Theodore Roosevelt- A Biographic Outline

Life Before Election:

• Sickly childhood
• Harvard
• Early Political Career
• Authorship
• Death of wife and mother/Life on the ranch
• More politics- return to New York
• Naval commander
• Spanish-American War/Rough Riders
• Political Rise to Power: Governor, then Vice President

President:

• Mckinley's Assassination
• Regulating business/Trustbusting
• 1904 Election: Landslide Victory
• "Square Deal" Agenda
• "Big Stick" Conservationist
• Panama Canal
• Peacemaker: Ending Russo-Japanese War
• His beloved Children

After his Terms as President:

• Promoting his successor
• Fallout with Taft
• Promoting Bull-Moose: Epic Fail
• Continued Exploration
• Eventual Death
• Legacy/ Long list of "Firsts"

Success!

Alright, the drama of my last post is over. My blog is still functioning at peak capacity. All seems to be fine. Now, back to Composition.

Return of the Composition!

Co-op is coming back after a summer of inactivity, so it's time to test my blog! Will this post appear, or will blogger inexplicably fail me? It all hangs on that sinister question...

Dastardly Questions from the Mind of our Teacher, Part II

Kate really only starts lecturing the other wives because Petruchio told her to, but once she gets going, she really gets on a roll! She emphasises the duty of obedience wives have to their husbands, as could be expected from such an ending. She is disgusted by the disobedience of the other women, as many were once disgusted by the "curst shrew" once called Katerine. At the end of the speech, she admits to once having been such a person- as bad or worse than Bianca and the Widow. But then, she urges the others to swallow their pride, and submit to their husbands, or "place your hands below your husband’s foot: In token of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease.".  Was her view of marriage Christian? It's difficult to say. In ways, it is. The Bible whole-heartedly endorses the obedience of wives to their husbands, particularly in the Old Testament. What Kate didn't mention is that Husbands are instructed to be mutually obedient to their wives. Why? I don't think that would really be appropriate to the situation. She was trying to "tame" the other women, not like Petruchio tamed her, but by harshly reprimanding the others. In conclusion, I think Kate really did have a stable Christian view of marriage, something she tried to impress upon the other wives. I think it's not only obvious, it's unanimous: Kate is tame. I don't really know how you could see past her behavior in the last scenes (and her long speech on marriage) to convince yourself she isn't. Petruchio has mellowed out a bit, and is less boisterous by the last scene. He is pretty well tame, not that he was all that wild originally. He will probably enjoy settling into his new life as a (wealthy) family man. Is the last scene a joke between the newlywed Kate and Petruchio? I doubt they planned this whole scene out as a practical joke to earn cash fast! A joke, no. But I can imagine them laughing about later that night, or reminiscing about it for many years to come.

The Taming of the Shrew: Mrs. Flickner Question 1

Character summaries, in order of appearance.

Lucentio is a scholar at first, but quickly forgets the quest for education when he first lays eyes on Bianca. His thought are constantly focused on her, and while the play is mostly focused on the relationship between Petruchio and Kate, it's clear that Lucentio really pines after his bride-to-be. As I said, he's not really the center of the play, and therefore not the deepest of the characters

Bianca lives in a shattered household. Her family life is a real mess. Her relationship with Kate is filled with envy, hate, and a lust for revenge. And when she butters up her father, it's so sweet it's sickening. She is the jewel of the family, and attracts the attention of many suitors. This of course, makes her the absolute favorite of her father, something she's not afraid to exploit. In turn, this fuels the envy and hatred of her sister. Talk about a viscous cycle! In the final scene, however, Bianca is utterly upstaged by her once demonic sister, while Bianca proves herself to be the disobedient one

Kate is cruel, violent, and hot-tempered. She's angered at both her sister and her father, jealous of their relationship, and Bianca's suitors. The delima here is that Bianca cannot wed before Kate. Remove this policy, and the cycle will be cancelled. Bianca cannot wed, so suitors follow her everywhere. Her suitors anger Kate, who gets "revenge" on Bianca not only with physical violence, but with the fact no one will marry her, fueled directly by her anger for Bianca. Kate would have kept growing more and more shrewd, shrewing away men until the day she died, Bianca would grow old, alone and unloved, and probably waste her whole life an unhappy maiden. Death, sorrow, and tragedy make for a morbid play, but Shakespeare has written more than a few tragedies. Thank goodness this wasn't one of them, for enter Petruchio.

