REFLECTIVE ESSAY
-------This is my saving grace, a letter in which I wish to redeem myself of my biggest dilemma within my writing past. In my papers, such as my first and second essay which you’ll be able to reread in this portfolio, I struggled with my voice, flow of the sentences and the occasional grammar mess up. It wasn’t the thought process but the transfer onto paper, Craig even told me I should record my thoughts as I thought, then write it word for word . I would specify the transfer of thought to paper as a flailing fall into a pull of doubt and insecurity, and for who knows why with my thoughts well developed and organized. Being put in this program was unexplainable; the process impacted me in several different ways. There was the trial process, the results, the post stress combined with finding a solution, and now the solutions.
-------When faced with our first writing assignment there was so much to comprehend, “They say, I say” with the templates, and the placement of my voice throughout the paper. It was a way of writing that seemed almost opposite than what I had been taught. We did the research process backwards. My past assignment seemed like nothing compared to what they were asking. Stress played a big part on hindering my writing. I met with Craig a few times who would help me get back on track, calm me down so I could focus.
-------We both quickly realized I like to overdress my writing with pointless phrases and explanations, we caught that fast and it decreased a good amount as time went on. If you read the intro of my first essay you will so no mention of the beginning of time or any other horrible references, Craig will be very proud. For me this first essay was one of those feelings where wrong is right and right is wrong and you see absolutely no black and white. Like everything was black until Craig stated other wise, which means I felt like I was just messing up at every turn, because what I thought was right, was found to wrong. With lots of time with Craig to work through things, I was able to pass the first essay with a 79% from Craig, which I viewed as reasonable. With my main flaw remaining in my vague word choice, and the word choice that seemed to essay and not enough of my voice.
-------A good example would be “the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.”(1st essay 5th paragraph) It sounds like a non personal response, a response yes but not much of my voice, my thought and view is shown, it may be there but its not obvious. I had worked hard; it wasn’t perfect, that I knew, but I had seen my faults and thought I realized what I need to work on. This experience gave me confidence, and maybe I was stupid to feel so sure about myself at least that’s what the second essay proved.
-------For the second essay, the time and process flew by me. I was given an essay with a subject to be a loyalist from the New Jersey, and I started it with confidence. My stress level was peaking, which couldn’t of been good and I think my brain might of somewhere shut down along the way. My grammar was poor, words had been skipped, and I was not descriptive enough and too descriptive at other points. A line I was still obviously struggling with. And organization wise, it was easily classified as a mess. The grade on this paper was much lower, and at the time of writing it, I felt I did good , felt my voice was better represented. Although,I think I let my self slack in other areas and the worse part being that I didn’t notice. I let the stress get to me and it showed. That was a big lesson in its own.
--------Getting my edited papers back, my biggest concern was my flow and wording. I wanted to make sure things made sense and were placed in the correct area. For example, for the New Jersey essay, my second essay, I went through took out through whole paragraphs, rearrange whole sections and re worded a bit. For example in my turned in final in the first intro paragraph I had a section “My view is that a common belief of the patriots is that the loyalists are in it for the money, or even view us as cowards, giving up and retreating to the supposed strongest power. Truth be told yes, benefits are relevant as would be by choosing any side, this I do not deny, but we still have much to lose in the same.” This completely did not belong, it was pointless and random, this could be in a fallowing point paragraph but to be in the intro it did not fit. This being so, I completely took it out. Other major organizational edits similar to that were done on essay 2 to improve it.
-------Now, in this reflective letter which I hope is easily understood and well flowed, I’m wishing to represent my writing at a proficient peak. I see stress as my biggest issue, it’s the same in my drill routines where I can work on a routine for five hour straight and get no where, done it numerous times. It’s something that I wish I had a chance to redeem myself for and I hope I will on our final, which is in this portfolio. This writing experience has opened my eyes, showed me a real way of writing, one that I’m still adapting to but one I can respect and call real. My struggles are with my stress, and my voice but I feel confident that this is getting better and it’s something I can improve. I’ve learned to recognize my faults and some were easier to fix, some not so much but all have a solution.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Essay 1
Emily Furgason
Bacon Rebellion Essay
------Of the new government of Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote in 1682 that “When the great wise God had made the world, of all his creatures , it pleased him to chuse man his Deputy to rule it: and to fit him for so great a charge and trust he did not only quoalify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness, and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bossom , was the guide and keeper of his innocency. But lust prevailing against duty, made a lamentable breach upon it [.]” Little did Penn know when he wrote his fundamentals to the new government of Pennsylvania that, not only was he reciting the past, but prophesying an undeniable future. It is human nature that greed will seep through and corrupt even the most “divine” of intentions.
------With the discovery of the New World came new opportunities for power. The saying that “power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately” has literally been a theme since the earliest times of history. People will often give in to the chance of power. This theme is easily traced to and laced throughout the historical event of Bacon's Rebellion. In which, through the hope of the people to do good, power corruption within the form of Nathaniel Bacon corrupted any and all good intentions and turned it into a bloody battle due to his selfish greed. Some say that this Virginian rebellion occurred because of the government’s greed, or maybe even the Indians or Colonist, but without Bacon to connect it all, those fragments are just pieces of a broken puzzle. Nathaniel bacon used the people, and government of the Virginian colony for his own personal and selfish reasons, and in doing so, he began, led and continued Bacon’s Rebellion
------For years, Virginia had been having trouble between people and government. The people were growing sick and tired of the lack of support shown by their government against the people’s enemy, the government pay check, the Indians. Mathews writes "These [ people] at heads of James and York Rivers.... grew impatient at the many slaughters of their neighbors and rose for their Defense choosing Mr. Bacon for their Leader (2nd paragraph, document 20: The Beginning,Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676) . Nathaniel Bacon had many underlying characteristics that put him in the perfect position for the leader of Bacon's Rebellion. Soon after, Mathews calls Bacon's approach to the current situations of Virginia as “humble” he readily contradicts Bacon’s perceived and sited “calm” characteristics and he admits "Other than effects of his passion, and new occasion of Avarice, to both of which he was by the common Vogue or opinion more then a little Addicted..." In making this comment Mathews argues there was more to Bacon than a calm do-gooder of the people. Bacon was known as "blackhair'd and of an ominous, pensive melancholy Aspect ... not much given to talk, ... of a most imperious and dangerous Pride of heart, despising the wiser of his neighbours for their Ignorance, and very ambitious and arrogant."(http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/) The mind has a tendency to hear and not listen, to look and not see, usually according to preference. His Motives for the rebellion and leading of the people were clear to those who would see it, but many were easily blinded by the hope of change and chance of their voice being heard, from whom this chance came from was over looked. This blinding veil placed over the people eyes gave him great opportunity to slip in with his uneasy faults and lead them without being questioned. I would compare this portrayal of Bacon to a machine made to question and go against authority. Pride a key factor in discomfort of stature, of, wanting to be bigger and better, being the oil that runs through the veins of this power hungry machine of a man, one especially willing to lead a rebellion for power and other selfish reasons. And then as I continued my research, this was only proven to be truer.
------ Finding that the very reason Bacon had left his home due to complications and disagreements with family and government in his previous home of Suffolk England, was no surprise and helped me better understand the machine that I was examining . Bacon had moved to Jamestown Virginia for a new start. And with help of the Governor , Sir William Berkley, the main power within the town, Bacon was able to settle peacefully in two homes along the James River. Sadly, but to no surprise, as I said early he was a “power hungry machine of a man” and the peace did not and of course could not last for long.
-----Common sense seems to dictate that your actions of now depict who you will be later. Your life and its events mold you into who you are. A common over looked factor of Bacon's Rebellion, is Bacon’s life before Virginia. The similarities between his home of Stiffkey and Virginia leave no surprise that the common and familiar discomforts of his old life, would rise again in Virginia. From his past in his home of Stiffkey Bacon had already spent time developing a bitterness and questionable attitude for authority, “ Bacon was constantly on the lookout for signs of corruption and mismanagement in Church and State, and in this volume his papers are full of evidence patiently collected for some further campaign against the forces of darkness ( usually personified in another equally crotchety Norfolk magnate, Sir Arthur Heveningham, and his ally the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Hundson)” the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.
------Even early in this writing, Bacon’s emotional issues build a sturdy foundation for our man of the rebellion. These issues are brought up in the topic of marrying off his daughter, it is said it was“ [N]ot without trouble and complication, much of is cause by his own ineptitude in emotional matter: a characteristic most obvious in the more personal correspondence.” What many don’t realize, is that his reaction to the issues of Virginia was more of repetition of routine. Bacon had never been able to control himself, as shown in the previous quotes, “in emotional matters” and any one familiar with Bacon's Rebellion can agree that for Bacon and the colonist, and even the Indians, the process was an emotional matter. Bacon had spent a life of rebellion; it had become his outlet of bitterness towards the things he felt were “the force of darkness” which Bacon usually associated as authority figures. Virginia was once again a chance to get back at authority for the people? No, for Bacon's own bitterness and greed of power that had consumed him sense very early stages of his life.
-------Conclusions, which Mathews and MacCulloch put forward, add weight to the argument that Bacon’s actions were in no way in support of the colonists, but more of a natural, very Bacon like, reaction. Bacon's actions were not to help the people. All his life he had been more of a “keep to his self type of guy” and according to Diarmaid MacCulloch piece “ The English Historical Review” “seems an unhappy figure virtually the only humour in his correspondence occurs in letters from his sister…. Dr. Smith draws attention to his remarkable lack of contact with his gentry neighbours except on business; the account books show that they never came to dinner at Stiffkey, and they rarely wrote to him except about administrative matter. Small wonder that this lonely, energetic man turned to religion and politics to fill his day” There would be no reason to abandon this habit in The New World, he had left home on sore terms, and I doubt was ready to make nice with the world after a life of fighting it.
------ Bacon now had control of the people, gotten support for his life long battle against authority. He stirred their anger, their bitterness of authority, a routine he had been repeating for very long. And in doing so, the beginning of the rebellion began. Now he just had to use and abuse his new found power, and he directed it at an excellent opportunity, a chance for another success in the power department. “This morning all men were ordered to lay by their Arms... Mr. Bacon with at least 400 on foot ... 120 on horse entered the sandy bay" and further into the quote its reads" his soldiers mounting their Guns ready to fire; Immediately ( for in this minute if not all night have been in a flame) the Burgesses make it their request to the Governor to Issue forth such a commission.... Saturday 24th the forced commission was delivered." (Document 29 from William sherwood) Bacon had given his new found followers an outlet, like a good leader should of course! What started as the people’s true intentions of changing the community for the better led to threats and force. There had been multiple times previous, where Bacon had asked the government for commission, and every time previous the proposition had been denied. But with this new power, Bacon led the people to threaten and overthrow the government, he let their support lead him further into power and progressed the rebellion in result. But there were still other possibilities and factors of the community even yet to be exploited for Bacon's benefit.
