In her first story, daughter talks about how Suyuan, the mother told her first stories about living in Kweilin and how great it was. There was the Joy Luck Club that was started by her. Suyuan talked about how she was happy playing mahjong and winning. Then, the story was then spoken as the truth and Suyuan told her how bad it was living there and how they have moved to America to escape death.
I think that the mother changed the story every time because the daughter is beginning to grow up. The mother wants to explain the suffering that she had to go through when she was in her home country. Ther daughter is growing up and the mother could think that she could take it. I think the purpose is because when the daughter was young, it should have been more on fairytales that reality. This is because the truth sometimes scars the children for life since they have not yet felt such a pain in their life yet. It allows time for the child to develop until he or she could finally understand the full meaning of the story.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Response to Why Chinese Mothers are Superior by Amy Chua
Here is a paragraph from the article "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior" by Amy Chua:
After reading the article, I think that the children should respect the time that their parents put in to teach them or be with them. Children should not argue and just go with the flow but based on my personal experience, they are mostly stubborn and don't really care for it. Nevertheless, they do enjoy recieving rewards that raises their self-esteem. I think that children should owe their success to their parents. They should thank them for giving up most of their time to make them who they are when they grow up.
Although my Chinese parents treat me rather differently compared to Amy Chua, they still donate their time to help me.
"There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests. For their part, many Chinese secretly believe that they care more about their children and are willing to sacrifice much more for them than Westerners, who seem perfectly content to let their children turn out badly. I think it's a misunderstanding on both sides. All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that." - Amy ChuaAfter reading the article, I think that parents owe time and money for their children. I believe that parents need to donate time from their time and lives to motivate their children. It doesn't have to be in just studies though it tends to be favored by Chinese parents. It could be in sports or extracurricular activities. I think that the parents shouldn't give up on their children just because they say no or fuss around being stubborn. I believe that the parents should perservere and use any means necessary to make consequences if parents encounter difficulties.
After reading the article, I think that the children should respect the time that their parents put in to teach them or be with them. Children should not argue and just go with the flow but based on my personal experience, they are mostly stubborn and don't really care for it. Nevertheless, they do enjoy recieving rewards that raises their self-esteem. I think that children should owe their success to their parents. They should thank them for giving up most of their time to make them who they are when they grow up.
Although my Chinese parents treat me rather differently compared to Amy Chua, they still donate their time to help me.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Current Egypt in Condition Similar to Animal Farm.
Currently, Egypt has now been free from Mubarak for about five days now. The military declares that it is only "temporarily" holding office until the next election. The plan is to establish a democratic government that is controlled by the people. --- Egypt Daily News
Even though Mubarak has gone away, it is only the beginning of the new Egypt. There is a long way before the government becomes perfect. Currently, Egypt could go both ways. It can become what it was like before, a dictatorship or it can become democratic, where all citizens rule the government. There was also the rebellion of Honduras but the nation became Communist. The current setting is similar to the beginning what had happened to the government system in Animal Farm, a novel written by George Orwell. In his book, he tells a story where the animals over throw Mr. Jones or the tyrant. They are successful and establish a government system where animals are treated equally. Unfortunately, that doesn't last. The ways that the current setting in Egypt and/ or other countries is similar to Animal Farm is that it began with social gathering, ending in failure, and organization for future protests/ outbreaks.
One connection is that social gathering was involved in the rebellions for both Animal Farm, Egypt, and Tunisia. In Animal Farm, the animals gathered in a meeting in the barn and discussed how the future would be like after the rebellion. They also discussed about how the rebellion would work out. In Egypt and Tunisia, people went on Twitter and Facebook to organize protests against their Tyrant.
Another connection is that the government becomes corrupt in Animal Farm and in the Honduran government. In Animal Farm, it was a democracy when Snowball was still there but it had become a dictatorship after Napoleon took over when Napoleon drove Snowball out of the farm with the use of dogs in an election. In Honduras, a few political leaders decided to make the nation communist and succeed after the revolution.
