Partner Macbeth Pre-discussion

Kaela Cachola-Tom

Angela Faye Navor

Britney Cabuhat

Once you are done with first anticipation discussion, with a partner look at the following questions and answer them together. Your answers need to be in complete sentences and you need to provide what you and your partner discussed. PROVIDE AT LEAST A PARAGRAPH PER ANSWER. Please list who your partner is. Each person needs to be post on their own website/blog to receive credit. Title the post "Partner Macbeth Pre-Discussion (names)"

1. Is evil ingrained in human nature? That is, are some people just “born evil,” or is evil caused by circumstance or environment?

We believe that evil isn't ingrained in human nature and that evil is caused by circumstance or environment. When babies are born they learn differently of the ways of living due to circumstances of his or her parents and or environment. People can't be born evil, they are taught differently to think different ways. When kids are small they don't know what's right. For example kids don't know that supposedly gender toys are meant for that gender. Boys could play with girls toys and vise versa and not know the “rules” of gender. They are thought no that's for the opposite sex. So coincide with being born evil, to be evil, one has to be brought up learning acts of evil. Everyone learns certain things due to upbringing. Another example, being racist. Kids don't automatically be racist towards another race, they are taught that through teachings of their environment and parental belief. So no, evil can't be ingrained into human nature, and no one is just born evil.

2. Are our lives determined by fate, or by the acts of our free will?

Our lives are determined by the acts of our free will, but fate can also play a role in the acts that we make. You can say that you chose to do this because you believe that it was fate that brought you to do whatever you needed to do. Sometimes whenever fate plays a role in choosing your acts, you often just do it voluntarily, and would almost always not be planned. For example, if you wanted to go and get a job, but your parents wanted you to just lay low and wait a year or two to get one. Instead of listening to your parents, you decide to just get a job because you felt that that was your calling, as if you felt that you needed to do it. In other words, it felt like fate to go ahead and get a job at that moment.

3. Is redemption truly possible? That is, is it possible to commit an act of genuine evil and truly recover from it?

Redemption is certainly possible. We’re all human and we all make mistakes. With that said, people can commit genuine evil and still have redemption. Also we all sin, and sins are able to be forgiven when it’s repented. People can still have control over their life and turn it around for the better. You can always accept your own actions and learn from it to avoid yourself from doing the same mistake again. Doing a lot of good deeds that’s enough to outweigh the bad actions done is one of the ways to recover from it.

4. Is it possible to admire or respect a person whom you know has committed acts of genuine evil?

It’s possible to respect them, even if they’ve done acts of genuine evil. It could be because they weren’t in their right mind, or they realized that it was horrible and vowed that they would never do it again. It’s also possible that you admire the person, even if they’re evil because you believe that there’s a little bit of good in them, in other words, you’re blinded by the fact that they’re a terrible person. For example, someone could have stole from a store, but it was only because it was so that the person’s family could be fed. Another is when you’re in a relationship with someone, and you’re blinded by the fact that the other person is doing horrible things, like torturing animals or torturing other people.

5. Do “the ends justify the means”? That is, if one uses morally evil methods to acquire a goal, is that goal forever tainted or polluted by the actions one has taken to achieve it?

I feel that what happens in the end is what truly matters. As long as you accomplish something good by using whatever guilty or immoral methods, it might as well be acceptable. Like how movies, story books, and life hardship stories always have a good ending. Depends on the situation, it’s better if both don’t push a powerful negative effect on both ends, but when it comes to “the ends justify the means”, it sadly can’t happen that way. People will always remember the negatives of a certain situation or event. The only consequence is that moral view on the situation is ignored, which shouldn’t happen. There’s no way in avoiding the fact of terrible actions and mistakes done to achieve it because there will always be guilt.

Macbeth Anticipation Guide

Macbeth Anticipation Guide

Directions: This is an individual assignment. Read the following statements. Write if you agree or disagree.  Write two sentences AND a personal experience to support your thoughts about each statement. There are no right or wrong answers! Post your answers as a post on your own website/blog and title it Macbeth Anticipation Guide.

