Looking Out For #1

I believe everyone has the right to "look out for number one". It means that you take care of yourself, which is crucial to being happy and successful. But, I also believe that you should balance looking out for yourself with looking out for others. Balance is important because it can help you make the right decisions in life by basing them on how they will benefit yourself and how they will affect other people. Caring for others is important because some people do not have the means to take care of themselves. By helping others, you will feel better about yourself because you will know you are capable of making a difference in the world. You should live your life trying to make everyone happy, including yourself.

Scrooge's Diary

December 23, 1843. Christmas. Bah Humbug! The mere idea makes me want to spit. A time of year when the poor, without a reason in the world to be joyous, merrily walk the streets with rosy cheeks and wide grins, nearly skipping through the snow in their tattered old shoes. Tomorrow Christmas eve will be upon us. God have mercy! My assistant will come into the office asking for a day off. And he will expect payment! Every year this ratty young man has picked my pockets for money he does not deserve. I pay him a good fifteen shillings a week and the poor twit can't even manage to feed his wife and children. And yet he still wants a day off! And for what! Christmas! Such a lie. A false feeling of happiness once a year that disappears the moment january arrives. The poor Christmas loving fools of this town have yet to realize what I have known all of my life; happiness is desirable, but money is absolutely indispensable.

Symbolism in "The Pearl"

In the story, the pearl represents an opportunity for a better life, something everybody in the story desires. The pearl also brings out many human characteristics in the story's characters. In Kino, the pearl brings out bravery. The opportunity that the pearl gives Kino is something he is willing to do anything to protect, even stand up to the Capital. In Juana, the pearl brings out fear. Juana believes that the pearl is a curse that has brought bad luck upon her family, such as when Kino was almost mugged, and she wishes to throw it away. The pearl brings out curiousity in Kino's neighbors who are constantly surrounding his house trying to learn about the news of his pearl. However, in the doctor, the priest, and the townspeople, the pearl only brings out greed. When they hear of Kino's pearl, there heads fill with selfish thoughts of what they would do with the pearl. They even think of ways to steal or cheat Kino out of his pearl. The pearl has effected every character in a different way. I believe it has only hurt Kino and his family and has poisoned the town where they live. Even though the pearl symbolizes opportunity, this story proves that it is not always a good thing.