"I belong to a [typical family]"(1). "My mother, my grandmothers, and six aunts have all had [4.5 GPA, 36 on ACT, perfect college apps-to name a few]"(1). People might be amazed at what a family I have, but I wouldn't really call this family amazing. It just gives me more stress and pressure to dream and achieve impossible dreams like them. Is it even okay to call my family members "normal"? "This is [just] my family history"(1)...not my history. I want to be different from all these people in my current era where getting all these bizarre numbers accurately determine their future steps in life. "Well then what do you call 'normal' Kookie?", my parents ask. "Anything far different from those alienating numbers", I would calmly say.
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"It is a well known story in the [current times]"(20) "The Day ["People Became Obsessed With Numbers]"(20). The government would be told "again and again"(20) that their outstanding students were receiving miraculous numbers and were at it once again. "On [March 13, 2016] through [whatever time period in the future]"(20), there has been the highest reported numbers of students receiving perfect scores not only on the ACT but the SAT as well. It seems as if people don't care about the ones who are below this superior qualities.
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"In [my] culture, authority is respected, obedience is revered, and independent thinking is not"(30). Now, I finally question why independent thinking is not respected or revered. Isn't independent thinking a huge and essential part of what makes up a person for who he/she is?! "One by one"(32), everyone eventually did seem to be abandoning independent thinking and merging into one whole blob of the same goal. Their motto seeming to be: "Let's see who can get the highest score!" What kids seem to be only talking about these days is scores and numerical values. "I must question everything, even if it means losing my faith"(35) now.
---Just an attempt in mimicking/ adapting the tone and style of Williams writing
Hi Michelle! I really like how you connected Clan to almost every highschooler's life. We're all just part of the system and have no say in the way that schools view us- we're merely numbers and scores. Sad, but true. Well done :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle! This was a very interesting adaption of William's piece that really reflected our lives. The pressure of being perfect is so high, especially on tests (that are actually superficial in reflecting who we are as people). Sigh... great post though!
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