In the last two parts of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", I finally grasped that the story was not solely about Bromden or McMurphy. Even though, we mainly read about McMurphy's run in time and again with the Nurse and others, the focus was split between the two. In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Bromden because he is our narrator. So we needed to fully understand why he would feel the way he did at times or even why he has the privilage to be able to attain certain information that others might have never been able to do. Once we are fully acqainted with Bromden and have the jist about what goes on inside of the ward, McMurphy is brought into focus.
I kept on trying to figure out McMurphy's purpose for being the way he is when we were first introduced to him and even after he had been there for a while. (If all he wanted was to leave after he felt he had been there too long, good behavior was his ticket out. But sometimes some people cannot help but to just be themselves. At one point he did try hard to change, but that didnt last long, he's just who he is, one to make his own rules and follow whatever it is that HIS mind tells him to do and everyone knows that.)
Of all of the problems he may have caused all of the patients he encountered in the ward, the best thing he has done for them was to make them realize things aren't as hard as they seem sometimes. Sometimes they were just to hard on themsleves. He showed a lot of them that they didn't have to stay there to cope with their problems because some of them really didn't have severe issues. It's just that when they hit their first snag in their plans, they just lose it. But McMurphy assured them, there was life after this current situation they were all in.
And come to think about it, ever since McMurphy had been on the ward the patients became more unified. At first there were small groups here and there but now they were all for and one for all. And now especially when it came to McMurphy. Before they were all ready to side with the Doctor to send him to Disturbed, but now they act in his defense if the Doctor, Nurse, or anyone else thinks that McMurphy is otherwise a good man with bad intentions for them.
I touch upon the unity they developed because the Nurse noticed it too so she tries to destroy that to regain the order that she has lost in the ward. But it doesn't work. Everyone now trusts McMurphy, even our paranoid Chief Bromden. But she just had to try one last time but this time McMurphy really gets to her as he violates her ultimately. Throughout part 3, McMurphy's toying with her was really starting to wear on her, but now it was enough.
McMurphy has always sacrificed himself for the good of the other patients, but here it is evident after the incident with George. After Billy dies, and McMurphy is in his critical state, Chief Bromden rises mentally and is no longer in fear.
At the end, no McMurphy didn't get to leave with them, but I know he was just as happy for them. But it was a huge suprise to see that our quiet, scared Chief, grew as an individual and became someone empowered as well as the rest of them. They all grew the courage to sign themselves out and deal with the outside world. And Bromden, after putting his friend McMurphy out of his misery, finally decided he could live on the outside. And if he still wasn't so certain by the time he left, he was sure certain he couldn't continue living inside of there. And Bromden was certainly the 'one who flew over the cuckoo's nest'.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Part 3 Cuckoo's Nest
Now that McMurphy is back to his old ways again, things are a bit out of order again as they were before when he first decided not to follow the rules.
It seems as though he was trying his hardest to stay quiet and really keep his loud, boisterous actions to a minimum so that Nurse Ratched would not keep him at the ward because he doesn't want to become a chronic or even increase his chances of becoming a member of the Disturbed. But after this little incident where Nurse Ratched decided to publicly show her status, McMurphy could not even help himself to be any other way but his usual self. He had broken her window to her station for cigarettes that belonged to him and the rest of the patients but were confiscated supposedly for their own good.
I think the nurse should've just privately accepted her victory, because he was behaving properly. I'm sure it was because he found out that she could keep him in the ward as long as she pleased. He felt as though he had to give up on being the go to person for everyone and he didn't want to be used as the one they would rely to disrupt their rules just because he was accustomed to following any in the first place. He was taking all of the risk but that had to stop.
But anyways, in my eyes, she totally had the upper hand, whether or not he had failed to realize that (but luckily he did). And when he did his behavior was acceptable.
Sometimes when you provoke people, you are calling them to react upon your actions, even though you may not really want them to. Sometimes you should just take the respect that you have from them and be satisfied with it because it may be at a maximum and too hard of a push could just send them over the edge and they could just fall right back into the same habit as before. You should just try to ignore them for the most part.
