Essay Comparisons

As I read through my Julius Caesar and Alchemist essay I am impressed with my ideas and content. My ideas are always relevant, and my content always supports my claims. Although I express my thoughts and ideas in a more concise manner in my Julius Caesar essay, I still believe that my Alchemist essay is quite impressive, especially having written it during the beginning of the year. One concept that I have clearly improved on is explaining what the quote means. Although I still maintain fluency when I embed my quotes, I lack further explanation, “The boy reached through the Soul of the World, and saw that it was part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles(145). Santiago’s open mind allowed him to follow his destiny instead of continuing the life he had adapted too.” As you can see I have simply skipped explaining the quote, and went directly to my claim. However, in the Julius Caesar essay I never fail to do so, “It must be for his death, and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn him, but for the general. He would be crone’d: how that might change his nature, there’s the question. (Pg 63) Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus kills Caesar for he assumes that Caesar will be consumed by his ambition when he is crowned.”

I maintain a strong fluency in both my essays for I do not force my ideas or quotes. However, in my Alchemist essay I had to be more verbose to retain it’s fluency, in fact, my Alchemist essay was four pages, while my Julius Caesar was one and a half. In both essays I wrote what I believed was most dominant trait in my last paragraph, for Santiago it was his persistence, and Brutus his honor. The technique of writing about the most dominant trait last is appropriate because throughout reading my essays one works up to knowing the character better and better. In every paragraph for both essays I have strong transition sentences that allow my writing to flow. However, nobody being perfect I still must learn to be more concise.

Comparing my Alchemist essay, which I wrote in the beginning of the year, to my Julius Caesar essay that I have just written recently amazes me. I am proud of how much my reading comprehension has improved, and how much I have grown as a writer. Although my Alchemist essay is reasonably good I must take into consideration the amount of time it took for me to write it, while my Julius Caesar was a timed essay. I needed a lot of help to craft my thesis statement for my Alchemist essay, however in Julius Caesar I wrote my thesis statement in a couple of minutes yet both thesis are of the same quality.

When writing both essays I especially needed to reason critically. A character has many traits that make up their personality, so I needed to reason critically to choose the most dominant traits. Also, I had to be able to explain how the traits contributed to their journey, and back up my claim with evidence.

Escaping Hell. Surviving death. Seeking Heaven.

Sudan Collage Imovie

My Lost Boys of Sudan collage is in the shape of a flower because it symbolizes the new beginning the Lost Boy’s are attempting to create for their country, and themselves in America. When looking at my poster one must start at the bottom, and work their way to the top. This is because each time the Lost Boy’s migrate they become closer and closer to heaven, which they believe is America. The pot symbolizes Sudan, because it’s where all the Lost Boy’s started their journey, and also because it is the furthest from the skies. Although Sudan is their home, it is also somewhat their hell on Earth. It is where their parents were killed, their siblings taken as slaves, and fellow countrymen chased them out of their homes.

The background of the pot is an explosion to symbolize the civil war of North and South Sudan. I emphasized the effect the war had on children to show that no one was spared. The cattle represents the culture of the Dinka tribe, who measured ones wealth on the amount of cattle they owned. The barbed microphone symbolizes that the Lost Boys want to be heard, however, it’s painful for them to say their story, because they must talk about memories that they are trying so hard to forget.

The countries the Lost Boys migrated too are connected with a red string, to symbolize blood, because everywhere they went, more and more of them were killed. Even in America, many Lost Boys cracked under the pressure of stress, and resulted in violence, such as killing just for $10. I do not have many pictures of their stay in Ethiopia, for they only stayed there for a short time, for soon after they arrived they were expelled. The painting in the Ethiopia section is done by a Lost Boy, who painted the horrific scene he survived from when they were forced to escape through the Gilo River, where they then headed to the refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. In the refugee camp a critical problem was starvation and malnutrition, I also showed a picture of the refugee camp, which as you can see is very simple.

On the top right petal is a picture of people visiting the refugees, and programs to help raise awareness and money to rebuild Southern Sudan. Once people began hearing about the Lost Boy’s story, they gained empathy for the Lost Boy’s and began helping them. America opened it’s doors to the Lost Boys, and began flying them all over the states to start new lives. This gave hope to the boys, and they imagined America to be heaven on earth, hence the term “seeking heaven”. However, soon after arrival more problems such as receiving an education, racism, and exhaustion from work and school bombarded them. Notice that only my six word memoir, “Escaping Hell, surviving death, seeking Heaven,” are the only words handwritten. I did this to make it stand out, and also to make it seem that a Lost Boy had written it, because it summarizes their plight. The last part I wanted my viewers to see, were the words “Are you our solution?” I want my viewers to walk away after seeing my collage and think, “what can I do to help?”

