REFLECTIONS!

     Everybody always complains to their peers and professors, “why are we learning this? When am I ever going to need to know this in the real world?” The truth is school in general, especially college, is a learning experience in itself. Having responsibility, maintaining specific standards and acting as a mature professional are all skills we develop as students to enter the real world with our eyes wide open. Yeah maybe you won’t need to know soh-cah-toa if you’re going to be a nurse, and maybe reading and writing won’t necessarily be a must have on your resume for your future job as a construction manager. I have learned throughout the years that knowledge is power. If you need to take a college course that has no direct correlation to what you will be doing after school, just suck it up and take in as much as you can. Either way your spending your time and money to obtain the information why not make the most of it, and surprise your future employer when the opportunity comes to shine and show them your more of an asset than what they asked for. Obtain as much as you can in college, and that is what I have reflected in English Literature.

 This class is not about slaving over assignments you have no relationship to. I can personally say I could relate every single assignment to either a world issue, a social issue among my friends and peers, or a personal issue. I was always a bright kid but this class really inspired me to reach beyond my self-expectations, and challenge myself on my best day. The class lectures would always start off referring to a play, or a short story or poem, but evolving into a discussion about ourselves or the world around us. Letting us analyze the world we live in and the human condition in present day and past.

I know that this class in itself will help me succeed throughout the rest of my visit here at SUNY Farmingdale, and beyond into the great abyss of life. The inspiration it has had on me gives me a different kind of feel good sensation unlike the kind you get from that high-five after winning an epic game of beer pong. It gave me the sensation that “winning” can be a term used more diversely than a game. We can beat our lazy selves, and suck it up when it comes game time. We can defeat that part of us that explores the option that “well I could get up and go to class, or… I can stay in my cozy bed all day nestled under my cozy blanket.”

I don’t know where I’ll be in 5 years, 10 years not even next year. Life is so unpredictable and I’ve learned to not try and stress over it. Life will take me in the right direction, and I will use the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired from this class, with the help and participation from all my classmates, to push myself through any obstacle that stands in my way.

INSPIRATIONAL MOMENTS IN CLASS

Throughout the Spring '12 semester at SUNY Farmingdale, our English Literature class was full of exciting lectures, insightful discussions and it was just an amazing atmosphere in which everybody participated. Each individual contributed something to the class that made the students think, and also helped bounce ideas around to keep discussions going sometimes extending throughout the entire class period.

There are two class activities that I really enjoyed and felt was an extraordinary way for a teacher to portray her love for what she does, resulting in the students to strive for excellence and going the extra mile. After all, that is the responsibility that many teachers in this country fail to recognize, and fail to achieve.

The first motivating experience in Professor Brady’s class was not necessarily a lecture, or a class lesson. It consisted of her passion for not outside literature, but work presented to her by the students themselves. As “Millenial’s” in the post-modern world, we as a whole strive off our own accomplishments, and being recognized for it. Professor Brady took time out of her day to highlight what she was inspired by in her students work. I never once as a student seen a teacher point out each individual student, and tell the class why they are astonishing in their own way. When she read my paper, I felt like I just won the lifetime achievement award, and set my mind in overdrive to push harder and strive for my absolute best future assignments to come. It made me want to succeed.

The second example was when Brady asked us to all close our eyes, as she anonymously handed out lyrics to songs, and asked all the students to close their eyes while we took in the words of poetry. This class taught us that although people think, “oh, I read poetry all the time, whatever,” you really can’t enjoy it as much as letting down your guard and letting the words absorb into your soul. It offers so much more to not spend your energy and focus reading words off a page, compared to saving that energy to really take in what is being said.

