Last Minute Blogging.

        In class we are reading "The Crucible", a play about the withcraft in Salem. The title itself seemed unappealing to me, so the idea of reading this book was almost dreadful. I decided to look up the definition of the title because I had never heard of such a thing before. The definition is basically an object made of material thats usually used with a chemical reaction because it does not melt easily. Now here is where I am confused... How could that possibly relate to the story of the Salem Witch Trials? Any ideas? Because I have zero.
       As I started to read the story, I became some what interested in it. The idea of women going to jail and being hanged because other people are pointing fingers at them saying they are involved in witchcraft is unheard of. With little proof were women arrested in put in jail. I would just like to know, how is that justified? Lives were lost for the belief that they were some how involved in it. However, some women were proven to be involved in such actions and were later killed.
      I think it's funny as kids for halloween we would dress up as witches and go around trick or treating. Little did we know that witches supposively existed in Salem and caused several problems in town. I know that I personally did not know very much about the witchcraft that accured in Salem. Yea, some times it came up in a conversation once in a blue moon but that was rarely. As I continue to read the Crucible, I learn more and more about the events that took place in Salem and it continues to fascinate me.

Randoming blogging

      So in class, we spent the first thirty minutes of class talking about Harry Potter. However, I did not include myself in the conversation about Harry Potter because I know little about the movies and books. I'm embaressed to say I have never read a full Harry Potter book nor have I seen many of the movies. I have absolutely no idea what is going on so therefore, I did not have much to say about the topic. Some may be in shock and others may be appalled by the news, but I personally have never had much interest in Harry Potter. Maybe some one could change my mind some day but as of right now my opinion is settled.
     I do not understand what is so great about Harry Potter in general. Can someone tell me? He is magical and he goes to a magical school. When I watch some of the movies I personally get freaked out by some of the characters and events taking place in the movie. I admit, the idea of Harry Potter is creative and different but alittle too different for my liking. Maybe if I had read the books I would be more interested in it today.
     So I am hoping because I wrote this blog that my questions about Harry Potter will finally be answered. I need someone to prove to me that Harry Potter is really as great as it is made out to be. From what I heard in class, there are several people who are quite fond of the stories. However, everyone has their own opinion and some could have the same feeling about Harry Potter as I do. So for the people with similar opinions as me, I am speaking out for them as well.

The Puritan Dream

           As it is described in the Puritan chapter, several cultures came over from their home land to America in search of finding a better life with more opportunities. America became known as the promised land for the idea of a chance of achieving and living the American Dream. The Puritans came over from England in the 1630s mainly to expand their religion which they believed could not happen in their home land. On page thirteen of "Dream of the Good Life" it says, "it is only because of their dream that those Americans who followed had theirs". They looked for greatness in America when they did not think they could fulfill it in England. The Puritans strived for success which inspired Americans to do the same.
        Puritan is the root word of "puritanical" which is a synonym for intolerance. The puritan people were known as very unpleasant people who believed they were better than everyone else. An English clergy-man wrote, "We call you Puritans, not because you are pureer than other men... but because you think yourselves to be purer"(12). I believe in the beginning, the reputation of the Puritans fit them well because they believed they were above all the rest and everything came easy to them. However that belief changed when they came over to America to achieve their dreams. They finally realised that nothing is easy and in order to succeed takes great sacrifice and hard work.

Achieving Greatness

      The American Dream has always been a topic of discussion throughout my life whether it was talked about in school or at home. I have heard of several definitions of the American Dream but I believe everyone has different opinions of actually achieving it. I personally think the American Dream is achieveing greatness and being able to improve one's future if they choose to do so. Someone's American Dream could simply mean having the basic necessities of life which includes shelter, food and water. Others could wish to achieve much more.
      Although this idea of achieving greatness is known as the "American Dream", all over the world people are striving to succeed in life. Whether its in Europe or Africa or still here in the United States, everyone tries to make the most of their life and they work hard each and every day to keep this idea alive. However, some must work harder than others to achieve the dream. For example, America is made up of immigrants from all over the world. These people come over from their home land to America for more opportunities in the life that they believed they could not get at home. With the idea of the American Dream comes many sacrifices. For example, immigrants who come over to America have to leave behind their home and sometimes their family. However, this is a sacrifice a person must be willing to make in order to improve their life.
     For my distant family, they mainly came over here from Ireland in hope to start a better life for their family. They knew that their were more opportunities over here and they made the sacrifice to leave their old life behind. My immediately family took advantage of the sacrifices my distant family made to make their life better and improve their futures. My parents say that their American Dream was just to be able to supply for my brother and I and give us a life where we could build our own American Dream. Even through the rough times with the recession, my parents continue to work hard to give my brother and I everything we need in life. Because of the recession, most families live paycheck to paycheck with little extra money after paying off bills. My parents gave me opportunities in life where I reach for greatness through education, sports and more. My parents taught me that in order to achieve success, I must work hard every day because nothing comes easily. I use to take everything I had for granted until I realized how hard my whole family has worked to build the basis of a good life for me and for that I thank them for making the sacrificies they made in order for me to have my own American Dream.