it.

To Tucker: I totally agree with you Tucker I think when you are passionate about something and practice a lot, it is the best feeling in the world to do it for real. All the practice pays off for those moments.

Kailey: I'm not really sure how exactly I was inspired, I just have been doing it for years and have just loved doing it the entire time.
Mr. Stanton: Thank you for your input I wil definitely consider that when I send this to colleges.

Comments:
To Chris: I really liked your belief about looking past the rough edges in people. Overall, you did a good job writing and reading. I definitely feel sympathy for your uncle and I agree that no one should have to go through what he does. You did a good job of making the reader feel sympathetic. Great post!

To Nate:That was very moving Nate. You did a very good job expressing the feelings you felt during that difficult period in your life. You also read at a very good pace and recorded your voice flawlessly. Great job!

To Cody: Cody, that was a great post. You did an excellent job describing the scene of you as a child in tears. You also showed how strongly you care about earning your education. I think colleges will really look for this in a student. Were you punished for cheating, or was getting caught enough punishment in itself?

To Chandler: You did a great job reading and writing this. I wouldn't change a thing. I'm so sorry for what you have had to endure, but I am glad that you have been able to learn from these experiences and become a better person in spite of them. I liked the way you ended each paragraph in a way that made the reader want to keep reading. Awesome job!

To Tucker: I agree this post is like woaaah. I completely agree with you that exercise is very important to success. As a musician, I know that routine and practice are things that can improve your technique and skill. This goes for all sports, hobbies, and activities. I liked that you mentioned many successful figures and their daily workout routines to show the importance of working out. This was a very well written essay, but I think you could have done a better job recording it. I ended up having to record mine a few times. Practice makes perfect, right?

1984 Influences the Gweeblet Kingdom

In the George Orwell’s chilling novel 1984, he shows the overwhelming power of a socialist government. Big Brother watches over the streets observing all his citizens. Anyone who holds any resentment toward the government is certain to vanish without a trace. Any knowledge of their existence is annihilated with them. The government forces the people to live in ignorance. They have no knowledge of the past, but are certain that it was worse than the present. The language is eliminated and replaced with a much simpler one. Everyone loves Big Brother. Anyone who doesn’t is a threat to peace. Perhaps the most terrifying thing of all is the danger of the Thought Police, who can read the minds of anyone suspected of thoughtcrime.
This novel has given me several great ideas about the government I am creating in my children’s story For the Gweeblets. I wanted to create a dystopian government similar to what I had heard about this book. Unfortunately, I had not actually read it. When 1984 became my reading assignment, I was excited to finally read it. The book has already inspired my government in several different ways. I want the Gweeblets to be ignorant of the rest of the world. They know nothing about the outside world. In fact, they fear it. The government will threaten to exile anyone who desires to commit treason. This will be the greatest of fears for any of the Gweeblets.
The Gweeblet Kingdom will be ruled by a king. This is not going to be fascism or a monarchy. It will be a socialist government just like in Orwell’s novel. The king will simply be a representation of this government, just like Big Brother. Overall the people will be happy even though they are starving. They will all work and have responsibilities, but only the king receive the rewards. The people will be paid with a currency that can only be used at stores owned by the king. Similar situations really occurred during the industrial ages, but my make-believe kingdom is going to take place during the middle ages.
Similarly to 1984, my Kingdom is going to have the same theme “Big Brother is watching.” The king will have many ways of discovering treason in his kingdom, and the consequences will be dire. (Not too dire as this is a children’s book)
I am unsure of the fate for my main family right now. I may have them lead an uprising, or they may learn there is no way to face the government. The people may realize the evils of their government and resist, or perhaps they will remain ignorant. Right now, I will not decide.

I Believe Life is An Improvised Solo

            This is the moment I live for. It is my purpose. It is the single reason why blood flows through my veins. In this moment, everything feels right. When I am assembled with a group of talented musicians I know my purpose. We all feel this sense of belonging, and together, we share it. We have become a single expression united by a rhythm and harmony.

            Our feet rise and fall in perfect unison. One indistinctive tap is only slightly audible underneath the musical blend of instruments. For each of us, these instruments have become an extension of our very souls. We have crafted our skills to express our personalities and channel them into an audible form. Without a word, we experience every event, every examination, and every emotion of our lives together. We build off of one another’s feel. This is the creation of music.

