The Goldilocks Zone of Storytelling

Words lack imagery. Pictures lack definition. Comics, however, have the ability to combine words and pictures creating the "Goldilocks Zone" of storytelling. This is why Maus, being a comic book, is the best representation of the Holocaust.

You already know that Maus effectively combines pictures and words to tell a story, but Maus strikes balances between other factors as well. For example, Art uses censorship in a very unique way. By using animals as main characters, Art makes the story easier for readers to understand, as they are not bombarded with gory images. However, the reader is still reminded that these events took place in real life by seeing symbols like the swastika. But just to make sure that the reader isn't too detached from reality, Speigelman includes the realistic account of his mother's suicide. This part contrasts from the rest of the comic in that it is very detailed and almost nothing is censored.

Spiegelman cleverly designs the road to look like a swastika.
The subtle imagery reminds the reader that these were real, horrific events. 

Maus may be the best representation of the Holocaust, but it is not perfect. According to Jim Powell, representing the Holocaust is like attempting to "represent the unrepresentable" or "say the unsayable" (Powell). I completely agree. It is simply impossible to comprehend what the victims of the Holocaust faced. Unfortunately, only someone who went through a similar situation can understand.

Let's talk about something less depressing ya? Cars! Just like Maus is the most well-rounded story, the Mercedes-AMG E63S Wagon is the most well-rounded car. It combines the functionality of an SUV with a monstrous AMG engine that produces 600 hp and does 0-60 in 3.4 secs. THAT'S INSANELY FAST -- not only for a station wagon but for any car in general. In addition to those sports car numbers, it also gives the luxury that you would expect from Mercedes Benz. Only problem: it costs $120,000.

Overcoming Selfishness

"This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace got me thinking about myself more than anything else. I have always thought of myself as a genuine and caring person, and I still do, but reading "This Is Water" has taught me that I am not perfect. That I have some subconscious selfish tendencies as well.  Wallace mentions that people subconsciously think that they are the "absolute center of the universe" and that humans have a "natural, basic self-centeredness … hardwired into our boards at birth". On the other hand, Wallace also mentions towards the end of his speech that anyone can change towards being an empathetic and caring person if he or she puts a conscious effort towards achieving it. And that is what I am going to do.

For example, I've always dreamed of owning an expensive supercar in the future. Is that selfish? Some people may argue that I can do whatever I want with my money, but is it the right thing to do? The same money could feed thousands of starving children for weeks, maybe months. It could provide shelter for homeless families across the United States. It could support people devastated by hurricanes and floods. Hundreds of thousands of dollars could go into an unnecessarily intricate vehicle that has the same primary purpose as a Ford Focus. Or, the same money could save millions by creating grocery stores in food deserts*, or by funding cancer research. 

That being said, my love for cars isn't going anywhere, but I definitely need to rethink my dream of buying one...

Where should it go?

*Read more about Food Deserts and how severe they are in the United States by clicking here and here

The Ladder of Intensity

The three works of literature that we read this week are actually very similar to each other. The only main difference was the level of intensity that the authors used to get their points across. At the top of The Ladder of Intensity, is, undoubtedly, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau's intensity shows in his writing because he is very direct with the reader. However, the main distinction that makes Thoreau stand out from the other two, aside from his radical tone and views, is that he proposes a call to action: "I say, break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine" (Thoreau).

As we climb down The Ladder of Intensity, we come across "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" by Sarah Vowell. Vowell's work is under Thoreau's on The Ladder because she connects more with the reader on a personal level. By seeing stories of Vowell's personal experiences, the reader can properly understand her views and where they come from. The sarcasm and humor sprinkled throughout the essay also adds to casual mood. While this is true, "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" is still close to "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" on the ladder because Vowell still displays strong opinions about the US Government.

At the bottom of The Ladder of Intensity is "The History Teacher" by Billy Collins. Although Collins's poem poses a significant question, the tone of the poem itself is very casual and simple. By using children as a focus of the poem, Collins is integrating innocence with the complicated question of censorship and authority. 

This idea of a hierarchy of intensity is seen in many places other than in literature -- especially in cars. The purpose of a car is to simply take a person from point A to point B, yet that car could be anything from a Pagani Huayra to a Honda Civic; it depends on the person. This concept of varying levels of cars makes everyone happy since there will always be a car somewhere that one likes. Similarly, out of the three works of literature that we read, I personally found "The Partly Cloudy Patriot" more effective than the others because I could relate with Vowell, I enjoyed her sarcasm, and she had the perfect level of intensity.

The Meaning of Freedom and How Cars Fought Jim Crow

After reading "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" by Frederick Douglass, I have realized that many people today have forgotten about the meaning of freedom, including me. On the Fourth of July, I used to watch the fireworks and maybe eat a nice dinner, but otherwise, it was just another normal day for me. Not anymore, however, because "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" has made me appreciate the struggles that African Americans went through to gain freedom. Back in 1852, when Douglass wrote the speech, the United States was divided by race. "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine" says Douglass, showing the divide between whites and enslaved blacks (Douglass 1). Douglass's sarcastic comments and harsh criticisms of the United States throughout the speech represent the struggles that African Americans faced during this time.

Frederick Douglass

Slavery in the United states was abolished thirteen years after Douglass wrote "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro", but this, unfortunately, did not mean the end of struggles for the African American population. In the late 1870s, the Jim Crow Laws were created. These laws restricted the freedom of African Americans by segregating many areas including means of public transportation such as buses. Cars actually have a special connection to this time period because they were used by African Americans to fight the nasty Jim Crow Laws. African Americans who had cars used them to avoid segregated means of public transportation and therefore lived generally safer lives. Even with cars however, life as an African American was difficult because segregation occurred nearly everywhere: restaurants, hospitals, schools and many other places.

If you want to read more about how cars helped African Americans against the Jim Crow Laws, then click here http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Race/R_Casestudy/R_Casestudy2.htm

11 AP Cars

Welcome to my Blog!

A Journey Through Cars is exactly what it sounds like: a journey through cars. In this blog, I will incorporate common themes relating to cars into every post to spice up the previously mundane content. After you have finished reading a post, you will have taken a journey around a race track through cars ranging from bulky American pickup trucks to exotic Italian hypercars.

Cars will be chosen based on the story. For example, if the topic is about a practical house with lots of storage and room for people, I might compare the house to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, which is a very fuel efficient car with lots of practicality and storage space. However, if the story involves something that is impractical yet fun, I might choose a Lamborghini.

Even if you know nothing about cars, A Journey Through Cars will bring an interesting twist to exciting stories for you. Enjoy!