Amy Hagen

"Working about what others think is a complete waste of time."-Amy Hagen

My second teacher is my mother. She is thirty-nine years old and has lived in Pensacola, Florida for most of her life.  She was a cheerleader, basketball player, tennis player, and track star during her high school years. She was the "popular" girl because she was always herself around everyone. She didn't care if she was too weird, not dressed in style, not smart enough, etc. The reason for her sudden realization that she didn't care was her transformation from middle school to high school.  She talks more about it in her interview. She is now a part-time massage therapist and supports her family like no other mom would. She is always involved and asking about things happening in my life.  She has taught me the major lesson of staying true to myself and taking life easy and relaxed.

Interview:
Me: "Today I will be asking you a few questions about your wisdom."

Me: "What was a life lesson for you during your childhood?"

Amy: "Worrying about what others think is a complete waste of time."

Me: "What made you realize not to spend your life worrying about others?"

Amy: "In middle school, I always wanted to be the perfect student, perfect daughter, friend, and athlete.  As I spent my time worrying about being perfect for others, I thought what is perfect for me? When high school started, I promised myself a change for the better and started living my life how I thought it should be lived. I had more fun, more friendships, and a more relaxed, easy life."

Me: "What else helped you to have a more relaxed and easy lifestyle?"

Amy: "I never procrastinated when it came to work, I took small steps instead of huge steps, and overall I had fun!"

Me: "That's all the questions for today, thank you."

(My mom and I about to take on another amazing day!)

Kevin Hagen

"Sure I've made mistakes, but I will never return to them because I know it will never work out."

My first teacher is my dad, Kevin Hagen. He is forty years old was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida for most of his life. He is very intelligent and worked extremely hard during his school years. His hard work in middle school and high school payed off when he graduated and earned the West Florida Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. He went to the University of West Florida for two years and then moved to University of Florida for two years. He realized that being home was important to him and went back to UWF for his remaining education.  He is now an architect/contractor and runs his own business. Family is very important to him, and he has provided multiple lessons for not only my life, but my brother's, sister's, mother's, and even for his own life.  Being around him has made me look more like him in my actions and personality.  I think things through more carefully the older I get and am always open to new ideas.  He has taught me to be open to new things and take everything one step at a time.  I couldn't thank him enough for all he has provided me.

Interview:

Me: "Today I am going to be asking you a few simple questions about your wisdom."

Me: "When you were growing up, what was one lesson you remember learning from your parents or life in general?"

Kevin: "I always wondered why people kept making the same mistakes over and over again without ever trying to change anything.  It never made sense to me. As I grew up, every time something didn't go my way, I always remembered for the next time something similar happened. As soon as I knew what went wrong the first time, I made sure to avoid it. Sure I've made mistakes, but I will never return to them because I know it will never work out."

Me: "I noticed that is one of the lessons you have taught me today. What are some other life lessons that you have tried to teach the family over the years?"

Kevin: "I want you to understand that you have to take life one step at a time, never live in the past or in the future. Look to the past for help and look to the future for encouragement. Also, take an optimistic approach on life. Never shut new ideas down and always look the bright side."

Me: "That is all for today, thank you."

(My dad and I being our crazy selves.)

Albert Einstein

"I never think of the future. It comes soon enough." -Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a smart man by his way of life and knowledge held.  He was born in Germany but later moved to American and became a U.S. citizen in 1940.  He was involved in the study of physics and discovered numerous things such as his theory of relativity, quantum theory, and the photon theory of light. Albert received honorary doctorate degrees in science, medicine, and philosophy from different universities. For relaxation, Einstein would play music which was very precious to him. When he accomplished one major achievement, he referred to it as a mere stepping-stone for the next advance.
The quote above is something I personally love.  If we always think about what is ahead we'll never finish what needs to be done now. If you focus on today, the future will come and bring good from patience and hard work.

(Sign that encourages you to live NOW and photo of Albert Einstein.)

"Albert Einstein." 2012. The Biography Channel website. A&E Networks n.d. Web. Dec 10,2012.

         <http://www.biography.com/people/albert-einstein-9285408.>

Benjamin Franklin

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

(Bifocal glasses are an example of an example of Benjamin;s inventions and his intelligence and the apples are representing the quote.)

