Journal: William Apess

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: William Apess
November 3, 2011

Author Quote: “Can you charge the Indians with robbing a nation almost of their whole continent, and murdering their women and children, and then depriving the remainder of their lawful rights, that nature and God require them to have?”

Internet Quote: "I felt convinced that Christ died for all mankind – that age, sect, color, country, or situation make no difference. I felt an assurance that I was included in the plan of redemption with all my brethren."

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Apess judiciously uses the bible for his argument against the white man. Chastising them and pointing out that the abomination of the Native American, goes against what is written in the Bible. insinuating that these white slave owners have questionable practices and beliefs of the bible.

My thoughts: Hypocrisy is the first thought I have, I do not enjoy this part of American history. I believe the Native Americans have suffered the most in the course of history, their culture to me is the purest and closest to nature. For generation they treaded lightly on this earth, taking only what was needed and appreciating the rest. Enjoying nature in it’s undisturbed beauty, preserving it for future generations. Then the white man comes leaving destruction in his path, blind to all that they destroy. It drives me crazy to think that these bible believing folks, who feel what they preach is best for all. The Native Americans were peaceful people, thriving on the land for thousands of years, with generations of skill and knowledge of farming, hunting, and medicine.  It is difficult for me to see how the white man came to this nation and acted as he did with a clear conscience after building towns on the native land, depleting the forest of the Native Americans, capturing them as slaves, kidnapping the boys, killing the innocent women and children. All in the name of the lord? I know there were a few gentle spirits like Ms.Bird in “Uncle Tom’s cabin”, she stood up for feeding and clothing a run away slave, but I would much rather seen action like John Brown to draw attention to the injustice that was being done, preserving beautiful cultures and lifestyle of Native American Indians. If these bible believing folks treated everyone like a brother, as the bible says they should, thousands of lives would have been saved.

Journal: Margaret Fuller Ossoli

Christine Sloss
Dr. Scott Lankford
English 48A
Journal: Margaret Fuller Ossoli
November 1, 2011

Author Quote: “What woman needs is not as a woman to act or rule, but as nature to grow, as an intellect to discern, as soul to live freely, and unimpeded to unfold such powers as were given her when we left our common home.”

Internet Quote: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”

Brief summary of what the author is saying in your own words: Margaret Fuller is describing the true essence of a woman and the essentials for contentment. A woman loves to nurture her children and those around her, same as the sun feeds the earth. She knows her experience she shares helps shapes, and teach those close to her. And, having this opportunity to see her efforts of knowledge grow and flourish feeds her soul.

My thoughts: Learning of Margaret Fuller is inspiring, I have found that in this day and age of freedom for women, I have placed boundaries of my own limits in life. She reminds me of when I was young and I thought of all the amazing things I wanted to do when I grew up. Except with Margaret she did not listen to the sounds of society shaping her ideas of what she can and can not do. She knew knowledge is power and wanted to share what she could with those women around her, to strengthen the voices, and build the confidence for those contributing members of society. Breaking the mold and heading into a new frontier for woman and this nation. I believe with her strict upbringing by her father, she probable did not enjoy the long hours of study, however looking back on her career, she now has the ultimate freedom, the gift for language. Margaret’s direction and guidance to the women in the “conversations” classes, paved the way for other women to gain the confidence and awareness to discern their needs and desire. It is alarming that someone as assertive and powerfully motivating as Margaret Fuller could be easily lost in history. As a young girl, when I was in search for a mentor, a model, I wish I could have known of her and her courageous life, seeing the advantages of knowledge, learning that the voice of one woman can make a difference. That is the type woman our girls need to learn about. Now that I can see how helpful it might of been for me, I will be introducing her to my friends and family, helping to keep her tradition alive among women.   

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.