Now that McMurphy has been at the ward for some time and has been able to spread his influence on the rest of the patients they start not relying on him to speak out. They begin to but all of this is still new to them.
I wondered how much can a person really impact your life? Can one person affect a whole unit of people and change their lives forever?
McMurphy had made the ward a difficult place to be in for the patients, but as soon as they understood him for who he really was, they see that he's not so bad. He just didn't want any of them to be held back any more than they deserved.
He sort developed his own way of helping them cope with their issues. It's in the opposite direction of the ward's way of helping them, but maybe that's what they needed all along.
It was a shock to see that McMurphy was granted an outside trip. But it just goes to show me as the reader and the other patients just how much McMurphy is respected or feared because of his knowledge and independence by the Nurse and the others in charge. His strength and inability to conform gave the other patients strength too to do things on their own, especially Bromden who hadn't spoken a word before. Now miraculously, he speaks and this could be the turning in point in his prolonged recovery.
It seems as though he was trying his hardest to stay quiet and really keep his loud, boisterous actions to a minimum so that Nurse Ratched would not keep him at the ward because he doesn't want to become a chronic or even increase his chances of becoming a member of the Disturbed. But after this little incident where Nurse Ratched decided to publicly show her status, McMurphy could not even help himself to be any other way but his usual self. He had broken her window to her station for cigarettes that belonged to him and the rest of the patients but were confiscated supposedly for their own good.
I think the nurse should've just privately accepted her victory, because he was behaving properly. I'm sure it was because he found out that she could keep him in the ward as long as she pleased. He felt as though he had to give up on being the go to person for everyone and he didn't want to be used as the one they would rely to disrupt their rules just because he was accustomed to following any in the first place. He was taking all of the risk but that had to stop.
But anyways, in my eyes, she totally had the upper hand, whether or not he had failed to realize that (but luckily he did). And when he did his behavior was acceptable.
Sometimes when you provoke people, you are calling them to react upon your actions, even though you may not really want them to. Sometimes you should just take the respect that you have from them and be satisfied with it because it may be at a maximum and too hard of a push could just send them over the edge and they could just fall right back into the same habit as before. You should just try to ignore them for the most part.
Now that McMurphy has been at the ward for some time and has been able to spread his influence on the rest of the patients they start not relying on him to speak out. They begin to but all of this is still new to them.
I wondered how much can a person really impact your life? Can one person affect a whole unit of people and change their lives forever?
McMurphy had made the ward a difficult place to be in for the patients, but as soon as they understood him for who he really was, they see that he's not so bad. He just didn't want any of them to be held back any more than they deserved.
He sort developed his own way of helping them cope with their issues. It's in the opposite direction of the ward's way of helping them, but maybe that's what they needed all along.
It was a shock to see that McMurphy was granted an outside trip. But it just goes to show me as the reader and the other patients just how much McMurphy is respected or feared because of his knowledge and independence by the Nurse and the others in charge. His strength and inability to conform gave the other patients strength too to do things on their own, especially Bromden who hadn't spoken a word before. Now miraculously, he speaks and this could be the turning in point in his prolonged recovery.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Part 2 Cuckoo's Nest
In part two of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", we start to see a clearer picture of McMurphy. His file is revealed and we discover the charges and accusations against him and that another doctor has diagnosed that McMurphy could be a psychopath. It is interesting to see how his character shifts throughout this section of the book as well as the entire book. Here we are introduced to a more calm and relaxed side of him. It is encouraged by his want of getting out there faster, but it also a result of him showing more of a deeper care for those around him as he gets to know them.
At one point, he is extremely quiet while he sits by himself because he is so confused and sad for the younger guys in the ward after finding out that they are there as voluntary patients. They are not committed like him. So at any time they feel ready to leave they can. They just will not because they claim they do not have the courage or the 'guts' to survive in the Outside World. At this point, it seems McMurphy would give anyting to trade places with them.
