John Proctor: Batman or Two-Face?

     Ah, The Crucible.  That age old account of the witch burnings in Salem (how old is the book again?).  The history of the events that are a blemish on America's "spotless" record.  And to think, it all began with an affair.  People, let it be known: Adultery is NOT okay!  It causes all kinds of unnecessary trouble.  In this case, it caused the death of many innocent people.  One of the leading characters in this horrific tale is John Proctor.
       John Proctor is a man with a wife. Notice the importance of that sentence; man with a WIFE.  He made a mistake a while ago and cheated on his wife with a 17 year old (he's a male cougar.  Or a rapist.)  But he realized the error of his ways and retuned to the love of his WIFE.  Too bad for him,, that 17 year old was smitten with him.  So smitten she wanted to smite his wife (heh heh).  Enter a "witch" and some chicken blood and you've got yourself a witch hunt.
    But John Proctor.  He made a mistake once and he will not make it again.  No matter what Abigail (the 17 year old) says to persuade him.  So she concocts a story to get herself and her posse out of trouble which affects everone, including Mrs. Proctor.
     So emerges the big question: Is John Proctor a hero?  Pardon my French but MAIS OUI!  IL EST UN HÉROS!  For you non-French speakers I will translate: OF COURSE ! HE'S A HERO!  He knew that what was being done was wrong.  He knew that there was something amiss and that Abigail played some part in it and he refused to join the angry mob.  Especially when his wife was accused.  That just made him angrier and more resolved to fix the situation somehow.

     Now you know.  John Proctor = Good Guy.  But still, nothing good ever comes from adultery/fornication.  It's wrong. So don't do it.  Ever.  Vous êtes d'accord avec moi?

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

       “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards. One word: WOW. Never in my short life have I seen God described in such a harsh and violent light. According to Edwards, God can (and wants to) brutally punish everyone that is not a Puritan but the only thing holding Him back is “the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God”. Partially true. God is able to do this, and only doesn’t because He wills it so, but it’s just not in His nature to have this sort of attitude. This sermon by Jonathan Edwards really exaggerates the anger of God and completely disregards the loving and forgiving side.
       The anger of God is compared to waters that have been dammed, a bow and arrow, and a fire. The longer He holds back His judgment, the more judgment is building up for sinners. Sinners that are compared to “the most hateful venomous serpent” and “a spider, or some loathsome insect”. Can Edwards’ view on how detestable God thinks we are get any clearer? Yes, it can! Strong words such as “abhors”, “abominable”, and “worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire” have been used to express God’s disdain towards humanity (entirely untrue expressions, by the way).
       Jonathan Edwards goes into the process of becoming a Puritan and says if you have not undergone this process, basically, God’s coming after you. Everything you thought was perfect and safe really isn’t. No one is safe in the hands of an angry God.

Oh, there's the neighborhood...why is it leaving?

            They came on the shore with their large canoes and began pouring out of them as the clouds give rain. Who are these strange people?  Where did they come from? Why are they here? Are they peaceful?  The Chief told four of us to go with him to meet the new people.
            FINALLY! WE HAVE ARRIVED! AFTER MONTHS AT SEA, WE ARE FINALLY IN INDIA! NOW WE CAN SAY FOR SURE THAT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IS THE GREATEST DISCOVERER KNOWN TO MAN!  WE ALL RAN OFF THE SHIP, MISSING LAND LIKE A HUSBAND MISSES HIS FAMILY. THERE THEY WERE! THE INDIANS! THERE WERE FIVE OF THEM COMING TOWARDS US.
            We met the new people. They are so pale. Is there no sun where they come from?  And why so many animal skins? Are they also cold?
            THEY ARE VERY TAN. AND WEAR SO LITTLE CLOTHING.  THEY MUST GET A LOT OF SUNLIGHT HERE.
            They did not speak our language. But we were still able to communicate with them through gestures. We learned that they come from a far away land.  They were trying to find some sort of passage. By the excitement in their faces, we guessed that they found it. There is one word that they kept using, though. “Indians”. What does that word mean?
             WE TALKED TO THE INDIANS.  AT FIRST THEY DID NOT TRUST US BUT SOON SAW THAT WE MEANT NO HARM.  COLUMBUS IS ECSTATIC WITH JOY.  HE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO DISCOVER THIS ROUTE TO INDIA. BUT HIS MEN WERE IN BAD SHAPE.  FORTUNATELY, THE INDIANS WERE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE US FOOD AND LET US STAY AWHILE.  BUT COLUMBUS WAS IMPATIENT TO CONTINUE.  HE WANTED US TO BE ON OUR WAY NOW TO SEE WHAT OTHER LANDS HE COULD FIND.  SO WE SAID OUR FAREWELLS TO THE INDIANS, LOADED UP OUR SHIPS, AND DEPARTED. 
            The white people soon left.  But not after eating much of our food and crowding our villages.  Yet we accepted them.  Who are we to be inhospitable to travelers?  We gave them food for the journey and they left.  We still get the feeling that they have only just begun their journey.  But we wish them good traveling and hope they find exactly what they are searching for.

Introducing Me

     Hello, my name is Cyerra. Also known as... just Cyerra. Outside of my family, I don’t have any nicknames. So I’m just called Cyerra. Not Sierra, not Ciara. Cyerra.
     When asked if I’m an only child, my response is usually “it’s complicated”. I don’t have any siblings on my mother’s side but I do have a cousin that lived with us that I call me brother. Most of my family lives here but the rest live down South or in Minnesota.
     My favorite subject right now is either French or Guitar. I’ve always wanted to play guitar and have been playing for over 2 years now. I’ve also wanted to learn French which is what I’m doing now. Many people think I should have taken Spanish instead but I still chose French.
     Concerning music, I mostly listen to pop/rock but leaning more towards rock. I admit that I like the Jonas Brothers (a lot) but I also like Paramore, Vampire Weekend, and P!nk.
I was really into spelling bees when I was in elementary school. I won all of the school spelling bees but then came the next stage. For years I lost at that round until my last year competing. Besides spelling bees, I entered the Academic Bowl, Student Council, and Chess Club competitions. I even tried flag football (which didn’t work out at all). So it’s safe to say that I am no athlete.
     One of my favorite past times is reading. But not deep, philosophical novels, mysteries, or psychological thrillers. I read sci-fi/fantasy. I will read most anything that is pure fiction. Quite often, the book that I’m reading will be about vampires. I’m a big Twilight fan (Team Switzerland) and read other vampires series like House of Night and Evernight. If I have 5 books, chances are they are all about vampires. Or about both vampires and werewolves. That’s how much I like vampire novels.
     So that’s me. The French speaking, maybe-sister, spelling champ, vampire rockstar.