Matthew’s Comments (group member since Sep 19, 2012)

Matthew’s comments from the 812 Discussion group.

Ponyboy decides to fight because he has to be there for his gang. If he didn't go to the fight his gang wouldn't be the same without everyone together. . Also Ponyboy decides to fights for Johnny and what he has been through with the socs. Ponyboy wants to get back at the socs for what they put him and Johnny through.

Ponyboy is right to fight because the socs are always mean to the greasers. The socs deserve what they get in the rumble. Ponyboy fights to get revenge on the socs for what they did to Johnny. The greasers have to win for Johnny and to stay on top of the gangs.

Ponyboy's attitude towards Darry has changed in two main ways. One example is that Darry started to cry when he saw Ponyboy. This made Ponyboy realize that Darry cared for him and wouldn't want to see Ponyboy get hurt. This shows that Ponyboy's attitude change because he knows that Darry would do anything for Ponyboy.

In the Outsiders my character is Johnny and the conflict is that he is about to run away with Ponyboy for a better life. In the book Johnny's conflict is his parents and that wants him to run
away. Johnny and his parents don't get along very well. His father beats him for no reason, and his mom does not care for him. The only people that show Johnny love is the gang. In the gang he is well respected and nobody hits him or makes fun of him. Ponyboy lets Johnny sleep in his house because Johnny does not want to get into a fight with his parents.

I think the best definition for community is number two, common ownership: "they share a community of possessions." In my opinion community means to live together, to work together and to be kind to each other. For example a community has to be nice to each other or the commuity will fall apart. If a community is working together the group would be successful and not have problems. Also a community would have to live close to each other. If lots of people lived far from each other it would not be a community.


Another example of a good community is number five, a group of interdependent (rely on each other for survival) people inhaviting the same region. If different people got together and shared ideas they would get along more, and not get into lots of fights and arguments. Also sharing ideas can lead to good team work. When their is a problem in the community people can get together to share ideas to fix the problem. This can lead to less problems happening.

The topic of my research paper is the affect of violent video games on people. I think people who play violent games over and over they will start to behave differently. The most interesting thing I have found is that many people have been killed by gamers because they have been playing violent games. The killers who play violent games see something in the game, and they want to do it in real life. This leads to a lot of violence.

In the book, ATD, by Sherman Lexie, the role that influenced Arnold was going to Reardon Highschool. This made him get a better education and make new friends. Another thing that influenced Arnold was being Rowdy's best friend. It helped him cause Rowdy was his only friend. When he got bullied Rowdy helped him and this made Arnold feel protected. So i believe that Arnold was influenced by Readon and Rowdy.

I think Arnold believes in the power of roles. Arnold thought his sister Mary was brave because she moved to Montana on her own. Arnold was proud of his sister for having the courage to move out. Another role that Arnold believed in was the role his father played. Arnold was sad because of his father's drinking. It influenced Arnold to go to Reardon and try to better himself.

I think the author, Sherman Alexie, titled his piece "Superman and Me" because he first read Superman when he was three years old and that's what made him who he is now. He is like superman because he went through a lot of rough times with his parents and being bullied at school and that made him a strong person. Another way is he stood out amongst all the other Indian kids just like superman with his powers.

One example that proves my point is in the article Alexie says that a smart Indian is a dangerous person and widely feared. Superman was feared by vilians just like how Alexie was by his classmates.

Another example, is that Alexie refused to fail. He was smart, arrogant and lucky. Superman had to be those as well to become a superhero.

My last example is that Alexie is a writer and visits schools to encourage kids and as he says trying to save lives. Superman was protective and saved people from vilians.

In the realistic fiction, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, the main character Arnold is going through a lot. In the quote "If you let people into your life a litttle bit, they can be pretty amazing." Arnold means that if you listen to people and let them become part of your life, you can learn something from them. He has let a lot of different people into his life and its helping him become a better person. For example, in the beginning of the book, Rowdy was a big influence to Arnold. They had a food friendship until Arnold changed schools. At Arnold's new school, Gordy came into Arnolds life and gave him advice that helped Arnold become a better person. Penelope is another example of this quote because she became Arnold's girlfriend and that made him feel better about himself. Arnold also gave Penelope advice to help her life by telling her that quote.

There are many times in my life where I have let people into my life a little bit and they turn out to be damn amazing. I remember when my newphew Ryan was born. The first time I held him, I felt special. When I see him, I feel more responsible when I help out with him. I feel more grown up now. Another example is when I asked my Aunt for help for a quiz. She helped me study all night and she was a big help. After all our hard work i got a 90.

The quote I choose is "To lose is to learn." This quote relates to Arnold because his friendship with Rowdy was broken. He changed highschools to get a better education and this caused friction in their friendship. Another example is when Arnold hung out with Rowdy, Rowdy always protected Arnold from bullies. When Arnold went to the new school, he stood up for himself for the first time as Rowdy wasn't there.

This quote relates to Rowdy as he lost his only friend Arnold and day after day he became lonely because he lost the only good thing in his life. Another example is Rowdy kept the cartoon Arnold gave him as a friendship offering. Rowdy did not rip the photo because he knew how important it was to Arnold and missed him.

I think the role that has been most influential in Arnold's life is being an artist/cartoonist. He draws things that help him express the way he feels. He draws these cartons to show how he feels when he gets bullied. He also draws because he thinks pictures mean more than words.

The role that is most influential being an uncle. My older sister recently had a baby and it make me happy to have a newphew. When he comes to visit I help my mom take care of him and that makes me feel responsible. I can't wait for him to get older so I can help him with sports and life.

Speaker - Sharon Torres
Age/Setting - 29/Office

Sharon had a fear of speaking in public. One day at work her boss told her she had to be a presentation in front of some new employees. Sharon was nervous as she hadn't done this before. Her stomach was in knots all day. When it came her time to speak, she stood up in front of the audience and gave her speech. She stook there nervously and her hands were sweaty but she got through it. She learned that it wasnt so bad to speak in public as long as you didnt look directly at the audience.