Caitlin Kubitz

It's easy for us humans to lose sight of just how little our place is in the universe. Through the decades, we have adapted to nature so well that we appear to have forgotten that we once had
to plead with it and respect its might. In “The Shipwreck,” Henry David Thoreau writes about
this in a way that both warns the reader and exemplifies the disregard that nature has for the
human-race. Similarly, Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” is an ode

Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” is like a guidebook that encourages the love of self
and nature. Whitman felt that we are all connected to each other and to the natural world by a
divine presence or spirit that runs through us. Much like the idea of transcendentalism, this piece
by Walt Whitman suggests

Updike explores the societal divide due to generational conflict in the 1960s in his short
fiction piece titled "A&P." Drastic differences between the stricter upbringings of the "Silent
Generation" following the Great Depression, born between the years 1925 and 1945 and the less
demanding, sheltered upbringing of "Boomers," prompted constant conflict as Boomers found
their purpose and role in a steadily changing society. During the Boomers' generation, parents
often criticized this seemingly robust, free-spirited generation that made it their mission to
experience life without limitations.

I have found Louis L'Amour to be one of the most enjoyable Western fiction authors. In
all his works, his profound voice emphasizes the never-ending adventures associated with Old
West ideology. The Gift of Cochise is a short story about a woman’s courage. A third-person
omniscient point of view explores the emotions of Angie, the main character, Cochise, who is
curious about Angie's unfortunate situation, and Ches Lane, who must break the news to Angie
that her husband has died

When one thinks of the Old West, trails of covered wagons on dusty roads, men and
women on horseback, or even the famed California Gold Rush may come to mind. Others might
consider tales they may have heard about famous outlaws like Billy the Kid or Butch Cassidy.
Although these ideas do portray prominent aspects of the West, many often forget about the
Pony Express and the important contributions it had for the development of the United States

When reading any story, the reader is often introduced to the protagonist in their “natural
habitat,” in order to get acquainted. As a conflict arises, both the reader and the main character
undergo a journey, though not always literal, that allows the reader to witness the protagonist
transform into a better version of themselves in order to prove a point, solve a conflict, or
express a theme. This is known as a monomyth, or the “Hero’s Journey.”

Michael Patrick Lynch’s Ted Talk expresses the potential harm that technology has on
the intellect of society. Close mindedness is an epidemic rocking the world, disregarding the
many advances in technology that has perpetually allowed the access of knowledge in the palm
of one’s hand via their cellular devices. Despite all of this, Lynch shares his concerns by
addressing the idea of people only wanting to accept the truths that pertain to them, and not the
truth in its entirety. Accepting that someone does not know everything is one of the best ways to
begin the much-needed change