Fences by August Wilson Information

Fences by August Wilson

• When/Where does the play take place?

The play is set in the 1957 and later in 1965.  The place the play is set in is the dirt-yard and porch of the Maxson family's house in Pittsburgh, PA.

• What was going on in the US at this time point regarding politics, economics, sports, entertainment and technology? 

1957
In the 1950s the cold war had ended. Many people were not well off economically and lived very frugally. There was severe racism, severe sexism,  and fear of nuclear attack. Women had to enter the job market for families to send children to college. Inflation was a major issue in the 1950s. Consumer prices increased and there was slow economic growth. Television was relatively new in the USA in the 1950s. n economics, the federal spending was $76.58 billion and the federal debt was $272.3 billion. 

In sports, The Milwaukee Braves beat the NY Yankees 4 to 3 in the World Series. Boston won against the St. Louis Hawks (4-1) in the NBA Championship. Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" debuts on the Broadway and brings violence to the stage.  In Science, a temporary artificial heart was invented by Williem Kolff. In the late 1950s, the "Little Rock Nine" integrated Arkansas high school.

1965

In 1965, Rev, Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., and more than 2,600 others were arrested in Selma, Ala., during demonstrations against voter-registration rules (Feb. 1). Malcolm X, black-nationalist leader, was shot to death at Harlem rally (Feb 21.) The U.S. Marines land in Dominican Republic as fighting persists between rebels and Dominican army (April 28.). Medicare, senior citizens' government medical assistance program, begins (July 1). Blacks Riot for six days in Watts section of LA; 34 dead,, over 1,000 injured, nearly 4,000 arrested, fire damage put at $175 million (Aug. 11-16). Power failure in Ontario plant blacks out parts of eight states of northeast U.S. and two provinces of southeast Canada (Nov. 9). In terms of economics  the federal spending was $118.23 billion and the federal debt was $322.3 billion. The unemployment rate was 5.2%. In sports, The LA Dodgers won the world series against Minnesota. In entertainment, Bill Cosby starred in 'I Spy' and became the first African American to headline a television show.

Citation:

http://www.infoplease.com/year/1957.html
http://www.infoplease.com/year/1965.html

Race and Racism

Having a darker skin tone has been conditioned in our head as bad since birth. Most people always wish to change themselves, to be another person, because of the way they look. Usually, "colored" people with "unmanageable" hair wish they had light skin and straight "easy to manage" hair. Society has conditioned children to believe that who they are, who they were born as is something they should be ashamed of, something they need to change. Having "white" skin and straight hair is seen as the guidelines to society. "White" skin and easily manageable, straight brown or blonde hair was conditioned as the norm. Since we were children, the "black" character was deemed as the bad guy and the "white" character was deemed as a hero.

Barbie dolls conditioned into the minds of kids that being white, having fair and light skin is seen as better. Also, having straight blonde or brown hair was the best thing and anything else would be frowned upon. These subtle techniques of brainwashing trained who didn't have light skin and fair hair to believe they were scum. It modified the way a child looked at themselves in the mirror. It made them want to be just like the "white". Society has influenced children to abandon their heritage. Everyone wants to know where they came from, who they are and why they are here. Heritage having been wiped out, causes people to only be a label  Humans are labeled with names such as Dominican, American, African like cows labeled to be shipped out.

Women feel racism in a different way compared to men. Women feel more pressure to fit in with their hair, skin, etc. Men are not subjected as much to discrimination as woman are. Men are usually seen as "sex hounds" and rapist. They are seen as people who only think about sexual intercourse and want to have sexual intercourse 24 hours 7 days a week. In terms of racism, "white" men are seen as successful, "black" men are seen as dirty robbers and scum, and so on and so forth. In the terrible philosophy of this world, the darker your skin the least chance you have of success and the more you will come to subject yourself to wishing you were "white" or lighter.

Woman are told that they are weak, that they cannot do something unless tested vigorously. Woman usually feel that they should look a certain way to be beautiful. From barbie dolls to examples in magazines, woman are subjected to more social and peer pressure about how they look, where they are from and who they are. Some women feel  A survey has been conducted defining that woman are more subjected to feel a type of discrimination than men. Don't discriminate, just be yourself.

