A Lesson Before Dying Reflection

In A Lesson Before Dying, the ending moved me to tears. Despite what us readers expected, Jefferson could not be saved from his death, but he was changed for the better. I found it admirable how a "hog" became such an idol of strength. I also enjoyed how Jefferson was not changed through religion, but through a mutual understanding between him and Grant. Grant didn't push Jefferson into doing anything. He encouraged Jefferson and made him see the error of his ways and of the ways of others. Jefferson walked himself to the chair and shocked the people around him.

The part that moved me the most was the part when Grant revealed his emotions. In the book, Grant is known to normally hide his emotions, except for the fight at the bar. After Grant held himself together for so long, then showed his students that he was crying, I could not help but be overwhelmed also. His breakdown showed not only that he had emotions too, but that he was nothing like his old teacher. He had emotions, cared for others, and was not afraid to do what he felt like doing. Grant's display of grief greatly countered his words, that he did not care for what happened to Jefferson. He felt the impact like everyone else and his walls crumbled, displaying the sadness within, which is admirable to me.

Advice Columnist

Hello, Grant!

We understand your predicament of reluctantly agreeing to aid a man on death row. A person with a set, unrelenting mindset is something difficult to modify, so understand that there will not be a simple answer to banishing the negative thoughts from the godson's mind. Our first recommendation is to place yourself into the godson's shoes. Once you're on his level, you can relate to him, leading to the formation of a connection. From that, you can urge him to speak more of what thoughts made him become the way he is, along with expelling those thoughts for good. Despite this simple plan, we advise you to also know that changing the mindset of a death row man is very difficult and undoubtedly will require time and sympathy.

We wish you the best of luck!

Without Wax,
The Advice Columnist

The Sorrow of War

In The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh, Kien is forced to go to war and leave his life behind. Through this, Kien had to leave his childhood sweetheart, Phuong, behind, ending their relationship. Kien fought and survived the Vietnam war while most of his platoons did not survive. When he returned to his hometown, Hanoi, he discovered that Phuong had went into prostitution, yet wanted to go back to him. After officially breaking their relationship, Kien pours all of his memories and sufferings into writing, like his father did well before him. A mute girl that lived nearby spent time with him and saved his manuscripts from being burned. Through this, she gave us this book and Kien left.

Kien brought to realization as the how the Vietnam war really was. Movies and books never actually go into detail as to what people went through during and after the war. Kien had suffered through the war, wanting to be killed and accepting his fate. Despite this, when he survived, he did not feel any better about escaping. He actually felt worse, survivor's guilt making his life less meaningful to him. Kien worked the horror out of his mind by writing, sharing his memories and pain with his readers. He shows us that Kien's postwar life was worse than his actual war life, and that he wants no more than to go back to living his prewar life.

Embrace (Poem)

Cool air raising goosebumps
Cold nose breathing in
Sunlight-dappled leaves swaying
Silent whispers beyond what's seen
Reaching out to embrace the peace
Instead feeling smooth, cold glass

Classroom Responsibility

In the classroom, students must know how they should carry themselves. For one, they should remove any and all distractions. They should have the capabilities to recognize friends or acquaintances that can cause them to disrupt the class in any form. Therefore, they should inquire moving away from them to focus on the lesson. Secondly, students should know that using a phone during a lesson is also a strong distraction. Deciding that checking something unrelated to the teacher and the lesson is not only irresponsible, but a poor decision. Students should recognize and avoid any and all distractions.

Interrupting a teacher's lesson is extremely disrespectful towards ones peers and towards the instructor. By laughing at another person's distraction, one is disrupting those who want to learn and the instructor. By speaking without permission, one is also disrupting the classroom environment. Students should improve this by removing the distraction. Being mature about the situation and moving past the issue, further disruption is avoided. By this, the student avoids consequences of incorrect behavior and can absorb the lesson to its fullest. This also allows the student to hear any instructions given by the teacher without needing repetition. Being mature during an interruption can not only further the lesson, but earn respect from the instructor and others.

Too Young for an iPhone

No child should own an iPhone at a young age. First of all, at a young age, the youth does not hold the responsibility levels of someone who has a device. The child is young and should not be as engrossed in technology as they will be with an iPhone. Many parents allow their child free reign of his or her device, permitting them to search the web and download what they desire when it is not safe. The child could unknowingly download a virus, go onto a restricted site, or even release private information and be hurt due to it. Though it is true that there are existing modes in which a youth is allowed to be watched while on the device, and that the device could be used in an emergency situation, there could be different methods to follow. The youth could be given a less expensive flip phone without the poisoning use of Internet access and the ability to call someone in an emergency. Youths should not be allowed to own an iPhone, for it is not only unsafe, but also unnecessary.

Supporting a PCT thru-hiker

In the article, a man named Bill Davies thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Thanks to the aid of his wife, he jump-started their love of trails. Bill's wife fed other hikers besides Bill, supplying them with water, food, and a place to sleep. Together, Bill and his wife are grateful that he had hiked the PCT, which they call "the crown jewel of the trails of the world that now seem like home". The article taught me that other people hike the trail for their own causes. Not everyone has to be going through a hard time in their lives to hike. Many hikers hike simply for their own pleasure. This article mentioned other trails. What are the Continental Divide, the Pyrenees GR 10, and the Compostela de Santiago? Why are trail names so significant to hikers?