Term - Power

Definition:
The ability to be able to act and accomplish something

Reasons for Existence:
- to create order
- it is human instinct to be the one in control

Ways to Get it:
- proving your worth
- take over another body of power
- being supported by a large group of people

Ways to Maintain it:
- not get corrupted
- satisfy followers' wants and needs
- showing that you are capable of having power

Ways to Use it:
- controlling others
- leading others

Ways to Lose it:
- becoming corrupt and being overthrown from power
- another body of power takes over
- losing the support of your followers

How it Affects People:
- can cause someone to become corrupt
- causes conflicts between people for power

How it Relates to Other Terms:
- with power you will gain loyal supporters
- you have an ambition to gain power to be in control
- people who use power responsibly show great integrity
- people with power can control humanity

Just Lather, That's All

EQ: How does what I know about the world shape the way we view ourselves?

In the short story "Just Lather, That's All" by Hernando Tellez, the barber comes across a tough decision that he has to make. He has to choose whether or not to kill Captain Torres, the man that is leading the hunt for rebels. The barber was a rebel himself but his identity was kept secret so he could relay information about Torres' actions in the town that they were in. Based on what the way the barber knew about the world greatly influenced the encounter between the two in the barber shop.

During the encounter between the barber and Torres, the barber was under a lot of pressure because he didn't want to reveal his identity as a rebel. He tried to frantically control himself as he gave Torres a shave. The decision the barber had to make wasn't an easy one as one of the first thing Torres talks about is catching 14 rebels that the soldiers caught in the woods. The barber feels uneasy as he is letting down the people in his revolutionary cause if he doesn't kill Torres, but at the same time, the barber knows that murder is a crime and that he cannot simply just end one's life. He simply wants to just be an ordinary barber and work for a living, not to kill. How the barber viewed murder may have very well spared Torres' life as the barber finished his shave and let him walk out the door.

This picture relates to the story "Just Lather, That's All" because in the story, the barber has his identity split into two. One side of him is just an ordinary barber trying to make a living while the other is a secret identity of being a rebel, or a revolutionary to be more precise. The picture also shows a face that is split into two vastly different parts. One the right side of the picture is a normal, ordinary face which represents the barber in the story while the left side, a more dark and secretive face displays the secret identity that the barber is trying to hide.

Brother Dear

I have chosen to reflect upon the identity of Greg, the middle child in the story of "Brother Dear" by Bernice Friesen. In this story, Greg is placed in a situation where he wants to live life as a free individual instead of following the expectations of his father. Greg's perspective is to do what makes you happy inside while his father's perspective is to strive for success. Each perspective challenges the other which causes dispute amongst the family.


Psychology has shown that "the middle kid is always the weird one". Greg has developed a unique identity due to this theory. "He has [grown] his hair long" and "it was a different colour [every time]". Even Greg's father claims that Greg is a "bloody Communist" as Greg thinks his family is too materialistic and is a member of Greenpeace.

Greg is passionate about what he does since that is what makes him happy. He decided to skip his exam to join a protest in Edmonton and fail his course. Greg also decided that he doesn't want to be like his father and strive for success, but instead, to find a career that fits with his personality. Unfortunately, his father who is paying for his tuition and rent is outraged when he hears the news. He argues with Greg saying that he's ruining his future but Greg refuses to comply. Greg stands up for what he believes in and is willing to dedicate his life towards it.