Project Web

Joshua Steele
Jamie Kang

November 27, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

Project Web Script/Outline

Joshua: Technology has become a huge part of our everyday lives. It has become such a significant part of our lives that we depend on it to do basically everything such as doing school work, communicating with friends, and even just heating up that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. However, with all the advancements in technology, people have become too dependent and are slowly losing their basic abilities as human beings. These abilities include communicating, interacting, and even thinking.

Jamie: Now, there is no doubt about it that technology has made things a lot easier for us and has given us more efficient ways to do everyday tasks. But what many don’t realize is the negative effects that modern technology is having on us. In order to help put things into perspective we have decided to show you guys a little video clip from the very popular Disney Movie, WALL-E.

Video URL:
http://youtu.be/u9s7afoYI-M

Joshua: What are some things you guys saw or found interesting from this video clip?

Jamie: This clip gives us a clear idea of what our future could look like if we continue to rely solely on modern technology.

Joshua: One idea that the video addresses is the change in how people completed everyday tasks such as eating, going to the salon, and even just getting up. The video shows us a world that is completely controlled by technology. The salon is run by robots, food is processed into liquid for faster consumption, and throughout the whole video, not a single person had to get up from their chairs in order to anything. This sends the message that technology is making us lazier and is cutting into our basic abilities to do things on our own. If we continue to depend on technology, this could be what our future looks like. Nicholas Carr directly addresses this topic also in his Article Is Google Making us stupid? In the article he talks about how people are losing their abilities to read. “the style of reading promoted by the Net, a style that puts “efficiency” and “immediacy” above all else, may be weakening our capacity for the kind of deep reading.” This holds true for not only reading but other things as well. Technologies such as the internet is changing people’s attention spans and promoting a more efficient way to do everything. Because of this, we are losing our abilities to do anything that is not ‘efficient’ or fast.

Jamie: Another thing we saw in the video is the change in how people communicated. Two people were sitting right next to each other, but they still decided to communicate via the technology. Now communication has not changed to that extent today but it is definitely changing. As stated by Westlake in his article, Friend Me if You Facebook, “If individuals move to use online forms of interaction as the primary way to communicate, the rules of online communication will begin to compete with and perhaps dominate those of face-to-face social interactions.” So in other words, if we keep depending on resources such as the internet, phones, and other technologies to communicate, it can lead to us losing our basic abilities to interact with people. In fact, in an article titled The New Communication Technology: A Challenge to Modern Relationships? Regina Lynn mentions that NYU is now offering courses and workshops in order to teach students how to interact and meet people without the means of technology. How crazy is that?

Joshua: So, what can we do in order to make sure that our future does not look like that –points to screen-? We need to regulate our uses of modern technology and use everything with moderation. We must put less dependency on modern technology and more on ourselves and our abilities as humans.

Jamie: By doing so, we are not only making our world better for this generation but also the generations to come.

The End



Originally, Jamie and I had a third group member, since every group had to contain three members. However, Jamie and I became a group of two, since our other member stopped coming to class. Jamie and I collaborated regarding what kind of project we wanted to do. I agreed with Jamie's idea of showing a script from "WALL-E" and asking the class to analyze it. Jamie wrote the script and I approved it. I think that the project was a success and was well received by the class, since we did something that was unique and different.

Reflective Essay

Joshua Steele

November 26, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

    In August of 2012, I began attending English 115, which is my first English class at CSUN in my first semester of college. I did not know what to expect at first, and I felt that the class requirements were confusing. In high school, my English classes were smaller than this class and focused on a specific discipline, such as American Literature. In this class, I have improved my writing and learned more about rhetorical analysis, in addition to learning new concepts, such as exigency and ethnography.  Before writing this essay, I wrote three other essays in this class.
    My first essay focused on the universal themes that are present in Bernard Pomerance’s play The Elephant Man, which is a fictionalized retelling of the life of Joseph Merrick, a physically disabled man in 19th century England who resembled an elephant in the eyes of many people. In this essay, I talked about the history of the disability rights movement in the United States and analyzed how society has become more accepting toward disabled people. I was also able to compare The Elephant Man with my own life, since I have Asperger’s and attended a school for students with Asperger’s and high functioning autism. When I completed this essay, I received a grade of ‘Credit,’ since the essays in this class were graded on a ‘Credit/No Credit’ grading scale. However, I went through a slump when writing my second essay, despite the fact that it is about a topic that is near and dear to my heart.
    In my second essay, I analyzed a video of a teenage son coming out as straight to his fathers. This video ended with a disclaimer that stated, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals.”  I originally wrote about the history of same-sex couples adopting children, which did not directly relate to the video that I analyzed. In addition, my original essay was too short. Due to the weaknesses in my second essay, I received a grade of ‘No Credit’ and was given an opportunity to revise my essay and receive a grade of ‘Credit.’ In my revised essay, I defined the coming out process and discussed the positive and negative reactions that occur when a person comes out of the closet. I wrote about how some prominent Americans are perceived to be closeted and “self-hating,” while many other people who came out of the closet have been successful in life. When I submitted this revised essay, I received a grade of ‘Credit.’ Luckily, I did well on my third essay.
    In my third essay, I wrote about how technological advances such as the railroad, radio, television, and the Internet have reshaped politics in a positive manner.  I wrote about the history of these technological advances in politics and how they have impacted and reshaped politics in a positive manner by making it more accessible to the people. When I submitted this essay, I received a grade of  ‘Credit.’ However, I will be revising all of my essays before submitting them into the final portfolio. In addition to the three essays, I enjoyed the Progressions assignments and the assigned reading in this class. Last but not least, I hope that I can use the skills I have learned in this class to my advantage in the future.



Works Cited
1. Steele, Joshua. “Coming Out of the Closet.” November 2, 2012. Print.
2. Steele, Joshua. “The Role of Technology in Politics.” November 13, 2012. Print.
3. Steele, Joshua. “Universal Themes in The Elephant Man.” September 24, 2012. Print.