1. Behind every great man is a great woman (every great man is supported, guided, helped and even pushed by a great woman). I agree, because I believe that every great man is always supported, guided, helped, and pushed by their mothers, as they always help their children. If not, then the get all those necessities from other female family members, such as aunties, grandmas, and sisters as well. My experience with this was how my friend has always been very courteous and is always very polite with whoever he talks with. Assuming he’s been under good parenting, he’s persuaded to be a gentleman and have good manners with everyone he talks with.
2. Witches, demons, and evil spirits actually exist. I agree. But only because my religion taught me how evil spirits, or demons are the ones who persuade us to do bad things. Whenever we sin, the demons usually are the ones who are involved with it. My personal experience was with my friends, and how they peer pressured me into lying to my parents about something, and I agreed to do it to get what I want. It was selfish, and I realized that it was a horrible thing to do, so I told myself that I would never do something like that again.
3. Sometimes it is necessary to do something wrong to get what you want. I agree. Sometimes it’s the only choice you feel you can make. There’s situations where you’re given two options, one would be the good and one would be the bad. We choose the bad choice anyway, to get what we want. I was watching an episode of Hawaii Five-0, and this character, named Steve McGarrett, was in the middle of either stealing $10 million to save his friend, or to find another way to save him, which would’ve been more risky, since he didn’t have much time. He chose to just steal the $10 million, but he finds out that the money didn’t even matter.
4. What goes around comes around (karma). I kind of disagree, because something similar might happen coincidentally, but it wouldn’t be as crazy as if your car gets a lot of damage everyday because you wreck someone else’s car by accident. It just seems a little impossible for something worse to happen similarly the next day or in a few days. I can’t think of an experience with this, but a scenario related to this is if you steal something and someone ends up stealing from you, it’s most likely just because someone may have liked what you had or they’ve got something against you.
5. Human beings are easily tempted by things they want, even if it’s wrong. I agree. Because there’s many things that we are all influenced by, sometimes it isn’t good at all. Us humans like to think that whatever we do isn’t too bad, but in reality, it’s very harmful. I’ve had an experience with how people think it’s a good idea to drink and smoke. They might think it’s harmless, but smoking alone messes with your body. I watch this youtube channel, where many of them smokes, but I don’t mind it, because it’s their bodies, not mine.
6. If someone feels that the ruler/s of his/her country is destroying the country, that person should try to overthrow the ruler/s. I disagree in a way, because they shouldn’t just go ahead and be able to go up to the person and go “hey I don’t like the way you do things, I’m gonna take your place.” or something like that. We could protest and petition, but we can’t be too straightforward. I’ve had something like this in during Physics class, where we all voted if we wanted a quiz today and have a test next week, or a practice today and take a test next class, since we didn’t like how she wanted our schedule to be on that day.
7. There are circumstances or events that justify murdering someone. I disagree. This is because even if someone did something horrible to you, they shouldn’t deserve being murdered. Unless they’ve killed many people, then they should have a proper death sentence. I had another experience with Hawaii Five-0 on this. A criminal was going out of control, shooting everyone that was in her way. So the only way that could’ve stopped her was to kill her.
8. Success is worth any price you have to pay. I disagree. With the price that you pay for success, it won’t always last forever. It isn’t worth it to have to pay a certain amount or a certain way to make it up just for success. I myself didn’t have an experience with this, but a scenario would be if an amateur businessman was willing to partner up with another business, and to give most of his profits to that company, but only to find out that they’re making you go bankrupt and you lose all of what you have. You then just end up unsuccessful.
9. Kings are appointed by God, and they rule as His representatives on Earth. If this is about literal people on Earth, I agree because even though some kings or rulers may have made mistakes, they’re still a representative of God, because we all have a little part of God in us. The only representatives of God is us ourselves, because even though we may make mistakes we’re all made by him, since he is God the Father, as well as The Son and the Holy Spirit. I haven’t had an experience with this, but I know that saints are good examples of God and his sacrifices.
10. Your astrological forecast (your horoscope) is a good indicator of how your day will go. I disagree. This is because when you read horoscopes, you often notice that sometimes it’s very inaccurate, because us humans are pretty different from each other, but we’re all accustomed to some of the same things, such as how all of us love sleep. I’ve experienced this before, while I was reading my horoscope and how it always talks about how I’m “associated with satan,” while that’s not true.
11. Traitors should be executed. I disagree in a way, because like how I said in number 7, if someone did something bad to you, they should pay the price that you did, but not in the way where you have to do it yourself. I haven’t experienced this myself, but a scenario for it is if someone became a traitor to you, you should just forgive them, and just tell them not to do it again.

