Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8CU54aAOB0
Class questions:
1) In the book Alexandra and her brothers argue about the land. The brothers say that it is their land and tell Alexandra not to marry Carl for he might steal there land Do you think men should interfere with womens life styles and choices?
2) Do you feel that Alexandra and these women should live their lives according to what is sociably right or what they feel is right?
3) How does the issue of birth control relate to Alexandra and her right with the farm?
4) Base on Cather's portrayal of Alexandra, if she were to take part in the debate about birth control what would her stance be?
Blog Question:
Do you believe that one should live their life free from society's demands and chose what to do in life based on their own wants or should one instead listen to both themselves and others? Why?
I believe that people should make decision based mostly on what they believe however if society believes in something there is probably a good reason which should also be thought about. in the end you should decide on things based on what you think is right however i don't think everyone will just make decisions strictly based on what they believe do to how self conscious people are of what others think of them and how it is so ingrained in human behavior to flow with what society believes in. i don't think the large majority of society will ever be able to totally separate themselves from what others think and that their thoughts and decisions will always be tainted by this.
ReplyDeleteI idealistically believe that people should make decisions based on their personal interests and values. I also feel that is not always realistic and easier said than done. I think in the recent reading when Signe chooses a convenient husband shows the realism of people's choices based on what they should do, not want to do. It also shows how people want to be told what to do rather than think for themselves. This is a reflection of the reality of our society. It is easier to follow than differ. Unlike naturalism where people are incapable of choosing or controlling surroundings or circumstances, people make choices that meet the least resistance to avoid discomfort or challenges. I think people should follow their heart, it has the higher risk but it also has the higher reward for an authentic and valuable life.
ReplyDeleteI believe people need to make decisions based on their own values. Ignoring society is impossible so people need to be able to filter what they believe is right or wrong. The novels we have read this year have shown the effects of too radically being independant and also relying too heavily on society. Today, most of what society tell us is correct. Still, people must recognize what is right or wrong on their on merits so they don't become robots and listen or do whatever someone tells them. Its much harder for someone to follow then stand up for something but its the people who stand up for things that eventually improve our society and go down in hisory.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people should live completely on their own ideals, but they shouldn't conform to society's wishes either. It is never a good thing when you are completely isolated from society. You never learn the difference between what is right and what is wrong. They should get an idea of what is right and wrong from society's examples and then interpret those scenarios for themselves. With that said, an individual should make decisions based on what is socially excepted by society. Therefore, one should listen to society's demands but, in the end, listen to their hearts.
ReplyDeleteI think that people should live their lives somewhat in between completely doing whatever they want and conforming to society. One example of society helping us is learning to read. Society demands that children go to school, where they learn valuable lessons like reading, sharing, and social skills. O pioneers and Huck Finn have both showed us the dramatic differences between civilization and nature, the city and the plains, and society and individualism. Like Jack said, it's up to the person to make the judgement if what society dictates is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is healthy for individuals to make depictions based on both, their own values and what society demands of them. Although, these factors play into each other in our daily lives. Sometimes society's demands are changed by developing values and sometimes values are changed by societal demands. I too agree with Jack in that, throughout this process it is up to the individual to determine right from wrong. Society places many pressures on people to be well off and succeed in certain ways, but ideally it is up to the individual if they will follow through.
ReplyDeleteOne should listen to others and themselves, because everyone in this world has heard things and experienced events and interprets them in a different way.It is like books we read, every one reads it and comprehends it, but each individual interprets it differently. If people didn't make decisions on their own thoughs we would not have any individuals in the world, you wouldn't have a personal opinion. If we didn't have an opinion, it would be like math, there will be only one answer to every problem.
ReplyDeleteI firmly think that people should follow their own hearts and do what they want or think they should do when making decision.Since I was little I have been told to be myself and be unique and that is something everyone should try and be. It is not hard to be unique either, if you are an individualistic and make decisions by what you think is right, then that shows your uniqueness. There are hundreds of examples with the message to follow your heart: from a song's main chorus, to movies, and books. In Huckleberry Finn, Huck knew what society's opinions would be and listened to hiimself because he knew that society is not always right. Although there are people that should not be trusted with making decisions for themselves( murderers, robbers, etc.), everybody makes mistakes and I hope that those types of people learn from theirs. I could not agree more with what Jack said, "People need to make decisions based on their values."
ReplyDelete1.) I believe that no one should decide how you live your own life except yourself. Especially in this situation specially because the land clearly belongs to Alexandra and not her brothers. Alexandra put the work into the land and deserves her prosperity that she earned. I think it is fine to ask for advice as far as making lifestyle choices, but at the end of the day it should come down to what you truly want.
ReplyDelete2.) I think Alexandra should live her life in the way that she pleases. People should never change the way they are because they are afraid they will not be accepted socially. You should always do what you think is right not what everyone else tells you to do.
