1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
There were many important characters in the short story. Sam who was the grocery owner and her alibi played a key role in her walk to freedom, Patrick Maloney who was the victim in the story, Sergeant Jack Noonan who is a good friend of the victim and suspect, and detective in the case, and most importantly Mrs. Mary Maloney who was the murderer. The important word in the story to me was lamb. Lamb is important because it is the murder weapon and supper.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
The short story “Lamb of the Slaughter” by Ronald Dahl was about a detective named Patrick Maloney who told his wife, Mary Maloney that he wanted a divorce from her and didn’t want to make it a big deal for the sake of his job. Mary then went about her night and decided to go into the kitchen, and reach in the freezer, and choose a meat to serve for dinner that night. However we didn’t know that Mary was planning on striking her husband with the meat, in this case the leg of lamb and instantly killing him with one blow. Mary realized what she did and went to clear her name. Mrs. Maloney went to the grocery store and use the owner Sam as her alibi, and pretended like she left her husband alive at home and wanted to cook him supper. Then she convinced herself he was alive and well, and was shocked to find him on the floor. Mary then called the police to report that she found her husband lying on the floor and believes he is dead. They jump to conclusions that Mary could not be a suspect after examining the evidence. As a jester and a smart move to get rid of the weapon Mary offered the policemen whiskey and the leg of lamp as hospitality. “Please, she begged. ‘Please eat it. Personally I couldn’t tough a thing, certainly not what’s been in the house when he was here. But it’s all right for you. It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up. Then you can go on with your work again afterwards.” Mary Maloney was very persistent to get the policemen to eat the weapon to clear her chances. “Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?” They had no clue that they were eating away the weapon as Mary Maloney began to giggle in the other room.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
The policemen just canceled Mrs. Maloney out as a suspect because she was crying and seemed happy earlier that day. They did not perform their jobs and therefore ruined their chances of ever finding the killer of Patrick; they let friendship get in the way. Why do you think that happened? Why do you think we put friendship before looking at what really happened or at what could have happened? Are we programmed to think like that or not?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Kwong: “Logos, Flags, and Escutcheons”
1. The author, Paul Rand, of the article, “Logos, Flags, and Escutcheons”, defined that, “A logo is a flag, a signature, an escutcheon” (McQuade, 564). It has nothing to do with its look or the relation between the logo and the product it signifies. What it means and what does it reminds you of is more important. As the author wrote, a well design logo should be distinctive, visible, useable, memorable, universal, durable, and timeless.
2. Logo is a symbol of a product. It get the meaning from the product, not the other way around, so, it can be anything; it does not need to be related to the product, as a signature does not have to be the person’s name. As long as the logo is distinctive, visible, useable, memorable, universal, durable, and timeless, it is well designed. Sometime, a well designed logo can still be irrelevant, however, that is not the logo’s problem; it is the quality of the product itself. The author used some examples to prove his argument. He first introduces the Mercedes-Benz symbol. He wrote, “The Mercedes symbol, for example, has nothing to do with automobiles; yet it is a great symbol, not because its design is great, but because it stands for a great product” (McQuade, 565). He then introduces the Lacoste symbol. He wrote “Lacoste sportswear, for example, has nothing to do with alligators (or crocodiles), and yet the little green reptile is a memorable and profitable symbol” (McQuade, 565). From the example he gave, he concluded that the quality of the product is far more important than its logo. Yet, a well designed logo is a plus, but it is useless for bad quality product.
3. When you buy a product, do you focus on the quality of the product or just base on the beauty of its logo? Tell us about you experiments.
2. Logo is a symbol of a product. It get the meaning from the product, not the other way around, so, it can be anything; it does not need to be related to the product, as a signature does not have to be the person’s name. As long as the logo is distinctive, visible, useable, memorable, universal, durable, and timeless, it is well designed. Sometime, a well designed logo can still be irrelevant, however, that is not the logo’s problem; it is the quality of the product itself. The author used some examples to prove his argument. He first introduces the Mercedes-Benz symbol. He wrote, “The Mercedes symbol, for example, has nothing to do with automobiles; yet it is a great symbol, not because its design is great, but because it stands for a great product” (McQuade, 565). He then introduces the Lacoste symbol. He wrote “Lacoste sportswear, for example, has nothing to do with alligators (or crocodiles), and yet the little green reptile is a memorable and profitable symbol” (McQuade, 565). From the example he gave, he concluded that the quality of the product is far more important than its logo. Yet, a well designed logo is a plus, but it is useless for bad quality product.
