The Outsiders Essay

This is a essay about how Johnny Cade is the most dynamic character in The Outsiders.

The definition of dynamic is someone who changes from when you first met them to the end. The change could be small or very different. The change will affect those around the person and the person’s environment. In The Outsiders there are many dynamic characters, but the most is Johnny Cade.

In the book, Johnny is described as a little puppy that had been kicked too much. By that they meant that he had been beaten by his dad and jumped by the socs a bunch of times. He was the smallest of the gang, even though he was older than Ponyboy. He got jumped twice in the in the story, and the fights had taken their toll. He had bruises and cuts and a big scar on his face. That must have also taken a mental toll too. His parents not only beat him, but they neglect him too.

Although in the beginning of the story everybody acts like he is the “kid” of the gang, after he gets into yet another fight, he is looked at differently by the gang, the socs, and the whole town. Bob, the soc with the mustang that jumped Johnny before, is drunk and almost drowns Pony boy in a water fountain. That is, until Johnny takes Bobs’ life(but in his defense it was purely self defense).

Going from the gangs pet to a murderer is a pretty big change. I don’t think that anyone who knew Johnny would have ever expected that from him. Some of the characters do not change a whole lot. Like Dallas Winston, who doesn’t change at all during the story. He is always picking fights and drinking and all that stuff.

The reason that I chose Johnny as the most dynamic character is that he changes the most. The only other character that I think changes the 2^nd most would have to be Pony boy because, he goes from a kid who gets good grades likes to read and is a respectful person, to a criminal who aides Johnny (who at that point is a murderer) and is on the run hiding from the cops. Other than that the other characters who don’t play as big a role as those two, don’t really change. That is why Johnny Cade is the most dynamic person in The Outsiders.

Are You Proud of Your Country?

Are You Proud of Your Country?

By Austin Witthun

Authors note: This is a piece about patriotism. It is to inform the reader about my feelings about my country.

Are you proud of your country? What would you say if you were asked that question? I would hope that no one says no to that. Soldiers have fought and died for this country and then someone says that they are not proud of her. That would really tick me off. This is why I believe that everyone should be proud of their country.

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This was said by John F. Kennedy, the 35^th President of the United States of America. It’s saying that you should serve your country rather than be served by it. The people, who have listened to that and have really taken it in, might have served by joining the military. This is why we have the freedoms that we have, because of those who have sacrificed so much so ensure our freedom. That is why we have the rights and freedoms that other countries don’t have.

One thing that helped with the freedom our country we have today is our military. Our military helped us win the world wars keeping our freedom. We have never lost a war, with the exception of Vietnam, although we have lost a few battles along the way. This is why I think that the U.S. is the biggest and best military power in the world. When we were becoming a separate country from Britain, our military helped us to gain our independence.

The only reason that I would ever say that I would ever say that I am not proud of our country is because of all the crime and violence. That is a terrible thing that is happening in the U.S. with all the freedoms and rights that we have are often abused. Sure there is killing and crime in other countries but here many say that we are supposed to be more civilized. Many of the freedoms we have are often taken for granted. As Dick Cheney once said: “It is easy to take your liberty for granted if you have never had it taken from you.”

There are so many freedoms that we don’t even realize we have. Few countries have as many as we do. These are the reasons that I am proud of my country and to be American. Where ever they live, everyone should be proud of their country.

Joining the Military

Joining the Military

Author’s Note: This is a paper about the military. It is a persuasive piece that is trying to persuade you to join the military.

Do you enjoy using firearms? Have you ever wished to fly aircraft? Are you looking for a new fitness challenge? Or just plain bored with your current job? Then the U.S. military has something for you.

In the military there are several branches that do different things as their main way of combat. The Air Force has air combat. The Navy is mainly sea. And the Army and Marines are mainly combat infantry. Of course in all branches there are exceptions such as: the Air Force’s Pararescue which is similar to sea operations, Navy SEALs which are like infantry and, the Navy and Marines and Army have pilots in their own versions of air combat.

Even after being in the service you can still get government benefits. Some include tax deductions and health care plans. Veterans and active duty can also shop at certain stores that have no tax on the stuff they sell. They can get discounts on houses and things of that nature. Also one example of a benefit is if you are young and get out of the military unharmed. The government will pay for your education.

Besides the fact that it would be a good experience and help you financially is that it would be the most patriotic thing you could do. For those who do not know what patriotism is, here is a definition: Devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country. Patriotism, for some people is their way of life. For them it is every day that they love their country and are thankful for their freedom. And as there are those who love our country, there are those who do not. I am talking about terrorism. And there is no one who is better at stopping terrorism that the U.S. military. Stopping terrorism is stopping events such as September 11^th and the few bombings that have happened in the U.S. in the past.

Joining the military is a very good thing. The more people that join our military the stronger it is. It is not for everyone though. You have to be tough physically and mentally. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes. Joining the military is definitely a great thing.

Letter (looking back)

Dear Alex,

Hey it’s Alex from the future, just writing a letter to you . Let me say congratulations and good job on taking down Harod Sayle and those stormbreaker computers. And I’ll admit it was really fun escaping from the factory on that C-130 right? Looking back I don’t think that there was a whole lot that could have been done differently to put you (me) in less danger, except one thing. When you got out of the MI6 building, why did you just get into a taxi on the street? Didn’t you realize that after all that, you were still in danger? I mean, Harod escaped and you destroyed his whole life’s work. He would obviously be out for revenge. Well anyway that is what I think you should have done differently.

Sincerely,

Alex Rider.

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Best Friend Award

Best Friend Award

Ben Tanner had just learned that his neighbor Haven Peck had just lost most of his land that he farmed, meaning that he had lost his job. He had heard this from his wife, Bess Tanner who was friends with Havens wife. The women had talked about how the government had noticed how Haven was not paying his taxes and so the government decided to take most of their land and the house. When Ben had first heard this he knew that he must help his neighbor out. He knew that he had to have been living off of the money that he had gotten from selling the animals that he had to sell because there wasn’t enough room for the animals that he owned. He just hoped that Rob was able to convince his father not to get rid of Pinky, the pig that Ben had given to Rob about three weeks before. He slowly walked to the house that the Peck’s were staying in for the time being, hoping that someone was home. When he reached the front door he was relieved to hear talking coming from inside the house. He knocked on the door loudly, anxious to speak to Haven. When Rob answered the door, Ben kindly asked to speak to his father. As he waited for Haven to come to the door, he was thinking about what had happened to the Peck family. When Haven got to the door the first thing that Ben noticed, was how the quality of his clothing had gone down. Sure his clothes were dirty and torn before but now they seemed to be not have been fitting. Ben guessed that it was because they were not making enough money to make or get their own clothes anymore. Ben asked how he was doing and how the family was and exchanged pleasantries. Then he asked if he would like a job at his farm. It didn’t take long at all for Haven to say yes and then they walked back to Ben’s house and sat down at the kitchen table to discuss details of Havens new job. Then after about four years of working and saving money, Haven was able to buy back the land that he lost and got his old job back.