A Dream Within A Dream

Personally I am a big fan of Poe's work. I like how he makes you think deeper about things and you have to dig deep to make a connection and understand them. I think we all live inside our own dreams in a way. People live their entire lives trying to figure out the meaning of life and many never find it. I think that our dreams play a big role in the meaning of life, because I think the meaning of life is different for everyone since everyone has different dreams.

a dream within dream

i really like how poe puts his writing. its not always black and white sometimes you have to read it a few times jsut to start to understand it. i agree with him though when he says dreams within a dream. we are all living for a dream and as we dream of meeting that dream we are actually living a dream thats kind of hard to explain. i heard a quote once that says, "its important to do the things you want to do until its time you realize the things you were meant to do".

great gatsby charachtersw

i think the great gatsby movie was an intertaining movie. i didnt like how the characters acted towards each other. everyone showed they were in love but, it turns out there all messing around with everyone so i dont think they really know what love is. this movie isnt really good for some people to watch. it gives the wrong idea of love in my opinion!!

Good People

Hey this is a song we listened to for quite a time in ceramics and I thought it applied to this conversation. Let me know what you think, sorry it's a bit long, but it's called Good People and it's by Jack Johnson.

Oh, you win, it's your show now So what's it gonna be Cause people will tune in How many train wrecks do we need to see Before we lose touch of We thought this was low Well, it's bad, getting worse so Where'd all the good people go ?I've been changing channels I don't see them on the TV shows Where'd all the good people go ?We got heaps and heaps of what we sow They got this and that With a rattle a tat Testin, 1, 2, Man, what you gonna do Bad news, misused Got too much to lose Gimme some truth Now whose side are we on ?Whatever you say, turn on the boobtube I'm in the mood to obey So lead me astray, and by the way now Where'd all the good people go ? I've been changing channels I don't see them on the TV shows Where'd all the good people go ?We got heaps and heaps of what we sow Sitting around, feeling far away So far away, but I can feel the debris, Can you feel it ?You interrupt me from a friendly conversation To tell me how great it's all gonna be You might notice some hesitation (Because)It's important to you, it's not important to me But way down by the edge of your whole reason Let's beginning the show And all I really wanna know is Where'd all the good people go ?,I've been changing channels I don't see them on the TV shows Where'd all the good people go ?We got heaps and heaps of what we sow (Where'd all the good people go ?) They got this and that With a rattle a tat Testin, 1, 2, Man, what you gonna do Bad news, misused Gimme some truth You got too much to lose (where'd all the good people go ?) Now whose side are we on today ?Anyway, ok whatever you say Wrong or resolute, but in the mood to obey Station through station Desensitizing the nation Where'd all the people go ?Going, going, gone...

Okay
Thanks
Love
K

the american dream

i think the american dream is similar to everyone! the fame life.... money, the cars, the babes, the name, just all that crap. i dont think its wrong to try and better your life to the best possible and have money and cars but to a certian extent.

A Dream Within A Dream

To me this poem is portraying that the world we live in is just a dream within a dream as the title states. Edgar Allen Poe was a great realistic poet who truly showed that the world we are living in is just a dream among us. At first i didn't really understand the poem but after reading not only one or twice but three time, i started to grasp Poe's concept. I really liked this poem when it comes to still talking about the American dream. :]

The Great Gatsby

I thought the movie was really good overall.Though the characters in the movie weren't all great. Daisy was annoying to me, she was petty and whiny. Jay Gatsby, I thought, was a good looking guy with good intentions, he truly loved Daisy and hoped it would work out in the end. I hated the way the story ended, Daisy should have been shot!...sorry thats just what I think.

The Great Gatsby

Okay, so to be honest I'm completely confused with this whole website and do not even know if I'm doing this right. Who ever said this was easy lied. I pretty much hate all computers right now.
Anyways, I have concluded that The Great Gatsby is a surprisingly entertaining movie. I wasn't expecting much from it considering its age, but was shocked by the end at how much I really enjoyed it. I'd have to say that Daisy and Jay were my favorite characters throughout the movie just cause they were the most attractive ones in the movie. Sure Daisy was pretty out there, but what do you expect from a woman who's married to a psycho husband like Tom?! (Who by the way I did not like!) Jay, well lets be honest, he's easy on the eyes! I love how he started out being this mysterious, scary guy in the beginning of the movie but by the end he was this hopless romantic intrested in nothing other than being with his one true love, Daisy. :] SO CUTE! I did, however, like the ending of the movie when Mrytle, Jay, and George died. It made the movie even more exciting.
Nevertheless, I give The Great Gatsby two thumbs up. We need more movie days.

