Journal: Henry David Thoreau

Christine Sloss
English 48A  
Dr.Scott Lankford
October 26, 2011
Journal:Henry David Thoreau- Resistance to Civil Government

Author Quote: “How does it become a man to behave toward this American government today? I answer that he cannot without disgrace be associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave’s government also.”

Internet Quote: He was bred to no profession; he never married; he lived alone; he never went to church; he never voted; he refused to pay a tax to the State: he ate no flesh, he drank no wine, he never knew the use of tobacco; and, though a naturalist, he used neither trap nor gun. He chose, wisely, no doubt, for himself, to be the bachelor of thought and Nature. He had no talent for wealth, and knew how to be poor without the least hint of squalor or inelegance.

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Henry Thoreau has an interesting perspective of life, his claims about tax-resister and civil disobedience makes a lot to since. As a civilian living in America you assume you have basic privileges, and certain responsibilities. Thoreau defends that it is a free country and if you are not using the privileges of the state, you are not obligated to take on the responsibilities, such as paying taxes. He was a life long abolitionist of slavery and lectured in such a way to influence peoples thoughts and action for generations towards the fight against slavery. Thoreau passion for the environment and for fairness of living captures the readers attention, provoking the reader into self-reflections and study of the current state of living. His simple life, helps others realize what is truly necessary to live and the benefits of savoring the simplicity of life. without the involvement of a governing jurisdiction

My thoughts: When Thoreau was living on his own on Walden pond for two years, two months and two days, I can understand his point and frustration in regards to being asked to pay 9 shillings tax to the government. For what? For war? For slavery? For the duration he called this place his home, he didn’t use outside source. I found it odd that even though he was on Emerson’s land, they made a point of trying to get taxes from him, maybe they should call it “existence Tax”. Thoreau had good intentions and felt with every fiber of his soul, he did not want to support a government that supports Slavery. I feel his pain, where does our tax dollars go? Do they go where I would want them to go? Does the government really take care of our in needs? The Government receives our tax dollars, yet they are over budget, which mean mediocre service, and minimal support for schools, social services, medical, food, shelter. For the size of economy and government we should be able provided so much more. Ideally if we treated America like a business we would need to down size, lay off non-crucial staff, salary cut for all the head of office, pay off our national debt, redesign our business plan and forecast a time line for rebuilding. Currently it would be a poor investment to continue in foreign disputes, it is time to refocus on investing in our infrastructure, every time our country goes to war it sends the national debt sky high. I understand how Thoreau essay evoked people like Gandhi and King in their times of struggle against the governments. We currently have a sit-in on Wall Street, protesting for the 99%, the demonstration has lots of different voices, issues, etc. What the protest needs is a voice like Thoreau to unite them and get the movement in motion. When I think of Thoreau and of the protester I wonder can a government, and the 1% voting majority get so large that views and concerns of the 99% become over shadowed? Can the government debt become so heavy it collapses like the country of Greece? I think today Thoreau would be acting more like John Brown, (Yeah he would be helpful too) but for now I will think like Emerson and be self-reliant.

Journal:Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christine Sloss
English 48A  
Dr.Scott Lankford
October 24,2011
Journal:Ralph Waldo Emerson




Author Quote: “The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.”

Internet Quote: “Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.”


Brief summary of what the author is saying in my own words: When Emerson speaks of the power being new, he is talking about a new self awareness, a new found confidence within. This new “power” is not obvious to an outsiders, nor has it been fully understood by the person at hand, at least not until he is confronted with a worthy opponent, will he then realize his full potential.
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my ideas/reactions/responses to the author’s ideas: I feel Emerson could inspire and motivate any person within the reach of his teaching. What he discusses in the essay “self-reliance” is timeless advice. He is humble in his teachings, and his vision of spirituality is more than religion. Emerson captures the spirit, of body and soul, inspiring the imagination to contemplate it’s place in the universe, living, breathing, experiencing life, with purpose, entertaining the idea of the big picture. “We live in succession, in division, in parts, in particles. Meantime within man is the soul of the whole; the wise silence; the universal beauty, to which every part and particle is equally related, the eternal ONE.” Emerson's Aunt (Mary Moody Emerson) had a lot to do with his way of thinking, she was an incredible woman, “She instilled in him, her habit of daily journal writing and continual reading for self-education. She encouraged him to read poetry, delight in nature, and take risks, commanding, “[S]corn trifles, lift your aims: do what you are afraid to do” Emerson took those practices to heart and pushed himself to always be purposeful, in his writings, poetry, and lectures. He often would take the time for self reflexion and journal about the experience. And I believe Emerson did know himself, at least more than most of that time, his journals to this day are studied and admired. He had the confidence in his beliefs, enough to influence others, and he had done so by more than fifteen hundred lectures over the course of his career, traveling through out America and Europe, Ireland, England, and even Egypt. Emerson’s impact on the world caused people to think how each person can make a difference, and with this power he brought light and change to women rights and emancipation of slaves. I have found myself influenced and smitten by him, he has gift to share that will be everlasting though out our lifetime and many more.

