Use Your Voice

As I continue to read The Diary of Anne Frank, I have realized she talks about her personality a lot.  While she likes to say what's on her mind, and stand up for what she believes in, the rest of the hidden people in the Annex look down upon her for that.  They say, "Why can't you be quieter and not talk back like Peter and your sister?"  However, Anne looks down upon people like her sister because she thinks them cowardly for not standing up for what they believe in.  Overall, I agree with Anne.

I agree with Anne because I think people who never talk back or push for things they really want will be tossed about in society.  If they don't speak up, they can get taken advantage of and end up being unhappy.  For example, Margot is quiet but then in the end she does whatever others tell her to do.  Though Anne doesn't describe Margot's feelings, I can only imagine that Margot often does not want to do these things or agree with others.  Thus, many unhappy feelings may be bottled up inside of her.  Anne later mentioned how everyone is depressed, and Margot complains about headaches.  Maybe this is the affect of not expressing her true feelings.

Another example in everyday life is when others make a mistake about what each individual is supposed to do.  For example, they might think they volunteered to do something, when they didn't.  A lot of times when this happens, I notice that the person has a confused look on their face but then slugs off to do the task without informing the person who made the mistake.  They often end up doing something they don't want to do.  Sometimes it annoys me that they didn't just speak up and tell the person that they made a mistake.

In conclusion, I think that standing up for yourself is a really powerful tool in life.  Though I'm not saying you should talk back to everyone who disagrees with you, I think we shouldn't always back down and let others command our lives.  I think being a little agressive or a "go getter" can really help you lead your life.

A Lot of Care But Little Action

     As I continue to read Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, the main character Montag has decided to take action against the other firemen.  This is because he realized that maybe books are important to society, and shouldn't be burned.  Currently, he has made a plan with an old man to burn the houses of firemen. The book describes this old man as someone who has always wanted to keep books around, but was too afraid to take any action to preserving them.  This makes me think about how many people will have strong views on something, but never take action.

     In the book, the old man Faber had created a device he was able to pay for playing the stock markets after his university closed.  The device allowed him to implant one piece in one ear and the other, anywhere he chose.  That way, he could "hear and analyze the firemen's world, find its weaknesses, without danger."  According to Faber, it was just, "Proof of (his) terrible cowardice." Although he made this device long ago, he never put it to much use in trying to rebel against the burning of all books.  And now, though he is old and Montag is willing to help destroy the burning system, he is still afraid.  This angers me because he hasn't much to lose, but only something the world should hear and can probably gain from.  I personally think that if you believe in something, you should put it to action, or else you are no better than those who are against it.  This reminds me of people who are insanely mad at the outcome of elections, but didn't even vote. I want to ask, Why sit wondering "what if," when you could be rejoicing over a victory for your cause?  I believe the answer to this is because many are afraid of the views of society.  They may not want to be known as the crazy person.  However, I just want to get it out there that many people thought people like Albert Einstein were crazy, but they went on to changing the world in a huge way.  In conclusion, I want this post to be a call to action for those who have strong beliefs.  I think we should all stand up for what we believe in.