            I am seated in a circle with the rest of the musicians. My hand repositions itself along the neck of my guitar with grace. Experienced fingers move sensually along the fret board, finding precise notes with ease. Every part of me has become focused. My ears process the music, and my mind reacts. Playing the instrument is natural. It is effortless. Simply feeling, reading, and reacting. The saxophone begins to solo. I pay careful attention to everything else, following the form of the song exactly. The sax speaks in phrases. He tells a story, and the rest of us accompany him. My eyes meet the eyes of the soloist. Holding out a long note, he slightly nods his head toward me.

            “It’s your turn next.” He’s telling me. “Play your heart out.” I wait for him to reach the end of the progression. As soon as we reach the top of the form, I will begin to tell the story where he left off; in my own wording. He begins his last phrase. I breathe in deeply as the soloist exhales one last powerful note.

            All skillfully crafted instrumental solos follow a few key guidelines in order to leave a lasting impact. They must have an apparent rhythm. They must have some sense of direction. And the notes must have a sense of purpose. Without these things, a musician cannot possibly create a solo with a significant effect on anyone.

            I believe life is an improvised solo. I can either give an amateur performance, or I can try with everything I’ve got to create something spectacular. Personally, I want to influence the world. If my life is a performance, the people I meet will be my audience. When my solo is finally over, I want it to have a lasting impact on my observers.

           The saxophone sings its’ final note. My foot is rising and falling to the rhythm. Now it’s my turn to solo. I know the direction I want to go and strike my first note. It resonates with purpose.

Comments Week 3

Responses:
No, actually he says some thing along the lines of, "War is like a new boss that demands three times the work and doesn't bother to thank you for your efforts."

I think that it is similar to America, but we definitely are not as much nationalistic as Nazi Germany. 

Comments:

To Nate Carter
I like how you used Liesel and Hans as two of the main points of morality. It is true that what they do throughout the book can be viewed as immoral, but I like how you say they are justified. I think you could have mentioned the Nazis a little more, as they are pretty much the most immoral thing in the book. For the most part, you raised good points and were able to support them with evidence from the book. Good post!
To Cody Davey
Right at the beginning I liked the quote from Winston Churchill. It grabbed my attention and was very relevant considering he was a very influential figure at the time. I really liked how you raised the point that people twist their morals to fit their lifestyles. One thing I disagree with is that you said the people only felt justified in killing during combat, but what about the mass murder of Jews? I think you could have mentioned that a little more to clarify. 
To Mariah McKenna
I really liked the points you raised with the three major characters, especially what you said about Hans. He was very compassionate and selfless throughout the book. You also had good supporting evidence from the book. One thing you could have improved was your conclusion.
To Daniel Justice
I liked the questions that you raised at the beginning, you could easily relate them to things that occurred in the novel. I also like what you said about being willing to die for your country. I think that a lot of people say they would die for their country, but sometimes I wonder if they really would when put in the situation. I like to think that I would, but if the situation presented itself I think I might not have the courage. You raised good points and provided evidence to support it. Good post
To Chris Cummings
I thought this post was excellent Chris. You never got sidetracked and you kept to the form of a persuasive essay. You had a good introduction and a strong conclusion. Also you provided good quotes and were able to provide support for each example. I also like how you chose a book that was very different from the social norm just like Antigone. Other than a few grammatical errors, I thought this post was great. Good job Chris

Comments Week 2

Responses:

No, I think usually when someone doesn't take pride in their actions it is because they were not acting in accordance with their moral compass. I think you should take pride in any decision you make that is based on your moral compass.

Yes Chris, I think we do take for granted the importance of our freedom to express ourselves. This is why two of my compass points are freedom and America, two things that I really cherish. 

That's true although there are many things in modern America that I disagree with, I love what this country stands for and the beliefs it was founded on.

I didn't answer the question mainly because I feel its one of those morality questions that really makes the reader think. In that situation I would like to think that I would choose the selfless option but until I'm actually in the situation I'm not really sure what I would do 

Comments:
To Tucker Wheaton
I like how you tied religion into this and actually used the Bible as a source. In this subject, it is a very good source that points out morality and even shows that even during the writing of the Old and New Testaments, morals have remained the guidelines by which people live. One thing you could write about is how the morals of modern society have changed in some ways.
To Cody Davey
I liked about what you said about the importance of loyalty. I agree that it is a very desirable trait, especially in friendships. I agree with Grant that you maybe should have expanded on that trait. I like how passionately you described baseball, it reminds me of my love for music and the dedication it takes to become skillful in your hobby. Good post
To Nate Fuller
I was able to relate with you when you talked about your passion for music, because we both really share that same passion. You talked about not being able to get into a good college because you believe you aren’t a skilled enough musician. This really sparked my interest because sometimes I feel the exact same way. Then I really start to think about the amount of progress I’ve made in a short time and realize I’m just being hard on myself. I think this may be the case for you because I think you are a talented musician. Anyway, this was a very good post and I could relate to it.