Group Reader Response LC #3 (revisions + 2 paragraphs)

Group Reader Response LC #3 (revisions)

2 Thesis Statements

1. (theme) Pushing through difficult times helps to pull through life, in the novel “Night” by Elie Weisel, it goes to show that perseverance, hard work, and a little bit of smart thinking can get you anywhere through life.
2. (character) Many had lost hope during the days at concentration camps, but for Eliezer, he keeps his head high, and perseveres through it all as he experiences the ups and downs of being in a concentration camp.

Quotes	Commentary
“There’s a long road of suffering ahead of you. But don’t lose courage… so now muster your strength, and don’t lose heart… have faith in life. Above all else, have faith.” (pages 38-9)	The prisoner in charge said these words, to encourage the new prisoners to not lose hope. It means that if you have faith in everything you do, you’ll be able to get anywhere and everywhere as long as you work hard for it.
“ “Lie down on it! On your stomach!” I obeyed. Then I was aware of nothing but the strokes of the whip… It was over. But I did not realize it, for I had fainted.” (page 55)	Eliezer was punished, as he caught an officer with a girl, “invading their privacy” and therefore he had to endure the consequences. But this just mean that there may be obstacles in life that’ll make the process a little harder, but once we pass those, we can truly say that we successfully passed a stepping stone.
“In any case, he couldn’t have written you down, you were running too fast….” (pages 68-9)	Eliezer pushed through during selection, even if he was very tired. It let him have a good mindset, as he wanted to stay alive. Selection can tell if you’ll live or die, and in his case, he wanted to live. This goes to show that if we work hard, we’ll be able to overcome anything.
“ “Well? So you passed?” “Yes. And you?” “Me too.” I saw my father running toward me. I became frightened all of a sudden. “What’s the matter?” “Me… me, too… ! They told me to stay behind in the camp.” ” (pages 69-71)	Eliezer and his friends were talking about how they all passed selection, while the father almost had a close call, but still passed along with them. We may have close calls in life, but just as long as we catch them before they happen, we’ll be fine.
“I must have an operation! If we waited, the toes and perhaps the whole leg, would have to be amputated.” (page 74)	Eliezer right foot started to swell because of the cold, so he took it to the doctor, thinking that if he left alone it would get even worse, and would result in amputating. This goes to show how we may be knocked down in life from time to time, but we’ll always try to find a way to get back up again.
“I repeated to myself: “Don’t think. Don’t stop. Run.” Near me, men were collapsing in the dirty snow. Shots.” (page 81)	This quote talks about how he was around many men dying, as he fought for his life, running. He thought that if he kept going, they wouldn’t do anything to him, showing them that he’s working hard to be where he is right now. In reality, we may have to prove ourselves, about how useful we can actually be, so we can keep doing what we’re doing as of now. This is useful in jobs, so work hard, and you’ll never have to worry about losing a job.
“Men to the left! Women to the right! … I saw them disappear into the distance” (page 27)	Eliezer had to witness being separated from his sisters and mother at an age where everything goes downhill. He never really heard back from any of them.
“Shall I still be able to use my leg?” (page 76)	Eliezer’s leg was numb, as he couldn’t feel his leg. It got really cold to the point where he couldn’t feel it, but the doctor did everything that he needed to do to fix his leg almost back to normal.
“I do not know how long he played. I was overcome by sleep. When I awoke, in the daylight, I could see Juliek… dead” (page 90-1)	Eliezer had to experience the death of his friend right next to him, while he was asleep. He at least got to listen to him play his violin before he went to sleep forever.
“I awoke on January 29 at dawn. In my father’s place lay another invalid.” (page 106)	He also had to experience the death of his own father, and he was only on the top bunk, where Eliezer was on the bottom bunk. He then woke up and noticed that another invalid was sleeping there instead of his father. He figured that he was taken to the crematory.
“Come on Father, it’s better over there. We can lie down a bit, one after the other. I’ll watch over you, and then you can watch over me.” (page 85)	Alongside Eliezer fighting for himself to be alive, he was also fighting for his father to stay with him as well. Ever since the first day of being in camps, he’s always wanted to stay with his father, since his mother and sisters were taken away from them. So his father meant a lot to him. This quote really helps in showing that we ourselves, like to bring others with us, because they mean that much to us.
“ “Keep going! We are getting there!” “Courage! Only a few more hours!” “We’re reaching Gleiwitz.” … even though they came from the mouths of our assassins, did us a great deal of good. No one wanted to give up now, just before the end, so near to the goal.” (page 88)	SS officers encouraged the prisoners to keep going, even if they were “assassins” to them. But it helped encourage them to keep going. It shows that whoever gives us advice, or encourages us to do anything, it’ll help us. Regardless if we know them or not. Us humans just like to be encouraged, since it’s normal for us.

