What is a classic?

To me, what makes a novel "a classic" is the fact that the story is powerful and moving, which causes the novel to remain relevant throughout time. If a novel came out and was good, but not great, I think the likeness factor would wear off and the book would not stay as popular. With novels such as Wuthering Heights, the stories we call "classics" captured the hearts and minds of people in the time that it first came out, and are still doing the same now. I think books that tell the classic story of struggles between social classes and love can be considered classics because everyone loves a good story that touches their soul. 

Comments 2.0

1. to Danielle W.

Danielle!!
So, I basically agree with everything you said. It doesn't matter if someone was born into a family or taken in. As long as they are around people who love them and care for them, then they ARE part of that family. Also, I also think that it is completely selfish and horrible to marry someone for what is in their wallets, and not what's in their hearts (wowowow that was completely cheesy). Woman should marry whomever they want because they'll just be happier in the long run.

2. to Alyssa S.

Alyssa!!

First of all, I would like to say that I am so sorry that you had to go through something as painful as that. I have also experienced fall outs with friends and I know how much it hurts. Second, I completely agree with what you have to say. The betrayal of childhood friends can be the most painful betrayal of all. Hopefully, kids will begin to realize that they don't necessarily need one best friend, but maybe a few good friends that he/she can trust.

3. to Isabel

woahh..
you're story kinda freaked me out a little bit. My mom is really into those paranormal shows on t.v., so I sometimes watch them with her, but I never actually believed that any of it was really happening. Now, knowing that someone I know has had encounters with ghosts, I'm not so sure that I'll be able to watch them anymore without getting scared (because I'm a baby when it comes to scary stories). Anyway, about your rich vs. poor subject, I also agree. I think that many women would love to be someone who loves them for who they are, but the thought of someone with more money is more appealing. I don't think that all women are that way, but I think, even if it's subconsciously, that wealth plays a factor in relationships.

Wuthering Heights: Anticipation Guide

While answering these questions, one of them really caught my eye. When I came upon the statement that childhood friends are the most loyal, it made me think about my childhood friends and about how they weren't always there for me. Of course I disagreed with the statement, but it really made me think about my best friends from when I was younger, most of whom I don't even speak to anymore. I have to tell you that I am a very vulnerable, gullible person, and my friends knew it. I would often be misled into believing stories that I should have known would only make our friendship weaker. Sometimes they "forgot" to invite me to a birthday party, or they invited me and acted like I was just someone who was forced to go, but not initially invited. One friend, (from another town) in order to gain popularity status with her friends, decided to prank call me. At this time, me and another best friend were starting to get more distant, it was breaking me in every way possible. My other friend, let's call her Jane, knew about the situation and how much it hurt me. I thought I could trust her with my life, but she proved me wrong when her and her friends pretended to be my old friend, and we'll call her Mary, on the phone. They made me believe that Mary missed me and wanted to hang out. I ended up making a fool out of myself, because I later called Mary and she acted like we were never friends and she would never want to hang out with me. After that day, we didn't talk much. I forgave her, but it just wasn't the same. We haven't spoken in 4 years now. Jane was my absolute best friend, we went to the same pre-school together, automatically becoming best friends. We went to dance lessons together for 3 years, our parents were friends, we both and little sisters. It seemed like we would be best friends forever, however, she was the one friends that ended up betraying me the most. The whole point of this story was to prove that even the best childhood friends can grow up to hurt you. I don't think it happens with all childhood friends, but I think we would be jumping to conclusions if we said that all friends that you grow up with are the most loyal.

My Comments to Others

1.    (Shelby D) I agree, people tend to take every little thing and create an uproar from it. It's really interesting that you remembered hearing about the broadcast from Orson Welles when you read through that section of the book. Although I don't think I personally heard that quote, I do remember someone talking about it. Anyway, I agree that because of their reactions, citizens from all different places are, in fact, creating more segregation that they will have to later deal with.

P.S. the picture of Miley and Nick made me really happy. They're going to get back together. :]

2.   (Alexa H) I agree that it was such a selfless gesture for Ella to hand over her money to Malcolm. It's truly amazing that someone can give something that he/she's worked so hard on getting to another person to see him/her succeed. The fact that Ella gave her money up for someone else to take her place on the trip makes it that more incredible.

3.   (Danielle W) I agree with you when you say that Malcolm's idea that the white man is the devil. Every person is entitled to his or her own opinions, but Malcolm seems to take things a little too far sometimes. Malcolm and other blacks have the right to be angry with the way they were treated, but Malcolm puts the idea that we are all acting against God and should be punished for it into the heads of people who can not make up their own minds. Malcolm seems too harsh towards the white race. I feel like his message would have gone better if he had kept his cool, instead of putting such harmful words such as the "devil" onto our race.

