Uduwana,+Sherveen

Assumptions Everyone makes assumptions all the time. Even about things that we consider common knowledge. We all assume that the sun is going rise in the morning, just like every morning before it. We assume that we will wake up in the morning and there will be food to eat, clothes to wear etc. When a number of things could happen to prevent those things from occuring. But most people don't notice these assumptions because they often turn out to be true. This makes things all the worse when our assumptions are wrong. For example, one time my brother asked me to get him some water. I poured him some water the way that I drank it, which was reasonably cold. When I brought it back my brother said that he couldn't drink the "cold" water and made me get him a warmer cup. Which I did. And it was annoying! But there are times when assumptions turn out for the best. Like this one time I did an entire excersize for my math homework when we only had to do a few questions. The result was four weeks without math homework.

//Great examples Sherveen. You're right we do assume all of these things. Most of these assumptions make life much easier. Good example of the positive side of assumptions.//

Is it right for Mr. Birling to fire Eva? 12/11/08

As we all know, Mr. Birling fired Eva Smith because she was organizing the workers into asking for more money. But is that such a bad thing? Mr. Birling himself said that Eva was a good worker. He refused to give them the raise, that I can understand. Depending on the profits, it isn't always possible to pay people whatever they want. But to fire someone just for asking for some money is a bit extreme. And there are a number of ways that the problem could have been averted. For example, if the company had more money, a raise in salary would be possible. So in this situation, I would have made a deal. If the workers could increase the company's profits by say... 10 percent, I would increase their wages accordingly. And the problem would have been solved, fairly. I would also be making more money because of it. So in conclusion, Mr. Birling should not have fired Eva. I'm sure that there were many solutions that would have gotten better results for everyone.

//Convincing argument Sherveen and perhaps the most just solution proposed in the class. Your response is also very well written as well. Thank you for taking the extra time to write accurately. The evidence you provide from the text is important. Priestly makes it clear that Eva was not fired because she was a poor employee, but simply because she dared to ask for more (This reminds me of other plays - Oliver for instance, when the orphan is scolded severely for having the audacity to ask for more food when he was hungry. Speaking of audacity, Barack Obama used the same word in his campaign speeches when he spoke of the "audacity of hope" - Is this what Eva Smith was guilt of? The second half of your response is practical and realistic and may just be the compromise needed. Good work Sherveen.//