2-paragraph reflection on importance of book in terms of learning and society application.

Consider the following questions:

What are the positive lessons of the Holocaust that Wiesel hints at in the story?

Is there purpose of having faith even without the existence or justice of God? (Jewish people believed in their faith even during all of the horrid events)

Is redemption possible for man possible, after committing actions like or similar to the Holocaust?

“Night” by Elie Wiesel is a great book to learn many life lessons, as well as lessons about society. It shows how there are many people who suffered much more than we did, before us, as we continue to think about our first world problems. It teaches others that our parents are worth more, rather than asking them for materialistic things all the time, as we need to show affection to them more often than we do right now. They deserve a lot more, because one day we may wake up, and realize that they’re gone. So we need to take every chance that we can get, to show how much they mean to us. The book also teaches us about how it wasn’t easy to be accepted into society back then. There were many requirements that needed to be met, in order for them to stay alive. It wasn’t the right thing to do, but at the moment, they thought that it felt right. But most of all, the whole story encourages us readers that we need to persevere and work hard, so we can get to anywhere and everywhere that we want. This is essential, because if you’re anything other than hard working, it’ll be harder for you to meet your goals in life.

The Jewish prisoners believed in God very strongly before they were put into concentration camps. They would pray every night and would always think that everything that they’re involved in is positive. But it helps having faith, even without the existence or justice of God, so that you’ll be able to have a good mindset. Having a good mindset helps with everyday things, as thinking positive can increase your chances at getting where you want to be in life. Even if you’ve committed actions like or similar to something like the Holocaust, it’s possible for redemption, in terms of religion. But if it didn’t come down to religion, there wouldn’t exactly be any redemption if you’ve ever done anything related to the Holocaust, as it’s a sin, or in other words, it disgraces the human race. But we can always ask for forgiveness.

Group Reader Response LC #3

2 Thesis Statements

1. (theme) Many of us take our parents for granted, in the novel “Night” by Elie Weisel, it goes to show that there’s more to our parents than just them buying us materialistic things and how they’re always there for us.
2. (character) The holocaust was an unfortunate event for Eliezer, as he had to experience being separated by his mother and sisters, witnessing the death of his own father, and many other unfortunate events.

