Zach Maly
Mrs. Yoder
5/7/15

Is This Real or an Illusion?

” Richard Cory” and ” The Unknown Citizen” both convey the concept of appearance hiding reality. Robinson depicts the life of a wealthy man admired by all the public who seemed to have it all made before his suicide, while Auden presents the life of a man who was conformed to what the government believed made the modern man. In which what he did for the Greater Community was known and appreciated , but he was not known or appreciated. The appearance of Richard Cory and The Unknown Citizen is challenged by the death when their lives came to an ironic end, their true character is revealed, and their social rank is challenged.
Despite the many differences present in these two poems, both poems present the end of Richard Cory and The Unknown Citizen’s lives that came to an ironic end. Robinson presents us with the life of the wealthy Richard Cory who, “makes all the towns people wish to be in his place.” But, even though it seemed like Richard Cory had it all made, it wasn’t revealed until ” he put a bullet through his head.” The end of Richard Cory’s life may not seem like an ironic end, but what may not be noticed is how the town’s people longed to be in his place. They had the longing to have his wealth, but all he wanted was to belong, causing that bullet to echo all night long. Likewise, The Unknown Citizen is presented by a bureaucrat as ” having everything necessary to the Modern Man,” “held the proper opinions,” and “everything he did served the Greater Community.” Though this Unknown Citizen did everything to help the Greater Community, the bureaucrat never knew his name, and only had information on him… Even after death. Thus, Richard Cory and The Unknown Citizen both had lives that seemed great on the outside, but those townspeople, citizens, and that bureaucrat never imagined that their ” perfect lives” would come to a sudden end.
Richard Cory and The Unknown Citizen had an appearance that made them seem happy until their death when their true character was revealed. In Robinson’s poem, Richard Cory is believed to have the high life by being ” richer than a king,” and ” a gentleman from sole to crown” making it seem that since he was richer than all and a gentleman, he was happy. Though he seemed happy in the eyes of the town’s people, that night that Richard Cory put a bullet through his head was a day that would live in infamy for the town’s people as his real character of Richard Cory was exposed: lonely, needing, excluded and sorrowful. Similarly, in Auden’s poem, The Unknown Citizen is seen by other citizens and characterized by the bureaucrat that ” he was a saint,” “never got fired,” and ” wasn’t a scab.” After The Unknown Citizen’s death expressed towards everyone that he did not have it all, and though his death was not explained, he caused the bureaucrat and others to question “Was he Free?” and “Was he happy?” Thus, death exposed their real character by removing the mask of seemed happiness.
In “Richard Cory” and “The Unknown Citizen,” both characters are seen as being higher in the social ranks with being able to supply themselves to live a happy life. Richard Cory was seen by the people as being the richest man alive ” yes, richer than a kind,” putting him at possibly the highest social rank he could possible have. Though Richard Cory had the highest social rank achievable , his death made all wonder why this was to happen when he seemed to have it all made with him being the richest man, being a gentleman, and being admired by all. Everyone wondered, why would he kill himself? In similarity to Richard Cory, when The Unknown Citizen’s unexplained death occurred the bureaucrat questioned the reason since he was believed to ” have everything that made the Modern Man.” When The Unknown Citizen’s death occurred he was seen to be a little higher in the social ranks, about middle class or higher, making his death seem unusual as to why death had occurred to this man. The Unknown Citizen was believed by researchers to have everything he needed to make his life: “a phonograph, a radio, a car, and a frigidaire .” Thus, both characters social rank is challenged by death as both men cause people to wonder why a man at such high social rank would have death occur so early.
While The Unknown Citizen was only being appreciated for his actions, Richard Cory was being praised and admired by the people of the downtown community. While how their lives are playing out differently, they share the fact that their lives came to an ironic end, their true characters were revealed by their death, and that their social rank was challenged.

