Ecclesiastes is a Breeze

" For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow."

Many say that to enjoy one's life is to live it to the fullest, which is a positive take on how our time on Earth should be spent. The book of Ecclesiastes, on the other hand, has a much more realist attitude. The way I distinct the meanings of "wisdom" and "knowledge" is that wisdom is acquired after a large variety of experiences while knowledge is merely acquired through education; in other words, wisdom is acquired by that specific person while knowledge is acquired through the teachings of others. Wouldn't "living life to the fullest" imply that one would have more life experiences, thus acquiring wisdom? I was under the impression that enjoying life for all that it is would make someone happy, not fill them with grief. The logic of the allotted quote seems very backwards and quite pessimistic. I think that living in a state of constant fear of obtaining knowledge and wisdom would be more detrimental to one's mental well-being than embracing the inevitable. After Malcolm X returned from his trek of Mecca, he was much more enlightened and at peace and was more accepting of white people. He wasn't depressed, grievous, or sorrowful; this was a major turnaround considering the radical and, at times, militant tactics that Malcolm X preached during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. This example disproves all of the negative connotations that the quote from Ecclesiastes created for knowledge and wisdom.

Chapter 20-25 - To Kill a Mockingbird

This case sure is something else! I love the suspension and...just the feeling! I'm sure we're going to win...how couldn't we? We have all the facts and evidence we need to bring that prejudiced heathen down! There is nothing I would like to see more than Mr. Ewell bein' brought to his knees before all of Maycomb. That son of a b- that cretin isn't even worth the foul words the Devil himself created. I hope that liar loses this case; them Negroes never get a break.

Gosh Calpurnia! Why did she have to come in right when it was getting good? Gosh! At least I got to eat; I was getting really hungry. I guess I'll forgive Calpurnia after all... At least I know she won't let me starve, 'cause us men need to eat our food. I need those nutrients whenever I can get them.

OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE LOST! THOSE HYPOCRITES! HOW COULD THEY JUST ACT LIKE THEY'RE GONNA MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, AND THEN JUST BLOW IT UP IN OUR FACES! THOSE RACISTS! I feel so bad for Atticus. I know how hard he worked on this case. He defended Tom better than he would've defended a white man! Any white man would've got off the case, but they didn't ole Black Robinson, did they? I oughtta give 'em a piece of my mind. IT'S NOT FAIR! I thought we would win no problem, but we all have to face the inevitable: some people just can't put aside their personal beliefs for the sake of what's right. I appreciated it when the Blacks stood up for Atticus when he walked by; nobody else in Maycomb would have tried as hard as he did to prove Tom's innocence, and they acknowledged it regardless of the fact that he lost.

That vile, turd-brained fraud! People around the neighborhood were wondering why - if he had won the case - would he be spitting at Atticus? Well...I'll tell you why. 'Cause he's the one goin' around blaming others for his sins, and Tom was the only one he could pin them on without raising suspicion. Deep down, everyone in this here town knows that Bob's the one rapin' his girl, not a Black man. If everyone had temporarily dropped their prejudices and ruled the correct way, maybe Tom would have been shot down in pursuit of what was rightfully his; his freedom. It's mighty sad that's things had to end this way. Atticus was probably going to get him out anyway, but that's more possible than probable. I feel sorry for his wife, Helen. And he has two littluns. What was a thriving family is now a broken family.

Chapter 15-17 - To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm glad Tom was switched to the the Maycomb jail, but if he had been there in the first place, there would not have been any disputes. Now people have to adjust, and a lot of the other men are getting riled up about this whole thing. I understand that the lot of 'em are racists, but Tom is still the defendant in a court case! Even Walter Cunningham has dispelled thinking sensibly! I was also nervous when I found out that Tom was being switched, because I knew the kind of uproar it would cause. So, I prepared myself for what was to come and asked Heck Tate to back me up. Heck Tate is a fine man who is loyal to Maycomb and its citizens. I wouldn't want anyone else but him watch my back.

It scared the bejeezus out of me when I saw Scout run in. I felt even worse when Dill and Jem showed up as well. It was a very odd predicament; you have me, who's scared for the children, you have Scout, who's apparently oblivious to the hostile environment she's in, and you have Dill and Jem, who are studying every man in the room. I thought for sure the mob would eat us all alive (figuratively, not literally). The oxi-moron of the whole situation was that Scout was having a friendly everyday conversation with Walter! The way she was talking sounded like she really meant to have a friendly conversation with a hostile man! As I looked around the room, I realized everyone else was as taken aback as I was. Everyone in the room was gaping at Scout in plain amusement. It was funny how an eight-year-old encumbered an aggressive mob's advances. I was glad that Jem didn't go; he knew what would happen if he did. Those men wouldn't dare lay a hand on me with children present. I'm proud of Jem for standing by me; he's turning out to be a fine man. Scout is and always will be loyal, but Jem showed a massive amount of loyalty that night.

