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Final Draft:

The concept of moral and social judgment is shown through countless novels. Often characters are faced with the interplay of their own belief and the moral expected belief of society. The judgment from the characters' society can often pave the path to the characters’ journey and their fate. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is faced with public shaming due to an affair that reflects the harsh moral judgment of her Puritan society, and this leads to her isolation but also her new found resilience towards the end of the novel. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is obsessed with recreating the past and his pursuit of the American Dream is ruined by the social judgment of wealth and class. Finally in Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim’s experience of time and war challenges both his moral and social views.
In the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne’s fate is guided by the public shame and moral judgment out upon her by Puritan society. Punished for committing adultery, Hester is forced to stand on a scaffold and wear the scarlet letter “A” as a symbol of her sin. Hawthorne writes "Had she fallen on the scaffold, and died, it would have been better so, than to have lived and seen the same children, whose innocent eyes she had just now been looking into, become the objects of her deepest, most intense, and evil hate. (Chapter: 4 - The Interview). This line shows the full view of Hester’s suffering. She expresses that death would have been a better punishment. However, even when she went through all of this suffering Hester perseveres and finds strength. Over the course of the novel, as she cares for Pearl and becomes a mother, she finds strength to push forward. Her life shows how fate can be harsh, but it also shows how only by enduring such pain and harshness can someone grow and find strength.

In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s fate was guided by things out of his control, specifically his obsession with the past and social class or structure of 1920s America. He is so fixated on recreating the past that it blinds him to the present. A great example of this is Nick and Gatsby’s conversation in chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby, which says, “You can’t repeat the past.”Gatbsy replies, “Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (Chapter 6) this denial from Gatsby reveals his tragic flaw, his refusal to accept the present reality. This illusion of love and status is ultimately what leads to his downfall near the end of the novel. Gatsby’s fate explores how even as a crazy wealthy person he could not overcome the barriers of social class and time.

In Slaughterhouse-Five, fate is represented quite differently compared to other novels. In this novel it follows Billy Pilgrim, a soldier and survivor of the Dresden bombing in World War II, and how he becomes “unstuck in time,” as Vonnegut wrote, “Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time.” (Chapter: 1). This line from the novel introduces us, the readers, to the nonlinear writing structure of this novel. It was great to add this nonlinear structure because it represents Billy’s fragmented mind and the way he perceives life. His experiences with the alien Tralfamadorians reshape his understanding of time and fate. On one hand this reshaped understanding of life allows Billy to detach from pain and trauma, but it also shows it distances him from reality. Billy’s journey reveals how fate can become a coping mechanism, especially in the face of war and suffering.

Just like fate, judgment plays a huge role in shaping the paths of each of these characters. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is judged harshly by her Puritan society for committing adultery. Hawthorne writes, “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel of the wearer." (Chapter: 2 - The MarketPlace). This quote shows how her sin becomes a permanent part of her identity. The scarlet letter is supposed to be a symbol of shame, but Hester ends up making it a part of who she is. The judgment from her community pushes her to the edges of society and isolates her from everyone. Hawthorne shows how damaging public shame and strict moral codes can be.

Gatsby also faces judgment, but in a different way. He’s judged because of his background and how he got his money. Even though he’s super rich, people still don’t fully accept him, especially the old-money crowd like Tom Buchanan. Tom says, "I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me." (Chapter 7). It’s quite a hypocritical thing to say, considering Tom cheats on his wife but still judges Gatsby for chasing Daisy. This quote shows how Gatsby is looked down on, not just for his actions, but for wanting something he can’t have. Fitzgerald uses this to show how strong class divisions are in a world where money is supposed to mean everything.

In Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim faces judgment too, but more for how he sees the world after the war. His way of thinking changes after his encounter with the Tralfamadorians. When he’s asked “Why you? Why us for that matter? Why anything? Because this moment simply is. Have you ever seen bugs trapped in amber?” (Chapter 4). This quote really shows how much his perspective on life has changed. He stops trying to find logical answers and just lives with it “So it goes”. But because he talks like this, people see him as crazy or unstable. Vonnegut uses Billy’s experience to show how people who’ve been through trauma, like war, are often judged when they do not fit into what’s considered “normal.”