At the beginning of part two, a meeting is called by Nurse Ratched concerning McMurphy's behavior. With the Doctor present, they talk about what might be best for the ward. Should McMurphy be sent up to Disturbed or not? Everyone agrees that he should, and even Nurse Ratched at one point. But all of sudden she's not so sure. I wonder what made her change her mind? Was it that she didn't want to make it seem as though she gave up and was unable to get him to follow orders, and she would keep him down here until she had won her battle with him? Or was it that she knows he may not be a psychopath or that he is not uncontrolably dangerous? I get the sense that it is a bit of both.
At one point, he is extremely quiet while he sits by himself because he is so confused and sad for the younger guys in the ward after finding out that they are there as voluntary patients. They are not committed like him. So at any time they feel ready to leave they can. They just will not because they claim they do not have the courage or the 'guts' to survive in the Outside World. At this point, it seems McMurphy would give anyting to trade places with them.
At the beginning of part two, a meeting is called by Nurse Ratched concerning McMurphy's behavior. With the Doctor present, they talk about what might be best for the ward. Should McMurphy be sent up to Disturbed or not? Everyone agrees that he should, and even Nurse Ratched at one point. But all of sudden she's not so sure. I wonder what made her change her mind? Was it that she didn't want to make it seem as though she gave up and was unable to get him to follow orders, and she would keep him down here until she had won her battle with him? Or was it that she knows he may not be a psychopath or that he is not uncontrolably dangerous? I get the sense that it is a bit of both.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Part 1 Cuckoo's Nest
Examine the problems and possibilities inherent to Kesey’s choice of Chief “Broom” Bromden as a narrator. You might discuss issues related to a) his perspective and subjectivity, b) his position in the societies of the ward and of the world at large, c) his personal history and mannerisms, and d) his narrative style.
Kesey's choice of making Bromden the narrator has both possibilities and some problems. With Bromden as the narrator, we as the readers are able to see the emotions and feelings of a patient in the ward that are similar and understanding of the other patiets in the ward. We are able to see more clearly how wrong the treatment is in the ward, mentally and physically. This is an advantage of having a chronic patient tell the story through his eyes. If the narrator were a doctor or nurse or even a nurse's aid, the insight on how the patients feel, would probably not have been so vivid and descriptive or even close enough to being accurate. Because it seems as though the staff in the ward really feel as if they are doing these patients some good and that their methods and ways of doing things are effective.
Another advantage to having Bromden as the narrator is that, since his point of view is third-person omniscient, we know all of the thoughts and feeling of all of the characters invovled.
And since Bromden is sort of mute from years and years of tragic encunters in his life and at the ward, he is able to know everything (anyting at any time) because if he cannot talk then no one can get any information from him. So the Nurse and the aids do not necessarily trust him, but know for a fact that anyting said around him will not get back to anyone.
Even though Bromden never used this to his advantage, he could.
You know how they always say, you are able to know more when you listen, well if Bromden actually contributed to some of the conversation in the book, then our view of other things moght have been limited.
A problem that might be as a result of having Bromden as the narrator is that he is constantly having flashbacks and different sights of different things that show his illness too. He is informed about many things and works in the ward, but is still a patient none the less, and has mixed emotions that might be misleading because he refers to the ward as a factory and everything in it as machinery that works together and constantly refers to fog. I was thrown off by his use of it at first, but came to realize that the fog was his state of mind. When he would wake up after he had been on a lot of medication, the cloudy state he was in would wear off.
But for the most part Bromden was a good choice as a narrator.
Kesey's choice of making Bromden the narrator has both possibilities and some problems. With Bromden as the narrator, we as the readers are able to see the emotions and feelings of a patient in the ward that are similar and understanding of the other patiets in the ward. We are able to see more clearly how wrong the treatment is in the ward, mentally and physically. This is an advantage of having a chronic patient tell the story through his eyes. If the narrator were a doctor or nurse or even a nurse's aid, the insight on how the patients feel, would probably not have been so vivid and descriptive or even close enough to being accurate. Because it seems as though the staff in the ward really feel as if they are doing these patients some good and that their methods and ways of doing things are effective.
Another advantage to having Bromden as the narrator is that, since his point of view is third-person omniscient, we know all of the thoughts and feeling of all of the characters invovled.
