Influencing Change

Many literary works have been known to influence change throughout society, some for the better, and some for the worst.  An example of a piece of literary that has influenced change in society is the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”.  This book was written by Harper Lee, published in 1960.  The novel “To Kill a Mockingbird is solely written around the issues rape and racial inequality.  I believe it helped influence change in society for many different reasons.  

One reason I believe this novel influenced change in society around the time it was published because a lot of people read it and were simply touched. How these two young characters, Jem and his little sister Scout, had such a heartwarming view on people of a different race.  Throughout the novel they treat their maid, Calpurnia with the utmost respect.  I think that by these two young children being able to look past what others can’t, proves a very powerful point.  This novel has been read all over in many public schools because of the beautiful change that it had on society.

Another reason this novel has influenced change in society over the years is because it shows what people of different race go through on a daily basis.  As a person who has read the book,  I was very bothered by what African American people go through and what they have gone through in history.  They were never given a fair chance in court.  They were always blamed for stuff they didn’t do and they were expected to take the fall for it.  This fact of history saddens me deeply because everyone deserves to be treated equal, as this novel helps people to understand.  

The last, and most important reason I believe this novel has helped shape society for the better is because it shows people finally standing up and fighting for people who are not treated fairly because of their race.  One of the characters Atticus Finch, who was a lawyer defending a man of different race who had been treated unfairly by the court of law.  Atticus knew he would never win this case mainly for the reason of his client's skin tone, but he proceeded with the trial anyway to prove a point.  To prove the point of the justice system being wrong in falsely accusing a man and just expecting him to live with it and go to jail for some other man’s wrongdoing.  

This novel has a terrible ending, but I believe it also helped influence change in society.  Atticus lost the case, and his client Tom Robinson was sentenced to prison.  Knowing he was never getting out of there, he attempted to break out, knowing what would happen.  As he began to climb the fence, without warning he was shot more than 16 times.  This is the first time that this measure has been taken so harshly, and the reason is very clear, because he is black and they thought he deserved it.  As harsh as that sounds, this story did help better society’s ways when it comes to racism and inequality by giving examples of what the world has come to.  

The Trade Off

Everyone has wanted to trade places with a cartoon character once in their life.  It would give you a chance to be someone that you’re not.  If I got the chance to be a cartoon character I would choose Kim Possible.  There are many reasons I would want to be Kim Possible.  One of them is because she is a strong independent woman who takes care of herself.  Another reason is because her life is very eventful and interesting.  Lastly, because she is well liked by everyone and would be very fun to trade places with and endure in many adventures.

One of my main reasons for wanting to switch places with Kim Possible is because of how she always saves herself and others from bad situations.  She is a strong independent  girl who goes on many spy adventures and saves people.  Kim does not need anyone else to save her.  I think it would be very interesting to trade places with someone as adventurous and dangerous as Kim Possible.  I feel like it would be fun to play the hero for a little while.  She and her friend Ron have a unique relationship that I would love to share with someone.  There are many amazing qualities to being Kim Possible and I have many other reasons for wanting to trade off with her.

Another reason I would want to trade off with Kim Possible is because  I think it would be very interesting to go on all the adventures her and Ron have.  If I were Kim Possible my life would never be a dull moment and I would make loads of new and unforgettable memories.  Kim Possible was my favorite character growing up and I’ve always had dreams of being her.  I would just like to be given the chance to be someone that I’ve always looked up to as a child.  I always thought it would be fun to play with all of her interesting gadgets and spy tools.  

Lastly, I would love to trade places with Kim Possible because people look up to her and she is well liked by everyone.  She has friends that would stand by her through anything and I think it would be very important to have people like that in a person’s life.  Kim Possible is a very trustworthy, and a dependable person.  She is a model of what I would look for in a best friend and person to be around.  Kim Possible is a funny, lovable, full of life teenager who would be very fun to switch places with.

I think it would be very beneficial for myself to switch places with Kim, just to see what it is like to be someone different.  Being yourself is very important and you should always want to be yourself, but I think everyone should get the chance to go outside of themselves.  They should pick their favorite person and get the chance to play, in my case, the hero.  

Dear Diary

Dear Diary

Today marks the day that my young cousin Patroclus was killed by a blade meant for me.  My reason for not going out to fight was because I knew King Agamemnon needed me.  I wanted to spite him the best I could because I hated him with every ounce of my being.  When I explained to Patroclus that we were sitting this battle out, he was furious.  He thought I was being selfish and needed to get this over with and be the hero.  I guess he brought it upon himself to be the hero, he dressed in my armour and set out to finish what I would not.  

When I woke that morning to my second in command, Eudoros calling for me, I knew something was gravely wrong.  I was standing there, wide eyed,  waiting for a reason as to why Eudoros continued with the battle without my command, when finally I got my answer.  As he said those heart wrenching words “He’s dead, my Lord, Prince Hector cut his throat” my legs began to weaken and my eyes started to water.  I knew from that moment on what I must do, I must revenge my young cousin whom I loved very much.  Prince Hector must die.

Time seemed to slow as I was preparing for my battle with Hector.  But I did not let the grief slow me.  I had allowed hatred  to take over and carry me through battle.  As I prepared  my chariot, ignoring all pleas and requests to stop, I was ready for a man to man war with Prince Hector.  Patroclus was too young to fight in a war meant for me, I tried to tell him he was not ready to fight.  He proved me right as he left his throat exposed when fighting, and Hector, like any soldier would, seen the opportunity and did not miss.  

I know I should be a reasonable man and realize that Prince Hector thought he was killing me, but that does not change the fact that Patroclus is dead, and I am forced to live without him.  As I approach the walls of Troy I know Prince Hector was waiting for me.  I stand at the wall roaring for Hector to come out at fight, knowing we will fight to the death.  As Hector and I fought, I managed to do the thing he did not, hit my planned target.  King Priam and the rest of Hector’s family watched as he fell.  I tied him to the back of my chariot and made my journey back to the beach.   

I went to sleep that night feeling as though I have proudly avenged my cousin.  I was awakened  by the figure of a man.  I watched him as he knelt down and kissed my hands, standing up and revealing his face, it was King Priam.   As he explained to me he kissed my hands to experience what it was like to kiss the hands that murdered his first son, I immediately regretted what I had done.  Knowing I could not take back what I had done, I decided to give King Priam his son's remains so they could be properly put to rest and prepared for the afterlife.  Along with Hector’s body, King Priam’s niece was also returned to him.