This essay was written to voice the author's concern that children's sports have become too competitive. Jessica Statsky uses compelling evidence to prove that children's sports have become more about winning and less about kids just having fun.
The author points out that children between the ages of six and twelve are physically unprepared for the stressors of contact and non-contact sports. "A twelve year old trying to throw a curve ball, for example, may put abnormal strain on a developing arm and shoulder muscles sometimes resulting in lifelong injuries" (21-23). Contact sports are the most dangerous, causing numerous concussions, facial and neck injuries, broken bones, the list of potential injuries is endless. Some children are so afraid of getting hurt that they even fake injuries so they can stay home or sit out of the game.
Psychologically these sports can also be damaging to our youth. Starting from Kindergarten on children are advanced based on their abilities. The better you are the more you get to play. More value is placed on "Winning" than just having fun. Granted, if we were dealing with adults this would seem logical, but to a five year old who just wants to "have fun", this rejection could have an everlasting, negative effect on their self-esteem. Why can't I play? Oh, because I'm not good enough. These kids are too young and impressionable to be subjected to such a competitive atmosphere.
The author neglected to mention that there are all too many parents' who even "force" their children to play these sports. Perhaps they are living vicariously through their children. Maybe they truly believe that competitive sports will somehow make their child more likely to succeed in life. I personally, have witnessed a child scream, cry and beg his Father to let him skip his football game that particular day, I also watched helplessly as that same Father physically forced his son into the car and take him to that game he so clearly did not want to play.
Jessica Statsky has argued this issue effectively. She used many supporting quotes and resources which help to prove her point that children really do need to play. Save the competition for us adults. After all, you only get one childhood.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
ARABY Thesis
In James Joyce's short story "Araby," the main character is a nameless boy who harbors a secret infatuation towards a friend's sister. We see his growing obsession and how he confuses his adolescent feelings with real love. His daydreams of romance allow him to temporarily escape his mundane, ordinary existence. "Araby" symbolizes the hope the boy has for finally winning the heart of his beloved, but actually becomes the place where he becomes disillusioned and is quickly forced into adulthood.
The boy's obsession for the girl is made clear throughout the story. He seems to notice every detail such as "her dress swung as she moved her body and the soft rope of her hair tossed from side to side"(?). Every morning he waits for the girl to appear and then he follows her. The young boy lies on the floor in the front of the parlor watching her. "The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that [he] could not be seen"(?). These are actions of someone who is likely very immature and very fixated on his "crush". The boy does not ever actually approach this girl or initiate any conversation, another indicator of his obsession and immaturity.
Finally, she speaks to him one day, "She asked me was I going to Araby"(?) A bazaar she wishes she could attend but could not. He tells her if he does go he will bring her something back. This exchange between him and the object of his affection has renewed the boy's spirit and he can hardly bear the passing of each day."What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping thoughts after that evening! I wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days"(?). The boy was unable to concentrate on anything else but "Araby", it was exotic, exciting and the place where he would surely buy a token to win the affections of his beloved. "The syllables of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over me"(?).
The boy arrives at "Araby" only to find it nearly empty. He wanders over to a stall, still open, selling vases and tea sets. "Observing me, the young lady came over and asked me did I wish to buy anything. The tone of her voice was not encouraging; she seemed to have spoken to me out of a sense of duty"(?). The boy is clearly put off by the tone of the seller's voice and humbly declines. He walks away feeling embarrassed and rejected, knowing that he cannot afford to buy anything that is left at "Araby" for his beloved.
The boy walks away and the lights begin to go out signaling the closure of the bazaar and the dashing of his dreams. "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger"(?). At this point the boy realizes how his obsession with this unobtainable girl has consumed him and he is harshly forced back into reality. He recognizes how foolish and naïve he's been. He is heartbroken but now wiser to the ways of the world.
(?) This means I am not sure if we still use the line/verse # when writing a Thesis on a short story. SORRY :(
The boy's obsession for the girl is made clear throughout the story. He seems to notice every detail such as "her dress swung as she moved her body and the soft rope of her hair tossed from side to side"(?). Every morning he waits for the girl to appear and then he follows her. The young boy lies on the floor in the front of the parlor watching her. "The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that [he] could not be seen"(?). These are actions of someone who is likely very immature and very fixated on his "crush". The boy does not ever actually approach this girl or initiate any conversation, another indicator of his obsession and immaturity.
Finally, she speaks to him one day, "She asked me was I going to Araby"(?) A bazaar she wishes she could attend but could not. He tells her if he does go he will bring her something back. This exchange between him and the object of his affection has renewed the boy's spirit and he can hardly bear the passing of each day."What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping thoughts after that evening! I wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days"(?). The boy was unable to concentrate on anything else but "Araby", it was exotic, exciting and the place where he would surely buy a token to win the affections of his beloved. "The syllables of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over me"(?).