JFK's Inaugural Address

Open Ended Question

Throughout his Inaugural Address John F. Kennedy discussed the role of science in shaping our world. The negative impact Kennedy believe science has had on the world was the death of many by the use of science. In Kennedy's opinion, Science is power but with power comes corruption and ultimately destruction. Kennedy believes that science will 'engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction'. Kennedy believes science can positively affect the future by letting 'both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors'. This means he wants humans to use their technological advances to help humanity rather than destroy it. Although many weapons of mass murder are created worldwide, Kennedy's dream still lives on; there are people throughout the world who advance towards an improvised and positively technologically advance world.



Kennedy believes the nations of of the world can make a difference by encouraging
every nation help each other in their time of need. In his Inaugural Address, Kennedy states "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." This means human society should help each other in their time of great need. Kennedy also encourages the nations of the world to strive for peace rather than 'the dark power of destruction'. This means that Kennedy wishes for everyone in the world to get along, no war or disputes. In the world of today, war is an everyday occurrence  a wise man once said, "the world runs on war, our country always needs to be at war to please the companies within it." Kennedy's wish does live on in the hearts of many though, there are people who strive for peace such as Martin Luther King Jr.

St. Patrick the Missionary

Patrick's first encounter with Ireland was at the age of sixteen where he was sent to Ireland and sold into slavery. While he worked in Ireland as a shepherd, he developed a deep faith in god and claims that as he sleep one night, he had a vision of how to escape. After Patrick's escape from about six years of slavery, he went back to Britain, and then to Gaul where he studied under St. Germain for twelve years before returning
again to Britain. In Britain he felt a calling to return to return as a missionary to Ireland; he stayed there for another 30 years converting, baptizing, and setting up monasteries.By the end of the 7th century, Patrick
had become a legendary figure, and the legends have continued to grow since then. There are many legends regarding St. Patrick; the legends state that he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of Trinity (he refers to it as the combination of  the father, son and the holy spirit). Another legend states that he put the curse of God on venomous snakes in Ireland and drove all the snakes into the sea where they drowned. St. Patrick died on March 17, AD 461 and the day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Source:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/historyofpatrick.htm

Think Different again

The human race are a judgmental bunch. "People generally react to those who are willing to step outside the box of comfortability and normalcy and behave in a way that is considered unconventional or unacceptable". In other words, people usually judge the freethinkers as 'Crazy', people who go against the flow, they are deemed mad, insane, and demented lunatics. Don Haskins was a freethinker, a man who took risk and stepped away from the flow. It was very important for Don Haskins to think different. Don Haskins coached the Texas Western basketball team and recruited three African American players into the team; he put them on the field and showed the world that color does not determine who is good at what. In the movie 'Glory Road', the story of Don Haskins and the Texas Western basketball coach is depicted, the way they impacted society was shown. 

The Slide of Determination

The Slide of Determination

Snow had fallen from the sky the night before leaving the world in a crystal white blanket. Everything had a white fluffy snow over it. Streets were covered and needed to be cleaned. Front and backyards waited for children to run, play, make snowmen and snow angels  and throw snowballs. It was inviting, like a warm blanket and outside was where I was headed. My mother dressed us with many layers of clothing, three pairs of pants, two thick socks, two tank tops, a long shirt, a t-shirt, two thick sweaters, a large jacket, a scarf, two pairs of gloves, and cozy indoor boots. My siblings were dressed similarly and ready to play in the snow. My mother quickly dressed herself in layers and grabbed the house keys and camera. We were headed to the local elementary playground park. My siblings, my mother and I walked down the block carefully  snow blanketed the ground and twigs and rocks hidden underneath it.

"The snow looks so awesome!" My sister exclaimed.
"I want to eat it," my brother reached down and grabbed a handful of snow. He pushed the scarf down and licked the cold crystal snow.
"Ew!" I exclaimed startling my brother, "You never know a dog could have done pee on it."
"Do you see any footprints on the snow?" My sister smugly questioned.
"Yes," I replied pointing to the small footprints on the ground. Automatically my brother spat out the now melted snow and dropped the mush he had on his hands.
"Let's keep going to the park," my mother sighed.
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At the Park
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Untouched snow covered the entire area, the schoolyard park was untouched and ready to be played with. The slides were covered completely and seemed dangerously slippery. Across the field was a flock of geese. They all huddled together and squawked occasionally.
"I call the middle slide!" my brother exclaimed running towards the larger playground.
My sister automatically ran after him. "Wait up dude!" she shouted gleefully. I ran after them jumping slightly so I wouldn't fall in the deep snow.
In a matter of minutes we had climbed the playground to the slides and each slid down.
"I bet I can make it to the top," my brother boasted.
"In your dreams," I scoffed crossing my arms.
"Yes I can!" My brother protested, "If i make it to the top you owe me candy!"
"And if you don't and I make it to the top? What will I get?"
"Then he will owe you candy," My sister intervened.
"I'm going first my brother exclaimed. He ran to the middle slide and placed his booted feet on top the end of the slide. My brother gripped the slide and pulled his body forward. His hand slipped and he slipped onto the ground.
"You lose!" My sister shouted.
"My turn," I shoved my brother out of the way and gripped the middle slide. I placed one foot on the end and moved it around to test the slipperiness of the slide.
"Very slippery, " I muttered. I glared at the top of the slide and envisioned the candy that came with reaching the top. 'I can do this!' I thought, 'Imagine the candy!' 

