Mean Girls

The female population is known extremely well for judging other females as well as males based upon appearance. When the addition of cliques becomes part of the daily lifestyle you can become accustomed to being judged by girls and women. They will pick out any reason to make themselves superior to another individual. This aspect of life can best be displayed in the movie “Mean Girls,” one of the girls continually makes every other person around her feel bad about themselves.

When you work in a population of mostly females you begin to understand how negatively women look at each other. When I was in high school I was a waitress at Bob Evans Restaurant in Bedford. I loved my job I made really good money for a high school student only worked on the weekends and they let me off for my sporting events. When I moved away to college I took educational leave because I did not want to work during the school year. This allowed me to return to my job at Bob Evans in the summer when I was done with my spring semester.

Obviously when I left I had to be replaced by another individual in the restaurant. I knew this would affect how many hours I would be allowed to work when I returned back the first summer. I stopped by the restaurant on my way home from removing all of my belongings from the dormitory where I lived while at school. To my surprise they were short staffed that night and my general manager, Dave asked me if I could be back in an hour to close the restaurant.

I drove home and changed my clothes and returned to the restaurant. Unfortunately I did not know any of the other workers that night except for the grill cook. We had always gotten along because I strived to make sure there were no mistakes between my ticket markings and the cook so that they could remain in a good mood without having to make food twice and that customers were happy because they did not have to wait on their food. I introduced myself to the new waitresses that I would be working with and they responded with “Oh you are the one Jessica was telling us about” was their response. Apparently while I was gone one of my former coworkers had taken the liberty of “filling in” everyone about how I worked.

My new coworkers already had an opinion of me based on those of another coworker. For the rest of the evening the other waitresses avoided me and became very angry when I asked if they needed any help with anything. Jessica and I had worked together for only a few months before I had to leave for school so I did not understand why the other waitresses were treating me this way. I felt that it may just be because I was new to them and they were not familiar with the way that I would help out others who needed it.

I realized that they were only acting this way the next time I was scheduled to work with them and Jessica at the same time. I had the experience of walking into the room while they were all huddled together and then when I approached they all became very quite. As any girl knows this is a sign that you have recently been the topic of their discussion. It did not affect my work but I said hello to everyone and continued to work. We continued to work together and they constantly refused my help and would rather their customers become angry with them than to let me help in any way.

I later found out that Jessica had told all of the new employees that I was a “table thief,” if I thought you could not handle the work you had that I would take the new tables if my section was full and I had nothing to do. The new employees eventually found out this was not the case. I would go and help as much as possible and I may take the table but only if they table ordered. I would not enter the food in and would make sure that the tip went to the actual waitress whose table it was. If they had not been to the table at all I would take this tip and make sure that they received the money from my next table.

Being the judged individual because of an active work status gave me a double standard. I was a hard worker and my managers appreciated this, however my coworkers did not. They felt that I was taking some of the money they deserved but I was making the restaurant and managers money. My coworkers eventually judged me based upon their own opinions and not those of Jessica and I am still friends with many of those people today. They understand that I was only trying to help the situation at hand and would never actually try to take any of their profit. This has made me go into situations more cautiously I continue to be a hard worker but try to not “step on anyone’s toes” while they work. I help only when asked or when my offer is accepted.

Night Walker

“Night Walker” Response Questions

1. Why do you think Staples refers to the woman he encounters in the beginning of his essay as a

“victim”?

• Staples refers to the woman as a “victim” because he was unaware of the effect that his presence had upon people. The woman believed she would be a victim of a violent act and fled the scene.

2. What, exactly, is his “unwieldy inheritance” mentioned in the second paragraph?

• The awkward inheritance that Staples speaks of is the uneasiness that other individuals feel around black men in their early 20s.

3. What, exactly, is “the language of fear” (paragraph three)? What examples does Staples give to

illustrate this “language”?

• The language is fear is the response of how other individuals acted in Staples presence at night when he was in his early 20s.
• Staples gives examples of drivers locking their doors when he crossed an intersection in front of their cars. Other walkers would cross the street instead of walking past him at night. Bouncers, policemen, and other individuals who were supposed to help avoid conflict always required him to be overly polite when communicating with them.