Coming to Farmingdale was a last minute decision for me. I juggled ideas around in the summer of 2011 between joining the U.S. Army, moving to Virginia or staying here in Long Island becoming an Iron Worker. I chose moving to Virginia. After saying my goodbyes to all my friends and relatives I packed up all my things, and was days away from starting my new life. The day before I left I had received a phone call from my mother, who a week before had taken my father to the Cancer Treatment Center of Philadelphia to get a second opinion for the Cancerous cells that came back in his lungs. That phone call is something I will never forget. The urgency suggested me and my sister needed to come there as soon as possible. Not even thinking that I was scheduled to move the next day, I took one of my packed bags and took the trip to Philadelphia. There’s no need for detail but after one week of sleeping aside my father, hand in hand, he was gone. From that moment on I bottled my emotions and never mentioned it to anybody, I never talked about it; I just stayed strong for my mother and sister. Knowing well my father wanted me to earn my Bachelors in Construction Management and Engineering I didn’t think twice about what direction to head in now. I applied to SUNY Farmingdale, and as fate would have it I met Professor Brady, who has been the only person I have been able to talk to about what I have kept bottled up for the past 6 months. Now I know this necessarily isn’t a lecture, or class activity. But I would like to use my third, most fond moments involving this class, on my discussions with Professor Brady about our similar situations, and the motivation it has given me along with my fathers will, to become an A student. People don’t believe in many things we are told, but I am certain that everything happens for a reason!

POST MODERNISM: THE REALIZATION OF NATURAL TEMPTATION AND DESIRE

   The short stories A&P by John Updike and The Storm by Kate Chopin are said to be “a product of their time period.” As you can relate too many different pieces of literature throughout history, it is very clear that as times change, so does its literature. The Human condition however physically and mentally can be seen to be very consistent throughout long periods of time. Arguments should be justified as to why people act certain ways, other than just a changing of a time period. A consistent theme demonstrated in A&P and The Storm has to do with the concept of human sexual desires, either physically or in the main characters self-conscious. Many argue that these desires are a product of a post-modern world, while other believe it could be the character making a stand or some type of heroic defense as seen in the character Sammy from A&P. The one thing not many people are willing to open up their minds to is that, both these sexual desires are a physical trait we have been exposed to for a very long time. Sammy may be a part of a post-modern piece of literature, but to those willing to look beyond the writing, Sammy is just a maturing person going through natural physical and psychological adjustments.

   Sexual desire is among many conditions in the human anatomy that comes natural, and to some unexplainable. The human sex hormones such as Androgen found in men, and Estrogen found in women, have several effects on the human body during development, and throughout one’s life. Considering these hormones and what they are capable of, it is possible that Sammy and Calixa where not just products of their time period, but a product of their natural tendencies. “The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter” (Chopin 2) is a descriptive passage in The Storm just around the arrival of the main characters ex-lover. This could unquestionably be a situation to arise sexual desires between too people with an intimate past. “She had on a kind of dirty-pink-beige, I don’t know – bathing suit with a little nubble all over it and, what got me, the straps were down” (Updike 410). A very descriptive quote by Sammy as he observes who he claims to be the “Queenie” of the girls who just entered the store he works at. For most teenage boys, past or present, this sight of a beautiful half naked female in his presence may stir up sexual desires. In both instances it was said that these feelings and desires are just reflected on their time period, however through human anatomy, it can be persuaded that this is natural for the human body to feel certain ways, in certain situations.

   The situation Calixa from The Storm is put in can make her vulnerable to her sexual desires. While she is home alone during a bad storm, her former love Alcee shows up to get out of the rain until it passes by. Some of the words Chopin uses are very sexual terms such as when Calixa and Alcee “thrust” the bagging beneath the crack (Chopin 2). As some may say, her actions are reflected on the time period, while others may believe that her actions committed are just her body giving into temptation while put through a specific situation. The idea that Chopin mentions that Calixa has not lost her Vivacity can be sort of scandalous in the situation while she’s with Alcee. Knowing she is still very alive and in high spirits almost makes the reader believe she is flirty. Females did not transform into flirty, fun vibrant beings through the turning of a modern to postmodern world. It is natural for one to behave a certain way and as seen through the short story, Calixa although hesitant, gives in to these natural powers. This can also be seen by Alcee pushing his temptation and desire to comfort and support her during the storm. “He pushed her hair back from her face that was warm and steaming. Her lips were as red and moist as pomegranate seed. Her white neck and a glimpse of her full, firm bosom disturbed him powerfully. As she glanced up at him the fear in her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire.” (Chopin 3-4).