Petruchio is always on the verge. This rather unstable (and usually quite loud) fellow is unpredictable and boisterous. His entrances are guaranteed to generate shock. From declaring his intetion to tame Kate, to arriving at his own wedding dressed like a fool, there's no telling what he might do next. His methods tend to match his demeanor, as demonstrated when he tried to "kill his wife with kindness". It seems he needs to break Kate before he can reform her, molding, shaping or hammering her with the skill of an expert potter or blacksmith. He embarrasses her, deprives her of such necessities as food, sleep, and clothing, and puts her through trails she could not endure. Her spirit becomes broken and she loses the will to fight. She perfectly fits the description of a "conformable, household Kate", a hopeless but obedient woman.  Petruchio's "taming" of Kate may seem cruel and unusual, but it's oddly effective. She conforms to his every word. If her husband says that the Sun is actually the Moon, then it really is the moon! She takes this to the next level of creepy when she agrees that the withered old Vincentio is a "budding virgin, fresh, fair, and sweet.", a "gentle mistress" and a "lovely maid". She proves her obedience once and for all in the final scene. She earns not only money for her husband, but love and respect from all by proving herself a good wife. Truly, Petruchio has done the unthinkable when he finally tames the shrew.

Much Ado: Lesson IV: Review Questions II, III, and IX

When Benedick challenged Claudio, he displayed a very uncharacteristic trait; dedication for Beatrice. His love for Beatrice had bound him, just as he originally feared. He became so dedicated that he turned against his friends for love. Claudio, the object of the challenge, seemed to side with his friends and against Hero when challenged, particularly in the first wedding scene. This illustrates an important difference between Benedick and Claudio, both as lovers, and as men.

 Claudio eventually repents when he realises Hero's innocence. He throws himself at the mercy of Leonato, and seems genuinely sorry for his little temper tantrum back at the wedding, even if he sees no wrong in humiliating an unfaithful woman so violently, a belief not shared by the other characters.

His repentance comes to a climax during the second wedding. There, he takes vows with a woman he thinks he has never met. This is important not only because it is a leap of faith, but also because it shows that he is truly sorry, and regrets humiliating Hero after all. In order to atone for his crime against the innocent bride, Claudio does whatever Leonato says in order to make his apologies. Even if it means marrying his Lenato's "niece".

Much Ado: Lesson III: Thought Question IX

Lady Macbeth and Beatrice. Similar, but also very different. Lady Macbeth is a ruthless killer through and through until she begins feeling guilty. Beatrice just gets caught up in the moment and finds an apt way to test Benedick and let off a little steam. Beatrice's grim request is emotional, based off a need for revenge. Lady Macbeth's is a tactical strike. She is more or less her husband's agent, advising and managing him for his political position. After the Murder of Duncan, she grew panicked, worried, and more than a little insane due to her guilt. Beatrice eventually cooled off because luckily, her plans didn't come to fruition. If Benedick would have hunted down and butchered Claudio then and there, the events of the play would be radically different...

Much Ado: Lesson III: Review Questions IV & V

At first glance, Claudio's outburst at Hero seemed like the mistake of a wounded lover. On closer inspection however, I've determined that he is just stubborn. He becomes convinced that it was Hero who betrayed him, and is obsessed with the idea of Heroes betrayal. He fixates upon her unfaithfulness and is converted to Benedick's view of marriage. He sees Hero as a war trophy, a prize at the end of the journey, and a fine status symbol, but not a real companion. When he realizes his "orange" is "rotten", he sides with his army buddies, and ruins the wedding.

Much Ado About Nothing: Lesson II: Review Question XI &

Benedick thinks, quite simply, that it is unmanly to be in love. He says Claudio's manner and intrests have changed greatly. From music to clothing, and even his speech patterns seem to have changed! Ever since he fell in love, he's never been the same. He promises no such woman will make a fool of him! Unless he meets the right one...

Ten minutes later Benedick is madly in love. How? The trickery of Claudio, Leonato, and
Don Pedro . The conversation (benedick is eavesdropping) Goes like this:

Claudio: "I did never think that lady would have loved any man."

Leonato: "No, nor I neither, but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signor Benedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviors seemed ever to abhor.  By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to think of it, but that she loves him with an enraged affection, it is past the infinite of thought."

And so they go on, stressing the passion of Beatrice's love, and her unwillingness to tell Benedick. Can you belive that Benedick buys it? He claims that:

 "I should think this a gull but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it. Knavery cannot, sure, hide himself in such reverence."

Perhaps he trust in Leonato is misplaced. In a mirror of this scene, Hero, Ursula and Margaret speak of Benedick's love for a spying Beatrice!

Hero: No, truly, Ursula, she is too disdainful. I know her spirits are as coy and wild As haggards of the rock.

Ursula: But are you sure that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?