As the last one, other countries were preparing for uprising like Animal Farm. In Animal Farm, the farmers began to prepare themselves after they learned that the animals had rebelled Mr. Jones out of the farm. Currently, nearby countries such as Iran are preparing to defend themselves from protests.
Even though Mubarak has gone away, it is only the beginning of the new Egypt. There is a long way before the government becomes perfect. Currently, Egypt could go both ways. It can become what it was like before, a dictatorship or it can become democratic, where all citizens rule the government. There was also the rebellion of Honduras but the nation became Communist. The current setting is similar to the beginning what had happened to the government system in Animal Farm, a novel written by George Orwell. In his book, he tells a story where the animals over throw Mr. Jones or the tyrant. They are successful and establish a government system where animals are treated equally. Unfortunately, that doesn't last. The ways that the current setting in Egypt and/ or other countries is similar to Animal Farm is that it began with social gathering, ending in failure, and organization for future protests/ outbreaks.
One connection is that social gathering was involved in the rebellions for both Animal Farm, Egypt, and Tunisia. In Animal Farm, the animals gathered in a meeting in the barn and discussed how the future would be like after the rebellion. They also discussed about how the rebellion would work out. In Egypt and Tunisia, people went on Twitter and Facebook to organize protests against their Tyrant.
Another connection is that the government becomes corrupt in Animal Farm and in the Honduran government. In Animal Farm, it was a democracy when Snowball was still there but it had become a dictatorship after Napoleon took over when Napoleon drove Snowball out of the farm with the use of dogs in an election. In Honduras, a few political leaders decided to make the nation communist and succeed after the revolution.
As the last one, other countries were preparing for uprising like Animal Farm. In Animal Farm, the farmers began to prepare themselves after they learned that the animals had rebelled Mr. Jones out of the farm. Currently, nearby countries such as Iran are preparing to defend themselves from protests.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Chapter 11 of Animal Farm
As the years progressed, the animals had only looked older. The only exception would be Clover who had the same fate of Boxer. Moses had never returned to the farm again for he was to never speak of Sugarcandy Mountain. Benjamin was the only animal that was able to read and write besides the pigs. He remembered the details of his life, especially how his best friends Boxer and Clover, had died. From the point where Clover was sent to be slaughtered, Benjamin had changed significantly.
The animals continued to work under the hard labor and the poor rations that Napoleon had placed upon them. When one of the animals were working poorly, the animal would be whipped, killed, or taken off their rations. As a result, no animal ever complained for they did not wish to die or to be tortured.
After the workday -- which was now every day of the week as announced by Napoleon -- Benjamin had returned tired with a few streaks of blood from his back. He arrived at his stall and sat quietly. The other animals quietly entered the barn staggering across the hallway looking for a place to rest. Dogs followed, growling every time the animals steered away from the line. The animals settled down quickly and the dogs locked the barn door when they checked that all the lower animals were inside.
All was silent until one of the ducklings whispered out, “Are they gone yet?” The crowd of animals stayed still and listened for any steps or noises.
“Comrades, do not worry, we may resume with our meetings,” Benjamin replied. With these words, a sigh of relief had come upon the animals. “I understand your pains. Your pains are my pains. Even I too am suffering. There will be a time when we will take down our tyrant. Our dream of equality will come true and our hard work will be worth while. A long time ago… ”
“But when will that time be?” one of the hens interrupted. The animals murmured in agreement.
“Do not worry comrades, we will know when the time is right. A long time ago, an honorable boar once said that there would be a day where all animals would be equal. A time where no animals can tell another animal what to do. On that day, we will fight to achieve his dream.” The animals were confused and curious. “Do not worry about that matter. I will tell you when the time is right. For now, continue to work even though it is of great pain. But with each day, work a little less. Now comrades, sleep and rest for tomorrow is a new day.” The crowd of animals hummed the Beasts of England and went to sleep silently.
