Final

Family is a priority. The challenges and struggles I exhibit at home and school are greatly different. My parents are immigrant- which makes it challenging to overcome a most of my personal goals.
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One day, I was forced to work at my parents store after school- I did not want to because I had lots of homework.   Even though I was tired, I had to give a happy impression for the customers and my parent’s sake. When I would yawn or take a seat in front of the store, my father would yell, “What are you doing? Why are you sitting down? You have not done anything,” and I would quickly arise with a smile on my face to make my father comfortable with me at the counter amid sharp knives and large bulks of meat.

Unfortunately, as I arrived home around ten, my father pulled out tons of paper work, and told me to complete it in a non-debatable voice. So, while my parents were eating their dinner, I was completing governmental documents. After I finished the paper work, around twelve o’clock- it took awhile mainly because I had to research a few of the terms to see if I was completing the work correctly.

 While I handed the paper work to my father, he replied by saying “go to sleep,” and I ignored him. Simply because I ignored him, he started to yell about how I am not a hard-working student and that I will never be successful. My parents and erupted in an argument about my working habits- mainly because I did not complete my homework during school. So, after the argument, I was forced to go to bed and “sleep”. While I was in bed, I had to secretly complete my homework while in bed. I did not want to anger my parents or get a zero on my assignment so I had to satisfy my teachers while satisfying my parent's as well.

This is a typical evening.

Although I understand personal life and school should never be integrated, it always does, especially when at home- there is tons of paper work that needs to be completed for my parents, and also, to help my brother transition through his school year. I am a major assistance in my household overall. Sometimes, I wish that my parents understood something’s American parents knew, but then I rethink , and see that if they were different, then I would never be who I am today  which I am greatly thankful about. Because my parents are immigrants, I have to explain many documents and papers being sent to them with out neither getting frustrated nor inaccurate about the papers are they getting sent idea. Additionally, it signifies how much of a priority my family is and to what extent I would take to complete whatever need to be done. This shapes my dreams and aspirations because I know how my actions affect everyone else around me- I make my decisions wisely. Although I have an extent to  extra curricular simply because of the religious and parents expectation and limits, I have to venture and explore other ideas and programs that would fit me as a person and also be accepted to my parents to actually attend the program. Furthermore, I cam expand my idea and flourish and establish new ideas without getting stressed out.    So, I have to put a lot of effort to become successful and a consistent assistance to my family and friends- while maintaining/satisfying my own personal responsibilities.

Also, when something goes wrong, I am there to help and often times able to resolve problems that were previously aroused. I am proud of this mainly because of how much I have been through for the past fifteen years. For instance, the situation dealing with my parent’s needs and my academic success symbolizes my diligence and vivid look on life. Moreover, I have lots of patience and during stressful times, I can easily pinpoint what I have done, what I need to do to make the situation less scattered and confusing. By this, I am easily calmed and when either a friend or family member is in stress or does not know what to do; I am usually there to help them. So, based on this quality, this represents me simply because it is who I want to continue to be as I gradually ladder to my next academic program- college.

I clearly understand that there is a fine line between family and school, and because of this, I am able to complete what I need to do, while assisting my parents or any some other person. This incident, shows me how all my work pays off and to continue to flourish not only academically but also personally. This would also improve and also clear my ideas to establish a life filled with glory and success.

This experience taught me how much I care about my self academically, personally, and so, how much I care about my family and home responsibilities- and even though it can be stressful at times, and sometimes these two demanding worlds- school and home responsibilities are sometimes mixed in, I am able to organize it in a way that both need will be completed- there is a balance. And with balance, I can improve my life and everyone else’s that I am affecting- I make decisions that are not only beneficial for me, but for the people I am surrounded by.

I understand when someone does not remember that everyone is affected my ideas, it ruins and shocks other people affected. Which make the situation worse?  This makes me  original and often times, a person who can lead in to a new world and adjust myself accordingly without any confusion or help- this experience taught me that I am independent, and independence is an essential quality to have to improve socially and academically.  I do not only accomplish academic goals but personal goals as well- and because of this, it reflects who I am.  I never stop working, and when I do, it is probably because am getting ready or preparing for my next task of some sort.  As I have grown, and assisted many people of my life, I have concluded that: Life is challenging Learning how to defeat those obstacles logically, without getting hurt, or anyone else getting affecting my decision, then their is definitely an opportunity for everyone to succeed- no matter how challenging the scenario is. I believe in myself- which make me stronger as a person and makes me grow overall.

As a result, I know I am capable to venture and explore the new possibilities in store for me and hopefully succeed as a student and a Muslim women overall.  Hopefully all the experiences I have been through improve me overall.

*Sorry I did not write about the whole, Muslim Women idea. I just don’t know how to integrate it and make it cohesive (you know what I mean?) Sorry.

'Tis the Final Countdown

Question: How is Ender’s experience at the camp? How does this relate to people with social disorder(s) in reality?  Does each person in a family affect everyone differently? Influence?

Everyone is different. We cannot change anyone unless they want to. But, when a person is pressured and demoralized by their family, that person can quickly change- for better or worse. It depends on how the person interacts with them. A novel, Enders Game, by Orson Card, discusses the difficulty Ender, the main character, exhibits- from social disorders to family effectiveness.

