what they are fighting for, who they are rebelling against, the way their protests seen by the government, the way their protests are seen by the masses. Ultimately, the purpose of this blog is to examine how Orwellian we have become.
Winston is having a hard time buying into what Big Brother and the State are selling because not only does he remember a time before society became like this, he also has a (destroyed) piece of evidence that the Party is twisting the truth into lies. His job, which takes place in the Ministry of Truth, adds to this latter issue, due to the fact that he is directly involved in altering the truth and making everything fit in to what the Party is currently preaching.
I don't think that his acts of questioning are necessarily protest. They are certainly defiance, since they go against what the Party wants him to be thinking, but in my opinion, protest involves actively doing something to oppose a different view. Winston is not making it obvious that he has these differing thoughts, he is not marching in the streets carrying a sign as in a traditional protest. He is protesting in his mind, but only through acts of defiance against the Party. He is most definitely rebelling, just not in any sort of overtly apparent way. After all, if he were to make it public that he's part of the Brotherhood, he would be killed instantly.
As I mentioned before, the defiance Winston is exhibiting and the protests of our society, such as those by people who support Occupy Wall Street, are very different. While people in our society are marching in the streets with signs, Winston is simply performing small acts of rebellion that are not directly in the public eye. Obviously, these are like apples and oranges. Those taking part in Occupy Wall Street are essentially asking for changes in policies that they oppose. Winston just wants to live in a society where your every move and thought aren't monitored and controlled through fear and lies. Winston is fighting against Big Brother and the Party's doctrines and control while Occupy Wall Street is fighting against rich businessmen. Those taking part in Occupy Wall Street are seen to be exercising one of the basic freedoms of being American. As Americans, we are allowed to protest against things that we feel are unjust, we are allowed to assemble and petition and express our thoughts, no matter how opposed they may be. Also, practically everybody has heard of these protests, while Winston, Julia, and O'Brien are the only ones to know about Winston's acts of rebellion. Winston is not doing these things in public, his actions are not being broadcast. Our society is definitely not Orwellian, for if it was, we would be much more closely monitored and a protest such as Occupy Wall Street would be shot down in an instant.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
This Land Is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie
1.) Is Guthrie's message individualist or collectivist? Explain.
Guthrie's message is individualistic, not only because he's talking about the U.S., an individualist society, but due to the lyrical content. He mentions that "nothing living can ever stop (him)", indicating that he is an individual that can do as he pleases. He works for his own desires. He also mentions a sign with 'Private Property' on one side and nothing on the other, and how this blank side was made for "you and me". The blank side represents how he is free to go where he pleases without any restrictions, indicating that he's free to do what he wants as an individual. He values individual rights. There is no mention of how the land is for 'us', which would lean towards being collectivist.
2.) Do you find this song to be pro-government or anti-government? Explain.
It appears to start off neutral, not really supporting or being against the government, simply celebrating the nation's beauty. Near the end, however, he mentions a sign banning trespassers and "his people" hungry and lining up for food. This is more negative than the cheery first few stanzas and appears to be anti-government. He is displeased that the government doesn't feed the people and doesn't grant them the total freedom to go where they want.
Guthrie's message is individualistic, not only because he's talking about the U.S., an individualist society, but due to the lyrical content. He mentions that "nothing living can ever stop (him)", indicating that he is an individual that can do as he pleases. He works for his own desires. He also mentions a sign with 'Private Property' on one side and nothing on the other, and how this blank side was made for "you and me". The blank side represents how he is free to go where he pleases without any restrictions, indicating that he's free to do what he wants as an individual. He values individual rights. There is no mention of how the land is for 'us', which would lean towards being collectivist.
2.) Do you find this song to be pro-government or anti-government? Explain.
It appears to start off neutral, not really supporting or being against the government, simply celebrating the nation's beauty. Near the end, however, he mentions a sign banning trespassers and "his people" hungry and lining up for food. This is more negative than the cheery first few stanzas and appears to be anti-government. He is displeased that the government doesn't feed the people and doesn't grant them the total freedom to go where they want.
The Egg
1.) He was a simple man, and was a farmhand. he was happy with his life and didn't want to rise in the world. After marriage, he came much more ambitious and wanted to get up in the world. His wife's nature and desire for him and their son to do well in life spurs him on to become more ambitious.
