A Letter To My 9th Grade

Dear Rony:
     As a rising ninth grader, you should realize you are a grow-up now. You are going to experience a brand new life in your 9th grade and face the second toughest test--the high school entrance test within one year.
     Sorry, I have to talk about study by this time cause you've been playing so hard and ignoring all hardship in study for the past two years in your middle school. This is the last year of your middle school. Catch up, my young girl!
     Forget about the fight with your parents; forget about those book worms around you; forget about the madness as a teenager! You have to face it. Hiding in the darkness, listening to those music, or pretending to read novels are not the useful things you should do. It's not late yet. You can do it, right?
     Be strong and be healthy. Do what you should do, that's it.
    Wish you can get into the best high school you want!
Love,
Rony Huang

Canto 14

Circle Seven: Round Three (The violent against God, Nature, and Art)
Summary
     In this canto, Dante shows us the three levels of sinners in round three and how they suffered in different degrees of exposure to the life.
     The canto starts off with Dante restores the leaves from his countryman. Virgil let him move on to the third ring of circle seven--plain of burning sand. There, the souls suffered from the rain of fire. The three degrees of sufferers in the fire mentioned before are Blasphemers, Sodomites, and Usurers. They represent the violent against God, nature, and art in order.
     Among the sinners, Dante sees a giant--Capaneus, who is one of the kings that besieged Thebes. He is very furious and insists that God (Jove in Roman) can never constraint him.
     Dante and Virgil move along the edge of the Wood of Suicides and come to a blood red rill which is crossed the burning plain. Here, the Old Man of Crete is introduced. It is a statue sits underneath a mountain under island Crete. Tears flow through the cracks on the statue and form the Acheron, the Styx, the Phlegethon and the Cocytus (a pool at the bottom of Hell).
Characters
-Cato: Cato of Utica led an army across the Libyan Desert.
-Alexander the Great: Mentioned when Dante tries to describe the bloody rain. He compares it to snow falling from the windless sky onto the Alps and then alludes to Alexander the Great expedition to India, when his troops were tormented by falling fire.
-Rhea: wife of Saturn and mother of Jove. Saturn's own son would dethrone him.
-An ancient giant: the Old Man of Crete which is built by different metals, such as gold and iron. Each metal represents one of the ages of the man.
Sin&Punishment
-Blasphemers, the violent against God-stretch supine upon the sand
-Sodomites, the violent against Nature-run in endless circles
-Usurers, the violent against Art-huddle on the sands

Questions

-Why does Dante gather the leaves from the ground and put them back near the tree?

-What is the symbolism of the rain of fire?

Canto 23

Circle Eight: Bolgia Six – the Hypocrites

Summery

       Dante and Virgil continued silently. Dante was comparing the experience of bolgia five to Aesop’s fable of the frog and the mouse. To get out of the grafters bolgia, Virgil took up Dante and slid down to the bolgia six.

       They found that the sinners there were dressed in glorious gilded robes, but inside the robes were heavy lead which made the spirits weep as they slowly walk around. Virgil was told to find someone to lead their way and one spirit stopped them. Two spirits saw Dante and was surprised he was alive. They told Dante and Virgil that this bolgia was full of hypocrites. They were the Jovial Friars, Catalano and Loderingo who were chosen to be peace guards in Florence. They had to suffer from the sins because they acted hypocritically before they die.

       When they were about to leave, Dante saw a sinner who was crucified by to the floor of Hell by three great stakes. He was the chief sinner of the place, Caiaphas. Later on, they decided to leave and they found they were deceived by Malacoda about the bridges over the Sixth Bolgia.

Sins/Punishments

Hypocrites: weighted down by great leaden robes, walk eternally round and round a narrow track.

Characters

-Catalano and Loderingo: founders of the order, was Ghibelline.

-Caiaphas: the High Priest of the Jews who counseled the Pharisees to crucify Jesus in the name of public expedience.

Questions

-Why did Dante tell us about the frog and the mouse in Aesop’s fable?

-Why Hypocrites have this kind of sin?