----- Sense the beginning of Bacon's stay in Virginia the governor, Sir William Berkley, had treated him with more than the utmost courtesy. He gave him homes along the river and even placed him on the council ,but it did not stop there in the least. Not only did he have power over the government by the number of people which followed him , but he held a soft spot in Berkley’s heart. More, in a way, a seed he had planted in Berkley to sway in his favor. Showing that not only did he lead this rebellion by the luck and stupidity of the people , but truly by his sheer talent for trickery. 'Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a Gentleman?' "No, may it please your Honour," Answered Mr.Bacon; "Then," replied the Governour. " I'll take your parole," and gave him his liberty."( DOCUMENT #25) This showed that Bacon no longer was under the control of the government, the basic rules began to not apply . This event happened in late May of 1676 and in the following June , in an assembly based on Bacon's arrest , not only was he released from his sentence but after “ Mr. bacon upon one knew at the Bar, deliver a Sheet of paper Confessing his Crimes, and begging Pardon of God the King and the Governour[.]” subsequently, “[T]he Governour, Starting up from his Chair a Third time said , “Mr. Bacon! If you will live Civilly but till the next [session of the] Quarter Court, I’ll promise to restore you again to your place [on the Governor’s Council].”(document 25) Bacon went from being a convict on trial to once again on the Council, he was able to use his power over the government, thanks to his persuasive qualities, to get out of trial, once again for selfish gain. The hopes of the people in Bacon led to his personal prideful power, which helped lead to his power over government leading to selfish gain of having ultimate control of his surroundings. All in all Bacon had once again created a key factor, thanks to him, to move the rebellion forward even more.
-----My discussion of Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebellion addresses a larger matter of our history and present events in general. This theme of Bacon's Rebellion was not only one of yesterday, but a reoccurring event that started too far back to trace and most definitely did not end in the 1700’s. This essay shows that the past of people’s results in who they are, and thus their actions. This point relates easily to our government and events in recent times such as the presidential election.
------The colonists looked at Bacon for what he portrayed in that moment, which was a mistake. They did not consider his past as a factor of who he really was or how he would act when given opportunity of power. Due to this mistake, the colonist hope of change and less bloodshed turned out in a brutal rebellion full of blood shed.
-----Similarly to how the colonist lightly considered Bacon’s background, today we view the candidates past as small, almost insignificant details. It’s very important to not just realize what their saying now, but what they’ve said and done in the past. It is vital we consider their past when judging the quality of a candidate.
-----The people did not judge the quality of Bacon. They trusted Bacon from the get go and he got to play them like his very own instrument. My point is not that we should deny people a second chance, but we need to be wary of the side affects of their past. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but a point that needs emphasizing is that old habits die hard, very hard. When looking at a candidate, knowing their background is incredibly important when sizing them up for the presidency.
-----It’s important not to make the same mistake the colonists did, do our research and make the connections between past and present. It is important to look at the past, whether at historical events like Bacon’s Rebellion or just at people lives like our future leaders. By reflecting on the past we are able to understand where we are today, and where we’re headed. Knowing this, we must research when were choosing something as huge as a president who has the ability to impact every aspect of our everyday lives. Bacon’s followers didn’t have the extensive resources that we have today that allow us to learn more of our leaders past and present lives. Due to the people’s lack of knowledge on Bacon’s background, they trusted Bacon's justifications for rebelling. As a result Bacon, a greedy and selfishness man, driven by the intent to retaliate against authority, began, led and continued a rebellion of unjust reason.
Bibliography:
1) The Avalon project at Yale law school: Frame of Government of Pennyslvania May 5,1682
2) Document 20: The Beginning, Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676
3) http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/
4) JSTOR - Diarmaid MacCulloch piece:The English Historical Review http://www.jstor.org/stable/574072?seq=2&Search=yes&term=Nathaniel&term=Jamestown&term=New&term=virginia&term=Bacons&term=Bacon&term=world&term=move&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3DNathaniel%2BBacon%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DOR%26q1%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bthe%2BNew%2Bworld%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DOR%26q2%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2BJamestown%2Bvirginia%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=3&ttl=1719&returnArticle
5) Document 29 By William SherwoodDocument 25 by Thomas Mathews
Bacon Rebellion Essay
------Of the new government of Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote in 1682 that “When the great wise God had made the world, of all his creatures , it pleased him to chuse man his Deputy to rule it: and to fit him for so great a charge and trust he did not only quoalify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness, and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bossom , was the guide and keeper of his innocency. But lust prevailing against duty, made a lamentable breach upon it [.]” Little did Penn know when he wrote his fundamentals to the new government of Pennsylvania that, not only was he reciting the past, but prophesying an undeniable future. It is human nature that greed will seep through and corrupt even the most “divine” of intentions.
------With the discovery of the New World came new opportunities for power. The saying that “power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately” has literally been a theme since the earliest times of history. People will often give in to the chance of power. This theme is easily traced to and laced throughout the historical event of Bacon's Rebellion. In which, through the hope of the people to do good, power corruption within the form of Nathaniel Bacon corrupted any and all good intentions and turned it into a bloody battle due to his selfish greed. Some say that this Virginian rebellion occurred because of the government’s greed, or maybe even the Indians or Colonist, but without Bacon to connect it all, those fragments are just pieces of a broken puzzle. Nathaniel bacon used the people, and government of the Virginian colony for his own personal and selfish reasons, and in doing so, he began, led and continued Bacon’s Rebellion
------For years, Virginia had been having trouble between people and government. The people were growing sick and tired of the lack of support shown by their government against the people’s enemy, the government pay check, the Indians. Mathews writes "These [ people] at heads of James and York Rivers.... grew impatient at the many slaughters of their neighbors and rose for their Defense choosing Mr. Bacon for their Leader (2nd paragraph, document 20: The Beginning,Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676) . Nathaniel Bacon had many underlying characteristics that put him in the perfect position for the leader of Bacon's Rebellion. Soon after, Mathews calls Bacon's approach to the current situations of Virginia as “humble” he readily contradicts Bacon’s perceived and sited “calm” characteristics and he admits "Other than effects of his passion, and new occasion of Avarice, to both of which he was by the common Vogue or opinion more then a little Addicted..." In making this comment Mathews argues there was more to Bacon than a calm do-gooder of the people. Bacon was known as "blackhair'd and of an ominous, pensive melancholy Aspect ... not much given to talk, ... of a most imperious and dangerous Pride of heart, despising the wiser of his neighbours for their Ignorance, and very ambitious and arrogant."(http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/) The mind has a tendency to hear and not listen, to look and not see, usually according to preference. His Motives for the rebellion and leading of the people were clear to those who would see it, but many were easily blinded by the hope of change and chance of their voice being heard, from whom this chance came from was over looked. This blinding veil placed over the people eyes gave him great opportunity to slip in with his uneasy faults and lead them without being questioned. I would compare this portrayal of Bacon to a machine made to question and go against authority. Pride a key factor in discomfort of stature, of, wanting to be bigger and better, being the oil that runs through the veins of this power hungry machine of a man, one especially willing to lead a rebellion for power and other selfish reasons. And then as I continued my research, this was only proven to be truer.
------ Finding that the very reason Bacon had left his home due to complications and disagreements with family and government in his previous home of Suffolk England, was no surprise and helped me better understand the machine that I was examining . Bacon had moved to Jamestown Virginia for a new start. And with help of the Governor , Sir William Berkley, the main power within the town, Bacon was able to settle peacefully in two homes along the James River. Sadly, but to no surprise, as I said early he was a “power hungry machine of a man” and the peace did not and of course could not last for long.
-----Common sense seems to dictate that your actions of now depict who you will be later. Your life and its events mold you into who you are. A common over looked factor of Bacon's Rebellion, is Bacon’s life before Virginia. The similarities between his home of Stiffkey and Virginia leave no surprise that the common and familiar discomforts of his old life, would rise again in Virginia. From his past in his home of Stiffkey Bacon had already spent time developing a bitterness and questionable attitude for authority, “ Bacon was constantly on the lookout for signs of corruption and mismanagement in Church and State, and in this volume his papers are full of evidence patiently collected for some further campaign against the forces of darkness ( usually personified in another equally crotchety Norfolk magnate, Sir Arthur Heveningham, and his ally the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Hundson)” the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.
------Even early in this writing, Bacon’s emotional issues build a sturdy foundation for our man of the rebellion. These issues are brought up in the topic of marrying off his daughter, it is said it was“ [N]ot without trouble and complication, much of is cause by his own ineptitude in emotional matter: a characteristic most obvious in the more personal correspondence.” What many don’t realize, is that his reaction to the issues of Virginia was more of repetition of routine. Bacon had never been able to control himself, as shown in the previous quotes, “in emotional matters” and any one familiar with Bacon's Rebellion can agree that for Bacon and the colonist, and even the Indians, the process was an emotional matter. Bacon had spent a life of rebellion; it had become his outlet of bitterness towards the things he felt were “the force of darkness” which Bacon usually associated as authority figures. Virginia was once again a chance to get back at authority for the people? No, for Bacon's own bitterness and greed of power that had consumed him sense very early stages of his life.
-------Conclusions, which Mathews and MacCulloch put forward, add weight to the argument that Bacon’s actions were in no way in support of the colonists, but more of a natural, very Bacon like, reaction. Bacon's actions were not to help the people. All his life he had been more of a “keep to his self type of guy” and according to Diarmaid MacCulloch piece “ The English Historical Review” “seems an unhappy figure virtually the only humour in his correspondence occurs in letters from his sister…. Dr. Smith draws attention to his remarkable lack of contact with his gentry neighbours except on business; the account books show that they never came to dinner at Stiffkey, and they rarely wrote to him except about administrative matter. Small wonder that this lonely, energetic man turned to religion and politics to fill his day” There would be no reason to abandon this habit in The New World, he had left home on sore terms, and I doubt was ready to make nice with the world after a life of fighting it.
------ Bacon now had control of the people, gotten support for his life long battle against authority. He stirred their anger, their bitterness of authority, a routine he had been repeating for very long. And in doing so, the beginning of the rebellion began. Now he just had to use and abuse his new found power, and he directed it at an excellent opportunity, a chance for another success in the power department. “This morning all men were ordered to lay by their Arms... Mr. Bacon with at least 400 on foot ... 120 on horse entered the sandy bay" and further into the quote its reads" his soldiers mounting their Guns ready to fire; Immediately ( for in this minute if not all night have been in a flame) the Burgesses make it their request to the Governor to Issue forth such a commission.... Saturday 24th the forced commission was delivered." (Document 29 from William sherwood) Bacon had given his new found followers an outlet, like a good leader should of course! What started as the people’s true intentions of changing the community for the better led to threats and force. There had been multiple times previous, where Bacon had asked the government for commission, and every time previous the proposition had been denied. But with this new power, Bacon led the people to threaten and overthrow the government, he let their support lead him further into power and progressed the rebellion in result. But there were still other possibilities and factors of the community even yet to be exploited for Bacon's benefit.
----- Sense the beginning of Bacon's stay in Virginia the governor, Sir William Berkley, had treated him with more than the utmost courtesy. He gave him homes along the river and even placed him on the council ,but it did not stop there in the least. Not only did he have power over the government by the number of people which followed him , but he held a soft spot in Berkley’s heart. More, in a way, a seed he had planted in Berkley to sway in his favor. Showing that not only did he lead this rebellion by the luck and stupidity of the people , but truly by his sheer talent for trickery. 'Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a Gentleman?' "No, may it please your Honour," Answered Mr.Bacon; "Then," replied the Governour. " I'll take your parole," and gave him his liberty."( DOCUMENT #25) This showed that Bacon no longer was under the control of the government, the basic rules began to not apply . This event happened in late May of 1676 and in the following June , in an assembly based on Bacon's arrest , not only was he released from his sentence but after “ Mr. bacon upon one knew at the Bar, deliver a Sheet of paper Confessing his Crimes, and begging Pardon of God the King and the Governour[.]” subsequently, “[T]he Governour, Starting up from his Chair a Third time said , “Mr. Bacon! If you will live Civilly but till the next [session of the] Quarter Court, I’ll promise to restore you again to your place [on the Governor’s Council].”(document 25) Bacon went from being a convict on trial to once again on the Council, he was able to use his power over the government, thanks to his persuasive qualities, to get out of trial, once again for selfish gain. The hopes of the people in Bacon led to his personal prideful power, which helped lead to his power over government leading to selfish gain of having ultimate control of his surroundings. All in all Bacon had once again created a key factor, thanks to him, to move the rebellion forward even more.