Essay III

Joshua Steele

November 13, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

The Role of Technology in Politics

   Since the late 1990s, the Internet has changed the operational nature of politics by making it more accessible and efficient. While campaigns originally relied on tactics such as traditional mail, posters, telephone calls to voters, door-to-door canvassing, whistle stop tours, and news coverage to get the attention of voters, they are increasingly relying on the Internet through online advertisements and targeted voter outreach, with Barack Obama’s successful 2008 and 2012 campaigns serving as an excellent example of the increasing relevance of the Internet in politics. Despite the widespread benefits of technology in politics, there is also a downside to these changes. Some states have become increasingly reliant on computerized voting machines, which are prone to errors and vote-fixing by politicians.
    In the 18th and 19th centuries, political campaigns evolved and led to the creation of many campaign tactics that still exist today, such as door-to-door canvassing and targeted messaging toward voters based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, and regional issues. During this time period, most newspapers were controlled by a political party, which caused them to become biased toward the party that owned the newspapers (Conner Prairie). The political parties used the newspapers to energize their supporters and lure new voters to their side. As technological advances occurred, candidates used these changes to their advantage. In the 1884 presidential campaign, Republican candidate James Blaine became the first presidential candidate to utilize the railroad as part of his campaign, in what is widely known as a “whistle stop tour.”  Despite the fact that Blaine lost to his Democratic opponent, Grover Cleveland, future campaigns utilized the whistle stop tour to their advantage. A whistle stop tour is when a candidate for office travels across a state or country by train, while making speeches from the back platform of a train at a stop to supporters (Ohio Historical Society). The last candidate to use the whistle stop tour as a primary method of campaigning was Harry Truman in his successful presidential campaign in 1948 (Ohio Historical Society). Since then, presidential candidates and incoming presidents have used whistle stop tours occasionally. The most recent example was in 2009, when President Barack Obama embarked on a whistle stop tour from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. before his inauguration (CNN). However, the whistle stop tour is not the only technological change that has revolutionized campaigns.
    In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, which allowed politicians to record messages that could be replayed to voters on discs. However, the phonograph became an obsolete device for politicians in the 1920s, due to the widespread use of radio. The radio became a popular method of one-way communication, since it allowed live broadcasts of speeches and other newsworthy events. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge became the first President to be broadcasted by radio from the White House. That same year, the Democratic and Republican parties utilized the radio to advertise and use their radio stations to reach out to voters (History: Political Radio). As an increasing number of Americans purchased radios, news networks such as NBC, ABC, and CBS were formed to efficiently reach households across the country. Due to the sharp increase in radio ownership by the beginning of the 1930s, politicians such as Franklin D. Roosevelt widely utilized the radio to reach millions of Americans with his famous “fireside chats” (History: Political Radio).  Despite this important achievement, technology did not stop here.
    Television was first invented in 1927 by Philo Farnsworth, a 21-year old inventor from San Francisco. However, television did not become popular until the late 1940s, since its growth was hampered by the Great Depression and the rationing of material goods during World War II. Since then, television has played a major role in politics (History of Television). In the 1952 presidential election, both Dwight D. Eisenhower and his Democratic opponent, Adlai Stevenson, aired television advertisements for the first time in the history of American politics (The Living Room Candidate). In the 1960 presidential election, technology was especially crucial in shaping the minds of voters, particularly during the presidential debates. In one debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, television viewers believed that Kennedy won the debate, due to his posture and clean-cut appearance. Radio listeners claimed that Nixon won the debate, because they viewed him as an excellent orator and were unaware of the fact that he was slouching and had not shaved before the debate. During the 1960s, television was also crucial in broadcasting major news events to the American people, such as the assassination and funeral of President Kennedy in 1963. Later on, graphic news coverage of the Vietnam War was influential, because it successfully persuaded many Americans to oppose the war (History of Television).  Beginning in the late 1990s, a new medium would influence the world of American politics.
    In the late 1990s, political campaigns began utilizing the Internet for their benefit. A candidate’s website typically contains his or her positions on important issues, significant endorsements from politicians and celebrities, an online donation form, an email subscription form, and information regarding volunteer opportunities for supporters. In addition to a website, candidates also maintain fan pages on Facebook and Twitter, among other social networking websites. In addition to these changes, campaign websites allow volunteers to set up online accounts and make phone calls to voters from the comfort of their own home, while making visits to a local campaign office unnecessary (Daily News). Despite these political achievements caused by technology, there are some negative effects of the increasing use of technology in politics.
    One of the biggest controversies over the use of technology in politics is the use of electronic voting machines in several states. According to a study commissioned by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and MIT between 1988 and 2004, electronic voting machines are prone to errors and are less reliable than lever machines or machines that optically scan ballots. One of the most common errors is when a machine claims that you voted for Candidate A, when you actually voted for Candidate B, for example. The researchers with Caltech and MIT also stated that electronic machines are not any safer than a home computer and are therefore susceptible to hackers (National Geographic). On the other hand, proponents of electronic voting machines believe that it will bring an end to faulty punch-card ballots that caused the outcome of the 2000 presidential election to be disputed until the Supreme Court ruled in favor of George W. Bush (National Geographic). A significant number of Democrats refute these claims by arguing that George W. Bush stole the election in the crucial state of Florida by conspiring with his brother, then-Governor Jeb Bush and then-Secretary of State Katherine Harris.
    In conclusion, technology has made a handful of positive contributions to elections, with the railroad, the phonograph, the radio, television, and the Internet each making an important contribution to the world of politics. In my opinion, technological changes have made elections more accessible to people, while allowing information to travel at a faster and more efficient pace. Despite these positive advances, plenty of people remain skeptical of electronic voting machines; because they believe that the machines are unsafe and an easy target for those looking to commit election fraud. As we have seen in the past, technology will not stand still. Therefore, we can expect technology to keep moving forward in the future.

Works Cited

1. Castro, Tony. “Teen volunteer’s support for Obama rings true.” Los Angeles Daily News 20 June 2008. Print.
2. “History of Television.” New York University. Web. November 13, 2012.
3. “History: Political Radio.” University of Virginia. Web. November 13, 2012.
4. Lovgren, Stefan. “Are Electronic Voting Machines Reliable?” National Geographic 1 November 2004. Print.
5. “Obama’s whistle-stop tour chugs on to Washington.” CNN, January 16, 2009. Web. November 12, 2012.
6. “The Living Room Candidate.” Museum of the Moving Image, 2012. Web. November 13, 2012.
7. “The Rough and Tumble World of 19th-Century Politics.” Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Web. November 12, 2012.
8. “Whistle-Stops.” Ohio Historical Society. Web. November 12, 2012.

   

Essay III Rough Draft

Joshua Steele
November 7, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

The Role of Technology in Politics

Since the late 1990s technology, particularly the Internet has changed the operational nature of politics by making it more accessible and efficient. While campaigns originally relied of tactics such as traditional mail, posters, and news coverage to get the attention of voters, they are increasingly relying on the Internet through online advertisements and targeted voter outreach, with Barack Obama’s successful 2008 and 2012 campaigns serving as an excellent example of the increasing relevance of the Internet in politics.