4. This piece is sometimes printed under the titles “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His

Power to Alter Public Space” or “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space”; how do

these very different titles affect your understanding of Staples’ reason for writing? How would

your perception of his purpose for writing this essay change, if given these different titles?

• Staples is demonstrating the affects that other individuals have on him by stereotyping him like some other common criminal based upon his race.
• These titles seem less provocative than “Night Stalker,” the title given the essay seems to imply that he is participating in an act that is vague.

5. Why do you think whistling selections from Beethoven and Vivaldi seem to make people less

afraid of the author?

• By selecting well known pieces of classical music the author seems more intelligent to other pedestrians because the common street thug would not know many classical tunes. This helps to make the author seem less threatening because the other individuals can relate to him and make him seem like someone that they can get close to without being harmed.

Patient Care Technician

Every shift starts differently. You can arrive ten minutes early one day and be immediately put to work, or not have a single thing to do until you have been working for an hour. Every individual has their own “system” for how they begin the day. This will also depend on how the previous shift ended. The first concern of patient care technicians is the vitals of every patient. These will be needed to be reported to the nurse as well as the doctors. If the shift before was not hectic some technicians have already completed this task for every patient as a sign of respect and courtesy for the following technician. The incoming team will appreciate this immensely.

On floors and patients who suffer from “sliding scale” diabetes the amount of sugar in the blood must be considered before the patient can consume any food. You can go in and ask patients when they order their trays for breakfast or you can wait until dietary brings the individual trays up. As long as the blood is tested before any consummation of food the patient should not have a “sugar attack.” The nurse will determine if insulin is needed in any situation and will administer it herself.

After breakfast you must record the amount of food and beverages consumed for the patient report. This will be a chart that is considered if the patient becomes ill or when they are being considered for discharge from the hospital. Many patients like to receive their baths after breakfast and before lunch. Some patients are very independent and require only minimal help when bathing. Other patients require you to give them a bath while they are still in bed. Any way that you are helping the patient you should still help them to receive their privacy and independence as much as possible.

Before patients reenter their beds the sheets should be changed so they have clean linens to lie on. If you have another technician help with this process it takes a significantly less amount of time. Dirty linens should be rolled into the fitted sheet along with pillowcases and placed into a disposable plastic bag. You may place this bag on the floor out of the patient and your way to avoid the risk of falling. The bed should be remade with the fitted sheet being put down first followed by a “draw sheet,” this is used to “draw” the patient up into the bed when they move too far down into the bed. The next item is the pad. This is used on every bed and is placed where if the patient cannot make it to the restroom in time and has an accident in the bed. A small sheet is draped over the bed with the bottom tucked under the bed to give the patient a small cover to remain comfortable. A thicker blanket is placed on the top and then the blankets are pulled back so they patient can easily get into the bed and cover up.

By the time that all patients have been bathed and their linens changed it is time for lunch. All patients must again have their blood sugar checked. Patients who have a required every four hour vital check must also be completed by this time. When patients have completed their lunch you must again record the amount of the meal that was consumed. Any patient that had not received a bath before lunch should now be given one with their consent. Their linens should be changed as well. If there is ever another technician, nurse, or doctor in need of your help you should always help them because this is a practice that will also be given with you. To gain respect you must earn respect by respecting others. This includes your patients and doctors. All vitals should be completed before you leave for the day leaving the technician following you in a positive setting when they arrive at work.

On Fire

“On Fire” Response Questions

1. What process does Brown describe?

• Brown describes the life of a fireman. He tells of the situations and habits that each firefighter will learn quickly.

2. How is this essay unlike the typical process explanation, presented in strict chronological

order? Why does this departure “fit” his subject matter/occupation?

• This essay is unlike the typical process explanantion because it does not tell of a specific day. It describes the day to day life of fireman. It tells of the different seasons and how the firefighters feel in each setting.
• These forms of telling the story “fits” because it makes the occupation of fireman seem more realistic because they are only thought of as actually fighting fires. This is not the only part of their job description however because they have to retrieve pets and other odd jobs for taxpayers.