   A powerful moment is taking place in the comfort of Alcee’s arms which leads to an inevitable kiss. As the conversation between them continues they begin reminiscing about past intimate times in Assumption, New Orleans. This leads up to the climax of the story when they pursue their natural human condition to fulfill their sexual desires. Despite the storms representation of their actions, the storm could have just arose old feelings making them give in to temptation, due to the situation they are in. There is a violent storm outside, Alcee is comforting Calixa and they are looking back on intimate encounters. This is a great example of two people just going with the natural flow of a situation, and not just actions committed due to a change in time periods and ethnics.

   Sammy from A&P being a teenager full of testosterone, sexual thought and tension, is placed at a perfect spot of observation. When three females walk into his store, dressed inappropriately, it is his sexual hormones causing him to judge and mentally undress these girls, whether it be present day, or even in time before post-modernism.  The way Updike was explaining these girls is very typical of an immature teenager just being exactly that, which causes his curiosity to ascend. “The longer her neck was, the more of her there was.” (Updike 410). This is just one example his self-conscious develops while he chases the girls around the store with hungry eyes. This is very natural for a teenager to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex, especially considering the attire she is wearing. Even McMahon was “sizing up their joints,” (Updike 411) after the ladies approach him asking him a question. It’s not just the time period responsible for these actions, nor is it only Sammy with these desires as seen by his co-workers actions. It is natural to be curious, and to seek a female counterpart. Another example that some say is a post-modern action is when Sammy quits his job after watching the girls get tormented and embarrassed. It is in our blood to wish to be the so called “alpha male”. No man wishes to be told what to do yet we know it is just a part of life. Sammy being young and ambiguous doesn’t like the show that Lengel put on telling the girls its store policy and to get out of the store looking like they did. Sammy wants to be dominant and show Lengel that he won’t have that. Since history has recorded, men have had the trait to be in control. In no way do I see this a symbol of a post-modern world.

   Other than the literature we see passing through time, there are many outside sources demonstrating similar actions such as desire, dominance and inappropriate behavior, dating back before post-modernism. A clear example that defines all these characteristics are the Vikings during the times of the Germanic Invasions in Medieval Europe. Vikings are known for their brutal actions conquering and raiding mainly defenseless lands that had riches they could obtain. Vikings who came from less fortunate roots were seeking riches in their travels. Sticking to the human condition of desire, they wanted what the fortunate settlers of places such as England had. Sammy demonstrating his alpha male walking out and quitting his job, the Vikings demonstrated their dominance by taking what they wanted by force. Vikings are not a part of a post-modern world, as they raided and settled in places they pleased just passing the coming of the Common Era. These traits discussed earlier such as desires and being dominant alpha males were seen centuries before we approach this new concept of post-modernism.

   Through must research and observation of literature and our ancestors, the evidence is clear that although we can see how literature is a product of our time period, not all actions and emotions are a result. From Calixa’s desires with an ex-lover, to Sammy’s self-conscious running wild with three half naked females wandering his store, it is obvious that the human condition is naturally vulnerable to these scenarios. As seen with the Viking invasions and pilgrimages, these desires to get what we want date back as far as 800 A.D. It is in our blood from centuries ago to fulfill certain desires. It is a part of the human anatomy and biological phenomenon to act as Sammy and Calixa did. It may have been so deeply frowned upon later back in time that is was never mentioned in literature, but it certainly didn’t spring up with the coming of post-modernism.   The concept of sexual desires might be seen more in a post-modern world , as it becomes unfortunately less frowned upon, but it is ridiculous to say that these feelings and actions never took place in a modern world, and in time periods beyond.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE BEHAVIOR PORTRAYED BY SAMMY IN A&P BY JOHN UPDIKE. (THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX)

   In the short story A&P by John Updike, the constant occurrence of prejudice, and negative thoughts towards the individuals around him stir up emotions in the main characters self-conscious. There are several different ways to explore the perceptual judgments made by the main character, the narrator, Sammy. It could be exposed as the teenager’s objectification of the girls who walk in the store, picking apart every woman aside from his prized “Queenie.” It could also be examined that by walking out on his job, after seeing the girls become an example of the generation to come, he is some type of heroic figure. John Updike demonstrates the natural chemical science that goes on in a teenager of Sammy’s age, while also being tested through different scenarios.

