Outside Reading - Week 1, Post B

A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer

In analyzing the protagonist of A Golfer's Life, I have come to realize that Arnold values strong character. This theory is demonstrated throughout the memoir in the following ways.

"Pap didn't believe in borrowing money you couldn't pay back[...]" (22). Pap is referring to his father, Deke Palmer, whose opinion Arnold holds in high regard. The qualities of honesty and integrity are the heart of this philosphy.

"Wrapped in the spell of the game, they probably didn't have a clue or a care in the world who was watching them, and that's exactly as it should be, a tribute to this marvelous game we play" (2). He knows that people shouldn't perform for whoever is watching them, they should do it for themselves.

"A woman I hadn't seen since the tenth grade remembered how I was so unspeakably shy in Miss Jones's public speaking class that she forced me to stand before the calss and asked me to explain the importance of making solid eye contact with the people I was addressing-something, come to think of it, I always try to do to this day" (9). He knows in order to give the person you are talking to a sense of respect and engagement, you must (sometimes uncomfortably) look them in the eyes. It is the polite thing to do.

Outside Reading - Week 1, Post A

A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer

VOCAB
Galvanized (26) [galvanize] - To coat (iron or steel) with rust-resistant zinc.

Derision (14) - Contemptuous or jeering laughter; ridicule.

APPEALS
1. "The very word cancer can dend a cold blade of terror cutting through the strongest man or woman" (4). This is an emotional appeal inviting the reader to truly feel the emotions involved in finding out that he or she has cancer.

2. "For the first time in my adult memory, I didn't play much golf that spring" (5). This is a logical appeal stating a fact that has much more meaning than not playing golf; his life is based on playing golf and to not play is like having his life taken away.

3. "Two days later, Ken was dead. He was sixty-eight years old" (8). This is a logical appeal because frankly, Ken died. Arnold goes on to mention that he himslef is 68 and he shows the reader that this could have been anyone including himself, dying at any moment.

QUOTE
"In life as in golf, we all encounter turning points, moments of trial when everything accomplished up till then falls away and everything we stand for and believe is summoned forth for thorough examination" (3). I feel a connection to this quote because lessons learned in golf can be directly applied to life. In golf, everything is in your head and you need to be mentally strong to overcome, the same as in life. It doesn't matter what you have done, it is what you will do right now in the present, hitting this very shot.

THEME
Morals such as honesty, integrity, and perseverance are the only way to succeed.

my first post

courtesy of bbc.co.uk

This is a picture of Morgan Pressel, my golf idol;

now that i have an academic blog...! i don't even know what to write