Progression II Essay

Joshua Steele
November 2, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Coming Out of the Closet

    The video begins with a teenage boy at a restaurant, eating and saying, “I gotta tell you something.” He then tells his fathers that he is straight, and they nod in approval. An announcer then tells the audience, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals” (The Gayest Commercials). In this video, the message is clearly presented to the audience, especially with the announcer’s message at the end. The message is that being raised by gay or lesbian parents is perfectly normal and that it is perfectly normal for the children of gay or lesbian parents to identify as straight.
    This advertisement relies on the use of pathos when the teenage boy anxiously tells his fathers that he is straight, since plenty of people find it difficult to come out of the closet, and because most people are unable to conceptualize the idea of a person coming out as straight, as opposed to gay. This video can also be considered an oxymoron, since it is uncommon for a person to come out of the closet as being straight. The use of pathos is also used by the creators of the video, since they portray the fathers and son in a positive light. In this video, the use of logos is present when the announcer tells the audience, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals” (The Gayest Commercials). This video is targeted at an audience that is uninformed about children raised by gay and lesbian parents. It is also possible that the audience would adhere to the false stereotype that all of the children of gay and lesbian parents are gay or lesbian themselves.  Some studies claim that the children of gay parents are more likely to be gay, but that philosophy is rejected by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community (Queerty).  In order to understand this video, it is important for the reader to know about the importance of the coming out process.
    Coming out is defined as the process by which a person acknowledges and tells others that they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (The Stages of Coming Out). The first stage is self-recognition, which is when a person realizes that they are LGBT. The second stage is disclosure to others, which is often simply known as coming out. Some people might come out of the closet at a slow and quiet pace, while others will do it quickly and publicly. Coming out quickly and publicly is often seen when a prominent person comes out of the closet. The following stage is socialization with other LGBT individuals, followed by positive self-identification and integration and acceptance (The Stages of Coming Out). However, these stages will not occur if a person will not come out of the closet or refuses to accept the fact that they are gay. People who are supposedly LGBT but refuse to come out are viewed as ‘self hating’ or ‘repressed’ by the LGBT community and by society at large. Some prominent examples of supposedly gay people are Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Rick Santorum, and Marcus Bachmann (The Huffington Post, Slate, LA Weekly). On a side note, studies have shown that the most homophobic people are more likely to be gay than people who are not homophobic (LA Weekly). Also, the coming out process can be unsuccessful if a person is coming out to people who are homophobic.
    Although many people are able to come out of the closet knowing that their family and friends will still love them, plenty of other people are not so lucky. Teenagers with homophobic parents are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, more likely to engage in unsafe sexual practices, and more likely to commit suicide than teenagers with accepting and open-minded parents (CDC). A sizeable number of homophobic parents believe that sexual orientation is a choice or that it can be changed through “conversion therapy,” a barbaric and inhumane practice that forces participants to undergo electrocution, verbal abuse, and burning and freezing tactics, and prayer to become straight, among other tactics (Daily Mail). Due to these and other tactics, every mainstream medical and mental health association views conversion therapy as dangerous and ineffective, since a person’s sexual orientation cannot be changed (HRC). In California, it is illegal to provide “conversion therapy” to minors. California law also requires adults seeking “conversion therapy” to sign a waiver stating that they are aware of the risks stemming from the procedures they will be subjected to (ABC News). On a positive note, there are many prominent people who are openly LGBT that deserve to be recognized.
    There are many prominent people in the United States and the world who are openly gay and deserve to be recognized for coming out and remaining successful in their careers. In 1976, pop superstar Elton John came out as bisexual, but admitted that he was gay twelve years later (Rolling Stone). Another prominent gay celebrity is talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who came out while appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show (CNN). Another prominent gay person is U.S. Representative Barney Frank, a Democrat from Massachusetts who was first elected to the House in 1980. Barney Frank came out as gay in 1987 and is the longest-serving openly gay member of Congress. In a ceremony earlier this year in Newton, Massachusetts, Barney Frank married Jim Ready, who he had been dating for seven years (New York Times).
    In conclusion, the video that I discussed shows the teenage son of two fathers coming out as straight, which is quite rare, since people are often presumed to be straight. Coming out is the process by which a person acknowledges and reveals the fact that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Some people will receive a positive response when coming out, while others will face a very negative response. Last but not least, this video effectively uses logos and pathos to send a message to an audience that might believe that all of the children of gay or lesbian parents are gay or lesbian themselves, which is false.

Works Cited

1. “Barney Frank Weds Jim Ready.” The New York Times, July 7, 2012. Web. November 2, 2012.
2. “California Bans Gay Conversion Therapy for Minors.” ABC News, October 1, 2012. Web. November 2, 2012.
3. “Cover Story: It’s Lonely at the Top.” Rolling Stone, October 7, 1976. Web. November 2, 2012.
4. “Ellen DeGeneres tells Time she’s a lesbian.” CNN, April 6, 1997. Web. November 2, 2012.
5. “Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Stigma and Discrimination.” CDC, March 3, 2011. Web. November 2, 2012.
6. “Gay Parents ‘Far More Likely’ to Have Gay Kids, Says Questionable Science.” Queerty, October 18, 2010. Web. November 1, 2012.
7. “Gay Rumors In Hollywood: 16 Celebrities Who Have Faced Reports About Their Sexuality.” The Huffington Post, December 2, 2011. Web. November 2, 2012.
8. “Is Rick Santorum Gay? New Study Says Homophobes May Dig the Same Sex.” LA Weekly, April 9, 2012. Web. November 2, 2012.
9. “Read My Lisp: Is Michele Bachmann’s husband gay? Don’t trust gaydar to settle the question.” Slate, July 15, 2011. Web. November 2, 2012.
10. “The Gayest Commercials.” Out. Here Media Inc., March 20, 2012. Web. November 1, 2012.
11. “The Lies and Dangers of Reparative Therapy.” Human Rights Campaign. Web. November 2, 2012.
12. “Victim of Baptist gay conversion therapy describes how he was tortured at 12.” Daily Mail, October 7, 2011. Web. November 2, 2012.

