analysis

"Synecdoche, New York" is an intriguing, thought-provoking drama about_______________________________________. (fill in the blank)  Read More »

The Provincial Freeman was a newspaper published by Mary Ann Shadd Cary to bridge connections with other fugitives and rally for the anti-slavery cause. How can I not post this on ProgressiveU? Anti-slavery is one of those movements that's as progressive as it gets. The following is an editorial, "Why Establish This Paper?", that appeared in the second issue of The Provincial Freeman (reprinted by CollegeBoard as a Sample Free-Response Question for AP English Language and Composition) along with my essay response:

(I know isn't quite pristine, but this is the only copy I have that's available. This was a practice test I took a week before the actual AP exam.)  Read More »

I've also posted this essay here: www.zinch.com/student/orochigenocide

The following essay I've written below analyzes how The Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin exhibits the characteristics of Rationalism, a philosophical movement that encouraged seeking truth through reason rather than faith and religious dogmas. There's some discrepencies in his character in The Autobiography such as the fact that he was a womanizer and his hilarious sense of humor. You probably wouldn't have guessed this man wrote an essay referred to as "Fart Proudly". However, his autobiography established groundwork for secular literature about the American Dream and becoming a self-made man in future generations.

Excerpt of The Autobiography: An Analysis

Benjamin Franklin in The Autobiography displays his desires for self-improvement through the sequential narration of his trek to Philadelphia. Written in a concise, easy-to-follow language, he establishes his reflections on past behaviors, but his actions truly speak of his character. In this self-examining manner, Franklin exhibits examples common to the characteristics of Rationalism, including reason, people’s innate hospitality, and human progress.  Read More »

I love Imogen Heap and her music but one song has got me wondering what the heck it means. I get an idea and then at the same time it throws me off and I am back to square one. Does anyone else have an idea?

Hide and Seek  Read More »

Discussion of (Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The American
Scholar” and Adrienne Rich’s “Blood, Bread, and Poetry: The Location of the
Poet”)  Read More »