Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
Eng. Comp 102-104
7 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Contentment through Scavenging
In the short story “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, the author introduces readers to the life of a scavenger by describing his living on the streets with his dog, Lizbeth. At first glance one may assume the story is merely about dumpster diving, however, Eighner begs to show the audience being content does not come from petty objects, on impulse buys, foolishly discarded. When a person sees another in shabby clothes, unshaven, and rummaging through a dumpster, most would feel pity or disgust. Eighner feels pity for the others; “Millions who nightly scavenge the cable channels looking for they know not what. I am sorry for them.”(369) Eighner has a process which consists of three principles; listen to common sense in evaluating an area, and always seeking to answer “Why was this discarded?”(359).Eighner does not speak of happiness, but of being content. There are those who feel as if the only way to peace of mind, is to have the things they want. In reality, the items are rarely used or wanted ten years down the road. It is not to have too little or too much, but to feel content with what we have and are given.
Eighner, Lars. “On Dumpster Diving”. Power of language, Language of Power. Custom Ed.Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009. 357-369. Print.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A Case of Assisted Suicide Essay
Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
Eng Comp 102-104
14 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
A Selfish End
Jack Kevorkian is known as “Doctor Death”; a name created through controversy, tells one of his cases in “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Kevorkian made one’s time of death a choice, allowing a person to commit a selfish act in a time of fear. Kevorkian created a death machine; he writes which would kill the patient without pain. Kevorkian attempts to justify his actions as much as possible. “More dismaying yet was the refusal of people who are known supporters and active campaigners for euthanasia to allow Janet and me the use of their homes.”(437) In this instance, Kevorkian takes a patient, Janet Adkins, whose Alzheimer’s is progressing slowly. Adkins talks to her family and Kevorkian on almost a daily basis, her family strongly against her assisted suicide, but Janet is determined to go through with it. “There was absolutely no doubt that her mentality was intact.”(439) Janet had another year with her family, at least, in a clear mind, yet chose to end her life early is extremely disheartening. If a person is in extreme pain, and death is within a few hours, then it could be better to let the person go. However, in the case of Janet, she had more time to see her loved ones, and her suicide was a selfish act committed by someone who was afraid of their own demise.
Kevorkian, Jack. “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.357-69. Print.
Mr. Neuberg
Eng Comp 102-104
14 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
A Selfish End
Jack Kevorkian is known as “Doctor Death”; a name created through controversy, tells one of his cases in “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Kevorkian made one’s time of death a choice, allowing a person to commit a selfish act in a time of fear. Kevorkian created a death machine; he writes which would kill the patient without pain. Kevorkian attempts to justify his actions as much as possible. “More dismaying yet was the refusal of people who are known supporters and active campaigners for euthanasia to allow Janet and me the use of their homes.”(437) In this instance, Kevorkian takes a patient, Janet Adkins, whose Alzheimer’s is progressing slowly. Adkins talks to her family and Kevorkian on almost a daily basis, her family strongly against her assisted suicide, but Janet is determined to go through with it. “There was absolutely no doubt that her mentality was intact.”(439) Janet had another year with her family, at least, in a clear mind, yet chose to end her life early is extremely disheartening. If a person is in extreme pain, and death is within a few hours, then it could be better to let the person go. However, in the case of Janet, she had more time to see her loved ones, and her suicide was a selfish act committed by someone who was afraid of their own demise.
Kevorkian, Jack. “A Case of Assisted Suicide”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.357-69. Print.
Harrison Begeron Essay
Emily Eyberg
Mr. Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
26 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Hold on to You
In the futuristic story, “Harrison Begeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., we are introduced to George and Hazel Bergeron, living in a state of utter equality. Without the will to strive to better ourselves, and think the unthinkable, we are mindless beings. The idea of people living in complete equality seems picture perfect. Vonnegut demonstrates that it is truly not so in 2081 or in present day. “And pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (205.) Every time a thought that may surpass another’s thought is begun, a noise is blared into the thinker’s mind, so the thought is instantly silenced. It is an innate thought to push against ourselves and imagine the unimaginable however, in Vonnegut’s year of 2081, it is not so. “Neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling” (208.) To abandon ourselves, our sense of creativity and imagination is a brutal injustice. After being trained to be numb drones, Hazel and George do not even realize they have just seen their only child murdered before their eyes. Perhaps it is not the competition we should strive so hard to attain, but our sense of self; the pull within our souls to do the impossible.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.203-209. Print.