We all have our own successes and flaws. Many people today to do not recognize their mental problems and sometimes disrupts ones actions and social advantages. Card also discusses the social problems Ender encounters. The principle manipulated him by saying that his family hates him and does not want him, and so this made him go to a camp. In this camp, Ender is segregated by all the other people- alone. They do this particularly because they say he gets manipulated easily and will not be as smart. But, when he is alone, he thinks a lot and builds up his memory. Ender has many social problems that his sister, Valentine, soon gets  involved in. Graff states,

“I wish I could tell you everything about Ender’s situation. But it would take hours, maybe days, and afterward, I’d have to put you in protective confinement because so much of it is strictly confidential. So let’s see what we can do with limited information...” (pg. 144)

Based on this quote, Graff describes Ender as if he is a monster- scary, unwanted, and “special,” essentially because he says, if he tells her (Valentine) about his situation, then something will happen to her- he is threatening him to prevent Valentines presence in this situation. This fears and gives a whole new perception to Valentine about her younger brother. In addition, Graff maybe saying this just to get something out of her.

From Ender’s perspective, he wants to be normal, and the supervisors restrain him from doing so. Although they may assume it is better for him, it definitely is not because he is not allowed to exploring life freely- similar to a prisoner- gated and innocent.

As a society, this also relates to the billions of children around the world who have social disorders. For example, many children sometimes have a challenge connecting  to “non-disorder like children” and they do not know why- they feel lost and depreciated. Often times, they ignore the fact and just appear as them selves as if they do not have a mental disability. This causes confusion and awkwardness to the “normal” people mainly because they do not know what to say or how to react. Ender has the same challenge. But because he does not have the ability to “chill” with other people, he is assumed to be documented as having some type of social disorder.

Therefore, Ender’s Game has a distinct correlation with our current society.

Likewise, relatives are important. They affect each person in a household differently. When an individual in the home has a negative characteristic, it affects the others differently, and is more based on how long they know that certain person. Card also discusses about the situation dealing with Ender and how it affect his relatives.

Graff has an intense discussion with Valentine about Ender, and she goes out-of-control:

“I know what you’re thinking, you bastard, you’re thinking that I am wrong, that Ender’s like
Peter. Well maybe I’m like Peter, but Ender Isn’t, he isn’t at all, I used to tell him that when he cried, I told him that lots of times, you’re not like Peter, you never like to hurt people, you’re kind and good and not like Peter at all!” (148)

Valentines love for Ender is easily symbolized here. She continuously states that Ender is not like Peter and how they are drastically different from each other. In addition, it also seems like she is taking the blame for Ender’s condition. Her negative tone shows how much she worries and puts in a lot of effort for him (this is what older sisters usually do for there younger siblings).

Also, this demonstrates that Peter is a bad influence on both, Ender and Valentine. They fear their own brother, and follow his commands even though they do not want to, personally. But, I clearly understand why they do so: first, he is their older brother, and second, he is a fearful monster.

Ender’s influence, especially from his older brother affects him more than his sister- essentially because he is the same gender as him. Most importantly, Ender does not understand how much of a bad affect he is, and realizes how much he affects him (Ender) - in my opinion.

Overall, every single human in a household affects each and every organism differently. Each person influences others without even noticing/ trying. So, what I am trying to say is that: Be careful what you say and/or do, because it affects the people around you.

Also, the camp he is in ruins Ender, socially because they say, 

“Isolation is-- the optimum environment for creativity,” (149). 

It is his ideas they want. They just want his knowledge and creativity. His physical self is not want they essentially need/ care about. It is a shame how people could treat kind-hearted individuals nicely but at the end of the day, they are just negative a influence and unwanted humans.

Ender had many challenges, from personal to outside situation. Adventuring and learning new things/ ideas are important for people, mainly because their is also a connection between the two, which will be beneficial for the future. Life is life. Learning how to make life easier and dodging the struggles and obstacles out of the way, is a key task to learn.

Therefore, social disorders and family interactions have a correlation between each other. Often times, these will never change, but with patience, anything can happen.

Peer Review Comments

Comments:

John Hamiltion:

You should begin the essay with a hook. Rather than saying, "The title of my book is 'The Last Mission' and the author name is Harry Mazer.

Also, i do not fully understand what you are saying. There are many grammatical errors that you need to fix.

You did not answer the questions clearly which veers your essay to a whole 'nother idea- this makes it confusing and less on the point.

Conclusion paragraph is needed!!!


Cindy Tadeo:

Include question before you begin the essay!

Your analysis is great, but i was confused at a few spots. Also, you should describe the characters more clearly. I like how you know their is an audience, and so I can understand. I actually really like this book, and i would like to read it someday.

I was confused a little when you were describing the setting.

You are almost at the 1,000 mark- you can do it!

Conclusion does not sound finished! 

Andy Lau:

In the beginning, you did not actually discuss the "authors style of writing", and if you did, it was not clearly stated. Additionally, it seems like you are summarizing the story, and at the end, you provide a brief analysis.

Be more specific! Because when you state "The style of this book is unique," How unique? Describe, explicitly, what you mean.

It also seems really confusing- which distracted me from the actual content.

Conclusion is needed to summarize points!