-----My discussion of Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebellion addresses a larger matter of our history and present events in general. This theme of Bacon's Rebellion was not only one of yesterday, but a reoccurring event that started too far back to trace and most definitely did not end in the 1700’s. This essay shows that the past of people’s results in who they are, and thus their actions. This point relates easily to our government and events in recent times such as the presidential election.
------The colonists looked at Bacon for what he portrayed in that moment, which was a mistake. They did not consider his past as a factor of who he really was or how he would act when given opportunity of power. Due to this mistake, the colonist hope of change and less bloodshed turned out in a brutal rebellion full of blood shed.
-----Similarly to how the colonist lightly considered Bacon’s background, today we view the candidates past as small, almost insignificant details. It’s very important to not just realize what their saying now, but what they’ve said and done in the past. It is vital we consider their past when judging the quality of a candidate.
-----The people did not judge the quality of Bacon. They trusted Bacon from the get go and he got to play them like his very own instrument. My point is not that we should deny people a second chance, but we need to be wary of the side affects of their past. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but a point that needs emphasizing is that old habits die hard, very hard. When looking at a candidate, knowing their background is incredibly important when sizing them up for the presidency.
-----It’s important not to make the same mistake the colonists did, do our research and make the connections between past and present. It is important to look at the past, whether at historical events like Bacon’s Rebellion or just at people lives like our future leaders. By reflecting on the past we are able to understand where we are today, and where we’re headed. Knowing this, we must research when were choosing something as huge as a president who has the ability to impact every aspect of our everyday lives. Bacon’s followers didn’t have the extensive resources that we have today that allow us to learn more of our leaders past and present lives. Due to the people’s lack of knowledge on Bacon’s background, they trusted Bacon's justifications for rebelling. As a result Bacon, a greedy and selfishness man, driven by the intent to retaliate against authority, began, led and continued a rebellion of unjust reason.
Bibliography:
1) The Avalon project at Yale law school: Frame of Government of Pennyslvania May 5,1682
2) Document 20: The Beginning, Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676
3) http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/
4) JSTOR - Diarmaid MacCulloch piece:The English Historical Review http://www.jstor.org/stable/574072?seq=2&Search=yes&term=Nathaniel&term=Jamestown&term=New&term=virginia&term=Bacons&term=Bacon&term=world&term=move&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3DNathaniel%2BBacon%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DOR%26q1%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bthe%2BNew%2Bworld%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DOR%26q2%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2BJamestown%2Bvirginia%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=3&ttl=1719&returnArticle
5) Document 29 By William SherwoodDocument 25 by Thomas Mathews
Essay 2
The Passion of a New Jersey Loyalist
----Freedom is in the eye of the beholder. A man, who burns a government building due to supposed unjust causes, is one man's freedom fighter and another man's terrorist. Difference of opinion is inevitable, in future, present, and past. In present times of the revolution, freedom has become a complicated thought, dividing my colony of New Jersey and the remaining 12 colonies in conflicting groups of loyalists and patriots. "We have it in our power to begin the world over again ... 'Tis time to part" ( Cook A12). A speech given by Thomas Paine , making evident the Patriots hope for a new beginning. This is something identical to what I, as a loyalist hope for. It’s my belief that the best way to commence this new beginning is with sturdy support, with Britain by our side. I believe by staying loyal to Great Britain, what the patriots and loyalists both wish to achieve will fall into place. To have economic freedom, which the colonies are striving for, you must have an economy first. Without Britain's economy, ours would be nonexistent due to their economic support. By observing influences of Britain within my colony of New Jersey and neighboring ones, realizing the economic support, and witnessing the irrationality shown by the patriots, I choose to remain loyal to Great Britain.
---By living in the colony of New Jersey, my loyalist standing is well supported. “British domination of the trade outlets in the southern part of Bergen County by strongholds of Paulus Hook and Staten Island provided practical reasons for supporting the royal cause”(Keesey 560 ). New jersey is strongly dominated by British, and the loyalists view is especially dominant in my county of Bergen, which means views are easily spread. Not to mention our head influential leaders , such as governor William Franklin who believed in adhering to Strahahn advice of “ Looking upon England as our home” (Fennelly 363). Who is in agreement with the men of the New Jersey Provincial Congress who delivered resolves to the continental congress stating “ That it is our duty to render true and faithful allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, and to support and maintain the just dependence of his colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain.” (Burgess 18). This resolve is one I believe took courage to present to the colonies, makes me proud of my colony and their standing. Bergen country has “the largest number of proportion of active loyalists in the state… slightly less than 20 per 1,000 white citizens , as compared with just under 7 per 1,000”( Keesey 559) as a result of the good trade brought by Britain, which is one reason why they have received my , and obviously as well as my colonies, loyalty,
----Economically, the British have done wonders for us, fifty-five percent of our exports go to great Britain(Roark and Johnson 159). Great Britain is one half of our trading economy not to mention their large amount of imports that keep us going. The result of British trade being taken out is already showing in colonies from the Boston ports being shut down! What if all trading ceased, this situation would only worsen. England is a key partner in the foundation of our economy, I believe the patriots have lost sight of all the Britain and our king have done for us and remain persistent on looking at the negatives and not realizing the results of their actions.
-----“King George III's offenses were countless: cutting trade, declaring war against his own subjects, imposing taxes without consent”(1 Cook), comments like these are numerous in this time, twisted to the most dramatic affect. When one requests land from a noble, it was never without a price, you have a debt to pay, or work it off. Nothing has been free not in Britain nor here, and I believe it’s a misconception that has been formed. The King has the right, the land being lived on being his property and such. The Patriots are disrespectful and even act as traitors, throwing their fellow colonists into the streets along with other numerous brutal acts. If freedom is what they preach then the must learn to tolerate it, their immaturity, harshness and lack of preparation they have shown for what they wish to take on, has turned me away from their cause. Finding no good reasoning in their actions or arguments, I have continued to keep my loyalist views.
-----, " the rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe if what became the opposing , worked as a group, We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. I have more thoughts on this issue, and believe that lack of communication and sympathetic views pushed these issues further.
----A truth commonly overlooked is the reason this revolution occured. This revolution and division of the people was simply and naturally a difference in opinion. Yes, it's a well known fact that many loyalists were wealthy and of a good ranking within their communities. They were happy with where they were at, so an automatic assumption by the patriots is that therefore they saw no need for the change that the less fortunate patriots did. The truth is, those who remained loyal did so with the possibility of their house being ransacked, torched, and torn to bits and pieces. These wealthier families had more to loose than most. Numerous family friends, such as, the Bayards, Doremus, Dr. Abraham L. Van Buskirk, Zabriskie , were wealthy and by choosing to stand up for what they felt to be the way to freedom, they gave up more than most had. They choose where to stand "not for the government but for the right and freedom is represents" ( 3 Burgess). "[T]he rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe the issue that split us, we should of come together and worked as one united. We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. As I watch those who claim "Freedom" as the reason they spur into action destroying homes and putting families onto the streets, if that’s what their "freedom" takes, I want no part. I am pushed even further away from them towards the opposing side from what I’m seeing done by those who claim us the “Tories”. I will not willingly place my future into their hands but into the ones whose empire has lasted, remained sturdy and shown their accuracy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
2:Record: 1
Title:Tyranny to terrorism
Authors:Jane Hampton Cook
Source:Washington Times, The (DC); 09/11/2008
ISSN:0732-8494
Accession Number:4KB520080911031459000
Persistent link to this record (Permalink):
http://moe.ic.highline.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=bwh&AN=4KB520080911031459000&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3: EBRARY BOOK: Burgess, Susan. "So Obstinately Loyal: James Moody 1744-1809." (2000):
4: Title: Loyalism in Bergen County, New Jersey Author(s): Ruth M. Keesey Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Oct., 1961), pp. 558-576 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1921101
5: Title: William Franklin of New Jersey Author(s): Catherine Fennelly Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Jul., 1949), pp. 361-382 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919982
6: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
7: Roark, James, and Michael P. Johnson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford'St. Martin's, 2009.
----Freedom is in the eye of the beholder. A man, who burns a government building due to supposed unjust causes, is one man's freedom fighter and another man's terrorist. Difference of opinion is inevitable, in future, present, and past. In present times of the revolution, freedom has become a complicated thought, dividing my colony of New Jersey and the remaining 12 colonies in conflicting groups of loyalists and patriots. "We have it in our power to begin the world over again ... 'Tis time to part" ( Cook A12). A speech given by Thomas Paine , making evident the Patriots hope for a new beginning. This is something identical to what I, as a loyalist hope for. It’s my belief that the best way to commence this new beginning is with sturdy support, with Britain by our side. I believe by staying loyal to Great Britain, what the patriots and loyalists both wish to achieve will fall into place. To have economic freedom, which the colonies are striving for, you must have an economy first. Without Britain's economy, ours would be nonexistent due to their economic support. By observing influences of Britain within my colony of New Jersey and neighboring ones, realizing the economic support, and witnessing the irrationality shown by the patriots, I choose to remain loyal to Great Britain.
---By living in the colony of New Jersey, my loyalist standing is well supported. “British domination of the trade outlets in the southern part of Bergen County by strongholds of Paulus Hook and Staten Island provided practical reasons for supporting the royal cause”(Keesey 560 ). New jersey is strongly dominated by British, and the loyalists view is especially dominant in my county of Bergen, which means views are easily spread. Not to mention our head influential leaders , such as governor William Franklin who believed in adhering to Strahahn advice of “ Looking upon England as our home” (Fennelly 363). Who is in agreement with the men of the New Jersey Provincial Congress who delivered resolves to the continental congress stating “ That it is our duty to render true and faithful allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, and to support and maintain the just dependence of his colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain.” (Burgess 18). This resolve is one I believe took courage to present to the colonies, makes me proud of my colony and their standing. Bergen country has “the largest number of proportion of active loyalists in the state… slightly less than 20 per 1,000 white citizens , as compared with just under 7 per 1,000”( Keesey 559) as a result of the good trade brought by Britain, which is one reason why they have received my , and obviously as well as my colonies, loyalty,
----Economically, the British have done wonders for us, fifty-five percent of our exports go to great Britain(Roark and Johnson 159). Great Britain is one half of our trading economy not to mention their large amount of imports that keep us going. The result of British trade being taken out is already showing in colonies from the Boston ports being shut down! What if all trading ceased, this situation would only worsen. England is a key partner in the foundation of our economy, I believe the patriots have lost sight of all the Britain and our king have done for us and remain persistent on looking at the negatives and not realizing the results of their actions.
-----“King George III's offenses were countless: cutting trade, declaring war against his own subjects, imposing taxes without consent”(1 Cook), comments like these are numerous in this time, twisted to the most dramatic affect. When one requests land from a noble, it was never without a price, you have a debt to pay, or work it off. Nothing has been free not in Britain nor here, and I believe it’s a misconception that has been formed. The King has the right, the land being lived on being his property and such. The Patriots are disrespectful and even act as traitors, throwing their fellow colonists into the streets along with other numerous brutal acts. If freedom is what they preach then the must learn to tolerate it, their immaturity, harshness and lack of preparation they have shown for what they wish to take on, has turned me away from their cause. Finding no good reasoning in their actions or arguments, I have continued to keep my loyalist views.