Journal Harriet Jacobs

Christine LaKomy Sloss
Dr.Scott Lankford
English 48A  
October 19, 2011
Journal: Harriet Jacobs

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Author Quote: The more my mind had become enlightened, the more difficult it was for me to consider myself an article of property; and to pay money to those who had so grievously oppressed me seemed like taking from my sufferings the glory of triumph.

Internet Quote: With no legal checks on their behavior, they inflict every conceivable kind of torture on their servants. Most slave masters view slaves as little more than animals or objects, never acknowledging their humanity.

Summary:Harriet Jacobs didn’t know she was a slave as a child, she grew up with both her parents and her grandmother. She was given tasks of light work, sewing, cooking, and her mistress taught her to read and write. After her mistress dies she realized the significance of who or what she was, she was someones property and this thought tormented Harriet immensely. The more she learned about slavery and her desperate situation, she became more determine to brake free. She fought back the only way she new how. She gave her purity to a man of her choice, instead of being forced upon by her owner.She hid away in a cramped crawl space for months, abandoning her children just to find relief from the agonizing sexual threats of  Dr. Flint, instead moving to a house he built to hold her for his own pleasure. Harriet had her own way about her, and she felt she should not be owned by anyone, and in the end she got just that, her freedom.

My thoughts: As Harriet grew from girl to young woman I though she was very lucky, compared to most. It would seem she would be more the type like her grandmother happy to servant. It struck me odd that she was calculating better odds with getting pregnant by someone she barely knew, over the thought of the sexual advances and perhaps one day Dr.Flint would force himself on her.  In her time it was expected to receive such treatment from a slave owner, I wonder if Dr.Flint would have become violent if she was more submissive. I know it is a terrible thought, but if she bore children of Dr.Flint it is conceivable her slave life would have been even easier. He built her a house, so she would not worry about Mrs.Flint harming her. And if she had children of Dr.Flint, she would not have had to hide for years in an attic, separated from her children and social contact. Beside she did have her grandmother to look after her, and if she was so close with her family, why she did not confide in them earlier to figure something out. I feel if thing got too crazy between Dr.Flint and Harriet that the grandmother would of intervene.  I’m sure it  wouldn’t take much to inflame Mrs.Flint, if Harriet thought about it more, she could of played Dr.Flint against his wife, and ended up in an even better scenario.

It is interesting though, I am less sympathetic to Harriet than to Frederick. I believe it is because of her selfish motives. Harriet did mention several times, that it was the sound of her children’s voices or the glimpse of them through the one inch hole, that got her through the difficulties of being in the crawl space. But, to me this makes no sense, what she did is abandon her children, for years. This is not Ok in my book! A mother makes sacrifices, (all types of sacrifices) for her children, and for her to lock herself up, away from her children, is very selfish. And, why did she have children in the first place, she did think of it as the joy of having a family, she only thought about how she could get back at Dr.Flint. The thought sickens me. No wonder her grandmother never forgave her! “poor child”, selfish child.

Journal Frederick Douglass

Christine LaKomy Sloss

English 48A  
Dr.Scott Lankford
October 14, 2011

Journal: Frederick Douglass

Author Quote: I could regard them in no other light than a band of successful robbers, who had left their homes, and gone to Africa, and stolen us from our homes, and in a strange land reduced us to slavery. I loathed them as being the meanest as well as the most wicked of men. 

Internet Quote: “1660- the colonies began enacting laws that defined and regulated slave relations. Central to these laws was the provision that black slaves, and the children of slave women, would serve for life.” 

Brief Summary: Fredrick Douglass entered into life as a slave. At an early age he is exposed to horrific crimes against humanity. With a lot of luck and the will to live a better life, he find a way to break through to the free-land and help bring more awareness of the tragic lives slaves lead in the south. Fredrick Douglass truly makes the impact he hoped for by having his life story heard. He not only fought for himself but for every person who didn’t have a voice, those who still suffered, who still would die, who would still be forced against their will.  

