Jounal #1: The Maze Runner

"Thomas hugged Chuck to his chest, squeezed him as tightly as possible, as if that could somehow bring him back." pg #358 The Maze Runner

            The agony felt when someone loved dies is more excruciating then any other kind of pain. Thomas had this feeling go through him for the first time in his limited memory, when Chuck leaped in front of the dagger to save him from being killed. Everyone goes through this grief at the loss of someone close to them. Not only do they feel insurmountable guilt at for someone sacrificing themselves for them, but think what could have been done to save their heroes life. All the "Gladers" lost a companion that day, and Chuck will always be remembered.

            Wanting to bring that person back is a natural feeling and any human being has had it. The most difficult part is knowing that their voice will never be heard again and how there will be no more meaningful conversions to be had. Lingering on this idea of bringing them back makes it impossible to feel joyful about anything.

            It is very hard to move on from the misery and just remember the joyful times when grieving, but that is the only cure. Remember the smiles and laughs and being together. Forgetting them is the biggest insult to their memory, so speaking to others about the impact a loved one had is an excellent way to commemorate them. Live each day in their memory and never forget the messages they have passed on. 

Question 3

          In the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson the people are apathetic toward the person who draws th black dot. This is exactly the warnin Elie Wiesel gives in "The Perils of Indifference". His warning tells how dangerous indifference can be. This is evident in Shirley Jackson's story. Not one person could care stand up for Tessie and abandon the their ways, not even her own family. This lack of caring is the difference between humanity and someone who is inhuman. The people in other towns had already stopped the abomination of a lottery because they were not indifferent to the plight of the victim. If only the the towns people heeded the warning that Elie Wiesel gave.

Question 2

            In the story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, The townspeople were very passive toward the plight of the women chosen to be stoned. They believed that, because it was necessary for a good growing season and harvest, they could stone an innocent person to death. There is no reason to sacrifice someone, yet they do it every year to please some greater power. This is connected to how people in biblical ages would sacrifice animals so god would bless them and their harvest. This village seemed much more modern than the ending of the story states.

Question 1

          Only a few words come in to my mind that explain my understanding of the vocabulary in the title. Those word are "Our enemy is apathy". Both indifference and apathy mean basically the same thing, lack of caring for anything. Throughout history and in most stories, the perils of the protagonist is always caused by an enemy of some sort. This is how i linked the title of the speech to my title.

There'll Be Hell To Pay

           Her bark was worst than her bite. I tell myself this every time my sister has a cow about something. The vein in her forehead was about to pop. I really got under her skin this time. The ol' spider in your sisters bed gag, a classic. She was obviously taking things far to seriously. I said to her "don't get your panties in a wad." As a younger brother you really have to know how to push her buttons. It's pretty much written in stone. I ran from her room and she followed me all guns a blazing. We usually fight like cats and dogs, so Mom and Dad are used to the yelling, but I may have crossed the line this time. She was really going through the roof.
          I guess i deserved the tongue lashing this time. It must be her time of the month. That is the only reason I fathom why she was so bent out of shape about such a childish prank, but hell truly hath no fury like a woman scorned.

The Animal Inside

             Have you ever noticed the perfection of the animal kingdom? Every predator has a prey, and all prey has a special ability to foil their predator's hunt. That is why I would choose to have the power of animal mimicry. The freedom to fly at any altitude, to swim through a forest of coral, or to butt antlers with a 1500 lbs moose, would be the ultimate freedom.
             Of course, with my super power, I would retain my intelligence, and, would undoubtedly become the supreme ruler of all animals. The shear number of animals under my control would ensure the destruction of any that opposed me. The world would be a much more peaceful place if animals, once again, "ran the show". I can think of nothing more terrifying than a 1000 angry chipmunks jumping out of the trees around the world and attacking you with their sharp little teeth that can break through the shell of any nut. 
             With world domination aside, wouldn't you love to have no commitments or schedules? I have always dreamed of just lounging around the house all day and eating my full as a common house cat. Perhaps your in the mood for some exercise and decide to join the kentucky derby as a race horse. Flying through the air or swimming inthe oceans are ideal transportation methods for me. The possibilies are for enjoyment, or a hostile world take over are literally endless.