The protagonist of The Good Earth--Wang Lung--experiences a reversal of fortune--from poverty to wealth. Think of and discuss an example of someone you know personally or someone in the media who has changed due to a reversal of fortune. Was the change a positive one? How can being too proud be detrimental? Explain your answer.
Respond to this post, and comment on at least 2 of your classmate's responses before class on Thursday, March 12.
An example of a change of fortune of someone I know is my sister’s best friend’s dad. He had a change of fortune from a regular person to the top of a company. He was fortunate enough to meet the owner of a large company and he befriended that person. He then worked up to the top very quickly and he now gets to travel the world. Being too proud can be a bad thing though because if you are too proud then you could end up having that fortune turned from good fortune to bad. It is important to be grateful for good fortune and not be too proud.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that had happen to him. I agree it is good to be grateful for the fortune that you have.
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DeleteThat's nice that he is now at the top of the company and that he had a good change in fortune. But it is also very important to be grateful for the things that you have
DeleteIt's neat that you know someone that this happened to personally. I agree that having too much pride can by a harmful thing.
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ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good think that your grandmother had a reversal of fortune after loosing her husband. It is good that now she enjoys living there.
DeleteIn the book Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen a teen girl is living in poverty with her mom. But her mom leaves her alone in a trashed house with no running water or electricity. She had no way to pay for anything and had no idea where her mother had gone. Against her will her older sister takes her in. Her sister has become wealthy over the years with her husbands business. Now the girl is living in a gated community and going to a nicer school. This is a change from the poverty she was living in before she was living with her sister. The change allows her to get a better education, new clothes, and a chance to go to college. The reversal of fortune is good and gives her another chance at life that her drunken mother was not able to provide for her.
ReplyDeleteI read this book awhile ago and I loved it! I agree that this was a good change and it benefited her.
DeleteI think that it is a good change that the character experienced. Its good that she doesn't have to live with a drunken mother and now she gets the change to live in a nice school and go to college.
DeleteI read this book too! I also liked it. I didn't think about it for this post though! Her reversal of fortune was a good thing!
DeleteIn the novel Speak, the main character, Mel, has a rough time in high school. All of her friends either hate her or just do not talk to her anymore. She had an incident the summer before freshman year that made her an outcast. She was outside of a party when a senior boy led her away from a crowd. He then raped her and left her in the grass alone. Mel, crying hysterically, called the police when she came back to the party. Someone took her phone and found out it was the police. The party was crashed and everyone hated her for it.
ReplyDeleteThis was a negative change to Mel. She was by herself most of the time and shut everyone out. The first day of school she made a friend but that person eventually left her to join the social group "The Marthas". Melinda did poor in school and did not care about her grades either. Her parents made her get help, and she seems to be slowly recovering throughout the novel.
I think YouTubers are a good example of reversal of roles. Most people start off when they were teenagers and using a webcam to record videos. Some lucky ones such as Grace Helbig, Dan Howell and Phil Lester, and Hannah Hart have increased popularity and ended up quitting their jobs to continue YouTube as a full time job. Grace and Hannah have written their own books, went on tour, and have millions of subscribers. Dan and Phil have went on tours such as VidCon or Playlist Live and had a radio show for a while. These people went from being normal people, not necessarily poor, but have made a living off of what they love. Being too proud could be a bad thing, because one might expect to do anything and not get in trouble. This has happened with some celebrities and YouTubers because they don’t take their fame and popularity seriously.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good example Emma. That happens for them that they get a fortune from what they do which can be good for them.
DeleteI think it's amazing that ordinary people can gain popularity simply from doing YouTube videos. It's really cool to see how they're just normal people who had a webcam, and it's usually a reversal of fortune for the better.
DeleteI think this is a good point. Peoples lives can just change from a couple of videos. This is a good change of fortune.
DeleteI think that's a really great example! They go from barely anyone knowing them to thousands of people wanting to watch them. They can become pretty famous, which is usually a good change of fortune.
