Spring Break

Over Spring Break, I will be going to New York with my grandmother. It is probably going to be freezing and my grandmother does not have cable nor internet. I hope somehow I will have fun even though I wanted to stay in Dallas and attend they Trey Songz/Chris Brown concert. I may get to see some of my family members when I am there so hopefully it will be better than I expect. New York is very interesting and exciting. Who knows what will happen! I just hope it wont be too cold

1. Would Neil still have committed suicide if Mr. Keating had never come into his life? Consider multiple perspectives here as you draft your group response.
Mr Keating was not responsible for Neal's suicide. And I believe that he would have commited suicide sooner if not for Mr Keating. Neil was unhappy with his father and life before his techer decided to enlighten him academically. His father was at fault.

2. Who was really the bravest of Keating’s boys? Who was a coward? Be explicit and support your answers.
Neil was the bravest, the boy with the res hair was the coward. He did not stand up at the end and was the first one to snitch . Neil was the bravest because he started the group. 

3. How did the poetry book make it into Neil’s room? (Did Keating put it there?) And if so, why, after telling the boys that the present administration would not look favorably on it, would Keating do that?

I thought that Neil had been reading it. I dont think Keating put it there, Neil was studying his lessons from Keating.

1. Who is the most influential leader you have ever had? Why did he or she have such an influence on you?
The most influential leader i have ever had was my camp counselor who always encouraged me and treated me with respect. They helped me with self-esteem and overcome challenges in my life.

2. “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering; these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love; these are what we stay alive for.” Professor John Keating says this—what do you think it means? Do you agree? What are your views on poetry and why we read it?
He means that poetry is very powerful and shouldnt be taken lightly and it serves a purpose. And that it is something to live for and use in your life. It inspires people in many fields.

3. “I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way. The world looks very different up here… Just when you think you know something you have to look at it in another way… When you read, don’t just consider what the author thinks, you must consider what you think.” Comment on this quote from Professor Keating. Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you have a personal story about a time you took another perspective? 
I agree because there is always a different way to look at the world especially from up high. I took another perspective when I realized how much less kids have than me, and how grateful I should be for what I have.There is always a reason to have a different outlook and step outside of your box.

4. Keating asks his students to consider what their ‘verse,’ or lasting impression, will be when they leave either Welton or this world. What ‘verse’ will you contribute in your lifetime? What do you hope will be the lasting impression you leave behind?

I will contribute to the world by empowering girls like myself and helping them build self confidence. I believe that is important in the world for self-esteem. Uplifting others when you make it is what makes a difference in the world. This would make me feel fulfilled.

1. Todd. When he decided to not conform and stood on the desk. This showed that he had really changed
2. Charlie was static throughout the entire film
3. No, Mr. Keating did not change. Neil's death shook him, but did not change him. He is a static character
4. Neil- scared of his father and did not overcome his fear
Knox-- he feared regret. He went after the girl no matter what and knew he would regret if he didnt
Charlie- fear of conforming. He did overcome
. Todd- fear of nonacceptance. He never spoke, but overcame and became a leader

Betty Marriage

I do not think that Betty was definitely not happy in her marriage. She just liked the idea of marriage and was not ready for reality. her reality was a toxic marriage. Her mom's reaction to her unhappiness showed that she did not care about her daughter and probably had an unhappy marriage herself. Except, she didnt leave, she stayed unhappy, and took it out on Betty.Imglad Betty decided for herself to get a divorce with the help of Ms. Watson

Womens' "roles" vs. Katherine Watson

People in the 1950s typically did not expect much from women. At that time, women were expected to definatelybe married, and education was not needed for a woman to be able to survive. Some did not even have aspirations passed being a being a house wife and only taking care of their children their whole lives. Katherine differed from this persona in the sense of her being independent. She was not fixated on society's standards for women at this time. She was a free-thinker.

Ms. Katherine tried to expand the girls' minds by not only teaching facts. In the excerpt from "Hard Times", the writer describes someone who does not think outside of the box. When it comes to are interpretation, this can be very hard. Katherine did not want them to only know facts, but wanted them to have their own views. She did not force them to think a certain way, but asked them to consider what she was saying. When the excerpt states that " nothing else will ever be of any service upon these children", I believe that Katherine would strongly disagree because of the progress that the girls made. By not sticking to facts and stern reasoning, she helped them understand things inside and outside of the classroom.