Personal Philosophy

Lora Iliev

American Lit Honors, Block 3

Mrs. Fujii 

9 April 2014

Personal Philosophy 

“Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for what account is he?” Isaiah 2:22. This bible verse was my mantra as I grew up, from elementary all the way to present day. Not caring what others thought of me was highly essential; especially going into middle school where your ice-cream licking and juice box days were over. I had to learn to disregard other people’s negative influences and just be myself, which was really difficult to practice and preach. 

When I was three years old, I was diagnosed with ADD and my preschool teachers advised my mom to put me on adderall, a drug that causes you to focus more. Because I was such an energetic kid I was sent outside much of the time during school and many of the teachers disliked me. My mother, being the most supportive human being I have ever met, absolutely refused to give me any type of medication for she thought I was too young and no child should be told that they were not adequate enough by just being themselves. I always remember coming home from school depressed and letting the negative comments of the other kids bring me down. However, my mom taught me that no one should be able to dampen your spirit or regard you in a way that lacks respect. Because of this philosophy that she instilled in me, I just how care how God views me and what I think of myself. 

In today’s society it can be really difficult to like that boy who your friends don’t approve of or have a special love for comic books that are considered “uncool.” But honestly, the amount of time you spend trying to cover your true interests, emotions or even beliefs is detrimental to your sanity. Constantly putting on a different mask for each group or clique that you are trying to impress is not worth it. You could be doing what you love most rather than wasting it on someone who’s opinion might not even matter twenty years down the line. Don’t hold back because you are afraid what other people think, for most opportunities are missed because of insecurities or fear of “social suicide.” 

I’ve learned to take the bull by the horns and to just be myself; wether that is talking about childbirth with a teacher, blowing bubbles in my chocolate milk while everyone is watching or even putting a swimsuit over my clothes to show school spirit. Life is too short to let it pass you by and always having to watch your tongue or control your random dance spasms. Although you might need to consider that there are manners and rules for a reason and you can not just do anything you want. Trust me. I have had many lectures from my parents about responsibility and being too rash over the years. What I am trying to say is, just be yourself and don’t care what other people think. Just don’t pour juice down the United States President’s shirt or go streaking across a baseball field. There is a fine line between being self-righteous and having confidence in yourself. So just calm down, breathe and “stop regarding the man in whose nostrils is breath, for what account is he?”

Grapes of Wrath: Chapters 16-19 assignment H

In chapter 17 of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, there is a pattern of circularity that dominates the lives of the migrants that are being described. This idea presents the routine that the migrants have fallen into unknowingly in theur journey. It is an unspoken cycle of women cooking, children getting wood and men setting up the campsite. The next day it repeats. It also underscores the movement of people coming in and out of the camps. The circulation of new and fresh faces, compared to the weary travel-ridden ones. 

"Thus they changed their social life- changed as in the whole universe only man can change. They were not farm men any more, but migrant men" (196).

• The term "migrant men" shows that they have become nomadic, constantly changing and moving scenery, never settling
• Not only has their geography changed, but so has their social life. The migrant people have accumsted to a system in which they are wary of strangers, but build a tight community of their own
• The mudane cycle of travel has been incorporated into their daily lives, each camp was a short day's journey from the last, showing the camps became fixed
• Because of the fixed camps, it demonstrates that the people have accepted traveling as a permanent form of their lives. 

"And when the sun arose, the camping place was vacant, only a little litter left by the people. And the camping place was ready for a new world in a new light" (200).

• Shows the flow of the population as it swells at some points in the campsite, then diminsihes, then swells again
• The "new world" represents the people that have not yet been disheartened by failure or mishaps along the road and still view the journey west as a new opportunity
• Underscores the cycle of new and old, of the hopeful and cynical
• This circularity helps label constant struggle and never ending voyage to achieve a better finacial security/situation and in the end is never reached

Grapes of Wrath: Chapters 16-19 assignment C *

In this poem, the theme will be about community, for as the migrant people traveled they came together as one unit. I'll be exploring the POV of an "outcast" as he watches the activities and different chores each individual is doing around their camps. He longs for that sense of belonging and wants to join them desperately.


The Hermit on Route 66

My legs moved tirelessly, making trails across the dust
The sun went down, purple, pink and orange hues on the cusp

Once the darkness hit, people came and gathered and set camp
Ants trailing after eachother pat pat pat

I envied the child that grueled underneath the heavy wood
I envied the woman who had to deal with twenty children asking if "they could?"
when she started the fire and stood

As the camps set up and i watched from afar
And my only company being the stars

I envied the man who did not have enought to eat
I envied the neighbor who gave a portion of his meat

For although the life of a migrant is rough
At least they have eachother to deal with the dust

Grapes of Wrath: Chapters 11-15 assignment E

Chapters 11-15 in the novel The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck showcase more serious and tangible conflicts in comparison to the ones in the earlier chapters.