And since Bromden is sort of mute from years and years of tragic encunters in his life and at the ward, he is able to know everything (anyting at any time) because if he cannot talk then no one can get any information from him. So the Nurse and the aids do not necessarily trust him, but know for a fact that anyting said around him will not get back to anyone.
Even though Bromden never used this to his advantage, he could.
You know how they always say, you are able to know more when you listen, well if Bromden actually contributed to some of the conversation in the book, then our view of other things moght have been limited.
A problem that might be as a result of having Bromden as the narrator is that he is constantly having flashbacks and different sights of different things that show his illness too. He is informed about many things and works in the ward, but is still a patient none the less, and has mixed emotions that might be misleading because he refers to the ward as a factory and everything in it as machinery that works together and constantly refers to fog. I was thrown off by his use of it at first, but came to realize that the fog was his state of mind. When he would wake up after he had been on a lot of medication, the cloudy state he was in would wear off.
But for the most part Bromden was a good choice as a narrator.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Hamlet- The Lantern Theater Company
The performance that we went to see with the Lantern Theater Company was very exciting and seemed to be as visual as a movie in HD even though it was a live play (and that is certainly a compliment to the actors and directors and everyone involved in the production). The actor's portrayal of Hamlet's character was amazing. He literally stole the show, but I know he was supposed to do that because it is a play written from his point of view. Hamlet was my favorite character in the play. He was witty and funny and scary at times. Being all of these things, I became most interested with his character and the millions of emotions that he could go through in a single scene.
I think seeing the live performance enhanced my understanding of some of the aside intentions of some of the other characters. I was able to physically see what that character really felt instead of making an inference from what I read. Although my inferences were fairly accurate a lot of the time, for the actions I could not determine clearly, I needed to see the intentions. For example, I was unsure if the queen did not have a say in taking her brother-in-law's hand in marriage or if she were a conspirator in the matter. The play revealed to me that she might've really known all along the fate of her husband and truly did not care too much if he lived or not. It just seemed as though she loved his brother more.
I think seeing the live performance enhanced my understanding of some of the aside intentions of some of the other characters. I was able to physically see what that character really felt instead of making an inference from what I read. Although my inferences were fairly accurate a lot of the time, for the actions I could not determine clearly, I needed to see the intentions. For example, I was unsure if the queen did not have a say in taking her brother-in-law's hand in marriage or if she were a conspirator in the matter. The play revealed to me that she might've really known all along the fate of her husband and truly did not care too much if he lived or not. It just seemed as though she loved his brother more.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Vergil in Hamlet; Act II, scene ii
Vergil's actions seem to mirror Hamlet's internal thoughts for his own actions. It is interesting though, to see how Hamlet carefully thinks about his actions and consequences. He is able to think them through even though he is supposed to be in a state where he is enraged with madness; temporarily stuck in a frantic state of mind because of the injustice that lies all around him. Even with this, he is still somehow able to rationalize. I pay attention to such things, always keeping in mind the real question that no one can seem to truly answer, "Is Hamlet really crazy?" This action that he takes with hesitating to move forward with his plans, builds great suspence. As a reader, I began to think, if he keeps hesitating to commit smaller actions, that when his rationality is fully gone, he will not be able to hold any more hot water and he will explode with such an action that will put everyone in jeopardy, including himself.
It was smart in a sense to put on a representation of the treachery that was going on in the castle and it seems that the representation of certain characters were dead on, like Gertrude's for instance. Her silence and conformity to what has happened to her late husband was represented according to Hamlet's point of view, but was fairly accurate. It does seem a bit odd that she did not do more to try and give Hamlet an explanation either, as to why she had such a quick recovery and doesn't seem to be in mourning what so ever. Even though Hamlet is mad enough for the both of them, his actions are still understandable.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Hamlet Act 1
Perspective is an important theme in Hamlet, but also serves as a huge conflict for the characters as well as the audience. How are we really supposed to trust their judgement if they call into question their own.