The boy arrives at "Araby" only to find it nearly empty. He wanders over to a stall, still open, selling vases and tea sets. "Observing me, the young lady came over and asked me did I wish to buy anything. The tone of her voice was not encouraging; she seemed to have spoken to me out of a sense of duty"(?). The boy is clearly put off by the tone of the seller's voice and humbly declines. He walks away feeling embarrassed and rejected, knowing that he cannot afford to buy anything that is left at "Araby" for his beloved.
The boy walks away and the lights begin to go out signaling the closure of the bazaar and the dashing of his dreams. "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger"(?). At this point the boy realizes how his obsession with this unobtainable girl has consumed him and he is harshly forced back into reality. He recognizes how foolish and naïve he's been. He is heartbroken but now wiser to the ways of the world.
(?) This means I am not sure if we still use the line/verse # when writing a Thesis on a short story. SORRY :(
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Revision Strategies Essay
The essay "Filling Station Analysis" had a clearly defined thesis which was properly stated in the first paragraph of the essay.
The three supporting body paragraphs should have included more details about the poem which would have allowed the reader to have a better understanding of the poem itself.
The quotations in the third paragraph could have been analyzed more in depth to give further support to the thesis.
The spelling and punctuation were appropriate.
The conclusion is supportive of the thesis but needs to be lengthened.
The three supporting body paragraphs should have included more details about the poem which would have allowed the reader to have a better understanding of the poem itself.
The quotations in the third paragraph could have been analyzed more in depth to give further support to the thesis.
The spelling and punctuation were appropriate.
The conclusion is supportive of the thesis but needs to be lengthened.
Friday, March 7, 2014
REDO - Filling Station Analysis
In the poem "Filling Station", E. Bishop describes in detail a family run business. "Oh but it is dirty!"(1). Bishop begins the poem with this exclamatory statement, immediately painting a negative picture of an "oil-soaked, oil-permeated" (3), little filling station. Bishop gives vivid details concerning the appearance of the business, then enables the reader to see past the ugliness to find the love of a family within.
Using short lines and elaborate detail Bishop takes us into the filling station. She describes a father in his "oil-soaked monkey suit"(5) and "his greasy sons assist him"(11). These lines allow the reader to visualize a family run business. The word "Dirty" is repeated three times in the first two paragraphs alone, showing the extent of disdain she feels just being in such an atmosphere. Bishop then goes on to question if this family resides here. "Do they live at the station?"(14). "It has a cement porch behind the pumps"(15/16).
The poem turns when Bishop begins to describe what appear to be loving, feminine touches placed throughout the porch. There are comic books, "they lie upon a big, dim doily"(23/24) and even "a big hirsute begonia"(27). There is also a dirty dog comfortably lying on a wicker sofa. The placement of these items contradict her initial reaction to her surroundings, allowing the reader to begin to see beyond the unpleasantness and imagine, instead, a home.
"Somebody embroidered the doily"(34). "Somebody waters the plant"(35) These statements allow the reader to imagine who could have placed these items here. Perhaps there is a Wife, Mother or Sister who cares for these things, who cares for these men. This is, after all, a family-run business.
The poem ends with a bold statement "Somebody loves us all", which is meant to remind the reader that everyone, no matter what their circumstances, has someone that loves them.
Using short lines and elaborate detail Bishop takes us into the filling station. She describes a father in his "oil-soaked monkey suit"(5) and "his greasy sons assist him"(11). These lines allow the reader to visualize a family run business. The word "Dirty" is repeated three times in the first two paragraphs alone, showing the extent of disdain she feels just being in such an atmosphere. Bishop then goes on to question if this family resides here. "Do they live at the station?"(14). "It has a cement porch behind the pumps"(15/16).
The poem turns when Bishop begins to describe what appear to be loving, feminine touches placed throughout the porch. There are comic books, "they lie upon a big, dim doily"(23/24) and even "a big hirsute begonia"(27). There is also a dirty dog comfortably lying on a wicker sofa. The placement of these items contradict her initial reaction to her surroundings, allowing the reader to begin to see beyond the unpleasantness and imagine, instead, a home.
"Somebody embroidered the doily"(34). "Somebody waters the plant"(35) These statements allow the reader to imagine who could have placed these items here. Perhaps there is a Wife, Mother or Sister who cares for these things, who cares for these men. This is, after all, a family-run business.
The poem ends with a bold statement "Somebody loves us all", which is meant to remind the reader that everyone, no matter what their circumstances, has someone that loves them.
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