The following day, the unlocking of the doors alerted the animals to jump up from their bed. The dogs marched inward surrounding the new pig who had replaced Squealer. Squealer gave them their orders to what to do and gave the animals their daily rations. The meal never filled up any of the animals but they didn‘t complain. The animals quickly finished their meal and headed outside to work.
Weeks passed and Benjamin continued to make the same inspiring statement in each meeting. The animals continued working a little less everyday just like what Benjamin had told them to do. Nevertheless, the dogs and the pigs did not notice the change in their work except for Napoleon. He noticed that there was not enough food produced but the pigs supervising the animals believed that it was because of the insects and the drought this year. Nevertheless, Napoleon continued to suspect that this was the animal’s plan to sabotage Manor Farm.
After the workday was over, the animals returned to the barn. The black cockerel crowed and Napoleon entered into the barn guarded by three dogs. The animals stood still as the upper animals passed by. Napoleon announced to the lower animals, “Starting tomorrow, there shall be dogs guard at the barn door overnight. It seems that there has been a threat in this farm and someone has been stealing our food. Any animal caught in the farm stealing will be executed immediately.” The speech ended with the sheep’s bleating of
“Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better!”
After his statement, the lower animals were fed with their typical ration of food and the upper animals left the scene to enjoy the night in another party with Mr. Pilkington and other farmers.
As soon as the animals had finished their rations and settled down, Benjamin called an emergency meeting. The animals one by one gathered around him and waited patiently. Benjamin spoke in a firm tone, “I am well aware that we have all heard what Napoleon said, comrades. Hence forward, dogs will be guarding the barn every night starting the next day. Tonight, comrades, may just be the last day in which there will be a meeting. This is the sign that we are waiting for that we, comrades must strike together. Tomorrow will be the day in which we will attack and overthrow the wicked Napoleon.”
The animals were shocked and amazed to hear. One of the horses asked, “How do we fight them? Some of us are afraid. The dogs are ferocious and the pigs have humans to help them.” The crowd of animals murmured in agreement but Benjamin was not surprised by the question.
“I understand your fear. I lived through the rebellion of Mr. Jones and witnessed many deaths on the battlefield. What the pigs have told you about the rebellion are false. I used to have a great friend and he was a great warrior in the rebellion. He was a brave stallion, strong but gentle. In the rebellion, he charged without falling back and continued attacking the opponent. He was shot at a few times but continued to fight as if he had received no pain. He never wanted to kill anyone, only to drive the enemy away. I wish that at tomorrow‘s battle, all of us would be like that. I believe that it is better to die free than to spend the rest of our lives living as slaves. I will risk my life tomorrow and if something were to happen to me, tell the future generations of animals what happened in the battle tomorrow.” At the moment, the animals were inspired to fight. They were ready and didn’t care whether they lived. All they want to do is end Napoleon’s rule.
The following morning, the barn animals were ready. They stood in line, waiting for that door to open. At the signal of the click that meant that the barn was unlocked, the sheep, horses, and cows rushed towards the door with Benjamin the donkey leading them in action while the rest of the animals followed. Outside the barn, the door was flung out with a stampede of animals rushing out. The dogs and pigs sent to deliver orders were caught off guard and as a result, trampled on. The ambush then turned towards the farm.
Rushing out, Napoleon, other fellow pigs, and the rest of the dogs gathered outside of the farmhouse as the stampede could be heard through the war cries of Benjamin and the other animals. The dogs and several of the pigs had rushed towards the ambush to fight. Napoleon had stayed behind to call Mr. Pilkington to gather his men to help.
On the battlefield, blood was shed everywhere. Dogs were chewing and biting the animals that were in their way. The horses used their hooves to forcefully kick the dogs away. The cows stepped on and gored the dogs. The chickens were scratching the pigs using their claws. The sheep were butting their heads at the pigs making them fall. The pigs used their whips to hit the animals and gnawed and bit into the animals as a backup. Benjamin kicked the pigs away and helped his fellow animals. Many of the animals that had fallen to the ground was crushed by the heavier animals.