The court hearing is today! I'm excited, but not cheerful; those Ewells are a piece of work. I don't have to question one, but two Ewells. It's as if hell has walked through its own gates, and the Ewells were the key that unlocked it! I am so nervous, you'd think my body was having an earthquake what with all the twitching I'm doing.

Ha! I got Bob Ewell pinned right where I want him! Tate says the right side of Mayella's face was badly bruised, and Bob's left-handed! Sweet mackerel! I might actually win this impossible case. I bet my acquiescence after I pinned him scared him because when I questioned Mayella, he seemed to be on edge. I loved it when the court saw Tom's gimpy left arm, because they all started thinking 'maybe Bob really did beat his daughter'. I bet you my property that Bob did that do Mayella, and forced her to lie for him. That poor girl must be terrified of him for all he's must've done to her. I hope justice is done in this case, it's personal now.

Chapter 12-14 - To Kill a Mockingbird

I'm glad Calpurnia still took Jem and Scout to church when I wasn't there. I think it was good that they saw the black church, because I know that they'll both immediately see the difference between theirs and ours. Maybe Scout will notice another example of how the blacks are treated with far worse care than us. Scout told me she saw Zeebo, Calpurnia's son. I was surprised that Calpurnia told them he was her son; she doesn't really reveal facts about her personal life. I'm impressed by Calpurnia and Zeebo because they're included in the small group of blacks that are literate in Maycomb.

Alexandra has always been a bit bossy and judgemental, but she's taking it overboard! She's my sister and I love her to death, but my Lord! Will the woman ever stop prodding my children about their maturity? Jem has already started to mellow out on his own, partially because he's starting to go through puberty, but I think it's mostly because his eyes are adjusting. I don't mean physically, but the way his eyes see things has changed quite drastically. He asks me more serious questions now, and he doesn't like playing with Scout anymore. Scout seems to be getting along fine. She's has a head on her shoulders, and isn't afraid to use it. I'm fine with how she dresses, but I guess it's about time she started dressing like a lady. At least then Alexandra won't always be pestering her about her looks. All I want Scout to change is her aggressiveness. I understand she doesn't being bossed around or her family being made fun of, but she has to stop fighting over everything that comes up. But she has gotten better at not fighting, so there's a major improvement!

I know there are a lot of things that need to be changed around here, but Alexandra is going over the top. She may be an adult, but that doesn't make it right for her to consistently badger my children. I would tell her so myself, but I only like to argue in court. Arguing with Alexandra is like trying to take a banana from a monkey; they don't budge or subdue.

I really am tired of Jem and Scout's constant bickering, but I thought it amusing when Jem, a twelve-year-old, got beaten up by his eight-year-old sister. Those two light up my life while at the same time give me grey hairs. I wonder how many more I got when Jem told me Dill was hiding in Scout's room... I'm glad to have Dill over, but he really shouldn't have run away from his folks. They must be worried sick.

Chapter 10 and 12 - To Kill a Mockingbird

Them Finches used to be fine people, but that Atticus just lets them run wild! I kind of feel sorry for the man, his wife was a real lady. She not only was a real lady, but she was also a wonderful, loyal wife. It's so sad she had a heart attack. That woman went to heaven, I'm sure of it. If not, then I'm not a Dubose!

That Atticus sure has turned his life for the worst. He lets his kids run wild, he's defending a nigger in court, and he treats that Calpurnia like white folk. White folks ain't the same as black folks, PERIOD! I don't care how religious they are, or if they've never been accused of a crime; niggers are niggers. The sooner Atticus and his kids learn that, the better. When he walks past my house from town, he has the nerve to tip his nigger-defendin' hat at me! How dare he! If it were not for the fact that I'm old and sick, I would give him a peice of my mind.

Scout is the nastiest girl I have ever known. Even them Ewells are better! At least they know about farming and gardening. That Scout is oblivious of plants, because if she wasn't she would have stopped her idiot of a brother from destroying my Snow-on-a-Mountains! I can't believe that young man! Didn't Atticus teach him any manners? I saw the way he man-handled Scout; I know she needs a good beatin', but Jem stepped way out of line right then! It was good he came back later and apologized. I bet Atticus put him up to it, 'cause his apology was definitely not sincere. But he said he would nurse my flowers back to health, and he's gonna read to me for a month every Saturday.

The doctor said I only have a few more to live. I want to make sure I die clean. I'm tired of being a morphine addict. Jem has no clue how much him reading to me helps me, but I'm not gonna tell him that. Maybe I'll send him a gift before I'm gone...