Thursday, September 14, 2017
Witness Act IV annotations and discussion questions
As we read these acts, please post your best insights on this blog. Each day, you should post 2-3 great ideas: label them with the appropriate reading strategy and link your thinking to text. Focus on great questions, inferences about characters, insights about big ideas/themes, responses to others' ideas, and answers to purpose questions. To receive full credit, you must adhere to blogging expectations and use textual support.
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Here are a few good ideas from your peers to get you started:
ReplyDeleteQuestion: How long has Johnny Reeves been in the Klan? Do you think Johnny could be a preacher so he can teach the way of the Klan without people really knowing?
Question: How should society deal with opposing ideas and conflict?
Question: What does this act show us about the line between being a witness and being a participant?
Question: Is hatred more taught by parents or surroundings?
Question: Can hateful people change and begin fighting hate?
hatred is taught by parents because your surroundings is just the people around you and if they are a different skin color you dont think any different from them. But if your parents teach you blacks are bad then you think differently about them.
DeleteQ: How should society deal with opposing ideas and conflict?
DeleteA: Society should treat others ideas as if they were their own ideas. For example if Harvey and Viola saw each others ideas as if they were their own, then I believe that they would either be in the clan or very far from being in the clan. But, Harvey won't listen to viola and viola won't listen to Harvey...
Question: Is hatred more taught by parents or surroundings?
DeleteAnswer: Hatred is taught by what oneself chooses to proceed. In the book, Leonora looks found of Mr.Field, almost like she thinks he is a different man than the rest. Leonora's surroundings right now let her see the oposite of hatred and she notices that Mr.Fields doesn't have almost anything against her. Just like in society no matter the age of a person it's what you choose to believe in not what your parents think.
Hateful people can always change for the better and fight against hate. If hate can be taught then love can still be taught to the people filled with hate. The only way to change someone who is full of hate is to blind them with love and understanding and try to teach them that hate isn't natural and is only created by a few factors which are Fear,Depression,failure,and or the feeling of being unloved. If reversed then the person can open their eyes and start to witness what love is and start to counter hatred for the better.
DeleteQ: "Is hatred more taught by parents or surroundings?"
DeleteA: In all honesty, I think people can learn to hate from both. Environmental learning is key to mental development and bad parenting leads to an increased risk of children picking up undesirable traits.
I think that people can change from being hateful to to fighting hate. I think that because if you get the right people in your life then you can change for good or for worse. If you surround yourself with good people then you could potentially become more kind or nice.
DeleteQ: Can hateful people change and begin fighting hate?
DeleteA: This is another one that can go either way. To connect it to a point I made in an earlier class discussion, I believe that a person’s ability to change in this kind of situation depends on how much they’ve allowed hatred to consume them. There’s a difference between the foolish individuals who hate because that's all they know and those who are truly blinded by their hatred. Taking this into consideration, the people who aren’t as “far gone” may just need a resonating experience or two, to start re-thinking their view of the world.
A couple more great starting places:
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Which characters are most apathetic (uncaring) about the hate?
Question: How can social standards make people change their opinions, even if those people don't agree with those opinions?
Doesn't Leanora's fear of standing against the system make her apathetic in the fight for her own freedoms? Shouldn't she have the motivation to take a stand?
DeletePeople will change there opinion form one thing to another just like that. People will do this because everyone else is thinking one way and your think the other way and you just want to fit in.
DeleteJohnny Reeves does not care at all about the hate in the community even though he is a preacher and should be advocating for peace. He is supporting hate which is the complete opposite of what I would expect a preacher to do.
DeleteGreat reasoning, everyone. I think this is a story about how easily people can be controlled by fear and selfishness. They know what's right but choose wrong and then justify it (Mark Twain).
DeleteQ: How can social standards make people change their opinions, even if those people don't agree with those opinions? A: People change their opinions so they don't feel like they stand out. Someone could have an opinion on one thing but changes their reasoning to feel "right." I agree with what Julia stated about how Lenora doesn't have the motivation to stand up for herself. Lenora is a bit young to probably understand how to stand up for herself in the right way so she chooses to take the easy way and agree with others.