2.) The narrator hates chicken and eggs. They are a symbol for hopelessness and how you can try really hard but not get what you want.
3.) They are used to try and entice and entertain the man in the cafe. He thinks that if he gets at least one young person interested in his grotesques, more will come and he (the dad) will be able to get money and become rich off of it.
4.) It means that the egg has triumphed in showing its own symbolism. It has succeeded in showing the hopelessness of never getting what you want no matter how hard you try.
2.) The narrator hates chicken and eggs. They are a symbol for hopelessness and how you can try really hard but not get what you want.
3.) They are used to try and entice and entertain the man in the cafe. He thinks that if he gets at least one young person interested in his grotesques, more will come and he (the dad) will be able to get money and become rich off of it.
4.) It means that the egg has triumphed in showing its own symbolism. It has succeeded in showing the hopelessness of never getting what you want no matter how hard you try.
Aristotle Quote
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristole
Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Explain.
I do agree, due to the fact that someone who is smart can consider different points of view without actually believing them. Being educated implies that one has been taught open-mindedness and tolerance of other views, or that other points of view actually exist. Someone who is educated can discuss certain thoughts and see the pros and cons of them while still holding fast to their beliefs. An uneducated person is not as open-minded and cannot see any other sides of a topic besides the one they've been taught.
Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Explain.
I do agree, due to the fact that someone who is smart can consider different points of view without actually believing them. Being educated implies that one has been taught open-mindedness and tolerance of other views, or that other points of view actually exist. Someone who is educated can discuss certain thoughts and see the pros and cons of them while still holding fast to their beliefs. An uneducated person is not as open-minded and cannot see any other sides of a topic besides the one they've been taught.
Collectivism vs. Individualism
1.) In a collectivist culture, what personality traits are likely to be considered ideal? What about in an individualistic culture?
Individualist: motivation, individuality
Collectivist: loyalty, being humble
2.) In what type of culture might elders or people who have professional distinction receive more respect and less challenge from people lower on their culture's/group's hierarchy? Explain your answer.
I think this represents an individualistic society, since the individual with the most experience and knowledge is praised more and given more attention than an individual who has accomplished less. The latter is seen as inferior and not as worthy of compliment due to their lack of experience. This is valuing an individual person more than it is a group, indicating that it's more individualistic than collectivist.
3.) Create a specific problem a teacher may encounter when he/she moves from teaching in a collectivist culture to an individualist culture or vice versa. Explain the specific values/influences/obligations/desires caused by the clash.
If a teacher comes from a collectivist culture to an individualistic one, there would be an internal conflict, since she wouldn't feel comfortable fitting into the individualistic mold of congratulating individual students. She would be much more accustomed to feeling the group's contributions should be celebrated. The sense of loyalty to the group isn't present in individualistic cultures, since individualistic cultures value a single person's work. This could be resolved by the teacher assigning group projects in order to replicate a sense of group unity or by being taught more about an individualistic culture.
4.) What is an acquaintance? Does the word have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation? Explain.
It's someone who you know by name and talk to on occasion, but don't know very well. I feel as though it's neutral, since you get along well and don't have much of an issue with each other, but you don't know each other well enough to make judgments as to whether or not you like or dislike each other.
Individualist: motivation, individuality
Collectivist: loyalty, being humble
2.) In what type of culture might elders or people who have professional distinction receive more respect and less challenge from people lower on their culture's/group's hierarchy? Explain your answer.
I think this represents an individualistic society, since the individual with the most experience and knowledge is praised more and given more attention than an individual who has accomplished less. The latter is seen as inferior and not as worthy of compliment due to their lack of experience. This is valuing an individual person more than it is a group, indicating that it's more individualistic than collectivist.
3.) Create a specific problem a teacher may encounter when he/she moves from teaching in a collectivist culture to an individualist culture or vice versa. Explain the specific values/influences/obligations/desires caused by the clash.
If a teacher comes from a collectivist culture to an individualistic one, there would be an internal conflict, since she wouldn't feel comfortable fitting into the individualistic mold of congratulating individual students. She would be much more accustomed to feeling the group's contributions should be celebrated. The sense of loyalty to the group isn't present in individualistic cultures, since individualistic cultures value a single person's work. This could be resolved by the teacher assigning group projects in order to replicate a sense of group unity or by being taught more about an individualistic culture.