Zach Maly
2nd
10/8/14
Mrs. Wiersig

The Ways of Trickery

In the book “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” written by Frederick Douglass himself, he describes his life experiences when in slavery and everything he saw, felt, or heard. Douglass demonstrates many successes that were achieved through trickery from events like with Colonel Lloyd, trying to escape, and with Mr. Covey.
Douglass’ first account of trickery occurs at Colonel Lloyd’s plantation which reveals the cruelty of deprivation. Colonel Lloyd’s plantation was possibly his worst plantation in relation to masters and experiences. The first sign of trickery was not by Colonel Lloyd himself, but it was by Colonel Lloyd and the plantation’s gardener. The Colonel’s plantation has its own garden, and in this garden is fresh and ripe fruit that tempt and drive the slaves to steal its fruit. Rather than whipping the slaves on hand the two devise a plan: “ The last and most successful one was that of tarring the fence all around; after which, if as slave was caught with and tar upon his person it was deemed sufficient proof that he had either been into the garden , or had tried to get in”(32). This trickery paints the picture of how the slaveholders demolish the slaves habits, not just by confronting them with the whip, but also by tricking them into thinking their master didn’t know that they were taking from his garden and drew the slaves into a trap. Then with the same master, Colonel Lloyd, there was another scene of trickery that he did not witness, but was told of the incident “ It is reported of him, that, while riding along the road one day, he met a colored man, and addressed him in the usual manner of speaking to people on the public highways of the south “ Well, boy, whom do you belong to?” “ To Colonel Lloyd” replied the slave. “Well does the Colonel treat you well?(34). This event shows that even after finding out he was his slave, he tricks the slave into thinking he wasn’t his master and used that to find out what he thought of him. This demonstrates the idea that Colonel Lloyd is sneaky in the ways he uses his trickery and does it in a way that he uses it to achieve a task in a less obvious way. Then another possible sight of trickery happened with Colonel Lloyd and the stable slave watcher, Barney. When you think of watching over a horse you’d think it would be easy; feed it, give it water, clean it, and ride it. “ But it was by no means an easy employment; for in nothing was Colonel Lloyd more particular than in the management of his horses”(33). The reason Colonel Lloyd’s pickiness made it hard was because all the caring for the horse had to be precise for the horses, but another contribution is that Colonel Lloyd’s attitude could effect what he thought about his horses to make it tougher of a employment, as he becomes even more picky and more harsh with his horses when dealing with an unhappy attitude towards all the slaves. These observations that Douglass experiences helps him realize that even he could possibly achieve tasks through trickery and use it on other people.
After Douglass witnesses the use of trickery by Colonel Lloyd, he decides to use it himself when he attempts his escape from slavery. Douglass is able to devise a plan of escape thanks to his knowledge and ability to read and write. For instance, he puts the ability to full use as it plays an important role when he uses this in his attempt at escape. “ The week before our intended start, I wrote several protections, one for each of us”(94). Now, the reason the little letters or notes are so important is because for any slave to be able to travel alone by themselves, they needed a signed letter by their masters to approve of their travel. The way Douglass is able to accomplish this deception is by simply writing a letter with his master’s signature at the end. “ This is to certify that I, the undersigned, have given the bearer, my servant, full liberty to go to Baltimore, and spend the Easter holidays. Written with mine own hand,&c., 1835 ‘ William Hamilton”(94) Frederick Douglass writes these letters not as a formal use, but as a precautionary use which shows Douglass’ determination and will to escape and that he is willing to trick or deceive others to do so. Because the slaves hope they will not get caught and hope they do not get accused as runaway slaves, they use notes as a precautionary use. The reason being caught is low in their mind is because of the escape route they are taking may cause people to think of them as someone else. “ Our reason for taking the water route was, that we were less liable to be suspected as runaways; we hoped to be regarded as fishermen”(94). This idea as being thought of differently to what slaves really are shows how Douglass took the idea of trickery and turned it into a positive action for his attempted escape. He shows in this action how he uses trickery to try and achieve a life-changing task.
Douglass is laid into the hands of trickery once again when he is sent to Mr. Covey, whose characteristics show the strong existence of trickery. Douglass watches and analyzes Mr. Covey’s use of trickery to achieve certain tasks. In fact, Douglass observes Mr. Covey enough that he finds out that in Mr. Covey, trickery is his main trait, “ Mr. Covey forte consisted in his power to deceive”(73). Douglass’ observation displays the way that some slaveholders used trickery enough to where it became a characteristic in their person . This use of trickery exposes Master Covey’s character and shows the keen observations of Douglass to the he has in his lifetime. For example, Mr. Covey deceived the slaves he owned at the time by giving them enough food to eat, while addressing them to eat it in little amounts of time to where they were eating just as much as before “ Mr. Covey gave us enough to eath, but scarce time to eat it”(72). This shows the deceiving nature of one man to his slaves and how he makes his slaves be happy for one item but not give them the ability to use it completely. The actions of trickery can be used in a way that can demolish the person’s hope of happiness. Douglass states that in Mr. Covey, there was an arrogant thought in him “ He seemed to think himself equal to deceiving the Almighty”(73). With the statement by Mr. Covey, he glorifies himself as equal to the Almighty. Therefore, Douglass realizes the strength of trickery and how everyone could use in their own escape or work, and that Mr. Covey uses it in almost every situation to where it has become a strong characteristic of the man.
Douglass’ recall of his last experience with Mr. Covey identifies the characteristics of trickery to be able to use it in his favor. Douglass uses trickery in his life so many times in which most are used in the attempt at escape. The time that Douglass did not just witness trickery was when he used it himself to try and escape. The way he did this was in the tie that he wrote a letter saying Douglass and his other servant friends were allowed to travel somewhere they were not allowed at. Therefore, Douglass’ experiences with people using trickery to achieve any unbearable task that he faces and must conquer to advance in his life.