Exercise 3.3

Joshua Steele

October 31, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

How Technology Has Changed The Political Landscape

1. An important claim: Since the late 1990s, successful political candidates have utilized the Internet to their advantage, with President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign being one of the most prominent examples.
2. An opposing claim: People are less reliant on traditional sources of political information, such as newspapers, leaflets, “snail mail,” and posters.  The decreased reliance on newspapers has forced newspapers to cut back on coverage, go out of business, or require readers to pay when reading the newspaper online. The decreased reliance on traditional mail has given the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) a severe budget deficit that threatens the closure of hundreds of post offices, many of them in isolated rural areas that lack efficient Internet service.
3. The problem with these claims: According to the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO (NALC), the budget deficit at the USPS is partially caused by the fact that Congress has been using the postal service as an ATM for over a decade, which is contributing to the agency’s budget deficit (NALC).
4. My claim: Successful political campaigns, such as Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, have utilized the Internet to their advantage. Obama’s campaign allowed volunteers to work at home, calling voters through an online database. Before the Internet and cell phones, volunteers had to go to a local campaign office and pour through stacks of lists while making phone calls on a landline.  With regards to the USPS, I do acknowledge the fact that the usage of traditional mail is decreasing. In addition, I would like to learn more about the NALC’s arguments.
5. What scholars would say about my claim: Scholars would say that technology has changed the way that political campaigns operate, while eliminating longstanding methods of operation that some people would view with nostalgia.


















Works Cited
1. “How Technology Changed American Politics in the Internet Age.” MediaShift. PBS, April 6, 2010. Web. October 31, 2012.
2. National Association of Letter Carriers. National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO. Web. October 31, 2012.

Susan Greenfield vs. James Paul Gee

Joshua Steele
October 29, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Susan Greenfield vs. James Paul Gee

Moderator: Welcome to the first Effects of Modern Technology Debate, located at UC Berkeley in Berkeley, California. I’m Robert Birgeneau, Chancellor of UC Berkeley, and I will be moderating this evening’s debate. The audience has agreed to remain silent for the duration of this debate, except for now. Please welcome Susan Greenfield and James Paul Gee.
(The two of them shake hands before sitting at their respective seats.)
Moderator: Our first question is for Susan Greenfield. Ms. Greenfield, why do you believe that humans are facing a crisis?
Susan Greenfield: I believe that humans are facing a crisis that is caused by the proliferation of gadgets and by the fact that, “Increasing numbers of people already take Prozac for depression, Paxil as an antidote for shyness, and give Ritalin to children to improve their concentration.” If you are not worried yet, I suggest that you ask yourself, “But what if there were still more pills to enhance or ‘correct’ a range of other specific mental functions?”
Moderator: Mr. Gee, would you like to rebut Ms. Greenfield’s statement?
James Paul Gee: Yes, I would. I feel that Ms. Greenfield’s is oversimplified and I believe that, “Next to nothing is good or bad for you in and of itself and all by itself. I believe that video games and television, for example, can be good for your soul when you reflect on what you are watching or playing. However, I do agree with Ms. Greenfield when she stated in 1984 that watching television is bad when people are sitting and watching passively while relying on television as a babysitter.
Moderator: Thank you. Our next question is for Mr. Gee. Mr. Gee, what do heaven and hell and your soul have in common with the supposed merits of video games?
James Paul Gee: I once had the opportunity to go back and time and experience life in the Middle Ages. I stated that currently, as opposed to the Middle Ages, people from various religious groups believe that those who disagree with them will go to hell as opposed to heaven. Perhaps-
Susan Greenfield: Oh really? Do you consider burning heretics and non-Christians at the stake a form of religious tolerance? How about the Spanish Inquisition and the persecution of Jews throughout Europe? What about the Catholic Church’s backlash against the Protestant Reformation? In my opinion, the modern world is much more tolerant of people with differing religious beliefs, or a lack of religious beliefs. Perhaps your so-called nostalgia for the Middle Ages comes from playing a lot of flashy video games.
(Susan Greenfield’s and James Paul Gee’s voices cannot be heard, since the two of them are consistently cutting each other off and attempting to talk over each other.)
Moderator: Ms. Greenfield and Mr. Gee, thank you very much for your insightful contributions so far. At this point in time we will be taking a 15 minute break.
(The debate ends temporarily.)



Works Cited
1. “Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work.” Susan Greenfield, 2008. Web. October 18, 2012.
2. “Why Video Games Are Good For Your Soul: Pleasure and Learning.” James Paul Gee, n.d. Web. October 29, 2012.

Exercise 3.1: Analyzing Claims

Joshua Steele
October 23, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Analyzing Claims in "Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work"

    In Susan Greenfield’s article “Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work,” Susan Greenfield claims that modern technology and the increasing use of prescription drugs are negatively altering the way our brains work. On multiple occasions, she refers to these changes as a “crisis” that would make George Orwell’s greatest fears come true. Greenfield also states that even though the human brain is highly adaptable, the changes to our brains caused by modern technology are highly damaging and possibly irreversible.  She backs up her claim when she states that, “Attention spans are shorter, personal communication skills are reduced and there’s a marked reduction in the ability to think abstractly.”  Greenfield also compares video game addictions to drug and alcohol addictions when she says that, “However, playing certain games can mimic addiction, and the heaviest users of these games might soon begin to do a pretty good impersonation of an addict” (Greenfield).   In order to understand Susan Greenfield’s statements and the reasoning behind it, the reader must know more about her background.
    Susan Greenfield is a professor of pharmacology at Oxford University, neuroscientist, writer, broadcaster, and a member of the British House of Lords, which is the largely ceremonial upper house of Parliament. In the House of Lords, 84% of the members are appointed for life (House of Lords). Members are appointed by the Queen based on the advice of the Prime Minister. In addition to analyzing the effect of technology on the brain, Susan Greenfield has also published a neuroscientific theory of consciousness (Baroness Susan Greenfield).

Works Cited
1. Baroness Susan Greenfield. Susan Greenfield, 2012. Web. October 23, 2012.
2. House of Lords. UK Parliament. Web. October 23, 2012.
3. “Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work.” Susan Greenfield, 2008. Web. October 23, 2012.

The Use of Tone

Joshua Steele

October 20, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

The Use of Tone in "Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work"

  In Susan Greenfield's article, "Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work," the author frequently uses phrases such as "crisis," "threat," and "Orwellian," which shows that Greenfield is quite passionate about the topics of her article and is determined to get her point across. However, her tone could have the opposite effect on readers who disagree with her, since they would become defensive and view her as an angry person. 

Works Cited

1. "Modern Technology Is Changing The Way Our Brains Work." Science and Society, 2008. Web. October 18, 2012.

