Personal Philosophy

Sarah McGlothlen

American Literature Honors, Block 2

Mrs. Fujii

10 April 2014

Personal Philosophy

My personal philosophy, what I live by every day, is pure happiness. What I really call it is “Feel Happy, Be Happy”. I'm generally a very happy- go-lucky person and most definitely have a smile on my face. I'm very outgoing and love putting myself out there. It’s in my DNA, my mom was always talkative and happy as a teen, I don’t think I could be and different if I tried. I’ve hit bumps in the road, but then again so has everyone else. I’ve learned to not to let things phase me, and to just be the best person I could possibly want to be. Whatever it takes to be truly happy inside and out, I’ve done. It could be so simple, like eating an apple instead of a donut or buying something off the sale rack. Happiness is what you make of it, and I make it a big deal because to feel and to be are different, but you can make them one.

In about the ninth grade, after many growing pains and getting my life together, I really needed to sit down and evaluate things. I was happy but I wasn’t happy. I didn’t feel it in my bones, I felt it on my edge of my fingertips, but I wasn’t quite there yet. I still let little things here and there get to me, or I would get mad at myself. I needed to be happy inside and out and I didn’t know how I could accomplish it. I tried and tried until I realized that I needed to stop trying all together. Putting so much emphasis on it, made it even harder, what I needed was a chill pill and the heat of the sun on my skin. I took a walk and thought about everything, sure I wanted to mass delete my memories, but they made me who I was. But the small stuff that I would constantly worry about and the things that held me back, I let go of. I needed to in order to find my inner peace. Once I got over my fears, worries, and setbacks I could feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. I was truly happy. Inside and out, I could feel this sensation radiating through me. It was happiness. From then on, I promised myself that if I ever got into a sticky situation, I would just breathe and let it go, because in 5 years none of the little stuff will matter. Living by this philosophy of “Feel Happy, Be Happy” has definitely gotten me out of a lot of stress in my life and has made me a better person I believe.

(H) Transcendentalism

          Transcendentalism, how we mostly see it is mostly due to a person's nonreligious knowledge thus far that they can use to get them through life on their own. They form the idea that you only need to know about their immidiate worldly connections is enough to live their life. Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, there are many biblical refrences, such refrences include symbolic gestures, names, and direct refrences.                               

          Steinbeck continuously argues throughout the book that you don't need religion or religiois ties to live life. As the Joads trek towards California, they face discrimination, scruteny, and tragic loss. Though the Joads remain religious, the aspect of god begins to disapate, all due to the numerous obsatcles that the Joads come up against. As the journey continues the Joads move farther and farther away from god, however the Joads remain determined, though being left behind by their god.

*(D) Family Unity

           Right as the embrakment to California, the Joads were excited to see what California had in store for them. It was almost to good to be true. The illusion of California was too great that the oppurtunity to go there was instantly a good one. The Joads, all in one piece, head on to California, hoping for the best and leaving everything behind.

           "In the evening a strange thing happened: the twenty families became one family, the children were the children of all. The loss of home became one loss, and the golden time in the west was one dream" (193).

Since embarking sadly, the journey has been less than satisfactory. The treatment of migrant farmer on the journey to California is a tough one, it damages the spirits of those looking for a fresh start. On the road it is very hit or miss with the other travelers. Now people are leavng the group, dying, and becoming discouraged. The idea of family and unity slowly dies out as the journey progresses and soon enough people get fed up and leave.

(D) An Impact

            "Movin' 'cause they got to. That's why folks always move. Movin' 'cause they want somepin better'n what they got. An that's the on'y way they'll ever get it. Wantin' it an' needin' it, they'll go out an' git it." (128)

            This quotes shows the uncertinty of the Depression. It altered people's lives in so many ways, it tore them apart from their enviorment and known surroundings. During this time your furture wasn't set, it moved around and many didn't know where they would end up next. This quote is significant to me becuase, my best friend, once like my sister, moved unexpetedly in the 8th grade. Her dad lost his job and the family had nowhere to go. Her father ended up finding a job in Vermont. Great news!...except Vermont isn't anywhere close to California. At first we did everything we could to stay close, but the distance really created a strain on us. But her dad had to do what he had to. This meant that for the family to strive, they had to make sacrifices and big decisions. They made the decision to move in order to live, no matter how hard it was. In order to have a future, they had to move. And it was hard. But it was harder for ther family, who had next to nothing since the job loss, the economy was bad at this time, and as a result they had to move across the country. In connection to the Depression, this was a daily occurence for people. There wasn't a sense of security or furtue because of the ecomony. People were always moving to find better opputunities, just as the Joads are right now in The Grapes of Wrath.

*Postcard

Route 66 

             For the Joad's, and most other migrant famrer families, Route 66 was a way to salvation from the dreadful Oklahoma. On the road, the Joads come into contact with cruelty, discrimination, and kindness. The road is hope for a better future and it is a long journey for the Joads, and a hard one at that. When starting the journey the Joads realize how many other families were heading the same way they were, all looking for the same thing as well. Though, the Joads do enounter some negatives aspects on their way. They hear that California has nothing to offer them, the further they have come along on the raod the worse things look for the family. All the negatives make the trip that much more worht it to get to California, for a better life and hope restored.

End of Route 66 in Calfronia 

 http://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/images/Logo/Route66Map.jpg
http://www.cardelmar.com/blog/travel-destinations/route-66-highlights/

(D) Vehicle Research

Two Jalopies

Chapter 7 is all about cars.

              The car industry in 1929 was a record breaking year, seeling more than 5 million cars. Though after the stock market crash sales dropped dramatically, almost by 2 million. By 1932 car sales were a dissappointing 1.33 million, nearly a drop nof 4 million from 1929. Sometime after 1932 car sales began go up but went back down again during 1937 and 1938. For chapter 7, being only about cars, there are car sales and different models being thrown  in. The term jalopy, old kind of broke down car and a fixer upper, is used a lot. Most cars during the depression  were of the jalopy type, usually they were put together with different parts of other cars and made to be at the best of their ability. Usually abandoned, these cars were more available than most.

Fun Fact: Oklahoma City was the first to install parking meters!
   

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3468301097.html

http://www.reminisce.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DavidHallberg01.jpg

Oaklahoma Postcard

(B) Postcard Assignment

State Flag

• The official state flag of Oklhoma was adopted on April 2, 1925. The flag waas chosen from entries in a Daughters of the American Revoltuin flag contest

Monument

• Oklahoma City, the capitol of the state

Animals

• State bird, Sisscor-Tailed Flycatcher
• State Insect, Honey Bee
• State Tree, Redbud

The postcard has all the state's accomplishments and speialties to advertise it of course :)

POSTCARD

    To: Oklahoma
From: Truck Driver

         

    Well it was great drivng through ya, Oklahoma! That hitch hiker I drove around for a while sure was weird. He had nice and new clothes but they didn't really fit, I asked him about himself and he didn't really like that. When he got out, he thanked me, but told me to not be so nosy :( that was pretty much the most fun I had while I was here. But it was great while it lasted! Until next time Oklahoma <3

 

                                              -Truck Driver 

Sources:

http://www.thepostcard.com/walt/state/ok/ok2.jpg

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/oklahoma/

http://internationalcinemaeducation.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/greetings-postcard.jpg