The Tragic Hero Brutus

“If it be aught toward the general good, set honor in one eye and death I’ the other and I will look on both indifferently. For let the gods so speed me as I love the name of honor more than I fear death.”pg 32 William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar re enacts the assassination of Rome’s greatest emperor. When Caesar returns after his triumph over Pompey Rome treats him like a king, causing many senators, especially Cassius to be uneasy, for they may lose power. Brutus is suspicious to what Cassius is asking from him, however, reassures Cassius that if it is for the better of Rome, there is no boundaries for what he is willing to do, even if it means his death. Brutus’s patriotism and honor cloud his judgement and allow him to be easily manipulated by Cassius to join the conspiracy against Caesar. He believes that Caesar’s death will unite Rome in it’s time of suffering after Caesar and Pompey’s war.

Throughout the play Brutus demonstrates true patriotism by being an ideal senator who always strives to improve Rome. Brutus loves the city that he helps governs and puts it before everything, including his friends and even himself. When Cassius leaves messages in Brutus’s house of different handwritings, Brutus believes that Rome is begging for him to stand up against Caesar, the consul, and his good friend. “Rome, I make thee promise, if the redress will follow, thou receivest thy full petition at the hand of Brutus!” pg 66 The notes strongly influenced Brutus to join the conspiracy because Brutus, being a true patriot, always does what he believes is best for the people. After Caesar’s assassination Rome is waiting to be informed about why the conspirators believed Caesar must have been killed. Although Brutus’s explanations are not backed up with evidence Brutus proves his patriotism in his speech, “ Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more… as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my country to need my death.” Pg 128 Brutus reassures the people that he did indeed love Caesar, and only killed him because it was necessary for Rome to strive. He tells the Romans that in the same way he killed Caesar he will kill himself if his death benefits his city, proving his love for Rome. Although Caesar is a true patriot, he is disconnected to the Romans, which leads him into killing Caesar, when really, Rome does want Caesar as their king.

Along the play Brutus is forced to make decisions, and being the noble man he is, Brutus always decides on what he believes is the more honorable choice. Brutus loves honor, and has a reputation of being a noble and ethical senate. Being the noble man he is, he truly considers whether or not to conspire against Caesar. His contemplating is evident in his soliloquy, “It must be for his death, and for my part, I know no personal cause to spurn him, but for the general. He would be crone’d: how that might change his nature, there’s the question.” Pg 63 Unlike the other conspirators, Brutus kills Caesar for he assumes that Caesar will be consumed by his ambition when he is crowned. It is evident that Brutus is not killing Caesar due to wrath or envy, but because he thinks it is what is best for Rome. Brutus understands that killing Caesar is not a very ethical act, therefore attempts to make the assassination as noble as possible. He instructs the other conspirators on how to kill Caesar, “ Let us be sacraficers, but not butchers… Let’s kill him boldly, but not wrathfully; let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods, not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds… Which so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be call’d purgers, not murderers.” Brutus knows that Caesar must be killed like an offering so the Romans will believe them when they say that Caesar’s murder was an honorable act and purely for the better of Rome. For Brutus believes his act is honorable, he tries to execute Caesar as noble as possible. Unfortunately, the conspirators fail to listen to these instructions and kill Caesar the way they were instructed not to. This results as the people turning against the conspirators thanks to Antony, Caesar’s loyal follower. Despite Brutus contemplating on weather or not to kill Caesar, and his instructions to make Caesar’s murder seem as noble as possible, Brutus fails in making the honorable decision and assassinating Caesar in an honorable manner.

The play may be entitled Julius Caesar, however, the ‘hero’ of the story is the tormented Brutus, who has remained in internal conflict with himself from beginning to end. His patriotism and honor motivated him to assassinate Caesar for he believed that it would unite Rome, which it would have if Brutus did not under estimate Antony; a tactical soldier who revenges Caesar’s death. Brutus thought Antony was just a ‘pretty boy’ that could, “do no more than Caesar’s arm when Caesar’s head is off.” Pg87 However, Antony proves him wrong and begins the civil war against the conspirators, who eventually die or commit self- murder. Among the conspirators who committed suicide is Brutus. “Our enemies have driven us to the pit. It is more worthy to jump in ourselves than to wait till they push us in.”pg214 He became overwhelmed with defeat, his friend’s deaths, and realized that the Rome he hoped would result in Caesar’s death will never exist. Instead, in result of Caesar’s death the once great Roman Empire destroys itself. Although Brutus intentions were good, they were not reflected in his actions, and in the end the outcome is the only thing that matters.