A few minutes later, Napoleon’s reinforcements, Pilkington’s men had come to Manor Farm with guns. A few shots ran into the air. The bullets alarmed the animals for a second for the bullets had killed fighters on both sides. The lower animals immediately continued fighting as Benjamin kicked and crushed a dog to its death. The bullets continue to fire until it finally hit Benjamin. He fell head first towards the floor and died. The lower animals stopped once more as they saw their leader fall. His long life had finally come to an end as he laid on the grass, still and silent. Nonetheless, the lower animals continued to fight because they knew that they must continue fighting for: their equality.
In the end, the army of the lower animals had fallen apart due to the guns of Pilkington‘s men. Some ran away while others surrendered in front of Napoleon. The battlefield which was once a field of full-grown crops became a pile of dead animals that fought for what they had believed in. The remaining lower animals that had surrendered were executed. The dead bodies of the lower animals were sold to make a profit and were replaced with other farm animals that was donated from Pilkington’s farm. The pigs and dogs that died were given a proper funeral funded by Napoleon. From that point on, there were not anymore protests and outbreaks of violence. The pigs continued to rule for the rest of the existence of Manor Farm.
The animals continued to work under the hard labor and the poor rations that Napoleon had placed upon them. When one of the animals were working poorly, the animal would be whipped, killed, or taken off their rations. As a result, no animal ever complained for they did not wish to die or to be tortured.
After the workday -- which was now every day of the week as announced by Napoleon -- Benjamin had returned tired with a few streaks of blood from his back. He arrived at his stall and sat quietly. The other animals quietly entered the barn staggering across the hallway looking for a place to rest. Dogs followed, growling every time the animals steered away from the line. The animals settled down quickly and the dogs locked the barn door when they checked that all the lower animals were inside.
All was silent until one of the ducklings whispered out, “Are they gone yet?” The crowd of animals stayed still and listened for any steps or noises.
“Comrades, do not worry, we may resume with our meetings,” Benjamin replied. With these words, a sigh of relief had come upon the animals. “I understand your pains. Your pains are my pains. Even I too am suffering. There will be a time when we will take down our tyrant. Our dream of equality will come true and our hard work will be worth while. A long time ago… ”
“But when will that time be?” one of the hens interrupted. The animals murmured in agreement.
“Do not worry comrades, we will know when the time is right. A long time ago, an honorable boar once said that there would be a day where all animals would be equal. A time where no animals can tell another animal what to do. On that day, we will fight to achieve his dream.” The animals were confused and curious. “Do not worry about that matter. I will tell you when the time is right. For now, continue to work even though it is of great pain. But with each day, work a little less. Now comrades, sleep and rest for tomorrow is a new day.” The crowd of animals hummed the Beasts of England and went to sleep silently.
The following day, the unlocking of the doors alerted the animals to jump up from their bed. The dogs marched inward surrounding the new pig who had replaced Squealer. Squealer gave them their orders to what to do and gave the animals their daily rations. The meal never filled up any of the animals but they didn‘t complain. The animals quickly finished their meal and headed outside to work.
Weeks passed and Benjamin continued to make the same inspiring statement in each meeting. The animals continued working a little less everyday just like what Benjamin had told them to do. Nevertheless, the dogs and the pigs did not notice the change in their work except for Napoleon. He noticed that there was not enough food produced but the pigs supervising the animals believed that it was because of the insects and the drought this year. Nevertheless, Napoleon continued to suspect that this was the animal’s plan to sabotage Manor Farm.
After the workday was over, the animals returned to the barn. The black cockerel crowed and Napoleon entered into the barn guarded by three dogs. The animals stood still as the upper animals passed by. Napoleon announced to the lower animals, “Starting tomorrow, there shall be dogs guard at the barn door overnight. It seems that there has been a threat in this farm and someone has been stealing our food. Any animal caught in the farm stealing will be executed immediately.” The speech ended with the sheep’s bleating of
“Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better!”
