Monday, December 3, 2007

I am a thinker,and I think thinks

1. The greatest concern that I have regarding my own peers is the loss of tradition. Being cultured is a symbol of the past and everyone hates being old fashioned. However, once every few months, we all think its a great idea to go to a dance when we're all dressed up. People lose sight of their past, especially concerning their ancestors. I take interest in knowing my origins, and examining the ways that I demostrate the stereotypes that surround those origins to determine whether they are true.

2. Someone who has actually changed my world is John Steinbeck. The author of Travels with Charley, he has offered incredible insights with humor and passion, describing the confusing American landscape in his own words and travels. Steinbeck, too, is interested in learning from where people take their roots, and that is a source of curiosity and interest for me. Another person would be Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Type him in Wikipedia if you want to know about him, but he set the foundation for an important organization that has made a difference in my life.

3.As stated in the other question, Travels With Charley is an incredible book on every level. Steinbeck cleverly weaves a tapestry that describes the American landscape with the right details in the right spots, stopping to indulge the readers interest at the right times, and being entirely and completely honest and accurate all at the same time. His work closely picks apart the fabric of american culture, as though under a microscope. He simply inspires readers to thing and analyze on a deeper level.

6 comments:

Katie said...

I love Steinbeck! His writing is a perfect blend of everything I seek in a good book. He creates interesting characters, using just the right amount of detail and description, and incooperates humor. Through all of this, he conveys a message that is generally consistent throughout all his works. He explores people and lives that are often ignored in literature. You should read Tortilla Flat.

Grace said...

I like your view on traditions, I like traditions too and think that a lot of young adults lose such traditions in the new and improved world. I agree that knowing and embracing ones background is something that should go on forever and the traditions of ones past should go hand in hand with that.

Dreese said...

I "read" Travels with Charley last year. I really regret not comitting myself to the book and didnt come close to finishing it. I hope to some day though.

Dreese said...

I "read" Travels with Charley last year. I really regret not comitting myself to the book and didnt come close to finishing it. I hope to some day though.

Dreese said...

I "read" Travels with Charley last year. I really regret not comitting myself to the book and didnt come close to finishing it. I hope to some day though.

David R said...

Great book. I agree whole heartedly.