Seeking Heaven

The Lost Boys, directed by Megan Mylan, documents the phenomenal journey of Peter Dut, and Santino Chour, as they begin their new lives in America. Peter and Santino are two of the many Sudanese people, whose lives were ruined due to the civil wars of North and South Sudan. When Sudan was governed by the British Empire, North and South Sudan were ruled as separate regions. In 1953 Sudan was granted independence, however, North Sudan received more power than South Sudan, and failed to follow through with their promise to allow South Sudan to be self governed. The first civil war, that lasted from 1953-1972 breaks out due to the uprising tension, and results in the death of 500,000 people, and the force migration of hundreds of thousands.

Among those who were killed and forced to migrate was the Dinka tribe, located in Southern Sudan, scattered along the Nile River. Peter recalls that one ordinary night, his family was gathered around a fire listening to his grandmother’s stories, until North Sudan invaders came shooting at them. Everyone ran for their lives, but only a few thousands survived. Majority of the survivors were boys and orphaned, Peter was only four. Him, and the others who escaped had to endure a months of wandering without the promise of safety. Many could not survive under the harsh conditions of heat, wild animals, diseases and starvation. Everyday many would fall and never get back up, and during the night wild animals ate others. When the lost boys had reached Ethopia they found sanctuary at camps in Panyido and Dimma. However, in 1991, the Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, forced all 250,000 southern Sudanese refugees to evacuate. The Ethiopian government did not want to deal with the refugees problems for they claimed they had enough problems to deal with. The Lost Boys were forced to escape through crossing the Gilo River, which divided Ethiopia and Sudan. The waters were rough, filled with crocodiles, and guns from Ethiopian and Sudanese soldiers on both sides of the river were aimed at them. The fortunate who survived recall the scene as the most horrible thing they've ever scene. Finally the lost boys reached northwesten Kenya and settled in a refugee camp in Kakuma where they were educated and fed. When their story reached the United States, America began a program that would migrate the Lost Boys to America.

Peter is among the 4,000 Sudanese refugees who have resettled in America. Before he migrated to America he knew almost nothing about the western world and expected it to be ‘heaven on earth.’ When he arrives he is faced with countless problems such as learning about the American culture, stereotypes, technology, jobs, crime, money, education, and Peter realizes that there is no such thing as a heaven on Earth. Peter lives in Houston with the refugees he migrated to America with for the first months. In Houston he is overwhelmed with stress. He is trying to start a new life in America and at the same time help those back in Sudan with a minimum wage salary. His sister complains that he is not calling or sending enough money, when he is truly trying his best to provide for himself and those back in Sudan. Not only that, he has to overcome the language barrier, and accustom himself to technology he never imagined existed.

After a few months Peter decides to leave his ‘brothers’ in Houston to drive to Kansas to receive an education. He amazes everyone when he uses his time efficiently to balance his school, job, housework and homework. He exceeds expectations when he receives grades that will allow him to take a four-year college course. Although Peter has adapted well to America he is still continually faced with prejudice. Many look at him and assume that because he is black he is lazy, violent and dumb. Before seeing Peter’s grades his counselor assumed he would be going to community college. Peter’s boss forces the Africans to work out in the heat for he presumes because Africa is hot they are accustomed to working in the heat. However, Peter remains persistent and defies the stereotypes. He makes friends, doesn’t get involved with crime, and is always hardworking. Peter and his two cousins have established an education fund to raise money to construct a new school near his home village. Peter also hopes to bring several family members to the United States to live. He is determined to start a new life for himself in America, and help love ones back home to begin a new life as well.

Brutus and Cassius Losing their Composure

Caesar's assassination results in a civil war, the Roman Empire has been divided into two; those that support Caesar's assassination, and those against Caesar's assassination. The nephew of Caesar, Octavius Caesar, and Mark Antony prepare their growing army in Rome, while Brutus and Cassius, who has fled Rome, arrange their army in Asia Minor, by Sardis. Brutus, who is low on funds asks Cassius for aid, however, Cassius denies him the money. Instead, Cassius accepts bribery from a man in their army to supply Brutus with funds. Overwhelmed with grief due to Portia's suicide, and the increasing troubles of war, Brutus becomes ill tempered towards Cassius's dishonorable act. This causes tension between the good friends. Brutus then accuses Cassius of having an itching palm, and killing Caesar out of anger instead of the better of Rome. Cassius is no longer able to control his rage and threatens to harm Brutus. However, Brutus ignores his threat and continues jeering Cassius. Having enough of Brutus's constant accusing and painful words Cassius begs Brutus to kill him. Brutus realizes his harshness towards Cassius, the man who he has become so close to since Caesar's assassination, filled with remorse Brutus accepts Cassius's apology and too asks for his friends forgiveness. Once the two have reconciled Brutus shares the loss of his wife Portia, who has killed herself out of fear for her husband, and the growing strength of Octavius and Antony's army.

