Baltimore Language Analysis

There were no riots or protests in Baltimore

By Lidia Solorzano

The streets were peaceful and ordinary, equivalent to any other Tuesday in Baltimore. The crime rate remains stagnant but to try to improve the crime rate Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said "Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs--who in a very senseless was-- retrying to tear down what so many have fought for,". Businesses remain successful in areas but some, like in any other city have been looted. Officers remain healthy although there is the occasional occurrence when an officer has been wounded but his or her condition has not been critical. School has continued following Freddie Gray's funeral and justice will be served in a court of law. Therefore there have not been any riots or protests in Baltimore. 

The average amount of arrests per day among high school students has not changed. Officers have been treated with respect among the people of Baltimore. Recently, there have not been any severe casualties among officers. Criminal affairs have been dealt with and the Officers of baltimore have control of the situations at hand. 

There was an fire that seems to be the outlier to the normal Tuesday that went on in Baltimore. Despite this fire the building was not open so there were no casualties or financial losses. The fire is under investigation but it seems to have been a strange coincidence. 

Due to the mediocre state of the city there obviously has been no intervention of other government organizations. Curfew has not been permanently changed. 

The threat of gangs has always been a problem for officers. Therefore there is no change in the threats the gangs make in response to Freddie Gray's funeral. The credible threat to 'take out' law enforcement officers persists as usual. 

Law enforcement officers have the situation in the crime in Baltimore under control and would not need assistance and additional units because there have been no protests and riots in Baltimore. As said by Hogan "looting and acts of violence in Baltimore will not be tolerated" "these acts will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law". Since it is the law enforcement's job to bring justice to crimes committed, it is safe to say that business is usual in the city of Baltimore. 

The funeral of Freddie Gray has been peaceful. Freddie Gray died from a fatal spinal cord injury which as far as people know has not been related to his arrest. There were no riots or protests in Baltimore

Othello Dramatic Reading

Link: Dramatic Reading

Statement of Intent

During Othello's monologue he is explaining how he will tell the officials of how he fell in love with Desdemona. During this monologue I paused during commas and line breaks, I also got a feeling of a rhythm throughout the monologue therefore when there was not a line break or a comma I just paused because it kept with the pulse of the poem. Additionally I put emphasis on adjectives that had a certain connotation. For example I put emphasis on the word "potent" because it is a strong word therefore it would need emphasis. I also tried to convey an honest and genuine tone. I did this because he is talking about the women he is deeply in love with therefore he would be serious and honest while talking to the officials, convincing them that he is in love with Desdemona. 

While going into character I realized the importance of the pathos and ethos rhetorical appeal. By becoming Othello I realized that by taking on a genuine tone it would appeal to the emotions of the officials and they would realize the sincerity of Othello's love for Desdemona. Additionally if officials saw this well respected man willing to open up his moments of intimacy and vulnerability, they would probably infer that he was being legitimate. During the process of discovering Othello's character, I also discovered how committed he was to being an honest, transparent man. Although this contributes to his own demise, Othello's genuine demeanor makes him a likable and relatable character throughout the play.  

Since the monologue was in the beginning of the play, it was mostly of the purposes of character development. It showed the honest, likable and genuine personality of Othello. Additionally it looks into the depth and passion of Othello's and Desdemona's love which in the end impacts both of them negatively. This monologue makes known the passion Othello has for Desdemona which helps Iago further develop his plan in getting revenge upon Othello. Due to their passion, when Iago lies and tells Othello Desdemona cheated on him he is crushed. Therefore his overwhelming passion for her will result in him murdering her. 

Othello Socratic Seminar Reflection

Overall, the socratic seminar was able to deepen my thinking on the text Othello by William Shakespeare. The seminar influenced my thinking by seeing certain things in a different point of view. For example, when people were talking about the significance of Emilia as a character it deepened my thinking on the how authors develop theme by creating complex characters. Additionally, the conversation of how the unit theme: Fate v. Free Will was important in the text also made me think more analytically about that controversial topic. The socratic seminar allowed me to question prior predispositions in the text as well as think about the deeper reason for literary tools in the respective text.