4.) What is an acquaintance? Does the word have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation? Explain.
It's someone who you know by name and talk to on occasion, but don't know very well. I feel as though it's neutral, since you get along well and don't have much of an issue with each other, but you don't know each other well enough to make judgments as to whether or not you like or dislike each other.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
2+2=5 by Radiohead
1.) What is the song talking about lyrically?
It's about how this man is trapped in a world where he is not like everybody else. He is a dreamer. The world he lives in is able to convince people of falsehoods, like 2+2=5. He is persecuted for thinking differently and for not fitting in to the mold his society has carved out for him. He wants attention from everyone else who is trapped in this system so that maybe they'll realize the world they live in is a lie, and as a result can make an attempt to break the system. He's sick of thieves stealing the truth from everybody.
2.) How does the music mirror or help push the message?
It sounds very helpless and sad at times, especially the beginning, emphasizing the hopeless and dreary nature that society has imposed on everyone. However, when the tempo picks up and the lyrics start talking about how he wants attention, it gives off a vibe of desperation.
3.) The title is an allusion to 1984... explain the connection.
In 1984, Winston thinks that eventually, in the future, the Party will have such control over the truth that they'll eventually say that 2+2=5, and everyone will have to believe that that's true.
It's about how this man is trapped in a world where he is not like everybody else. He is a dreamer. The world he lives in is able to convince people of falsehoods, like 2+2=5. He is persecuted for thinking differently and for not fitting in to the mold his society has carved out for him. He wants attention from everyone else who is trapped in this system so that maybe they'll realize the world they live in is a lie, and as a result can make an attempt to break the system. He's sick of thieves stealing the truth from everybody.
2.) How does the music mirror or help push the message?
It sounds very helpless and sad at times, especially the beginning, emphasizing the hopeless and dreary nature that society has imposed on everyone. However, when the tempo picks up and the lyrics start talking about how he wants attention, it gives off a vibe of desperation.
3.) The title is an allusion to 1984... explain the connection.
In 1984, Winston thinks that eventually, in the future, the Party will have such control over the truth that they'll eventually say that 2+2=5, and everyone will have to believe that that's true.
Conflict
1.) Identify the conflict. Is this an internal or external conflict?
The conflict is that of globalization's effect on how women from non-Western cultures are viewed. It is an external conflict.
2.) How/Why does globalization create conflict? In the speaker's opinion globalization has flown in one direction. What does she mean by this?
It creates conflict because there are clashing ideas meeting, and when ideas about things aren't the same on both sides, there is obviously going to be conflict. She means that the Western world has influenced non-Western cultures but not the other way around. Western culture has not been 'globalized' to be like Muslim culture, for example.
3.) Although the speaker feels globalization has been one-sided, she notes there has been one benefit related to the process. What benefit does she mention?
Women in non-Western cultures have been exposed to positive female role models from the West, something they might not necessarily have in their own culture. This influence is obviously a good one, since women need positive role models, even if they are from other cultures.
4.) The speaker says Muslims and Westerners live by/are obligated to two different sources of truth. What two sources does she mention? (2 texts)
The Quran and the Constitution.
The conflict is that of globalization's effect on how women from non-Western cultures are viewed. It is an external conflict.
2.) How/Why does globalization create conflict? In the speaker's opinion globalization has flown in one direction. What does she mean by this?
It creates conflict because there are clashing ideas meeting, and when ideas about things aren't the same on both sides, there is obviously going to be conflict. She means that the Western world has influenced non-Western cultures but not the other way around. Western culture has not been 'globalized' to be like Muslim culture, for example.
3.) Although the speaker feels globalization has been one-sided, she notes there has been one benefit related to the process. What benefit does she mention?
Women in non-Western cultures have been exposed to positive female role models from the West, something they might not necessarily have in their own culture. This influence is obviously a good one, since women need positive role models, even if they are from other cultures.
4.) The speaker says Muslims and Westerners live by/are obligated to two different sources of truth. What two sources does she mention? (2 texts)
The Quran and the Constitution.
