Blog #3

"Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

This week I will be referring to pages 50-62. Last blog, I wrote of Pi’s constant comparing of people and animals. He did not directly compare animals and people in the passage I just read, but I found myself comparing them. Pi told of the habits of animals, which I think are similar to humans. One thing animals do is try to escape from the zoo. Pi says, “Whatever the reason for wanting to escape, sane or insane, zoo detractors should realize that animals don’t escape to somewhere but from something” (51). Pi goes on to say that animals flee from a threat and the unknown. I think this rule also applies to people and their lives. This is shown in many movies. For example, in “Runaway Bride”, Julia Roberts escapes from a situation she feels uncomfortable with: getting married. She flees because the unknown of marriage threatens her. I also avoid situations that threaten me. I steer clear of making speeches because I feel the threat of potential embarrassment. This is the same thing Pi says zoo animals do. Another thing Pi speaks of is the animals’ relationships with the trainer. The trainer has power and animals respond to this. Pi explains, “Socially inferior animals are the ones that make the most strenuous, resourceful efforts to get to know their keepers” (56). The weak animals realize being close to someone with power benefits them. I think people act in the same way. People always try to raise their social statuses and power by clinging on to the more successful. People benefit from being around the successful and learning from them, as do animals.

Blog #2

I am reading the book "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. I have read and will be referring to pages 1-50. The main character in this novel is a college-aged boy named Piscine Moliter, called Pi. He is a double major in religious studies and zoology. I always think the mix of science and religion is strange because I see them as somewhat opposites. Science is explaining life with solid evidence. Religion, however, explains the unknown by telling people to trust and have faith in a theory, rather than with scientific evidence. Scientists like to have clear proof which is often lacking in religions, but Pi still likes to study religion. Pi’s conviction in both science and religion is unique since they are often contradictory. Other aspects of Pi’s life are unusual and interesting too. He was born to a zookeeper and grew up around animals. This explains his constant comparison of humans to animals. For example, he says, “Repetition is important in the training not only of animals but also of humans” (29). People like to think they are superior to animals, but Pi makes it evident he thinks they are equal. He thinks people need to be treated and trained like animals. Also, Pi says, speaking of the zoo keeping business, that, “We commonly say in the trade that the most dangerous animal in the zoo is Man” (36). In the quote, Pi is referring to the fact that humans injure animals often by throwing foreign objects like bottles or food into the cages. These actions make them dangerous. This causes me to think. If men are more advanced animals, but they choose to act destructively, does that make them equal with animals? Pi certainly seems to think men and animals are very alike and equal. I’m not sure if I agree with this, but it is an interesting idea to think about.

Blog #1

StarTribune. September 14, 2008. A6. "How Palin Governs." by Michael Powell
Dear Governor Palin,

I would like to know why you are running for Vice President. I for one, do not think you are fit for the job. When I first heard you were running, I, as a female, was excited to see a woman in the Vice Presidential race. Now I see the horrible way in which you handle situations would never suit a Vice President. You pretend to have high ethical beliefs, but you often let your personal feelings affect your work. For example, you've hired five of your high school classmates. That is not merely a coincidence. Where were your ethics when you did that? Even though you have an "80 percent approval rate", I do not approve of you. As a Vice president you would be a leader of the nation. You cannot lead this nation. You told a councilwoman the book "Daddy's Roommate" should not be in a library. This book focuses on homosexuality. Ms. Palin, I would hope a Vice President hopeful would be tolerant and respectful of different ways of living, which you clearly are not. This nation is based on freedom and you should support freedom of different peoples if you want to be the Vice President of this nation. Everything you’ve done is not bad. As governor, you have worked on taxes, oil, and lobbyists. Your work has been beneficial in these areas, but you’ve faltered in other areas too much. I believe you are possibly a mediocre or good governor, but as the Vice President you cannot simply be good. The Vice President has to be great, and I do not believe you are. Please remove yourself from the race.

-Linnea

Welcome!

Hello, blog users. Welcome to Linnea's Blog. It will be used for communication in Enriched English class, and especially for outside reading. The blog will be informative of things I am studying at the moment. Hopefully some quality critical thinking will arise from this. Please enjoy!