Outside reading post 12/11

The author starts of quick and straight to the point. Even though John Dillenger was a master thief and killer, he was also cast aside by society. It starts out about Dillenger's first few robberies that were quite small. Stealing potatoes, things like that. His first major job was to attempt to steal from a local store owner on his way home from work, he is caught. Dillenger is given a lengthy sentence for that sort of crime. "It was little consolidation. John Jr. couldn't believe the harsh sentence. Enraged, he felt that he was sold out by both the system, and his father (25)." It shows it right here, had John Jr. gotten a lighter sentence, there could've been a chance that he wouldn't have ended up the person he was. If he had gotten a lighter sentence, Dillenger could've had a better opinion of the justice system, and not been sold out. Dillenger may have been a good person. Matera also provides counter-reasoning on the great criminal. Basically saying he was destined to do bad. "Even if the senior Dillenger had been more aware, it's doubtful he would have been able to prevent his son's next brush with the law. Junior was simly too determined to go bad (21)." This shows that Dillenger, no matter what society did to him, was destined to go bad. Be a terror to society. To be the John Dillenger we know today. When one is destined to go bad, it cannot be stopped.

On the Waterfront

Being a tattletale and being a whistle-blower is like the difference between justice and vengeance. Justice and whistle-blowing come from the mind, from reason, when it is justified to stop one's actions. Tattletales and vengeance come from emotion, from the heart, judgment is clouded. When one is a tattletale, they are one seeking revenge based on previous wrongs committed directly or indirectly. They allow their emotions, often pride, get the best of them and they lose control of reason. They lose control on the fact that by being a "rat," they could really hurt something close to them. Being a rat is for the betterment of the "rat," to settle an old score. When you are a rat, judgement is clouded, and you tattle for personal gain. Not the betterment of society. That is what makes a person a rat. Letting their tattling come from their emotions, and personal gain.

Being a whistle blower is like justice. One sees a problem, and one figures they have the power to fix it. So, they do fix it. However, a whistle blower weighs the options and thinks about it, like justice, it comes from the mind. They realize that it is for the needs of society that it be fixed, not their own personal gain. If a small child tattles on his brother because his brother hit him or something. The reasoning is purely to see his brother get yelled at by mom (I know, I did it plenty of times to my older brother). That is driven completely by a desire for gain. When someone tells an officer about illegal activity, they stand nothing to gain, so it is whistle blowing. Whistle blowing comes from reason, being a rat comes from greed, and emotion. Not reason.

Q2 Blog Question #1 All My Sons

I believe in the script of All My Sons, it is displayed that people will put their family first because it is what matters most. The base of Joe's reasoning at the end of the play is that he did it for Chris and Kate, even though they don't approve. The end of act two and all of act three is Joe defending himself of a mistake he made only to help his family. At first, Joe Keller denies the fact that he did it, because he knew that Chris, Ann, and many others wanted to believe that he was innocent. And by denying, he was able to keep their denial up as well. After he continued denying, Joe Keller started defending what he did. Chris and Kate do not agree, they disagree quite a bit. Even though Joe helped his family, the end did not justify the means. 21 pilots killed so his family could live a better life.

I believe that one should do what is necessary to protect their family. I also believe that there is a point in which a line must be drawn. It is the old situation of stealing bread to feed your hungry family, does one do the dishonorable thing to help what matters most, or keep one's honor. As long as it is something that has a minor impact on society, like a loaf of bread, it should be allowed. However if it hurts society more than it helps, one must set aside their family. Sad but true. Family cannot always come first, if that happens, it justifies doing anything for one's family. That simply cannot be. A line must be drawn.