-----, " the rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe if what became the opposing , worked as a group, We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. I have more thoughts on this issue, and believe that lack of communication and sympathetic views pushed these issues further.
----A truth commonly overlooked is the reason this revolution occured. This revolution and division of the people was simply and naturally a difference in opinion. Yes, it's a well known fact that many loyalists were wealthy and of a good ranking within their communities. They were happy with where they were at, so an automatic assumption by the patriots is that therefore they saw no need for the change that the less fortunate patriots did. The truth is, those who remained loyal did so with the possibility of their house being ransacked, torched, and torn to bits and pieces. These wealthier families had more to loose than most. Numerous family friends, such as, the Bayards, Doremus, Dr. Abraham L. Van Buskirk, Zabriskie , were wealthy and by choosing to stand up for what they felt to be the way to freedom, they gave up more than most had. They choose where to stand "not for the government but for the right and freedom is represents" ( 3 Burgess). "[T]he rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe the issue that split us, we should of come together and worked as one united. We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. As I watch those who claim "Freedom" as the reason they spur into action destroying homes and putting families onto the streets, if that’s what their "freedom" takes, I want no part. I am pushed even further away from them towards the opposing side from what I’m seeing done by those who claim us the “Tories”. I will not willingly place my future into their hands but into the ones whose empire has lasted, remained sturdy and shown their accuracy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
2:Record: 1
Title:Tyranny to terrorism
Authors:Jane Hampton Cook
Source:Washington Times, The (DC); 09/11/2008
ISSN:0732-8494
Accession Number:4KB520080911031459000
Persistent link to this record (Permalink):
http://moe.ic.highline.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=bwh&AN=4KB520080911031459000&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3: EBRARY BOOK: Burgess, Susan. "So Obstinately Loyal: James Moody 1744-1809." (2000):
4: Title: Loyalism in Bergen County, New Jersey Author(s): Ruth M. Keesey Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Oct., 1961), pp. 558-576 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1921101
5: Title: William Franklin of New Jersey Author(s): Catherine Fennelly Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Jul., 1949), pp. 361-382 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919982
6: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
7: Roark, James, and Michael P. Johnson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford'St. Martin's, 2009.
Frame II Final Exam
FRAME II
-----I strongly believe that one cannot grow if sheltered, just like a plant needs sunlight. To learn as a student, exposure is needed. In the writing by “Optimism one” title, “The Punk power in the First-year Writing Classroom” Is a point driven paper supporting Elbows quote “that if you are stuck trying or trying to figure something out, there is nothing better than finding one person, or more to talk to.” The paper expresses their common view that when writing process includes student collaboration, “the writing process can be greatly improved”(One, first sentence.) To heads are better then one. Two heads broadens the thought arena, which can strongly benefit a writer in a rut.
------Optimism One’s point is, that for ones writing process to move forward, it must be critiqued and include new realizations. Realization does not happen with normality, it’s when the papers “exposed”, new possibilities open. When the paper and writers mind opened to new ideas, from new minds, its given more room to move and grow “highlights the interactive nature of creativity”(One, Last sentence). This year, this has been a process I have learned to appreciate that I once feared, but has become a large part in my process of growing and expanding my writing for the better, but as a agree I also value my individual part of my writing process as well.
-------This quarter at Puget Sound Early College in writing 101, I have realized by doing our peer edits and peer sharing my teachers have forced me to broaden my writing horizons, but I would rather be forced then not do it at all. It pushed me to open up to new ideas, ones I might have not of thought of without another mind involved. People think differently, analyze things differently, different results occur and to realize these differences and use them can be a great advantage. Not only did it help me see my writing from another point of view but it helped me better understand the topic at times as well. By sitting down and discussing a paper with a peer, the possibilities and thoughts on the paper expand. Also a fresh view can help redirect and correct. Not only does the sharing points and views help us grow and make those new key realizations, but for me it as helped me target my strengths and weaknesses as well.
--------To look at someone’s strengths and weaknesses helps me realize where I stand and what I need to work on. To see the critiques given to other students is in a way a heads up, another helpful guide. Yes, not everything will refer back to your paper, and no, it’s not always right to take other critiques into consideration. It is highly possible at times it will not even apply to your paper. That is why a strong view of mine is that individual time and focus on your paper is important, it should not be all group work. To have time to explore your own thoughts and see what where you stand and that’s something I cherish about my writing where this point of “Punk Power in the First-Year Writing Classroom” to me and for me, did not apply."Being stifled in various stages” is one of Optimism One key examples where peer editing is a useful solution. But for me, “Being stifled”(One, second sentence) is something I need in my writing. That’s a large point of my growing and my learning to push myself ,where my breaking through happens. But none the less, the peer part of a writing process I believe is crucial and as Optimism One says “is a simple solution” and as I say , a great eye opener.
-----I strongly believe that one cannot grow if sheltered, just like a plant needs sunlight. To learn as a student, exposure is needed. In the writing by “Optimism one” title, “The Punk power in the First-year Writing Classroom” Is a point driven paper supporting Elbows quote “that if you are stuck trying or trying to figure something out, there is nothing better than finding one person, or more to talk to.” The paper expresses their common view that when writing process includes student collaboration, “the writing process can be greatly improved”(One, first sentence.) To heads are better then one. Two heads broadens the thought arena, which can strongly benefit a writer in a rut.
------Optimism One’s point is, that for ones writing process to move forward, it must be critiqued and include new realizations. Realization does not happen with normality, it’s when the papers “exposed”, new possibilities open. When the paper and writers mind opened to new ideas, from new minds, its given more room to move and grow “highlights the interactive nature of creativity”(One, Last sentence). This year, this has been a process I have learned to appreciate that I once feared, but has become a large part in my process of growing and expanding my writing for the better, but as a agree I also value my individual part of my writing process as well.
-------This quarter at Puget Sound Early College in writing 101, I have realized by doing our peer edits and peer sharing my teachers have forced me to broaden my writing horizons, but I would rather be forced then not do it at all. It pushed me to open up to new ideas, ones I might have not of thought of without another mind involved. People think differently, analyze things differently, different results occur and to realize these differences and use them can be a great advantage. Not only did it help me see my writing from another point of view but it helped me better understand the topic at times as well. By sitting down and discussing a paper with a peer, the possibilities and thoughts on the paper expand. Also a fresh view can help redirect and correct. Not only does the sharing points and views help us grow and make those new key realizations, but for me it as helped me target my strengths and weaknesses as well.
--------To look at someone’s strengths and weaknesses helps me realize where I stand and what I need to work on. To see the critiques given to other students is in a way a heads up, another helpful guide. Yes, not everything will refer back to your paper, and no, it’s not always right to take other critiques into consideration. It is highly possible at times it will not even apply to your paper. That is why a strong view of mine is that individual time and focus on your paper is important, it should not be all group work. To have time to explore your own thoughts and see what where you stand and that’s something I cherish about my writing where this point of “Punk Power in the First-Year Writing Classroom” to me and for me, did not apply."Being stifled in various stages” is one of Optimism One key examples where peer editing is a useful solution. But for me, “Being stifled”(One, second sentence) is something I need in my writing. That’s a large point of my growing and my learning to push myself ,where my breaking through happens. But none the less, the peer part of a writing process I believe is crucial and as Optimism One says “is a simple solution” and as I say , a great eye opener.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
PORTFOLIO
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
-------This is my saving grace, a letter in which I wish to redeem myself of my biggest dilemma within my writing past. In my papers, such as my first and second essay which you’ll be able to reread in this portfolio, I struggled with my voice, flow of the sentences and the occasional grammar mess up. It wasn’t the thought process but the transfer onto paper, Craig even told me I should record my thoughts as I thought, then write it word for word . I would specify the transfer of thought to paper as a flailing fall into a pull of doubt and insecurity, and for who knows why with my thoughts well developed and organized. Being put in this program was unexplainable; the process impacted me in several different ways. There was the trial process, the results, the post stress combined with finding a solution, and now the solutions.
-------When faced with our first writing assignment there was so much to comprehend, “They say, I say” with the templates, and the placement of my voice throughout the paper. It was a way of writing that seemed almost opposite than what I had been taught. We did the research process backwards. My past assignment seemed like nothing compared to what they were asking. Stress played a big part on hindering my writing. I met with Craig a few times who would help me get back on track, calm me down so I could focus.
-------We both quickly realized I like to overdress my writing with pointless phrases and explanations, we caught that fast and it decreased a good amount as time went on. If you read the intro of my first essay you will so no mention of the beginning of time or any other horrible references, Craig will be very proud. For me this first essay was one of those feelings where wrong is right and right is wrong and you see absolutely no black and white. Like everything was black until Craig stated other wise, which means I felt like I was just messing up at every turn, because what I thought was right, was found to wrong. With lots of time with Craig to work through things, I was able to pass the first essay with a 79% from Craig, which I viewed as reasonable. With my main flaw remaining in my vague word choice, and the word choice that seemed to essay and not enough of my voice.
-------A good example would be “the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.”(1st essay 5th paragraph) It sounds like a non personal response, a response yes but not much of my voice, my thought and view is shown, it may be there but its not obvious. I had worked hard; it wasn’t perfect, that I knew, but I had seen my faults and thought I realized what I need to work on. This experience gave me confidence, and maybe I was stupid to feel so sure about myself at least that’s what the second essay proved.
-------For the second essay, the time and process flew by me. I was given an essay with a subject to be a loyalist from the New Jersey, and I started it with confidence. My stress level was peaking, which couldn’t of been good and I think my brain might of somewhere shut down along the way. My grammar was poor, words had been skipped, and I was not descriptive enough and too descriptive at other points. A line I was still obviously struggling with. And organization wise, it was easily classified as a mess. The grade on this paper was much lower, and at the time of writing it, I felt I did good , felt my voice was better represented. Although,I think I let my self slack in other areas and the worse part being that I didn’t notice. I let the stress get to me and it showed. That was a big lesson in its own.
--------Getting my edited papers back, my biggest concern was my flow and wording. I wanted to make sure things made sense and were placed in the correct area. For example, for the New Jersey essay, my second essay, I went through took out through whole paragraphs, rearrange whole sections and re worded a bit. For example in my turned in final in the first intro paragraph I had a section “My view is that a common belief of the patriots is that the loyalists are in it for the money, or even view us as cowards, giving up and retreating to the supposed strongest power. Truth be told yes, benefits are relevant as would be by choosing any side, this I do not deny, but we still have much to lose in the same.” This completely did not belong, it was pointless and random, this could be in a fallowing point paragraph but to be in the intro it did not fit. This being so, I completely took it out. Other major organizational edits similar to that were done on essay 2 to improve it.
-------Now, in this reflective letter which I hope is easily understood and well flowed, I’m wishing to represent my writing at a proficient peak. I see stress as my biggest issue, it’s the same in my drill routines where I can work on a routine for five hour straight and get no where, done it numerous times. It’s something that I wish I had a chance to redeem myself for and I hope I will on our final, which is in this portfolio. This writing experience has opened my eyes, showed me a real way of writing, one that I’m still adapting to but one I can respect and call real. My struggles are with my stress, and my voice but I feel confident that this is getting better and it’s something I can improve. I’ve learned to recognize my faults and some were easier to fix, some not so much but all have a solution.