Mr. Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
26 September 2011
Single Paragraph Essay
Hold on to You
In the futuristic story, “Harrison Begeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., we are introduced to George and Hazel Bergeron, living in a state of utter equality. Without the will to strive to better ourselves, and think the unthinkable, we are mindless beings. The idea of people living in complete equality seems picture perfect. Vonnegut demonstrates that it is truly not so in 2081 or in present day. “And pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (205.) Every time a thought that may surpass another’s thought is begun, a noise is blared into the thinker’s mind, so the thought is instantly silenced. It is an innate thought to push against ourselves and imagine the unimaginable however, in Vonnegut’s year of 2081, it is not so. “Neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling” (208.) To abandon ourselves, our sense of creativity and imagination is a brutal injustice. After being trained to be numb drones, Hazel and George do not even realize they have just seen their only child murdered before their eyes. Perhaps it is not the competition we should strive so hard to attain, but our sense of self; the pull within our souls to do the impossible.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron”. Power of language, Language of Power. New York: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009.203-209. Print.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-(2)
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimonies
Ursula Levy
Ursula begins her story with a smile; the emotions in the interview room appear to be that of neutrality; no anger or hatred. Ursula Levy was born May 11, 1935, in Germany. Her mother was Lucille, father was Max, and her older brother of five years was George. The family owned a textile store that had been in the family for generations, Ursula remembers fondly, but vaguely, that the family made down comforters, quilts, suits and other such items. Ursula’s memories of before the war are far and few between, as she was so young. One memory she holds was when she was about three and a half years old, her father and uncle had just returned from a concentration camp, and were hospitalized. Ursula’s father and uncle had suffered frigid temperatures, and both had injuries to their legs; her uncle died a few days after being hospitalized and her father sometime around March 1939. Both her father and uncle were captured on Kristilnight. After her father and uncle passed, Ursula’s mother knew that she must find a way to get the children out of Germany; to Holland. A strong fear of dogs was instilled in Ursula, she believes from seeing the Germans, and officers with the dogs; a cognitive association.
A strong comfort that she has held with her even now is that of her mother singing; her mother sang constantly. One song in particular caused Ursula to envision Heaven as a ballroom with dancing and love all around. This caused her to not fear death, because of the thought of her mother and being free in a beautiful hall of dancing. Throughout the interview, Ursula maintains her composure, although there are moments, for example in remembering her brother, George, she fights off tears. “The separation was just totally devastating for me, it was worse than any other experience. I felt isolated, abandoned. I cried all the time.” Ursula speaks about the first concentration camp that she and her brother were put in and separated from each other. “There was always someone who looked after us.” Ursula remembers that no one ever stole bread from her or her brother; there was always someone who kept watch over them. This kept her hope and faith alive; she also remembers that she never doubted that she would come out of it alive. Speaking of her memories are difficult years and years after the tragedy, but she does it for her two children.
Holocaust Survivor Testimony-(1)
Emily Eyberg
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Mr.Neuberg
ENG Comp 102-104
12 October 2011
Response to Testimony
Edith Coliver
Edith is asked to spell her name by the interviewer, first thing she says is “V as in Victory”, this may simply be the best letter to get across that there was a ‘v’ in her name, however, I like to think it is because she truly believes there has been a victory. Edith was born in Karlsrophe, Germany in July 26, 1926, the eldest of three children, with two brothers. Her family was a middle class German- Jew family, she fondly remembers her grandmother who wore a wig, and was “wonderfully nurturing”. She recollects hearing Germans, around the same age, saying ‘oh, I was young’, her response was “I knew when I was eleven years old; don’t tell me that, you must have known what you were doing.” Edith speaks with such composure and dignity. Reflecting on how she watched those who had been ‘saved’ when the concentration camps were opened, the number of deaths then was almost more than during the camps themselves. During her time, Edith worked trials of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. After attending Berkley and studying political science, she was savvy in the ways of a court system, and how those would try to work the system. When returning to Germany, “I went to Germany not with a sense of revenge but curiosity, what makes people do these awful things.” Edith was able to see that the Nazis were killing on an automatic switch, it had been programmed into their very core, and however this still does not excuse their actions. Edith pondered these things throughout her entire life, but still her heart never filled with revenge; heartache and longing for peace for people, but never revenge.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Film Unfinished-Review
“A Film Unfinished”, otherwise known as “Das Ghetto”, is a horrifying example of how history can be falsified by those wish to cover up there sickening crimes, for which they feel no shame. The question must be asked, what would have happened if the film had been completed and released at that time, earlier, or later.
Would we have believed the Nazis lies and accepted their hatred for others? The propagandists’ manipulation of their half-million prisoners was clear, by showing numerous outtakes of the same ‘scene’, posing and re-posing the Jews to fit perfectly into their twisted film. The film crew posed somewhat well-dressed Jewish women by a restaurant and ignoring the children that begged for food; to show the supposed callousness by the ‘wealthy’ Jews. To indicate that the Jews were treated well, living in simply a ‘secluded paradise’, yet they were also callous towards those who had less. Showing that the Nazis were being ‘charitable’, even to such ‘cruel’ people as the Jews. The out and out lies are utterly disgusting. During the film, it cuts back and forth to a movie theater showing a few Jewish people observing. Near the end of “A Film Unfinished”, we see the bodies of small children, the tiny feet. One woman observing the film says “I am human now, now I can cry”, she hides her face repeatedly from the screen, afraid of the heartbreaking horror. Throughout cutting back to the observers, we hear comments such as “When did you ever see a flower? We would have eaten a flower!”
The fact that the Nazis created such ridiculous lies, expecting others to believe their film, indicates again that the Nazis viewed any other human as a lesser being, just varying extents of their levels of disgust towards them. As we watch the Jews in the streets being filmed, their sunken cheeks and darkened eyes, one cannot help but receive chills. The people who had their lives, their dignity and self-respect stolen, still held onto their faith, and hope. As you watch the people in the streets eye the cameramen, it seems that there is no emotion through their eyes, only numbness. The survivors reflect on losing their families, everything being ripped away from them. It is horrifying and hard to watch an entire group of people steadily destroyed, but it is also necessary to do so. If we forget even for a second how we must hold together our fellow humans, we have lost more than we can even imagine.
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