Week 3: American Dream Poetry

Here are some links to a few poems I think show a strong connection to the American Dream. Read any or all, and post your thoughts, please. :) If you would like, you could also locate and post a poem or song you think fits our discussion of the American Dream.

I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman

I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes (What kind of connection do you see between those two poems?)

Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes (This one is a little bit longer, but it is WELL worth the read, especially in connection with our discussion of King's "I Have a Dream Speech.")

A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe (Thanks to Wilson for bringing this one to our attention. What kind of dream do you think Poe was describing?)

Create your own post and comment on at least one post by next Monday, March 2.

The Great Gatsby-Behind the mask

I thought the movie was great. I'll admit that at times some of the characters seemed fake, or even insane (Jay). However, in the end it only helped to show how truly committed they were to their own happiness. I'm going to go against the curb here and say that my favorite character is Jay Gatsby. I like the fact that he was dedicated to being re-united with the love of his life and built himself a new life after the war which made him more successful than he could have ever dreamed. Daisy seems like a very fake character. I think its basically her interpretation of putting on a brave face with the whole "Tom" situation. Tom, he's just in a league all his own, racist, sexist, and a wife-beater, what more could you ask for right, but at least he's got money. I think all in all, the movie puts a very harsh reality on what some consider the American Dream. Just because you have money and power, doesn't mean you're happy. This is something I completely agree with.

The Great Gatsby-Morals

Overall I really enjoyed The Great Gatsby. It was a fascinating movie between the vivid characters and the timeline of the story.
My favorite character would have to be Nick. He seems to mostly observe everything and thinks before getting involved. I like the fact that at the end of the movie he seems the only person who is still focused on doing what is right. He wanted the truth to be known. Everyone else it would appear are only wanting their own convenience and comfort( Daisy and Tom for example retreat back into their money as though nothing is wrong without even a thought towards Jay Gatsby's funeral).
The movie says a lot about human nature and the times back then. I believe it also speaks volumes about us now and what human nature really will allow us to do for our own comfort and pleasure.

The Great Gatsby

This movie was fantastic. The characters, although unbelievably ridiculous, were phenomenal and said a lot about the time.

I think Jay Gatsby was one of the only two characters who showed character. However, he did end up losing that in his affair with Daisy. He gained his success with one thing in mind - Daisy. Daisy, was a bit of a tart. It was obvious by her personality that money meant more than love. She may have had feelings for Jay, but they were either weak or misunderstood. She went about her life entirely wrong. Now Tom, my least favorite character. Not only was he more concerned with appearance, but he had no regard for others. His affair with Myrtle was a poor choice and resulted in terrible consequences. I found it pathetic how he was allowed to cheat, but when discovering Daisy and Gatsby, he was furious.

Nick seemed to be the only character with any heart, although he was naive. The setting of the movie was perfect in illustrating the flaws each character happened to have. I greatly enjoyed the film, even though the ending was a great disappointment.

The Great Gatsby

Well i would like to start off by saying for an old movie it was really good. I really got into it.
So to start..I think my favorite character has got to be Nick. He was loyal and trust worthy thourghout the whole movie. Even though he should have gave some advice when he saw everyone cheating on each other but whatever he just stayed out of it.NICE. I personally think jay is HOT, and of course he has to die. He did not deserve to die like that or at all. He did not do anything. He just loved Daisy. And speaking of Daisy...she is really not all there. she said that she loved Jay but when he died its like it didn't even faise her. She is just so wrapped up in her money. Tom..hmm..well hes just not very nice. at all. He was really mean to Daisy and Myrtle. So there is my little speel love you guys

The Evil in Materialistic Possessions

When this movie began its almost as if all the characters that seemed so innocent were the ones that were anything but in the clear. My favorite character Jay because he seems like he is the most sincere character in the movie. Even though Gatsby's life is filled with money i feel as though he is one of the few who aren't entirely materialistic. Gatsby's love of Daisy drove him to become the wealthy man he had become in hope that in return Daisy would join his side. Gatsby truely could careless about money it seems, but its love that truely drives Gatsby's life. Many of the characters in this movie make it seem as if theres no other way to be happy without money, but in my opinion the whole moral of the story is that the love of money will do everything but make a person feel content. For its love to its fullest that will truely and entirely complete a persons happiness.
HTATE

