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Chapter 12: Student Online Work

Administrator — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:56:11 +0000

How did Henry David Thoreau’s solitary living experiment influence his perspective of society?

Your Answer:

David Thoreau’s solitary living experienced, influenced thorough that many people in society are too egocentric and do not enjoy life for what it is and spend their time doing the wrong things.

While David Thoreau was living in solitude in the wilderness, he constructed possibly one of the most influential pieces of literature of all time called Walden which was published in 1854. In this book Thoreau focused on many principles, which became the foundation for perfectionism and Utopian Communities around the nation. One of these principles that Thoreau expressed was this idea of egotism that everyone had, stating in Walden that: “We commonly do not remember that it is, after all, always the first person that is speaking. I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well. Unfortunately, I am confined to this theme by the narrowness of my experience.” It seems that Thoreau rejects this common egotism and is basically saying that we should all take into consideration each others’ interests as well.

Thoreau also expresses that: “I see young men, my townsmen, whose misfortune it is to have inherited farms, houses, barns, cattle, and farming tools; for these are more easily acquired than got rid of. Better if they had been born in the open pasture and suckled by a wolf, that they might have seen with clearer eyes what field they were called to labor in. Who made them serfs of the soil? Why should they eat their sixty acres, when man is condemned to eat only his peck of dirt? Why should they begin digging their graves as soon as they are born? They have got to live a man’s life, pushing all these things before them, and get on as well as they can. How many a poor immortal soul have I met well-nigh crushed and smothered under its load, creeping down the road of life, pushing before it a barn seventy-five feet by forty, its Augean stables never cleansed, and one hundred acres of land, tillage, mowing, pasture, and woodlot!” To basically sum up this excerpt from Walden Thoreau is telling us that from his solidarity he is convinced that he who must labor everyday on a farm is wasting his life away, whereas one who does not work and enjoys the many wonders of life may not have as many material things as he who labors but in all reality actually lives a happier life because he or she was able to live life to the fullest.

Living in solidarity in the wilderness influenced David Thoreau that being egocentric is a poor trait and that one must live life to the fullest and not focus so much on labor in order to live happily.

How did Henry David Thoreau’s solitary living experiment influence his perspective of society?

Your Answer:

By living away from society, Thoreau aimed to view society objectively, which he found as materialistic, consumeristic, distant from nature, and destructive towards it. He advocates a simple lifestyle in Walden, like the advice he gave to a poor Irish farmer to live free in the woods. However, the dream of luxury was more powerful than the promise of a carefree, but poor, life to that farmer, like most Americans. That dream, Thoreau believes, leads to desperate lives being led by people struggling to get by in the capitalistic world they strive to be a part of. The train whistle that he hears near Walden Pond constantly reminds him of the encroachment of the masses towards all the nature that is left. Through this experiment, Thoreau is assured of the validity of transcendentalism and calls on others to find the truth of their own lives by being closer to nature.

How did Henry David Thoreau’s solitary living experiment influence his perspective of society?

Your Answer:

Thoreau’s solitary living experiment influenced his perspective of society in many ways. After living alone, only depending on himself, Thoreau began to realize that rather than owning material possessions, material possessions own you. He believes that a higher state of enlightenment and being can be achieved if one is allowed to concentrate on their thoughts. He also believed that that inheriting a mass of property or other goods lead people to work more than what is necessary and leads those people to, “pushing all these things before them,” instead of enjoying life. He discusses this point in his statement of, “How many a poor immortal soul have I met well-nigh crushed and smothered under its load, creeping down the road of life, pushing before it a barn seventy-five feet by forty, its Augean stables never cleansed, and one hundred acres of land, tillage, mowing, pasture, and woodlot!” This statement truly shows that a mass of possessions will just lead to an almost unbearable and seemingly unending amount of work which will, “crush and smother” a person’s spirit. He furthers his point with a reference to the mythological character of Augeas and his stables. Augeas was famous for his stables which housed the greatest number of cattle in the country, but because of their size, had never been cleaned. This relates to his point because it shows that owning a lot of something, which is typocally viewed as a good thing in society, doesn’t make you any better, it simply makes life harder. This is how some of Thoreau’s perspective’s of society were changed during his time in the woods.

Sample RAFT Assignments

Administrator — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:19:36 +0000

You are a Quaker abolitionist. In a love story to your partner, explain why you can’t live in a world with slavery.

