Journal #5

Lee Philosophy

Always give it your best. As long as you gave it your best and put your effort in, it does not matter whether you succeeded or failed. You should always look to give your full effort in whatever you do. Why do it if you're not going to give it your best? There have been many times where I failed but was happy with myself because I gave it my best shot. At times where I put little effort in, I knew I could not expect much out of the experience and overall made that experience almost worthless and a waste of time.

Be open-minded. Everyone comes from a different background and has different experiences. Don't think your world is the only world and everyone else's revolves around it. Understand that not everyone thinks like you and look to understand others' view. Having a broad perspective will allow you to understand the world better. As a minority, I live in two different worlds where I must understand both sides. While those two worlds may be dominant in my life, I must realize there are many other worlds out there for me to see. This has helped me to understand my community and the different cultures of the world.

Look to help others. Helping others can help you. You learn that there are people not as fortunate or privileged as you. You have values and experiences that can help others that have not yet learned. However, that does not make you superior. It is a mutual relationship where those that may seem below you have important experiences to share with you as well. As a frequent volunteer, I enjoy helping the community and have found that help will always be wanted. I have skills and abilities that I can offer to help others.

Respect yourself and have pride. Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. Don't constantly think about your past failures, but rather look to the present and future. Respect yourself by taking care of yourself and doing what is best for you. Make yourself believe that you matter and have an importance in the world. However, understand that there should be a limit to these. Do not become full of vain and respect others while you respect yourself.

Don't let criticism rule you. People will judge you but don't let that affect the way you live life. The natural inclination may be to fit in and be like everyone else, but having a uniqueness is important. As long as you enjoy the way you live, it shouldn't matter whether or not it's what the majority is doing. What the majority is doing may not always be the right thing to do.

Enjoy the present. While thinking and preparing for the future is a shrewd thing to do, make sure it is not ruining the present. If you are always living for the future, how will you know when that "future" has been reached? Without knowing it, you may constantly live for the future until you reach the point where life can be hard to enjoy as an old person. My experience with IB has shown me that the present may be difficult, but the future will be rewarding. However, I try to make the most out of my high school experience despite the difficulties with IB.

Take advantage of opportunities. There are countless opportunities in this world. These opportunities can have a great impact on your life and can help you in many ways. Take the opportunity and don't be afraid to try something new or different. Once it goes by, you never know if it will come back or not. School and education is a great opportunity for us. As something not everyone freely receives, we should take advantage of it and make the most out of it.

Journal #4

#4 What conclusions does Mersault come to at the end of the novel. Does Camus want the reader to come to the same conclusions?

At the end of the novel, Meursault comes to the conclusion that nothing really matters and it is up to the individual to do as he or she pleases. Much of his thoughts are seen during his final meeting with the chaplain. Since everyone eventually dies, when and how does not matter. He spurts out a series of questions asking their importance but comes to the conclusion that none of it really mattered. When told that everyone in his position had turned to God before being executed, he acknowledges the fact but refuses to conform to the common decision. He simply does not care about what others think and only sees his beliefs as the right choice. He claims he does not have the time to interest himself in what does not interest him, showing the concept of the individual.
I think Camus does not really care whether the same conclusions are reached but rather that people and society are aware and able to acknowledge these beliefs. As it appears in the novel, many of the ideas presented are not accepted by society but Camus holds onto these ideas through Meursault. Even when faced with death, the questions of whether there is meaning is brought up, showing the strong hold on the beliefs.

