Morals and Ethics

1. What do you think of Swartz’s comment: “A business can do well and do good.” Explain.
2.Do we live in a cheating culture? Why or why not?

1. I think a business can do well by how its actually doing (economically) in the real world. And, I think a business can do good when it is doing what and how the owners want the business to be ran. Such as they are doing well with workers and their pay, instead of where if they are doing well with profits. Either way, whether the business is doing well or good, the outcome is usually leaving the owners and workers feel satisfied at where they are at with the business.

2. I think the definition of our culture is cheating. People cheat for everything and everybody knowns it. People cheat in school with tests and homework, people cheat in sports, maybe with spying or if it's not a high level starting a race before the whistle, or even our government cheats, such as when President Nixon with the Watergate scandal. It's almost like we are taught to cheat instead of just do it ourself from all the people around us. Do I think it's right? For me, it depends on the situation completely.

The Sea Inside

A Moving Tale

Happiness is not something we can just have, we have to want it. People do different things each day to get just one drop of happiness. Whether they are watching their kids smile, going swimming in the ocean, or eating a chocolate candy bar, that one drop of happiness can make their entire day change. But, for a man like Ramón Sampedro, his drop of happiness for one day would be to just die. He is paralyzed from the neck down and cannot stand it anymore of just sitting in the bed all day. However, since he cannot physically commit suicide himself, he has to go through court and try and get them to do it for him. A few topics emerge and project different themes to the audience, one being that we have the freedom of choice, but how far does freedom of choice go?

First, how does one give in opinion to a film that is so powerful? Whether or not someone liked the film, it does not mean that the movie was not effective. Maybe it was amazing because it got the message out to people in such a strong and sensitive way. But, it was not as good when it got to points that were so depressing. It gave out the message it was trying to give out, and is that not the point of a film? It expressed the pain Ramón, his friends, and his family had to go through day by day in order to keep him alive. Or for Ramón who was trying to end his life in order to finally be free. So, the effectiveness of this movie was definitely there.

In general, every film has literary aspects such as a plot, characters, setting, etc. In “The Sea Inside”, the story takes place in Spain near the ocean. The ocean is a major symbol in this film because the reason Ramón Sampedro lays still inside a bedroom of his sister-in-law’s, Manuela’s, home is because he jumped from a rock and hit his head on the ocean floor. The sea also represents freedom because when he he uses his imagination, the sea tends to be a place he goes. Manuela’s husband and son, Javi, and Ramón’s father also help take care of him. Rosa, who is a woman with two children, has no husband, and works in the canning factory, becomes interested in Ramón and goes to visit him quite often. Julia, is his lawyer and is determined to help Ramón get what he wants through the court. Even though all of these people are surrounding him with love him and want him to live, he sticks to his own word and still wants to die. Ramón should have the right to choose whether he wants to die or not, but with the laws in Spain, it is difficult for him to get what he wants.

In addition to literary aspects, the film obviously also had cinematic aspects. The photography in the movie varied completely. For example, an extreme close-up of Ramón’s eyes and then the camera zooms out to a close-up of his face to show his complete emotion when people are telling him what he can and cannot do. Also, the camera movement helped to put us in the film at times. Like when he was imagining he was flying and the camera was tracking in the sky like it was us who were flying. Most of the scenes were edited with cut-out or fade-out transitions. However, when the letter was being read, the scenes would dissolve into one another to give it a smooth flow. And, in the movie there was not a lot of music, but when it was playing it seemed to be soft and up-lifting. Even though it was in Spanish, the way the instruments played and the emotion in Ramón’s face helped expressed the inspiration coming from the film. With cinematic aspects added together with the literary aspects, it helped pull the movie together and make it easier to feel like we were there with them.

Clearly, Ramón Sampedro in the movie “The Sea Inside” can relate and differ from Jean- Dominique Bauby’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”. One way they relate is that they are both trapped, and they know that there is nothing they can do about it. But, in a way that they differ is how trapped they are. Ramón can speak, move his head, and hear well, where as Jean can only blink his eye and can barely hear at all. It is weird to think though that in the movie Ramón expresses how he wanted to die more than anything, and in the book Jean did not really say much about wanting to die. Jean was giving up, but he never officially had. Also, the book was more about Jean’s past life instead of himself in the present. When, in the movie it was mostly all about Ramón’s life at the time. Movie’s and books can be similar and can differ, but it is our choice on which one we prefer that connects us better to the main character(s).

In conclusion, this film is a great one for people to see. It really shows the characters emotions and allows us to be part of the film. The only minor problem with it is that it is in Spanish, so we have to read subtitles. But, with it being in a different language it allows us to connect to people from different backgrounds and see how they handle these types of situations and compare it to ours. In Ramón’s view, it helps us see the difficulties of not being able to move and to die would give him the freedom to live again. And, in his family’s view, for him to stay alive to show all of the love they have for him. There is no doubt losing somebody is a hard thing, especially when it’s suicide. But, think how much people, who cannot move a single finger, would be better off when they are doing what they ever want in a better place where they can just be free.

