Outside Reading 4

Jen's life of luxury, money, and superficial needs are beginning to crumble around her. Just when all seems to be going right, Jen is fired from her job. A classy and respectful staff member would leave with as much dignity as possible but not Jen. When she finds out about her situation Jen rants to her boss telling her, "At some point , Corp. Com. will discover exactly how worthless you are" (91). This act of complete disrespect reveals Jen's true colors once again, also allowing the reader to understand how important Jen's job was to her (i.e how important her money was) that she would feel like she was so above her boss too go and yell like that.
Jen again show this unreal "superiority" to everyone when looking for a new job. She believes she will be hired in a blink of an eye, and that she is so great that the new salary must be up to her standereds. When at an interview with a new boss they discuss salary, and Jen turns down a much needed job, "I wasn't trying to be argumentative. I honestly didn't understand becasue surly in America you can't pay an experienced professional with a college degree $16,000. I figured I was missing something"(102). Jen reveals her true love of self and desire for money through this confrontation. I hope that through losing her job she will really be able to find out that money and things are not so important.

Outside Reading 3

In this weeks reading Jen's undeniable, selfish, egotistical, character continues to not only bring down others but also rely on materialistic possessions. When Jen finds a couch that is, "A magnificent piece of craftsmanship covered in creamy taupe leather and shaped like twin mattresses standing on glossy cherry wood legs"(70). She HAS to have it although she can not afford it ($7000). The argument that follow with her boyfriend ( about buying the couch) shows how superficial and immature she really is. If someone basis their life around what others think about them and their money they can never be truly happy. Jen again shows this view when she decides to enact, "Operation Make More Money"(79). Her shallow view on the world pulls through time and time again as she bullies people and only focuses on the amount of money she makes. Personally I believe that when someone is so materialistic they will end up getting nothing out of life in the end.

On the Water Front

In the movie, On the Waterfront the difference between a "stool pigeon" and someone who is an "informant on criminal activity" is very defined. Our main character, Terry, struggles on whether to tell information about the mob or to keep quite. He knows that he might put himself in danger if he tells but he listens to his consiance and tells anyway. Although Terry makes a decision to stand up for what he believes in, many other characters view him as a "stool pigeon". These characters include the mob, Johnny Friendly and even his brother Charlie.
In my opinion I think it is right to tell about criminal activity. If someone was put in danger, or killed I believe they should be punished, and stopped from ever repeating this kind of activity again. However, I can understand why someone would be viewed as a "rat" for giving up insider information but I still believe that it is the moral thing to do!

All My Sons

Throughout the novel, All My Sons, multiple characters must make many decisions based whether they believe that the welfare of the society is greater, or that of the family. One character who strongly believes that the welfare of the family is greater then that of society is Joe Keller. We know this about Joe, when he confesses to Chris that he did send out the faulty cylinders, he states, "It was all for you! It was for your Chris, a business for you!" (69). Joe obviously thinks that the welfare of the family is more important then that of the society, because if he was more focused on the society he would have jeopardized the business, and his family instead. On the other hand Joe's son Chris takes a very different point of view on the matter. He insists on the country being more important then the family and himself when he states, "Do you not have a country? I was dying everyday" (70). Chris's view of how society is more important then family is clearly given when he rages at his father for what has happened. In my opinion Chris's head was in the right place.
I believe that when it comes to the welfare of society or that of the family, I think society should come first. If one does something that effects the whole society it can make a huge impact not only in that person's life, but also the life of many others. I truly think that communities as a whole should help and support on another instead of seaming and harming each other. Thus if one is to make a decision that would effect the society more then that of the family, in my mind harming the family would be a less severe consequence in the future.

This week, in my book, Bitter is the New Black, we are learning more and more about Jen and her way of cutting people down guiltlessly. The only thing that seems to matter to her are her money, job, and looks. Jen loves to degrade people who are not as "Up to standereds" as she is. Ever rude to those around her, during a company trip she says. "was that... was that.. Retard-y Arty? I know thats a mean nick name, but before you judge me, I challenge you to look into Arther' s empty sales funnel"(25). Jen does not care about her coworker, though he may have some challenges, she is unable to overlook them and really except he was given an opportunity to be successful in life. All Jen cares about is her job, and making more money, and if Arty is going to get in the way she expressions the opinion that he has to go.
Jen also shows her hardheadedness, and guiltless pleasure of cutting people down comes up again when her coworker Courtney is having troubles with her boyfriend. As Courtney is bawling on the plane, and confessing to Jen about her love life, Jen replies with an uncalled for cut down, she yells, "What do you expect. Acting like a whore attracts attention. They probably think your here to go on Jerry Springer"(32). This rude remark really shows how Jen enjoys cutting people down. There is no evidence of guilt and no twinge of regret in her voice. I predict that because she is such a self centered heartless person, that some experience in the near future will really knock her down, and help her to become a more caring and excepting person.

Bitter is the New Black Post One

For my book I chose to read the memoir of a women named Jen Lancaster called Bitter is the New Black. In the book we meet the character of Jen Lancaster. Who seems to be a spoiled, self centered person who does things that are quite unimaginable. This is shown in the opening page of the story through a letter through a letter Jen's parents actually received from one of Jen's fourth grade teachers stating, " During Recess, I heard her remark to another student "I can make Stacey Coopermith do any thing I want." I wanted to tell you, as I am sure you want to keep that kind of behavior in check. Sincerely, Mrs. C--"(1) This kind of letter is placed most strategically at the beginning of the story to give background information on our character and let the audience know what kind of person she has always been. Another example of this was when Jen remarks, "I don't blame the colleagues for wanting to bask inn my reflected glory" (17). Jen's self centered remark gives more depth to her character letting the audience in on her thoughts. Instead of Jen being greatful, she is basking in her own glory something that in my prediction will surely not end well. So far, in Bitter is the New Black Jen's self centered ways have come across strongly which is something I believe she will learn to control as the book moves forward.

Photography: Rose through the Night