Quotes	Commentary
“Look, take this knife… I don’t need it any longer. It might be useful to you. And take this spoon with you as well. Don’t sell them.” (page 71)	In this scenario, it shows how our parents would give up anything for us, no matter how little they have. And we take that for granted whenever it crosses our mind.
“Don’t be afraid son. Sleep, you can sleep. I’ll look after you myself.” (page 85)	Our parents took care of us ever since we were born. They’ve always been by our side since day one and some of us barely show them that we appreciate that.
“His son had seen him losing ground, limping, staggering back to the rear of the column… he wanted to get rid of his father! He had felt that his father was growing weak, he had believed that the end was near and had sought this separation in order to get rid of the burden, to free himself… which could lessen his own chances of survival.” (page 87)	Rabbi Eliahou’s was trying to find his son, but Eliezer then remembered how he was getting weaker, so Eliezer figured that his son was trying to get rid of his father, so there wouldn’t be much of a burden and so that he could have a longer survival span. This goes to show how selfish we are, and hardly pay attention to what our parents are feeling.
“I noticed an old man dragging himself along on all fours… he had a bit of bread under his shirt. “Meir, Meir my boy! Don’t you recognize me? I’m your father… you’re hurting me… you’re killing your father! I’ve got some bread… for you too…” (page 96)	In this scenario, his son took advantage of his own father, when all he wanted to do was give his son some bread for him and for himself. The son was only thinking about himself, and ate all the bread for himself, along with him killing his own father. It just shows how we could be a little selfish, and don’t think about our parents’ feelings.
“Men to the left! Women to the right! … I saw them disappear into the distance” (page 27)	Eliezer had to witness being separated from his sisters and mother at an age where everything goes downhill. He never really heard back from any of them.
“Shall I still be able to use my leg?” (page 76)	Eliezer’s leg was numb, as he couldn’t feel his leg. It got really cold to the point where he couldn’t feel it, but the doctor did everything that he needed to do to fix his leg almost back to normal.
“I do not know how long he played. I was overcome by sleep. When I awoke, in the daylight, I could see Juliek… dead” (page 90-1)	Eliezer had to experience the death of his friend right next to him, while he was asleep. He at least got to listen to him play his violin before he went to sleep forever.
“I awoke on January 29 at dawn. In my father’s place lay another invalid.” (page 106)	He also had to experience the death of his own father, and he was only on the top bunk, where Eliezer was on the bottom bunk. He then woke up and noticed that another invalid was sleeping there instead of his father. He figured that he was taken to the crematory.

Group Reader Response LC #2

1. Dehumanization means: the process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities.
2. The way that their behavior changes is how they looked at the world around them. Before the officers took them away to the concentration camps, they all were clueless about what was happening. They thought they were just going to get a job, and remained positive with all that’s been happening. They used to pray before they slept, but it changes throughout the story. Throughout the course of adjusting to the new setup, they start to realize that it’s not just a job that they’re applying for. It was now a matter of life and death, and they all started to just stop praying at night, so that the nights could pass by quickly. But along with that, some of them learned to just stay strong, and to keep doing what they’re doing now so nothing bad happens.

Quotes	Commentary
“In front of us flames. In the air that smell of burning flesh.” (page 26)	This quote determines how dehumanization actually took place here. In the book, they were told that they had to be taken away, but they didn’t know why. All they thought was they were gonna get a job. Little did they know their journey was gonna be for life or death.
“No one prayed, so that the night would pass quickly.” (page 18)	Their behavior changed rather quickly, as the book just started off, and you can already see changes in the characters themselves. They started to lose faith in God, including Eliezer, who almost chose death instead of living.
“Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever.” (page 32)	Eliezer had found out the situation, that they were being held captive for their matter of life or death. He then thought about the things he would never forget, hence saying “never shall I forget” many different things.
“I glanced at my father. How he had changed! His eyes had grown dim.” (page 34)	Not only did the people change behaviors, but also changed appearances. They often grew weaker, but managed to fight through it and to keep themselves alive for a little while longer. But it didn’t mean that they didn’t think about choosing death. People started to think that death wasn’t at all a really bad option, because when people are dead, they feel no pain. They actually feel nothing, like they’ve escaped.
“In any case, he couldn’t have written you down, you were running too fast….” (page 68-9)	Although some people have been choosing death, there has been some cases where people really fought to stay alive. They were all tempted, but as much as they wanted to, they also wanted to be able to get up in the morning and just be alive. They may have gone a little “savage” at some point, fighting each other for food, but it was for their chance of survival.