Hero: So says the Prince and my new-trothèd lord.

It's like watching the same scene twice! And yet, just like that, They're in love with each other once more.

Much Ado About Nothing: Lesson I: Review Questions VII & IIX

Benedick and Beatrice want to fall in love, but are just too mistrusting. The play gives us reason to believe that they were once lovers, but were emotionally wounded by one another. For the most part, they just put it behind them and enjoy battles of wit and a "rivalry" relationship to keep them from getting to close again. Beneath the playful exterior, they are both very wary of members of the opposite sex, particularly each other. Beatrice fears the consequences of marriage, preferring not to fall into what she think of as a dull life, comparing wedding to a series of dances. She thinks of men, especially Benedick, as unfaithful. This is ironic, as Benedick holds these same beliefs about women, particularly Beatrice! Benedick simply preaches against marriage in the early stages of the play. He is afraid of becoming a cuckold if he weds, something he is sure will happen due to those untrustworthy women. Beatrice and Benedick will have nothing to do with each other in the play's beginning, but as the play progresses, a drastic change occurs in them both...

Macbeth: Lesson IV: Review Question IV

In the first scene of act five, we discover Lady Macbeth's peculiar habit- sleepwalking. This scene stars Lady Macbeth of course, but since she's asleep, the need arises for a couple of "commentators". Enter the Doctor and the Gentlewoman, a couple of relatively insignificant characters who, save for this scene, are absent from the play. Before Lady Macbeth even appears, the gentlewoman insists that

"I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon ’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep."

Soon after, Lady Macbeth enters with a candle. The two others once again act as "commentators" by noticing and questioning everything about her. They wonder where she got the candle, notice that her eyes are open, and talk about her wringing her hands. At last, Lady Macbeth speaks what's on her mind.

"Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him."

Creepy, huh? The Doctor and the Gentlewoman certainly thought so.  Lady Macbeth continues to feel guilty and wish the deed could be undone, while the others continue to talk about it. Eventually, she returns to bed, and the Doctor and gentle woman continue to worry about her health. The irony here is that in the beginning of the play she was the murderous and cruel one, while Macbeth continued to feel guilty. Now, in the last act, Macbeth is cold blooded and feels no remorse, while she is now feeling the guilt.


Sorry if it's a little too long! I get a bit carried away...

Macbeth: Lesson III: Review Questions I & II

When Macbeth talks about a "fruitless crown" and "barren scepter", he's obviously not talking about the actual inanimate objects bearing young! What he means to say by this is that his rule is meaningless if his hiers can't sit on the throne. And acording to a trio of witches, it's not gonna happen. Earlier in the play, the witches tell a small, trivial truth to win Macbeths trust. This makes him belive in the next prediction, and eventualy spurs him to violent action. In an echo of this, the witches make Macbeth see someone who was once a freind as a threat to the crown by telling his that Banquo's heirs will one day sit on the throne. And once again, this leads Macbeth to a terrible murder.

Macbeth: Lesson II: Reveiw Question

Macbeth hesitated when killing Duncan, regretted it later, and couldn't bear to reenter his chambers. Why? The reason is actually quite simple. His conscience, while fading, still yet lingered. He had not yet become the traitorous killer is is at the end of the play. He was mostly a good man, with only traces of the cold-blooded future that is destined for Macbeth. Though he had just betrayed and murdered his king, his spiritual condition was still relatively good (if you think about Macbeth in the days before his death.) His view of manhood is very different from the cruel Lady Macbeth's. His idea of a man is moral, righteous, and full of human kindness, while his wife sees this as not manhood, but the signs of a woman! Her idea of manhood is of an unfeeling murderer who acts on impulses. A villainous cutthroat that will do anything to achieve his ambitions. Macbeth, on the other hand thinks of such a person as no man, but an inhuman beast! But as I said, his wife (along with several other influences) finally steer Macbeth to their way of thinking, and he becomes the sort of man he had once despised.

Macbeth: Lesson I: Review Question II

Q: What is the essential moral issue of the play? Explain how sheer ambition for power turns a man into a murderer.

A: Largely because of the Witches, Macbeth now has an insatiable lust for power. This desire grows and festers inside him, fueled by the encouragement of his wife until he finally resorts to murder on his way to the top. The love of power itself can do this to a man. It's fine to have power, especially if you use it to make a difference, to change things, or just generally use it for good. But Macbeth's cravings led to secrecy deception and of course, murder.

Outline for Group Paper (Sorry it's late!)

I Introduction

A Education---Homeschooling

1

2

B Homeshooling varies from family to family, but three standard elements are usually there: Curriculum, Field Trips, and Co-op.