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ReplyDeletehow is percelle gonna protect all 200 people from the kkk.
ReplyDeleteIt seems almost impossible, I don't think she can.
DeleteBesides the fact that the black people are getting paid for this job. Why would they want to build a dam for the people that cut them down and lash out at them?
ReplyDeleteAt this time it was hard for black people to get jobs so they most likely took the job because it was the only way to make money.
DeleteThe people of this town, of this state, and of this country need to be listening to Reynard, he is speaking to those who want love and an actual community, he is giving advice to those willing to try. But is anyone listening?
ReplyDeleteWhen Reynard talks about how the KKK is spreading throughout Vermont I think that is very powerful in the sense that he is the one who has potential of fighting hatred in the town and giving others a chance to learn how to love and not cause hate. I agree with you that Reynard is giving great advice, but no one is there to take in his advice and actually go along with it. They are all too involved in what they think society should look like and not about people's feelings on the inside.
DeleteWell said, you all. This is really a story about speaking as much as listening. And being willing to act upon what one hears.
DeleteWhy is Johnny Reeves surprised when the KKK is blamed for killing in the night? The KKK has clearly made a reputation for themselves by discriminating throughout the town and such.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Reeves doesn't seem to care that what he's doing is a sin, and he is a pastor after all.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that his beliefs are quite skewed. He's convinced that he's doing holy work; he's become deluded, yes?
DeleteI feel like religious institutions sometimes get a free pass on crimes because it is "in the name of god". Pretty ridiculous that they think this makes them unaccountable.
DeleteHow will Johnny respond to being thrown out of the klan? Will he respond angrily?
ReplyDeleteI think Johnny will definitely respond in an aggressive manor, but I do believe that he realizes the disturbing nature of what he had been doing. His mother did confirm his angry behavior, but not in a way to fully predict his reaction. He may act out in religious redemption or cause harm on another. His values are hard to differentiate at times.
DeleteI feel like Reeves will be very angry at the Klan and what they are about, but I also think that he will not go back to them or get involved with them again. I think this because on page 107, he says that even if a dog dies at night, it is blamed on the klan. This implies that he thinks that they get all the blame and attention and I feel like he is fed up with it. He will think for a while and then I feel like the pastor inside of him will step in and that he will start to do the right thing and lead an anti movement against the KKK. I think this will be a good thing for him as he will play a big role in the fighting of the KKK later in the book.
DeleteI think Johnny will try to redeem himself and get back into the Klan. On page 112, his mom said 'I know how important that Klan is to my Johnny.' I think it's so important to him that he'll do anything he can to get back into it.
DeleteI find it fascinating that the KKK decided to throw Johnny out after they found out he had forced himself on a child. The KKK, racist and fulfilled with hatred, appears to me as hypocritical after this act. I view the Klan as a group that practices hate crimes. Thus, what Johnny Reeves did was not far along the scale from what acts the Klan involves themselves in.
ReplyDeleteI think from what I can tell about the KKK was at that time, they are wrong in their beliefs, but they still were an organization that needed to maintain reputation. If they're philosophy is a good, healthy, classic, exemplary neighborhood, then a guy who would rape a child will only cause a bad public image. They kind of had to or else less people would agree with them, even if both the KKK and Johnny are bad people.
DeleteAbsolutely, Karishma. Their image is paramount. They want to see that they're supporting "Christian, American" ideals.
DeleteI think it's amazing the influence that Esther (and Mr.Hirsh) have had on Sara's opinions and beliefs. In the time that the Hirshes have lived with her, she's really started to believe less and less what the KKK stand for. It strongly sends the message that kindness is a good combatant to hate and that those with hateful views can change and instead be good.
ReplyDeleteCan hateful people change and begin fighting hate?
