50 Essays Discussion Questions

Throughout once in your life, you may have been confronted with a situation where you accept inconveniences instead of taking action. According to William F. Buckley, American people everywhere have refrained from “trying to rectify irrational vexations”. In Buckley’s essay, “Why Don’t We Complain?” he explains some situations that he was involved in where no one would complain to repair an uncomfortable situation. Throughout the essay, Buckley uses his experiences and strong reasoning to show why he believes that the American people do not complain. Buckley attempts to support that the apathy that Americans would accept inconveniences instead of taking action is the cause of many Americans’

People love to complain. They love to share their opinions with the world--especially if they are negative. Most people, though, know that there is a time and a place to complain, that its appropriateness and efficacy depend on the circumstances. William F. Buckley Jr., in his essay Why Don 't We Complain?, discusses what he perceives as a failure of people to recognize things they can or should complain about, and tries to tie that deficit to the lack of participation in the American political process.

Being an author of several praised works, Maxine Hong Kingston has been deemed a noteworthy American writer since her first book debuted. Her unique style and interesting blend of myth and truth in memoir form garnered her international attention and won her several awards. Kingston’s works have put heavy emphasis on her family history and her experiences as a Chinese-American, so it is no surprise that she has been received well by many and misunderstood by others at the same time. A discussion on one of her most popular works, “No Name Woman”, and a look at the different ways Kingston’s works have been interpreted should reveal how literature can have different meanings depending on what one is looking for.

A cell is subject to hypoxic conditions for 20 minutes, then observed under the microscope. The

In the essay, “How it Feels to be Colored Me” written by Zora Hurston, there are many struggles she went through because of being single storied and discriminated against for her race. Throughout her essay, Hurston’s view is from how others look at her on the outside and not what they see on the inside. Though she is different from the status quo of beautiful, Hurston argues that despite the single story by which others define people, they can choose to express their individual by focusing on moments that empower them.

Hurston also portrayed the reality of men and basically described as being stronger and more important than females. Hurston's different use of writing techniques and aspects of the novel's themes aid the reader's understanding of the significance of the African American culture during the 1930s.

Hurston’s opening exposition reveals only partial of what could be the remaining events in the novel. However they do parallel with the theme of an individual versus society. This being said because she has become a product of her environment and her environment has shaped her in many ways as a writer. She was fortunate enough to grow up in a very influential area. She prepares the reader for potential conflict with her environment because her environment is so historic and classic. This usually results in amending one’s behavior or having to comply with the rules of society. But by having read other novels by Hurston one knows that she is not one to agree in compliance and

feels cut in half as if her new American world were to pull her apart

It’s very clear that the historical events that occurred during the time period in which this book was written influenced Hurston’s writings. Her book was published in 1937 and it was based in the early 1900s. Hurston was born in 1891, and the Civil War had just ended about 30 years before she was born. Therefore, racial tension was still intact. Her book slightly shows the differences between black and white people in segregated communities. In the book, Janie’s grandmother was a slave and Janie’s mother was “lighter” skinned. Janie is considered to be a “lighter” skinned woman, and that has a big influence on how people view her in the book.

ELA11-12.INV3.QUSTN : I can generate a research question. This means that I can develop a question about a complex global issue that has two legitimate sides and is not a “yes/no” issue. I can consider possible implications for other issues. This means that I can think about how my question might connect to other issues.

Wright uses a sophisticated style of writing to argue that Hurston fails to exemplify a theme that addresses the Negro life. Instead, he claims that her novel supports the “white audience whose chauvinistic tastes, she knows how to satisfy.”From this, one can assume that Wright probably knows more about her, and severely criticizes her writing style for not having the hardships and the race relations with the whites and the blacks. However Wright is wrong, in the sense that Hurston implies the notion of race relations because she uses the characters Joe and Janie to compare with the townspeople of Eatonville. With Joe’s education, the people of Eatonville are surprised to see and are skeptical that as a black man, he most likely acts as if he is the white man, trying to take control and having this authoritative personae that dominates the town as well as his wife, Janie. For example, in the novel, Hicks states, “It troubled him to get used to the world one way and then suddenly have it turn different. He wasn’t ready to think of colored people in post offices yet. He laughed boisterously.” (39) Hurston is showing that people are always used to this idea that the whites are always in the top, but by rebelling against this idea, Joe, empowers colored men that there are several opportunities in life, and

"Why Don't We Complain" is a creative writing that addresses the subject of complaining among Americans. The writer, Buckley Jr. provides insight on how Americans are reluctant or afraid to speak up about the things that appear to infringe their rights. He seems to be a thoughtful writer who takes every situation he experiences as a reflection of complaints of the society. From the incident of the increasing heat on a train to delay in disposal of a lunch tray, Buckley Jr. reveals how Americans are increasingly hesitating to let their voice be heard. People are overlooking the fact that complaining can result in positive change and wait for the other people to take this initiative cannot facilitate this change.

First, Hurston faces discrimination. Self-discovery, and respond differently to these issues. She starts to experience discrimination, when she moves from a minority town to a majority

Conveying strength, empowerment and pride, Hurston explores the discovery of her identity and self-pride. Throughout the essay, Hurston compares herself to other “colored” individuals. Others may be angry or depressed in their stage of life, but Hurston refuses to accept those thoughts and feelings of her own. Contrary to belief, Hurston instead showcases her determination to show an unexpressed pride in herself because she believes that there is nothing “wrong” with her and she is no different than her neighbors.

Kingston breaks the silence that surrounds her aunt, which in the first chapter she names, “No Name Women”, her aunt became pregnant by another man besides her husband. She was victimized for protecting the father of her child, by not naming him. Being referred to as nameless women suggest someone without a voice or a story. However by Kingston relaying how her aunt got pregnant and telling her story it, in turn, gives her a voice. For Kingston, her aunt’s actual