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2 Script

Main Characters: Queen, Hamlet, King Claudius, Horatio, Laertes

King  My dear brother Hamlet died only days ago. Even though our entire kingdom are still grieved about this disaster. But we have to overcome all this and move on. There is nothing can stop our steps and make us forget our responsibility. Therefore, I married our former sister-in-law. Just like there are always something bad and something good happen in our life. I hope our wedding can bring a little bit delight to balance all our sorrow. And for those who make such a good advise, thank you! Next is something you already know. Fortinbras think our kingdom is disordered and powerless after my brother's death. He send us several messages demanding for the lands that his father lost. And now is the purpose for this meeting. I have written to the King of Norway, Fortinbras's uncle, tell him to stop his nephew from being too powerful. Unfortunately, he suffer the diseases for a long time and hardly knows anything about his nephew. So I will send you, good Cornelius and you, Voltemand to Norway with this letter to negotiate with the King. Hope you can depart as soon as possible and I trust you will finish the mission.

      Ok, now, Laertes, what do you want? I remember you have some requests. Just ask me. I will agree anything you ask if it is reasonable. Your  father is my trusted adviser, how can refuse your requests? Speak it out, Laertes, what's your wishes?

Laertes   My Lord, I already finished my duty here and I want to go back to France.

King   Have you ask your father's permission yet? What does Polonius say?

Polonius  Yes, my Lord, I agree.

King   Then I will be fine with that. I hope you can enjoy your trip, Laertes. It is always a good thing for young people travel around . They can always inspire themselves.

King   Hamlet, Why are you still under a cloud?

Hamlet  Not reallly, my lord. I'm suffering from too much sun.

Queen  Oh, my dear Hamlet! Forget about the sadness. You should look up. You know, everybody’s going to die. It’s normal.

Hamlet  Yes, madam. It's normal.

Queen  If you really feel like that, why are you still seems so depressed?

Hamlet  What you see cannot be compared with what I feel deep inside. I'm suffering! Dear mom!

King   It's very commendable of you to mourn you father like this, Hamlet. But you have to know that everyone in the world will go through this. So no matter how much you sad about his death, you have to let the sorrow go and move on. The endless sorrow is not something that belongs to a man! Nature takes your father's death as a normal thing, that's what you should do. So I beg you to bury all your grief! I will be your father and you will be the next King! I will treat you just like my own son and give you everything you want! But I don't want you return to Wittenberg University. We hope you can stay here with us, let us to take good care of you!

Queen  I pray for you to stay with us. Don’t let the prayers go away. Don’t go to Wittenberg!

Hamlet  I will try hard. Mother.

King   Oh, wonderful! This is the reply I want to hear!

        Come here, Madam. This just cheers my heart. I will fire cannon to inform the clouds and drink all night to celebrate it! Come, let's go!

Hamlet  What is happening to this world?! Oh, God, God! Can time vanish everything? My uncle took my father's crown and married my mother at the same time without shame. And look at that happy lady, does she remember how much my father loved her before? It's only two months! Even monsters can mourn longer than that!

Horatio  Greeting to my gracious lord!

Hamlet  Glad to see you, Horatio, if I'm right.

Horatio  Indeed, I am going to be your humble servant forever!

Hamlet  Oh, my good friend! Why are you back?

Horatio  I escaped from school, my lord!

Hamlet  Don't say that. I know you would never escape from school. So, what are you doing here.

Horatio  My lord, I am coming here to see your father’s funeral.

Hamlet  Oh, please! I think you are here to see my mother's wedding!

Horatio  [embarrassed] Oh, it happened so fast!

Hamlet  I know, don't eat the food in the wedding because those are lefterovers. I would rather meet go to the heaven. Oh, maybe I can meet my father there!

Horatio  [startled] Where is he, my lord?

Hamlet  In my heart.

Horatio  I saw him before. He was a good King.

Hamlet  Yes, he was the greatest king ever.

Horatio  I think I saw him last night, my lord.

Hamlet  Saw who?

Horatio  My lord, it was your father—the old King.

Hamlet  My father?

Horatio  Don’t be upset. Let me describe this marvel to you with the guards as witnesses.

Hamlet  Speak out loud!

Horatio  For two nights in succession, these guards Marcellus and Barnardo have been confronted a figure like your father. He is armed correctly and looked exactly the same as the old King. He walked solemnly at a slow but steady pace. He walked three times right in front of them but did not speak. The guards were scared and asked me to stay with them for the third night. I came and recognized your father. What they said are correct!