DeleteThe first person I thought of that went from poverty, or just an ordinary person, to wealth was someone that won the lottery. I don't know anyone personally that has won it but you obviously hear about people winning millions of dollars from the lottery in the news and stuff like that. That amount of money would change anyone, however, I think it depends on the person whether they change for the better or for the worse. They might decide to donate all of, or just a small amount, of their money to charity, that would be a positive change. On the other hand, someone that has won that much money might take it for granted and become rude and selfish, keeping all of the money they won to themselves, that could be a negative change someone might go through if they went from poverty to wealth. I think too much pride can be harmful to anyone and not just someone who has gained wealth. Too much pride can make you ignorant to other people and their problems.
ReplyDeleteLindsay lohan. She was doing really good at one point and she was staring in a handful of movie and she was a well liked teen movie star at one point. That was before she got addicted to drugs. She was no longer getting called in to star in moves anymore and her fame was starting to go down hill as well as her health.Even though she did go to rehab i wouldn't doubt that she is still using drugs. She honestly ruined her appearance and from her abusing drugs. She looks like shes aged about 20 years. Also if you're to proud its not only obnoxious but when you're luck runs out you're going to look stupid. It's okay to be proud of your self and have confidence, but when you start flaunting it and rubbing things in peoples faces then its not okay.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a negative change. She was an influence to people but then ruined that by doing drugs.
DeleteI agree that this was definitly a negative change for Lindsay Lohan. I used to really enjoy watching her on TV as an actress, she was an influence to me. Eventually once she started doing drugs and all of that, it really changed her life, and not for the better.
DeleteOne example of someone in the media who experienced a reversal of fortune is Amanda Bynes. She went from a really successful actress to a slightly crazy, less successful actress. Amanda Bynes had roles in many popular TV shows and movies including, The Amanda Show, She's The Man, What I Like About You, Hairspray, and more. Starting in 2012 she was ticketed by the police, charged with multiple DUI's, was arrested for possession of marijuana, and was placed in temporary psychiatric hold. Her change was not a positive one. She went from being a respected public icon to a train wreck followed constantly by the media.
ReplyDeleteBeing too proud can be detrimental because you can become too full of yourself and inflate you or someone else's ego. And sometimes, especially if you're a celebrity, you will think that you will be above the law. Even if you do bad things that deserve punishment. So being too proud can definitely be detrimental.
This is a good example of a negative change of reversal fortune. I remember watching her on TV, being very successful and a good influence, and then she changed when she was arrested. I agree that being too proud can cause you to be too full of yourself.
DeleteA character that changer a lot because of their fortune was Katniss. She obviously had bad fortune when her sister was picked for the Hunger Games. Technically, it turned out to be a positive change. She may have watched people being killed and eventually gone insane, but being put in a terrible situation made her stronger. She was able to become the first person to really stand up to the capital and start a rebellion.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to me, it shows that there's always a price you have to pay to be a hero. Katniss had a huge impact on her world and changed it for the better, but she definitely didn't come out of it in the best shape. I think it's realistic to think that she would more or less go crazy. She had bad fortune and turned it into something better for almost everyone except her.
I liked how you described Katniss' fortune being good and bad. I also liked that you said that her bad fortune benefited almost everyone but her. I never thought of it that way, but that is very true.
DeleteI think it is very cool how you related this post to a fictional character. I also thought it was very interesting how you added that it benefited for everyone but her.
DeleteOne person who had a change in fortune was Bill Cosby. His fortune has taken a turn for the worse. He used to be a role model for many young people. Now all of these accusations are coming out about him having had affairs. He was very proud and now he is being accused of terrible things. This situation is ruining his life just like what happened to Joe Paterno. Even if this was not a result of him being overly proud it is still a large change for worse in his previous good fortune.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about bill Cosby, he was admired by many and was proud to be who he was. But now his luck has changed and he is no longer having good fortune. He probably isn't too proud of the person he is now
DeleteIt's sad that my main man Bill was accused of such terrible things. He seemed to be a great guy until the things he was accused of were announced. Nice example of a reversal of fortune.
DeleteI agree with your examples. In both cases its a shame of the accusations that are being made.
DeleteI know someone who started out homeless with his older brother. By the time he was a teenager his brother made enough money to buy groceries but not enough to pay rent even at the cheapest place in the city. Since his brother had to work, they couldn't make it to the homeless shelter by 6:00. At 17, he met someone who pressured him into selling drugs. In a year he was making enough money to buy pretty much anything he wanted. He was making more and more money until this past summer he was shot down in the street for saying the wrong thing to the wrong people. I guess you could say it was bad fortune turned "good" and then back to bad again.