Even though each of these characters go through a lot, they all find their own kind of strength—whether it’s through being a parent, chasing a dream, or learning how to let go. Hester Prynne, for example, starts off totally crushed by shame. She’s forced to wear the scarlet letter and gets pushed by her society, which leaves her isolated. But over time, she finds strength in raising Pearl and making a life for herself. Hawthorne writes, “She took up the child in her arms, and the shameful letter on her breast was, in her own eyes, a badge of honor.” (Chapter: 2 - The Market-Place). What was once a symbol of shame and embarrassment turns into something powerful. Hester does not let judgment define her forever, she redeems her identity and becomes someone people turn to for help. Her strength comes from accepting her past and building something new out of it.

However, for Gatsby his strength comes from him chasing the American Dream, even if it is clearly and obviously slipping through his fingers. He believes so deeply in the idea that if you just have the money and social status anything is possible, he believes by chasing this he can win Daisy back and fix the past. Fitzgerald writes, "The idea is if we get the money, happiness will follow,” Gatsby says, “if we reach the top, the world will finally yield to us.” (Chapter: 6). It is beautiful but tragic that Gatsby is holding on to this hope for so long. Gatsby’s perfect life is based on illusion, but the fact that he holds onto it so tightly is what makes him stand out. Him not giving up, even while heartbreaking, is also a kind of resilience. However his failure reveals the truth about theAmerican Dream, it proves that it does not work if it is built on lies and illusion. In the end, Gatsby’s downfall is a warning to put your faith in the wrong things.

Billy Pilgrim’s journey in Slaughterhouse-Five is quite different as well. In the novel he doesn’t fight back, try to recreate the past, or fix anything he just lays on time witnessing his life, shaped by his trauma and time travel and war. When Vonnegut writes “Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time.” (Chapter: 1). It isn’t just a way to drive the plot of the novel; rather, it shows the brokenness of Billy’s mind and his perception of life. He escapes the pain of war and life by stepping outside of time and embracing the Tralfamadorian view that all moments are fixed, and death is just another moment. “So it goes” is his way of surviving through all of this chaos. He doesn’t have the urge to fix or recreate life; he just lets it happen. This may seem like a weakness, not caring about life and all that, but more than a weakness it is a way for him to cope. Escaping into a different view of time and meaning is how Billy survives. It's a quiet kind of resilience, not about fighting or changing the world, but about learning and accepting how to live in it without falling apart. We see in Billy how acceptance doesn’t need to be a passive action, but that it can be an action that gives strength.

In The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, and Slaughterhouse-Five, the characters of Hester Prynne, Jay Gatsby, and Billy Pilgrim navigate through a complex and sometimes chaotic journey of fate, judgment, and resilience. Each character is deeply affected by societal expectations, personal obsessions, and existential challenges. Hester transforms shame into strength and resilience through motherhood and acceptance. Gatsby’s dream, though ultimately unattainable, reflects his deep longing for love and the past. Billy’s detachment from linear time allows him to cope with trauma and embrace the absurdity of life. Together, these characters show how human beings endure suffering, confront moral judgment, and find meaning in a world that often seems senseless. Their stories remind us that resilience doesn’t always look the same—it can be loud or quiet, driven by hope or acceptance—but it’s what carries us forward when everything else falls apart.

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My name is Owen.

I was born in Queens, New York, United States. After my birth I quickly moved to Korea where I would spend most of my life for. I still visit the United States once or twice a year, and I always have a good time. I get my education from Kwangju Foreign School in Gwanju, South Korea. Through my education I have come to love Science and sports like Volleyball and Basketball. I mainly like to play, travel, and just live life. But now I enter the 11th grade, and I can't wait for what the future has for me.

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Sep/2

I woke up today and found out that gravity stopped work. I looked around and saw everything flowing in the air. I couldn’t believe my eyes, I was flowing. As I tried to move in 0 gravity, it took me an hour to reach the window. By that time the building had already crashed into one another, planes were crashing too. I don’t know what happened while I was sleeping but I loved to see all the people on the streets flow mid air.

Half an hour had passed, and I was getting bored. But as soon as I said that suddenly the gravity was back on. Sadly a lot of people, including me, were only a few feet away from the ground so nobody got hurt, but it was a strange feeling feeling so heavy all of a sudden, it felt like my chest was crushing in on itself.

Another hour had passed and I decided that I would go for a walk when the gravity stopped working again. Idk how society will survive like this but only time will tell.

