Insignificance

In "The Death of a Moth" by Virginia Woolf, death is just a simple concept as she views it. She believes that even the death of a moth, which may seem so insignificant to most, is a powerful thing. Woolf uses many extended metaphors to display a type of cage that life seems to hold on some. The metaphor of a "vast net with thousands of black knots" made of rooks illustrates the restraint that something like depression can have on someone, like a net cast over them, disabling them (Woolf 696). Woolf herself was a sufferer of depression and committed suicide before the piece was even published. The moth was also used as a metaphor for herself as finally "[her] struggle was over" (697). The rooks also rose and fell from the treetops to the vast sky like waves ebbing and flowing, similar to the way her depression caused uncontrollable sadness or happiness.  Like the moth she views herself as someone who is just out of reach of help. She describes her life through the metaphor of the window. Like the moth she can see the world continuing and thriving through the clear window, however she is held back from thriving herself through restraint of the glass. Even the smallest death is not insignificant.

Chaldean Cuisine

In Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan, a girl expresses her shame in her culture and her embarrassment of her family's traditions. She was ashamed of the "Chinese food" and the "strange menu" that her mother prepared for her and I can also relate to this (Tan 94). When I was younger my mom would always pack me Chaldean food for lunch, which I loved by the way. However, the awkward stares and questions about "what are you eating..." outweighed my own joy to bring it to school. Now that I am older my mom will still occasionally pack me Chaldean food, but I try hiding it because it isn't worth receiving the questions and stares. I also have relatives that speak way to loud for no apparent reason which always embarrasses me in front of my friends. I can relate to Tan's life in many aspects and after reading the piece, I've realized that I shouldn't be ashamed of my heritage because it is in fact what make me unique from everyone else. Also, like they said "Your only shame is to have shame" (95). I just hope I can realize that like Tan's mother, my own mother was just trying to give me everything I loved for lunch.

Champions

In the piece "Champion of the World", Maya Angelou proves how one person could have an impact on the lives of many. Joe Louis acts like a type of savior to the Blacks. Throughout the story there are many allusions to the motif of religion, and not only Christianity but also the old Greek religion relating to the gods. "World without end" (90), this line has close similarities to a prayer of the Christian religion, however, Angelou disposed of the amen after the verse. Also, similarly to Jesus Christ, Joe Louis acts as a savior for his people by proving that “[they] were the strongest people in the world” (Angelou 90). Louis is carrying his people to equality. There are also many allusions to the Greek gods as the men are said to be drinking "white lightning" which is related to Zeus. Also, the men are "drinking Coca-colas like ambrosia" which is the food and drink of the gods; the men are feeling godlike because of Joe's win. However, it is ironic how despite their joy and godlike feelings they still do not feel safe in their own community. Joe is helping to make in difference for the black community but it will take a lot of change until whites and blacks are equal.