The Book Thief: Death’s Interest in Contradiction

Markus Susak, author of The Book Thief constantly played with light and dark imagery told from the perspective of Death himself. The supernatural narrator witnesses many contradictions. A Jew escapes the Nazi’s powerful clutches carrying only a copy of Mien Kampf, Hitler’s autobiography. A father and son look nearly identical, yet have political views that are exact opposites. Of all the juxtapositions in the novel, none were as black and white as the theme of morality. Although in the book this topic can be seen in many different examples, it is most prominent between good and evil, and right and wrong.

            In all great stories, there must be conflict. There must be some point at which one side must face opposition and struggle to overcome. This is what makes an interesting plot. In the case of The Book Thief, and often in many other novels, this conflict is between good and evil. The evil in this was possibly the most hateful force in recorded history, the Nazi Party. Under Hitler’s rule, the German people were brainwashed with fear and nationalism. This resulted in the Holocaust, one of the most evil acts in human history. So how did this happen?

            Death narrates the common practices of German culture at the time and shows in detail how the majority of the people convinced themselves to support such evil. One thing that led people to Nazism was fear. Propaganda created the widespread fear that the Jew was trying to take money, jobs, and ultimately rule Germany. This created a boogeyman that the people would soon try to eliminate. There was also the fear of consequences for non-conformity. Hans Hubermann is ostracized from the community for painting over hateful graffiti on the door of a Jewish shop. The vandalism reappears in less than a day, showing the omnipresent hatred in Germany. Even though some people, like the Hubermann family believed the Nazis were wrong, they were powerless to stop them. Another thing that united the people together was German nationalism. From a young age, children were taught to be proud of being German and that all other races were inferior. This extreme pride and racism made it the moral standard for the German people to defend their race at all costs. When something was announced a threat to the country, it was their moral duty to eliminate it.

            Sometimes morality may not be simply black and white, but Death definitely believes that there are boundaries. He knows the Germans have stepped over the line by systematically murdering millions of people. He does not enjoy taking souls, and describes the process of taking life with the use of only dark imagery. He is interested in contradictions, which is why he takes such an interest in the Hubermann family. They are a small beacon of hope in a seemingly hopeless nation.

Moral Compass: Defining Individuality

            You find yourself in a situation that presents only two options. The first option will greatly benefit you at the expense of a stranger’s happiness. The second option will benefit the stranger, but will provide you with no physical reward. This opportunity will never present itself again. Which would you choose?

Nearly every time that you are presented with two or more options, a decision must be made. In every conscious decision an individual processes the outcomes and then acts accordingly. Each person is different in their thinking, yet the process by which everyone ultimately comes to a decision under these circumstances is very similar. First, the individual must encounter a situation that provides two or more options. This occurs countless times on a daily basis, though the gravity of each situation certainly varies. Then, the outcomes of each known option are weighed and compared with one another. After this is done, an intentional choice is made depending on what outcome the individual prefers.

Try to envision being placed in the situation described above. Would you choose to benefit yourself or a total stranger? The answer will vary from person to person, simply because everyone has different guiding factors that influence their decision making. Like a moral compass, these deciding factors are what point us in a direction when we are given choices. These points can be anything; family, survival, music, religion, happiness, or anything else. The list is limitless. Some may wish to benefit themselves above others, while some may focus on being selfless toward everyone, or perhaps only a select few. If everyone follows their own true North, they will all travel along different paths. This is individuality.

The influencing factors in my life are the guidelines for each decision I have made or will ever make in my entire life. These so-called “points” to my moral compass are ultimately everything that makes me the person I am. When I am reduced to my simplest form, in its most basic entirety, I am motivated by only a few things. In no particular order, these are love, happiness, values, education, music, survival, freedom, family, friendship, and America.

As an individual, my moral compass differs from yours. This does not make you wrong. It does not make me right. I personally believe that you should take pride in what makes you unique and celebrate individuality. So I implore you to follow the advice of a very clichéd idiom. “March to the beat of your own drum.”