Sep/19

My Chuseok started as soon as my brother and sister left the house, I was alone finally. I spent the first day, Saturday, sleeping all day, playing cuphead, and packing. The next day I spent a couple of hours at church and at 2 pm I left for the pension a few hours away. I really enjoyed the place because there was a swimming pool, a full karaoke machine projected on the wall, and a rock climbing wall. I did nothing but sleep for the first few hours because I was so sleepy. But by night time we went to the swimming pool and played volleyball. I really liked the food and vibes of the place and my vacation, and I disliked the length of the break because it felt too short.

Sep 23/2024

If I were to create a new holiday it would be called “no school.”. This holiday happens every year during the months august- december. On the holiday like the name says there would be no school, you will get to sleep and play all day. Also homework would no longer be a thing during this holiday. Nothing special other than just resting at home for 5 months then you would get winter break for another few weeks.

10/14

I found this key on the side of my bed recalling no memory of it. I also noticed that I wasn’t in “my” bed room, it seemed just slightly off. I got up and started looking around, I didn’t find anything at first however, but when I went downstairs I saw a giant box, with a lock on it. I quickly rushed up the stairs and got the key. However, when I tried to unlock the lock it didn’t open. I was so upset that I just tossed the box and I cracked. When I looked to see what was inside I saw a bunch of golf clubs

10/7

Hester Pryne

Hester Pryne #gettinghanged#cheating#lonely

Pearl

#daughteroftheDevil#pureevil

Reverend Dimmesdale

#don’tknowwhothefatheris#whothefather?

Roger Chillingworth

#whodababy#whothatgirl?

10/21

The forest acts as a free place for Hester and Dimmesdale because it is a place where they can speak publicly without having anyone listening. because of the fact that they live in a puritan society and also because Dimmesdale, if a pastor, is very difficult for them to express their sins to the public. it is a place where they can express their true selves without the weight of shame and sin

Short Story:

The Jazz Band

As November comes to an end, Jonathan Hayes, a world-class trumpet player, watches from his window with a glass of glenfiddich in his hand. He looks to see the sky as it starts to darken and building lights turn on. Simultaneously, he sees small flakes of snow start to fall.

"December," he mutters, "my month."

He sets his glass down with a soft clink. He sighs with satisfaction, knowing that despite this weather, this season was his time to shine. As unusual as it was, his schedule was clear. Typically, concert halls all across Manhattan  craved his performance. This was something that annoyed him. As he was getting ready to rest, a ding interrupted his thoughts. His phone, lighting up with a message:

“Hey Jonathan, remember about the jazz gig? We start rehearsals tomorrow. It's just a subway stop away, 6 PM sharp. Don’t be late. - Mike.”

Jonathan sighs. The "gig." He had agreed to this gig just for his ego, to make himself feel useful.

“The band has more heart than talent. That’s what Mike said” said Jonathan.

“Jazz is for amateurs,” he thought to himself, turning off his phone without responding.

“I’ll make them just like me,” he said “I’ll make them sound good. They’ll praise me.”

As the sun rose on the next day, it was colder than before; snow had heavily poured down during the night. Jonathan wakes up feeling fresher than ever. With a cup of coffee, he gets ready for the gig. He throws on his custom made Italian coat, picks out a trumpet from his collection, and heads to the venue. It was very clear that it was December, with the joyful holiday laughs of the children which could be heard from a mile away.

“What a beautiful day,” he said as he walked down to catch the subway.

When he got to the venue, it was everything but nice. It was nothing but a dingy, cramped space above an old record studio. Jonathan hesitated and sighed, regretting his decision to even bother in the first place. It wasn’t better that the doors weren’t working, feeling the creepiness from just looking at them. Inside, the venue was just as he expected!-crappy. He looked through the window of the room he would be practicing in and only saw horrors. A few mismatched chairs, a worn out carpet, dented music stands, and most importantly the players. He could only see about three of them and in his eyes, none of them had any chance of becoming professionals. As he walked Mike waved at him eagerly from the back, standing next to an upright bass player who looked like he was about to fall directly onto the ground.

"Glad you made it, Jon!" Mike said, with the most excited voice. "We were just about to get started, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

“Hello everyone,” he said with a sarcastic voice. “My name is Jonathan Hayes, it is a pleasure to meet you all.”

As he looked around, he and scanned each band member: a drummer who looked like he hadn't slept in days, a saxophonist with a chipped reed, a pianist who was too busy playing with the rusty piano that he didn’t even notice his introduction, and an upright bassist, who looked like he was about to pass out.