The Great Gatsby

I first want to start out by saying that I hate when the best looking character dies. [Ridiculous] Okay, first off I felt like Nick was hoping that by moving out East that he would accumulate some sort of fortune, but slowly started realizing that all those wonderful things he had imagined were so very tainted. Daisy and Tom's love was a joke based around nothing more than lies and money. It's sad to think money can have such an effect on something as "sacred" as love. At first I really liked Daisy because she seemed so hopeful and happy just about everything. Then towards the end of the movie when she reveals her selfish side to Jay it just really put me off. But in real life most everyone has good intentions in the beginning then the truly weak are always the ones that get caught up in the materialistic side of reality. I really did like this movie though and it had a really good life lesson. Money really can't buy happiness!
CB

Irrational, immature and selfish

Though all of the characters, besides Nick, seemed really irrational, immature, and selfish. I thought that the way Jay encouraged the affair was incredibly irresponsible and selfish for his own well being. I, also, think that Tom was incredibly immature with his affair and was irrational when he found out about Daisy's affair.

Nick was my favorite character throughout the movie; he was incredibly sweet, also. Although I did like Jordyn a whole lot; she seemed a little bit spoiled and she was quite a bit of a cheater!

Anyway, the characters were very interesting making the movie phenomenal! I really liked the movie.

The [what's so] Great [about] Gatsby [?]

I honestly really enjoyed this movie, even though I initially didn't think I would.
So, let me talk about my view of these crazy, beloved charachers.
At first, I simply thought Daisy was a materialistic, childish rich girl. As the movie progressed, however, I began to sympathise with her a bit. I do think Daisy was in love with Jay, and Jay with her. Love causes people to do some crazy things!
Nick was really the only consistent character throughout this film, and I found myself often thinking "he's probably my favorite." Nick truly was the only character who wasn't obsessed with riches or trophy wives. He was happy with his life, and I respect that.
Jay (aside from being a cutie-pie) was definitely a bit mysterious. I never knew what Jay would do next. The only sure thing about him seemed to be his love of Daisy. Although, I still don't understand what's so great about him. *shrugs*
The only character I didn't truly understand was Jordan. I have yet to figure out what her role was in this movie.
Overall, I think the movie was very intriguing and I really enjoyed watching it. :]
-Corey.

Daisy

Hey.
As we've been watching this movie I find it hard to believe people really behave this way. I understand not loving the person you married anymore, but be atleast a little respectful and divorce them. I understand that their religion gets in the way but that is no excuse to cheat. Obviously if you're cheating religion isn't exactly you're top priority anyway.
I really think it shows the mindset of a lot of people even now. It really got me when Daisy scream "Rich girls don't marry poor boys Jay Gatsby, rich girls don't marry poor boys." I think that is still the mind frame of a lot of people today. The fact that you "stick with the devil you know."
I tried to comment on Tiffanie's blog but for some reason it wouldn't let me so I'll just put it here. I think she makes a lot of sense, and I completely agree. Good thinking girl.
Hear from you.
love
k

The Gatsby Characters

Personally I do not like the
characters in the movie. I feel they show poor morals and bad judgement. The
couples are not happy with who they are married to and they choose to cheat on
each other which shows very poor morals to me. They do not love each other and
they refuse to do something about it. I also understand that some of the reason
for them not changing it is their religion and the time period they live in,
however, I still feel like once you make a promise to someone through marriage
you should hold true to.

American Dream

I think the american dream is different to everyone but they are all the same to. Everyone's dream is to be happy and sucessful, but for everyone happy and sucessful is something different. People all have different goals and things that make them happy but they all want to achieve that in the end.

The American Dream

To me the American Dream is happiness and success. But to the person to my right, and the person to my left the American Dream might be a complete opposite. But then again when i think about it, why wouldn't everybody's dream to be happy and successful. No one wants to be unhappy in their life, and everybody wants to be successful, so therefor in ways everybody's dream is the same. If everybody's dream is the same in some way, they might just take a different way of reaching their dream than the other person.