3. In the first paragraph, Brown uses a simile when he says that one of the things a firefighter

learns is that they “can burn like a candle.” What other examples of figurative language does

he use? How does such language enhance the essay?

• Brown also uses metaphors and personification in the essay. He uses the metaphors to help describe the fireman in general, “you are only human flesh, not Superman.” Brown personifies the fire truck as well as his equipment.
• This language enhances the essay because it makes the descriptions more relatable and easier to read.

4. Throughout his essay, Brown repeatedly uses the second-person pronoun you. Why do you

think Brown uses the second-person perspective, instead of the more usual first- (I) or thirdperson

(he or she) in his essay? What effect does it have?

• Brown uses the pronoun you because he is describing the life of every firefighter not just himself. They all learn the same lessons quickly and react in similar ways.
• The effect that is made upon the essay gives the reader a generalized view of firefighters and how they are all similar because they take the same precautions.

5. What overall impression(s) of firefighting do you think Brown wishes to convey? How is this

purpose exemplified in his final paragraph?

• Brown wishes to convey a positive look on firefighting. He seems to enjoy his job and the pleasures of having a different emergency every day.
• This purpose is exemplified in the final paragraph because although they may take the same actions every morning or night when they arrive at the station they have a different working day every day. This makes the job respectable and exhilarating.

Pageant Ready

Now that I am older and occasionally watch Toddlers and Tiaras on the TLC network I think to myself, “Thank goodness I was not born in the South!” After watching these little girls go the gruesome task of getting ready for a pageant I am pleased to say that my mother never forced me to take part in this activity. When I was little I always thought it would be a lot of fun to play dress-up with other little girls and win prizes such as trophies.

When I was 18 years old I entered my first official pageant. I had hopes of obtaining a 1000 dollar scholarship and potentially more if I could compete at the state level. Some of my friends had previously competed in the actual pageant I was planning to take part in. Although the pageant was not big there were 11 other participants. Most of the girls I knew because they were in my grade of school, or because I showed animals against them at the county fair. This was significant because the pageant we were competing in was for the Lawrence County Fair Queen Contest.

When I entered the contest it was my tenth and final year to participate in showing my animals against my friends at the local county fair. This was my main concern because 4-H had been a major part of my life and helped to make me a more responsible person. My friend, Natasha felt that I should be focusing on trying to win the scholarship money for college. Natasha is around five years older than me and had actually been a fair queen. The scholarship money had helped her pay for college and lessened her load of student loans.

The week of the competition came and we compromised. I did not completely give training my animals up. I did allow for more time to practice “walking.” For three days I would meet Natasha after we were both done with work. She would watch me walk in my heels, practice my speech, and answer questions. Natasha was a very difficult mentor, we tended to butt heads on how much walking practice I needed, I felt that I could walk in the heels so there was no need for me to keep doing it. Natasha made me practice in short heels, medium heels, and the tallest heels she could find. When she was done with that it was “dress rehearsal” I had to try on all the different outfits. Natasha picked out the outfits that she felt were the most professional and pageant-like. After Natasha picked the outfits out she wanted to watch me walk in the heels again. I went from low, medium, to high yet again. Natasha picked the heels she felt looked best for professional, semi-formal, and formal wear.

I also had many physical tasks that needed to be completed this week. My hideous “farmer tan” had to be evened out. Artificial nails looked much better on my hands than my natural nails that were broken and snagged. I had my hair trimmed to frame my face to make it look more professional. The most significant change that I had to endure was the diet of low carbohydrate and fat intake compared to a high vegetable intake.