“What a crappy jazz band," he  whispered to himself, with a smirk, he knew he was right about this band.

"Alright, guys, let’s warm up with a standard, 'Autumn Leaves,' in C minor," Mike called out.

“How basic.” he said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

But as he raised his trumpet, preparing to carry a jazzy riff, however, something peculiar happened. The notes were right, perfect even. Well of course he was, but the sound around him, they weren’t the disastrous noises he expected. The saxophonist’s tone, though rough, had its own raw beauty and aura. The pianist, though scattered at first, added a depth of emotions that surprised him. And the rhythm section, though loosely put together, the sounds were alive. They played with a kind of a reckless and free stylish way that Jonathan’s perfectionism couldn’t quite grasp. They weren’t following the typical rules of a jazz band that he normally hears. They were making new music as they were playing. When the piece ended, the other members quickly looked over at him expecting his feedback.

"Not bad," Jonathan said, though he hadn’t meant it in a “everything was perfect!” way

He felt uncomfortable. He felt an unfamiliar humility in his mind, something that was attacking his confidence. As they moved into the next piece, “Blue in Green,” Jonathan was lost in his thoughts. He listened to how they played and interacted with each other. It was intriguing to him. They weren’t flat out brilliant with each other, but they listened to each other, pushed each other, and played together. It was a strange and unfamiliar world to him. Usually he would lead and others followed. Here, it was like each musician had their own voice, yet somehow they were somehow mixing them into a single unified conversation. A conversation he hadn’t been a part of in a very long time. The imperfections of the band felt both thrilling and unsettling. It was a whole new view for him. After practice, there was nothing left to do but go home. However, the way out felt much lighter than the way in. He walked the same street, took the same subway, and it took the same time to get home, but something just felt slightly off. He stood at the same window he was at yesterday, the snow falling harder and harder, but this time he thinks about the emotions that the day brought him. The messy, imperfect sounds of jazz just might have taught him something. Something about being human.

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Final book report:

Basic Music Theory by Jonathan Harnum is a book for learning, studying, and understanding the fundamentals of music for beginners. The book covers essential topics such as reading musical notation, rhythm, scales, intervals, chords, and key signatures. It breaks down complex concepts into clear, and simple explanations with helpful diagrams and practice exercises. Harnum also includes historical backgrounds and practical tips for musicians making the book both informative and engaging. The book teaches all levels of musicians, whether you're a new music student or a self-taught musician, this book serves as a solid foundation, a great platform for furthering your musical understandings.

Personal Essay:

One topic that I absolutely love to talk about is volleyball. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a lot of energy. People at my church would often ask my parents if I was okay, because I was constantly moving, running around, and full of energy. Now looking back I think that the hyper, active side of me led to my love for sports. I was exposed to all kinds of sports through my church’s monthly basketball games, and over time, that exposure grew into a general love for all sports. Volleyball was one of those sports I discovered, but at the time it didn’t immediately become my favorite.

My genuine love for volleyball really started in seventh grade. At the time, I watched from the sidelines as my older brother played in recess and for the junior varsity team. When I went back home I watched a few matches of professional volleyball and I was fully committed after that.  I really found the excitement of the pacing, I loved how teammates communicated with quick glances and calls, and how important every move was. When I finally had the opportunity to join the junior varsity team, I was extremely excited.

What captivated me the most about volleyball is the overall structure and mental part of the sport. Unlike sports like basketball or football, volleyball is different because there’s no pushing or dominance through force. Instead, the game is played within strict rules and limitations, like the three touch rule. This limitation forces players to think deeply about every move they make. You can’t just react, you have to plan, which is the main job of the setter. Every touch has to be purposeful. I love this side of volleyball.

Another unique part of volleyball that really made me enjoy the sport was that it wasn’t a timed sport. You can’t win by just stalling or letting the clock run out. You have to earn every single point, which makes each rally matter. I’ve found myself losing track of time entirely whenever I play or even just watching others play.

When I want to learn more about the game or to improve my skills, I usually turn to  either YouTube, or my older brother. With YouTube I would watch training videos for volleyball players. There are so many tutorials, drills, and strategy breakdowns that have helped me in the past. If there is nothing else to watch, I go to my brother for advice. He has played much more than me, and I enjoy learning about how he likes to play the game.

Volleyball is more than a sport to me, it's something that pushes me physically and mentally. It challenges me to think fast, do my best to work with others, and keep improving. This is the topic that makes me lose track of time.