Benjamin Franklin was a notorious author, inventor, philosopher, and politician. He is probably most famous for signing the Declaration of Independence.  It is said that without his accomplishments and influence, that America would not have prospered as well as it has. He conducted electricity experiments and invented the indoor stove, the armonica, bifocal glasses, the lightning rod, and the odometer. The quote above is saying that a person will never learn something unless they are given a reason to.  If a person is told two plus two equals four verses holding two apples in each hand and being told it's a total of four, the person will most-likely remember the apples. People associate lessons with events that have occurred.

"Benjamin Franklin." 2012. The Biography Channel website. A&E Networks n.d. Web. Dec 09, 2012.
         <http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-franklin-9301234.>

Helen Keller

"What I am looking for is not out there; it is in me."- Helen Keller

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows."-Helen Keller

Helen Keller was known for her determination, hard work, and triumph over adversity. She was blind and deaf after an illness struck her at the age of two.  I think what makes her an idol is her way of showing that even the most severe of disabilities can be overcome. She proves this through communication, graduation, going to a university, getting a degree, learning to speak in several languages, writing books, and campaigning all her life for the disabled.  One famous line of hers that really pops out to me is "What I am looking for is not out there; it is in me." Our goals in life are achievable when you start with yourself. There is no way you can accomplish something without the drive and effort to do it. One more quote that I love is "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows." It shows optimism and looking at the bright side of things. Always think half full, not half empty. If you always look at the good things instead of the bad, the bad will slowly fade away in time.

 (While many would say the glass is half empty, Helen Keller would probably say half full without thinking twice.)

"Helen Keller Biography." 2012. The Biography Channel website.  A&E Network Television, n.d. Web. Dec 10 2012, 

        <http://www.biography.com/people/helen-keller-9361967.>

Quotation 5

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." Ch. 31, pg. 376

After Atticus reads a bedtime story to Scout, Scout explains the story briefly stating that "when they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things... Atticus he was real nice...." The quote above is Atticus' simple but powerful reply.

The quote above basically sums up the entire lesson of the book in one line for me. I think the lesson learned after reading the book is that you cannot judge someone by the way they look or by one mistake they have made, but after you have seen from their perspective and looked at their actions.  When I read this in the book, I immediately think of Boo Radley because he is the one guy that the children had never seen before until the end of the book. When they finally see him and understand why he doesn't come outside and interact with all the town, they give him more respect and realize he really isn't a bad guy at all. They also take into consideration all of the wonderful things he did for them including hanging the pants over the fence, putting the blanket around Scout, and putting little items in the tree.  This quote is most definitely an example of "words of wisdom" because it provides a major lesson in life. Everyone has grown up with the old saying, "never judge a book by its cover." The point Atticus is making is just another way of saying the old phrase.

(Boo Radley is a perfect example of someone that you have to understand before you can judge.)

Quotation 4

"I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it--seems that only children weep." Ch.22, pg. 285

This quote is from Atticus Finch to Jem Finch before Atticus goes to bed. It is referring to Tom Robinson being convicted and found guilty.  Jem asks how could these people do such a thing, and Atticus replies with this honest line. 

This quote is a combination of two extremely impacting thoughts. The first thought being that the jury and Bob Ewell are killing mockingbirds.  Tom Robinson is completely innocent and the sad thing is that everybody knows it including Bob Ewell. Atticus does not know how they could possibly accuse this poor man of being guilty when all evidence points towards Bob Ewell.  They should have taken a step into Tom Robinson's shoes and looked from his point of view. The second thought is that it "seems that only children weep." I really love the message that this is sending.  Whereas all these people are just looking at the outside layer, the kids are looking at the inside.  The people are looking at Tom Robinson's skin color and automatically associating him with bad thoughts.  Innocent kids aren't going to judge a book by its cover, but by their actions.  Jem, Dill, and Scout all see how wonderful a person Tom is by his actions and personality, but the others can not get past the outer layer. The quote is an example of "words of wisdom" because it shows how evil people can be and never think a think of it. It also implies the old saying "never judge a book by its cover" by referring to the children being upset with the outcome of killing a mockingbird. 

(The first picture is of Susan Boyle because she explains the words in the second picture perfectly. She auditioned for Britain's got Talent and was probably thought to be a joke until she opened her mouth and sang.)