My Dearest Tucker,

I feel like our love is the only pure thing in a world stained with hatred and injustice. How can our fellow brethren enslave one another? Are they too blind to see that color is only that, color? Do they not realize behind that color lie a man? A man worthy of rights and all the opportunities presented to people of a paler complexion! Oh Tuck, why can’t they see? As a Quaker, I believe God resides in ALL people, and that each of us holds within ourselves an inner light. This inner light we all possess directly connects us to our gracious God, and makes all of us equal in every single way. Tuck, if only the whole world were Friends! The love I feel for you, and in a lesser degree for all mankind, is great and knows no bounds. I strive to be as forgiving as our Merciful Father but I cannot find the strength within myself to not detest these vile shadows of people known as slaveholders. Those poor, poor Africans! They are deprived the gift of knowledge, and deprived of the natural rights we are born with! It seems as if this whole world is drenched in prejudice and brimming with hatred. How can I continue to keep living in such a place!?!? If it wasn’t for the sheer amount of joy you bring me or the steadily approaching date of our nuptials, I would surely fall into a state of despair.

I anxiously await each of you letters; the visit with your Uncle Kit seems to be dragging on and on. It must be such a torture for you to journey to the South, where slavery is rampant, abundant, and horribly interlaced with the economy. I shudder at the images you may have seen, each individual burdens you will carry with you for a long, long time. My heart is heavy in your absence; you took with you my greatest friend and lover. Each breath without you pains me; hurry home to me my love.

Most Affectionately Yours,

Your Eternal Love, Sophie Cromwell

You are the child of a plantation slave and master. How does your mixed heritage help or hurt you in the new government?

My name is Raymond Astor, and I am the eldest son of Alfred Astor; prominent plantation owner and important member of the circle of the Southern elite. However, I am not the heir to his immense fortune, in fact; I am no more than his mere property. My mother, Hazel, had me eighteen years ago, and ever since then has been one of Charleston’s favorite gossip topics. My mother was also the result of a scandalous inter-racial coupling, thus making me seventy five percent white, and twenty five percent African. Despite the majority of my parentage being white, I am still an unrecognized citizen of America, three fifths of a person, and my father’s property. I am more white than I am black, yet I still am forced to work the cotton fields, and engage in exhaustive manual labor each day. I damn the calluses on my hands, for I have no need for them. Am I not an Astor? I am an intelligent man, regardless of my lot in life. I, unlike many of my fellow enslaved brothers, am literate, and try to keep up on the political happenings of my country. Therefore, I know of Thomas Jefferson’s stance in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal. Does this not apply to me? I have green eyes, light brown hair, and a medium skin tone, yet because a small amount of African blood that runs through my veins I am forced to toil in the fields of my father’s plantation. Where do we draw the line? At what point does your genetic makeup overrule your skin color? I am neither a white man nor a black man, I am both. America has no set rules for me, I am the anomaly. The government can’t help me, it’s too entrenched in age old prejudices. The Declaration of Independence doesn’t apply to me; I am a man unequal. America has no place for me, and I don’t know where I stand politically, socially, or economically. I am part of the invisible population; denied their rights and forced to live a life in shame.

3. You are in a debtor’s prison, and you have recently learned of the Bill of Rights. In a letter, plead you case.

Hello Judge Amsterdam,

My name is Isabella Le Montague, and I am a twenty five year old mother of three. Six years ago, my husband died during an important battle in the American Revolution. I was left alone; forced to find a way to keep myself and my family afloat. My mother and I have been scraping together as much money together as we can, in a desperate attempt to stay out of debt and keep our farm. About a year ago, I stopped making payments on the farmhouse; we had a particularly terrible harvest and were left with no source of income. The tax collectors came, and I had nothing to give them. Two days later, I was dragged into custody; I wasn’t even given the chance to have a proper goodbye with my children! The men threw me into a debtor’s prison, and I lost any hope of seeing my family again. However, recently I’ve learned of the Bill Of Rights and my hopes have sparked once again. I believe amendments six, seven, and eight directly correlate with my case, which I pray you will reconsider. I feel as though my stay here is in direct opposition with amendment six and seven; I was not judged by a jury of my peers, I was given no trial at all, the men told me that my debt was so high a trial was unnecessary. I never thought such an injustice would take root in America! Also, I believe my punishment outweighs my crime, thousands upon thousands of farmers are downing in debt; and I was one of the few in Springfield who didn’t join that vigilante Daniel Shays! As you can see, my detainment here directly conflicts with the constitution, I am a good citizen and a proud American who just wishes to go back home. Please reconsider my case, and please allow me to return to my family; my children need a mother. Thank you for your time.

