Writing Topic
Select the role of someone who was involved with or someone who observed Tom Robinson's trial. Write an account of the trial from that person's point of view.
- - - a member of the black community sitting in the balcony

- - - a member of the jury who believed that Tom was innocent but was afraid to go against the other members of the jury

- - - a newspaper reporter from New York who was covering the trial

- - - Judge Taylor in his later years writing his memoirs

- - - Reverend Sykes

- - - Atticus writing in his journal

- - - Miss Maudie Atkinson

- - - Aunt Alexander
Make sure that what you write is consistent with the character whose point of view you have assumed.

It was a long first day in the courtroom today. Nobody truly took a lead over the other, although I feel I made great progress. This is going to be a vigorous case all the way to the end. Even though I will not win, I truly want to take this case seriously. As long as I put up a good fight against Mr. Gilmer, I will be happy. I feel that I am doing the right thing.

Hopefully, someday, people will respect me again for who I am and not my views about black men. I know that I will feel better about myself in the end when this case is complete. I will feel better that I went against the usual behavior and stuck up for what was right. Most people in the courtroom today knew that Tom Robinson is innocent, but unfortunately, he will be convicted in the end. Hopefully, someday, people's views will change and we will have a fair society to live in. 

1. What is the main idea of this NYT article? What is its connection to OMAM?
The main idea of the article is to talk about how we are in a recession, but most people feel that we exiting the worst part of it right now. Its connection to OMAM is that OMAM took place during a recession just like our time now. 

2. According to the article, "Some Forecasters See a Fast Economic Recovery," what 'psychological factor' is mentioned as providing the U.S. society with a false sense of comfort?
The psychological factor is that people will have a massive infrastructure spending and people will start to feel like everything is working.

3. Is there a similar psychological phenomenon that plays out in OMAM? [Hint: Where do the migrant workers' earnings go? Find support for your answers on pages 76-78 of the text.]

In OMAM, all the workers immediately spend their money in town at the bar. This is similar to what people could start doing if they think we are coming out of the recession. They could start spending their money freely.

When the boss is talking to George about their work, George speaks for himself and Lennie. What does his boss suspect is going on between George and Lennie? What is George's response?

His boss suspects that George is taking the pay away from Lennie when they get their money. He believes that George is "staking" Lennie and watching him secretly. George's response to this comment is he tells the boss that he is Lennie's cousin. He says that he is taking care of Lennie because Lennie's mom told him to. He also said Lennie got kicked in the head when he was a kid, so he is a little dumb, but still a great worker.

Compare and contrast the two men who come into the clearing by the river. [pages 2-3] Why do you think Steinbeck introduces the men by describing their physical features, highlighting the fact that one is small and one is huge? What can the reader infer about the two men based on their descriptions?

George- He was a small and quick man. He had a dark face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. He had a thin, bony nose. 

Lennie- He was a huge man with a shapeless face. He had large, pale eyes, and wide, sloping shoulders. He walked heavily and his arms hung at his sides. 

He introduces them this way to show that they are complete opposites. One is huge and very clumsy, whereas one is small and very quick and on task. The reader can infer that they are opposites, but are also good friends. It also seems like without each other, they would not be able to survive and live the way they are right now. 

"Hephaestus"

1. Why was Hera disappointed when Hephaestus was born? What did she do with him?

She was disappointed because he was ugly and shriveled. She threw him off Mt. Olympus and when he landed, he broke both legs.

2. Who saved Hephaestus?
Hephaestus was saved by a naiad named Thetis.

3. What made Hera change her mind about her son? What did Hephaestus become the god of?
Hera changed her mind about her son when Thetis appeared at a festival of the gods wearing a beautiful necklace. Hera noticed the necklace and praised it. Hera then found out that Hephaestus had made the necklace, so she demanded him back to Mt. Olympus. When he got back to Mt. Olympus, he became the smith-god. 

4. Compare Hephaestus and Apollo. How do their appearances differ?
Hephaestus was one of the ugliest gods of all and Apollo was the most beautiful of all the gods. 

"Aphrodite"

5. How was Aphrodite "created"? How is this birth similar to Athene's?
Aphrodite was created when Oranos was thrown in the sea after he had been butchered. From the foam around his body rose Aphrodite. Her birth is similar to Athene's because they were created from someone's body. 

6. What gifts was Aphrodite promised by her suitors?
She was promised grottoes, riddles, gems, fair surfaces, dark surroundings, riches the earth did not know of, throne, a crown, and Hephaestus offered himself to work late.

7. Which husband did Aphrodite choose? Do you think she chose wisely? Why/why not?
Aphrodite chose the husband of Hephaestus. I think she chose wisely because she is now able to be free in the world, not being watched by a husband.

8. Which goddess is most powerful: Demeter, Artemis, or Aphrodite? Explain the reasoning behind your choice.

I think Demeter is most powerful because she is able to control if the humans get their food every year. She has the power to destroy the human race if she wanted. 

The world was lucky in that Pandora did not release "foreboding" from the box Hermes gave her.

1. What was "foreboding? How would it have changed our society, according to Greek myths?

Foreboding is knowing all the misfortunes that would happen to all people every day. This would have ended man because man would not be able to live without hope.

2. Choose another "ill" in the box and write about how the world would be different had Pandora not released it.

If Pandora had not released "disease" into the world, life would be a lot different on Earth. Many more people would be alive today. Grandparents and parents would still be enjoying there lives. Horrible diseases would not be destroying people like they are today.

Is Hermes a good god or a bad god? 

Explain using support from the text.

Hermes is a good god because he is the messenger of the gods. At the first stages of his life, he seems to be evil when he steals the cows of Apollo. Though, as the story progresses, he becomes a good god. He helps Zeus to send messages to other gods and goddesses. He is able to move very quickly because of the wings on his hat. Overall, I believe that Hermes was a good god.