Gay and Lesbian Parents and the Expanding Definition of Family

Joshua Steele
October 17, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Gay and Lesbian Parents and the Expanding Definition of Family

    The video begins with a teenage boy at a restaurant, eating and saying, “I gotta tell you something.” He then tells his fathers that he is straight, and they nod in approval. An announcer then tells the audience, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals” (The Gayest Commercials). In this video, the message is clearly presented to the audience, especially with the announcer’s message at the end. The message is that being raised by gay or lesbian parents is perfectly normal and that it is perfectly normal for the children of gay or lesbian parents to identify as straight. This advertisement relies on the use of pathos when the teenage boy anxiously tells his fathers that he is straight. The use of pathos is also used to encourage the audience to view the fathers and the son in a positive light. In this video, the use of logos is present when the announcer tells the audience, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals” (The Gayest Commercials). In the advertisement, ethos is missing, due to the fact that the advertisement was created and funded by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, which lobbies for LGBT rights across the globe (ILGA).  However, the advertisement could contain ethos if it was produced and funded by an apolitical organization, such as a medical or mental health organization. In order to fully understand this public service announcement and this essay, the reader should be informed about the history of gay and lesbian parents and the current issues that they face.
    Until the 1960s and 1970s, adoption was limited to heterosexual couples who adopted a healthy white infant and adhered to traditional gender roles, where the father worked and the mother stayed at home. Single adults, divorced adults, older couples, and couples with health problems were typically forbidden from adopting children, while gay and lesbian couples were never allowed to adopt children. One prominent historical example of the strict adoption laws of the past was Joan Crawford’s legal battle to adopt her first child. In 1939, Crawford sought to adopt a child, but she was turned down by adoption agencies in California, since she had been married and divorced twice and lived alone. She was eventually able to adopt her daughter, Christina, through an out-of-state agency (Her Own Private Idaho, Mommie Dearest). Decades later, adoption laws were liberalized in response to massive changes in American society.
    Today, single people, divorced people, older individuals and couples, and same-sex couples are all allowed to adopt children in California. However, previous governors have attempted to issue regulations that would prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children. In 1987, Governor George Deukmejian issued a memorandum to the California Department of Social Services and to county adoption agencies, urging them to reject efforts by same-sex couples and heterosexual unmarried couples to adopt children (San Francisco Chronicle). This memorandum was widely ignored by state and county officials. In 1996, Governor Pete Wilson ordered the Department of Social Services to regularly reject efforts by same-sex couples and unmarried couples to adopt children (Los Angeles Times). Three years later, Governor Gray Davis ended the state’s ‘de facto ban’ on adoptions by unmarried couples and same-sex couples (San Francisco Chronicle). The ‘de facto ban’ on adoption by same-sex couples was motivated by the homophobia of Governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson and their desire to please right-wing extremists in California and across the country, based on the notion that gays and lesbians were “unfit” parents (Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle).
    In conclusion, unmarried people, single people, older couples, couples with health problems, and same-sex couples were prohibited from adopting children. Since the 1960s and 1970s, laws have been changed to allow same-sex couples, unmarried couples, single people, older couples, and couples with health problems to adopt children as long as they are viewed as capable.

Works Cited

1. “Davis ends de facto ban on gay adoptions.” San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers, November 18, 1999. Web. October 17, 2012.
2. “Gays, Singles Also Targets of Adoption Rule.” Los Angeles Times. Tribune Corporation, September 8, 1996. Web. October 17, 2012.
3. “Her Own Private Idaho.” People Weekly. Time Inc., August 8, 1994. Web. October 13, 2012.
4. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association, 2009. Web. October 16, 2012.
5. Perry, Frank, dir. Mommie Dearest. Paramount Pictures, 1981. Film.
6. “The Gayest Commercials.” Out. Here Media Inc., March 20, 2012. Web. October 13, 2012.
7. “The History of Gay Adoption.” Helium. RR Donnelley, September 22, 2009. Web. October 13, 2012.

   

Gay and Lesbian Parents and the Expanding Definition of Family- Rough Draft

Joshua Steele
October 13, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Gay and Lesbian Parents and the Expanding Definition of Family

    The video begins with a teenage boy at a restaurant, eating and saying, “I gotta tell you something.” He then tells his fathers that he is straight, and they nod in approval. An announcer then tells the audience, “Children raised by homosexuals do not necessarily become homosexuals” (The Gayest Commercials). In this video, the message is clearly presented to the audience, especially with the announcer’s message at the end. The message is that being raised by gay or lesbian parents is perfectly normal and that it is perfectly normal for the children of gay or lesbian parents to identify as straight. In order to fully understand this public service announcement and this essay, the reader should be informed about the history of gay and lesbian parents and the current issues that they face.
    Until the 1960s and 1970s, adoption was limited to heterosexual couples who adopted a healthy white infant and adhered to traditional gender roles, where the father worked and the mother stayed at home. Single adults, divorced adults, older couples,  and couples with health problems were typically forbidden from adopting children, while gay and lesbian couples were never allowed to adopt children. One prominent historical example of the strict adoption laws of the past is the case of Joan Crawford’s legal battle to adopt her first child. In 1939, Crawford sought to adopt a child, but she was turned down by adoption agencies in California, since she had been married and divorced twice. She eventually was able to adopt her daughter, Christina, through an out-of-state agency (Her Own Private Idaho, Mommie Dearest).

Works Cited

1. “Her Own Private Idaho.” People Weekly. Time Inc., August 8, 1994. Web. October 13, 2012.
2. Perry, Frank, dir. Mommie Dearest. Paramount Pictures, 1981. Film.
3. “The Gayest Commercials.” Out. Here Media Inc., March 20, 2012. Web. October 13, 2012.
4. “The History of Gay Adoption.” Helium. RR Donnelley, September 22, 2009. Web. October 13, 2012. 

What Goes on in the Matador Bookstore Complex

Joshua Steele

October 8, 2012

English 115

Professor Macklin

What Goes On in the Matador Bookstore Complex

Today, I visited the Matador Bookstore Complex in order to make observations for my ethnography. When I was there, people were eating lunch or a snack. Some of them were eating alone, while others were eating with a friend or group of friends. At one table, a couple was hugging and kissing. At another table, one woman was talking to another woman about the flirtatious texts that a man sent her. Many of the people who were eating were also texting or using their laptops. Those who were not sitting down to eat were eating while walking or were carrying their food with them while it was still packaged. At the Matador Bookstore Complex, there were plenty of people who were just passing by. Some of them were headed to the bookstore, while others walked upstairs or rode up the elevator. Also, some of the people who were passing by were carrying skateboards or scooters. Other people who were passing by were listening to music, texting, talking to another person, or talking on their phone. The bookstore complex is a lively place, which does not work for somebody looking for a quiet place to study. The fact that the bookstore complex is a bad place to study is validated by the fact that the televisions are on. When a person enters or leaves the bookstore complex, they will notice that some people are smoking outside, since smoking in public buildings is illegal. Last but not least, most of the people at the bookstore complex were students.
    While our assigned readings in class give us an idea of what visual analysis is, doing an ethnography allowed me to visually analyze something on my own. One conclusion that I have reached from my ethnography is that plenty of people are more interested in their computers and iPods than each other. Another conclusion that I have reached from my ethnography is that eavesdropping on a nearby conversation without arousing suspicion is not very difficult.