Emily Furgason
Bacon Rebellion Essay
------Of the new government of Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote in 1682 that “When the great wise God had made the world, of all his creatures , it pleased him to chuse man his Deputy to rule it: and to fit him for so great a charge and trust he did not only quoalify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness, and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bossom , was the guide and keeper of his innocency. But lust prevailing against duty, made a lamentable breach upon it [.]” Little did Penn know when he wrote his fundamentals to the new government of Pennsylvania that, not only was he reciting the past, but prophesying an undeniable future. It is human nature that greed will seep through and corrupt even the most “divine” of intentions.
------With the discovery of the New World came new opportunities for power. The saying that “power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately” has literally been a theme since the earliest times of history. People will often give in to the chance of power. This theme is easily traced to and laced throughout the historical event of Bacon's Rebellion. In which, through the hope of the people to do good, power corruption within the form of Nathaniel Bacon corrupted any and all good intentions and turned it into a bloody battle due to his selfish greed. Some say that this Virginian rebellion occurred because of the government’s greed, or maybe even the Indians or Colonist, but without Bacon to connect it all, those fragments are just pieces of a broken puzzle. Nathaniel bacon used the people, and government of the Virginian colony for his own personal and selfish reasons, and in doing so, he began, led and continued Bacon’s Rebellion
------For years, Virginia had been having trouble between people and government. The people were growing sick and tired of the lack of support shown by their government against the people’s enemy, the government pay check, the Indians. Mathews writes "These [ people] at heads of James and York Rivers.... grew impatient at the many slaughters of their neighbors and rose for their Defense choosing Mr. Bacon for their Leader (2nd paragraph, document 20: The Beginning,Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676) . Nathaniel Bacon had many underlying characteristics that put him in the perfect position for the leader of Bacon's Rebellion. Soon after, Mathews calls Bacon's approach to the current situations of Virginia as “humble” he readily contradicts Bacon’s perceived and sited “calm” characteristics and he admits "Other than effects of his passion, and new occasion of Avarice, to both of which he was by the common Vogue or opinion more then a little Addicted..." In making this comment Mathews argues there was more to Bacon than a calm do-gooder of the people. Bacon was known as "blackhair'd and of an ominous, pensive melancholy Aspect ... not much given to talk, ... of a most imperious and dangerous Pride of heart, despising the wiser of his neighbours for their Ignorance, and very ambitious and arrogant."(http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/) The mind has a tendency to hear and not listen, to look and not see, usually according to preference. His Motives for the rebellion and leading of the people were clear to those who would see it, but many were easily blinded by the hope of change and chance of their voice being heard, from whom this chance came from was over looked. This blinding veil placed over the people eyes gave him great opportunity to slip in with his uneasy faults and lead them without being questioned. I would compare this portrayal of Bacon to a machine made to question and go against authority. Pride a key factor in discomfort of stature, of, wanting to be bigger and better, being the oil that runs through the veins of this power hungry machine of a man, one especially willing to lead a rebellion for power and other selfish reasons. And then as I continued my research, this was only proven to be truer.
------ Finding that the very reason Bacon had left his home due to complications and disagreements with family and government in his previous home of Suffolk England, was no surprise and helped me better understand the machine that I was examining . Bacon had moved to Jamestown Virginia for a new start. And with help of the Governor , Sir William Berkley, the main power within the town, Bacon was able to settle peacefully in two homes along the James River. Sadly, but to no surprise, as I said early he was a “power hungry machine of a man” and the peace did not and of course could not last for long.
-----Common sense seems to dictate that your actions of now depict who you will be later. Your life and its events mold you into who you are. A common over looked factor of Bacon's Rebellion, is Bacon’s life before Virginia. The similarities between his home of Stiffkey and Virginia leave no surprise that the common and familiar discomforts of his old life, would rise again in Virginia. From his past in his home of Stiffkey Bacon had already spent time developing a bitterness and questionable attitude for authority, “ Bacon was constantly on the lookout for signs of corruption and mismanagement in Church and State, and in this volume his papers are full of evidence patiently collected for some further campaign against the forces of darkness ( usually personified in another equally crotchety Norfolk magnate, Sir Arthur Heveningham, and his ally the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Hundson)” the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.
------Even early in this writing, Bacon’s emotional issues build a sturdy foundation for our man of the rebellion. These issues are brought up in the topic of marrying off his daughter, it is said it was“ [N]ot without trouble and complication, much of is cause by his own ineptitude in emotional matter: a characteristic most obvious in the more personal correspondence.” What many don’t realize, is that his reaction to the issues of Virginia was more of repetition of routine. Bacon had never been able to control himself, as shown in the previous quotes, “in emotional matters” and any one familiar with Bacon's Rebellion can agree that for Bacon and the colonist, and even the Indians, the process was an emotional matter. Bacon had spent a life of rebellion; it had become his outlet of bitterness towards the things he felt were “the force of darkness” which Bacon usually associated as authority figures. Virginia was once again a chance to get back at authority for the people? No, for Bacon's own bitterness and greed of power that had consumed him sense very early stages of his life.
-----Conclusions, which Mathews and MacCulloch put forward, add weight to the argument that Bacon’s actions were in no way in support of the colonists, but more of a natural, very Bacon like, reaction. Bacon's actions were not to help the people. All his life he had been more of a “keep to his self type of guy” and according to Diarmaid MacCulloch piece “ The English Historical Review” “seems an unhappy figure virtually the only humour in his correspondence occurs in letters from his sister…. Dr. Smith draws attention to his remarkable lack of contact with his gentry neighbours except on business; the account books show that they never came to dinner at Stiffkey, and they rarely wrote to him except about administrative matter. Small wonder that this lonely, energetic man turned to religion and politics to fill his day” There would be no reason to abandon this habit in The New World, he had left home on sore terms, and I doubt was ready to make nice with the world after a life of fighting it.
------ Bacon now had control of the people, gotten support for his life long battle against authority. He stirred their anger, their bitterness of authority, a routine he had been repeating for very long. And in doing so, the beginning of the rebellion began. Now he just had to use and abuse his new found power, and he directed it at an excellent opportunity, a chance for another success in the power department. “This morning all men were ordered to lay by their Arms... Mr. Bacon with at least 400 on foot ... 120 on horse entered the sandy bay" and further into the quote its reads" his soldiers mounting their Guns ready to fire; Immediately ( for in this minute if not all night have been in a flame) the Burgesses make it their request to the Governor to Issue forth such a commission.... Saturday 24th the forced commission was delivered." (Document 29 from William sherwood) Bacon had given his new found followers an outlet, like a good leader should of course! What started as the people’s true intentions of changing the community for the better led to threats and force. There had been multiple times previous, where Bacon had asked the government for commission, and every time previous the proposition had been denied. But with this new power, Bacon led the people to threaten and overthrow the government, he let their support lead him further into power and progressed the rebellion in result. But there were still other possibilities and factors of the community even yet to be exploited for Bacon's benefit.
----- Sense the beginning of Bacon's stay in Virginia the governor, Sir William Berkley, had treated him with more than the utmost courtesy. He gave him homes along the river and even placed him on the council ,but it did not stop there in the least. Not only did he have power over the government by the number of people which followed him , but he held a soft spot in Berkley’s heart. More, in a way, a seed he had planted in Berkley to sway in his favor. Showing that not only did he lead this rebellion by the luck and stupidity of the people , but truly by his sheer talent for trickery. 'Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a Gentleman?' "No, may it please your Honour," Answered Mr.Bacon; "Then," replied the Governour. " I'll take your parole," and gave him his liberty."( DOCUMENT #25) This showed that Bacon no longer was under the control of the government, the basic rules began to not apply . This event happened in late May of 1676 and in the following June , in an assembly based on Bacon's arrest , not only was he released from his sentence but after “ Mr. bacon upon one knew at the Bar, deliver a Sheet of paper Confessing his Crimes, and begging Pardon of God the King and the Governour[.]” subsequently, “[T]he Governour, Starting up from his Chair a Third time said , “Mr. Bacon! If you will live Civilly but till the next [session of the] Quarter Court, I’ll promise to restore you again to your place [on the Governor’s Council].”(document 25) Bacon went from being a convict on trial to once again on the Council, he was able to use his power over the government, thanks to his persuasive qualities, to get out of trial, once again for selfish gain. The hopes of the people in Bacon led to his personal prideful power, which helped lead to his power over government leading to selfish gain of having ultimate control of his surroundings. All in all Bacon had once again created a key factor, thanks to him, to move the rebellion forward even more.
-----My discussion of Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebellion addresses a larger matter of our history and present events in general. This theme of Bacon's Rebellion was not only one of yesterday, but a reoccurring event that started too far back to trace and most definitely did not end in the 1700’s. This essay shows that the past of people’s results in who they are, and thus their actions. This point relates easily to our government and events in recent times such as the presidential election.
------The colonists looked at Bacon for what he portrayed in that moment, which was a mistake. They did not consider his past as a factor of who he really was or how he would act when given opportunity of power. Due to this mistake, the colonist hope of change and less bloodshed turned out in a brutal rebellion full of blood shed.
-----Similarly to how the colonist lightly considered Bacon’s background, today we view the candidates past as small, almost insignificant details. It’s very important to not just realize what their saying now, but what they’ve said and done in the past. It is vital we consider their past when judging the quality of a candidate.
-----The people did not judge the quality of Bacon. They trusted Bacon from the get go and he got to play them like his very own instrument. My point is not that we should deny people a second chance, but we need to be wary of the side affects of their past. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but a point that needs emphasizing is that old habits die hard, very hard. When looking at a candidate, knowing their background is incredibly important when sizing them up for the presidency.
-----It’s important not to make the same mistake the colonists did, do our research and make the connections between past and present. It is important to look at the past, whether at historical events like Bacon’s Rebellion or just at people lives like our future leaders. By reflecting on the past we are able to understand where we are today, and where we’re headed. Knowing this, we must research when were choosing something as huge as a president who has the ability to impact every aspect of our everyday lives. Bacon’s followers didn’t have the extensive resources that we have today that allow us to learn more of our leaders past and present lives. Due to the people’s lack of knowledge on Bacon’s background, they trusted Bacon's justifications for rebelling. As a result Bacon, a greedy and selfishness man, driven by the intent to retaliate against authority, began, led and continued a rebellion of unjust reason.
Bibliography:
1) The Avalon project at Yale law school: Frame of Government of Pennyslvania May 5,1682
2) Document 20: The Beginning, Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676
3) http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/
4) JSTOR - Diarmaid MacCulloch piece:The English Historical Review http://www.jstor.org/stable/574072?seq=2&Search=yes&term=Nathaniel&term=Jamestown&term=New&term=virginia&term=Bacons&term=Bacon&term=world&term=move&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3DNathaniel%2BBacon%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DOR%26q1%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bthe%2BNew%2Bworld%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DOR%26q2%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2BJamestown%2Bvirginia%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=3&ttl=1719&returnArticle
5) Document 29 By William SherwoodDocument 25 by Thomas Mathews
PASSIONS OF NEW JERSEY LOYALISTS
----Freedom is in the eye of the beholder. A man, who burns a government building due to supposed unjust causes, is one man's freedom fighter and another man's terrorist. Difference of opinion is inevitable, in future, present, and past. In present times of the revolution, freedom has become a complicated thought, dividing my colony of New Jersey and the remaining 12 colonies in conflicting groups of loyalists and patriots. "We have it in our power to begin the world over again ... 'Tis time to part" ( Cook A12). A speech given by Thomas Paine , making evident the Patriots hope for a new beginning. This is something identical to what I, as a loyalist hope for. It’s my belief that the best way to commence this new beginning is with sturdy support, with Britain by our side. I believe by staying loyal to Great Britain, what the patriots and loyalists both wish to achieve will fall into place. To have economic freedom, which the colonies are striving for, you must have an economy first. Without Britain's economy, ours would be nonexistent due to their economic support. By observing influences of Britain within my colony of New Jersey and neighboring ones, realizing the economic support, and witnessing the irrationality shown by the patriots, I choose to remain loyal to Great Britain.