Many claims were made in the socratic seminar that I completely agreed with however, there were also some that in which I did not completely agree. The statement made by one of my peers that I most agree with is that Emilia was a symbol used to develop the theme of the nature of women versus their role. Before that statement was made I had not realized the full importance of Emilia. Although, now I realize that she was extremely important in developing subtle social conflicts in the book. One of the statements that I disagree with least is that Othello did not have a choice but to kill Desdemona. I understand their perspective, on the contrary I do that her murder could have been avoided. Their must be another more peaceful way in which people can settle things. I talked  quite a bit during the seminar, as a result I do not have that much more to say to any given claim in the seminar because I responded to most of the statements.

In the seminar many things were executed successfully. Everyone disagreed politely and did not say one thing was wrong or incorrect. People in the seminar were able to keep an open mind of each others' ideas. The questions and claims made did not make the conversation choppy or backtrack the conversation. The claims made were relevant to the statement beforehand. The questions that arose in the conversation pertained to the text and kept the flow of the discussion. Additionally we were able to touch on many topics and did not stay on one question for too long.

With these good comments to the conversation, there were also drawbacks. Due to the way we were split up there were many interruptions and it was hard for people to talk. This led to people not being able to participate as much as they had wanted. Some people had little or nothing to add to the conversation. This led to the same people talking for the majority of the seminar and other people being frustrated about what they did not have a chance to say.

The Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 7

1. All decisions have consequences 
"Life’s impermanence, I realized, is what makes every single day so precious. It’s what shapes our time here. It’s what makes it so important that not a single moment be wasted"
Wes introduces in this quote the preciousness of life and this also correlates with the development of the theme, all decisions have consequences. He is showing how important life is and not to waste it therefore living life to the fullest. This means that people should understand the importance of their decisions and how the consequences might waste their life. Therefore he is able to develop the theme and universally apply the importance of recognizing that every decision has a consequence. 

"Wes was tired. Tired of being locked up, tired of watching drugs destroy entire families, entire communities, an entire city. He was tired of being shot at and having to attend the funerals of his friends"
This quote is able to show the consequences of Wes's decision of becoming a drug dealer. It shows that even though he did benefit from the high income, he also was faced with violence, death and the destruction of families. This demonstrates how if people are not thoughtful in their decision making the repercussions can be irreversible. 

"The pressure was breaking Wes down. Alicia complained that he was not giving her enough money to provide for the kids they shared. Cheryl was now constantly calling him about wanting more time with the kids—which meant she wanted more money to take care of them"

This quote is able to show the consequences of Wes's decision of becoming a drug dealer. It shows that even though he did benefit from the high income, he also was faced with violence, death and the destruction of families. This demonstrates how if people are not thoughtful in their decision making the repercussions can be irreversible. 

2. People have the ability change their own fate
"Levy would be entering the Job Corps as a high school dropout but was hoping to leave with a general equivalency diploma (GED) and the skills to help him land a job as a hot-water-boiler repairman"
The quote shows how someone can change the path that they took. Although Levy was a high school dropout he still could pursue education and turn his life around. This then develops the theme of people being able to control their own fate. If people are committed and diligent they can change the course of their life for the better.

"His quick success had Wes thinking differently about his life. He proudly displayed his new diploma at home, excitedly mounting it one weekend in a frame he’d bought the week he received his test scores"
The quote develops the theme because it shows how Wes tries to change the course of his life. By joining the job corps, he is able to pursue higher education and has a chance of getting a better job. This shows how people can change their own fate. 

Other Wes Moore Theme Tracking: Chapter 6

1. Small decisions can dramatically change the course of ones life
"Wes found another option: he decided to make himself scarce"
The one decision to "make himself scarce" might seem small and insignificant but later it can lead to a change in ones course in life. Therefore the quote develops the theme because it gives an example of how a small decision can change ones fate. If Wes decided to not be involved in drugs anymore he probably would not have been in prison as he is today.

"Most of all, Woody thought about Wes, who had stopped going to school two years earlier"

During this part of the story, the quote demonstrates how different two lives can be based on decisions. Woody and Wes both started out in school and had similar living situations. Although Wes's decision to drop out eventually brought him to prison while Woody was able to graduate high school. At first the decision to drop out of high school might seem small but the change it can bring is evident in Woody's and Wes's life. Therefore this quote is able to develop the theme that small decisions can dramatically change the course of ones life. 

