Turkeys Hate Thanksgiving

Authors Note: This is a Point of View essay on the poem Point Of View by Shel Silverstein. I am trying to work on analyzing the POV of a story and rewriting it in another POV.

Chicken, turkey, and duck, what do all these items have in common? Yes I know there foods but, they also come from animals. These three items and all the others that America has to offer, come from animals that we eat. I’m sure it’s not fun for the animals but what do you think the animals would say or do through their point of view. Even when they are on our plates ready to be eaten, what do you think they would say back to you? Shel Silverstein wrote a poem called Point Of View in order for us to think about what a Turkey or duck would say in their point of view.

From the point of view from Shel in this poem shows us how bad he feels about eating the meal in front of him. Thinking about how the turkey or chicken in front of him thinking about what they are thinking what is going to happen to them. Shel thought that the food would be scared and mad all at the same time, in which he was right. At one point in time he didn't think about what his food thought of him. Once the image popped into his head about his foods’ point of view, he would never look at his food the same way again.

The turkey on your dinner plate has a different perspective to you compared to you looking at it. If your food could speak English it would probably same something like “Why do you think you’re allowed to eat me? You took my mother for last year’s Thanksgiving, my Uncle Joe for Christmas two years ago. And now you’re taking me too, why don’t I eat one of your family members for a change.” Yeah, he’d be pretty mad. Reading the poem from the turkey’s point of view would be scary because he would explain how he is getting eaten limb by limb. Also, he would try running away from your plate but his legs were cut off and giving to your sister Lucy. The turkey might also explain his theory in which you even care about him or not. He might be wondering if you think about the turkey or his family in which has already been eaten. Either way, this turkey would not be happy in any perspective you put it in.

Looking t this poems two perspectives really changes this story around. It goes from a man feeling bad about his dinner. To a turkey furious about how you treat him and his friends. Point of view can change a story drastically just by looking at it in different ways. Next time you eat chicken, or turkey for dinner, try looking at the foods point of view and maybe then you might see why turkeys hate Thanksgiving.

Tigers Are Friends, Not Food

Authors Note: This is a theme essay about the book Life Of Pi. The theme to this book is "Determination." I am trying to work on my sentence fluency. 

What would you do if you were stuck in the middle of the ocean with only a tiger as a companion? I know, scary thought isn’t it. It takes real guts not only to face a tiger, but not to give up when you are starving at the same time. Pi got through this situation though. No I’m not talking about cherry pie, I am talking about Pi Patel. A 16 year old boy her was one of many who survived a sinking boat. Pi and Richard Parker (The tiger) have to stay alive and not give up hope. It takes real determination to make it through a hard-hitting situation like this.

Pi needed to stay hopeful and determined in order to get to land; otherwise he wouldn’t live to tell his story. Pi built a raft in order to stay away from his tiger friend but soon after the raft had gotten lost in the ocean and they have to share the small boat. All they had for food was water cans and crackers until it got lost and both Pi and Richard Parker had to help each other for food. After their food ran out they needed to catch fish in order to live. Until Richard Parker fell off the boat and Pi had to make a decision. Would he leave Richard Parker in the ocean, or help him and they both stay alive together?

When Pi got to an island he found out what the island meant. The island had great food, fresh water, and beautiful wildlife. He ate the food, drank their water, and slept in a tree. But when he was awaken by a pack of Meer Kats, he realizes that he needs to leave. The island is beautiful and nice in the morning but dreadful by night.  Later that night he found a tooth from a dead person showing what would happen if he stayed there. The fresh water was turned into acid and Pi realizes he needs to leave because he is determined to stay alive.

Determination couldn’t be a more important lesson in life. For Pi, it was the only reason he didn’t die. Losing your family and friends in a ship wreck and all you have is a life boat and a tiger, making yourself through can be a little difficult. Pi did it though, all it took was the determination and hope of him making it through and he did it. Like the saying goes when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Or in Pi’s case, when life gives you a tiger, you make a voyage of determination out of it.