ReplyDeleteIn this situation it was bad to have more money, because of the way he was getting it and because it eventually ended his life. It's sad to think that people would risk their lives for money.
DeleteI don't think that selling drugs is the best way to make money because it can cause a lot of trouble, but I guess it's an extreme last hope for money if you really need it.
DeleteAlthough he did not get himself into a good situation with selling drugs, I think it is interesting that you can relate this with your own personal life.
DeleteWhile yes the money being made was good, but the way he was making it wasn't. People shouldn't pit their lives before money.
DeleteTaylor Swift has definitely changed due to a reversal of fortune. She was born in a small town in Pennsylvania, just a normal girl in high school, and then changed due to fame. She went to a music producer and her life changed instantly. It was probably very different for her because she used to just sing at home, and now it turned into a career. This change was probably positive for her, because she loved to write music and many people loved her music. She got to do what she loved to do, but now in front of millions of people.
ReplyDeleteBeing too proud can be detrimental because sometimes you forget what is actually good in life, and how fortunate you really are. Also you can get so wrapped up in being proud that you forget what is happening around you. You might start to only care about yourself. Being too proud could also eventually lead to unhappiness.
I agree that this change was positive for her. I always liked Taylor Swift and I always will. She does do lots of charities and there's not many famous/wealthy people that donate because they actually care.
DeleteI also like that Taylor Swift donates to this area. She's given a lot of money to places like Reading which is great.
DeleteI agree that Taylor Swift had a good change of fortune. She seems like a great person and she gives back to a lot of charities and her fans. She used her turn of good fortune in a positive way.
DeleteI agree that Taylor Swift changed from just an ordinary person into a wealthy person. I also agree that her change was good, she didn't go crazy under all the pressure she stayed true to herself.
DeleteWang Lung experiences a reversal of fortune, from poverty to wealth. Another example of another person who had a reversal of fortune would by my grandmother. My grandfather died in December. My grandmother got a good amount of money from social security and things like that. My grandmother was never poor, but she and my grandfather were average people, with average material goods. I know this change of getting a lot of money was a positive one for her. She is currently remodeling her house. She has new furniture, new carpet, newly painted walls, and she upgraded a lot of her technology. Her living room theme is the beach, and she loves the beach. It makes her much happier living there now with all these changes then living there with all the memories of what it was before. Therefore the reversal of fortune for a little was definitely a positive change for her. Being too proud can be detrimental because if you would be bragging, people could get annoyed. Also you shouldn't be ashamed of being happy or proud though, it's always good to be happy/proud. As long as you aren't over doing it.
ReplyDeleteThat is so great that your grandmother had something positive come out of her loss. And I completely agree with your statement on not being ashamed of being happy or proud, as long as you aren't over doing it.
DeleteI'm probably the only person who thought of this, but I thought of Harry Potter and his reversal of fortune. From age one to eleven, Harry's parents were murdered and he was forced to live with the Dursley's, who were very sour. They mentally abused Harry. Then, on his eleventh birthday, Hagrid shows up and takes Harry to Diagon Ally and Hogwarts and everything changes so much for him. He's happier and has more of a positive lifestyle. Then all his fortune changes back when Voldemort tries to kill him at the end of the year, then he has to go back to the Dursley's.
ReplyDeleteBeing proud can lose all of your friends and people's respect for you. Being proud hurts you the most.
I didn't even think of that example, but it really describes a reversal of fortune. You made a good point that Harry was essentially saved and brought to a better life, but his luck changed again and he had to return to the Dursley's. I also like how you described how being proud can hurt you.
DeleteI didn't even think of Harry Potter as an example! It's definitely an example of reversal of fortune. I also like your point that being proud hurts you the most, that's a flaw a lot of successful people have.
DeleteHarry Potter is a good example of reversal fortune! I like what you said about being proud hurts you the most because that is very true. I agree with what you said about losing your friends and peoples respect for you.
DeleteI would have never thought of Harry Potter as an example. I like how you show that his fortune was reversed twice, from his parents being murdered to Voldemort trying to kill Harry.
