SQUIDD Comparative Response
In Mr. Ziebarth’s AP Language class based at Fountain Valley High School, a format of writing analysis and intelligent thinking known as SQUIDD is executed within the classroom. Using the SQUIDD format to respond to stories, essays, etc. allows a person to be highly insightful in their overall thinking on a subject. This idea can be supported by not only one, but three SQUIDD responses towards two different writings. Each response was done with different attention and focus, yet they all are able to convey a message and add insight.
In “The Allegory of the Cave” by Plato, one can find themselves thinking about how certain aspects of a person’s life are only one-sided, and are not the entire truth of the matter. “The Allegory of the Cave” is a metaphorical story about how some people, living their lives only seeing in a certain way, due to them being closed away from everything else around, are not willing to embrace change/something new. While it seems odd to the reader(s) that these individuals living only a small portion of reality wouldn’t want more with their lives, it’s ironic that many people are, without knowing, living a similar kind of lifestyle. This insightful story by Plato brings about a great deal of thought, and similarly to the recently expressed ideas, Tracy Lam wrote a “Notice” prompt from the SOAPSTone (another writing/reading tool used in finding information and insight) analysis to build upon what has already been said. She wrote, “When you’ve thought of something to be true all your life, change is hard, but it is not impossible.” These words are truly important and very relevant in modern times, as this is a time “where clashing ideas and set ways can cause issues [within society as a whole]” (Dahl, SQUIDD #5). Change within society as a whole, change that truly impacts the perspectives of all, is what is needed to prevent the world from seeing only what the cave has to offer.
Being similar to “The Allegory of the Cave”, “Disturb Me Please” by Margaret Wheatley has an underlying theme that closely correlates with the themes and ideas Plato wrote in his story. Just like the problems expressed in “The Allegory of the Cave”, the idea of “Disturb Me Please”, “is the fact that clashing ideas, thoughts, ways of life, religion, race, etc. can all be factors that lead to division” (Dahl, SQUIDD #6). If human beings only focus on what causes separation and makes people different, then nobody will ever truly be accepting of everyone else. Just because a person doesn’t necessarily agree with the ideas of another doesn’t mean they need to be enemies or rivals. Mai Dang expressed in her SQUIDD card on “Disturb Me Please”, using the “Unite” aspect of SOAPSTone, that, “In this day and age, our country is severely troubled by a divide.” When the community of the World works as a combined force, “We would be together, brought together by our differences rather than separated by them. When we are willing to be disturbed by newness rather than clinging to our certainty… then wonderful things happen” (Wheatley, para. 13). These words by Wheatley can not be more true than now, in this day and age, and if all of humanity leaves the easy and stubborn ways of being single-minded, then everyone will prosper and thrive.
Consequently, both “The Allegory of the Cave” and “Disturb Me Please” have a similar focus, and the ability to be broken down using the unique perspectives offered in using both the SQUIDD and SOAPSTone techniques.