---By living in the colony of New Jersey, my loyalist standing is well supported. “British domination of the trade outlets in the southern part of Bergen County by strongholds of Paulus Hook and Staten Island provided practical reasons for supporting the royal cause”(Keesey 560 ). New jersey is strongly dominated by British, and the loyalists view is especially dominant in my county of Bergen, which means views are easily spread. Not to mention our head influential leaders , such as governor William Franklin who believed in adhering to Strahahn advice of “ Looking upon England as our home” (Fennelly 363). Who is in agreement with the men of the New Jersey Provincial Congress who delivered resolves to the continental congress stating “ That it is our duty to render true and faithful allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, and to support and maintain the just dependence of his colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain.” (Burgess 18). This resolve is one I believe took courage to present to the colonies, makes me proud of my colony and their standing. Bergen country has “the largest number of proportion of active loyalists in the state… slightly less than 20 per 1,000 white citizens , as compared with just under 7 per 1,000”( Keesey 559) as a result of the good trade brought by Britain, which is one reason why they have received my , and obviously as well as my colonies, loyalty,
----Economically, the British have done wonders for us, fifty-five percent of our exports go to great Britain(Roark and Johnson 159). Great Britain is one half of our trading economy not to mention their large amount of imports that keep us going. The result of British trade being taken out is already showing in colonies from the Boston ports being shut down! What if all trading ceased, this situation would only worsen. England is a key partner in the foundation of our economy, I believe the patriots have lost sight of all the Britain and our king have done for us and remain persistent on looking at the negatives and not realizing the results of their actions.
-----“King George III's offenses were countless: cutting trade, declaring war against his own subjects, imposing taxes without consent”(1 Cook), comments like these are numerous in this time, twisted to the most dramatic affect. When one requests land from a noble, it was never without a price, you have a debt to pay, or work it off. Nothing has been free not in Britain nor here, and I believe it’s a misconception that has been formed. The King has the right, the land being lived on being his property and such. The Patriots are disrespectful and even act as traitors, throwing their fellow colonists into the streets along with other numerous brutal acts. If freedom is what they preach then the must learn to tolerate it, their immaturity, harshness and lack of preparation they have shown for what they wish to take on, has turned me away from their cause. Finding no good reasoning in their actions or arguments, I have continued to keep my loyalist views.
-----, " the rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe if what became the opposing , worked as a group, We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. I have more thoughts on this issue, and believe that lack of communication and sympathetic views pushed these issues further.
A view commonly overlooked is the truth of this revolution. This revolution and division of the people was simply and naturally a difference in opinion. Yes, it's a well known fact that many loyalists were wealthy and of a good ranking within their communities. They were happy with where they were at, so an automatic assumption by the patriots is that therefore they saw no need for the change that the less fortunate patriots did. The truth is, those who remained loyal did so with the possibility of their house being ransacked, torched, and torn to bits and pieces. These wealthier families had more to loose than most. Numerous family friends, such as, the Bayards, Doremus, Dr. Abraham L. Van Buskirk, Zabriskie , were wealthy and by choosing to stand up for what they felt to be the way to freedom, they gave up more than most had. They choose where to stand "not for the government but for the right and freedom is represents" ( 3 Burgess). "[T]he rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe the issue that split us, we should of come together and worked as one united. We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. As I watch those who claim "Freedom" as the reason they spur into action destroying homes and putting families onto the streets, if that’s what their "freedom" takes, I want no part. I am pushed even further away from them towards the opposing side from what I’m seeing done by those who claim us the “Tories”. I will not willingly place my future into their hands but into the ones whose empire has lasted, remained sturdy and shown their accuracy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
2:Record: 1
Title:Tyranny to terrorism
Authors:Jane Hampton Cook
Source:Washington Times, The (DC); 09/11/2008
ISSN:0732-8494
Accession Number:4KB520080911031459000
Persistent link to this record (Permalink):
http://moe.ic.highline.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=bwh&AN=4KB520080911031459000&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3: EBRARY BOOK: Burgess, Susan. "So Obstinately Loyal: James Moody 1744-1809." (2000):
4: Title: Loyalism in Bergen County, New Jersey Author(s): Ruth M. Keesey Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Oct., 1961), pp. 558-576 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1921101
5: Title: William Franklin of New Jersey Author(s): Catherine Fennelly Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Jul., 1949), pp. 361-382 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919982
6: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
7: Roark, James, and Michael P. Johnson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford'St. Martin's, 2009.
-------This is my saving grace, a letter in which I wish to redeem myself of my biggest dilemma within my writing past. In my papers, such as my first and second essay which you’ll be able to reread in this portfolio, I struggled with my voice, flow of the sentences and the occasional grammar mess up. It wasn’t the thought process but the transfer onto paper, Craig even told me I should record my thoughts as I thought, then write it word for word . I would specify the transfer of thought to paper as a flailing fall into a pull of doubt and insecurity, and for who knows why with my thoughts well developed and organized. Being put in this program was unexplainable; the process impacted me in several different ways. There was the trial process, the results, the post stress combined with finding a solution, and now the solutions.
-------When faced with our first writing assignment there was so much to comprehend, “They say, I say” with the templates, and the placement of my voice throughout the paper. It was a way of writing that seemed almost opposite than what I had been taught. We did the research process backwards. My past assignment seemed like nothing compared to what they were asking. Stress played a big part on hindering my writing. I met with Craig a few times who would help me get back on track, calm me down so I could focus.
-------We both quickly realized I like to overdress my writing with pointless phrases and explanations, we caught that fast and it decreased a good amount as time went on. If you read the intro of my first essay you will so no mention of the beginning of time or any other horrible references, Craig will be very proud. For me this first essay was one of those feelings where wrong is right and right is wrong and you see absolutely no black and white. Like everything was black until Craig stated other wise, which means I felt like I was just messing up at every turn, because what I thought was right, was found to wrong. With lots of time with Craig to work through things, I was able to pass the first essay with a 79% from Craig, which I viewed as reasonable. With my main flaw remaining in my vague word choice, and the word choice that seemed to essay and not enough of my voice.
-------A good example would be “the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.”(1st essay 5th paragraph) It sounds like a non personal response, a response yes but not much of my voice, my thought and view is shown, it may be there but its not obvious. I had worked hard; it wasn’t perfect, that I knew, but I had seen my faults and thought I realized what I need to work on. This experience gave me confidence, and maybe I was stupid to feel so sure about myself at least that’s what the second essay proved.
-------For the second essay, the time and process flew by me. I was given an essay with a subject to be a loyalist from the New Jersey, and I started it with confidence. My stress level was peaking, which couldn’t of been good and I think my brain might of somewhere shut down along the way. My grammar was poor, words had been skipped, and I was not descriptive enough and too descriptive at other points. A line I was still obviously struggling with. And organization wise, it was easily classified as a mess. The grade on this paper was much lower, and at the time of writing it, I felt I did good , felt my voice was better represented. Although,I think I let my self slack in other areas and the worse part being that I didn’t notice. I let the stress get to me and it showed. That was a big lesson in its own.
--------Getting my edited papers back, my biggest concern was my flow and wording. I wanted to make sure things made sense and were placed in the correct area. For example, for the New Jersey essay, my second essay, I went through took out through whole paragraphs, rearrange whole sections and re worded a bit. For example in my turned in final in the first intro paragraph I had a section “My view is that a common belief of the patriots is that the loyalists are in it for the money, or even view us as cowards, giving up and retreating to the supposed strongest power. Truth be told yes, benefits are relevant as would be by choosing any side, this I do not deny, but we still have much to lose in the same.” This completely did not belong, it was pointless and random, this could be in a fallowing point paragraph but to be in the intro it did not fit. This being so, I completely took it out. Other major organizational edits similar to that were done on essay 2 to improve it.
-------Now, in this reflective letter which I hope is easily understood and well flowed, I’m wishing to represent my writing at a proficient peak. I see stress as my biggest issue, it’s the same in my drill routines where I can work on a routine for five hour straight and get no where, done it numerous times. It’s something that I wish I had a chance to redeem myself for and I hope I will on our final, which is in this portfolio. This writing experience has opened my eyes, showed me a real way of writing, one that I’m still adapting to but one I can respect and call real. My struggles are with my stress, and my voice but I feel confident that this is getting better and it’s something I can improve. I’ve learned to recognize my faults and some were easier to fix, some not so much but all have a solution.
Emily Furgason
Bacon Rebellion Essay
------Of the new government of Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote in 1682 that “When the great wise God had made the world, of all his creatures , it pleased him to chuse man his Deputy to rule it: and to fit him for so great a charge and trust he did not only quoalify him with skill and power, but with integrity to use them justly. This native goodness was equally his honour and his happiness, and whilst he stood here, all went well; there was no need of coercive or compulsive means; the precept of divine love and truth, in his bossom , was the guide and keeper of his innocency. But lust prevailing against duty, made a lamentable breach upon it [.]” Little did Penn know when he wrote his fundamentals to the new government of Pennsylvania that, not only was he reciting the past, but prophesying an undeniable future. It is human nature that greed will seep through and corrupt even the most “divine” of intentions.
------With the discovery of the New World came new opportunities for power. The saying that “power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately” has literally been a theme since the earliest times of history. People will often give in to the chance of power. This theme is easily traced to and laced throughout the historical event of Bacon's Rebellion. In which, through the hope of the people to do good, power corruption within the form of Nathaniel Bacon corrupted any and all good intentions and turned it into a bloody battle due to his selfish greed. Some say that this Virginian rebellion occurred because of the government’s greed, or maybe even the Indians or Colonist, but without Bacon to connect it all, those fragments are just pieces of a broken puzzle. Nathaniel bacon used the people, and government of the Virginian colony for his own personal and selfish reasons, and in doing so, he began, led and continued Bacon’s Rebellion
------For years, Virginia had been having trouble between people and government. The people were growing sick and tired of the lack of support shown by their government against the people’s enemy, the government pay check, the Indians. Mathews writes "These [ people] at heads of James and York Rivers.... grew impatient at the many slaughters of their neighbors and rose for their Defense choosing Mr. Bacon for their Leader (2nd paragraph, document 20: The Beginning,Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676) . Nathaniel Bacon had many underlying characteristics that put him in the perfect position for the leader of Bacon's Rebellion. Soon after, Mathews calls Bacon's approach to the current situations of Virginia as “humble” he readily contradicts Bacon’s perceived and sited “calm” characteristics and he admits "Other than effects of his passion, and new occasion of Avarice, to both of which he was by the common Vogue or opinion more then a little Addicted..." In making this comment Mathews argues there was more to Bacon than a calm do-gooder of the people. Bacon was known as "blackhair'd and of an ominous, pensive melancholy Aspect ... not much given to talk, ... of a most imperious and dangerous Pride of heart, despising the wiser of his neighbours for their Ignorance, and very ambitious and arrogant."(http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/) The mind has a tendency to hear and not listen, to look and not see, usually according to preference. His Motives for the rebellion and leading of the people were clear to those who would see it, but many were easily blinded by the hope of change and chance of their voice being heard, from whom this chance came from was over looked. This blinding veil placed over the people eyes gave him great opportunity to slip in with his uneasy faults and lead them without being questioned. I would compare this portrayal of Bacon to a machine made to question and go against authority. Pride a key factor in discomfort of stature, of, wanting to be bigger and better, being the oil that runs through the veins of this power hungry machine of a man, one especially willing to lead a rebellion for power and other selfish reasons. And then as I continued my research, this was only proven to be truer.