Anxiously Waiting,

Isabella Le Montague

Ch. 10 Online: Dartmouth Decision

Administrator — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:17:20 +0000

How was the future of businesses impacted by the ruling in Dartmouth College v. Woodward?

Your Answer:

The future of business was impacted by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Dartmouth College v. Woodward because it established the basic principle of honoring a contract between parties.

The State of New Hampshire wanted to convert Dartmouth College from a private institution to a state university. Senator Daniel Webster led the charge in favor of Dartmouth’s right as a private institution stating that the original charter of 1769 that the college had made with the state was valid and irrevocable. Under this charter, Dartmouth College was deemed a private university. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dartmouth College and Webster. Chief Justice John Marshall, regarding the verdict of the case stated that “This is an action of trover, brought by the Trustees of Dartmouth College against William H. Woodward, in the state court of New Hampshire, for the book of records, corporate seal, and other corporate property, to which the plaintiffs allege themselves to be entitled. A special verdict, after setting out the rights of the parties, finds for the defendant, if certain acts of the legislature of New Hampshire, passed on the 27th of June, and on the 18th of December 1816, be valid, and binding on the trustees, without their assent, and not repugnant to the constitution of the United States.”

A sufficient example in action of the ruling in Dartmouth v. Woodward is when a football player signs a contract with a team. If the contract states that the player is to be signed for five years and receive twenty million dollars in compensation for his services, then the team must honor the requirements under the contract, unless both the player and team decide to deem the contract void. If the team or player fails to honor the requirements of the contract, they could face some sort of penalty for doing so.

In conclusion, the ruling of Dartmouth College v. Woodward established a principle in which parties involved in a contract must honor their duties in that said contract and the contract cannot be changed unless all parties involved agree upon the modification. This jurisdiction therefore affected the future of businesses in America.

Ch. 9 Online: Old Ironsides

Administrator — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:56:03 +0000

What elements of American symbolism can be found in Oliver Wendell Holmes Senior’s Old Ironsides?

Your Answer:

The poem “Old Ironsides” witten by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. on September 16, 1830, shows various elements of American Symbolism.

The poem states, “That banner in the sky” In this excerpt, Holmes is describing the American Flag that flew high on the ship during battle. The American Flag was an American symbol for freedom, and still today symbolizes the principles that American liberties stand for.

Holmes also calls “Old Ironside”, “The eagle of the sea.” In fact the ship he was refering to, which is “Old Ironside” was the frigate constructed in the 18th century called the USS Constitution. It was one of the six original frigates launched by the Naval Act of 1794.

The poem also symbolizes the many naval conflicts that America was involved in. The USS Constitution, as described in the poem, was involved in such naval conflicts such as the Quasi-War, the First Barbary War, the Battle of Tripoli Harbor, and the Battle of Derne. It finally earned it’s name, “Old Ironsides” after the War of 1812, for the many battles it sustained. Holmes described the ship in the verse “Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood, Where knelt the vanquished foe”

In summary this poem was writtten by Holmes in order to convince the U.S. Government to retire the USS Constitution, rather than sink it. This can be found in the verses: “Oh, better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave; Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave;”

Ch. 9 Online: Star Spangled Banner

Administrator — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:53:01 +0000

What is the image of America portrayed in the Star Spangled Banner? Given this image, why was this song chosen as the national anthem?

Your Answer:

Francis Scott Key’s poem, Star Spangled Banner, portrays America as a strong and glorious nation, even when actively entrenched in war. Key illustrates the battle in great detail, utilizing imagery in his quest to immortalize America in her fight against the British. Both lines five and six are great examples of Key’s vision, “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

Francis Scott Key also portrays America as an idealistic nation, where brotherhood, freedom, and the brave all dwell; Key creates a nationalistic vibe throughout the whole piece. This is best exemplified by these following lines; “And the Star – Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!” This is most likely why Congress chose this song as the United States Anthem in 1931, it personifies the traits America holds sacred and tries to uphold in its decisions both domestically and internationally.

Another view of America Key creates in his famous poem is a nation that is well-seasoned in war, and an indomitable spirit. Francis Scott Key drills this vison of America home in the following lines, “Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: ”

In conclusion Francis Scott Kep prtrays America as an ideal nation, that is strong and glorious, and well-seasooned in war and defense. These qualities have become synonkous with America today, which is most likely why Congress chose this iconic poem as the offical anthem of the United States.