When Horatio confirms that he sees the ghost as well, it seems as though he trusts and believe's in the unclear actions of the ghost, and whatever may be the cause of his appearance is extremely important, and it would be wise for those closest to him, such as Hamlet, Marcellus, Gertrude, Claudius, etc., to listen to the ghostly figure.
It seems as though Marcellus cannot see the ghost or believe in his appearance because he really doesn't have a natural sincerity in viewing matters from other's perspective other than his own. It seems as though, he is the type of man who needs hard evidence of something to have reason enough to believe in its truth or existence.
When Horatio confirms that he sees the ghost as well, it seems as though he trusts and believe's in the unclear actions of the ghost, and whatever may be the cause of his appearance is extremely important, and it would be wise for those closest to him, such as Hamlet, Marcellus, Gertrude, Claudius, etc., to listen to the ghostly figure.
It seems as though Marcellus cannot see the ghost or believe in his appearance because he really doesn't have a natural sincerity in viewing matters from other's perspective other than his own. It seems as though, he is the type of man who needs hard evidence of something to have reason enough to believe in its truth or existence.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Coleridge and Shelley - Imagination and Narrative Voice
1) The power of the imagination is often exalted in Romantic poetry. In your opinion, does “Kubla Khan” celebrate the imagination or caution against its indulgence? To whom might Coleridge be writing and for what purpose(s)?
"Kubla Khan," a poem written during the Romantic period, does in a way celebrate imagination as well as caution against its indulgence. It is written in a way that is very creative with reference to a lot of images and people and certain things that are normal objects but are described in a very extra-ordinary way in the poem.
But on the contrary, the author had written this while under the influence of something unnatural as he awaken to write his poem, and that caused him to visualize these objects in this extra-ordinary way. The dream was converted into this excellent and brilliant literary work that many are fascinated by, but seems as though it was a direct result of his influence.
Coleridge could have possibly been writing to all of the people that do not or more sadly, cannot tap into their imagination and creativity to just let their minds wander a bit. I think Coleridge is a huge fan of "out of the ordinary" things and really pushes himself not to be limited in thought. Yes, his influence for "Kubla Khan" produced those words in his poem, but what if deep down they were there all along? And what if the influence only allowed himself to bring it out?
"Kubla Khan," a poem written during the Romantic period, does in a way celebrate imagination as well as caution against its indulgence. It is written in a way that is very creative with reference to a lot of images and people and certain things that are normal objects but are described in a very extra-ordinary way in the poem.
But on the contrary, the author had written this while under the influence of something unnatural as he awaken to write his poem, and that caused him to visualize these objects in this extra-ordinary way. The dream was converted into this excellent and brilliant literary work that many are fascinated by, but seems as though it was a direct result of his influence.
Coleridge could have possibly been writing to all of the people that do not or more sadly, cannot tap into their imagination and creativity to just let their minds wander a bit. I think Coleridge is a huge fan of "out of the ordinary" things and really pushes himself not to be limited in thought. Yes, his influence for "Kubla Khan" produced those words in his poem, but what if deep down they were there all along? And what if the influence only allowed himself to bring it out?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Jonathan Swift Teacher Prep
PART A
1.) Questions:
a. Does he want to take over their land?
b. What is their understanding of one another?
c. Is he calm because he is scared or is there another reason?
d. Do they sort of understand one another without exchanging the same language?
2.) Excerpts:
Page 653
- “I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself…:”
I would like to discuss what he means in this part of the excerpt. He says his method is to lie still all day and then just wait to see what else they will do because he could easily free himself if he wanted.
Pages 654-655
- They speak different languages; they obviously are not the same size; they are trying to understand why he is there and he has his own reason, just not sure, what it is. Would like to know what the class thinks.
Page 655
- “But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive behavior, soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence.”
So he is calm because of his promise of honor. He could easily unbind himself but he will not.
Page 656
-“And producing his credentials under the Signet Royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution; often pointing forward, which, as I afterward found, was toward the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his Majesty in council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over his Excellency’s head for fear of hurting him or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I must be carried as a prisoner.”
This excerpt shows that with a simple nod or tone of voice, or even actions, such as Gulliver’s passive posture, can signify appropriate communication between people.