   Testosterone is a steroid hormone, and is found in mammals, birds, reptiles and other vertebrates. A huge factor causing teenagers to have an increased sex drive, in addition to becoming considerably more aggressive, is experiencing mood swings and is becoming fully developed is all attributable to testosterone. This little science lesson could make people stop and think, Sammy’s just growing up! It is completely normal, however not necessarily appropriate, for Sammy to be so willing to judge the girls around him and feel possibly threatened by his boss Langel. This is all just a part of becoming a man, growing up and experiencing new feelings that begin to pleasure your sensations.
   Taking a closer look at what Sammy says and how he reacts in certain situations, is a good sign that among other possibilities, Sammy is just becoming a man. He looks at the girls as if they are objects, not people, judging them like if they were a hobby. In the very first paragraph he begins to examine the first girl who caught his eye, who he believes to be somewhat of a “chunky kid, with a good tan and a sweet broad soft-looking can with those two crescents of white just under it, where the sun never seems to hit, at the top of the backs of her legs.” (409) He completely defines this girl from head to toe the second she walks into his sight. He later goes on to explain how he had no remembrance if he rang up the crackers he was holding while helping his current customer. His attention shifts completely from his duties at work, to these three females walking into his store dressed inappropriately for where they are treading.

   The narrator continues to go on exploring these girls deeper, deep enough for him to establish the girl he believes to have the highest status. Later in his ramble, Sammy’s boss Langel comes in to criticize the girls and their appearance in his store. This sets up Updike for one more method to demonstrate a young man’s mental thought process when put in front of confrontation. He is slowly becoming a more aggressive person due to a boost in his test levels. He could have easily minded his own business, left the girls feelings alone and been at peace with Langel’s decision to say what he needed to say to the girls. Instead, Sammy does the “manly” thing to do and confront his boss, and quit his job to be the superior being in this situation. Men naturally seek to be the alpha male in his environment, and this demonstrates perfectly Sammy’s commitment to his obligation.

   Nobody is to say that this concept of Sammy starting to become a man, and new balances of chemicals developing in his body is completely at fault for his prejudice. The possibility that Sammy is just the offspring of a new generation of ill-mannered people to come is very likely. Through literature it is possible to envision how the world worked, and how people acted towards one another. A movie like The Titanic can show to the utmost respect a gentleman would have towards a lady, and the sophistication in the woman being summoned. The way Sammy judged everybody to the way the girls came into the store dressed, kind of shows the transition from Modernism to Postmodernism. The way Updike included Lengel, a product of his time period where woman would never walk into a grocery store dressed the way the three girls were. It is absolutely possible Updike created these characters with their flaws all designed to replicate a shifting movement throughout the western world.

   A&P is a brilliant piece of literature that could hold the imagination hostage trying to wrap your mind around its true devices. The way Sammy portrays his preconceived ideas about the girls as houseslaves and sheep, to his rash decision to quitting his job and walking out after the girls can be a cause of so many possibilities. From the human anatomy approach to exploring the differences in the human behavior over time, it is likely to make satisfying conclusions to Sammy and his self-conscious. Possibly in further generations to come, with our civilization living in a new era and time period, one will explore John Updike’s contents of A&P and develop new realizations connecting Sammy to the real world.  

FANTASY vs. REALITY

   There is a fine line between the differences in fantasy and reality. In A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, the character Blanche is defined by these concepts. She desires to be wanted, and holds such a strong past of dark memories that she hides in this realm of fantasy. Throughout the reading Blanche transitions from very subtle fantasies she portrays to others, to the more dramatic examples when she begins to believe this illusion is her reality. Stephen Colvin, author of the article "The Nature of the Mental Image," describes the minds ability, or a lack of, to determine what is real and what is just an illusion.

   Two very famous philosophers have demonstrated immense ideas dealing with the issues of deception, and of false ideas conceived from prejudice. Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher, said “the discovery of truth is prevented more effectively, not by the false appearance things present which mislead into error, not directly by weakness of the reasoning powers, but by preconceived opinion, by prejudice.” A German philosopher by the name Niccolo Machiavelli quoted “one who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.” Both of these very powerful and deep quotes, one would say, have much in common.  These brilliant philosophers are explaining the ability to believe in false truths and illusion through someone’s opinions or their own.In the play A Streetcar Named Desire, many themes present themselves; however due to such a dramatization of illusion through the character Blanche, the perception of fantasy over reality and illusion define this character. 