ReplyDeleteI think that hateful people can stop and begin fighting hate. Peoples minds can change in a split second and most of our minds change everyday. I think it is 100% possible that this dramatic of a change can occur, and I predict that this is what will happen to Merlin. We see glimpses of this on page 76 when he gives his speech about Leornora and how she saved Ester from the train. Merlin said that he felt he didn't jump in because something was holding him back. We also see Merlin doing the right thing on page 87 when he talks about his job. He said that he got 3 sets of keys and that nobody had ever trusted him with anything to that value. Because of this, he has kept this away from the KKK because he feels that they would tear him apart. These examples show that he is definitely thinking a lot right now and I predict that he will slowly switch sides and start standing up for what's right.
What will happen to Johnny after being kicked out of Klan? Will he do something wrong and anger the Klan and be hunted down or will he fix there relationship and be allowed back in the Klan?
ReplyDeleteWill Harvey lead Johnny Reeves 'back to God's pasture'?
ReplyDeleteQ: Will Harvey lead Johnny Reeves 'back to God's pasture'? A: I think Harvey will try to lead Johnny 'back to God's pasture' but might struggle doing it. Many people said Johnny probably feels guilty about what he did so he may be easier to lead.
DeleteNow that Johnny has been kicked out of the KKK what will his next move be?
ReplyDeleteSuch a great question. Does he seem like someone who can learn from his mistakes? Why might he believe that violence is the right answer?
DeleteI think Johnny will either turn against the KKK or he will reach his breaking point and start beating himself up. When Esther saw Johnny kissing the girl he was anger with her and started hitting her. I think Johnny will get upset with himself and will beat him self up for losing his part in the KKK.
DeleteDoes Johnny feel guilty for what he did?
ReplyDeleteJohnny does feel guilty, because he is a shameful man. He supports the K.K.K., a klan that kills. Johnny just needs to hide it so he does not get arrested and all of his work goes to ruin.
DeleteId say that Johnny feels guilty for what he did so he wants to earn his trust back and show that he can change for the Klan and God. He might have shot esther´s dad because he wanted to get back and close again to the Klan.
DeleteDevyn F.:
ReplyDelete1. I think that no matter what the KKK does they aren't going to get in trouble because they have taken over so much at this time and people are scared of them, that they will do something to them like threaten them or hurt them.
2. Why does the KKK think it is okay to break the law and threaten people just because their skin color is different then theirs?
Kate S.:
ReplyDeleteSocial standards can make people change their opinions, even if those people don't agree with those options because people care more about what other people think than what they think of themselves. Social standards change people's minds and actions because people want to fit in and be accepted by their peers. Sara in this book is a good example of someone who does not limit herself to acting on what is socially acceptable. She takes care of Leanora Sutter even though she is black and other people of her down disagree with what she is doing. Sara is doing something that she thinks is right no matter what other people think
Society should deal with opposing ideas and conflict by learning about other ideas and try to understand why someone would think like they do. If people disagree with someone, they should try to argue from both sides of the conflict and then decide which side they want to be on. If people blindly choose sides they won't know what they're getting themselves into. Even if someone knows a lot about one side of an argument they should learn a little bit about the opposing side to be able to make the right decision. For example, if people in this book who are in the Klan would take the time to realize that just because someone doesn't look like them or think like them, that does not make them a bad person. If they would get to know the people that they hate so much maybe they would come to the realization that they are not that bad.
How will Viola respond to Harvey's participation in the violent actions that occurred.
ReplyDeleteWhy won't Esther say who shot the bullet?
ReplyDeleteQ: Why won't Esther say who shot the bullet?
DeleteA: She probably won't say because she doesn't want to except the fact that it happened.
I think that the kkk broke Sarah window
ReplyDeleteHow do the characters define "American"?
ReplyDeleteOn page 125, Reynard depicts being "American" as someone who doesn't force their beliefs onto another in a harmful manner. He says it's not "American" to take a life in the name of an organization. The quote "it's not american to have our citizens judged by an invisible jury," (pg. 125) shows how he feels that the KKK can't hold power to make decisions.
