Taoism

I learned that that the Taoism way of viewing gods is very pantheistic. They believe that everything can be a god. Also that they are a lot like Stoics. They sit around in a relaxed manner and discuss philosophy and new ways of thinking. The Taoists also believe in reincarnation. This is the idea that when people die they come back in a different form. Taoists won't even kill a bug for fear that it could be one of their ancestors.
Being a Christian i know that reincarnation is wrong because when i die i know I'm going to heaven. All you know when your a Taoist is that you will come back as something else. To me the Taoist lifestyle fits the phrase" carpe dium" or cease the day because what they do doing their life doesn't mattter. In their next life they have a second chance. Also I have noticed that they are looking for a balence. This is where we get the symbol of the ying and the yang.

Koran

First of all I want to start out by saying that after I read the first "chapter" of the koran I thought how dumb could someone be to sit down and write a long book of lies. It just doesn't make sense to me. I feel I would rather believe in a loving God than a God who hates certain people. Its interesting that Allah hates non believers that he pre destined to not believe in him.
Also the Bible makes things a lot simpler and does not "jump" around from story to story. The Bible is very structured and the Koran is all jumbled up. The Bible doesn't promote relatiation or violence. Although most muslims aren't violent there are still more muslim extremists than there are Christian extremists. Everyone nowadays everyone wants world peace and everything. Its interesting because over a third of the worlds population is Islamic. In the New Testament Jesus says that he is coming not to bring peace but a sword. There wont ever be peace until Jesus is ruling again.
The Koran is a very interesting literary piece and facinating to study, but I could never believe what it says.

Camelot

This is one of the more "interesting" movies I have watched. This is one of the only musicals I have ever watched. In a way it reminded me of High School musical. It seems like when the actors don't know what to do they sing. In other words they break out into random song. I appreciated that they stayed close to the real legend or story of King Arthur. Lancelot falls in love with Guenevere and they have an affair. Mordred cause chaos within the ranks of the Knights of the Round Table. I don't know how the end turns out because we haven't watched it. I don't know if this is right or if I'm way off the mark but Jesus could represent King Arthur who is the defender of England and tries to unify it. His wife could represent us as Christians or non Christians. Lancelot could represent the Satan. When Guenevere met Lancelot she liked him and he seemed cool. In our lives Satan can appear the same way. Lancelot tempted Guenevere as Satan tempts us. Satan isn't stupid so he doesn't tempt us with things we don't like. This is the Christian significance that I see. In the end of the story King Arthur baneshes his wife like who Jesus sends the non believers to hell.

The Iilad

Similarities

Some similarities that i found between the movie and the book were interesting. First they portrayed Achilles as a great warrior. He was the best the world has ever seen. Next there are the disputes between Agamemnon and Achilles. Achilles' anger is very evident in both of the stories. In both they fight Troy and they go to war over Helen. The book talks about the Mermadons. They are the best fighters in Greece and they are under Achillies command. Also Hector is portrayed at an very great and honorable. He is also Troy's best fighter. Also we see Prium the King of Troy have the archetype of wise old man. He gives advice to his sons and always seems cool and calm.

Differences
Some differences i noticed were that the movie wasn't as detailed with the names and other sepcifics. An example would be Bresaius, Achilles girl. In the book she is the daughter of the priest. Also you see the gods play and important role. They are talked about but you don't physically see them. The creators of the movie wanted to make it more realistic. Also the movies doesn't talk a whole lot about Achilles anger. The movie is more focused on the war and less on the personal struggles; although they are there it doesn't seem like that is why the movie was made. In the begining of the book the chorus talks about how this story is about the anger of Achilles. Part of his anger can't be shown in the movie because he is mad at the gods part of the time. Becuase the movie doesn't show any gods that part of his anger is not shown

World Lit Questions

1) What do you like best about class so far? What's going well?

I really like the relaxed atmosphere. Mrs. Kirk isn't too strict with us and we have fun. For me I'm understanding the reading and the notes.

2) What has been your greatest disappointment so far?

My greatest disappointment has been my test scores on vocabulary quizzes. It's my fault because I haven't put as much effort into it as I should be.

3) Describe how you've studied for tests or prepared for quizzes. Give me time lengths, environment, strategy, etc.

When I study for vocab I usually do it in my room and just read the words and definitions a few times. I usually study for about 15 minutes once a week.

4) Do you know if you're a visual, aural (hearing) or kinesthetic (movement) learner? Answer with a yes or no and an explanation.

I think i am movement learner. Like when we played the vocab game in class with the candy, it was fun, and it got us interacting with each other. If we did that once or more a week with stuff other than vocab I think that would help me learn.

World Lit Archetype Blog

A movie that I really like is Star Wars. The 4th one to be exact. There are so many archtypes to be found in that movie. First there is the old. mand Obi-Wan Kenobi. He offers advice to Luke and trains him to be a Jedi. Also there is a light vs dark element. The Rebels vs the empire. The emporer wants to have total control over the Rebels. Then there is the maiden Princess Lea. She needs Luke to save her because she couldn't save herself. She was defenseless and innocent. Next there is a trcikster Darth Vader. He tries to trick Luke into turning to the dark side. Last there is the hero. Luke Skywalker. He is on a quest to stop the Empire. He is the the hope and the only hope for the Rebels. Or is he?

Hero for World Lit

The hero that I chose is Batman. He may not be able to fly but he makes up for it by using al these super cool gadgets. Also his story is more realistic than any of the other superheros. We know that that Spiderman couldn't happen. No spider could pass on his/her spider genetics to anything through a bite. Then there is Superman. No man can fly on his own with out jetpacks and shoot lasers from his eyes.

Some charactoristics that I like about him is that he uses his athletism to escape death, he is humble, cares for people, hates evil, and fights for good.