3. When you buy a product, do you focus on the quality of the product or just base on the beauty of its logo? Tell us about you experiments.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Yuan: Homeplace
1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
Character:
Millers - A farm family in Ohio , who suffered from three tornadoes. After the first tornado, they rebuilt their house on the same spot where they got hoisted. According to the author, they were neither stupid nor crazy, but they refused to move.
Word:
Land – There are many people who move from land to land in order to search a better life. The meaning of land includes geography, population, environment and benefits. If you don’t know the land, or you are not familiar with the land, you are not going to live well in your new life.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
In “Homeplace” by Scott Russell Sanders, the author begins his essay by introducing the Millers family from his childhood. Sanders writes, they don’t like to move because they are stubborn. According to this reason, we learn, the Millers believed that a better life creates on a land that you are familiar with. This also has pointed out in Gary Snyder’s poem that author writes later in his essay, “The reconstruction of a people and of a life in the United States depends in part on people, neighborhood by neighborhood, county by county, deciding to stick it out and make it work where they are, rather than flee”. In this essay, author also indicates the reasons for people to move from one place to another are advertising, movies, magazines, speeches and their inner voice about to search a better life. Even though the author was one of these people, he writes, “I cannot have a spiritual center without having a geographical one: I cannot live a grounded life without being grounded in a place.” This means without knowing the land, there is no better life.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
I am not sure that I can agree with the author because my personal experience. Do you agree with the author?
Character:
Millers - A farm family in Ohio , who suffered from three tornadoes. After the first tornado, they rebuilt their house on the same spot where they got hoisted. According to the author, they were neither stupid nor crazy, but they refused to move.
Word:
Land – There are many people who move from land to land in order to search a better life. The meaning of land includes geography, population, environment and benefits. If you don’t know the land, or you are not familiar with the land, you are not going to live well in your new life.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
In “Homeplace” by Scott Russell Sanders, the author begins his essay by introducing the Millers family from his childhood. Sanders writes, they don’t like to move because they are stubborn. According to this reason, we learn, the Millers believed that a better life creates on a land that you are familiar with. This also has pointed out in Gary Snyder’s poem that author writes later in his essay, “The reconstruction of a people and of a life in the United States depends in part on people, neighborhood by neighborhood, county by county, deciding to stick it out and make it work where they are, rather than flee”. In this essay, author also indicates the reasons for people to move from one place to another are advertising, movies, magazines, speeches and their inner voice about to search a better life. Even though the author was one of these people, he writes, “I cannot have a spiritual center without having a geographical one: I cannot live a grounded life without being grounded in a place.” This means without knowing the land, there is no better life.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
I am not sure that I can agree with the author because my personal experience. Do you agree with the author?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Elizabeth: “No Place Like Home”
Identification:
Green Valley, Nevada- a corporate master- planned community just south of Las Vegas.
Parkside Valley- one of Green Valley's 35 developments.
American Nevada Corporation- designer and builder of Green Valley
Brian Greenspun- family owns the American Nervada Corporation.
Robert Fishman- author of Bourgeois Utopias: The Rise and Fall of Suburbia.
Suburbia- appeared in the middle of the 19th century, offered an escape from the squalor and stench of the new industrial cities.
Phil and Marie Anderson- interviewed by the author, came to Green Valley because of forces they could not control in San Diego that was not healthy for their children.
Perimeter walls- required around all single family residentil projects, used to enforce safety and security.
CC&R- covenant, conditons, and restrictions... manners which define Green Valley
Pittman Wash- a short stretch of desert area in Green Valley. Very undeveloped because it is useful for drainage and seen as unbuildable.
Jim Collins- 9 year old boy who played in Pittman Wash searching for lizzards. Showed the author his backyard.