I grasped the side of the slide tighter and began to climb. One foot after another in an endless struggle to reach the top. 'I can't give up! I mustn't give up!' I thought to myself, 'I'm almost there!' then my feet slipped and I lost my grip on the sides of the slide. Sliding down slightly I cussed under my breath. I quickly gripped onto the side of the slides and climbed faster. I pushed on the edges of the slide with my feet and pushed my body upwards. Step after step I was getting closer to the candy, my goal. With one more step I made it to the top and stood at the top of the playground slide.
"YES!!" I screeched, "I WIN! I WIN, I WIN! TAKE THAT!" I pointed to my brother and cheered loudly. I reached the top, I got the candy.

The end

St. Valentine's story and Advice from me to you.

Origin of St.Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is named after a kind man  named Valentine who died over a thousand years ago. There are two different versions of the St. Valentine story, the one about the protestant and the one about the Catholic. Both versions agree that Saint Valentine was a bishop who held secret
marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II. Claudius II had banned marriage because he felt it made men weak and he did not
want weak men in his army. The ban on marriage greatly shocked the Romans but they did not protest against the almighty emperor. The Kind bishop Valentine realized the injustice and saw the trauma of young
lovers who gave up all hope of marriage. He held secret marriages for young lovers hoping to get married. Before long, Claudius II learned of Bishop Valentine's secret marriage ceremonies and had him arrested. As the story goes, while waiting for his sentence in prison Valentine managed to in some way help Asterius, his jailer, blind daughter. When Claudius II met Valentine, he was impressed by the dignity of the latter.  Valentine refused to agree with the emperor about the ban on marriage and in turn the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods. Valentine refused to recognize the Roman gods and attempted to  convert the emperor knowing the consequences that were soon to follow. Emperor Claudius II sentenced Valentine to be executed. Meanwhile, Valentine had formed a deep friendship with Asteriu's daughter. It pained the young girl to hear about her friend's soon to be death. As the story goes, Valentine asked his jailer for a pencil and paper. He wrote a farewell letter to Asteriu's daughter and signed it, "From your Valentine." Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD. In conclusion, the 14th became a day for all lovers and Valentine became its Patron Saint. Further into history, the day became known as St. Valentine's day, a day where men wrote love letters, called 'Valentine's' to women. A celebration of love.

Sources:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm
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In terms of advice for breakups, I suggest that you are truthful. Always tell the truth no matter how bad it is. I suggest the couple compromises and talks out their problems. Around the holiday season, spend a few days with one family and a few days with the other family. At April fool's day do not play any exaggerated pranks that might cause you to breakup. During spring don't do anything idiotic or cheat on your lover. If you truly love and/or have interest never do anything that might make you or your lover uncomfortable.

Days of the week

Personification is giving human characteristics to inanimate objects and things that cannot have human characteristics.

Sunday
She is inane, she makes the simplest of task seem fun and enjoyable. Sunday can can make you do anything without you protesting. She gives you a reason to love life and find meaningless task for every second. Sunday likes to wear a baggy t-shirt and Capri's. Sunday loves to clean enthusiastically   Sunday can be relied on, she can help accomplish task for the week or from the week before. But Sunday can suddenly change plans and trick you. She can make it a bad day depending on her emotions.

Monday
He is sluggish, he doesn't even scrub behind his ears as he showers or bathes. He lives with his mother because he is too lazy to provide for himself. Monday crawls on the floor and never gets the remote if it's two inches away. He doesn't brush his hair and only brushes his teeth for ten seconds before sluggishly taking the bus to work. Monday doesn't drive, its too much work for him. He only takes the bus, takes a nap on the bus and then misses his stop. He makes excuses for every minor task and great favors. At night, Monday is too lazy to even close his eyes himself.