My reaction: I am still chilled from the readings, I’ve never felt so much emotion for a person as I did reading Fredrick’s story. His description of his experience being beaten evoked such a strong response that I found myself winching as I read. I can not imagine the suffering, the separation from his family, and the shock of being relocated and not knowing what the conditions would be. It boggles my mind to think anyone could endure such tragedy, and yet so many did (and still do). Fredrick is amazing how he broke free in his mind, teaching himself the language, and scheming his way to a free-state, what his did is unbelievable. His strength is inspiring, and when he escaped, he didn’t lay low, instead he fought back as an activist, fighting slavery, and women’s rights. I have to wonder about the quality of education I got when I was in high school, because we celebrated Martin Luther King, but I never heard of the heroic Fredrick Douglass.  I was happy to read that Fredrick knew he was admired for his hard work and contribution to this country before his last days on earth. And, History could have been so different, if a crazy “slave breaker”, like Covey had broke him or killed him. Covey had no problem treating innocent people like beasts of burden, the heartless does not think about who lives or dies. (reminds me of Nazi camps). For me, I would rather die then to be a kept slave, I could not imagine being someones property and enduring the pains Fredrick was subjected to. Scarier yet there are places on earth that are still living this nightmare.

Journal: Edgar Allen Poe

Christine Sloss
English 48A  
Dr.Scott Lankford
October 12, 2011

Journal: Edgar Allan Poe

Author Quote: “the more bitterly did I perceive the futility of all attempt at cheering a mind from which darkness, as if an inherent positive quality, poured forth upon all objects of the moral and physical universe, in one unceasing radiation of gloom”.


Internet Quote:"The Fall of the House of Usher" illustrates Poe's critical doctrine that unity of effect depends on unity of tone. Every detail of this story, from the opening description of the dank tarn and the dark rooms of the house to the unearthly storm which accompanies Madeline's return from the tomb, helps to convey the terror that overwhelms and finally destroys the fragile mind of Roderick Usher.

Brief summary if what the author is saying in your own words:
I feel Poe is talking about the dwindling optimism of the narrator. When he receives the  heart felt request  from his childhood friend Roderick Usher, the narrator honestly feels with his good character, he a good choice to cheer someone up during recovery. The narrator’s arrives, he is caught off guard by the unsightly gloom of the Usher house. His tone of optimism moderately falls. Determined to help his friend, he shrugs off the odd feeling as he enters the house. Pessimistically the narrator tries to find a way during his stay to keep his confidence in check, but the combination of the house, Roderick’s debilitating state of health and the misery of the day he finds the task is too large. On the last night a huge storm comes, neither the narrator or Roderick can sleep they are both creeped out, sadly the narrator can not tell if it is an affliction from Roderick, or is it in his head. Poe does a brilliant job of describing the deterioration of the narrator, the “unceasing radiation of gloom.”

My Ideas: The story was difficult to read, the dark and depressing images that formed in my mind, made it difficult to concentrate, and I had walk away more that once.  I feel Poe’s story is about the painful tribulation of dieing. And the awful helpless feeling you get when death is close at hand, By Poe combining superstition, fear of dieing, and things that go bump in the night, he reminds us that death is not the only thing we fear.

Journal Nathaniel Hawthorne

Christine LaKomy Sloss
English 48A 

 October 10, 2011
Journal: Hawthorne

The Minister's Black Veil

Author Quote: “But the bride’s cold fingers quivered in the tremulous hand of the bridegroom, and her death-like paleness caused a whisper, that the maiden who had been buried a few hours before, was come from her grave to be married”.

Internet Quote: there are many secrets, many dark areas, both literal and metaphorical. These secretive aspects are not centered just on the minister himself, but on all the people in the quiet town. “The Minister’s Black Veil” could also suggest as the Minister himself suggests, all people in the town are guilty of secret sin.
Brief Summary of What the Author is saying in your own words: The Reverend Mr. Hooper shook up his congregation by showing up wearing a piece of black crepe over the front of his face. It was eerie, you could only see his mouth and chin. Without seeing the brightness of his eyes and the expressions of his face, the author made it seem that Mr. Hooper’s entire presents was dark, mysterious and a bit creepy. So much so, that those around him felt as if he was getting in-touch with their own deep dark place, the place held for the “secret sin”. Hawthorne was brilliant the way he painted the picture of the wedding and the bride. The visual of Mr.Hooper bringing the dark energy to what would be a joyous event was spun into gossip of the bride looking like the young women who was buried earlier that day. Hawthorne really sealed the deal when he bought in the personal aspect of Mr.Hooper’s beloved, his fiancee in to the story. This is someone you would expect Mr.Hooper would confide in. And instead he creates a dramatic scene that freaks out the fiancee and she breaks off the engagement, (that’s serious). Hawthorne takes a odd twist by strengthening Mr.Hooper dark power, just by keeping the veil on. He then brings in the metaphor of  ‘misery loves company”. To help you relate with the people who are miserable and in desperate times seeking Mr.Hooper out. And, strangely through him are able to find light past all their darkness. (edit Twilight music here) Mr. Hooper finds a new purpose for his interesting way of life,and he finds it is a very long and lonely way of life. However lonely he might of been, he took his secret he held and the black veil to the grave.