Quotation 3

"I wanted you to see something about her-- I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Ch.11, pg.149

This is when Jem and Atticus are talking about Mrs. Dubose after Jem receives the white camellia and candy box.  Atticus refers to Mrs. Dubose as a lady.  Jem wonders how Atticus can call her a lady after everything she has said about him. Atticus answers him with another sentence followed by this quote. 

This quote is probably one of my favorites of the entire book.  It is very straight forward and to the point with a lot of meaning held in the words.  When many people think of courage, the first thing that comes to mind may be the army or marines. They are extremely courageous, but not because they're holding that gun and risking their life. Their courage comes from the fact that they KNOW before they start that their journey could possibly result in a depressed family, injured body, defeat. When they accept the fact, they don't push it away but hold on to it and push through no matter the risks involved.  Atticus is referring to Mrs. Dubose because she holds courage. She knew that her addiction to morphine was going to get the best of her, but she didn't give up right then and there. She kept pushing and pushing through it until the time came where there was no possible way to keep going. This quote exemplifies "words of wisdom" because it provides the lesson of pushing on no matter what.  It tells and shows what true courage is. 

(Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.) 

Quotation 2

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." Ch.10, pg. 118

Scout is referring to a time that her dad spoke these words to Jem.  Scout asks Miss Maudie about what Atticus says because it is the first time she has ever heard him talk about something being a sin. Miss Maudie couldn't agree more with Atticus and her and Scout go on with conversation.

This quote is one of the many that actually mention the title of the book in the quote. It is commonly referred to because of its importance and meaning. From my point of view, I think bluejays represent the guilty or bad and the mockingbird resembles the innocent or good.  I take from the quote that it is okay to accuse and punish the people who deserve to be if you have the chance to.  I also take that you should never take down someone who hasn't done a single thing to hurt you. In the novel, Bob Ewell is  obviously making a huge mistake by trying to accuse Tom Robinson of something he has not done. Tom Robinson is without a doubt a mockingbird in this case, and look at where this accusation got Bob Ewell in the end. The whole town is in total disagreement with him, he goes crazy, and eventually ends up dead after the attack on poor Scout and Jem.  This quote is an example of "words of wisdom" because it provides a major life lesson in one sentance.  Do not attack something unless it has given you MULTIPLE reasons to.

(The picture is of a mockingbird to represent innocence and good.) 

Quotation 1

"You are too young to understand it," she said, "but sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of--oh, of your father." Ch.5, pg.60

Mrs. Maudie is talking to Scout who takes it literally. Scout is shocked that Mrs. Maudie would accuse Atticus of such a thing. Mrs. Maudie then explains to her that she was speaking in general and explains her words more thoroughly. She tells Scout that even Atticus at his worse would be better than other men at their best. 

Looking at the quote, I can relate it to so many things that I have seen in life. I can relate it easily to having a bad event on an amazing day to a good event on a bad day. That one bad mess up or let down is not going to overthrow all the other good things that have already happened. It might let you down for a little while, but eventually you're going to recover and keep pushing on. Same thing goes for having that one incredible moment throughout your rough day. You can only cling on to something for so long. After it's gone, there is no going back. In that case, all the bad events of the day will overthrow the one good. In the text, Mrs. Maudie is referring to someone's personality or actions. She is basically saying that a great person with high respect at their absolute worst condition, could still be better than an awful person at their very best condition. I think that these are "words of wisdom" because they teach me that when I am my very best, one mistake will never tear me down, and that if I am my very worst, one accomplishment wont bring me to the top. It encourages me to be to my full potential so that I have room to mess up occasionally. 

(The pictures show dirty hands and the Bible. Even if the person with dirty hands touched the Bible once, there hands would still be dirty.)

Introduction

" Treat opportunities like you'll never have a chance to do them again. "- Lauren Hagen

(The sky is the limit. You have the ability to do anything you set your mind to.)

     My name is Lauren Hagen and I have created this blog to share to you how To Kill A Mockingbird, my parents, and a few great Americans have impacted my life. This project is being created as a result of reading To Kill A Mockingbird for Mrs. Lane's English II Honors. The goal is to quote five lines from the text, provide a biography of three great Americans, and provide information on two people who have taught me life lessons. Overall, I hope this leaves you a lesson or two to help you out on your journey through life.