1/31/11
English 101
Assignment 1 Rough Draft
In the book Oil!, J. Arnold Ross is introduced as a wealthy man. This was not always the case; he earned his way to the top in the oil business. So Ross is never hesitant to tell his son about his rags to riches story. Although, how he earned his wealth influences how he acts socially to other people who are not well-off. During the first chapter, Ross conceals his social attitudes as ambiguous to us as sometimes it is hard to decipher between his actions and thoughts.
For example, Ross’s encounter at the gas station can be used to evaluate his attitude. At first, he lets the gas station worker keep the change even though it was considered a great deal. This is normal for a rich person to give a person who does not have much. Later, Ross said “Poor devils, they don’t get much.” This line questions his earlier action and his personality. By saying that phrase, it makes him feel superior to the worker. Moreover, he denied to buy oil from the station, but did not tell the reason to prevent the worker’s feelings from being hurt.
Another example would be Ross’s court scene. Ross was caught speeding and had attended a court hearing. Ross states that officers using speed traps are undignified and could make citizens view officers as enemies. After which the text “the judge tried to be smart” describes how Ross sees himself. Through this, Ross views himself to be always right even when the judge was trying to make a point. In addition, Ross changes the law relating to speed traps which makes readers come to the conclusion that he thinks he is above the law because he is wealthy.
The diner event was also significant in interpreting his attitude. In the diner, Ross talked to everyone naturally and liked to “josh” with the waitress. This is not normally how a rich person would act back in the day. He even knew phrases such as “sunny side up” or “with their eyes open, please.” Ross talked to the rancher and the man who was caught by the speed trap normally and equally. This makes Ross seem like an average person. Then Ross tips the waitress a half dollar “which was an unheard-of thing at a counter.” The tip questions what Ross is really trying to accomplish. In a sense, he could be trying to make himself look better by giving an out of the ordinary tip.
In the first chapter, Ross, as a self-made wealthy man, forges his social attitudes with seeming ambiguity only because he is literally making them as he goes, creating disparities between his thoughts and his actions. He does things sometimes to be generous and help others as he also faced what they have before. Other times, he does it for self-fame. He might enjoy the spotlight and the attention he gets from giving away money and being powerful. Generally his motives are hidden and cannot be revealed or uncovered at this stage in his character development.
I'm not sure that social attitudes can be ambiguous. I did it at night and found out it wasn't due. I was wondering if you guys can help with this. Correct it or something.
Some of the people in my class called his social attitudes as elitist or something but I can't use that now. From what I can tell, Ross likes how he is superior. He's sincere in his beliefs. He could also be opinionated.
The first chapter of the book Oil! can be found here.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ptE2r_u…
English 101
Assignment 1 Rough Draft
In the book Oil!, J. Arnold Ross is introduced as a wealthy man. This was not always the case; he earned his way to the top in the oil business. So Ross is never hesitant to tell his son about his rags to riches story. Although, how he earned his wealth influences how he acts socially to other people who are not well-off. During the first chapter, Ross conceals his social attitudes as ambiguous to us as sometimes it is hard to decipher between his actions and thoughts.
For example, Ross’s encounter at the gas station can be used to evaluate his attitude. At first, he lets the gas station worker keep the change even though it was considered a great deal. This is normal for a rich person to give a person who does not have much. Later, Ross said “Poor devils, they don’t get much.” This line questions his earlier action and his personality. By saying that phrase, it makes him feel superior to the worker. Moreover, he denied to buy oil from the station, but did not tell the reason to prevent the worker’s feelings from being hurt.
Another example would be Ross’s court scene. Ross was caught speeding and had attended a court hearing. Ross states that officers using speed traps are undignified and could make citizens view officers as enemies. After which the text “the judge tried to be smart” describes how Ross sees himself. Through this, Ross views himself to be always right even when the judge was trying to make a point. In addition, Ross changes the law relating to speed traps which makes readers come to the conclusion that he thinks he is above the law because he is wealthy.
The diner event was also significant in interpreting his attitude. In the diner, Ross talked to everyone naturally and liked to “josh” with the waitress. This is not normally how a rich person would act back in the day. He even knew phrases such as “sunny side up” or “with their eyes open, please.” Ross talked to the rancher and the man who was caught by the speed trap normally and equally. This makes Ross seem like an average person. Then Ross tips the waitress a half dollar “which was an unheard-of thing at a counter.” The tip questions what Ross is really trying to accomplish. In a sense, he could be trying to make himself look better by giving an out of the ordinary tip.
In the first chapter, Ross, as a self-made wealthy man, forges his social attitudes with seeming ambiguity only because he is literally making them as he goes, creating disparities between his thoughts and his actions. He does things sometimes to be generous and help others as he also faced what they have before. Other times, he does it for self-fame. He might enjoy the spotlight and the attention he gets from giving away money and being powerful. Generally his motives are hidden and cannot be revealed or uncovered at this stage in his character development.
I'm not sure that social attitudes can be ambiguous. I did it at night and found out it wasn't due. I was wondering if you guys can help with this. Correct it or something.
Some of the people in my class called his social attitudes as elitist or something but I can't use that now. From what I can tell, Ross likes how he is superior. He's sincere in his beliefs. He could also be opinionated.
The first chapter of the book Oil! can be found here.
http://books.google.com/books?id=ptE2r_u…