DeleteThe characters define "American" as someone that is good, especially towards their country. It is the right thing to do, and being an American, means you should do that right thing. You follow the laws and respect your country.
DeleteIs Reynard going to do something about the Klan?
ReplyDeleteHow has conflict helped bring the characters together?
ReplyDeleteI think conflict has brought Esther closer to Sara Checkering. Only a mother like figure has a way of comfort. I feel like Esther is scared but she is acting innocent because she wants to hide her fear. Sara also brought Lenora into her home which was a huge sign for Sara that she is ready to fight for what she believes in. Conflict has also torn up a lot of people as well. Viola and Harvey are having more of a silent/down low argument on if they should join the KKK. It is so interesting to see this relationship between the both of them because it is symbolic in the way that Viola represents one part of the town/society and Harvey represents the other. In this way it is a tug-of-war between too opinions.
DeleteIs Harvey regretting joining the Klan?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Viola and Harvey are meant to represent a theme, Harvey and Viola are very different characters and disagree on many fronts regarding morality and what is good. She represents this more equality-based kind of morality whereas Harvey represents the full idea of KKK morality. The two have a connection where they like each other and live with each other, however they also have to tolerate each other's ideas and still have to try to come to a consensus where they can coexist. It might be a personification of the idea that there will always be opposing ideas in the world, it doesn't stop their idea from being around and doesn't mean a human relationship has to be damaged. People can still try to live with or tolerate things they don't agree with.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you draw the line for being able to forgive someone?
ReplyDeleteQ: When do you draw the line for being able to forgive someone?
DeleteA: I personally believe that no matter the circumstance you should always be able to forgive someone. Even though Esther is pretty young to understand how to forgive someone, I think she will be able to eventually forgive Johnny for shooting her dad. Some people might say that you shouldn't forgive someone if they did something that bad but you should always try to forgive the people even if they do something that bad.
Leanora talks about the KKK burning down a black church in Illinois and also robbing a Catholic church in Burlington another then trying to kill a Jew on page(126) She says that the Klan is ¨giving white folks a bad name¨ This is later mentioned by vi on page (128) when she says¨ i´m trying to buy back your good name, Harvey pettibone. you with your liquor smashing and your Klan. but you don´t make it easy. Leanora is right when she says that the KKK is giving those ¨100 percent Americans¨ a bad name. Does this mean that maybe the KKK is losing its reputation as a whole to all of society?
ReplyDeleteWhy has the KKK not targeted Leanora and her dad yet?
ReplyDeleteHow do we make the decision to forgive someone?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Johnny Reeves find that destroying peoples belongings, terrorizing the town, instilling fear in others, is work of the Lord? Doesn't God tell us to love the blacks, the whites, EVERYONE? if anything he is anything but the preacher.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the bias in the the way Reynard Alexander writes on pg. 69, because he goes from the common "unbiased" newpaper editor, to extremely biased. Like we were talking about in class today, I love how although he is the "neutral" party he is making sure that others around him are not getting hurt in the process.
ReplyDeletePrediction: I believe that his work is going to get him in to some deep water with the KKK and they will "remove" him from the town and his duties.
Question:
ReplyDeleteIf we were living in the 1920s could you treat Leanora Sutter, the way that Mr. Fields does, or would you be too afraid of the penalties that may hurt you down the road?
Question:
ReplyDeleteDo you think that it is fair for the people of the town to just blame all things on the KKK (ex: Johnny saying the KKK is blamed for even a dead dog in the night)
Question:
ReplyDeleteWhen the KKK gives threats to Reynard isn't that wrong, because he has freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of expression???
What symbolism does the deer represent?
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Field is really changing Leanora's heart towards people. She went from extremely angry in the beginning to scared, to hopeless, and then to looking back up again. She has some positive reinforcement for once in her life and someone actually wants to talk to her and tell her stories. A big turning point for her when she was able to walk home with her head held up high.
ReplyDelete