My Scene

Progression 2: Exercise 2.2 “The Scene”

Gibran Sheikh, Ann Lim, Joshua Steele, Perla Lopez

Professor Macklin

3 October 2012

Note: The message of the following scene is to not text while driving, as these to actions do not mix and is a probable cause of accidents and sometimes death. This scene is meant to inform people about the dangers of texting while driving.

Cast: Joshua, Perla, Ann (Narrator, Pedestrian/Waitress), Gibran (Dad)

Narrator: It is a breezy afternoon in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, a Chinese restaurant with a big LED sign hanging on the door, flashes the word ‘OPEN’. Joshua, A young man enters the restaurant. He is dressed in his half-length pants and a casual T-shirt. The restaurant is packed with customers. Luckily, Joshua finds an empty table, sits down and ordered his meal from a young, pretty waitress. Cell phone rings. Joshua fumbles with his cell phone in his backpack as he exits the noisy restaurant to answer the call.

Joshua: Hello? This is Joshua.

Perla: Hey Joshua, what’s up? Are you free to come to my party tonight? It’s going to be awesome. Everyone's going to be there and we are all going to have so much fun partying the whole night.

Joshua: Alright, yeah I'll be there! That sounds cool!

Perla: Yeah, my parents aren’t coming back from their vacation until next week, so this party is going to be great. You better come!

Joshua: Yeah, yeah I’ll be there. What time does it start?

Narrator: Joshua, cradles the cell phone to his shoulders as he takes out a pen and a piece of paper.

Perla: It starts at ten! If you want you can come a bit earlier to help set up some of the tables for food and drinks. I’d really appreciate it. Oh and my address is 18110 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91325.

Joshua: Uh, sure. I’ll be there by nine then to help you set up and stuff.

Narrator: Joshua notes down the information of the party on his sheet of paper clumsily.

Perla: Okay cool, I’ll see you later.

Joshua: Okay, bye.

Narrator: Joshua hangs up his cell phone and reenters the restaurant. Time passes after Joshua finishes his lunch, he has now gone home to get dressed for the party. It is now around 7 in the evening, Joshua is lounging lazily on a big, comfy sofa in the living room, texting non-stop using his cell phone.

Dad: Joshua, I see you texting all the time, every single day! Put away your phone! You have been relying too much on it! Don’t you have any homework to do? Or didn't you have some chores to finish?

Narrator: Joshua starts to frown and gets impatient with his father.

Joshua: Dad, it’s Friday! Perla is having a party at her house tonight and I have got to be there. I am just texting to find out who will be going to the party, and of course I finished the chores, and I already washed the dishes!

Dad: (Sighs) Oh, alright. What time are you leaving, then? Are you going to drive there, because you know I just got the car washed and I don't want any scratches or even the slightest bit of dirt to get on it.

Joshua: I will be leaving at 8.30pm and yes, I am going to drive, and don't worry about the car it'll be fine.

Dad: Oh, alright. Make sure you don’t text while driving, I'm more concerned about you than the car. Oh, and don't ever take your eyes off the road! That's really dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt! (Shakes head while looking at Joshua who doesn’t look like he cares, and is still busy texting on the cell phone.) Look Joshua, I don't want anything bad to happen to you, are you listening?

Joshua: Yeah, yeah, Dad. I'll be fine, don't worry too much about me.

Dad: Well, be careful, I'll be in the kitchen getting something to eat. (Goes to kitchen.)

Narrator:  It is now 8:35pm. Noticing how time has passed by very quickly, Joshua gets up, and in a hurry grabs his car keys and his wallet. he quickly examines himself, looking at a full-body mirror, just to make sure that he looks good in his brand new plaid shirt from GAP. He dashes out the door to get to his car, without saying good-bye to his father, who is in the kitchen, asleep. Joshua starts his car, backs out of his drive way and makes his way to Perla's house. The ringtone of text messages sounds. Without a second thought, Joshua grabs his cell phone and begins to respond to his text messages.

Joshua: Oh man, I don't want to be late to help Perla out with the party, her house is nearly a half hour from here. I better tell her that I'll be there as fast as I can.

Narrator: Joshua creates his text. All of a sudden, *BANG!* An accident happened. A biker was hit by Joshua’s car.  In extreme panic and shock, Joshua looks up to see blood on his windshield.

Joshua: (Shocked) Oh my gosh, what was that?!

Narrator: Joshua exits his car door, and makes his way to the front of the car. He looks down, seeing something horrible. The nice, young waitress who took his order today lay dead in front of him.

Joshua: (Sobbing) Oh no! What have I done?!

End Scene

An Advertisement in a Magazine

Joshua Steele
October 1, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

An Advertisement in a Magazine

  
 The advertisement that I have chosen is a travel advertisement for New Orleans that appears on the website for a gay men‘s magazine. The ad is trying to encourage gay people to visit New Orleans, which is heavily reliant on tourism. In order to draw attention, this advertisement utilizes a common feature, which is the use of sex appeal to sell a product. In this advertisement, an attractive gay male couple is shown with their arms around each other, wearing plenty of Mardi Gras necklaces. Last but not least, the genre presented here is travel advertising. 