Monday, October 17, 2011
1984 Reading Response Journal #1
Equality and conformity are strictly enforced in 1984's society, Oceania. Party members are forced to wear the same blue overalls as a uniform, causing everybody to look alike. A mindless routine is set into play, and anyone who so much as gives some sort of facial cue that they're opposed to what they're doing is strictly punished, oftentimes 'vaporized', meaning that any record of their existence is wiped out. The Thought Police exist to ensure that individuals don't so much as think any sort of dissenting thought, and if they do commit thoughtcrime, as it's called, they will be put to death. This rigid set of rules forces every person to act exactly alike out of fear of severe punishment, and out of this conformity, equality is emphasized. After all, if everybody is scared of the same thing and under the same set of rules, everyone is equal.
Conflict is nonexistent. Any source of possible conflict, such as different religions and the aforementioned opposing thoughts, has been completely wiped out. Anybody who has desires opposing those of the Party are seen as insane. Winston worries about his mental health while writing in his diary, so intense is the drilling of 'dissension equals insanity'. Relationships can barely even be called that - the only reason people form 'relationships' is to have children, and Winston's account of attempting to do is displayed as being painful and unpleasant. There is no attraction between them, they were simply put together to reproduce. Individual rights are seen as being akin to slavery, as one of the Party's mottoes states that "FREEDOM IS SLAVERY". The freedom to do as you please (and, in this case, go against the Party) is seen as enslavement, emphasizing the populace's lack of individual rights.
Although no one in Oceania is truly happy, they are meant to appear happy. No negative facial expressions are allowed, and if you are caught by another person or by the telescreen giving any sort of look that indicates that you aren't content, you will be punished. Everyone must be happy with the way things are, and if someone isn't, they get vaporized. This emphasizes conformity, for if one person is unhappy, they are going against the grain, and must, therefore, be extinguished.
Oceania is the opposite of a utopia. In a utopia, everyone is genuinely happy, and there truly are no conflicts or suffering. It is a dystopia. Winston is one example of someone who is unhappy, and there are many descriptions of the suffering endured not only by him, but by others as well. Winston thinks he is alone in his unhappiness with his society, but given the conditions described above, nearly everyone must be discontent with their situation, save for those who have been brainwashed and completely absorbed in the Party and its beliefs. Given the horrible conditions under which the populace of Oceania live, it is undeniably a dystopia.
Conflict is nonexistent. Any source of possible conflict, such as different religions and the aforementioned opposing thoughts, has been completely wiped out. Anybody who has desires opposing those of the Party are seen as insane. Winston worries about his mental health while writing in his diary, so intense is the drilling of 'dissension equals insanity'. Relationships can barely even be called that - the only reason people form 'relationships' is to have children, and Winston's account of attempting to do is displayed as being painful and unpleasant. There is no attraction between them, they were simply put together to reproduce. Individual rights are seen as being akin to slavery, as one of the Party's mottoes states that "FREEDOM IS SLAVERY". The freedom to do as you please (and, in this case, go against the Party) is seen as enslavement, emphasizing the populace's lack of individual rights.
Although no one in Oceania is truly happy, they are meant to appear happy. No negative facial expressions are allowed, and if you are caught by another person or by the telescreen giving any sort of look that indicates that you aren't content, you will be punished. Everyone must be happy with the way things are, and if someone isn't, they get vaporized. This emphasizes conformity, for if one person is unhappy, they are going against the grain, and must, therefore, be extinguished.
Oceania is the opposite of a utopia. In a utopia, everyone is genuinely happy, and there truly are no conflicts or suffering. It is a dystopia. Winston is one example of someone who is unhappy, and there are many descriptions of the suffering endured not only by him, but by others as well. Winston thinks he is alone in his unhappiness with his society, but given the conditions described above, nearly everyone must be discontent with their situation, save for those who have been brainwashed and completely absorbed in the Party and its beliefs. Given the horrible conditions under which the populace of Oceania live, it is undeniably a dystopia.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Utopia
1.) A utopia is a place where everyone gets along and is happy and everything works out well and there are no problems whatsoever. It's a perfect place.
