Reflection

I chose to do my Mash Up on the topic of listening or rather, lack of listening. I believe that this theme was a small part in the books we read compared to love, marriage and success. Although the theme plays an underlying role, it is still very important and I believe one of the most relatable themes for high school students because everyone gets ignored. It is a sad and sometimes irritating fact. It is hard for people to listen when everyone wants to say what is on their mind. Many people do not realize the more time we spend not listening to others and only thinking that our answer is correct and just, we do not become more intelligent. We become ignorant. This is clearly portrayed when Biff wants to confront Willy about being an average man that makes money from the hard work he puts into it, Willy finds it hard to accept. Willy can see that Biff loves him, but he blocks out the thought that Biff will not be well liked or well known. Willy's stubborn view of life results in death. While everyday situations are not as severe as Willy's, not listening to the opinions and thoughts of those around you result in thoughts not developing and maturing. Only thinking your brain has all the answers in life will not get you far at all. To end, I want to share one quote I found while researching that I really liked: "To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also." -Igor Stravinsky Truly listening and just hearing are completely different. Being involved and thinking will help you grow as a person; while, hearing and ignoring will bring you nothing but pain.

Listen

A wise owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why are we like the wise old bird?

Sh...

Now pay attention

The rock--it's talking. And the fog, too, and the grass and the goddamn mogooses. Everything talks. The trees talk politics, the monkeys talk religion...The place talks. Understand...it truly talks.

...you got to listen to your enemy.

Because that's the moment we really know what we're made of.

Listen!

Just listen.

So they listen

All they do is listen

Absolute silence. They just listen.

You hear that?

Shh!

Don't interrupt.

I didn't say a word. Did I say a word? [I] didn't say anything.

Sh-sh-sh!

Don't say a word. Don't you dare. Not a word.

I was talking, wasn't I...Will you let me talk?

Don't talk anymore.

Ah wanted to preach a great sermon...but they wasn't no pulpit for me.

There was no place for me. Nobody listened.

Nobody hears nothin'

Not a single sound, except they still hear it.

The town could not talk and would not listen

So new thoughts had to be thought and new words said

People said what others wanted to hear. Thoughts and words were no longer one.

Shut up!

Don't yell...stop yelling...!

He wouldn't listen to you.

He certainly will listen to me.

Most people never listen.

They don't got tongues. All ears.

This is never the case. Never.

...no theme, no message, no thought.

Silence.

That quiet--just listen. That's your moral.

Listen!

1. Chinese proverbs

2. Arthur Miller 27

3. Arthur Miller 82

4. Tim O'Brien 71

5. Tim O'Brien 73

6. Chris Abani

7. Arthur Miller 18

8. Tim O'Brien 104

9. Tim O'Brien 69

10. Tim O'Brien 70

11. Tim O'Brien 68

12. Arthur Miller 26

13. Arthur Miller 41

14. Arthur Miller 62

15. Arthur Miller 62

16. Zora Neale Hurston 93

17. Benjamin Percy

18. Arthur Miller 65

19. Arthur Miller 68

20. Zora Neale Hurston 16

21. Original

22. Tim O'Brien 73

23. Tim O'Brien 72

24. Tim O'Brien 143

25. Zora Neale Hurston 811

26. Original

27. Zora Neale Hurston 86

28. Arthur Miller 65

29. Arthur Miller 121

30. Arthur Miller 121

31. Ernest Hemingway

32. Tim O'Brien 69

33. Original

34. Tim O'Brien 74

35. Zora Neale Hurston

36. Original

37. Tim O'Brien 104

38. Beyonce