Journal #3

I think Camus divided the novel into two parts to show a change in Meursault, especially after a dramatic event. This was similar in the way the novel opened up with his mother's death, an event that would have had a strong impact on most people. The event in part one did not have that strong of an impact on him and he even says, "It occurred to me [...] that Maman was buried now, [...] and that, really, nothing had changed" (24). He was not very concerned and was apathetic to the events in his life. However, he seemed to be very observant of his surroundings as seen when he observes the community from his balcony. In part two, he is still observant to his surroundings, but is forced to think about what he truly thinks and feels. He is constantly interrogated and forced to answer the questions that were never asked to him before. He seemed to admit that he did not feel much grief when his mother died and when asked if he was sorry for what he had done, he answered with, "more than sorry I felt kind of annoyed" (70). While still an apathetic tone is felt, he is thinking about his thinking and feelings, something not seen in part one.
In part two, many of the same ideas are still present. Light, sun, and heat are still placed on him and overwhelming him. In jail, sleep becomes most of his activity, taking up "sixteen to eighteen hours a day" (79). Both parts also have the idea of guilt, or the lack of guilt. In part one, Meursault felt guilty for something that wasn't necessarily his fault. His mother's death caused him guilt with him having to miss work and asking his boss for days off. He is inclined to say "It's not my fault" constantly to justify his actions. Also, he received guilt from having to place his mother in the old people's home, something that he could not help but do. However, in part two, he doesn't show guilt for something that actually was his fault. The murder was because of his actions and he doesn't show guilt for something he caused.

Journal #2

I think Camus decided to use a first person point of view to keep the focus on Meursault and his thoughts only. This forces the reader to learn much about Meursault by only seeing out of his eyes. We are able to see his thought process and are presented with another way of characterization of Meursault. Using a third person omniscient would mean the narrator knows every thought of every character, creating a definite, solid, or concrete mood. Everything said by the narrator would have a definite meaning and truth. This sounds like it would contradict the idea of existentialism, giving meaning and solidness to what is happening and said. Camus created a character with existential ideas and used first person point of view to further develop and show that existential idea.

Journal #1

Marie comes in as a character that Meursault had known from the past from work. This gives some background information to Meursault. He explains there may have been some love between them, showing an instance where he was aware of his feelings. However, when he is later asked whether he loves her or wants to marry her, he is unsure and does not really care, saying it is up to her. Meursault describes her as beautiful, admiring her physical features. He enjoys spending time with her and they interact as a couple. The day after the funeral, he takes her out. Through Marie, Camus reveals more about Meursault and what he possibly values in love and companionship, or whether he cares about love or not.

Salamano is Meursault's neighbor who lives with a dog. He constantly beats the dog and curses at it. He is described as a grumpy, old man. While not exactly a foil to Meursault, he produces similar effects. After Salamano loses his dog, he is emotionally affected and his attitude changes quite a bit. On the other hand, Meursault did not change at all and even states, "nothing  had changed" (24). There is a great contrast in the effect of death on the two characters. Salamano appeared as a friendly man when he conversed with Meursault. They were able to talk in a friendly manner with Meursault giving him advice and Salamano returning condolences for the death of Maman. Camus shows the different effects of death through Salamano.

The lady who Meursault meets at Celeste's is very organized and seems to live in a systematic style. She lives with a purpose and knows what she is doing. Meursault carefully observes her, noticing her peculiar actions. She orders "her whole meal all at once, in a voice that was clear and very fast" (43), adds up her bill in advance, and checks off every radio program from a magazine. Her motions are described as "robotlike", showing her meticulous lifestyle and thinking process. Camus may use this woman to show this concept of being a "stranger". People may be fascinated with another, such as people were with Meursault and the death of his mother, and then soon forget the person. Meursault is intrigued by this woman and even attempts to follow her, but he "forgot about her a few minutes later" (44).

Journal #8

1. I think Zora Neale Hurston chose this title to incorporate religious aspects into the novel. The title itself hints at possible religious elements inside the plot and the reader is able to point them out easily. The emphasis on religion also creates a focus on God and some sort of high power which is seen throughout the book. It can also bring in a strong allusion to the bible. By using a quote from the book, it gives significance to the passage. The title of the book was placed in the scene of the hurricane, which has great power and force on the people like God does. This alters the reading by placing an overall religious atmosphere on the book.

2. An alternate title could have been something like The Horizon. This title would place a greater significance on the horizon that is mentioned throughout the book. Even in the first page it is mentioned, which would cause the reader to think the horizon is going to play an important role. At the end, Janie mentions pulling in her horizon, showing the importance of it to her and how she has reached it. The horizon is somewhat abstract in the way it is used and would create many different interpretations of the significance of it.

3. The title of my pastiche is "New York Train". I chose this title because both New York and the train are ways for my character to escape oppression. New York is the place for freedom and the train will be the method to get there. I think this is the strongest possible title because oppression is key to my theme and the title includes the elements of escaping that oppression.