The day of the pageant finally arrived. I was aware that the day would be hectic, long, and stressful. However, I feel that I was completely unprepared for the day at hand. The previous work from the week before made me feel that I was prepared and that the pageant would be an organized situation that was easy to maneuver. The day that happened was far from that! I woke up early went to Natasha’s house where she spent an hour straightening my hair and doing my makeup. I went to my interview, palms sweaty from nerves, and felt that I connected to the three judges well. After the interview Natasha met me to curl my hair and redo my makeup for my semi-formal and formal wear. I thought that she would just tell me how good I was doing. Instead I was getting drilled on what questions they asked and how I responded to them. Natasha commented that “unfortunately I am not good at making answers up because the true answers were on my face.” She reassured me that this “could be a good thing, it makes you trustworthy.”

In semi-formal wear there was a dance number that was performed and according to Natasha as well as the coordinators “you MUST smile the entire time that you are on stage in front of the audience and judges.” There was a wardrobe change into formal wear and an onstage question was asked for the entire audience to hear. After all participants answered their questions they exited stage and then reappeared as a group. The judges had to have time to deliberate on the winners so we all went backstage. Around 15 minutes later they had the results. All participants stood back on stage while the winners were announced. Luckily I did win, Miss Congeniality, although it was not the $1000 but it was a $350 scholarship. I will never forget how proud I was to actually place after all of the work I had put into the competition.

My First Conk

“My First Conk” Response Questions

1. Why did Malcolm X want to get his hair conked?  What did the conk symbolize to him at the

time he got it? What does it symbolize at the time he writes about it?

• Malcolm wanted the conk at first because he wanted to look like his friend Shorty and other Negro men and women who had taken these steps to be accepted by the white society.
• When Malcolm received the conk it symbolized him being “pretty” by white standards.
• When he writes about the conk it symbolizes self-degradation and that the Negro population was inferior to the superior white population.

2. Why do you think Malcolm X write this selection as a process explanation instead of a set of

instructions?

• Malcolm writes this selection as a process explanation because it becomes more realistic to the reader. Anyone who has dyed their hair can sympathize with the pain he felt upon his head when putting the conk onto his hair.

3. Why do you think Malcolm X includes so many references to the pain and discomfort he

endures as part of the process?

• The pain and discomfort can also symbolize what he feels when judged by the white population because of his race.

4. In the last paragraph, Malcolm X encloses several words in quotation marks. Why do you think

he does this? What is the effect of these quotation marks?

• Malcolm does this to set these words apart from the rest of the essay.
• The quotation marks make the words detectable throughout the essay. He is emphasizing what he felt because of the conk and how he felt after redefining himself.

5. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1964, when many African Americans

regularly straightened their hair. Is his message/thesis still relevant today? Are there any current

trends or practices that you would consider a contemporary equivalent of conking?

• Malcolm’s message is still relevant today. Many African American females still straighten their hair, although it may not be permanent.
• Current trends that are a contemporary equivalent of conking are dreadlocks and braids. However, this is the opposite of conking. African Americans are usually the only populations to embrace these hairstyles.

Family Lessons

“Family Lessons” Response Questions

1. Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character-related details

would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters?

•  The characters seem very realistic to me. I actually have a cousin named Clayton who is terrified of my horse. It may be useful to tell the ages of the characters however because it would give a better description of the characters.

2. What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any characters that you

would take out of the story?  Why/why not?

•  I feel that the two characters in the story are adequate. They are what the story is about and there is no need to include any other minor characters.

3. Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action?

• The plot is very entertaining. I agree with the author that it seems silly to ride a bull instead of a horse.

4. Can you picture where the story/action takes place?  Why or why not?  What else could the

writer do to establish the setting of the story?  Are there any crucial scenes that are

underdeveloped or completely omitted?

• The author could be more descriptive about the place where she works. She could also describe the setting of the grandmother’s home. If her other relatives were there. A scene that seems to be missing would be that of the waiting to see if she is a positive match. This would be an intense time and would seem like hours. This would be a good place for details and feelings.

5 Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to improve the

dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

• The dialogue is very realistic. When she speaks with her cousin it all seems possible.

6. What can the writer do to revise this essay and make it better?

•  The author just needs some more details and involvement into the waiting period to see if she is a match. This would be helpful in making the plot more entertaining.

