Jason’s English Blog

 Today we only had 30 minutes in class because of our pep rally so we barely read Fences. But with the little time we had, we find out that Rose agrees to help take take of Troys child with him, but she also states that Troy is a “womenless man”, meaning they are no longer together. In a way she kind of has to help him because at the end of the day, it’s still Troy’s house and he pays the bills, so if she decided not to help him and leave him I would find it difficult to believe Troy would continue to let her stay in his house. I don’t think it’s going to work out because it’s going to be very difficult living with you ex-spouse. Me personally, I don’t think I could live with my ex because we’re not together, but at the same time we’re going to have to talk to each other and see each other everyday and we’re going to be doing different things and seeing other people. Also, Troy kicks Cory out the house because they got into an argument and Cory said he’s no longer afraid of his dad...

 We had a sub and had to answer questions about what we’ve been reading in Fences . The questions really made you think about the symbolism and the meaning behind certain things in the book. I didn’t get to finish the 19 or so questions though because I ran out of time. I would’ve brought it home to finish the other half but the substitute said to just turn it in at the end of class. Overall it was a chill 1st period, I just answered the questions and listened to best band of all time; My Bloody Valentine!

 Today in class we took a test and I got an 83. I would’ve liked a 100 but it’s whatever. I thought I got all 6 correct but it’s better than the grade I got last time we took a test so at least it’s an improvement.

 We continued reading Fences and are introduced two new characters; Cory and Gabriel. Cory is the son of Rose and Troy and he is kind of disobedient because he talks back and doesn’t do his chores. I see where he’s coming from though because he’s a good football player with good grades and a recruiter is trying to recruit him but his dad is being stubborn. And we also learn that Troy was promoted to garbage driver and his main concern was Cory not being able to make it because of his race, but if he’s able to climb the ranks then he should also give his son a chance to do the same. We also learn that Gabriel had a near death experience from serving in war so he has some mental illness; Troy would get money monthly due to this but since he moved out it’s been harder to paid the bills.

In  class we takes about what word is the most offensive to you and read “Incident” by Countee Cullen. The main lesson I learned was that words hold power and they could turn a positive event into a negative one. In the poem the speaker visits Baltimore and explores majority of the city but all he can remember is a boy calling him “nigger”. That was the word I said was the most offensive to me because it history behind it     is just full of hate and prejudice and there’s nothing positive about it. We also created an ending for the poem and I basically included the parents of the two children and told the story as if the boy was taught racism by his parents, which I believe is the only was someone could become racist. And I also can relate on how the speaker can only remember the negative about his trip. One time while I was on vacation in Florida, I got pushed into the pool (I couldn’t swim at the time) and almost drowned, but someone thankfully saved me, that’s all I re...

 Today we read more of “The Rockpile” and learned a lot more things. Like how Gabriel is a Reverend, but it doesn’t seem like he practices what he preaches because there’s insistences in the story that hint that he’s abusive and mean. For example, when Gabriel stands over John the mother stands in front of him, but also makes sure to have the baby in her hands before confronting him. Also we find out John isn’t his biological son so he throws shots at their mother by basically saying how couldn’t he watch Roy with his big eyes, inherited from his biological father. I think you could find the hostility in any household, not just in one where everyone isn’t related. In many cases other children require more attention or are even favorites and that could also lead to a toxic environment. I have and older brother and two younger bothers, and yeah at sometimes you feel like you’re getting less attention, but you also have to realize that the parents have to take care and watch over your...