Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Essay #1

Dealing with a loss is tragic, but a person truly never knows what it feels like to lose a place they loved until they have left it behind. No matter what kind of loss it is whether it be losing a loved one, a special gift, or even something that has been misplaced for a little while. The thought of being without something that a person has been so accustomed to is scary. What can be even scarier is where that person goes from their past experience. Never knowing what's next can either be a frightening or exciting experience. Rachel in the Poisonwood Bible didn't cope well with leaving her homeland behind but it allowed her to endure new experiences that might have never happened, if she didn't leave the United States. Both the good and the bad times she encountered in the Congo, helped her find out what she was truly capable of.


The Congo for Rachel, at first, was one of the worst adventures she ever took part in. Even though in her hometown of Bethlehem, Georgia she wasn't the most liked person, but she was still pretty. In the Congo her looks didn't matter all that much in the sense of her physical features being a positive aspect. She stood out because she was a blonde hair blue eyed girl in her mid teenage years and was constantly being stared at with a questionable face. The native people had never met someone that looked like Rachel and she had never been a part of an environment where she stood out so much. Even at home she didn't get the best reputation at school because she was a preacher's daughter, but here she felt even more like an outsider. "I wept for the sins of all who had brought my family to this dread dark shore." Rachel felt as if she was being punished for something that forced her to this awful place, but actually she just wasn't used to it and she decided not to make the best out what she was given. She complained all the time and wished to go home and never took in the culture or people around her. She was always so negative and cared mainly for herself, but did mature throughout the process of living in a foreign land.


The idea of staying in an isolated place was unbearable for Rachel, especially because she didn't have all the material things that made her who she was. Those items such as a mirror, brush, and clothes may not be all that important when a person is in a foreign territory, but to Rachel those items weren't just things they were pieces of her. All those unnecessary items in a place where they weren't needed may seem ridiculous to a person that has been in a desolate place before, but for a person not knowing what to expect from a new home can be overwhelmed with the change. Her personality wasn't the best suited for the environment she was in, but it helped her stay true to who she was. "The only thing we had to fear was fear itself." She learned by being the oldest that somebody else isn't going to speak up for her, she had to do that on her own. When she talked back to her father and made her own decision to leave Kilanga. Through it all she decided to stay in Africa, but in the French Congo where she was a very successful hotel owner. She found a lifestyle that was perfectly suited for her with all the glitz and glamour she loved.


An unknown place where Rachel couldn't truly be herself, was one of the toughest things she ever had to go through in her life. Her experiences did teach her that anyone or anything can't change who a person is meant to be. Rachel found a version of herself that she liked and didn't let anything stop her for being her own person. She also learned that being pretty doesn't always come with perks, she struggled with her assets because she was seen as different and strange. Rachel wasn't always the smartest in the room but she knew who she was and that is a lot more than anyone can ever ask for. "This is the darkest Africa, where life roars by you like a flood and you grab whatever looks like it will hold you up again." She felt alone and exiled in a place that was an unknown setting to her, but it taught her to be herself. If a person stays true to themselves they will always have the confidence and independence that every person aspires to have, and that is a blessing that not everyone receives.









7 comments:

  1. I think your introduction paragraph was very well written and you had a clear thesis. The only thing you might have wanted to add to your thesis was how Rachael would find enrichment through this experience. I believe you provided great examples and ideas for the alienation aspect of the essay, but I believe that the enrichment part of the essay could have been a little bit stronger. The ideas were there, but may have been stronger if expanded a little more. Your introduction and conclusion were very strong as well as your first body paragraph, which I think was the overall strongest. The only part that really needed work was the essay of enrichment, which I feel was not fully answered. Otherwise your paper was very well-written!

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  2. I thought the essay gave ample evidence that supported the essay. It rambled a little in the beginning but it was necessary to tie in your opening sentence to the book so that was good. In the intro you could have explained in greater detail your thesis but your thesis was clear and constant in the piece. I liked the quotes and how you explained them but in a real situation I don't think you could use them because you wouldn't have the book unless you memorized them and if then well good for you!;) I thought it was well thought out and constructed and flowed when you read it! It's always hard getting out of the gate and running so now there is somewhere to start and we go from here

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  3. Your textual support was awesome when describing the alienation part of Rachel's change. It definitely helped solidify that portion of your essay as well as develop your idea thesis. There was less information on how the change enriched her life. Your conclusion was fantastic as you tied everything in very well together. Excellent job!

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  4. I agree with Judith! I believe you did an outstanding job supporting your thesis with a great amount of support throughout your entire essay. I wish you would have gone deeper into explanation of why Rachel was faced with the exile in the first place! Other than that, great job and I cant wait to see what else you produce over the course! :)

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  5. Great Job Sierra! I really liked how you chose to talk about Rachel because it is a character I didn't really think of. I think you had awesome quotes that added to your thesis and your overall essay. In some areas towards the middle you could have used a wider array of vocabulary, but fantastic job my dear child!

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  6. Your essay is well developed and interesting to read. It would be more exciting to read if your sentences were a little more different from each other. Each sentence is about the same length.

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  7. ThoughtIt Was A Very Good Essay Through Your Vast Amount Of Textual Evidence, I Especially Enjoyed Your Use Of Quotes As They Tied In Well To Your Thoughts. The Only suggestions I Have Would Be To Include More thoughts On How The Congo Enriched Her Life And To Use A larger Vocabulary. Sorry About All The Capitalization I'm On My Phone And Its Not Letting Me Correct It.

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