3.) Prediction:
The class may find it hard to know exactly what the understanding is between one another because they attack him first off, signaling dislike probably out of fear, then they feed him and give him something to drink, which of course must give a sign of trust or like in their new prisoner.
PART B
4.) The teacher group:
Discussed different questions we chose, gave our answers and then started discussing some ways to present our ideas to the class. The good: interesting to see our questions were somewhat similar. That means other classmates might have the same, so it’s probably a good question to ask. The bad: Did not really know how to effectively propose our ideas, but we tried our best. J I learned that teaching is harder than it looks! However, if you are a good teacher it can be done. Really, you just have to ask yourself questions that you think the class would be interested in thinking about or ask something that you know they would have difficulty answering so you could discuss it more.
PART C
5.) Working with other teacher groups:
We have decided to present using a large poster. We are going to write our questions on there and below them, list some reference pages so they could easily access the answers. We chose to just write only the questions we formulated on the poster because we would like to keep our predictions to ourselves to see if the groups we are teaching actually had the same difficulties that we have hypothesized. While asking them the questions we have written down, we are also going to ask questions to help get their minds working in the right direction, possibly leading them to an answer that we have or one that we could discover together.
1.) Questions:
a. Does he want to take over their land?
b. What is their understanding of one another?
c. Is he calm because he is scared or is there another reason?
d. Do they sort of understand one another without exchanging the same language?
2.) Excerpts:
Page 653
- “I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself…:”
I would like to discuss what he means in this part of the excerpt. He says his method is to lie still all day and then just wait to see what else they will do because he could easily free himself if he wanted.
Pages 654-655
- They speak different languages; they obviously are not the same size; they are trying to understand why he is there and he has his own reason, just not sure, what it is. Would like to know what the class thinks.
Page 655
- “But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive behavior, soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence.”
So he is calm because of his promise of honor. He could easily unbind himself but he will not.
Page 656
-“And producing his credentials under the Signet Royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution; often pointing forward, which, as I afterward found, was toward the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his Majesty in council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other (but over his Excellency’s head for fear of hurting him or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to show that I must be carried as a prisoner.”
This excerpt shows that with a simple nod or tone of voice, or even actions, such as Gulliver’s passive posture, can signify appropriate communication between people.
3.) Prediction:
The class may find it hard to know exactly what the understanding is between one another because they attack him first off, signaling dislike probably out of fear, then they feed him and give him something to drink, which of course must give a sign of trust or like in their new prisoner.
PART B
4.) The teacher group:
Discussed different questions we chose, gave our answers and then started discussing some ways to present our ideas to the class. The good: interesting to see our questions were somewhat similar. That means other classmates might have the same, so it’s probably a good question to ask. The bad: Did not really know how to effectively propose our ideas, but we tried our best. J I learned that teaching is harder than it looks! However, if you are a good teacher it can be done. Really, you just have to ask yourself questions that you think the class would be interested in thinking about or ask something that you know they would have difficulty answering so you could discuss it more.
PART C
5.) Working with other teacher groups:
We have decided to present using a large poster. We are going to write our questions on there and below them, list some reference pages so they could easily access the answers. We chose to just write only the questions we formulated on the poster because we would like to keep our predictions to ourselves to see if the groups we are teaching actually had the same difficulties that we have hypothesized. While asking them the questions we have written down, we are also going to ask questions to help get their minds working in the right direction, possibly leading them to an answer that we have or one that we could discover together.
"The Chimney Sweeper"
1. I strongly support the claim that Romantic poets hoped to bring about social and political change through their writing. Also, I do agree with the editors of my text book in thinking that Blake’s poetry had the power to enact change in society by appealing to the imagination of the reader. It is sometimes hard to imagine results without logical reasoning, especially if you’re someone who cannot conclude anything without fact. But using your imagination opens up so many windows you never knew existed. Sometimes fact and reason, limits our knowledge or capacity to “think outside the box”. When it comes to such things like child labor, reason doesn’t even seem reasonable. I do not think children under the age of 14 should have to work and children under the age of 16 shouldn’t have to work hard.