Descriptive Peer Review

Writer’s Name: Mallory Wehr

Reader’s Name: Olivia Thompson

1. Is the introductory paragraph engaging?  Why or why not? What does the writer

give you to make you want to continue reading?

• The introductory paragraph is engaging because Mallory describes how she had never been to Colorado before.
• She had never experienced the mountains of Colorado and is accustomed to the “flatness” of Indiana.

2. Is the point or purpose of the description clear?  Can you find a sentence (or

two) that reveals the writer’s reason for writing this descriptive essay?  If the thesis

is explicitly stated, copy and paste it below…if the thesis is inferred, type what you

believe to be the writer’s thesis below:

Thesis:

• “I was deeply affected and surprised at how much I could appreciate a season I used to loathe. I was so thankful for this experience. It gave me a chance to be grateful for nature in a different perspective and in different part of the world.”

3. Do individual paragraphs seem well detailed?  What suggestions would you

make about adding specific details?  What else would you like to know?

a.       Where would you like the writer add more visual detail?

•         The visuals that are described during the essay are very accurate and make it easy to picture the scenery in your own mind.

b.      Where would you like the writer add more sound detail?

•             The writers should add more sound detail that is heard while riding up the ski lift. She should describe if there are any animals that can be heard or if it was completely silent.

c.       Where would you like the writer add more smell detail?

•             The writers should describe the smells that are in the resort. If the room smells like pine or clean.

d.      Where would you like the writer add more taste detail?

•             The writer has no need for the taste detail. She is not eating anything in the essay and it is unnecessary to include this sensory.

e.      Where would you like the writer add more feel or touch details?

•             Details based on touch should be added during her trip up the mountain. She should describe if the sun is warm on her face or how cold the wind is upon her skin.

4. Do all of the paragraphs contribute to the development of the essay’s thesis?  Is

it clear to you how each of the paragraphs relate to the description or observation

the writer is providing?  Why/why not?   Indicate the paragraph(s) that don’t seem

to fit the focus of the essay below:

•              All paragraphs do help to contribute to the development of the essay’s thesis.
•             The paragraphs relate to how the writer perceives her surroundings. The changes in air and the amount of snow around her.
•             All paragraphs seem to fit accordingly.

  

5. Would the essay improve if the paragraphs were arranged differently?  Do the

main ideas seem logically organized (using chronological or least-to-mostimportant or spatial order, for example)? Why/why not?  Note the paragraph(s) that

seems out of order below:

•             The paragraphs read well the way that they are. They seem to be in chronological order and adequately organized.

6. Are the paragraphs connected to one another smoothly and logically?  Are there

transitions between paragraphs that help you understand how the writer’s ideas are

connected?  Let the writer know which paragraphs need transitions.  What could

the writer do to make the connection between the main ideas expressed in the

individual paragraphs and the thesis clearer?

•             I believe the essay structure is adequate. It reads nicely and expresses how the feelings about winter are positive rather than negative.

7. Write a summary comment that explains what you like best about the paper. 

Then, describe the two features of the paper that most need improvement.  What

suggestion(s) for overcoming these problems do you have?

•            The details described in this essay are very good. It was as if I were on the ski trip with you.
•             Describing the differences between skiing on a real mountain and previous ski trips would be an interesting addition to your essay.
•             Describing why you loathed winter before taking the trip would make your thesis more adequate.

Narrative Peer Review

Writer’s Name: Maya Tolefree

Reader’s Name: Olivia Thompson

1. Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character related details (age, height, personality, interests, etc.) would enable you to “see”

the writer’s characters on the page?

·         The descriptions of Maya’s family are very adequate. It may help to add more detailed information based upon age. I understand that you come from a family of nine but you did not describe the amount of age differences.

·         Your brother is the oldest and only male so your parents had different aspects of him compared to you and your sisters. This would be more helpful to establish upon and how your younger sisters are allowed more freeway because of the way that the older girls discussed situations with your parents.

2. Does it seem like an essential major or minor character is missing from the

story? What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any

major or minor characters that you could cut from the story?  Why/why not?

