Source Evaluation

Greenwald, Anthony. "The Totalitarian Ego Fabrication and Revision of Personal History." American Psychologist 35.7 (1980): n. pg. Web. 18 July 2010.
This journal speaks about different segments of totalitarianism and things that have happened in history. It expresses the feelings behind certain issues and what they have instilled in certain times and people. I am going to use this in my essay to give the reader a description of what certain ways of totalitarianism does to an individual and their feelings.

Meerloo, Joost. "The Rape of the Mind." The Psychology of Thought Control, Menticide, and Brainwashing. World Publishing Company, 1956. Web. 18 Jul 2010. .
“The Rape of the Mind” is a site that is based on sharing techniques that are used to create
“thought control.” Meerlo explains the very basics and the information on how each technique correlates with how this takes over one’s mind. It gives a breakdown of each technique and the reasoning on why it can affect one’s mind.
Joost Meerlo wrote this article in 1956. He is a psychologist who specialized in Thought Control, Menticide, and Brainwashing. This particular article is useful even though it is dated for this research because totalitarian thought control has happened in history way before this time. This has been in effect in history dated back to Hitler times. The author uses many sources and sites them in his writing. The article seems to be filled with quality information.

Topic Proposal

My guiding question is for this research essay is, how does the method of totalitarian thought control contribute to the ways of the women in Handmaid’s Tale?
The topic I plan to research is methods of totalitarian thought control. I want to understand what exactly totalitarian thought control is. My understanding of totalitarian thought control is very sparse. The research will help me to better understand why these women felt the way they did and how they were coached into the actions they carried out. I am not too familiar with what really goes on in the totalitarian thought control processes except for what I have read in the “Handmaid’s Tale”. My research will focus on understanding these methods and how they will help me better understand the ways of this era. I want to know the events that lead up to this way of government, and why they took it to these extremes besides the fact that they just could. I’m interested in finding out the processes and amount of time it takes to gain control over one’s thoughts.
In the Handmaids Tale the women are forbidden to read on top of many other things. I understand that at this time this was a man’s world and women just lived in it. Women all over the world are still forbidden to have rights and live a life that Margaret Atwood explains. I know this and it still doesn’t dawn on me that this is happening in this world right now.
I chose this topic due to the lack of knowledge I have about methods of totalitarian thought control. This will clear up my confusion on why the women were treated in these manners and the reasons behind them going along with everything they were told. This is a tough topic for me to relate to because growing up having all the freedom in the world has made me wonder how this could actual is a reality. Hopefully this research will give me an understanding of how and why this way of control has occurred and the reasons for it continuing till this day.

Weak Thesis/Handmaid's Thesis

1. A- This thesis is weak because it is not arguable and has no claim.
2. A-The thesis is weak due to its broad nature and obvious point of view.
3. B-This statement is broad, not original, and is obviously true.
4. A-The thesis is weak due to being a statement of fact. The claim is also overly broad.
5. A-This thesis has a lot of summary and very general statements.

Thesis for Handmaid’s Tale

Why are the women of Gilead forbidden to read?

If women could read and write, this would create the temptation to strive for more in society and ultimately obtain some form of power.

Is this a Strong Thesis Statement?

I feel that my thesis is strong because it is specific and can also be argued. The women may be forbidden to read for other reasons that aren’t presented but I made a statement that the women are being shielded due to reading and writing being “too much of a temptation.” Other readers may have a total different point of view but this is what makes it arguable.

Check In

Dear Ms. Darrow,
This class has been an experience to say the least. It is a nice change away from the nursing stuff but it has its own difficulties. Being away from the writing part of things for nearly 4 years has been tough. It has been a challenge to remember the basics of writing and what is to be expected. The writing assignments have been especially challenging and I find myself struggling with making things flow when once upon time this wasn’t an issue. On the up side of things the basics are coming back slowly but surely. The biggest success I have had so far has been learning the ins and outs of the writing world. I may not be in tip top shape but I am learning all the things that once slipped away. I have been successful in racking my brain to find the ability to get back into the swing of things.
The readings in this class have really opened my eyes to what war is really like. I have never known anyone close to me to hear their experiences and war stories. O’Brien’s writings really interested me and left me wanting to read all of the chapters and not just the ones assigned. The stories from O’Brien and Huze really opened my eyes to what really goes on in the war. There is so much behind the scenes that everyday people don’t know. The stories showed each side of the characters and gave the reader an idea of what they were like besides just being in the war settings. These soldiers had feelings, wants, and accomplishments before entering the war. These readings really gave me a new outlook for these soldiers that have and that are fighting for our country.
Literary analysis is completely different from any writings I have done in the past. Literary analysis is so difficult for me compared to the usual paper of summarizing. To study the interpretation of literature is so much more difficult than to just summarize what I have just read. I struggle with keeping my mind on a certain piece for evidence. I tend to think of all the things that could relate and get lost in all of that instead of focusing on a single thing. Literary analysis definitely keeps me challenged; I consistently have to watch for the pitfalls of summary.
My goal for the second part of the semester is to improve on my overall performance. Now that I know what is expected and I am able to feel a little more comfortable with diving into things. I hope to fulfill each assignment with more confidence and excel to the best of my abilities. With this in mind, I hope to finish this semester out strong and leave this class with better writing skills then when I started.
Respectfully,
Selena Zamora