2. The editors might have included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document because it is an actual account of something that has taken place.
I think having the Parliament transcript available to read actually enhanced the poems that I read. The meaning of the poems or the underlying messages were much clearer. I could see the same vision in my head of a helpless child, who is forced to do something out of not having an option. The poem from experience, even though is intended that a much older mind is being presented, still sounds as if the little child in him is hurting him, even now.
2. The editors might have included the Parliament transcript as a primary source document because it is an actual account of something that has taken place.
I think having the Parliament transcript available to read actually enhanced the poems that I read. The meaning of the poems or the underlying messages were much clearer. I could see the same vision in my head of a helpless child, who is forced to do something out of not having an option. The poem from experience, even though is intended that a much older mind is being presented, still sounds as if the little child in him is hurting him, even now.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
1984, O'Brien proposes a doctrine to Winston...
- What role does the doctrine play in maintaining the system of oligarchical collectivism?
The doctrine that O’Brien proclaims to Winston in this passage, plays an important role in maintaining the system of oligarchical collectivism because he is telling Winston, that since he has not fully come to a conclusion like everyone else that there is no other way but to conform, then he will drive himself insane trying to stop what has already been deemed unstoppable. O’Brien says to Winston, “You believe that reality is something objective, external, existing in its own right. You also believe that the nature of reality is self-evident. When you delude yourself into thinking that you see something, you assume that everyone else sees the same things as you. But I tell you, Winston, that reality is not external. Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else. Not in the individual mind, which can make mistakes, and in any case soon perishes; only in the mind of the Party, which is collective and immortal.” In telling Winston that reality is created in the mind of the Party and not the individual, he clearly lays out the premier idea of oligarchical collectivism, the idea that everything exists to benefit the party, primarily Big Brother. Winston is in every way correct in his oppositional thinking, but is greatly out numbered.
The doctrine’s purpose is to persuade Winston to forget about the system ever changing because it will never die and will only get stronger over time, whereas he will only grow weaker, mentally and physically, because it is extremely hard for a single person to change a reality for everyone.
- What role does the doctrine play in Winston’s fate at the end?
The ending of 1984, is indeed true to the saying, “If you can’t beat them, then join them.” After battling with his internal struggle of holding his values and morals for a good cause, he can no longer resist the Party that he is very much apart of. Instead of secretly hating them, he then openly shows his conformity with a single smile. He finally realizes that life is much easier accepting the way things are instead of fighting it all by yourself.
To me, the doctrine foreshadows Winston’s fate in a sense, because at the closing of the novel, Winston’s view of reality that was supposed to exist in its own right, did in fact perish because this view only existed in his mind, and the reality of the Party was again victorious and has shown once again its immortality to yet another who was in disbelief.
He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother. (Part 3, Chapter 6)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Orwell Article
“1984” Written By George Orwell
A Novel That Meets More than What it Brings to the Eye
Imagine not being able to relax and enjoy the privacy of your own home. How could you have possibly made it through each day knowing that everything you do, is done to please someone else? And your freedom…Gone?
“1984,” A compelling and undeniably intriguing novel, set in a time and place where your imagination can’t even come close to creating an image that would be able to mirror those of the individuals that walked the grounds of Airstrip One.
Set in Oceania, the novel retells the accounts of the time period, revolving around a man named Winston Smith. The years surrounding 1984 Oceania, were filled with great sadness; misery; mistrust. You lived in poverty, with disease and hunger and filth. You were not allowed to voice your own opinions, think anything other than what you were told, or even write in a diary or journal. As silly as that sounds, yes, that was even considered a crime and law enforcement of the time, called the “Thought Police”, were supposed to punish you. This kind of society is unthinkable.
I take it that, for myself and others, it is quite difficult to picture a world where everyone in a society is categorized into only three groups and all of your thoughts and actions, are guided by the thoughts and actions of a single person, and everyone refers to him as “Big Brother,” and lives in fear of this ruler. I’m sure I would have been afraid as well. Here’s a man whose solitary goal was to “brainwash” an entire population of people to make history fit his desired representation, and anyone who would stand in his way, would be punished severely, and maybe sentenced to death. Not an easy concept to grasp, when today we live in a time and place, where you’re free to do pretty much anything you please as long as it’s legal. So voicing your opinions, having your desired privacy at home, and writing opposing thoughts towards a political point of view that you do not agree with, are all legal activities that you may do as you please.
