Vocabulary: Fall List #2

intercede: to attempt to reconcile differences; intervene.
ex. I will intercede in this argument.
hackneyed: stale; overused.
ex. Those shoes are hackneyed.
approbation: approval.
ex. I have my father's approbation to go to the party.
innuendo: an indirect reference.
ex. Propoganda consists of innuendo.
coalition: an alliance.
ex. Coalitions were made during WWII.
elicit: to bring out.
ex. He elicits his money to pay.
hiatus: a break in work; a gap.
ex. People usually take a hiatus during lunch.
assuage: to make less severe; to calm.
ex. I had to assuage the situation.
decadence: falling into a bad condition; deterioration.
ex. This sign is falling into a decadence.
expostulate: argue.
ex. The mother and daughter are expostulating.
simulate: to create a model of a situation or thing.
ex. The man made a 3D simulation of the hospital.
jaded: worn out or dull.
ex. The steak knife was jaded.
umbrage: annoyance; displeasure.
ex. My nephews could become umbrageous at times.
prerogative: an exclusive right; priviledge.
ex. The president has prerogative rights.
lurid: gruesome; revolting.
ex. That movie was lurid.
transcend: to rise above or go beyond.
ex. I transcended my parent's expectations.
provincial: belonging to some particular province.
ex. Lopez Lake is provincial.
petulant: sudden irritation.
ex. Women can become petulant at times.
unctuous: excessively smooth.
ex. Some surfaces are very unctuous.
meritorious: praiseworthy.
ex. Good grades are meritorious.

Young Goodman Brown

1. Many author's write a story with a moral for the reader to learn or they try to send a message to the reader, through the story. The story shows the townspeople with a hidden faith. Hawthorne's message in this story is, probably, that some people aren't what they seem to be.
2. Trying to comprehend a character like Faith can be really confusing. Her name is what she has, she apparently has "faith" in her witch-like religion. At the end of the story, Brown had no faith in her at all. After his episode that night, he couldn't look at her the same way he did before he left for the woods.
3. I believe that the pink ribbons signify faith, the confidence or trust in a person or thing.
4. I strongly believe that the events that occured were just a dream. While he was saying goodbye to Faith, She insisted that he'd sleep that night. Why would she want him to stay if the plan was to have him at the meeting?
5. I don't think he is an ordinary human being, he could be the devil or someone affiliated with the devil. He was a strange man and he really did stand out from the rest. His staff looked a lot like a snake, as it said in the story, and the snake is known to be a sign of the devil or a bad omen.
6. The staff could represent evil and power. The old man prefered walking with the staff, it probably gave him strength to move on. It could have also persuaded him to move on and that is what might have happened to Goodman Brown, the staff persuaded him to move forward. In the Bible, a snake persuaded Eve to bite the apple. In the story, the staff is said to look like a snake. So, metaphorically speaking, the snake convinced Brown to move forward. The snake is the master of deception and that is what the staff represented.
7. Of course, he would have still been living his normal life. He wouldn't be questioning his faith in Faith. He wouldn't be questioning his trust on the townspeople. Young Goodman Brown would be living his life without a worry. 

Young Goodman Brown: Questions & Observations

1. Young Goodman Brown left for Salem, What was his true reason for this? Was he expecting what happened that night?
2. Goodman Brown questions if what happened to him was just a nightmare from passing out on the road. I believe it was, because while he was saying goodbye to Faith, she insisted that he'd stay the night. If it was a plan to have him at the meeting, then why did she want him to spend the night with her?
3. At the end, everyone is acting like their normal self, as if nothing happened the night before. If those events really did happen to Goodman, then these people are living a double life. Could this story be telling us that not everyone is what they seem?

Socratic Seminar Notes

•  I agree to the right of your own opinion because they are your thoughts and it correlates to freedom of speech. It's part of your natural rights.
•  People feel a lot better to express themselves with technology than in person. I believe people are more comfortable that way because they are not face to face, and personal communication seems to add more tension.
• With technology advancing, communicating with it will be a lot easier (in grammatical terms)because of spell/grammar check and auto correct. While it is assuring to know that a computer will be watching over your grammar, many people might become far too reliant on such thing and that might become an issue.
• The moral of the story "Earth on Turtle's Back" is that small things can do big things. I wish that were true, because I'm a small guy and the only advantage we have is being able to eat for free at Denny's on days we remember to shave. Other than deceiving waitresses into thinking we're kids, short people ain't got much of an advantage.

Reflections on Week 1

     1. I've been experiencing technical difficulties with my computer lately. For example: When I go to Google, I get a 404 page. Luckily, that won't be a big issue. I can always ask friends for assisstance whenever I am struggling.
     2. An awesome learning experience I had was when I was in 5th grade. Every student who got good grades would be part of a popcorn party. Whenever I get food for great effort, I am more than willing to try. Food is good, but after 5th grade I learned that you can't always expect a reward for your accomplishments.
     3. I am curious as to how the whole blog system will work. So far, it is understandable and I am haveing a great time with the blog and this form of teaching. I believe that this method of teaching will give me a new perspective on learning and I am looking forward to it.

Assignment #1

My name is Francisco Ayala and I am one of the latest students to Dr.Preston's American Literature class. My top goal for this course is to simly pass it with a decent grade. I expect my knowledge to be improved by new teaching strategies and by learning the new material. I am looking forward to the new school year and can't wait to see what is in store for my junior year.