Post B5

Dear Alice,

Wow! I finished your book and I am truly amazed at how everything worked out between the trial, family, and friends. I am so so so so so so happy that you won the trial. I don't understand in any way how he could not have been charged. Just because you got him wrong in the lineup, doesn't mean it wasn't him. You knew it was between four and five but you were scared and picked the wrong one. I don't think I could have even faced him through a glass wall it would scare the living death out of me to see the man who raped me ever again. And, I know how bad rape is and it's a terrible thing to say this, but I feel like when you got raped it brought your family closer together. You said earlier in the book that your family was weird and did not have very much "family time", but now I feel like your always with them because they love you and are there to protect you. And, oh boy the boys!! You are getting around my friend, from one guy to the next! I think that is great for you to experience different types of men, even though a man is what hurt you. The worst thing I've ever read is in your book and the way Lila treats you after she got raped. First, you guys were best friends how could she no want you to be there to help her. That is just ridiculous. And, you know what it's like to be raped, you can help her understand it and win her case. Why she doesn't want to follow through with her case I don't get it. I just can't believe that she thinks it could be your fault, because someone wants revenge on you for winning the case. You got raped to, you didn't choose that and the last thing you needed was your best friend to get raped and never talk to you again. But, Alice I don't understand how you became a heroine user. It just doesn't make much sense. You don't need that, it's not necessary, yeah you went through a very rough time, but you held through when it was happening. It's almost like you gave up when you just about to reach the top again. Hope you are doing well now. I still have mixed feelings on the story, but it got through to me.

Sincerely,
Ellie

Post A5

*Vocab*
1. affidavit: a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official (197)
2. bolster: To support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion (201)

*Appeals*
1. "There were good men and bad, thinking men and muscle" (207). This is true people are built in different ways, however this is how Alice begin to categorize men in her mind because of what happened, making this an emotional appeal.

2. "I hadn't thought of him since entering the courtroom. I couldn't" (198). This would be an emotional appeal because Alice could not think of her father and how hard this situation must be for him, and not being in the room with his daughter even harder.

3. "My nightmares had never let Lila be raped. She and Mary Alice were safe. Lila was my clone, my friend, my sister" (217). This is a logical appeal because Lila was raped, but emotional because she didn't want Alice there to help her.

*Quote*
"They got him," he said joyfully. "Guilty on six counts. He was remanded to jail" (200)! The importance of this quote is so big! Alice won her trial putting Madison in jail. It almost seemed like she would never win, but she pushed through, gave it her all and won!

*Theme*
I would say that the theme at the end of the book is for sure change. People can change any day, minute, or even second. Alice changed from just a college girl, to a rape victim, to a heroine user. And, her old best friend Lila won't say a word to her, doesn't want her help because she might believe that it is partly Alice's fault. Meaning, that the reason she got raped was possibly for revenge on Alice for winning her trial.

Post B4

Dear Alice,
First off, I am so glad that you and Jamie hooked up. Even though it did not end up in a relationship like you wanted, I think it was good that you had the chance to have sex with out being forced and with someone you knew and liked.
Second, this trial is really confusing me. I think you are doing an excellent job of taking your time though and answering the questions truthfully and patiently. I don't know how you could say some of this to people, it is just so terrible and graphic. Especially when your parents are there, I don't think I could even tell my parents that happened to me, I would not want to bare the pain of seeing their reaction. But, I think you are very brave for telling them. Also, you are very brave for doing this trial and speaking in front of your rapist, and looked him in the eye, sometimes I wonder how you are able to get out of bed everyday.
Last, I'm still in the middle of the trial and I do not know what is going to happen to Madison, but I hope he gets put away for twenty-five, since he cannot be put away any longer even though I wish he went to jail for life. But good luck and best of wishes.

Sincerely,
Ellie

Post A4

*Vocab*
1. commemorates: to serve as a memorial or reminder of (163)
2. sustained: To keep in existence; maintain (190)

*Appeals*
1. "Not further into the park but- on an outside the- we struggled outside the tunnel and then he took me inside the tunnel" (182). This is a logical appeal because this is what happened to her before she got raped.

2. "Yours might be Arabic," I said. "It looks like mine is rape" (161). This is an emotional appeal because her sister is majoring in Arabic and going to Syria, while Alice claims she is majoring in rape because she has a trial to do.

3. "I had become his opponent now, no longer merely his victim" (160). This is an emotional appeal because she now has to fight against him in court and she understands that she has to really fight against him.