3.) It relates because the issue is that birth control is not covered by insurance but Viagra is. This is obviously not fair and many women are unhappy about it. This is similar to Alexandra’s situation because her brother’s have prosperity because of Alexandra but she is the one that put in all the hard work and Oscar and Lou still think the land should belong to them. Both of these situations are a violation of women’s rights.
4.) If Alexandra were to take part in this debate around birth control, I’m guessing her stance would be to have insurance provide birth control for women because of her leadership. I think most women would take the same stance because if men are covered with Viagra, why shouldn’t women be covered with birth control. This only causes problems.
Blog Question:
I believe that people should idealistically make decisions based on their own personal beliefs. Although, I also believe that listening to others and taking their advice can be beneficial as well in the end in making a final decision. This message is seen in a lot of our reading such as The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne does what she chooses to do and not what is socially accepted. I agree with Jack that at the end of the day, your choices should be primarily based on what you believe is right not what society demands or what others tell you.
I believe people need to make decisions based on what they believe in. Though I also believe by making those decisions with regards to society and what is socially acceptable. Because you can't just do whatever you want with no consequences, but I think that if your actions are socially acceptable then you should be able to do whatever you like. Society basically determines, and your parents from a young age, teach you what's right and wrong. It is up to you ultimately, later in life to make your decisions based on what you learned throughout your life. But never should someone live their life making none of their own deicisions and just letting society dictate what they say or do. It's exactly how Huck takes on his problems, by making decisions for himself, with society in mind, and even though his actions are socially unacceptable it ends up helping him out in the end, and he stood up for what he believed in.
ReplyDeleteI think that people should make their own choices in life. Yes many people today are influenced by society and what othet people think about them but at the end of the day a person has to do what they want and think is right. In Huck Finn Huck is a perfect example of breaking away from society and doing what he wanted. He didnt fallow the norms of society and did what he wanted to do by helping Jim, and not getting fully educated. Yes people can learn from the parents in their early years, but what they learn from them they need to take into their adult years and help stand up for what they believe in and make their own choices based on what they want.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that people should listen to themselves and those that surround them. In my opinion a person is made into who they are by those that surround them and how they let those people affect them. Like Cather I believe that people should also make their own choices too. For example, if you lived in a time where slavery was ok then it would be good thing to defy society. Also the pressures of society can also affect who you are. Whether you want to or not you are always affected by your surroundings. You either agree with society or you disagree but either way you are effected by your surroundings. Moreover, I believe that each person should have their own beliefs but also they should take in to fact what those around them believe.
ReplyDeleteListening to both yourself and others is the best decision. Most people do not listen to others, while sometimes it can work out for the best, people outside of your conscience have insight of situations that you may not have. It allows for a fresh opinion in a situation as well. By listening to others as well as yourself, it unlocks new possibilities and options a person may not think possible or correct. That does not mean that these people are not making their own decision. They have their choice on whether or not they listen to the advice given. Choices are up to the person listening, but being open to new possibilities allow for the best decision. Each person should have their own belief, but allowing for another opinion makes for the wisest choice.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to listen to both yourself and others so that you may benefit from others' wisdom. Also, as our actions affect those around us, we should try to keep them in mind. However, it's important to recognize whose opinion is of the greatest value. In questions of ethics, there are often many interpretations of right and wrong, and seldom is there an obvious answer. While I think people should consider all the options available, ultimately they must decide for themselves what they believe. As Simon said, the decision will reflect not only their personality, but their environment. Their decisions will likewise affect their environment, and I believe this knowledge causes much of the drive to conform. Many feel they cannot create change and those who do often fear it because they cannot expect all the reactions they will face as a result. It takes courage to resist conformity as well as great conviction. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
ReplyDeleteI feel that a person should do what they want to do in live, not what society wants them to do. Although, I do agree with Christine in that one should take into account the advice and suggestions of others to help guide one along. For me, I take into play what my parents, and my closest friends think. But ultimately, I rely on my own judgments to make choices in life. When making big decisions in life, people often like to hear their opinions confirmed by others, making them feel like they are making the BEST decision possible. If they do not hear the same opinion, they often feel that what they are choosing to do is wrong. Personally, if someone has a different opinion on what I should do, I go with what I think is the best decision, and will benefit me in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say whether or not people are completely independent, or on "their own" but I think some people are more individual than others. The only way someone could be closest to be a completely independent person, no affected by others, and would be if they were born and put in the woods to survive as an infant, this is obviously not possible to survive. In that case no one is their own person and everyone is affected by something or other in society. People can run away, live in nature and break away from society as much as they want but as soon as they live one day in civilization, they are changed forever. People should and can go by what they believe in and think is morally right. However, these ideas, motives and beliefs will always be stemmed from something else, a greater being which, whether or not they knew it, affected their personality to think a certain way. So, people should always live by what they believe in, beat to their own drum, etc. because it is important to follow what you believe in and not conform to what society thinks. But, they will always be affected by society.
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