Tuesday
He is does nothing, nothing at all. Tuesday never stands out among the crowd and remains consistent no matter the situation. He never shouts, or single himself out. Tuesday is one of those people who never have anything to say and don't like to draw attention to themselves. Tuesday doesn't get extraordinary or mediocre grades, he gets average grades. Tuesday is your average Joe who doesn't break the rules, he plays it safe and  doesn't try to bring attention to anything he does.

Wednesday
She is an accident maker. Wednesday always trips you and makes you have a terrible time. At a party she embarrasses you and makes you want to go home. Wednesday would push you down the stairs all for the fun of seeing you fallen and hurt. Although, you could count on Wednesday to accomplish any task. Wednesday always strives for perfection and even though she is a merciless bastard.

Thursday
He is a good friend. Thursday can be relied on, he makes the day fun and enjoyable. He always wants you to be accepted and have a great time no matter where you are. He holds the door for you no matter who you are. Thursday can be relied on to accomplish many task. He always enjoys studying every night, Thursday always has time on his hands. He can accomplish a great deal of things before the day is over. At night Thursday likes to set out his clothes for the next day. He is anticipating the next day with glee.

Friday
She loves to dance around in joy. Friday rushes through the first couple hours of the day hoping for the nighttime to come. She loves to dance to unusual music and see movies late at night. Friday always eats takeout for dinner, she has too many plans. Friday always invite her friends over and brings them into crazy situation. Friday prefers watching at least 2 to 3 movies, one after the other. Friday can't be counted on to do anything, she is far too busy to give mind to anything else.

Saturday
He is a party dog, he always has plans or a way to spice up your day. Saturday is a thrill seeker and bad boy. He breaks into peoples wallet and spends their money on beer. Saturday always gets out of control. He is a dog chasing after a bone and the bone is to get into some body's pants. Saturday always drinks until he passes out making it your responsibility ti take him home. Never trust Saturday to do anything useful or remotely helpful, you can't count on him at all. When Saturday does do something, you know he wants something in return.

Dr. Martin Luther King

The things we do and say, the things we have is all because of one brave man! He fought for us, the human race, fought for our rights. In the speech Dr. King gave, the day before his assassination, he said, "...I've been to the mountaintop... And I've seen the promise land. I may not get there with you but I want you to know tonight, that we as people will get to the promised land." King hoped for the world to take the matter into their own hands and change for the better without him. He knew sooner or later he were to die but he hoped for the people to take their rights and fight for them. If Dr. King walked into our school tomorrow, he would not be proud of the way we treat each other as less then human beings who made it to the promise land, the way we handle our education, and how we express ourselves.

Discrimination is always looked down upon by most people. Dr. King fought to free everyone from discrimination. He said, in his famous 'I have a Dream' speech, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" He believed everyone was created equal and no man, child or woman is greater than another man, child or woman. Racism and discrimination is still an issue in our high school. Students reject another getting closer to them be it because of race, nationality, gender, color, etc. For example, At lunchtime everyone sits with their close friends, cliques or people they just happen to know. New kids have a hard time finding somewhere to sit where they won't be discriminated or judged by who they are. Dr. King fought for the world where this is only a nightmare, a sin.

Education is a necessary essential to any day. Dr. King believed, "At this point, I often wonder whether or not education is fulfilling its purpose. A great majority of the so-called educated people do not think logically and scientifically. Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us objective and unbiased truths." Although there are many in  our school who value their education there are also those who do not care or even try in education. The meager light of redemption they have are wasted and misused, they do not see the point of educating the mind. In our fast paced world, education is a fundamental of every job. You need a high school diploma to get most decent paying jobs. Education educates the mind and teaches a person to think logically. Dr. King wanted for everyone to have a chance at great education, for everyone to have the power to succeed and become what they want to be. Dr. King stated, "Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking. To think incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half truths, prejudices, and propaganda." Dr. King lived in a home where education is valued. He wanted everyone to value their education to control and enrich their futures.

Moral tell a lot about a person. Dr. King grew up in a loving home, with an older sister, younger brother and two loving parents. He grew up to be one of the most successful men in history, having changed and inspired the world. Dr. King said, "...The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals." Morals, the rights from wrong, are what lead people to where they are, the situation they are in and what further steps can be taken. In our high school, morals is not high on the list of values for many people. Examples of this include: fights, stealing and threatening their own future. Morals can keep even the ignorant person can stay out of horrible situations with strong morals.

