Learning Intention:
I can respond to selections I read by sharing my opinions and using explanations and evidence to support my thoughts.
I am glad to finally finish reading The Forbidden City book. This class novel was really beneficial for my learning because I was able to work on creating great questions and connections. Like last year we were able to read vocally as a class and silently to ourselves.
I can respond to selections I read by sharing my opinions and using explanations and evidence to support my thoughts.
I am glad to finally finish reading The Forbidden City book. This class novel was really beneficial for my learning because I was able to work on creating great questions and connections. Like last year we were able to read vocally as a class and silently to ourselves.
My Essay
Heroes. Heroes are not the famous people. They are our everyday humans. Some people have jobs to work as heroes such as fireman, policemen, doctors, soldiers and anybody else that is willing to give their lives to save others and some people are just ready to jump in to do what is right. For example, in the Coca Cola commercial, a man, just a regular man, chooses to step in and push a van (out of the way) that was stuck on the train tracks. He knew that there was a train rapidly speeding towards him, but that didn't stop him. In the end he successfully saved the van and the people inside. It wasn't Superman swooping in to save the day. He proved to me that he was, no doubt, a brave soul. Another example of everyday people being a sudden hero is the teacher that did a similar act that Xin-Hua had done. A school was on lock down because a criminal was inside the building. Instinctively she hid all her students in cupboards. Being interrogated by the criminal, no thought of fear popped into her head; instead she lied straight to his face. Sadly ,not long after, the women was shot. She showed selflessness because she never thought of her own safety when hiding her students. Things like that don't happen everyday but when those situations do happen we have people that are brave, selfless, giving and humble, to depend on. Everybody has at least one hero in their life. But sometimes there is a misconception of heroism and idolizing. To be idolized is to have someone that wants to be you. To be considered a hero is to have someone that admires your bravery and selflessness. For me my hero is Nelson Mandela. He was brave to face the army and government. Nelson Mandela had to experience torture, arrests and watched murders. Nelson Mandela stood up to do, what he thought, was the right thing to do and even though he didn't save the people that were already dead he brought awareness to others and eventually everything was back to normal. He did not try to be a hero to be famous, he wanted to help others no matter the cost. To sum up my point, heroes are the selfless ones, they are the brave ones, they are the generous ones and they are the humble ones. " There is certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”- Alexander Hamilton.
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Xin-Hua, I believe, is hero in the Forbidden City story. She was brave, selfless, giving, humble and generous. When Alex and Xin-Hua first met, they were hiding behind a car from the PLA. Xin-Hua was already starting to introduce herself to Alex (or Shan Da) when the PLA started chasing them. When Alex got shot, Xin-Hua had a choice. Should she bring Alex along and help him or should she leave him and help herself? When she choose to help Alex I knew right away that she was being selfless. If it was me in that situation, honestly, I would have left Alex with the PLA to save myself. The fear would prevent me from doing what was right. No fear, no doubt was going through Xin-Hua’s mind while she was helping Alex.
Xin-Hua and Alex knew what they had to do to save China from the massacre. The tapes HAD to get to Canada! Xin-Hua’s mind came to life and they hatched a plan, and it was GENIUS! Or at least fool proof. Using a Che (a bike used to deliver items) they would have a large box with a camera inside taking videos of the trip. Pretending to deliver a washing machine, Alex and Xin-Hua would go to the embassy. She was a brave girl, believing in herself and standing up for what she knew was right. Willing to risk her life to save the rest of her fellow students, friends and family. Xin-ua was an inspiring character to Alex, to the class and to me. She new what to do.
She lied twice to get away from the PLA. “A man spoke rapidly and harshly. Xin-Hua answered. She sounded as if she was begging for something. The male voice asked a question. Xin-Hua laughed- a forced laugh, like a bad actor might give out. “Hao!” Said the soldier, and the Che moved away.” PG. 218-219. That is one of the examples of her being brave enough to confront the PLA. But sadly the second time led to something very unexpected. “A storm of talk followed. The two officers and Xin-Hua all spoke at once. I heard the word foreigner a few times and Xin-Hua said “Jia na da re” several times. “Ni she xu sheng, dui bu ui?” The officer interrogating her asked your a student aren't you? “Bu, Gong ren.” No. A worker.” PG 254.