4.   (Allison L) Allison! That is such an amazing story, that it makes me want to find out more about my family history. I think it is really important to remember that no matter what you believe in, someone is always watching out for you. Whether you believe in God, or Allah, or you don't believe that there is a God, there is always someone there to lead you down the right path.

Malcolm X Post 5: Racism Right in Front of Us

A couple of days ago in our English Class, we discussed a newspaper comic that showed a monkey being shot of two white police officers. On top of the cartoon, was a derogatory comment regarding our new, black president, Barrack Obama and his position on the economic crisis. Because of racial slurs that have called African Americans "monkeys" before our president was elected, many have taken this terrible cartoon to heart. 

Being a natural blonde, I understand how much stereotypes and rude comments hurt. Blondes are often called "dumb blondes". The idea that just because our hair color is different means we can not live up to the intelligence of a brunette or redhead is disrespectful and inaccurate. I'm sure people don't realize it but after figures such as Dolly Parton and Marilyn Monroe, blondes are also thought of as sex-symbols, nothing more. To be thought of as a woman with no other importance but to stand there and look pretty is unjust to those of us who defy these so called "typical blondes". Although I do not receive as much discrimination as someone with black skin, I can partially understand the frustration and anger that goes through their heads when a racial comment or stereotype is directed towards him.

The newspaper that published it, The New York Post, says that the cartoon did not relate to our president, but a comedic event that took place a few days before. They claimed it to be about a woman from Connecticut who had raised a chimpanzee but had a dangerous encounter with him that did not end well. What bothers me is the fact that they are doing so poorly a job at hiding the true meaning of the cartoon. Obviously, we can tell that the cartoon was not just about the chimp incident because of the caption on the top. There is not doubt that the caption, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next Stimulus Bill," is about our current economic crisis. How could that possibly relate to a chimpanzee attack? At what about the actual picture? Two white police officers shooting at a monkey, which was also cruel slang referring to a Black man? It just doesn't make sense to me that they could get away with something as horrible as this.

My guess is that they had been wanting to get their word out for sometime and when this incident left a door open for them, they walked right into it. This chimpanzee problem, that made world news, gave the publishers and cartoonists a way to get their point across and not allowing them to get punished for it. This was the perfect opportunity for them to make a fool of our president in a way that would not harm them.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/19/chimp.cartoon.react/

As CNN is reporting, this cartoon has earned a 9 on a scale of 1-10 for being dangerous. Considering the Stimulus Bill was Barack Obama's first victory as president, the cartoon can only be seen as poking fun at Obama. 

Malcolm X Post 4: Harlem Trip

Being able to visit the many historical places in Harlem was truly an inspirational and fun experience. One thing that really stuck out to me though, was when our tour guide began to talk to us about the public's general idea of Harlem. He started to explain to us that people were usually scared to walk into Harlem because of the wrong movie portrayals and negative feedback on the area. He seemed to be really hurt by this and it was obvious that such ideas have been created due to Harlem's past. What made me realize the happiness and pride that he carried was when he proudly exclaimed that the crime rate was rapidly decreasing, and there were few reasons for anyone to be scared to visit the city. I have to admit that entering the city did make me nervous. It was a new place and I was seeing things that, in our safe little town, I normally would not have. 

As journalist Lylah Holmes has written, a young man named Julian Joseph has experienced the lows and the quickly increasing highs of Harlem. 

http://www.lylahholmes.com/2008/02/27/harlem-crime-drops-amid-revival/

This article shows that people are realizing that enough is enough and the crime throughout not only Harlem, but places all around the world.

Malcolm X Post 3: Racial Norms

Being a competitive dancer, I get the chance to travel around Northern New Jersey and to see other teams. At the NJ State competition yesterday, I realized that I was subconsciously allowing myself to believe the racial norm. As a team that was racially diverse took the stage for a hip-hop routine, I automatically assumed that it would be exceptionally good. I have to tell you that I am not a discriminatory person. However, I am so used to seeing music videos and movies with people of all skin colors, besides white, out-shining others in street dance battles or professional competitions. I did not use facts like this in a negative way, all I did was think that an African American team would most likely win because I was sure that they were going to be amazing. Although I can only speak specifically for myself, I know for a fact that I am not the only one to have thought this. I can honestly say that I am disappointed that our generation has been led to believe that only certain people can be good at hip-hop, or that certain people are better in school or sports. 

Because of ideas like that, it is also thought that people of the white race should not do non-white things, like rapping and dancing hip hop. Most people who attempt to have been made fun of; I have personally seen it. People of other races have to face the same thing. People tend to believe that it is not their place to be if it not considered a normal thing for them to do. 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1093705,00.html

Tah-Nehisi Paul Coates of Time Magazine has gone through something like this. He explains that growing up he wasn't interested in rap or hip hop music like all of his friends were. Instead, he began to like music made by white people; he says that he secretly listened to their music. No one should have to hide what they like or dislike because they are afraid of what others think. Hopefully, people have begun to and will continue to realize this.