"...I've been to the mountaintop... And I've seen the promise land. I may not get there with you but I want you to know tonight, that we as people will get to the promised land.", Dr. Martin Luther King Jr stated in his final speech, the day before his death. He hoped the world would make a great improvement and we as the human race would have left behind all our differences and become one big circle. If Dr. King were to walk into our school tomorrow, he would not be proud of what he sees. The discrimination, no interest in education and morals would tell Dr. King what we think of his sacrifice and hard work.
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Sources:
http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/111013-the-arc-of-the-moral-universe-is-long-but-it
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/martin-luther-king-jr-on-educa.html
Pictures Were googled

Simile and Metaphor

Simile
A Simile is a comparison using 'like' or 'as'.
For example, 'You are like a snail'.

Similes are an important part of writing because they help to compare one subject to another using 'like' or 'as'.
Similes help to make a connection from one subject to another using 'like' or 'as'.
For example, 'She was bigger than an Elephant!'
The example compares the female to an elephant in terms of size, most likely weight and height.

My Friend

She is as crazy as a rooster; 
Still I love her like a sister. 
Her hair is black and dark
Like the color of the midnight sky.
Her skin is as pale as flour 
Placing her among the Twilight vampires.

Poetry by Natasha Niemi

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Metaphor
A Metaphor is a comparison similar to a simile but it does not use the words 'like' or 'as'.
A metaphor is a comparison that does not use the words 'like' or 'as'.

Like Similes, Metaphors are an important part of writing.
Metaphors compare one subject to another not using the words 'like' or 'as'.
They help to make a connection from one subject to another not using the words 'like' or 'as'.


THIS WINDMILL

This windmill
is a spinning wheel
a massive metal flower
threading breezes
through her petals
whirling hour by hour
dizzydancing
day and night
a turning churning tower
whisking winds
from all directions
spinning air to power.

© Amy LV

Hyperbole

Hyperbole are comparisons, just like metaphors and similes, but the only difference is that hyperbole are on the exaggerated side of comparisons. For example, 'She was as large as a house.' Hyperbole usually don't show full comprehension of the subject, instead it exaggerates and makes it seem more than it seems.

Hyperbole are essential to writing  they bring about the fun and excitement to a boring story. For example, 'it was a very sunny day' could be better written as 'it was so sunny the sun was burning us with its giant magnify glass'. Hyperbole make the writing process fun, spontaneous and sometimes unpredictable.
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A Poison Tree by William Blake

I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,

Night & morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright ;

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole

When the night had veil’d the pole:

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree. Tone: An angry and revengeful tone is set from the beginning of the poem.  Mood: The Mood is frightening and upsetting.  Meaning: The meaning of the poem is about anger and what it leads to. The poet wrote that he let his anger get the best of him and that now his foe is no more. ---------------------------------------------                                                                  "Through Glass" I'm looking at you through the glass... Don't know how much time has passed Oh, god it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever Feels like home sitting all alone inside your head How do you feel? That is the question But I forget.. you don't expect an easy answer When something like a soul becomes Initialized and folded up like paper dolls and little notes You can't expect a bit of hope So while you're outside looking in Describing what you see Remember what you're staring at is me Cause I'm looking at you through the glass... Don't know how much time has passed All I know is that it feels like forever When no one ever tells you that forever Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head How much is real? So much to question An epidemic of the mannequins Contaminating everything When thought came from the heart It never did right from the start Just listen to the noises (Null and void instead of voices) Before you tell yourself It's just a different scene Remember it's just different from what you've seen I'm looking at you through the glass... Don't know how much time has passed And all I know is that it feels like forever When no one ever tells you that forever Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head And it's the stars The stars That shine for you And it's the stars The  stars That lie to you.. yeah-ah I'm looking at you through the glass... Don't know how much time has passed Oh, god it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass... Don't know how much time has passed All I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head And it's the stars The stars That shine for you.. yeah-ah And it's the stars The stars That lie to you.. yeah-ah And it's the stars The stars That shine for you.. yeah-ah And it's the stars The stars That lie to you.. yeah-ah yeah Ohhhoh who the stars Ohhh oh who the stars that lie By Stone  Sour Tone: The Tone is sadness, emptiness. The poet is expressing his loneliness. Mood: The mood is loneliness and understanding. It makes one feel an inept and hidden meaning to the words. Meaning: This meaning of this is about a person who has lived his/her life regrettably, and when they finally realize this, they can no longer recognize the person staring back at them in the mirror. Because of his/her actions they are left alone to ponder about the past. Links: http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/Classic%20Poems/Blake/a_poison_tree.htm http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/stonesour/throughglass.html