*Quote*
"On top was a copy of my testimony from the preliminary hearing" (165). The importance of this quote is that during the trial she is questioned about what happened and her answers are referred back to her preliminary hearing and what she said during that and if her answers are different or the same.

*Theme*
I think the theme of this part of the book is growth. In this part she is able to have sex with Jamie, nervous, but grabbing a hold of herself, she decided she needed to do this to help her get over with what happened. Also, in the trial she speaks slowly and doesn't jump to conclusion like she did in th line-up where she got the guy wrong, she is patient with trying to give a response. Which is difficult because Gregory Madison is in the room now when she talks.

Post B3

Dear Alice,
I am so glad that you decided to go back to Syracuse where you belong. Your poem that you wrote in class is, what I think, exactly what it should have been. You said it perfectly and even though it is hard to say what you said, it's how you feel and I respect that. I don't know if I would necessarily say I would want to kill him just cause of what he did to me, I think he deserves the punishment to live under his sin, whether he knows it or not. If you did kill him, it would do nothing to you but make you regret the decision because I know that being a murderer and a rape victim would put way to much weight on your shoulders. I also respect your teacher for not treating you like she knows you really well and feel bad for what happened to you, instead she listened to your story and helped you express your feelings through that poem. I think you are a great poet and I hope you still are writing poetry.
And, oh my gosh you have found your rapist! I am so glad you had the courage to go back out to where he was and look him in the eye and see who he was and what he looked like! Thanks to your bravery you caught him! I don't know how much trouble he is in or how long he will be in jail for, but I hope it's for life. I hope the trial goes well!

Sincerely,
Ellie

Post A3

*Vocab*
1. crestfallen: discouraged (84)
2. adamant: utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc. (78)

*Appeals*
1. "The world is not divided for me then as it is now" (90). This is an emotional appeal because it is how she feels about safety after she was raped.

2. "But I'd always had a hint that my father could be different away from us and away from my mother" (82). This is an emotional appeal because she wants to know what her dad can be like when hes not around the family.

3. "At moments like this I pretended my father was the big brother I'd never had" (83). This is an emotional appeal because she is having a good time with her father and wants it to stay that way.

*Theme*
I think the theme for this part of the book is hope. She is deciding where to go to school and hope that she picks the right one. When she was with her father looking at schools she hoped that he can act differently around her and she can feel comfortable with him. The other thing is that she hoped to be safe at Syracuse, but ended up in a situation that she hopes can be erased.

*Quote*
"I hate it here" (85). This quote is important because it was when she meets Mary Alice (her good friend) at Syracuse. They both at the time when they first started didn't like the school, but they became good friends and it grew on them a bit. The thing is that she said this before she got raped, now what does she think of going to school here, should she stay or leave?

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly

Ok I really did not like this book. It was just not interesting to me at all. I feel like it was always going back to the same point at the end of each chapter. The point being that he is paralyzed, only being able to use his eye to communicate, and can't do anything cause he has locked-in syndrome. I never even understood anything that happened, our conversations in class were just always about he can't do anything and how terrible that is. Yeah, it's terrible that this happened to him and I feel bad for him, but I think this book is just boring. All of his stories feel like they would never actually happen before he got the syndrome. All I learned in this book is what it would be like to be like him. I think he's trying to make a point that life is short and all that stuff, but I know life short and he is still alive. Yeah he can't connect with the people he once could hug and play with very easily at all, but he's still here to see them and love them and I think that's better than not being able to see them at all. It never connected to me and my life, and in books I read I like to feel like I am part of the story. The one thing I did like however was the short chapters, even thought I never understood them, they made the book go by faster since I did not like it. Hopefully, the next book in class we read is more interesting to me than this one.

Post B2

Dear Alice,

Sometimes I just don't understand you during this book. You say some things that were just weird to me after what happened to you. I mean you handle it well, but sometimes I think you are handling it to well. Because when you said "considering the only thing I've had in my mouth in the last twenty-four hours is a cracker and a cock," (51) to your dad after he asked you something to eat; I found it just kind of rude to yourself. Like you try and joke about it and I don't think it's a joking matter at all, maybe it's just a way for you to recover cause sometimes I do that when bad things happen, but I feel this was just way to far. Especially saying it to your father when they are scared enough of what happened to you and they don't know what is good or bad to say. And when they ask a simple question like what do you want to eat and you respond how you did it might change how they act around you.
But on the other hand, sometimes you treat yourself worse than you should. Like when the boy came over for Mary and he gave you a weird look. And, you said, " He likes Mary,"...
"because Mary wasn't raped" (69). Here, you are being to hard on yourself I think. Maybe he just likes Mary cause of her personality, not by the way she looks or what she has done or what happened to her. But, being raped I'd expect someone to be on an emotional roller coaster, just not the same kind of roller coaster that you were on.

Sincerely,
Ellie