Hamlet  Did you speak to him?

Horatio  My lord, I did, but he didn’t reply. However there was one time he was going to say something. Then the morning cock started to crow. He disappeared.

Hamlet  That's strange.

Horatio  I swear to God, my honored lord, it is true. We think we should tell you.

Hamlet  Of cause. But I worry about it. Are you going tonight?

Horatio  Yes, I am, my lord.

Hamlet  Was he armed?

Horatio  He was, my lord.

Hamlet  Did you see his face?

Horatio  Oh yes, my lord. He wore his visor up.

Hamlet  Was he like a fiercely warrior?

Horatio  His face showed more sorrow than anger.

Hamlet  Pale or red?

Horatio  My lord. It was very pale.

Hamlet  And looked hard at you?

Horatio  Throughout.

Hamlet  I wish I was there.

Horatio  It would have astounded you.

Hamlet  Yes, I believe so. How long did he stay?

Horatio  A minute or so.

Hamlet  How was his beard look like?

Horatio  Black streaked with silver. It is similar to what I had seen it during his lifetime.

Hamlet  I'll be there tonight. I guess he will appear again.

Horatio  I’m sure he will.

Hamlet  If it look like my father. I will talk to him no matter what will happen. I hope you won't tell anyone about what happen tonight. So goodbye, I'll see you there.

Horatio  Be assured of my duty to your honor.

Hamlet  Thank you for all you did.

        My father's spirit is armed! There have to be something strange going on. My poor soul. I will find the truth, no matter how hard it will be!

Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2 Script

Group: Chris, Diana, Paola, Rony, Wade

[Enter Hamlet, reading a book]

Queen: Oh, look Hamlet is reading.

Polonius (to Queen): Stay back. I’ll talk to him.

Polonius (to Hamlet): How are you, Hamlet?

Hamlet: Good.

Polonius: You know me, right?

Hamlet: Oh, yeah. You are that fisherman, aren’t you?

Polonius: No, not me!

Hamlet: Well, not many people are honest.

Polonius: That’s true!

Hamlet: The sun creates maggots from a dead dog. Well, do you have a daughter?

Polonius: Yes, I have.

Hamlet: [Emphasize] Don’t let her walk in the sun or else she will get pregnant!

Polonius: [Walk close to Hamlet.]What are you reading?

Hamlet: Words, words, words!

Polonius: What is it about?

Hamlet: It’s about old men with their ugly faces and their low wit.

Polonius (Aside): There is method behind his madness!

Polonius (to Hamlet): Will you come down?

Hamlet: Into my grave?

Polonius: Indeed, I’m leaving now.

Hamlet: Bye!

Hamlet (Aside): What a tedious old fool!

[Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]

Rosencrantz (to Hamlet): Hi!

Guildenstern (to Hamlet): Hi!

Hamlet: My old friends, how are you?

Rosencrantz: We’re doing okay.

Hamlet: Why are you guys here?

Rosencrantz: Just want to visit you.

Hamlet: Are you sure you guys weren’t called for?

Guildenstern: Yes, we were sent for.

Hamlet: I’ll tell you why you were sent. They believe I am crazy.

Rosencrantz: Well, I don’t think you are crazy. I hope the actors will entertain you.

Hamlet: Alright cool. The actors are here.

Rosencrantz：Yes, they are from the city.

Hamlet: Are they famous?

Rosencrantz: Yes, they are very famous.

Guildenstern: Oh, look! They are actors!

Hamlet: Welcome to Elsinore, my friends!

Television Violence has a Negative Effect on Society

     Nowadays, technology has been taken up a tremendous part of people’s daily lives. One of the most significant media is television. People watch movies, see commercials and listen to the news from the television. At the same time, people may see fierce programs in television which means the appearance of television violence. Although it is good to demonstrate violent events to people from television, sometimes it is beneficial to think about measure the effectiveness of television violence, especially when children are involved in it. The useless “safe-harbor” policies on banning TV programs and the accidents occurred on children give evidence of the negative effect on television violence among children.

