Great Person

The questions associated with the problem of existence such as, “who am I” also relate to the concept of the Great Person. In part three of C&P Porfiry stated Raskolnikov’s view of the Great Person by establishing the difference between an extraordinary man and an ordinary man, “extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary” (241). After reading this I thought of the concept of the Great Man and I began to wonder, what makes one person remarkable and another person average? How does one become a ‘great person?’ These questions also relate the feelings we are currently going through. In high school I feel there is a constant power struggle to be the best, whether this means being the most popular or getting into the best school, we can all relate to this topic of the Great Person. However, Raskolnikov’s extraordinary man justification stuck out to me as being morally unjust. Although I know this justification is mearly fiction, it is still a border that was established to break people up into different classifications.

Sacrifice

This week in class we discussed the presence of sacrifice in Crime and Punishment. We talked about how Sonya, Dounia and Katarina all sacrificed something in order to provide for their family. For instance, Sonya sacrificed her body and dignity for her family. While we were talking about this, I began to realize all the things we will have to sacrifice when we go away next year. We will have to sacrifice the friends we have already made and we will have to sacrifice our own room and homes. However, this sacrifice does not seem so bad especially when all you are thinking about is solely getting into college. Although most of us expect to get rejected from at least one place, it is still a little shocking when you realize you really did get rejected. Personally, I was rejected from a school this week, but I also got into a school, so it all balances out.

What Matters

This week in class we discussed this quote:

"I see no reason to get up in the morning if I don't mean to matter." - Tom Peter

I believe this quote is advocating that we should go about each day with a purpose or a goal in mind. Although this may seem over the top or unnecessary we have to realize that everything you do is for a purpose. Whether you are just relaxing and watching TV all day, you are catching up on your sleep, which is beneficial. Hence, I think everything we do matters. This way of thinking is very optimistic and it sheds light on our individual importance in the world. The difficult part of the day is not achieving the goal or purpose, it is deciding what that goal or purpose is.

Existence Precedes Essence

This week in class we discussed the five themes of existentialism and how they relate to our existential books. While I was writing my reflection, the theme of "existence precedes essence" stuck out to me. I began to question myself and relate my own life to this existential theme. Am I really who I am as a result of my choices? This is an important question and I agree with it, to a certain extent. For instance, I believe your personality shines through as a result of your choices, hence your choices define who you are to the outside world. However, I also believe that we are who we are because of our upbringing and the people we surround ourself with.

Another interesting point this theme brings up is "you are what you make yourself to be." I strongly agree with this phrase and I believe it plays well into everyone's life. To take this case in point, Mersault in "The Stranger" did not make anything of his life, therefore to him life was somewhat meaningless and he did not even care when he died, for he realized it is the same as dying years later. "You are what you make yourself to be" is an important quote for next year because for the most part we are all starting over, making new friends and living in a new place, thus to enjoy your time to its fullest potential, you have to act yourself, and make yourself be who you are.

Mirror

This week we read the poem "Mirror," which focused on self reflection and self discovery. Through the author's use of personification and imagery, we can see that how one view of them self changes and it takes self discovery to accept those changes. The occasion of this poem is growing of age and it is told from the perspective of the women, through the faithful mirror. I think this poem is very relatable because as we age as high school seniors we begin to discover ourselves and realize who we have become. A mirror does not lie, it tells the truth even if we don't want to see it. Similarly, high school also tells the truth. It reveals flaws and hard times, yet with each of these lies or flaws a person grows stronger. Indeed, with time we become more confident and content with our life and the poem, "Mirror," makes one ponder these inevitable thoughts.

Food, INC

This week in Nutrition we are watching a movie titled, "Food, INC." It is a very disturbing, yet powerful movie that gives its viewers a reality check. It reveals the secrets and the reality of our food industry, which has turned into food factories with several companies controlling the business. Personally I was shocked and disgusted with the way we treat the animals and how everything has become so industrialized and inhumane. After watching part of the movie, I am ready to help out the food industry in the little ways I can. For instance, my family buys local grown fruits and vegetables and they are delivered to our house, instead of buying artificially ripened food from huge supermarkets. In addition, I encourage my mom to buy only organic, free range chicken, to support proper treatment of animals. I really hope other people step on board and start making a difference because the reality of food factories is not only hurting our health and animals health, but it is harming the environment.

What We are Capable of

Today I settle down to finish my homework, so I can head up to Tahoe tomorrow to get one last day of skiing in before lacrosse season starts. As I cherish these last few days of relaxation, I realize how close we are to the end of the semester. On Monday lacrosse begins and my days become longer and I become more tired. I am excited to reunite with my team and I look forward to how our season turns out, yet I cannot help but miss those former, calm, relaxing days. Tomorrow I am heading up to Tahoe for a ski day trip with my brother and dad. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and having an awesome day of skiing.

This week in class we talked about essay topics based on the question, "what are we capable of and under what circumstances?" I have struggled to find a topic, and while I was playing lacrosse with some friends the other day, my topic hit me. I realized no one would be where they are today if it weren't for the setting and surroundings they were placed in. Therefore, our surroundings dictate some of our potential. In Heart of Darkness the setting plays a major role in the plot and the description of the characters emotions.