After his statement, the lower animals were fed with their typical ration of food and the upper animals left the scene to enjoy the night in another party with Mr. Pilkington and other farmers.
As soon as the animals had finished their rations and settled down, Benjamin called an emergency meeting. The animals one by one gathered around him and waited patiently. Benjamin spoke in a firm tone, “I am well aware that we have all heard what Napoleon said, comrades. Hence forward, dogs will be guarding the barn every night starting the next day. Tonight, comrades, may just be the last day in which there will be a meeting. This is the sign that we are waiting for that we, comrades must strike together. Tomorrow will be the day in which we will attack and overthrow the wicked Napoleon.”
The animals were shocked and amazed to hear. One of the horses asked, “How do we fight them? Some of us are afraid. The dogs are ferocious and the pigs have humans to help them.” The crowd of animals murmured in agreement but Benjamin was not surprised by the question.
“I understand your fear. I lived through the rebellion of Mr. Jones and witnessed many deaths on the battlefield. What the pigs have told you about the rebellion are false. I used to have a great friend and he was a great warrior in the rebellion. He was a brave stallion, strong but gentle. In the rebellion, he charged without falling back and continued attacking the opponent. He was shot at a few times but continued to fight as if he had received no pain. He never wanted to kill anyone, only to drive the enemy away. I wish that at tomorrow‘s battle, all of us would be like that. I believe that it is better to die free than to spend the rest of our lives living as slaves. I will risk my life tomorrow and if something were to happen to me, tell the future generations of animals what happened in the battle tomorrow.” At the moment, the animals were inspired to fight. They were ready and didn’t care whether they lived. All they want to do is end Napoleon’s rule.
The following morning, the barn animals were ready. They stood in line, waiting for that door to open. At the signal of the click that meant that the barn was unlocked, the sheep, horses, and cows rushed towards the door with Benjamin the donkey leading them in action while the rest of the animals followed. Outside the barn, the door was flung out with a stampede of animals rushing out. The dogs and pigs sent to deliver orders were caught off guard and as a result, trampled on. The ambush then turned towards the farm.
Rushing out, Napoleon, other fellow pigs, and the rest of the dogs gathered outside of the farmhouse as the stampede could be heard through the war cries of Benjamin and the other animals. The dogs and several of the pigs had rushed towards the ambush to fight. Napoleon had stayed behind to call Mr. Pilkington to gather his men to help.
On the battlefield, blood was shed everywhere. Dogs were chewing and biting the animals that were in their way. The horses used their hooves to forcefully kick the dogs away. The cows stepped on and gored the dogs. The chickens were scratching the pigs using their claws. The sheep were butting their heads at the pigs making them fall. The pigs used their whips to hit the animals and gnawed and bit into the animals as a backup. Benjamin kicked the pigs away and helped his fellow animals. Many of the animals that had fallen to the ground was crushed by the heavier animals.
A few minutes later, Napoleon’s reinforcements, Pilkington’s men had come to Manor Farm with guns. A few shots ran into the air. The bullets alarmed the animals for a second for the bullets had killed fighters on both sides. The lower animals immediately continued fighting as Benjamin kicked and crushed a dog to its death. The bullets continue to fire until it finally hit Benjamin. He fell head first towards the floor and died. The lower animals stopped once more as they saw their leader fall. His long life had finally come to an end as he laid on the grass, still and silent. Nonetheless, the lower animals continued to fight because they knew that they must continue fighting for: their equality.
In the end, the army of the lower animals had fallen apart due to the guns of Pilkington‘s men. Some ran away while others surrendered in front of Napoleon. The battlefield which was once a field of full-grown crops became a pile of dead animals that fought for what they had believed in. The remaining lower animals that had surrendered were executed. The dead bodies of the lower animals were sold to make a profit and were replaced with other farm animals that was donated from Pilkington’s farm. The pigs and dogs that died were given a proper funeral funded by Napoleon. From that point on, there were not anymore protests and outbreaks of violence. The pigs continued to rule for the rest of the existence of Manor Farm.
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