 In these chapters, there are two notable character deaths, the Grandpa and the dog both passing away. However, in the earlier chapters there was only the FEAR of something horrible happening rather than it becoming reality. In chapter 6, the Joads were speculative and perhaps a little hopeful that their journey west would go well, not yet knowing the obstacles that would impede their path.The conflicts in the later chapters are more dangerous physically: through starvation and possible death ,while the before it was just emotional damage: the loss of their house and leaving everything they made a living with and grew up with. In addition, chapter 13 is when reality sets in and the dangers of the road present themselves to the Joads.

The Grandfather starts to have pain and struggles with the easy task of buttoning up his pants. Because of this the family starts to worry and feeds him pain killers and various other medications. He then later dies of a stroke which could be a cause of a drug overdose. This is just an example of one of the physical conflicts they encounter.

In chapter 6, when Tom Joad reunites with his family accompanied by Jim Casy, they tell him that the family is moving west because they lost all their money and cannot make a profit out of the land. They have no resources or financial income that will help them through the Depression that is settling over the United States. This presents a more emotional conflict than the physical one previously considered.

The conflicts evolve into something they can see rather than feel which makes it all the more dangerous; turning it into a reality which they cannot control.

Grapes of Wrath: Chapters 11-15 assignment B *

Midpoint of Route 66

Route 66 is a historic route that stretches throughout the entire United States. Starting in Chicago, Illinois and ending in Los Angles, California, this endless road helped migrate many of the farmers and population wanting to move west during the Great Depression in hopes of a better life. It has a length of 2,448 miles and became a popular driving spot after the hit single "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" debuted. However, as the Joads traveled this significant part of history, they did not have the technology or resources to cross it easily.

Route 66 throughout the entire U.S.

 President Eisenhower was no yet in administration so he did not start the project of federal highways and roadway systems. This made it much harder to travel since much of the road in the 1930s was not paved and if it was it included many potholes or cracks. In addition this road created a mom-and-pop type of business where a sharp rise came to service stations, restaurants and hotels along the route.

Many of the service stations on Route 66

On day 1 of the trip they start on El Reno, Oklahoma which further underscores their part in the mass migration of people that moved west, otherwise known as the Okies. Then by the second day they reach Amarillo, Texas and spend the night there. However, by Day three their car breaks down unfortunately, causing them to rethink their dreams of a perfect California and the journey leaving them unscathed. Fortunately there are some people that pass by on the road going to and from the west that pick them up and let them hitch a ride to the next town.

A pitstop/service station

This road was not a good one for the Joads for it caused them much trouble regarding their car and the loss of their dog and family member. It seems as if the dream of moving west to the "land of grapes and oranges" was not as glamorous as once thought.

Grapes of Wrath: Chapters 1-10 assignment I

In The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, there are a countless number of biblical allusions in the novel. As a result from growing up in the church and having parents that were underground church leaders in communist Bulgaria, I have personally become very familiar with the bible and its meanings.

Chapters 1-10 resemble the Exodus in the Bible; when all the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt through their great leader Moses and were seeking solitude for the Promised Land. This relates to the "Oakies", people from the Mid-West, that want to leave the Mid-West in order to go to a better place in hopes of gaining a prosperous and healthy lifestyle. This "Promised Land" to the Joad family is represented by California; with its description of "grapes and oranges on every tree" and a relaxed atmosphere. This is important because it shows the correlation between the bible and the novel which relates to the whole idea of mass migration to find a better place.

Also, there is a similarity between Jim Casy and Jesus Christ. Both come and revolutionize religion for a certain group of people and are against organized authority. As the novel progresses, I can imagine that he will play a much larger role in the novel.

Grapes of Wrath:Chapters 1-10 assignment G

Throughout this novel, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck the idea of man v. the bank is brought to light many times through characters and imagery. In chapter 5 this idea is further explored:

"The man sitting in the iron seat did not look like a man; gloved, goggled, rubber dust mask over mouth and nose... the monster that had sent the tractor out, had somehow got into the driver's hands, into his brain and muscle, had goggled him and muzzled him" (35).

The "monster" is referred to as the bank who is manipulating and taking over the man. This major conflict between the distrust concerning the farmers and government/bank is beginning to fester and create bitterness and resentment of the amount of control the bank has. Profit and greed has motivated the banks to take advantage of the farmers and force them to produce more through machinery and metal. The banks have "muzzled" the farmers, in affect dehumanizing them and making them seem like animals being put through labor. They have no connection with the land and have lost all their soul and heart for their work and in effect becoming robotic. Because the farming population is in desperate need of money and security for their families, they are willing to loose some dignity and pride and work like dogs in order to benefit the banks.

Consider the case of a tenant being forced to move out from his home while the driver states:

"The orders were, 'Make the land show profit or we'll close you up'" (38).

This demonstrates the conflict between keeping the livelihood of an individual  in the Mid-West and being responsible for the governments financial system. The banks were threatening foreclosure if the farmers did not show "profit." These problems continue to develop throughout the novel as finances continue to worsen and humanity begins to be stripped down all for a couple of bucks.