------ Finding that the very reason Bacon had left his home due to complications and disagreements with family and government in his previous home of Suffolk England, was no surprise and helped me better understand the machine that I was examining . Bacon had moved to Jamestown Virginia for a new start. And with help of the Governor , Sir William Berkley, the main power within the town, Bacon was able to settle peacefully in two homes along the James River. Sadly, but to no surprise, as I said early he was a “power hungry machine of a man” and the peace did not and of course could not last for long.
-----Common sense seems to dictate that your actions of now depict who you will be later. Your life and its events mold you into who you are. A common over looked factor of Bacon's Rebellion, is Bacon’s life before Virginia. The similarities between his home of Stiffkey and Virginia leave no surprise that the common and familiar discomforts of his old life, would rise again in Virginia. From his past in his home of Stiffkey Bacon had already spent time developing a bitterness and questionable attitude for authority, “ Bacon was constantly on the lookout for signs of corruption and mismanagement in Church and State, and in this volume his papers are full of evidence patiently collected for some further campaign against the forces of darkness ( usually personified in another equally crotchety Norfolk magnate, Sir Arthur Heveningham, and his ally the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Hundson)” the “papers” being referred to in this quote are Nathaniel Bacon’s personal documents and writings. This excerpt is an overview of the writing themselves done by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The quote continues talking about changes Bacon yearned for in his home town of Stiffkey, of course most changes going against the powers that be.
------Even early in this writing, Bacon’s emotional issues build a sturdy foundation for our man of the rebellion. These issues are brought up in the topic of marrying off his daughter, it is said it was“ [N]ot without trouble and complication, much of is cause by his own ineptitude in emotional matter: a characteristic most obvious in the more personal correspondence.” What many don’t realize, is that his reaction to the issues of Virginia was more of repetition of routine. Bacon had never been able to control himself, as shown in the previous quotes, “in emotional matters” and any one familiar with Bacon's Rebellion can agree that for Bacon and the colonist, and even the Indians, the process was an emotional matter. Bacon had spent a life of rebellion; it had become his outlet of bitterness towards the things he felt were “the force of darkness” which Bacon usually associated as authority figures. Virginia was once again a chance to get back at authority for the people? No, for Bacon's own bitterness and greed of power that had consumed him sense very early stages of his life.
-----Conclusions, which Mathews and MacCulloch put forward, add weight to the argument that Bacon’s actions were in no way in support of the colonists, but more of a natural, very Bacon like, reaction. Bacon's actions were not to help the people. All his life he had been more of a “keep to his self type of guy” and according to Diarmaid MacCulloch piece “ The English Historical Review” “seems an unhappy figure virtually the only humour in his correspondence occurs in letters from his sister…. Dr. Smith draws attention to his remarkable lack of contact with his gentry neighbours except on business; the account books show that they never came to dinner at Stiffkey, and they rarely wrote to him except about administrative matter. Small wonder that this lonely, energetic man turned to religion and politics to fill his day” There would be no reason to abandon this habit in The New World, he had left home on sore terms, and I doubt was ready to make nice with the world after a life of fighting it.
------ Bacon now had control of the people, gotten support for his life long battle against authority. He stirred their anger, their bitterness of authority, a routine he had been repeating for very long. And in doing so, the beginning of the rebellion began. Now he just had to use and abuse his new found power, and he directed it at an excellent opportunity, a chance for another success in the power department. “This morning all men were ordered to lay by their Arms... Mr. Bacon with at least 400 on foot ... 120 on horse entered the sandy bay" and further into the quote its reads" his soldiers mounting their Guns ready to fire; Immediately ( for in this minute if not all night have been in a flame) the Burgesses make it their request to the Governor to Issue forth such a commission.... Saturday 24th the forced commission was delivered." (Document 29 from William sherwood) Bacon had given his new found followers an outlet, like a good leader should of course! What started as the people’s true intentions of changing the community for the better led to threats and force. There had been multiple times previous, where Bacon had asked the government for commission, and every time previous the proposition had been denied. But with this new power, Bacon led the people to threaten and overthrow the government, he let their support lead him further into power and progressed the rebellion in result. But there were still other possibilities and factors of the community even yet to be exploited for Bacon's benefit.
----- Sense the beginning of Bacon's stay in Virginia the governor, Sir William Berkley, had treated him with more than the utmost courtesy. He gave him homes along the river and even placed him on the council ,but it did not stop there in the least. Not only did he have power over the government by the number of people which followed him , but he held a soft spot in Berkley’s heart. More, in a way, a seed he had planted in Berkley to sway in his favor. Showing that not only did he lead this rebellion by the luck and stupidity of the people , but truly by his sheer talent for trickery. 'Mr. Bacon have you forgot to be a Gentleman?' "No, may it please your Honour," Answered Mr.Bacon; "Then," replied the Governour. " I'll take your parole," and gave him his liberty."( DOCUMENT #25) This showed that Bacon no longer was under the control of the government, the basic rules began to not apply . This event happened in late May of 1676 and in the following June , in an assembly based on Bacon's arrest , not only was he released from his sentence but after “ Mr. bacon upon one knew at the Bar, deliver a Sheet of paper Confessing his Crimes, and begging Pardon of God the King and the Governour[.]” subsequently, “[T]he Governour, Starting up from his Chair a Third time said , “Mr. Bacon! If you will live Civilly but till the next [session of the] Quarter Court, I’ll promise to restore you again to your place [on the Governor’s Council].”(document 25) Bacon went from being a convict on trial to once again on the Council, he was able to use his power over the government, thanks to his persuasive qualities, to get out of trial, once again for selfish gain. The hopes of the people in Bacon led to his personal prideful power, which helped lead to his power over government leading to selfish gain of having ultimate control of his surroundings. All in all Bacon had once again created a key factor, thanks to him, to move the rebellion forward even more.
-----My discussion of Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebellion addresses a larger matter of our history and present events in general. This theme of Bacon's Rebellion was not only one of yesterday, but a reoccurring event that started too far back to trace and most definitely did not end in the 1700’s. This essay shows that the past of people’s results in who they are, and thus their actions. This point relates easily to our government and events in recent times such as the presidential election.
------The colonists looked at Bacon for what he portrayed in that moment, which was a mistake. They did not consider his past as a factor of who he really was or how he would act when given opportunity of power. Due to this mistake, the colonist hope of change and less bloodshed turned out in a brutal rebellion full of blood shed.
-----Similarly to how the colonist lightly considered Bacon’s background, today we view the candidates past as small, almost insignificant details. It’s very important to not just realize what their saying now, but what they’ve said and done in the past. It is vital we consider their past when judging the quality of a candidate.
-----The people did not judge the quality of Bacon. They trusted Bacon from the get go and he got to play them like his very own instrument. My point is not that we should deny people a second chance, but we need to be wary of the side affects of their past. I do agree that people deserve a second chance, but a point that needs emphasizing is that old habits die hard, very hard. When looking at a candidate, knowing their background is incredibly important when sizing them up for the presidency.
-----It’s important not to make the same mistake the colonists did, do our research and make the connections between past and present. It is important to look at the past, whether at historical events like Bacon’s Rebellion or just at people lives like our future leaders. By reflecting on the past we are able to understand where we are today, and where we’re headed. Knowing this, we must research when were choosing something as huge as a president who has the ability to impact every aspect of our everyday lives. Bacon’s followers didn’t have the extensive resources that we have today that allow us to learn more of our leaders past and present lives. Due to the people’s lack of knowledge on Bacon’s background, they trusted Bacon's justifications for rebelling. As a result Bacon, a greedy and selfishness man, driven by the intent to retaliate against authority, began, led and continued a rebellion of unjust reason.
Bibliography:
1) The Avalon project at Yale law school: Frame of Government of Pennyslvania May 5,1682
2) Document 20: The Beginning, Progress and conclusion of Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676
3) http://www.bookrags.com/biography/nathaniel-bacon/
4) JSTOR - Diarmaid MacCulloch piece:The English Historical Review http://www.jstor.org/stable/574072?seq=2&Search=yes&term=Nathaniel&term=Jamestown&term=New&term=virginia&term=Bacons&term=Bacon&term=world&term=move&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoAdvancedSearch%3Fq0%3DNathaniel%2BBacon%26f0%3Dall%26c0%3DOR%26q1%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2Bthe%2BNew%2Bworld%26f1%3Dall%26c1%3DOR%26q2%3DNathaniel%2BBacons%2Bmove%2Bto%2BJamestown%2Bvirginia%26f2%3Dall%26c2%3DAND%26q3%3D%26f3%3Dall%26wc%3Don%26Search%3DSearch%26sd%3D%26ed%3D%26la%3D%26jo%3D&item=3&ttl=1719&returnArticle
5) Document 29 By William SherwoodDocument 25 by Thomas Mathews
PASSIONS OF NEW JERSEY LOYALISTS
----Freedom is in the eye of the beholder. A man, who burns a government building due to supposed unjust causes, is one man's freedom fighter and another man's terrorist. Difference of opinion is inevitable, in future, present, and past. In present times of the revolution, freedom has become a complicated thought, dividing my colony of New Jersey and the remaining 12 colonies in conflicting groups of loyalists and patriots. "We have it in our power to begin the world over again ... 'Tis time to part" ( Cook A12). A speech given by Thomas Paine , making evident the Patriots hope for a new beginning. This is something identical to what I, as a loyalist hope for. It’s my belief that the best way to commence this new beginning is with sturdy support, with Britain by our side. I believe by staying loyal to Great Britain, what the patriots and loyalists both wish to achieve will fall into place. To have economic freedom, which the colonies are striving for, you must have an economy first. Without Britain's economy, ours would be nonexistent due to their economic support. By observing influences of Britain within my colony of New Jersey and neighboring ones, realizing the economic support, and witnessing the irrationality shown by the patriots, I choose to remain loyal to Great Britain.
---By living in the colony of New Jersey, my loyalist standing is well supported. “British domination of the trade outlets in the southern part of Bergen County by strongholds of Paulus Hook and Staten Island provided practical reasons for supporting the royal cause”(Keesey 560 ). New jersey is strongly dominated by British, and the loyalists view is especially dominant in my county of Bergen, which means views are easily spread. Not to mention our head influential leaders , such as governor William Franklin who believed in adhering to Strahahn advice of “ Looking upon England as our home” (Fennelly 363). Who is in agreement with the men of the New Jersey Provincial Congress who delivered resolves to the continental congress stating “ That it is our duty to render true and faithful allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, and to support and maintain the just dependence of his colonies upon the Crown of Great Britain.” (Burgess 18). This resolve is one I believe took courage to present to the colonies, makes me proud of my colony and their standing. Bergen country has “the largest number of proportion of active loyalists in the state… slightly less than 20 per 1,000 white citizens , as compared with just under 7 per 1,000”( Keesey 559) as a result of the good trade brought by Britain, which is one reason why they have received my , and obviously as well as my colonies, loyalty,
----Economically, the British have done wonders for us, fifty-five percent of our exports go to great Britain(Roark and Johnson 159). Great Britain is one half of our trading economy not to mention their large amount of imports that keep us going. The result of British trade being taken out is already showing in colonies from the Boston ports being shut down! What if all trading ceased, this situation would only worsen. England is a key partner in the foundation of our economy, I believe the patriots have lost sight of all the Britain and our king have done for us and remain persistent on looking at the negatives and not realizing the results of their actions.