·         It seems as if you have included all of the necessary characters in your story.

·         I feel that you should elaborate more upon the characters you have included into the story. You should describe how your brother feels about his privileges. If he acts like he deserves more leeway than his sisters just because he is male.

3. Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action

or captivate your attention?

·         The plot is entertaining it describes how some parents treat their children differently based upon gender. They assume that male children are less likely to get into trouble with increased freedom. Even when these male children do get into trouble they are not punished as harshly as female children would be.

·         The writer could include a time when she broke a rule and the consequences that resulted.

4. Can you picture where the story takes place?  Why or Why not?  What else

could the writer do to establish the setting of the story?

·         It was difficult to picture where the story was taken. The writer should establish where they grew up and if it is set around her home or community. The writer could describe where they are from and the type of house in which they lived.

5. Where in the draft could the writer add more description or background?  Where

would you like to have more specific who, what, when, where, why, or how

details?

·         More description could be used on the setting of the story. Describing the age at which she was when her brother was allowed actions that she was not.

·         The writer should be more specific with the ages of the characters. Describing the setting of the scene would be helpful.

6. Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to    

improve the dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

·         The dialogue is realistic. I can imagine her parents having the “family meeting” with the girls. The writer could include dialogue from the second discussion where the girls obtained more freedoms from their parents. This would be interesting as to how they persuade their parents that they were responsible and could benefit from more free time.

7. What can the writer do to make this story better?

·         The story can be made better by increasing details. Being specific about ages and settings. Increasing dialogues between the girls and parents. Describing how the brother feels about his freedoms compared to his sisters would help to determine if the children were being modernized at all based upon where they were living.

The Joy of Life

It was a cold afternoon in February when I received the call. My best friend’s mother was calling me with some very important news. If I wanted to meet my friend’s baby I would need to come to the hospital because she had just been born. I was so excited that I couldn’t even drive myself there. I was thrilled by the fact that my friend had remembered me in such an important time in her life and that she wanted me to share the experience with her.

I entered into the hospital and began reading the signs trying to determine the way into which I could get my first glimpse of the little baby. As usual when trying to find something in a hurry I was too excited to read the signs right. This is the point when my friend’s stepmother, who I had never met, saw me and said “I know which way you want to go, just follow me.” I have been best friends with Ashlyn ever since we first met in the fifth grade. I have known her mother and stepfather the entire time but I had never met her father or stepmother so I was unsure if I should trust this woman. I wanted to meet little Maddison so bad that I trusted an absolute stranger to get me in the right direction. As it turns out she was right and this is when I entered the room.

It was filled with people, Ashlyn’s mom, stepfather, father, stepmother, two little brothers, and her boyfriend. To me I only noticed Ashlyn holding Maddison in her arms. Ashlyn explained that she had a caesarean section. Being that I want a career in the medical field I asked to see the incision and asked if she was in much pain. Fortunately for Ashlyn they had given her the adequate amount of pain pills and she was in no pain except for mildly when she moved in certain directions.

Of course I wanted to hold Maddison myself but I am quite terrified of newborn babies. I feel that they are the most defenseless and that I will hurt them on accident. I sat in a chair while Maddison was given to me. This is the point at which everything stopped for me. All I could see were her tiny little hands and perfect face. Growing up Ashlyn and I had babysat her two little brothers often and they were trying to get my attention. I was completely unaware of this at the time. It was not until I saw the pictures where I am looking down and holding her that the two boys are making faces and tapping on my shoulder.

I sat there for over an hour holding and talking to no one but Maddison. It wasn’t until the nurses came in that I had to give my little world up. Maddison had to be taken for some shots and it was time for her to be put with the other babies. Visitation hours were close to being over and Ashlyn wanted some time alone with Maddison before it was time for her to sleep. I visited with the family and Ashlyn a little bit more before I left for the night. I noticed that over time more people had come in to visit I had been oblivious to all of this because Maddison had drawn in my attention. The parents of Ashlyn’s boyfriend and his sister had added to the already large amount in the room. I slowly adjusted back to listening to the conversations at hand and focused less on the little bundle of joy that everyone wanted a part of.