Zach Maly
Pre-AP English
4/24/15

This Boy Is An Alligator

You might think I’m just
a fourteen-year-old boy
with dirty-blonde hair
and hazel eyes
But I know I am more
way more than that
not a lion or zebra
not a dolphin or whale
I… Am an alligator
a hard skinned alligator
that no one can stop
from capturing that deer
that is only mine for the taking
Running quickly and stealthily to catch
the clueless deer on land
and swimming swiftly
to catch my prey in water
Startling my prey that
walks near to my water
As I trap the deer in my jaws
and drag him into my water world
separating him from all on land
The dirty-blonde-haired, hazel-eyes boy
is an alligator
a patient, hard skinned, powerful alligator
that seizes all I wish to have.
(Zach Maly)

Zach Maly
Pre-AP English I
4/23/15

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Comparative Essay

I love mysteries. I love the suspense created when I don’t know what will happen next. As i watch, listen, or read, I itch for the moment when I am told the discovery of the mystery and everything is revealed in one heap of a moment leaving all shocked with what was revealed.
Though I have seen and read many mysteries that were unbelievingly well thought-out and well-written, my favorite one was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The author of the book and director of the movie both thought out how they would convey this idea of evil being separated from the good in a human being. Though they both had parts in their scenes that seemed to be different, each one of them possessed the same meaning with their scenes or events. I have created a comparison chart:

Epilogue
Characterization
Hyde will no longer be seen
Book: Opens up with Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield walking and they come across a street where Mr. Enfield remembers a scene of how Mr. Enfield witnessed Mr. Hyde run over a little girl. Stephenson depicts Hyde’s evil by expressing his evil through his actions of completely ignoring the fact that he ran over a little girl.
Book: Stephenson depicts Hyde as being a short in stature, lean man, who creates an ominous mood towards anyone who dares to draw near him in his state of evil doings.
Book: Stephenson presents the idea that Hyde will no longer be seen as a exclamation by Dr. Jekyll that he can control whether he transformed into Mr. Hyde or not. this statement is presented in the time in which Dr. Jekyll is talking with Dr. Utterson.
Movie: Opens with them in a church where a man loses his mind and expresses a great deal of evil with a maniacal laugh and speaking. The evil side of people is shown through the event of a man yelling evil curses at the church priest and causing ruckus with a maniacal laugh.
Movie: the director presents Hyde as looking presumably identical to Dr. Jekyll in stature. The only way he was shown as being different was in his hair being strung about his head and his face seemed older around his eyes and he seemed to have an evil smile in place of his normal straight or smiling face.
Movie: The director presumably presented that scene of the book through a new character named Ivy. ivy is being tortured by Mr. Hyde, so she decide to go see Dr. Jekyll for help in which he “assures” her that Mr. Hyde will never bother her again. Once again showing that he believes he can control his transformation.
Analysis: I believe it adds to the novelists intent because it shows what caused Jekyll to do the experiments he got himself into tampering with the good and evil sides of mankind. These two openings give us a general understanding of the evil that is brought upon people throughout the book and movie.
Analysis: Though these differences seem to completely depict each other with no similarities as to what he looks like, but they both help the audience see the evil in Hyde and how and why he creates an ominous mood when one is around him.
Analysis: The scenes, though different in their presentation, both present how Dr. Jekyll does not realize the little amount of control he has in preventing and taking control of Dr. Jekyll’s body making him the evil Mr. Hyde that everyone in town fears and despises so much
Following the information provided by this chart, one could see that though both the movie and the book are both about the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, they are different in the way they present the story. These differences can be viewed strongly in the epilogue and Dr. Jekyll’s assurance that Mr. Hyde will disappear.
The first time one may witnessed a difference between the book and movie is in the epilogue of both versions. In the opening scene, Dr. Jekyll, his fiance Beatrice, and her father, are all in a church service when a man breaks out in a maniacal laughter and evil cursings towards the priest of the church. This scene of evil display helps the audience picture why Dr. Jekyll got into his experiments of tampering with the good and evil sides of mankind. Though the movie opens up with this visual representation of evil, the book provides us with a scene in which Hyde, the very monster that Jekyll created, tramples over a little girl with no regards as to what he has just done and continues to walk away from the fallen girl. This scene may not provide us with a clear representation to the evil of Mr. Hyde, but it rather shows the mind of Mr. Hyde and how he has no care towards what he does to other people, as opposed to his good Dr. Jekyll. These two scenes, though different, depict the overall evil that is involved in Jekyll’s experiments and how the evil in one, if strong, will express itself.
Both the author and the director then present the idea of Dr. Jekyll assuring that Mr. Hyde will not return once again are both in similarities, but they were presented towards different characters. In the book, the author has just explained the murder that Mr. Hyde performed in which he killed Sir Danvers Carew when Mr. Utterson confronts Jekyll about this murder in which Dr. Jekyll explains to him that he promises he has nothing more to do with Mr. Hyde and that he will be seen no more. Though Dr. Jekyll promised Utterson that Hyde would be no longer seen, Jekyll was not able to control the transformation, and Hyde was seen once again. Then, in the movie, almost the same outcome and sequence of the events took place except that the murder took place after he assures that Hyde will no longer be seen and he assures Ivy instead that he will no longer be seen. He then finds he can not control it and transforms once again into Hyde in which he then goes back to harm Ivy once more and soon… Commit the murder.
These two versions of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde differ in how each element is presented including sequencing of events, characterizing, and overall settings, but these differentiation’s all come back to the same general idea in which they show the results and wrongs of Dr. Jekyll deciding to tamper with what should not be tampered with. The good and the evil of mankind.