This passage is significant because it shows the lead conspirators, Cassius and Brutus losing their composure due to the civil strife. Brutus, who is usually collected cracks under the pressure of war and the loss of his love, Portia. He takes out his emotions on his partner and friend Cassius, who upsets him by denying him money and accepting bribes. This scene further characterizes the noble Brutus by revealing the side of him that falls apart under immense stress. Brutus's break down underlines the mood of mental and physical exhaustion, hopelessness, and stress. Fortunately, Brutus realizes the harm he is causing Cassius, the man who has stuck with him since the ides of March and they reconcile, proving that friendship has no boundaries. The two friends comfort one another, giving each other hope in what seems the darkest of days. This scene also foreshadows that the Rome Brutus had hope would result in Caesar's death will never exist, for even if Brutus triumphs over Antony's and Octavius's army, Rome will never accept Brutus again.

Act IV, Scene 3. Lines 38-122.

Brutus Hear me, for I will speak.
Must I give way and room to your rash choler?
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares?
Cassius O ye gods, ye gods! Must I endure all this?
Brutus All this? ay, more; fret till your proud heart break;
Go show your slaves how choleric you are,
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge?
Must I observe you? Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour? By the gods,
You shall digest the venom of your spleen,
Though it do split you; for, from this day forth,
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter,
When you are waspish.
Cassius Is it come to this?
Brutus You say you are a better soldier:
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true,
And it shall please me well. For mine own part,
I shall be glad to learn of noble men.
Cassius You wrong me every way; you wrong me, Brutus.
I said, an elder soldier not a better;
Did I say better?
Brutus If you did, I care not.
Cassius When Caesar liv'd, he durst not thus have mov'd me.
Brutus Peace, peace! you durst not so have tempted him.
Cassius I durst not?
Brutus No.
Cassius What? durst not tempt him?
Brutus For your life you durst not.
Cassius Do not presume too much upon my love.
I may do that I shall be sorry for.
Brutus You have done that you should be sorry for.
There is not error, Cassius in your threats;
For I am arm'd so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. I did send to you
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me:

For I can raise no money by vile means:

By heaven, I had rather coin my heart,

And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring

From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash

By any indirection: I did send

To you for gold to pay my legions,

Which you denied me: was that done like Cassius?
Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so?

When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous,

To lock such rascal counters from his friends,

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts;

Dash him to pieces!


Cassius 
I denied you not.


Brutus 
You did.


Cassius 
I did not: he was but a fool that brought

My answer back. Brutus hath riv’d my heart:

A friend should bear his friend's infirmities,

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
Brutus 
I do not, till you practise them on me.


Cassius 
You love me not.


Brutus 
I do not like your faults.


Cassius 
A friendly eye could never see such faults.


Brutus 
A flatterer's would not, though they do appear

As huge as high Olympus.


Cassius 
Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come,

Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius,

For Cassius is aweary of the world;

Hated by one he loves; brav’d by his brother;

Check'd like a bondman; all his faults observed,

Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote,
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep

My spirit from mine eyes! There is my dagger,

And here my naked breast; within, a heart

Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold:

If that thou be'st a Roman, take it forth;

I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart:

Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for, I know,

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him better

Than ever thou lovedst Cassius.


Brutus 
Sheathe your dagger:

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope;

Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour.

O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb

That carries anger as the flint bears fire;

Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark,

And straight is cold again.


Cassius 
Hath Cassius lived

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,

When grief, and blood ill-temper'd, vexeth him?


Brutus 
When I spoke that, I was ill-temper'd too.


Cassius 
Do you confess so much? Give me your hand.


Brutus 
And my heart too.


Cassius 
O Brutus!


Brutus 
What's the matter?


Cassius 
Have not you love enough to bear with me,

When that rash humour which my mother gave me

Makes me forgetful?


Brutus 
Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth,

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus,

He'll think your mother chides, and leave you so.


Cassius- Isabel Del Val

Brutus- Samantha Warren