Blog 2

Yesterday, we explored twenty-eight concepts that pertained to the Jewish Holocaust, and as a class, we constructed a dictionary of terms. 

Which of these twenty-eight entries were you most surprised that you had not heard of before? ...the least? [If you were not surprised, then write about the one you would like to find out more about.] Include the description of the concept [or definition] and your thoughts/feelings.

This entry may be one longer paragraph [at least 7-8 sentences].

Out of all the entries we researched in class, the one that I had not heard about before was the Kristallnacht. I thought it was surprising that I never heard about that. It is also known as the night of broken glass, but I had not heard of that either. All I know is that when the Nazis destroyed all Jewish stores and homes by breaking the glass in the windows and doors. I would like to learn more about this because it is a cruel thing to do. Also, I found it really interesting and want to research it more. I'd like to know where it started, why they did it and when. The thing that bothers me the most is that the Nazis would stoop so low to bothering the Jews by destroying their stores.

Blog 1: Part 1 Reflection

Part I of Ruth Minsky Sender's The Cage explores the experiences Riva and her siblings have while living in the ghetto. Part II of the personal memoir will unveil her horrors in the camps.

What portion of Part I stood out to you in your reading? Provide a page number and short analysis of the excerpt.

Page 90

In Part 1, the part that stood out to me the most was the part when Riva's brother was dying. Her brother, Laibele had been fighting his disease, and his time was done. He could not fight any longer, and it showed the bond between sister and brother. Riva was crying because he was dying, and there was nothing she could do about it. She held him in her arms as his time was fading away, but she had to let go to let him know he could die peacefully.

Another thing about this part was that, she was screaming for him to keep fighting and letting go. In the beginning she told him not to give up, but then she realized it would be easier for him to die if he could go peacefully. " 'Riva, you are sinning. You are not letting him die in peace. You are calling him back, again and again. This is a great sin you are committing. Let him go, darling. Maybe he will be better off than we are' "(Sender 90). Riva realized that she needed to let him go to put him out of his pain. This was a very emotional part of the book and it showed her growing up as a person. She handled the situation like a mature adult would.

Blog 16

Pretend you are a Nazi journalist and you witness the events that occurred in Chapter Four of Ruth Minsky Sender's The Cage. Write a detailed news report [the type that would be printed in a German newspaper] on the incident(s) in your reading. Include specifics about the situation: dates, location, etc.

This posting should be approximately TWO paragraphs in length, (5-6 sentences in each paragraph). You should include one quotation from the text to support your story; this quotation can be used as a witness to the events that happened.

Be sure to stay true to journalistic writing! If you need help with this style, go here: How to Write a News Article.

Today is April 16, 1943 and here at in Lodz, Poland, the Nazis are trying to keep people in line. The disgusting attitudes the Jewish people are giving to us Nazi's in charge is not going to be tolerated anymore. The Nazi's are doing the right things, but the Jews are just being ignorant. This is ludicrous and will not be acceptable. The people are trying to frustrate us and that will not be good for them. One female yelled today, "Please, have pity. Let him be. He is a deaf mute."

The Jews need to realize that mercy will not be granted to them. They do not deserve the same treatment as everyone else. Their religion and what they want is wrong. They should not be granted the same rights as everyone else since they are not of the same level as us. Also, the rules are not the same for every person and the Jews are no exception. The ignorance they give off just angers us more and makes the Nazis act more vicious towards them. We are doing what is best for the country and most people are on our side. The Jews need to accept what is going on.

Blog 13

*After listening to the audio of Act V, scene ii*:

At the end of Act V, scene ii, Katherina makes a famous speech about the relationship husbands and wives should have. What three (3) lines did you find particularly interesting [especially since you have read about Katherina's transformation]? What is noteworthy about what she DOES NOT mention in her speech?

I found these following lines interesting because, they are contradicting what she says in the beginning of the play.

"A woman moved is like a fountain troubled, muddy, ill seeming thick, bereft of beauty.

And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty, will it design to sip or touch one drop of it.

Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee.

And for my maintenance commits his body to painful labor both by sea and land."

Before she was rude and disrespectful but now she is saying how amazing men are. In the beginning, she said she doesn't need a man, but now she loves him so much. She mentions how great of a husband Petruchio is when in the beginning, she hated him. She does not mention the fact that she used to act so rude and ignorant like the other wives that she was lecturing.

Blog 12

Petruchio seems to become the shrew, more so than Katharina ever was. Curtis says, “he is more shrew than she.” Why do you think they have traded personalities? 

As a psychiatrist, write a two-paragraph explanation to Curtis about why his boss has had the change of personality. Be creative!!

Curtis, I know you may be confused about the alternate personalities that seem to be occurring, but the truth is, he is just trying to teach a lesson. Petruchio is not really a shrew, but only trying to prove a point. You may not agree with his actions now that he is a shrew, but that is because he is not really a shrew. He only wants to make everyone see what they are like when they are a shrew.

He's not truly a shrew so you have no worries for he does not mean it. When he acts this way, he only wants to tame her. He is not evil or malicious, he is just trying to tame someone. He is giving her a taste of her own medicine. He is doing what we as psychiatrists like to call, "Reverse Psychology."

Blog 15

In your groups, take some time to collect information and provide each topic below with a thorough explanation. This may be a definition or a small summary of the event.

You are encouraged to include quotations and facts from other websites, provided that you cite them correctly. Try to be as detailed as possible, (i.e. include dates, famous people, etc.).

a. The Jewish Holocaust

The Holocaust was when Adolf Hilter had an idea for a "perfect race", and he wanted everyone to be Christian with blonde hair and blue eyes. Many people were sent to concentration camps and they were killed. Over 6 million died.

b. The Nazi Party

The Nazi's were a mass of people that were put in charge of the Jews in the concentration camps. They had the authority and power given by Adolf to do whatever they wanted and treat them however they wanted.

c. Ruth Minsky Sender

Ruth is a Holocaust survivor that has written three memoirs. She was born in Poland in November. She had two brothers. She was in Auschwitz but was rescued in the Mittelsteine camp.

d. Auschwitz, Mittelsteine, Grafenort

Auschwitz is known as one of the worst concentration camps during the Holocaust

Mittelsteine and Grafenort are two other concentration camps

e. personal memoir

A personal memoir is a written story by a person that lived during a historical time period. Also, it is written about their life and how they lived during the event and how it affected their lives. An example of one is by Ulysses S. Grant.

Blog 14

Petruchio had tamed Kate from the first time they met and changed her drastically. She was originally a cruel and heartless Kate that did not know what is was to be in-love. She had never cared much for anybody and was always nasty when she spoke. After she met Petruchio and was to be married to him, he was furious. She did not like him at all but after the wedding, she began to sing a different tune. 

Petruchio was perfect for her because, he knew exactly what to do. He gave her a taste of her own medicine and showed her what it was like to be malicious and use violent and hurtful words. In the end though, she was sweet and kind and said a long speech about how amazing husbands and men are. She made the other mens wives look bad in comparison. She had changed her attitude and was positive and sweet. 

A famous couple that they are like would be Heidi and Spencer from MTV's "The Hills". Spencer is rude and obnoxious where as Heidi is sweet and soft. She is trying to make him be nice, but it seems like he is turning her into a more cruel and meaner version of herself.