Tim O'Brien Blog Post #2

“The Things They Carried,” begins with the introduction of characters as in most beginning chapters but O’Brien went about it in a unique way. Introducing each character by giving the reader an idea and explaining what each individual carried, and why they did so. O’Brien used the description of the things the soldiers carried to distinguish one solider from another. The things each soldier carries gives me a little cue on what each person is like, maybe even how these individuals prioritize things in their lives. The simple things each one carried showed an interest or what was most important to them. The way O’Brien went about the descriptions was an intriguing way to get the reader interested, it gave me a grasp to remember who was who?
This chapter really gave a perspective of how soldiers feel about war and the things they did to make time pass in their down time. It also shows the sides of the soldiers besides the tough side we see. The death of a fellow comrade (Lavender) made one solider (Cross) take a second look about his obsession with his love Martha, thinking this being the reason why Lavender died. He thought his obsession took away from his assertiveness and caused him to be negligent. Cross showed that love got in his way and it is his time to step up and be aware because it could have easily been his life that was taken. O’Brien not only showed that Cross was aware of the loss but the others were as well, even though it didn’t affect them as deeply. O’Brien gave a deep setting and descriptive scenery of what was really important for the reader to cue in on. Each part of the story was told in a creative way and left my imagination running wild and waiting in anticipation for the chapters to come.

Summary vs Analysis Ghost Soldiers

Summary
“Ghost Soldiers” began with O’ Brien describing his pair of gunshot wounds and the people that helped aid in keeping him alive. The first gunshot wound was treated courageously and proper by a fellow soldier who was a medic by the name of Rat Kiley. A month after this occurred Rat Kiley was shipped off to another assignment and replaced with Bobby Jorgenson. The second shot happened when Jorgenson was on duty and tended to the wound unsuccessfully. Jorgenson was so shook up he didn’t realize O’ Brien was in shock. The mishap has put Tim in an immense amount of pain and not to mention almost caused him his life.
The lack of knowledge that was used during treating O’ Brien’s wound left him livid with Jorgenson. The thought of revenge was the only thing left on his mind. O Brien was determined to get back at Jorgenson and make him pay for the pain he was enduring. Jorgenson made an attempt to apologize and explain he had no intent on not treating the shock that had occurred it just hadn’t dawned on him. O Brien didn’t want to budge and still wanted revenge. The next step was taken by plotting out a scheme to get back at Jorgensen. O Brien convinced one fellow trouble maker and a member of the Alpha Company (Azar) to participate in his scheme. The plan was to spook Jorgenson by making it seem that there were enemies nearby. The two continue to taunt Jorgenson until he stands up and calls out O’ Brien’s name. Up until this point O Brien thought Jorgenson didn’t have what it took, the pair later reconciles and realize they are now even.
Analysis
“Ghost Soldiers” explains a perspective of O’ Brien before entering the war, “I’d come to this war a quiet, thoughtful sort of person, a college grad, Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude, all the credentials”(O’ Brien 190), and while being in the war, “ I now feel a deep coldness inside me, something dark and beyond reason. It’s hard to admit, even to myself, but I was capable of evil” (O Brien 191). O’ Brien upon entering the war was gentle and untouched by pain, the grueling sites and harsh inexplicable principles of the war took over the person that O’ Brien once was. He not only felt a different man, but no conscious was going to get in his way. Jorgenson mishap threw O’Brien into overdrive bringing out the evil that so badly wanted revenge. O’Brien follows through realizing half way in to it he doesn’t want to follow through. His partner continuing anyways, O’ Brien finds himself distraught beyond belief. Despite the person O’Brien became during war, and as emotionless that he wanted to be, nothing can take away the under layer of the person that was once there.

Sam Hamill Response

“The Necessity to speak” by Sam Hamill had many points and many aspects to situations. The speaker experienced a lot in his life and was willing to share to change others. I agree with the speaker when he says there isn’t just one type of person from one race or one social class that commits wrongful doings. I think many people tend to make assumptions on certain people pertaining to their status. This is part of our human nature yet so hard to break away from.
Other topics presented by the speaker were very deep. I feel that the author in each situation was showing the aspects of what happens when people remain silent. The speaker gave many statistics and what certain aspects can lead to. The author seems to want the reader to know that sometimes things are seen and learned as children and these ways are instilled in them passing the ways on into their adult lifestyles. The individual doesn’t know any different and does as they see and are taught by their elders. The deeds may not seem wrong but in reality they are. Many individuals are never told or showed any different and by this, the cycle is never broken. The author presents the battered women and children in pertaining to this issue. I feel that this is true in many aspects, yet you can’t stereotype each individual that has experienced hardships in their life. There are many individuals that come out completely different than how they were raised and become that much stronger in living a different lifestyle.
The speaker wants issues to be put out in the open because silence results in violence and in turn can end in death, as in the case of the author’s friend that was a battered woman. I feel that the author wanted to let the word out about a lot of things that are shunned in many people’s lives. I feel that Hamill had felt like he couldn’t speak about certain things in his life at one point, until he found it through his poetry. Now he was able to help people through his words and let the world know that they can break the silence.