Ground Zero

“Ground Zero” Response Questions

1. What do you think Berne means when she says that as her eyes adjust to what she is seeing,

“nothing” becomes something more potent, “which is absence”?

·         Berne means that she is realizing that the absence is that of a landmark and of the fact that any more lives will be found. Only people’s remains can be found at the time at which she visits ground zero. The amount of light that is allowed into ground zero takes her by surprise. Light reflects off of the Hudson River and makes the scene look like a plaza but she knows that this is not a plaza and that very little light shown here while the towers were up.

2. According to Berne, how were the televised images of ground zero different from the actual

experience of seeing it?

·         Televised images of ground zero included the towers collapsing, workers running, and black smoke coming from them. By this time there were hardly any remains of the towers left. Shattered windows much of the actual building remains are covered with black plastic.

3. What scene is most crucial to the essay—where/when does she slow down and re-create the

events taking place?

• The most crucial scene is when she enters the deli and orders a sandwich. She goes to the second floor where they publicized a view of the World Trade Center. This is when the workers at the World Trade Center site find remains of a body. At this point every movement in the restaurant stops while they watch the body pulled out. Slowly things return to normal but people stop what they are doing to pay their respects.

4. In paragraph 3, Berne says that ground zero at first looks like “nothing”; in paragraph 4, she

says it looks like a construction site. Then, in paragraph 7, she describes ground zero as “a great

bowl of light.” And finally, in her conclusion, she refers to it as a pit.  Why do you think Berne

describes ground zero in so many ways?

• Berne describes ground zero in all of these ways because this is how she feels it looks in every situation. She is trying to describe it the best way she can and each description is a way that she felt it looked to her.

5. This piece is sometimes printed under the title “My Ticket to the Disaster”; how do these very

different titles affect your understanding of Berne’s reason for writing? How would your

perception of her purpose for writing this essay change if it were called “My Ticket to the

Disaster”?

• “Ground Zero” is how the site is most commonly described. It is out of respect to the individuals who lost their lives that this is what the site is called. “My Ticket to the Disaster” seems to portray the scene as a place not to pay tribute to the individuals who have passed but as an attraction.
• If the essay were called “My Ticket to the Disaster” I would have thought that the woman had no compassion for the individuals or their families. These people have been through an immense amount of pain and should be considered when articles are written about the subject.

6. What do you think Berne means in her conclusion when she says that with so many visitors

coming to see ground zero, a form of “repopulation” is taking place?

• The previous individuals that would order sandwiches in the deli across the street from the towers are no longer going to be doing these daily activities, however with individuals coming to view the site the community is still thriving off of their presence. The new population is that of people paying their respects and condolences to the victims and their families.

Southern Cooking

“Name the best cook you know of.” My mother can cook literally anything and it will be amazing. This is how I have always grown up and I love my mother’s home cooking. She as well as another aunt of mine can put together a meal for a dozen people in a couple of hours and it will all melt in your mouth. While growing up my parents were not concerned with saturated fat, cholesterol, or the use of butter. As a young family we were all very active and didn’t tend to be overweight. My parents worked long hard hours on the farm and need all the nutrients they could get to stay energized while working.

Lunch at our house was a huge ordeal during the week. My father would come in with his boss and any other farm hands. We would all sit in our small kitchen around a small round table that was so filled with food that there was hardly any room for the plates to eat off of. No matter how much food my mother would make there was always a dessert for everyone after the meal was over. During this time everyone at the table would joke and make the experience have a strong since of family and friends.

On holidays, such as Thanksgiving, my immediate family would visit both my father’s and my mother’s sides of the family in one day. This was a positive aspect of living close to both sets of grandparents. We would usually begin at my fraternal grandparent’s home. This was a more intimate setting. My father is the youngest of three children and we would all be in my grandparents’ small trailer. While my mother, grandma, and two aunts made lunch the cousins and fathers all played touch football.

