9th Grade
9th Grade Profolio
Everything that I've writen in 9th Grade.
Works of 9th Grade~
Life, Decisions, and Equality
As we venture towards new horizons in the near future, our freedom and choices are questioned constantly. In the novella “Anthem” by Ayn Rand, the main character Equality 7-2521 experiences and feels the same exact issue.
The collectivist society he lives in restricts him from exploring the intellectual, social and mental challenges along with desires he longs to understand and go through. Aside from the few things the ‘Councils’ do accept and encourage, there is no one that will stand up to the leaders and take action for change.
All decisions and choices are already made for the citizens of this society. The only thing they need to do is to do their respective duties and or jobs and live and breath.
In the society Equality 7-2521 lives in, is much like a post apocalyptic setting. The “councils” (Rand 18) are separated into specialized talents and they run almost everything. There is no romantic relationships, except for the “Time of Mating” (Rand 41). But the the few members in the society does not appreciate the system it has grown into. They keep quiet and accept what's given without refusing, because of the utter beliefs is the being equal to their brothers and/or sisters is better, than not being accepted at all.
“We {He was} were not happy in those years in the ‘Home of the Students’. It was not that the learning was too hard for us{him). It was that the learning was too easy.” (Rand 21). Equality 7-2521
believes this because many people have told him he was cursed. Cursed with looking differently, talking differently, and his ideas expands farther than anyone can imagine. The
freedom of learning is already by the councils and everyone must learn the exact same subject at the exact same speed.
Love in the society is also forbidden, though Equality 7-2521, dares to defy that rule and experience love first hand. “For men are forbidden to take notice of women, and women are forbidden to take notice of men. But we {he} think of among, they whose name is Liberty 5-3000, and we {he} think of no others.” (Rand 38).
Love, is not a top priority for the members of the society as there is already a reproduction system. Equality disagrees with the system, and wants to protect Liberty 5-3000. Though the required age for “Time of Mating’ (Rand 41) that men and women must go to the ‘Palace of Mating’ at the age of eighteen. Liberty is seventeen, and still has yet to go, and Equality is twenty-one and has already been twice.
After weeks of bottled up feelings, Equality meets her on the north street outside the city. He learns more about her and she learns more about him. both develop feelings, some they have never experienced.
As the story continues on, Equality works works in a hidden hole in the ground where he works on finding new discoveries. One inventions the Equality 7-2521 discovers is a new source of power.
With the help of stolen manuscripts and other materials, he obtains more knowledge and understanding then he could have ever have imagined. He believes that with this power he can change the society he lives in and the world around him. Equality excitedly presents his invention of electricity to the “World Council of Scholars”. Before he even gets the chance to present, they make fun of him for his social standing as a Street Sweeper.
And when he finally does present the power of electricity to them, they suddenly become confused and upset. “How dared you think that your mind held getter wisdom then the minds of your brothers {Us}?’ (Rand 71).
This only proves that the councils of this society think they are the only ones to increase their power of knowledge and power, making the citizens lower class in such a way. It gives a hence that they are jealous of Equality’s well advance knowledge. It also shows that they’re unable to accept sudden changes. Another point is that they point anyone to upstage their power and grasp in the society’s order.
As the story draws to a close, the key points of freedom of learning, love, power are often tested more, and up for the main character Equality to solve and experience the lost or the feeling of rejection and being tested. This book often relates to the recurring conflict of the freedom of others and the common human will to stand up and discover the world around us and to fight.
Don’t feel bad, George
Dear George,
I’m sorry for your loss. Im sure that it must of been hard to kill Lennie. I think I understand what you went through and what your going through. I know that Lennie killed Curley’s wife on accident, but what he did was not okay. And the fact that he stole Carlson’s gun and ran away. I know you told him that if anything bad happened then he should run to the brush and wait for you, but it probably wasn't the best idea.
I think I know why you did it though. It’s because you loved him. He already struggled with people and interacting. He pushed it. Lennie couldn’t go on with that for the rest of his life like that. Now he doesn't need to struggle any more. Your love and friendship helped him, George. You should be happy that you could do that for him.
There was always something about you and Lennie. He always threatened to leave, though you always refused. I think the thought of you being by yourself without Lennie scared you. For example you said: “George, you want I should go away and leave you alone?” Lennie said to you, after you'd rant about how life would be better without him.
“No--look! [I] jus’ foolin’ Lennie,” You'd respond yelling.
At that point you were going to a new ranch to work on. Thinking about that, I believe that you opened your heart and accepted that you have to let him go.
You may not think this but, I'm positive Lennie knew you loved him. Every time you protect him at the ranch he could tell.
"Jesus," Slim had said. "He's jus' like a kid, ain't he? [Lennie]"
And you replied: "Sure he's jes' like a kid. There ain't no more harm in him than a kid neither, except he's so strong. I bet he won't come in here to sleep tonight. He'd sleep right alongside that box in the barn. Well- let 'im. He ain't doin' no harm out there.".
Another thing that can prove your strong friendship with him, is that before you shot Lennie, you comforted him by making him feel better, and listening him to what he had to say. "I thought you was mad at me, George." George asked. "No, Lennie," You'd respond, "I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know." You didn't want him to suffer a painful death, and you also didn't want the other men on the ranch to kill him instead of yourself. That's the best thing a friend can do.
Just remember that you and Lennie will always be best friends, and I'm sure that he'd understand why you did it. Don't let the guilt get to you. The things that you've done for him, though roughly, made him happy. That's what true friendship is.
Sincerely,
Victoria Brown
Below this mini paragraph is writen essay's that I've made this year.
The first paragraph below is called "Life, Decisions, and Equality", which is written for the novella Anthem by Ayn Rand. The assignment asked me to write about the issuses in the world that the main character Equality 7-2521 lives in. I had struggles with understanding his world, I dove into it and it got easier. I learned that indivuality is the most important part of out humanity.
The next paragraph is called "Don't feel bad, George" which was written fpr the book Of Mice And Men in a response to the death of George killing Lenny. The assignment asked me to write to George in a way that if I agreed or disagreed with his descision. I had stuggles with reason why his action was ok, but I still understood why he did it. (It was complicated). I learned that sometimes you have to go that extra mile for friends.
S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA Mash-Up Painting
This is a painting that I've made in my Period 5 Art Class that took 4 hours. It is a recreational painting that was just simply for fun.