-----“King George III's offenses were countless: cutting trade, declaring war against his own subjects, imposing taxes without consent”(1 Cook), comments like these are numerous in this time, twisted to the most dramatic affect. When one requests land from a noble, it was never without a price, you have a debt to pay, or work it off. Nothing has been free not in Britain nor here, and I believe it’s a misconception that has been formed. The King has the right, the land being lived on being his property and such. The Patriots are disrespectful and even act as traitors, throwing their fellow colonists into the streets along with other numerous brutal acts. If freedom is what they preach then the must learn to tolerate it, their immaturity, harshness and lack of preparation they have shown for what they wish to take on, has turned me away from their cause. Finding no good reasoning in their actions or arguments, I have continued to keep my loyalist views.
-----, " the rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe if what became the opposing , worked as a group, We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. I have more thoughts on this issue, and believe that lack of communication and sympathetic views pushed these issues further.
A view commonly overlooked is the truth of this revolution. This revolution and division of the people was simply and naturally a difference in opinion. Yes, it's a well known fact that many loyalists were wealthy and of a good ranking within their communities. They were happy with where they were at, so an automatic assumption by the patriots is that therefore they saw no need for the change that the less fortunate patriots did. The truth is, those who remained loyal did so with the possibility of their house being ransacked, torched, and torn to bits and pieces. These wealthier families had more to loose than most. Numerous family friends, such as, the Bayards, Doremus, Dr. Abraham L. Van Buskirk, Zabriskie , were wealthy and by choosing to stand up for what they felt to be the way to freedom, they gave up more than most had. They choose where to stand "not for the government but for the right and freedom is represents" ( 3 Burgess). "[T]he rebels sought the Whig ends of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; "( 82 Reid ) Both sides hope for the same outcome. The goal being the same, I believe the issue that split us, we should of come together and worked as one united. We could of reached a conclusion together in peace, rather then in chaos, that’s my wish. As I watch those who claim "Freedom" as the reason they spur into action destroying homes and putting families onto the streets, if that’s what their "freedom" takes, I want no part. I am pushed even further away from them towards the opposing side from what I’m seeing done by those who claim us the “Tories”. I will not willingly place my future into their hands but into the ones whose empire has lasted, remained sturdy and shown their accuracy.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
2:Record: 1
Title:Tyranny to terrorism
Authors:Jane Hampton Cook
Source:Washington Times, The (DC); 09/11/2008
ISSN:0732-8494
Accession Number:4KB520080911031459000
Persistent link to this record (Permalink):
http://moe.ic.highline.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip&db=bwh&AN=4KB520080911031459000&site=ehost-live&scope=site
3: EBRARY BOOK: Burgess, Susan. "So Obstinately Loyal: James Moody 1744-1809." (2000):
4: Title: Loyalism in Bergen County, New Jersey Author(s): Ruth M. Keesey Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Oct., 1961), pp. 558-576 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1921101
5: Title: William Franklin of New Jersey Author(s): Catherine Fennelly Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Jul., 1949), pp. 361-382 Publisher(s): Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1919982
6: Title: Economic Burden: Spark to the American Revolution? Author(s): Joseph D. Reid, Jr. Source: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 38, No. 1, The Tasks of Economic History (Mar., 1978), pp. 81-100 Publisher(s): Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2119317
7: Roark, James, and Michael P. Johnson. The American Promise. 4th. Boston: Bedford'St. Martin's, 2009.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reflective letter(Draft one)
----This is my saving grace, a letter in which I wish to redeem myself of my biggest dilemma within my writing past. In my papers, such as my first, Bacon's Rebellion and second essay, a New Jersey loyalists, which you’ll be able to reread in this portfolio, I struggled with my voice. I knew what I wanted, what I wanted to portray and in my head it would flow perfectly , even spoken verbally from that thought it would sound precise and to point. But then when entering it into my writing, getting it from my words into the words on the paper, was like a jump, no a flailing fall into a pull of doubt and insecurity. This would be my weakness, possibly my only most prominent one besides the occasional grammar issue. My strengths I see in my creative points which I get from insightful connections, at least that’s what I like to think. My points for me are more revelations, true beliefs then a basic fact, and this for me, to me makes my writing me. Being put in this program was unexplainable; the process impacted me in several different ways, there was the trial process, the results, the post stress combined with finding a solution, and now the solution.
----When faced with our first writing assignment there was so much to comprehend, “They say, I say” with the templates, and the placement of my voice throughout the paper. It was a way of writing that seemed almost opposite than what I had been taught. We did the research process backwards. My past assignment seemed like nothing compared to what they were asking. I had mental breakdowns from time to time which seem some what normal for my first pressure of a college level assignment. I realized quickly ,stress played a big part on hindering my writing. I met with Craig a few times who would help me get back on track, calm me down so I could focus. We both quickly realized I like to overdress my writing with pointless phrases and explanations, we caught that fast and it decreased a good amount as time went on. For me this first essay was one of those feelings where wrong is right and right is wrong and you see absolutely no black and white. Like everything was white until Craig stated other wise, which means I felt like I was just messing up at every turn, because what I thought was right, was found to wrong. With lots of time with Craig to work through things, I was able to pass the first essay with a 79% from Craig, which I viewed as reasonable, with my biggest flaw remaining in my vague word choice, and the word choice that seemed to essay and not enough of my voice. I had worked hard; it wasn’t perfect, that I knew. This even in a way gave me confidence, and maybe I was stupid to feel so sure about myself at least that’s what the second essay proved.
-----For the second essay, It flew by me. I was given an essay with a subject to be a loyalist from the New Jersey, and I started it with confidence. My stress level was peaking, which couldn’t of been good and I think my brain might of somewhere shut down along the way. My grammar was poor, words had been skipped, and I was not descriptive enough and too descriptive at other points. A line I was still obviously struggling with. The grade on this paper was much lower, and at the time of writing it, I felt I did good , felt my voice was better represented but I think I let my self slack in other areas and the worse thing was that I didn’t notice. I let the stress get to me and it showed, that was a big lesson in its own.
------Now, in this reflective letter which I hope is easily understood and well flowed, I’m wishing to represent my writing at a proficient peak. I see stress as my biggest issue, it’s the same in my drill routines where I can work on a routine for five hour straight and get no where, done it numerous times. Its something that I wish I had a chance to redeem myself and I hope on our final, which is in this portfolio, I did. This writing experience has opened my eyes, showed me a real way of writing , one that I’m still adapting to but one I can respect and call real. My struggles are with my stress, and my voice but I feel confident that this is getting better and it’s something I can improve. I’ve learned to recognize my faults and some were easier to fix, some not so much but all have a solution.
----When faced with our first writing assignment there was so much to comprehend, “They say, I say” with the templates, and the placement of my voice throughout the paper. It was a way of writing that seemed almost opposite than what I had been taught. We did the research process backwards. My past assignment seemed like nothing compared to what they were asking. I had mental breakdowns from time to time which seem some what normal for my first pressure of a college level assignment. I realized quickly ,stress played a big part on hindering my writing. I met with Craig a few times who would help me get back on track, calm me down so I could focus. We both quickly realized I like to overdress my writing with pointless phrases and explanations, we caught that fast and it decreased a good amount as time went on. For me this first essay was one of those feelings where wrong is right and right is wrong and you see absolutely no black and white. Like everything was white until Craig stated other wise, which means I felt like I was just messing up at every turn, because what I thought was right, was found to wrong. With lots of time with Craig to work through things, I was able to pass the first essay with a 79% from Craig, which I viewed as reasonable, with my biggest flaw remaining in my vague word choice, and the word choice that seemed to essay and not enough of my voice. I had worked hard; it wasn’t perfect, that I knew. This even in a way gave me confidence, and maybe I was stupid to feel so sure about myself at least that’s what the second essay proved.
-----For the second essay, It flew by me. I was given an essay with a subject to be a loyalist from the New Jersey, and I started it with confidence. My stress level was peaking, which couldn’t of been good and I think my brain might of somewhere shut down along the way. My grammar was poor, words had been skipped, and I was not descriptive enough and too descriptive at other points. A line I was still obviously struggling with. The grade on this paper was much lower, and at the time of writing it, I felt I did good , felt my voice was better represented but I think I let my self slack in other areas and the worse thing was that I didn’t notice. I let the stress get to me and it showed, that was a big lesson in its own.
------Now, in this reflective letter which I hope is easily understood and well flowed, I’m wishing to represent my writing at a proficient peak. I see stress as my biggest issue, it’s the same in my drill routines where I can work on a routine for five hour straight and get no where, done it numerous times. Its something that I wish I had a chance to redeem myself and I hope on our final, which is in this portfolio, I did. This writing experience has opened my eyes, showed me a real way of writing , one that I’m still adapting to but one I can respect and call real. My struggles are with my stress, and my voice but I feel confident that this is getting better and it’s something I can improve. I’ve learned to recognize my faults and some were easier to fix, some not so much but all have a solution.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Essay 2 reflection
---On this essay have been more able to ust write the content, write without the added "necklaces" as craige would put it. I was more able to identify what was necessary and waht was not, at least more than before and i hope better. According to me, my roughs started with less junk then my previous one. What ilike more about the first essay was the great amount of research time that we got, i wish i had that time this essay. I believe my structure would have been sturdier and just better composed to being with.
----What i id different was the way of editing and what i was looking for. I tried really hard to only put in words and sentences that were absoltuly needed. The structe of it was way different then then i have ever written. Thanks to a brillaint suggestion by Craig and i hope i pulled it off. I write my intro and conclusion first whish was odd. I'm afraid my conclusion was sloppy... my problem is a do tend to get sick of my writting and almost numb to it. I totally trashed my first rough which is not what i did my first essay at all and i have no idea if that was a good or bad thing.
----What is stil hard of course is knowing whats right or wrong. I mean I'm more confident, but still unsure. I think realizing the structure of an essay, the way it should flow, that made more sense to me this essay it kinda clicked for me. I hope I'll be able to recreate it next essay but... unsure. The essay as a whole was easier i flet more confident , felt like i needed less help BUT still shaky of course and i doubt ill ever be positive in writing.
----What i id different was the way of editing and what i was looking for. I tried really hard to only put in words and sentences that were absoltuly needed. The structe of it was way different then then i have ever written. Thanks to a brillaint suggestion by Craig and i hope i pulled it off. I write my intro and conclusion first whish was odd. I'm afraid my conclusion was sloppy... my problem is a do tend to get sick of my writting and almost numb to it. I totally trashed my first rough which is not what i did my first essay at all and i have no idea if that was a good or bad thing.
----What is stil hard of course is knowing whats right or wrong. I mean I'm more confident, but still unsure. I think realizing the structure of an essay, the way it should flow, that made more sense to me this essay it kinda clicked for me. I hope I'll be able to recreate it next essay but... unsure. The essay as a whole was easier i flet more confident , felt like i needed less help BUT still shaky of course and i doubt ill ever be positive in writing.
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