1 In this essay, you'll learn a little bit about each.

2


II Parents who choose homeschooling are not just left in the dark to figure it out themselves; many curriculums are designed specifically for homeschoolers.

A Wide range of topics, different experiences.

1 Examples, examples, examples.

2 Bible curriculums.

B Introducing full curriculums!

1 Alpha Omega, Essential subjects, age range.

2 Rainbow resource, variety pack


III One thing that gives homeschoolers a more hands-on experience is the field trip.

A What is a field trip?

1 Examples, examples and yes, more examples.

2 Ideal locations, ect.

B Group trips, personal experience, all-electric house.

1 All-electric house: Explain.

2 Other exhibits there.

IV Co-op usually consists of several homeschool families that have met to create a more classroom esque enviorment.

A A good example? This one!

1 Comprised of six homeschool families that meet regularly, learning.

2 Like public school, class, lessons, homework.

3 Several moms, different teachers, rotate out.

B Contrast, personal experience.

1 Years ago, my family met with only one other family, one subject.

2 Small group, no homework, time to just play too.

V I hope that while reading this essay, you've learned a bit about homeschooling and the way it works.

A No two families alike, only based on what I know.

1

2

B Restate topics, clincher.

1

2

Lyrical Rambling from the Mind of McKinley

Only by the greatest stretch of the imagination could the term "Poetry" be applied to my writings. Therefore, (as the title suggests) I prefer to call them my Lyrical Ramblings. It is along those same lines I apologize for the verses ahead.

 

STAIR POEMS

Warning! Nerdy, Doctor Who-related content ahead!

 

Exterminate!

                                                                           Skkaro

Ruthless, Cunning, Cold

                                 Daleks

 

 

QUATRAINS

Does It make much sense? Not really. But I wrote it at the end of a poetry marathon, so I was kinda sick of the stuff. Maybe you think it's funny. It made it to the top five, in any case.

 

Quatrains I'm starting to despise,

As I begin to write.

I fear they may be my demise,

one unassuming night.



 

CINQUAINS

Intertwining one aspect of co-op with another. At least you all can relate to it.

 

Gibson

Moody, Sullen

Sulking, Brooding, Plotting

Deceive his friends and kill the King

Hamlet

 

 

LANTERNS

Lanterns are liked by several members of the class, myself included. I need of a topic? Write about poetry! This one's rather simple.

 

Poems.

Lanterns,

and Couplets,

Haiku, Sonnets.

Verse.

 

THE GRAND FINALE

Here it is! The end of my rather inadequate attempts at poetry! To finish, I will show my

Couplet-story-kinda-thing. You know, the one that looks long and hard, but is really a lot of easy couplets glued together. Mine is a summary of the first episode of- you guessed it- Doctor Who!

 

In the beginning of Doctor Who,

The Doctor assembled his mismatched crew.

 

Granddaughter Susan he did take,

and a pair of humans by mistake.

 

Back in time they all did venture.

In the TARDIS, to adventure!

 

One hundred thousand years BC.

There, some Cavemen they did see.

 

They were prisoners for a time,

but soon escaped from the cave's grime.

 

Into the old blue time machine,

they made an exit from the scene.

 

The Doctor and Susan began debating,

While in the next episode, Daleks are waiting...

 

Well, that's it. Thank you for giving me your time. Please comment!

 

-McKinley

Week 13 or 14 or something: BBC's Hamlet

What did I think of BBC's Hamlet? I liked it quite a lot! For one thing, it starred David Tennant! (Do you really need another reason?) As expected, he was one of the better "Consumed by madness" Hamlets. He also lent to the movie's semi-modern setting quite nicely. A very important element in this movie is that of cameras. The first shot in the movie is filmed by one of many surveillance cameras (Presumably set by Claudius) throughout the "castle", and a particularly memorable moment ensues when Hamlet rips one down in anger. Hamlet has a small video camera of his own he sometimes uses to film important events (such as Claudius' reaction to the play), or his soliloquies. In any case, the BBC (or David Tennant) version of the play is a fine one, and quite possibly my favorite.

Can Anyone Help?

I was trying to figure out what to answer for thought question three in lesson three of Hamlet,

"Hamlet tells Horatio that he prefers a man who is 'not a pipe for fortune's finger to sound what stop she please' (3.2.76-77). Looking at the context of this remark, what does Hamlet mean by this? Is Hamlet such a man? Is Horatio?"

but while context seems pretty important here, I couldn't find a mention of said quote anywhere! Can anyone help me?

 -McKinley :D

Hamlet: Lesson III: Review Question III (Week... Eleven, I think.)

