Grant Rawden

English 1101

2/8/2016

Professor Young

Reading Log Questions #1

1. What is the meaning of the good lord bird? What does it represent?  How does it connect to to the title of the book?

So far I have only found two references to the “Good Lord Bird”.  The first time was when John Brown gave Henry a good lord bird feather on page 25.  John Brown says, “Feather of a Good Lord Bird.  Now, that’s special.  I don’t feel bad about it neither, giving my special thing to you.  The Bible says: ‘Take that which is special from thine own hand, and giveth to the needy, and you moveth in the Lord’s path.’  That’s the secret Little Onion.”  I think this teaches us that we shouldn’t be greedy.  We should give to others when we have the chance, which will help make us become better people.

The second time the Good Lord Bird was mentioned was on page 32/33.  Fred see’s the woodpecker hammering away on a tree and he explains to Henry that this particular bird is called a Good Lord Bird.  “They say a feather from a Good Lord Bird’ll bring you understanding that’ll last your whole life.  Understanding is what I lacks, Onion.  Memories and things.”

2.)  What is Henry’s nickname?  How did he earn it?

Henry’s nickname is “Little Onion”.  When John Brown first took Henry (Page #23/24), he gave Henry his good luck charm (Which was an onion).  John Brown was shocked that Henry ate his old disgusting onion, but he quickly laughed it off.  The reason Henry ate it was because he was frightened and afraid because he didn’t know what John Brown wanted.  Henry didn’t want to eat the onion, but he was tired from the long ride and technically he was still a prisoner, so he ate it.   From there Henry was known as Little Onion.

3.)  What was Henry’s rationale for continuing to live a lie?  Was it justifiable?

  Henry has been constantly trying to tell John Brown that he is a boy, but John Brown’s stubborn personality won’t let anyone finish their statement.  Even when John Brown first walked in the barbershop to get his hair cut.  On page 20 Pa tried to tell him that his name was Henry and that he wasn’t a girl, but again John Brown didn’t listen.  Henry is absolutely terrified of John Brown, so it makes sense that he didn’t correct this mass murdering psychopath.  Henry just went along and agreed with everything he said.

Grant Rawden

English 1101

1/28/2016

Professor Young

Is it Permissible to Lie?

We are always taught by our parents that it is never acceptable to lie, but what about for lying for good reasons?  Does the truth always set people free, or does it cause more pain that could have been avoided?  Lies create an untrustworthy distance between people which causes people to always use caution around the liar.  95% of the time people shouldn’t lie, but there are some important exceptions that have to be mentioned.  Whenever lives are at stake, it is okay to lie so death can be avoided.  Lying destroys connections which is exactly what is needed when in a terrible situation.  Obviously it’s forgivable when you lie to someone when they ask how they look.  Offending someone and hurting their feelings is never a good action to take, but it doesn’t hurt to suggest something that might improve their look.   However, lying to family members, friends, or known associates can be very dangerous.  These are people that know you well and interact with you every single day.  If the trust barrier is broken with these people then the good relationships will be forever corrupt.  No one will want to form a relationship with a liar.  There will always be a sense of nervousness and caution will always be applied.

Grant Rawden
English 1101
1/28/2016
Professor Young

Getting to Know You

1.)  My parents had me playing sports since I was five years old.  I first started out playing soccer and hockey, but once I entered high school I started playing football, paintball and racing motocross. Most of my passion lies within racing motocross because my coach is my dad and he's the one who taught me to ride when I was five years old.  

2.)  When there is a little free time available at home I like to play with my three dogs. Sandy (Golden Retriever), Leo (Lab/Chow mix), and Teddy (English Bulldog).  

3.)  X

4.)  When I write I typically just sit at the computer and allow the words to flow, but I recently started making short, brief outlines and they seem to make it easier for flow transitions between topics.  

5.)  Over the years I can see that writing isn't one of my strongest skills.  I find it very difficult remembering all the grammar rules and applying them into my final essays.  I'm very interested into seeing what college English has to offer and we'll how the semester turns out.  

6.)  The most recent books that I have read are; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, One Who Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and Fallen Angles.   

7.)  Everyone that knows me could tell you that i'm not a technology guy.  Yes I have all the social media programs that other people created for me but I don't use them a lot.  

8.)  The most important lesson that I would like to learn would be how to express my true thoughts into a clearly demonstrated opinion.  

9.)  Hero's are the few people that give me inspiration and strive me to be like that person.  To have pride, honor, and respect.  

10.)  X

11.)  Rating myself as a writer I would go with a B or C.  I can think of ideas about the discussed topic, but I have trouble applying all the grammar rules into my final essay.  Having so many mistakes usually brings my grade down to a B.