My Ideas: What a crazy creepy story! While I read the story I had several ideas to the Vail. The first was because Hooper showed up in church with it on with no warning. I though it was he would had sinned and he could not face anyone eye to eye for the guilt would be obvious from the look on his face. Then I thought perhaps it was a grand idea to impress upon the congregation about the hidden sin, and who would do sin if it was so apparent as a veil.
Then after his beloved fiancee, Elizabeth confronts him and asks to see his face and he refuses, then I know he went crazy or was taking his career a bit far. It was creepy how he became known path for the sinning souls to find salvation. Overall, there is a lot going on and I’ll be interested how it mixes with the next story.

Journal Rebecca Harding Davis

Christine Sloss
English 48A
Journal for Rebecca Harding Davis
October 6, 2011



Author Quote: I call this night the crisis of his life. If it was, it stole on him unawares. Thee great turning-days of life cast no shadow before, slip by unconsciously. Only a trifle, a little turn of the rudder, and the ship goes to heaven or hell.


Internet Quote: Rebecca Harding Davis broke new ground as an American fiction writer and journalist. Life in the Iron Mills launched Davis's fifty-year career, during which she wrote some five hundred published works. And, She was one of the first writers to portray the Civil War nonpolemically, to expose political corruption in the North, and to unmask bias in legal constraints on women.


Brief Summary: It seems that Davis is trying to bring awareness to a class of people who have little help or guidance to find their way to a better life. She sets up the introduction to the characters, to help you realize the desperate state these people are living in. Also, that they mean well and have a good heart. However, in this particular moment in time they are caught in a situation that gets them put in jail and winds up ending the life of Hugh.  Sadly just shortly before his death, Hugh is recognized for creativity and craftsmanship, unfortunately Hugh has conflicting thought of this new recognition and doesn’t know what to do. Therefore, because he has no one to help or guide him, he ends up taking the wrong path and paying the ultimate price.

My thoughts: I appreciate Davis’s detailed description, it makes it easier to understand the limitations of the of the people of that time. However, even in these desperate times it seems that the authors own limitation of dreaming and hoping are limited. (Call me an optimist). But I feel that Hugh was an honest man, with dreams of something better. How it can all change because of stolen wallet is a difficult believe. He had worked at the mill for a lifetime (it seemed) and that is honest work. In his own time he would carve images from his imagination, and this too is honest. And when the visiting doctor tells Hugh that he can make his own way in life, a better way, Hugh knows in his heart that this was his destiny. What I would expect is that upon finding out about the stolen wallet he would have some how returned it.

Journal Herman Melville

Christine LaKomy Sloss

English 48A

Journal for Herman Melville

October 3rd, 2011

Author Quote: Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is a sign of strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it - not in a set way and ostentatiously, though, but incidentally and without premeditation.-Herman Melville, Letter to Nathaniel Hawthorn, June 29 1851 

Internet Quote: Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet, whose work is often classified as part of the genre of dark romanticism. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd. His first three books gained much attention, the first becoming a bestseller, but after a fast-blooming literary success in the late 1840s, his popularity declined precipitously in the mid-1850s and never recovered during his lifetime. When he died in 1891, he was almost completely forgotten. It was not until the "Melville Revival" in the early 20th century that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick which was hailed as one of the literary masterpieces of both American and world literature. He was the first writer to have his works collected and published by the Library of America.

Brief summary of what the author is saying: Herman Melville is explaining the need to be honest, true to your heart, honoring the vulnerability of humanity, and becoming familiar and comfortable with the awkwardness of imperfection. All the while not feeling any of the internal pressure to talk with exaggerations, or the need to impress another.

My response to the author's idea: For me, I feel Herman Melville has found the words to describe what many people have difficulty expressing, true honesty. It doesn't not mater from witch era of life you are speaking of, it seems to be a fundamental function of the human behavior. Letting your guard down is something incredibly difficult to do. It is important to set a good example, showing my children that everyone has faults and weaknesses, is important during their development years, giving them the courage and strength to be clumsy and make mistakes. All to often I will meet someone who is struggling over these life lessons, that Melville so eloquently has written. It takes pause, to realize it's not what you have, where you have been, or how you compare to the next person, that makes up who you are, and trying to convincing those around you to believe it, you are only fooling yourself.