Dreams

I believe everyone has a different American dream. Some people's dream involves money and riches, others' is success, and still others' is happiness; but no matter what the dream is, everyone tries to reach that dream. No man should judge another for their dreams. Everyone has a different dream in life, that's why God made us all different.
-Sara

Week 2: The Great Gatsby

I've really enjoyed reading your posts. Thanks for sharing. :) If you haven't already posted and commented on the first prompt ("Welcome"), please do so still for partial credit. We want to hear your thoughts! Just be sure to title your blog accordingly so we know if you're writing about the American Dream or The Great Gatsby. I also appreciate everyone being so flexible while I'm gone for my grandma's funeral. You're the greatest!

Task #2: For your next post, I want to hear your initial impressions of the characters in The Great Gatsby. What do you think of Jay Gatsby? Do you think Daisy is a likable character? Why or why not? What about Daisy's husband Tom? Really, I'm just asking for your supported opinions about the characters. Also, be sure to COMMENT on someone else's post. This is due by Monday, Feb. 23, at 8:00 a.m.

Happiness is the American Dream!

For starters I would like to say that our discussion about the "American Dream" was an awesome idea, everyone had their own opinion. I think that everyone has their own "American Dream", it was they make it and I do not think we should judge others. Some people talked about making our dreams realistic, I think that is a big part of creating the ideal "American Dream" for ourselves.

My view of the "American Dream" is much different from at least anyone else in our class. You all know, or may not know, my parents came from Mexico in order to pursue thier dream of giving us, their children, an education. They wanted a better life for their family...period. That was their "American Dream".

I agree with most of you, whatever your "American Dream" may be, let it make you happy! As long as you are happy, you will know you are were you need to be in life. =)

When I think of the 'American Dream' I think a lot about what Hannah said. I believe that the American Dream is true happiness. Everyone wants to be successful. However, its our definitions of success that make us unique. For some its money; for others it could be as little as being able to say that you've done your very best and you are content with who you are. That's why I think the American Dream is to find that one thing that makes you happy and to pursue it with your whole heart.

The American Dream

The American Dream to me is the idea of equality. I believe that the American Dream has been reached to some extent, but also needs some work. We truely have come a long way from slavery and discrimination to where we are today, but what i also belive is that there are still people out there that dont believe all men should be equal. I think there will always be people out there that arent willing to accept others, so i dont think the American Dream will ever fully be realized

What I think...

I think the American Dream only applies to those whom
actually believe in it. You may think I'm a cynic or pessimist,
but I'm not, I just don't believe in the 'American Dream.'

To me the American Dream says that everyone has the
same dream, but I don't have the same dream as, say Hanah or
Koleen. I have my own dream. I don't relate me dreams to the
American Dream because it creates a clique, there are those
who have the American Dream and there are those who simply
get through life without any dreams. I don't like to be grouped
with people, that's why I don't believe in the 'American Dream.'

However, I do believe in dreams and following those dreams. I
think it's healthy to have dreams and want to follow them, and I
encourage everyone to have a dream. And, if his or hers dream
is the 'American Dream', then I will be very happy for that person
because at least they are aiming for something good!

"American Dream"

So i guess i am suppose to type in this little space what it think the so called
American Dream is. Well to me i think the American Dream is the pursuit of happiness.

When some one is happy then i think then they can pursue their dreams. Everyone is going to find their happiness somewhere different than the other person, so that brings me to my next point..People grow up in a different niche, there are not going to be 2 people the same. People are going to have different things that make them happy, it depends mainly on where and how you grow up. I don't really think we can all sit here and type what exactly the American dream is. Martin Luther King Jr. had the dream that blacks and whites would once get along and not be judged on their skin color or religion. Obama does not have the same dream his is different. So that right there proves my point. Not everyone is going to have the same American dream.
:]

Miss American Pie.

As I thought about what the "AMERICAN DREAM" meant to me, I realized that my opinion differed from that of most of the members of our class. After reading posts by other students, it became very apparent to me that the thoughts I'm about to put down are somewhat off the beaten path, so to speak.
To me, the American Dream is a universal idea. It's a mindset. It's the idea that a person can come from wherever they are, be that poverty, a foreign country or any other social setting and make a name for themselves. They can overcome whatever obstacles that might be thrown at them, and they can become successful and happy. I believe the American Dream is something you cannot put a name or pricetag on. It's a state of mind.
Though everyone sets their own personal goals and has their own ways of achieving their American Dream, the said happiness and success they're striving for is something I think everyone has in common. Even through our class discussions I gathered that most of us agree that happiness is a definite subset of the American Dream.
I think i'm looking at things through a different frame of mind, and i think it's very cool to hear everyone else's opinions on this topic.
:]

The American Dream

-I appeared to have missed out while I was sick last week, so I am thinking I might have to wing this without help from the discussion.