Universal Themes in The Elephant Man

Joshua Steele
September 24, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Universal Themes in The Elephant Man

    In Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man, we are introduced to John Merrick, a physically disabled man who is exploited as a form of entertainment before being rescued by Dr. Frederick Treves, a surgeon who wishes to research Merrick, who is also known as “the Elephant Man” (Pomerance 3). As the years pass, Merrick becomes a celebrity and is visited by the British royal family and others until his sudden death from asphyxiation. The themes that are prevalent in the play are the treatment of the disabled and nationalism and racism. These themes are significant, because they are largely universal themes that are still encountered today.
    In the 19th century, disabled people were viewed as pitiful individuals whose only “contribution” to society was to entertain the public at circuses and carnivals, which is shown in the play when Ross refers to him as, “…This freak of nature, the Elephant Man” (Pomerance 3).  Disabled people were also forcibly sterilized and required to enter institutions or asylums, where they lived for the rest of their lives. This is shown in the play when Ross, John Merrick’s manager, tells Dr. Treves, “Sir, I’m Ross. I look out for him, get him his living. Found him in Leicester workhouse. His own ma put him there age of three. Couldn’t bear the sight, well you can see why” (Pomerance 4). The British workhouses provided a place for poor people to live if they were unable to support themselves, but were seen as “bastilles” by leftist critics (Beneath the Surface: A Country of Two Nations). In many ways, the history of the disabled in Britain is parallel to the history of the disabled in the United States.
     In the 19th century in the United States, disabled people were also viewed as a pitiful form of entertainment. This changed during the 20th century, when World War I and World War II caused many Americans to change their view of the disabled. Beginning in the 1960s, many disabled people and their parents began pressing for major changes, such as the closure of institutions and asylums and the integration of disabled children into schools that would meet their needs and allow them to thrive. Due to pressure from disability rights activists, Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, which were signed into law by Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, respectively. In 1990, due to pressure from disability rights activists to create a national civil rights law for the disabled, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush (Anti-Defamation League).
    The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibited discrimination against the disabled in the federal government, while the Education for All Handicapped Children Act protected the rights of disabled children in public schools. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against the disabled in the areas of education, housing, and public accommodations, among other aspects (Anti-Defamation League).  Regarding the treatment of the disabled, I am also influenced by my own experience; since I have Asperger’s and attended a school for students with Asperger’s and high-functioning autism.  In addition, the play is written in a way that encourages people to question how the disabled are treated by society at large, both in the past and the present. Another theme that is quite common in The Elephant Man is racism and nationalism.
    In the Victorian era, racism and nationalism was pervasive and viewed as socially acceptable, whether in public or private. One of the most prominent examples of racism in The Elephant Man is when the pinheads in Brussels are singing, “We are the Queens of the Congo, The Beautiful Belgian Empire our niggers are bigger our miners are finer. Empire, Empire, Congo and power. Civilizuzu’s finest hour. Admire, perspire, desire, acquire. Or we’ll set you on fire!” (Pomerance 10). In addition to showing that racism was widely accepted during the Victorian era, this quote also shows that racism as a form of entertainment was widely accepted. Another example of nationalism and racism is when Miss Sandwich, the nurse, tells Dr. Treves, “In Africa, I have seen dreadful scourges quite unknown to our more civilized climes. What at home could be worse than a miserable and afflicted rotting black?” (Pomerance 17). Despite these examples, the occurrence of racism and nationalism is not the most common theme in the play. However, racism and nationalism were quite common during the Victorian era for several reasons.
    During the Victorian era, the United Kingdom and other European countries were colonizing Africa, Asia, and Oceania at a rapid and aggressive pace. A common quote at the time was, “The sun never sets on the British Empire,” which was modified from an original quote that read, “On her dominion the sun never sets” (The British Empire). However, critics of the British Empire further modified the quote to create the commonly known phrase, “The sun never sets on the greed, cruelty, and bigotry of the British Empire.” The British and other Europeans believed that Africans were subhuman, due to their reliance on agriculture, lack of a “Western style” government, and traditional religious beliefs. These characteristics of the Victorian era are important, because they influence the thoughts and opinions of the characters in The Elephant Man.
    In conclusion, two of the prominent themes in The Elephant Man are the treatment of the disabled and racism and nationalism. In the 19th century, disabled people were viewed as pitiful and unable to contribute to society. Many disabled were also forcibly sterilized and required to live in asylums or institutions for the rest of their lives. The treatment of the disabled began to change after World War I and World War II as veterans returned home with physical disabilities. Starting in the 1960s and 1970s, disabled people and their allies began pushing for an end to institutions and asylums, the right to an education, and the right to live freely without the fear of discrimination. During the Victorian era, racism and nationalism was quite prevalent in the United Kingdom and other “Western” nations, where Africans and Asians were viewed as subhuman, due to their reliance on agriculture, their lack of a “Western” style government, and their traditional religious beliefs.

Works Cited

1. “A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement.” Anti-Defamation League. Anti-Defamation League, 2005. Web. September 15, 2012.
2. “Beneath the Surface: A Country of Two Nations.” BBC History. BBC, 2011. Web. September 18, 2012.
3. Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. New York, New York: Grove Weidenfeld, 1979. Print.
4. “The British Empire.” Caledonian Mercury October 15, 1821: 4. Print.

Summary and Analysis of The Elephant Man

Joshua Steele
September 17, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

Summary and Analysis of The Elephant Man

    In Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man, we are introduced to John Merrick, a physically disabled man who is exploited as a form of entertainment before being rescued by Dr. Frederick Treves, a surgeon who wishes to research Merrick, who is also known as “the Elephant Man” (Pomerance 3). As the years pass, Merrick becomes a celebrity and is visited by the British royal family and an actress until his sudden death from asphyxiation. The themes that are prevalent in the play are the treatment of the disabled, nationalism and racism, and the ethics of medical research.
    In the 19th century, disabled people were viewed as pitiful individuals whose only “contribution” to society was to entertain the public at circuses and carnivals, which is shown in the play when Ross refers to him as, “…This freak of nature, the Elephant Man” (Pomerance 3).  Disabled people were also forcibly sterilized and required to enter institutions or asylums, where they lived for the rest of their lives. In the 20th century, World War I and World War II caused many Americans to change their view of the disabled. Beginning in the 1960s, many disabled people and their parents began pressing for major changes, such as the closure of institutions and asylums and the integration of disabled children into schools that would meet their needs and allow them to thrive. Due to pressure from disability rights activists, Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, which were signed into law by Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, respectively. In 1990, due to pressure from disability rights activists to create a national civil rights law for the disabled, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush (Anti-Defamation League). Regarding the treatment of the disabled, I am also influenced by my own experience; since I have Asperger’s and attended a school for students with Asperger’s and high-functioning autism.  In addition, the play is written in a way that encourages people to question how the disabled are treated by society at large, both in the past and the present. Another theme that is quite common in The Elephant Man is racism and nationalism.
    In the Victorian era, racism and nationalism was pervasive and viewed as socially acceptable, whether in public or private. One of the most prominent examples of racism is when the pinheads in Brussels are singing, “We are the Queens of the Congo, The Beautiful Belgian Empire our niggers are bigger our miners are finer. Empire, Empire, Congo and power. Civilizuzu’s finest hour. Admire, perspire, desire, acquire. Or we’ll set you on fire!” (Pomerance 10). In addition to showing that racism was widely accepted during the Victorian era, this quote also shows that racism as a form of entertainment was widely accepted. Another example of nationalism and racism is when Miss Sandwich, the nurse, tells Dr. Treves, “In Africa, I have seen dreadful scourges quite unknown to our more civilized climes. What at home could be worse than a miserable and afflicted rotting black?” (Pomerance 17). During the Victorian era, the United Kingdom and other European countries were colonizing Africa, Asia, and Oceania at a rapid and aggressive pace. A common quote at the time was, “The sun never sets on the British Empire,” which was modified from a original quote that read, “On her dominion the sun never sets” (The British Empire). However, critics of the British Empire further modified the quote to create the commonly known phrase, “The sun never sets on the greed, cruelty, and bigotry of the British Empire.”