Career Choice Comparative Essay

Zach Maly
Mrs. Yoder
10/28/14

As a ninth grade student I have been pushed by my parents asking me “ What do you want to be when you get older?” I’m not sure, but I do know that my main interests are in the fields of civil engineering, petroleum engineering, and perhaps even an anesthesiologists.
Since I know I have the most interest in civil engineering, petroleum engineering , and anesthesiologists, I decided to look up the qualities of these jobs. The information I found is in the chart that follows:

Civil Engineering Petroleum Engineering Anesthesiologists
Level of Education
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Doctoral or Professional Degree
Salary
$79,340 (2012)
$130,280 per year
$187,200 per year
Aptitudes/Abilities
Leadership Skills, Decision making skills, and Math Skills
Analytical Skills, Creativity Skills, and Math Skills
Communication Skills, Compassion, and Detail Oriented
Work Schedule
full time- 1 out of 4 work just over 40 hours a week
full time- 50 to 60 hours a week, sometimes a 84 hour shift rotations
full time- long, irregular, and overnight hours
Benefits
good pay, good percentage of being accepted into job, and only need Bachelor’s Degree
nice salary, only need Bachelor’s degree, and 26% job outlook
one of highest paying jobs, an 18% job outlook
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ . 23 October 2014
After I examined the chart and qualities of the job, and my qualities of a good mathematician and problem-solver, I believe that civil engineering may be the best career choice for me in the near future. This is the best career choice for me because I possess about two-thirds amount of qualities that I would need to be a civil engineer.
Not only do I want to be a civil engineer because I enjoy math, which is an important subject in engineering, but I also like it because I find buildings interesting. Whenever I go on road trips with my family, I always find myself staring out the window examining buildings and sometimes unfinished highways, like the bridges in Dallas. There the highway bridges would be in the process and I would see those metal rods sticking out, and being so young I wasn’t sure what they were, so I turned to my dad who soon told me that those were metal rods that were to help support the concrete. Though no one in my real family is an engineer, I have an uncle who has his own civil engineering business that I find interesting. I found it interesting because with his own civil engineering company he built him and his wife’s dream house. There I got to see all the steps and the specific details and designs that had to be put into a house. To go along with that, my sister has a boyfriend in college who studies to become an engineer, and I saw a project where he had to build his own scale model that I was really fascinated me.
After a complete examination of the data, I have made my complete choice as to what career I will want to do. I have chosen to become a Civil Engineer.
Civil engineering would be the best choice for me as a career because I possess the natural skills needed for this career such as decision making skills, leadership skills, and math skills. Some additional skills I would need for this job include: organizational skills, problem-solving skills, and writing skills.
With seeing the results of all my achievements in classes, I would say that I possess most of these skills at an average to above average level. To me the two aptitudes that would be my weakness is organizational skills and writing skills, which makes me believe that this career would be the best for me.
Civil engineering isn’t much different from my other career choice in engineering, which is petroleum, where the education for both need a bachelor’s degree. The only career choice of mine that is different in education is Anesthesiologists, in which one would need a doctoral or professional degree. Besides that my other two careers, civil and petroleum engineering, only need bachelor’s degrees when applying for this job, while Anesthesiologists need a doctoral or professional degree.
All of the three careers I picked usually have workers working full time hours. Though all of them having full time hours civil engineers have the least amount of full time hours. With my other two careers the full time hours are more with petroleum engineering I might work 84 hour shifts per week then I rotate out, and Anesthesiologists I would work long and irregular hours that are sometimes overnight. While petroleum engineers and Anesthesiologists are doing that amount of work, that I’m working about just over 40 hours a week, if I’m the 1 out of 4 civil engineers that do. Thus, that would cause the benefit of having less working hours than the other two career choices I have.
Though neither of these three have a big area in similarities, they all seem fit for one of my careers, but out of them all I choose the career of civil engineering. This career will be the career that I choose to put my heart, soul, and dedication to in and out of school, so later in my life when I am deciding on where to go for what career, I’ll know, and I’ll know because I’ve done the research and i know what is closer to my heart.