"Three years ago I’d been one of the insubordinate kids first entering the gates of Valley Forge. In an ironic turn, I was now one of the ones in charge of them"
The quote shows how Wes has developed and changed for the better. Making the decision to stay at Valley Forge was able to reshape his path and change his course in life. Therefore the author is able to develop the theme of the consequences of small decisions by showing the path Wes Moore was able to take. 

2. The drug game can appeal to people in poor socio-economic situations

"Wes’s green jumpsuit hung over a glossy green T-shirt. His Gianni Brunelli shoes matched his outfit. Wes stayed fresh"

This is yet another way in which the theme regarding the appeal of the drug game is developed. It shows that drug dealers get nice clothes and 'stay fresh'. This shows that people without a lot of money can benefit drastically. This demonstrates another way that people would be inclined to become involved in drugs.

3. Fate does not lie entirely in one person's hands

"Justin was now spending his mornings with her at the hospital, his afternoons at school, then running to basketball practice and back to the hospital. His grades fell dramatically as the burden began to wear him down."
Justin in the beginning of the book was a good student and had his priorities straight. If his circumstances were constant he probably would have a stable fate that would be unchanging. However his extracurriculars and life at home are now bringing him down and although it was not his decision that made his grades go down, his other priorities are now conflicting with his academic success. In this sense the author is able to show how someone's fate can change due to things they cannot control.

Title Justification Paper #2

The first collection of chapters is titled Choices and Second Chances and directly correlates with the author, Wes Moore's, purpose of the book. Choices and Second Chances is able to introduce that there will be a divide in the two fates of the characters. The title is suited for the chances because  the collection of chapters highlights the consequences and importance of choices. In addition, the chapters also shows the importance of second chances and how ceasing those extra opportunities can dramatically change ones fate therefore it aligns with the authors purpose of showing how two fates so similar can end up extremely different.

In this collection of chapters, there were decisions made that greatly diverged the fates of the author and Wes Moore. Part one of the book, Fathers and Angels shows how these two boys were extremely similar regarding their circumstances. Therefore the author was able to show that the fate of both could also end up being the same. Although this was changed during the second part of the book because it introduced a major difference between both characters and that was that the author was sent to military school and Wes Moore got into drug dealing. This demonstrates that the choice of Wes to become a involved with drugs and the decision of the author's mother changed there paths completely. This shows how the word 'choices' is appropriate for this collection of chapters. 'Second Chances' is an appropriate part of the title because the author is given a second chance at a better life when his mother sends him to business school. The author is able to take advantage of this second chance and benefit greatly. However, when Tony gave Wes a second chance at getting out of dealing drugs Wes did not take advantage of that chance. This neglect of taking the second chance contributed to Wes Moore's imprisonment. By titling this collection of chapters Choices and Second Chances the author is able to effectively show the importance of decisions and the benefits of second chances which aligns with his purpose of showing how decisions can impact fates that seem so similar.

In conclusion, the title Choices and Second Chances is a good title of this collection of chapters. In the chapters both characters are faced with life changing decisions and second chances; the way they made choices and used second chances changed their destinies. The title coincides with the authors purpose which highlights the importance of decisions

Title Justification Paper #3

The first collection of chapters is titled Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled and directly correlates with the author, Wes Moore's, purpose of the book. Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled is able to introduce the consequences of the character's decisions and the paths they take sealing their fate. The title is suited for the chances because  the collection of chapters highlights how the decisions made in previous chapters determined their path taken in life.  In addition, the chapters also shows the importance of other peoples expectations and how they can affect someones life. Therefore it aligns with the authors purpose of showing how two fates so similar can end up extremely different.

In this collection of chapters, it shows the end product of the greatly diverged fates of both Wes Moores. Part one of the book, Fathers and Angels shows how these two boys were extremely similar regarding their circumstances. Although this was changed during the second part of the book because it introduced a major difference between both characters regarding their decision making. Lastly in the third part of the book the author shows how both characters ended up in consequence to the decisions that they made, the author being a successful military leader and Wes Moore being in prison. By titling this collection of chapters Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled the author is able to effectively show the contrasting consequences of decisions and how both which aligns with his purpose of showing the difference in paths taken although their fates that seemed so similar.

In conclusion, the title Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled  is a good title of this collection of chapters. In the chapters the characters finally take the different paths and fulfilled or disappointed people's expectations.  The title coincides with the authors purpose which highlights the contrast between their paths in the end however they started out the same.