The Dried Out Opinions of People

"Cruse falsely charged that Hansberry and her family owned some 13 slum properties in the South Side, and deemed "obsequious" and "embarrassing" her "mimicry of the critical standards of white Communists" and her play's "assumptions that she knew all about the N**ro working class, of which she was not even remotely a member"

Reading through a 14 page packet for AP English about the famous Lorraine Hansberry, I encountered a paragraph of criticism on a play that she had created. It interested me since I read background information on her lifestyle and how she lived in a prominent white neighborhood. The ironic part about this is how Hansberry had been a member of the working class of African Americans. It made me think about how an opinion of one person can change how others think towards something. The influence of ones thoughts may be beneficial or harmful. It just depends on the person who is speaking. Since it was a white man criticizing a black woman it made many follow his views.



I though about the recent election. I have been at the point in life where my fathers interests have influenced me substantially since I always wanted to be like him. Along with this, his hostility towards Trump was almost bestowed upon me. That is until recently, I needed a type of verification for myself on why Trump was a bad president. I knew all of what he had said since I have witnessed clips from social media but it seemed to pass by because I had my fathers opinion to guide me. For my benefit I needed my own opinion because I am my own person.



It relates to the decisions I make in my life. I do what I want for myself and no one else. In the end it is my life and I am not living it to satisfy anyone but me I make decisions everyday and I leaned that everyone has their own opinions. They have their own views on something and their own reasons behind their views. What I came to recognize is how many people fall to voice THEIR opinion and instead agree on what others have to say without a legit conformation.

Just one way to prove my point is how children follow whatever is popular in culture today. Jermaine Cole (J. Cole) recently released an exquisite piece of art though the work of music connecting to his soul. Many children saw the trend on Twitter and recently began to agree with the views of others. Not giving themselves an experience to analyze the project, the children are still following the trends of society blindly. Without any outlooks they stay voiceless to their own opinions. Never reaching a maturity to create themselves. Having a brain that can soak up information, these children are drying up in the sun as they follow others. Never being able to be young men or women but children following others footsteps.



I am not saying that children are the only inhabitants of this problem but adults are as well. They follow the news aimlessly, hearing the nonsense that is false accusations. Because the opinion is from a woman in a dress reading complex words off of a poster, people seem to think that she may know what she is supposedly clarifying. They do not see the fake propositions behind the words but instead what is being stated. I know that society has been blinded and I see it day to day. I am glad to be able to think for myself and be mature enough to guide myself. I wish that others would too. Then again, this is all just an opinion from a 11th grader writing for a blog. So I want to ask, does my opinion give you enough clarification to follow my footsteps, or are you going to give yourself an explanation?

The "GREAT" Gatsby

As many different themes arise from the outstanding novel, The Great Gatsby, they all work collectively to pick apart James Gatz. Themes of class, love, wealth, and memories all play a prominent role in doing so. They show how Gatsby is not as great as we may think.

In an excerpt of the text it says, “Did you see any trouble on the road?” he asked after a minute. “Yes.” He hesitated. “Was he killed?” “Yes.” “I thought so; I told Daisy I thought so. It’s better that the shocks should all come at once. She stood it pretty well.” He spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered. “Who was the woman?” he inquired. “Her name was Wilson. Her husband owns the garage. How the devil did it happen?” “Well, I tried to swing the wheel --” He broke off, and suddenly I guess at the truth. “Was Daisy driving?” “Yes,” he said after a moment, “but of course I’ll say I was” (Fitzgerald 143).

This passage was striking to me as it opened my eyes to the character of Gatsby. Gatsby takes the blame for the love of his life. Because he cannot see anything past Daisy he does not care about the consequences that may affect him. When Gatsby takes the blame for the death, he is not penalized because of his class. He still lives luxuriously due to his wealth; he is still doing everything out of love for Daisy, while trying to repeat the past. This page made me think differently about Gatsby since it is narrated through Nick. I respect how he would do anything for the girl he loves. He stayed loving Daisy and only her for a boundless period of time. He stayed loyal to the girl he did not have, which was the only problem. He needed to understand that in this situation he could not be with her since the time had shifted. He came to his senses when Gatsby saw Daisy’s child. He then knew that he could not be with her and he was Jay momentarily. Him going out of his way to pursue a woman who is married through many different ways just shows that he is deranged. But love is a power that can overcome the toughest of men, the strongest of hate, and the coldest of hearts. Throwing extravagant parties to show off the wealth he acquired did not seem to change Daisy and her willingness to go back. She was at the point of no return.



Daisy herself was in a relationship that was not perfect. Much adultery was involved for a temporary sensation. Everything was a temporary sensation during that time. The use of speed for pleasure. The use of money for pleasure. The use of sex for pleasure. In the end the pleasure is gone. It is a moment in time that can not be reversed. It is a memory that may be held in your mind but never grasped in your hand. The only difference is Gatsby is so delusional about replaying time, he does not understand he can never go back. Daisy drove off and never came back. If the love was real Daisy would come back or at least care. Pick the petals off of the flower and you will realize what the real beauty of a Daisy is. It is worthless. After taking away the beauty what is left? Daisy is the character that seems like the villain in my point of view. She took the most important part of a person and never gave it back: the heart. Gatsby is lost and without his heart he is worthless. I do not know if I should respect, hate, or feel sorrow for Gatsby. He is not great and he is not James. He is gone to the point of no return. In the end Gatsby is just a memory stuck in time.