   Blanche Dubois enters into her sister Stella, and brother in law Stanley’s life with a past of deep regret and struggle. She has lost her husband, was fired from her teaching job for inappropriate acts with a student, and she lost her family’s land which went back for generations. Throughout her stay with Stella and Stanley one can tell there are some things about Blanche that make her seem almost vulnerable. Motifs such as the way she constantly takes baths to almost cleanse her soul, and how she never allows herself to be seen in the light as if she is afraid for people to see her true identity and age, demonstrates she is not proud of who she is, while at the same time attempting to portray a classy and sophisticated woman. After Blanche takes her first bath, she converses with Stanley telling how she feels like a new person.“Hello, Stanley! Here I am, all freshly bathed and scented, and feeling like a brand new human being!” (Williams 1179).The reality of this issue is that you cannot take a bath for a spiritual cleanse, and the idea she lets herself believe these baths help only digs her deeper into a fantasy world.

  
   Fantasy over reality, Illusion and false appearance are three ideas that define Blanche progressively as the play goes on. At first its little things such as these apparent soul cleansing baths, to more dramatic and obvious examples as seen in the last scene of the play when Blanche is awaiting the arrival of Shep Huntleigh to take her away to the Caribbean on a yacht. “I can smell the sea air. The rest of the time I’m going to spend on the sea. And when I die, I’m going to die on the sea”. (Williams 1234). This idea was manufactured by Blanche right before the rape scene, when Stanley asks about the attire Blanche is wearing. She comes up with a ridiculous story of a telegram coming for her from an old admirer wishing to take her away. This was also thought up directly after Mitch tells Blanche “You’re not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother” (Williams 1226). Blanche is feeling so unwanted and is not only presenting a false appearance, but also believing heavily in them for comfort. After everything Blanche has been through she makes herself believe in these fantasies in order to feel secure about herself, and block out all of the realistic truths she so deeply wishes to forget.

    Some could argue that Blanche is attempting self-preservation by deceiving all of these strangers, by shaping herself into somebody she is not. Several examples include her age comparison to her sister Stella, how she is still a school teacher taking a leave of absence, deceiving Mitch just enough so that he would want her. The list goes on, but is her motives really to preserve a classy image? After reading an article written by Professor Stephen Colvin, University of Illinois, provides some insight on the minds abilities to confuse imagination and perception. Most people are capable of believing in fantasies while still acknowledging a “firm grasp on the real universe” (Colvin 159). Most subjects are able to distinguish this fine line of what’s real and what is not. It is clear, especially towards the end, that Blanche is not one who is capable of dealing with these fantasies and taking it as an illusion. She makes these illusions become her “real universe.” Some can also say that due to such a troubled past, Blanche may be very weak and vulnerable to an alternate reality, due to a lack of desire to be in the present one. As Machiavelli said about people being able to deceive other, who is to say he wasn’t saying that people can allow them to deceive themselves? One who allows themselves to be deceived is obviously vulnerable, and being in that state of mind can you not be vulnerable to your own devices? Blanche is both weak and vulnerable, and after months of living a lie I see no reasons of doubt that she could not have possibly deceived herself.

   Fantasy over reality, illusion and false appearances are demonstrated heavily by the character Blanche in the plot, setting and theme. The idea she never allows people to see her true identity in the light is and example of how she sets and illusion of her true being. Stephen Colvin stated that it is possible to lose your grip on reality, and the ability to determine what is real and what is not. In Blanche's situation, this fantasy she portrayed drove her insane. By the end of the play, when the truth of Blanche's unfortunate past was revealed, she was the only person who actually believed that what she said was her "real universe." The desire for Blanche to create this kind of alter ego, and to be desired by others, was so dramatic that it eventually led her to lose all sense of reality.

WHAT WILL YOUR VERSE BE?

       In the poem "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone" by W. H. Auden, it is crystal clear the tone and themes used to describe the deeply grieving narrator. Tone is a literary device which embraces the central theme and will inevitably imply mood into the audience. Because poetry really is just profound self-expression, tone is setup to almost accompany our themes, just as we see in everyday life. Just think for a second a traumatic day in your life! Was there no mental tone to assist the subject of the matter, subject being theme? Tone may consist of several emotions such as intimate, guilty, solemn, playful, serious, ironic or desolate. The list is endless and that it should be considering all the different emotions we enjoy, take for granted or suffer on a daily basis.