As Hamlet steps on to the stage (Act III, Scene I) he utters one of the most famous lines in the history of literature: "To be, or not to be? that is the question-". The soliloquy that follows is literally a matter of life and death. Hamlet says over, and over again that the sufferings in this world are many and terrible, and to die is to be free of them. Hamlet then asks why people don't just choose this freedom, and commit suicide. This being a soliloquy, he oddly (but not unexpectedly) answers the question himself; "To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life.". What Hamlet is basically saying, is that if we are to shed our earthly trials and tribulations, then who knows what might be placed upon us then? I have long upheld my belief that above all other phobias, man fears the unknown. Hamlet reinforces this idea by saying that man fears the greatest unknown of all- life after death.

 -McKinley :D

My Julius Caesar Descriptive Essay: First Draft

Hey, everybody! This is the first draft of my Julius Caesar paper. Mrs. Flickner said we could put it on our blogs, but it wasn't required. Likewise, it would be helpful if you gave me your thoughts on it, but it's not required. Thanks.

 

 

McKinley Warrick

Julius Caesar

 

Descriptive Essay

11/2/12

Charlton Heston's Julius Caesar:

A Descriptive Essay

Several silver screen adaptations of William Shakespeare's famous play Julius Caesar have

been produced. This paper, however, is regarding the one known as "The Charlton Heston Version" (but is officially called Julius Caesar, of course). The paper will be split into three paragraphs, in which I will discuss the costuming, analyze the scenery, and compare Shakespeare's work to actual history.

　

　

      The Patricians and the Pleabians are opposites in many ways, and costuming just so happens to be one of them. In the movie's beginning (Act I, Scene I), two figures stand out from the crowd: Flavius and Murellus. This is largely because of costuming. The two Patricians are clothed in resplendent and immaculate robes, while the unwashed masses clothe themselves in simple, shabby, and worn tunics. The difference between the two are merely status symbols in the ancient Roman world, but they are there to show the watchers the monumentous cultural differences between them; an idea that would later become a reoccurring theme for this play. Naturally, these aren't the only things worn by the actors during the course of the movie, nor is this the only example of symbolism seen in the costuming. Clothes reflecting the wearer's character can be seen throughout the movie, from the dark cloaks worn by conspirators plotting dark deeds, to perhaps the most famous and recognizable garment of the play, Julius Caesar's bloodied toga. An example that I found particularly outstanding are the lions (symbolizing strength, courage, and heroism) adorning the armor of Mark Antony in the last act. Symbolism, however is seen in more than just the costuming.

　

　

        Scenery is what sets the mood of a scene, and often foreshadows its events. The entire first half of the movie remains in Rome itself, and the scenery there often supports this idea. The huge and
magnificent Senate Building fills the viewer with a sweeping sense of scale and grandeur, and the
Patrician's houses look lavish and expensive, echoing the lifestyles and self-regard of the inhabitants. By stark contrast, the Pleabians are only seen in the dirt streets and back alleys of crowded and dirty areas. Halfway through, the movie changes direction and so does the scenery, for we now find ourselves on the battlefield. The terrain of said battlefield is rocky and perilous, something the horses were painfully aware of. The tent of Brutus had moody and dark candlelight, setting the scene for a quarrel between two friends quickly followed by the plotting of warfare. Costuming and scenery are just fine for telling a story, but be ready to watch the historical fiction unravel and the solid fact remain as I administer a cold dose of truth surrounding the events of the Julius Caesar.

　

　

      So, just how does Shakespeare's version of history line up with the real deal? Well, to answer that
question we will first take a look at the conspiracy against Caesar. "Beware the Ides of March": a
famous and remembered line to be sure, and historians generally agree that the assassination of
Julius Caesar really did take place on March fifteenth. It wasn't the first assassination though, in fact Julius Caesar was involved in one himself during his younger days. The next topic I would like to address regarding historical accuracy is Mark Antony. After Caesar's murder, Antony actually fled, and was only lured back by Brutus' promise of safety (against Cassius' wishes, of course). It is popularly believed that it was Mark Antony's speech that moved the crowd (as seen in the play and it's movie adaptations) and although he gave a speech, it has been recorded it was actually Caesar's brutally murdered body that stirred the crowd into such violent actions. Regardless of when the assassination took place, or what spurred the angry mob on, Shakespeare generally stayed pretty close to history.

　

　

    That pretty much wraps up my thoughts and observations on the costuming, scenery, and historical accuracy of Charlton Heston's Julius Caesar. I hope that you will get to experience this play-accurate film one day, and that my musing will help you delve deeper into it.

What did you think? Let me know through comments.

 -McKinley :D