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ReplyDeleteAn example of going from poverty to wealth are people who win the lottery. My dad worked with a person who was just an ordinary person that won the lottery. They had a family to take care of and now with this money they could support there children more. They also could have paid things off and just had the money in case they needed it. In this case the change was a negative, the person who won the money had a gambling problem. He took his family to Vegas for vacation and spent all the money that he won and even more. He was winning money in Vegas but he wanted more money then he already had and he believed he could win more. So instead of being happy with the money he had, he was greedy and he lost everything and went back into poverty. I believe being to proud of winning all the money he thought he was above everyone else, and nothing could stop him. It's one thing to be proud of something but some people brag about it or think they are above the law or other people. You should be content with what you have because you never know what could happen.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an up and down rollercoaster that that person must have went through. Perhaps such a sudden change of events will teach him a lesson to be more wise with his money.
DeleteI agree that you should be content with what you have. Anything could happen at any time and you could loose it all. I wonder how it effected his family by having a gambling problem.
DeleteI also agree that people should be content with what they have. Humans always want what they do not have and that is a downfall. It is very sad to see that happen to your dad's co-worker.
DeleteI agree with you that they had good fortune, but their pride won out over being humble. Greed took over and their luck changed for the worse. This is a sad and good example.
DeleteTaylor Swift had a fortune change. She was born in Wyomissing and was not extremely wealthy. Once Taylor Swift starting producing music she made a lot of money. She is happy with what she has accomplished. The change of fortune was a positive one. Taylor Swift gives money to charities and she earned all of her money. She is aloud to be proud of her accomplishments but you should not brag about them. Being proud is a good thing but do not always wish for more because the good fortune could vanish at any moment.
ReplyDeleteI agree that her change was positive she gives money to charities and is an overall good person. I also agree that she is proud of her accomplishments but doesn't brag about them.
DeleteLindsay Lohan was a famous child star who starred in a few successful movies like Mean Girls and The Parent Trap. She was admired by many young people while she was at the peak of her fame. However, she eventually developed a cocaine addiction, went to rehabilitation three times, was arrested/charged because of misdemeanors and driving under the influence, and also violated her probation a few times. All of this caused her acting career to struggle. Now, she is out of rehabilitation and working towards becoming a successful actress again.
ReplyDeleteWhile there is nothing wrong with expressing your pride for your accomplishments, one should not become so absorbed in themselves that they forget how they started out.
I agree with you that Lindsay Lohan used to be admired by many young children. Her unfortunate habits turned her fortune for the worse as her life fell into decline. This is a very good example that you have come up with for a change in fortune.
DeleteI agree because I remember when she was good.
DeleteMost of the mainstream rappers in today's society are good examples of reversals of fortune. Many of the artists grew up in very poor, crime-filled areas. They eventually became big name stars and made millions of dollars. If you listen to hip hop music that was made when the rapper was just starting out, it's humble and realistic. Hip hop music that was made after the artist made some money and a name for themselves is corny and self righteous. In that case, it's a negative change. I don't think anyone should ever forget where they came from. Money may be able to buy a lot of things but it can never buy happiness.
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ReplyDeleteMichael Jordan is the newest billionaire on Forbes' Billionaires List started out as a slightly higher than average kid born in Brooklyn, NY, who moved to Wilmington, NC, as a young boy. He was an outstanding basketball player who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls out of the University of North Carolina. From his professional basketball career and the products he was representing, including his own shoe brand, Michael Jordan was raking in money. Michael Jordan's reversal of fortune was positive. I think that people will begin to despise someone who is too proud of their wealth and thinks that they can do anything because they have a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteOprah Winfrey was born in Mississippi when the blacks were still treated differently than the white were. Her mother was single and very poor. Oprah admitted to being raped at the age of 9. She definitely made a change for the best when she started her own talk show in 1986. This show continued until 2011, and now she owns her own TV network. Oprah is known as the richest African American in the 20th century. Although she was the one who needed help back when she was younger, she is now the one who is helping other people overcome their problems.
ReplyDeletePeople who receive a family inheritance is an example of someone who came into wealth. My dad worded with someone who's uncle dies, and he was quite wealthy, and he left his money and estate to his nephew. Those people experience a quick change in fortune. But if you don't spend your money on the right things and don't use it wisely, you can quickly go back to the way you were before you inherited it.
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