       First of all, the uncertain policies produce errors for children to absorb violent materials and bring negative effects in the society. In order to prevent children and youth from watching indecent television, the U.S. Supreme Court has established “safe harbor” policy to distinguish adult programming in television from 22:00 to 06:00 on the next day. However, this policy is not as effective as people think. According to the book Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence, “as Potter (2003) points out, such “safe-harbor” policies are doomed for failure, for throughout the evening, even as late as 11:00 p.m., children and adolescents are watching television in large numbers. As evidence, Potter provides the following information: Immediately following the family hour, the number of children who continue to watch television drops by only 12%, leaving around 10.8 million youthful viewers. By 11:00 p.m., nearly 3.2 million children and 3 million adolescents are still watching television. (Kirsh 79)” As the book says, policy of banning adult programming has not worked much. As a result, children and youth may absorb indecent program in this period of time. The negative effects during these time periods may bring accidents among children.

       Moreover, by seeing violent actions children have the attempts to imitate violence and create tragic results. Bandura and his colleagues, who studied adolescents for a long period of time, had done some experimental studies with children. “A young child was presented with a film, back-projected on a television screen, of a model who kicked and punished an inflated plastic doll. The child was then placed in a playroom setting and the incidence of aggressive behavior was recorded. (Osofsky 79)” From the studies, Bandura claimed that “children who had viewed the aggressive film were more aggressive in the playroom that those children who had not observed the aggressive model”. Though this is an early study, the results from the study still stand today. The stimulus of violence among children is true. Parents should prevent their children from watching indecent materials because children may imitate the actions and bring tragic results.

       Last but not least, the aggressive behaviors children learnt from televisions are the cause of millions of tragedies. Children Who See Too Much, a book tells about lessons from the child witness to violence project, gives an evidence of youth accident. A fourteen-year-old boy who was an expert on TV video games was involved in the event. “An editorial in the New York Times pointed out that the fourteen-year-old boy who killed three people in the school shooting in Paducah, Kentucky, fired eight shots and hit eight people. (Groves 25-26)” This is one of a million accidents that happened before. A single child associated with eleven people’s lives because of playing video games in television. It is scary to imagine the terror impact on the society.

       Television violence does not only have negative effects on the society by unexpected accidents but may also through the psychological development throughout children’s growth and other behaviors. It is necessary to take television violence under control and maintain a healthy environment for children growth.

Works Cited:

Groves, Betsy McAlister. Children Who See Too Much. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, 2002. Print. (Pg. 25, 26)

Kirsh, Steven J. Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence. California: Sage Publications, 2006. Print. (Pg. 8)

Osofsky, Joy D. Children in a Violent Society. New York: The Guilford Press, 1997. Print. (Pg. 79)

Analysis of Utilization of Animals in Dante’s Infern

       As we can see, Dante uses much animal imagery for sinners in Inferno. From my perspective, there are several reasons by using animals to present the sins.

       First of all, having the punishments with animals is a way to attract the readers and emphasize on the sinners irredeemable guilt. In Canto XXV, the thieves in Bolgia Seven of the Eighth Circle were punished by transforming between monster-liked creatures and human. For example, Agnello comes in human form. He is merged with Cianfa, who looks like a six-legged lizard. The ugly and nasty imagery Dante used enlarges the pain of the sin and also refers to the sin of the sinner. In this case, the sinners took stuffs from others into their own from their lifetime. When they die, their bodies are taken out of themselves.

       Besides, animals give a better sense of the impersonality of those sinners. Human beings have a sense of logic in their minds; however, animals can do whatever they needed to survive. In another word, animals do not know how to control themselves. The endless desires from the animals imply to the sinners everlasting demands. They lost their sense of logic as human beings, so they are considered as animals without a difference.

       Last but not least, the animals are symbols from or main characters from the Bible and myths. Almost each of the animals in Inferno has a reference in mythology. For instance, the snakes on the thieves’ bodies are referring to the snakes from the Garden of Eden. Since the snake deceives Eve to eat the apple on the tree which made Eve a thief, the snake in the book represents for evil.

       There are many other reasons by using animal imagery in Inferno. In my view, for most parts animals are the best medium to transfer the characteristic of the sinners and to enrich the content in Inferno.