In this novel about Winston Smith’s experiences, George Orwell, a phenomenal writer, has captured these events in such a captivating way, we begin to feel as if our own ideas are limited. He effectively gets his readers to understand everything these people are deprived of in this totalitarian society that he is describing, and then moments appear when you think you can feel what they feel, or see what they see, but those moments are not clear for me, because I live in a society where I am as free as I choose to be.
This is truly a novel that meets more inside, than what it brings to the eye. You see the front cover and there is just a number; a date. You open the book and you have no idea where the first sentence will lead you. But as you read on, the words form to stir emotions inside of you and by the end of the book, you know why a number; a date; would be the perfect title for this novel.
Orwell was such an inspiration for interpreting events and real-life encounters of what happened in the years surrounding 1984.
If you loved the film “Minority Report,” then you can understand to a capacity, how much control your government has over your life. It is unbelievable to think that no one, at any given time, could live in complete control over their life. Back then, technology was not so advanced. With today’s advancements in technology, it would be much easier for invasion of privacy…just a thought.
--Kayla Gray
The English Times
A Novel That Meets More than What it Brings to the Eye
Imagine not being able to relax and enjoy the privacy of your own home. How could you have possibly made it through each day knowing that everything you do, is done to please someone else? And your freedom…Gone?
“1984,” A compelling and undeniably intriguing novel, set in a time and place where your imagination can’t even come close to creating an image that would be able to mirror those of the individuals that walked the grounds of Airstrip One.
Set in Oceania, the novel retells the accounts of the time period, revolving around a man named Winston Smith. The years surrounding 1984 Oceania, were filled with great sadness; misery; mistrust. You lived in poverty, with disease and hunger and filth. You were not allowed to voice your own opinions, think anything other than what you were told, or even write in a diary or journal. As silly as that sounds, yes, that was even considered a crime and law enforcement of the time, called the “Thought Police”, were supposed to punish you. This kind of society is unthinkable.
I take it that, for myself and others, it is quite difficult to picture a world where everyone in a society is categorized into only three groups and all of your thoughts and actions, are guided by the thoughts and actions of a single person, and everyone refers to him as “Big Brother,” and lives in fear of this ruler. I’m sure I would have been afraid as well. Here’s a man whose solitary goal was to “brainwash” an entire population of people to make history fit his desired representation, and anyone who would stand in his way, would be punished severely, and maybe sentenced to death. Not an easy concept to grasp, when today we live in a time and place, where you’re free to do pretty much anything you please as long as it’s legal. So voicing your opinions, having your desired privacy at home, and writing opposing thoughts towards a political point of view that you do not agree with, are all legal activities that you may do as you please.
In this novel about Winston Smith’s experiences, George Orwell, a phenomenal writer, has captured these events in such a captivating way, we begin to feel as if our own ideas are limited. He effectively gets his readers to understand everything these people are deprived of in this totalitarian society that he is describing, and then moments appear when you think you can feel what they feel, or see what they see, but those moments are not clear for me, because I live in a society where I am as free as I choose to be.
This is truly a novel that meets more inside, than what it brings to the eye. You see the front cover and there is just a number; a date. You open the book and you have no idea where the first sentence will lead you. But as you read on, the words form to stir emotions inside of you and by the end of the book, you know why a number; a date; would be the perfect title for this novel.
Orwell was such an inspiration for interpreting events and real-life encounters of what happened in the years surrounding 1984.
If you loved the film “Minority Report,” then you can understand to a capacity, how much control your government has over your life. It is unbelievable to think that no one, at any given time, could live in complete control over their life. Back then, technology was not so advanced. With today’s advancements in technology, it would be much easier for invasion of privacy…just a thought.
--Kayla Gray
The English Times
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