I never would have thought that it would end this bad for Xin-Hua. She didn't deserve this fate! “Shan Da, don’t fight them! Do as they say!” She yelled over her shoulder. One of the soldiers slugged her on her side of the head and she fell to her knees. The other kicked her in the back. Then they hauled her to her feet and dragged her into the trees. CRACK! The sound of a single gunshot.” PG 255. That moment was the most shocking to me. I knew that she didn't deserve it and even though she was a fictional character in a history based story, she felt real. It was like she belonged in that moment of history. She was a hero!
Heroes. Heroes are not the famous people. They are our everyday humans. Some people have jobs to work as heroes such as fireman, policemen, doctors, soldiers and anybody else that is willing to give their lives to save others and some people are just ready to jump in to do what is right. For example, in the Coca Cola commercial, a man, just a regular man, chooses to step in and push a van (out of the way) that was stuck on the train tracks. He knew that there was a train rapidly speeding towards him, but that didn't stop him. In the end he successfully saved the van and the people inside. It wasn't Superman swooping in to save the day. He proved to me that he was, no doubt, a brave soul. Another example of everyday people being a sudden hero is the teacher that did a similar act that Xin-Hua had done. A school was on lock down because a criminal was inside the building. Instinctively she hid all her students in cupboards. Being interrogated by the criminal, no thought of fear popped into her head; instead she lied straight to his face. Sadly ,not long after, the women was shot. She showed selflessness because she never thought of her own safety when hiding her students. Things like that don't happen everyday but when those situations do happen we have people that are brave, selfless, giving and humble, to depend on. Everybody has at least one hero in their life. But sometimes there is a misconception of heroism and idolizing. To be idolized is to have someone that wants to be you. To be considered a hero is to have someone that admires your bravery and selflessness. For me my hero is Nelson Mandela. He was brave to face the army and government. Nelson Mandela had to experience torture, arrests and watched murders. Nelson Mandela stood up to do, what he thought, was the right thing to do and even though he didn't save the people that were already dead he brought awareness to others and eventually everything was back to normal. He did not try to be a hero to be famous, he wanted to help others no matter the cost. To sum up my point, heroes are the selfless ones, they are the brave ones, they are the generous ones and they are the humble ones. " There is certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”- Alexander Hamilton.
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Xin-Hua, I believe, is hero in the Forbidden City story. She was brave, selfless, giving, humble and generous. When Alex and Xin-Hua first met, they were hiding behind a car from the PLA. Xin-Hua was already starting to introduce herself to Alex (or Shan Da) when the PLA started chasing them. When Alex got shot, Xin-Hua had a choice. Should she bring Alex along and help him or should she leave him and help herself? When she choose to help Alex I knew right away that she was being selfless. If it was me in that situation, honestly, I would have left Alex with the PLA to save myself. The fear would prevent me from doing what was right. No fear, no doubt was going through Xin-Hua’s mind while she was helping Alex.
Xin-Hua and Alex knew what they had to do to save China from the massacre. The tapes HAD to get to Canada! Xin-Hua’s mind came to life and they hatched a plan, and it was GENIUS! Or at least fool proof. Using a Che (a bike used to deliver items) they would have a large box with a camera inside taking videos of the trip. Pretending to deliver a washing machine, Alex and Xin-Hua would go to the embassy. She was a brave girl, believing in herself and standing up for what she knew was right. Willing to risk her life to save the rest of her fellow students, friends and family. Xin-ua was an inspiring character to Alex, to the class and to me. She new what to do.
She lied twice to get away from the PLA. “A man spoke rapidly and harshly. Xin-Hua answered. She sounded as if she was begging for something. The male voice asked a question. Xin-Hua laughed- a forced laugh, like a bad actor might give out. “Hao!” Said the soldier, and the Che moved away.” PG. 218-219. That is one of the examples of her being brave enough to confront the PLA. But sadly the second time led to something very unexpected. “A storm of talk followed. The two officers and Xin-Hua all spoke at once. I heard the word foreigner a few times and Xin-Hua said “Jia na da re” several times. “Ni she xu sheng, dui bu ui?” The officer interrogating her asked your a student aren't you? “Bu, Gong ren.” No. A worker.” PG 254.
I never would have thought that it would end this bad for Xin-Hua. She didn't deserve this fate! “Shan Da, don’t fight them! Do as they say!” She yelled over her shoulder. One of the soldiers slugged her on her side of the head and she fell to her knees. The other kicked her in the back. Then they hauled her to her feet and dragged her into the trees. CRACK! The sound of a single gunshot.” PG 255. That moment was the most shocking to me. I knew that she didn't deserve it and even though she was a fictional character in a history based story, she felt real. It was like she belonged in that moment of history. She was a hero!