   W.H. Auden sets an extremely gloomy tone in "stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone." The central theme is very obvious due to the tone that is set. Perhaps if this wasn’t written with such grieving sorrow, people could try and overlook the main ideas and look for some sort of hidden message. "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone," imagine a moment in your life, if one ever existed, when you wished for such a cut off from the real world. Stop time, and leave me alone. Solitude is a last minute resort when you are so lost in your tracks that you just cannot figure out where to take your next step. "Silence the pianos and with muffled drum," why is it on our darkest days, we listen to the saddest songs? How traumatic must such a thing be to want to silence the delighting music from a piano, and replace it with such an empty sound?

   "The Stars are not wanted now; put out every one; pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; for nothing now can ever come to any good." This last stanza personally defeated me. Besides the message the artist is portraying, to do such impossible things showed me struggle, and confusion. But from my stand point, the stars, moon, sun, ocean and wood represent a much deeper darkness. My father brought me up observing the night skies, exploring the infinite sky with a telescope we built. Discovering the moon at such magnitude one tiny crater was all we could see through the telescope. He would take me to the beach and we would collect drift wood, some would think to be old and abandoned, garbage at its best. We would bring it home and make art and decorations out of it. Now I dread the night sky every night I see it full of stars, I lose a part of me every time I see the moon that used to glow so vibrantly and remind me of times I can’t even fathom where they went. The author might be sounding insane in this last stanza, but I understand entirely what he wishes for.

   The theme is setup properly by Auden; however it would be cruel to suggest only one theme as the author is spilling his life on the paper for us. Betrayal, love, fear, suffering, all these are concrete themes demonstrated by the author. Betrayal of losing such a significant person and the fear it brings now being able to comprehend life that "for nothing now can ever come to any good." What type of life are you living with the thought of never being able to enjoy a magnificent moment or feeling. "I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong." Besides the loss of love, the author is illustrating his love for the departed. You cannot behind to write such intense words indicating such torture and strain is this person you write about is not someone you hold so dearly in your heart. Finally suffering is just defined by this interpretation to the poem. From my words, to the words of Auden, this piece of literature is just the product of a helpless soul attempting to succumb such inevitable, yet terrifying circumstance.

"FREEDOM IS NEVER VOLUNTARILY GIVEN BY THE OPPRESSOR; IT MUST BE DAMANDED BY THE OPPRESSED."

   "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." This powerful quote was said by Martin Luther King during one of our countries most difficult battle with equality. Following a constant theme of desire within all our readings and verbal interactions in class, this quote does not stray far away from similar topics we have been discussing. The desire to be an equal, the desire to have justification and recognition by your peers and others is covered by different literary devices in class. What the Pastor was attempting to say to my understanding is to fight for what you desire. That we must portray as a whole the hopes that one day all men of different colors will be able to live in a world where egalitarianism is far more than hopes and dreams, but a reality.

   Taking into consideration the dark times for our nation’s African American culture which gave birth to this influential quote and many of the Pastors words that touched a nation whole, I feel it would be appropriate to use "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, to bounce ideas and examples around. The time period taking place around The Yellow Wallpaper was a time when, similar to the civil rights movement, women did not have many liberties as well. "I don’t like to look out the windows even - there are so many of those creeping women, and they creep so fast. I wonder if they all come out of the wallpaper as I did?" (The Yellow Wallpaper 327) This is an extremely intense quote demonstrating her self being in relevance to the lady in the wallpaper. Realizing that there are so many women out there still stuck behind this traditional image of their life, this wallpaper. The author does a fantastic job relating the patterns in the wallpaper, and the lady stuck inside these patterns, to the day in the life of a woman during these times.
   

   Along with this physical slavery and the concepts discussed in this paper, mental slavery is also a very scary idea. To not allow oneself freedom to dream and believe, or set goals and even converse your own thoughts as you wish to portray, is devastating. Bob Marley once said “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves could free our minds.” This is such an emotional quote that could reflect upon any person who lays ears to its words. It is more than just how we think or feel, but to be truly free internally and externally; it is one’s own responsibility to have to confidence and determination to not allow others to tell them what they can think or feel, what to say or even what to believe in.