Works Cited

 1. “A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement.” Anti-Defamation League. Anti-Defamation League, 2005. Web. September 15, 2012.
2. Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. New York, New York: Grove Weidenfeld, 1979. Print.
3. “The British Empire.” Caledonian Mercury October 15, 1821: 4. Print.

English 115 Letter to Friend or Family Member

Dear Harriet,
    In my English 115 class, we have been reading and analyzing Bernard Pomerance’s play, The Elephant Man. The play is about John Merrick, a physically disabled man who is exploited as a sideshow attraction in Victorian London before being rescued by Dr. Frederick Treves, a compassionate young doctor at the London Hospital. Dr. Treves wants to observe John Merrick, who is also known as the elephant man, for research purposes. John Merrick is allowed to live at the London Hospital, where he becomes a celebrity who is admired by the wealthy and powerful. Also, the hospital uses John Merrick to raise money until his sudden death from asphyxiation. In the play, there are several themes that remind me of life today, such as the treatment of the disabled.
    From the beginning of time until the twentieth century, the disabled have largely been viewed as objects of entertainment or pity and unable to live a “normal” life. In the past few decades, the status of disabled people has risen tremendously, and several disabled people have become world renowned for their contributions to society. One person who has been able to overcome her disability in order to become renowned is Temple Grandin. Temple Grandin is autistic and has used her experience with autism to become an autism advocate, animal scientist, and animal rights advocate. Another prominent individual who is disabled is Stephen Hawking. Hawking, a theoretical physicist, has a disorder that is similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which requires him to use a wheelchair and talk through a synthesizer. Today, many people believe that disabled people are capable of accomplishing whatever they set their mind to and that their life should not be limited by their disability. Another theme in the play that relates to modern life is racism and nationalism.
    In The Elephant Man, racism and nationalism is quite common in the earlier scenes. In the Victorian era, the United Kingdom and other European countries were aggressively colonizing new territories in Africa and Asia. The British and other countries believed that it was ‘God’s will’ to colonize and ‘civilize’ Africa and Asia with Christianity, Western culture, and modern medicine. African and Asian colonies were also exploitable, due to the widespread availability of natural resources that could not be found in Europe. At this time, a commonly used British phrase was, “The sun never sets on the British Empire,” which was based on the fact that the United Kingdom had colonies across the world. This phrase was revised by opponents of racism and colonialism to state that, “The sun never sets on the greed, cruelty, and bigotry of the British Empire.” Since the 1950s, the former colonies of the United Kingdom and other countries have become independent nations, while racism is widely viewed as hateful and unacceptable in today’s multicultural world.
    In conclusion, I highly encourage you to read The Elephant Man, since I think that you will enjoy it.

Love,
Joshua

English 115 Letter to Author

September 10, 2012
Dear Mr. Pomerance,
    I read your play, The Elephant Man, which I enjoyed. I am writing to you with my thoughts regarding the play. One factor of the play that caught my attention was that it is a mix of fiction and non-fiction, as opposed to a biography, which relies entirely upon facts and history. In my opinion, the fact that your play is mix of fiction and non-fiction makes it challenging to create historically accurate characters. I was also surprised to find a disclaimer before the play, which states that, “No one with any history of back trouble should attempt the part of Merrick as contorted. Anyone playing the part of Merrick should be advised to consult a physician about the problems of sustaining any unnatural or twisted position.” It is not very common to see an author’s disclaimer at the beginning of a play, but then again, it is not very common for the main character of a play to be physically disabled. Another aspect of the play that caught my attention is the fact that it is written in the grammatical style of the 1880s, despite the fact that your play was published almost a century after the events in it occurred. Since I am very interested in history and politics, I noted that jingoism and racism are quite prevalent in the play’s earlier scenes. However, my observations about the play are not limited to these aspects.
    I also noticed that some of your characters don’t have first or last names that are revealed to the audience. One example is that Ross does not seem to have a last name, while Mrs. Kendal and Miss Sandwich don’t seem to have a first name. I think that Mrs. Kendal was able to relate to John Merrick, in part because of her skills as an actress. In her mind, the world is a stage and everybody else is her audience. In addition, I wonder what motivated her to take off her clothes for John Merrick. Perhaps she sees it as doing a favor for a friend, or perhaps she is emotionally attracted to him. Last but not least, I wonder whether John Merrick died from complications related to his physical disability, or whether he committed suicide. It is possible that he believed his life was no longer worth living, perhaps due to depression.
Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,
Joshua Steele

Exercise 1, Progression 1 Summary and Reconstruction

Joshua Steele
September 5, 2012
English 115
Professor Macklin

                                Exercise 1, Progression 1 Summary and Reconstruction

    In Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man, we are first introduced to Dr. Frederick Treves, a young doctor who is starting at his new job at the London Hospital in 1884. His boss, Mr. Gomm, tells him that he should not have high expectations for his job and that he will receive 100 guinea fees once he turns 40. In the next scene, we are introduced to the other main character, John Merrick, who is also known as “The Elephant Man,” due to his unusual physical disability (Pomerance 3). Merrick is approached by Dr. Treves, who would like to “examine him in the interests of science” (Pomerance 4). John Merrick decides to live at London Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Treves after he is robbed in Brussels, Belgium by Ross, his cruel and exploitative manager. Years later, John has become a prestigious resident at the London Hospital, where he is visited by actors, actresses, the nobility, and the royal family. However, John Merrick’s fame comes from the fact that the hospital uses him in order to raise money from wealthy donors. At the end, John Merrick dies of asphyxiation, which is brought on by his physical disability.





Works Cited
1. Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. New York, New York: Grove Weidenfeld, 1979. Print.