Courses that were served every Thanksgiving included turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and 24 hour salad. When I see all of these same dishes at any one setting I always accustom them with holidays in my family. Growing up on a farm we had fresh vegetables often and they were continuously on our table. Having access to these foods made me very picky with vegetables I feel that they should always be clean and crisp when eating them. Soggy vegetables make me think that the vegetables are old and that they are unsuitable for eating.

My mother learned to cook from my great-grandmother. My great-grandmother was a woman who believed in southern cooking, the more butter the better. Cooking food slowly was a must and meat would be a great deal tenderer if allowed time to have steam go through it. When walking into my mother’s house while she is cooking is like walking into a restaurant. The smell of fresh corn on the cob, mashed potatoes with butter, and apple pie all radiate towards you when the door is opened. Your mouth will begin to salivate as soon as you walk into the kitchen. She even accounts for you coming in and snacking while she is cooking so she always fixes a little extra of some finger food while she is cooking to account for the amounts that will not be available after other members of the family are snacking.

When you leave the house she will always send leftovers home with me so that I have a “good home cooked meal” to eat at least once or twice that next week. To make our house feel like home my mother calls me while I am on my way to home have dinner ready at the exact point I walk in the door after driving. She does this every night for my father. Mom wants to ensure that the food is ready for him after a long day at work but not too cold from waiting on him. This is a major factor of me feeling like I have arrived home.

Catfish in the Bathtub

“Catfish in the Bathtub” Response Questions

1. How does Kingston use the five senses to create descriptive imagery?  Give examples of her

use of sounds, tastes, smells, sights, and feelings.  Which do you believe are the most effective?

·         Kingston applies to the visual, sound, taste, and feeling senses to make the story appear more lively.

·         The sounds she describes include the screeching of owls and “thud” of turtle shells in the boiling pot of water. Tastes include that of a plan that had none, as well as “if it tastes good, it’s bad for you.” “If it tastes bad, it’s good for you.” Kingston is quite distinct with the smell sensory. One of her aunts actually purchased a bag of candy for her to smell while Kingston’s mother was dismembering a skunk. The rubber smell was still obvious through the scent of candy. Sights included are those of the owls during the attack. They were hunched over with yellow eyes. Kingston always had the feeling when going to another Chinese household to always reply that she had eaten.

·         Kingston’s use of sights, smells, and tastes all portray the way she grew up very effectively. They bring her story to life and help to describe how her feelings were with being a Chinese-American.

2. Evaluate the use of dialogue (records of spoken words or conversation) in this essay?  What

effect does it have on your understanding of Kingston’s main point?

·         The use of dialogue represents how mothers tend to encourage their children to eat. Although, her mother’s culture and the one she was in currently were different it did not affect the way she prepared meals. Because the animals that the family could afford were those of royalty in her homeland she assumed that her children would want to eat them as she did.

3. Although other incidents or ideas are described rather briefly, Kingston devotes a full, detailed

paragraph to a description of the monkey feast…why do you think she does this?

·         The monkey feast was a ritual in China. Her mother thought very highly of the occurrence and neglected to include the negative aspects of the situation. Kingston was appalled by the brutality that transpired during the monkey feast.

4. Throughout the essay, Kingston combines very realistic description (the bear’s claw, the turtles

thudding against the pot, the monkey feast) with various similes and metaphors…what figures

of speech (see description notes) does Kingston use in the essay?

·         Kingston says that she could live on plastic. This is not an item usually eaten but because of the types of food that her mother and other Chinese-Americans made she preferred not to eat their ethnically cultural food.

5. “Catfish in the Bathtub” opens with a lengthy catalog of foods that Kingston’s mother

prepared, yet ends with a very brief, simple statement.  Why do you think she does this?  How

effective is this concluding strategy?

·         Kingston lists the different types of food her mother made to emphasis the fact that her mother was unique in her cooking.

·         The simple statement she ends with is very blunt. She did not like the food that her mother or other Chinese-American families made. They did not appeal to her senses and she would rather not eat than to take part in these rituals.

·         This strategy is very effective because it shows the many options that Kingston had but that she preferred not to take part.