I think that the American Dream means allowing someone to pursue their happiness in the way they choose. Everyone has that one thing they want and should have the opportunity to get it. This can relate to anything in their life. Our Constitution says that every person should be able to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My own dream is to be able to help people through my own experiences, I want to be able to solve problems.

Now, that doesn't mean everyone else does too. Everyone has their own personal dream. Whether it be fame, fortune, love, or a happy life. Maybe they want to be a model, marine biologist, or even the President. Someone's American Dream might even be the day we never need war again. These wants and ideals change person to person. In class today, we discussed Martin Luther King Jr. whose American Dream was the day America saw equality.

However, when it comes to judging their dreams, they are just that - theirs. This is what the person feels will make their life. We should not burden them with our opinion. Although we might think different or full-on disagree, it's not our place. Everyone deserves their own American Dream.

The American Dream

I also think this is a really good idea for our class. Too bad we can't just do everything via the computer!

First and foremost, I think the American dream can consist of many different ideas. But, basically, I think with any dream success and happiness are the most common factors. I don't really know of anyone who would honestly just be like hmm.. "My dream is to be.. unsuccessful," because that's just, well weird. I personally just want to be able to support myself and be happy in whatever it is that I'm doing. And I agree with Koleen when she says how it's unfortunate that we all can't be a little more open minded. And we definitely shouldn't judge other's dreams. It's not my right to tell someone what it is that they should be pursuing. It's in the hands of the beholder and shouldn't be compromised if it really is your dream! But all and all I think as long as you're happy in whatever it is you're doing that can be classified as the "American Dream."

And that's my piece. :)

The American Dream

For starters I must say that I think this blog is a really good idea for our class. I think it'll help us in many, many, many ways. :]

As far as the American dream goes, I think our discussion went really well in class. I don't like how everyone, including myself, is so close minded on stuff like this. I think it would help a lot if we all just took the time to open up our minds and think about other options than the one already formed in our heads.
I wrote in my journal about how i think it's hard for everyone to have the same American dream, because everyone is different. I really don't want to be the president, but Michael might. I don't want to be a baseball star, but Adam does. I really want to be an artist, and Calli may not . You have to take all of these tiny details of every ones involved life to get their version of the American dream. With all of these different options, I don't see how everyone can come to the exact same conclusion. Maybe it's possible, but it just doesn't make sense to me.

The whole time we have been talking about this, I've had a Casting Crowns song stuck in my head, and I think it fits the topic so I'm going to post one of the verses here.

Well his American Dream is beginning to seem More and more like a nightmare With every passing day "Daddy, can you come to my game?""Oh Baby, please don't work late." Another wasted weekend And they are slipping away 'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night He tells them things are getting better Just take a little more time

I just thinks this kind of sums it up.
Sorry it was so long guys.
Let me know what you think.
:]
k

Week 1: Welcome

Hey all! This will be our class blog for the rest of the semester. This will be a great way for you to share your writing skills and insights on what happens in class.

So here's the skinny. Each week you will be required to CREATE one new post and RESPOND to at least one other post. At the beginning of each week I'll give you some direction, if you need it. Otherwise, I just want you to be thinking about and responding to what happens in class.

Other items to note: This is a great opportunity to share with one another, but keep in mind...this is monitored by me. Don't say anything inappropriate or rude or unnecessary. This blog is for learning purposes, and I really think it will be an important tool for our classroom community. SO have fun!

Your FIRST assignment: Share your thoughts on our discussion of the American Dream last week. What do you think the American Dream means? Is it the same for everyone? Should we judge others' dreams? Take those questions, and go from there. Also be sure to give us your first name if your profile name doesn't already provide it. Due date: Create your post (click on "New Post" in the upper righthand corner) and respond (click on "Comment" at the end of a post) to at least one other by 8:00 a.m., Monday, February 16.