In No Place Like Home the author begins with a brief description of this gated community in Green Valley, Nevada. He explains how the developments in the community are made to represent a sort of utopia for its residents. All the boulevards and parkways are cleared of gas stations and fast food restaurants. They merely contain golf courses and shopping plazas. The author’s curiosity for why residents would want to live in such a community brought about his visit. He met people such as Phil and Marie Anderson who did not want their real names mention for fear of other people’s reactions. They explained there being in Green Valley based on uncontrollable forces such as drugs that threatened the livelihood of their children. Green Valley is looked upon to many as the best and safe place to live. However, it is a place governed by the American Nervada Corporation. They plan out the guidelines and restrictions for the community also known as the CC&R’s. The residents are not allowed to have clotheslines and Winnebago’s. They are limited to how many dogs and cats they can have and they also can’t have bells or whistles or any device that create noise. These rules and restrictions contribute to the safety from threats both real and imagined. The children in the community such as Jim Collins, seem to dislike the pleasant feel of the neighborhoods as well as the strict security. They tend to hang out in areas such as Pittman Wash were they can drink beer and write graffiti.
The best quote that clearly expresses the mood of the essay and the feel of the community would be the warning signs placed on every corner stating, “ WARNING: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM IN FORCE. WE IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS PERSONS AND ACTIVITED TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.” Another sign on the garages read, “WARNING: YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING.” Green Valley is like a safe haven community. It seems like a peaceful, quiet place to live, with limited crime and enforced security. But as pleasant as it sounds it’s not at all perfect. There were reports about a rapist and a serial killer running loose in several neighborhoods. Armed robberies were also reported to the police department. But these events were quickly put down and dealt with accordingly.
My question to you is: Should more corporate dominated communities such as Green Valley be established in urban areas?
Green Valley, Nevada- a corporate master- planned community just south of Las Vegas.
Parkside Valley- one of Green Valley's 35 developments.
American Nevada Corporation- designer and builder of Green Valley
Brian Greenspun- family owns the American Nervada Corporation.
Robert Fishman- author of Bourgeois Utopias: The Rise and Fall of Suburbia.
Suburbia- appeared in the middle of the 19th century, offered an escape from the squalor and stench of the new industrial cities.
Phil and Marie Anderson- interviewed by the author, came to Green Valley because of forces they could not control in San Diego that was not healthy for their children.
Perimeter walls- required around all single family residentil projects, used to enforce safety and security.
CC&R- covenant, conditons, and restrictions... manners which define Green Valley
Pittman Wash- a short stretch of desert area in Green Valley. Very undeveloped because it is useful for drainage and seen as unbuildable.
Jim Collins- 9 year old boy who played in Pittman Wash searching for lizzards. Showed the author his backyard.
In No Place Like Home the author begins with a brief description of this gated community in Green Valley, Nevada. He explains how the developments in the community are made to represent a sort of utopia for its residents. All the boulevards and parkways are cleared of gas stations and fast food restaurants. They merely contain golf courses and shopping plazas. The author’s curiosity for why residents would want to live in such a community brought about his visit. He met people such as Phil and Marie Anderson who did not want their real names mention for fear of other people’s reactions. They explained there being in Green Valley based on uncontrollable forces such as drugs that threatened the livelihood of their children. Green Valley is looked upon to many as the best and safe place to live. However, it is a place governed by the American Nervada Corporation. They plan out the guidelines and restrictions for the community also known as the CC&R’s. The residents are not allowed to have clotheslines and Winnebago’s. They are limited to how many dogs and cats they can have and they also can’t have bells or whistles or any device that create noise. These rules and restrictions contribute to the safety from threats both real and imagined. The children in the community such as Jim Collins, seem to dislike the pleasant feel of the neighborhoods as well as the strict security. They tend to hang out in areas such as Pittman Wash were they can drink beer and write graffiti.
The best quote that clearly expresses the mood of the essay and the feel of the community would be the warning signs placed on every corner stating, “ WARNING: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM IN FORCE. WE IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS PERSONS AND ACTIVITED TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.” Another sign on the garages read, “WARNING: YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING.” Green Valley is like a safe haven community. It seems like a peaceful, quiet place to live, with limited crime and enforced security. But as pleasant as it sounds it’s not at all perfect. There were reports about a rapist and a serial killer running loose in several neighborhoods. Armed robberies were also reported to the police department. But these events were quickly put down and dealt with accordingly.
My question to you is: Should more corporate dominated communities such as Green Valley be established in urban areas?
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