2.) My ideal world would be one where I can do as I please and not have to work and i can just travel and play around and write and draw and can sleep for as long as I want and I can choose whether or not I have to be around people. I want to be able to do as I want without restrictions - total freedom, essentially. I don't want any sort of troubles or worries.
3.) Depends on my mood, but it would mostly be chillwave and electronica, like Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, and Crystal Castles, though I could also play some Sigur Ros and Modest Mouse. It would all be generally soothing and happy, almost sleepy, but with upbeat songs thrown in the mix whenever I feel excited in any sort of way.
2.) My ideal world would be one where I can do as I please and not have to work and i can just travel and play around and write and draw and can sleep for as long as I want and I can choose whether or not I have to be around people. I want to be able to do as I want without restrictions - total freedom, essentially. I don't want any sort of troubles or worries.
3.) Depends on my mood, but it would mostly be chillwave and electronica, like Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, and Crystal Castles, though I could also play some Sigur Ros and Modest Mouse. It would all be generally soothing and happy, almost sleepy, but with upbeat songs thrown in the mix whenever I feel excited in any sort of way.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
You Were Right by Built To Spill
1.) Make an inference about the lyrical content of the song and explain it.
The singer has obviously gone through some hard times, indicated by how he says that the person he's talking to was wrong about everything being alright, showing that things were not alright. Another indicator is where he states that manic depression's a frustrating mess, implying that he suffers from manic depression, an entirely unpleasant, and, as the speaker states, a frustrating mess of a situation to endure.
2.) Write one analytical statement about the musical content of the song and explain/support it.
The tempo is fast, and the sound is rather upbeat, though this is in contrast to the gloomy lyrics. This juxtaposition is meant to emphasize the song's meaning.
3.) Make one evaluative statement about the song's overall effectiveness and support it.
I think the song is fairly effective, it displays a melancholy mood well with its lyrics, and the happier sound of the music adds to the sad feel of it all. It gives a sense of accepting the hopelessness of everything.
The singer has obviously gone through some hard times, indicated by how he says that the person he's talking to was wrong about everything being alright, showing that things were not alright. Another indicator is where he states that manic depression's a frustrating mess, implying that he suffers from manic depression, an entirely unpleasant, and, as the speaker states, a frustrating mess of a situation to endure.
2.) Write one analytical statement about the musical content of the song and explain/support it.
The tempo is fast, and the sound is rather upbeat, though this is in contrast to the gloomy lyrics. This juxtaposition is meant to emphasize the song's meaning.
3.) Make one evaluative statement about the song's overall effectiveness and support it.
I think the song is fairly effective, it displays a melancholy mood well with its lyrics, and the happier sound of the music adds to the sad feel of it all. It gives a sense of accepting the hopelessness of everything.
"Young Life" by Bo Bartlett
3 claims w/ a supporting fact for each
1.) Claim: The artist supports hunting, and believes that hunters should be proud when they kill, and will get women by hunting.
Supporting fact: The stance of the boy is proud, and his girlfriend is embracing him.
2.) Claim: The young boy wishes to be a hunter as well, and wants to carry a big gun. He pretends his large stick is a gun.
Supporting fact: He has joined the boy and his girlfriend on the hunting trip, and carries a stick as big as the boy's gun.
3.) Claim: The artist thinks that older people are who teach younger people to be violent, and the older boy is teaching the younger boy to live a violent life.
Supporting fact: The young boy has come along with the older boy on the hunting trip.
Paragraph: The young boy wishes to be a hunter, just as the older male is, and wishes to carry a gun as big as the young man's. This is demonstrated both by the fact that he's carrying a large stick and that he came with the young man and woman on the hunting trip. Young boys like to use sticks and pretend that they're guns, so the young boy in this picture was probably pretending that his large stick was like the older boy's gun, seeing as how they are about the same size. Also, since he came on the hunting trip with the young couple, the young boy either has no issues with watching the older boy kill a deer, or is trying to learn how to do such a thing, and has a desire to emulate the young man's actions.
1.) Claim: The artist supports hunting, and believes that hunters should be proud when they kill, and will get women by hunting.
Supporting fact: The stance of the boy is proud, and his girlfriend is embracing him.
2.) Claim: The young boy wishes to be a hunter as well, and wants to carry a big gun. He pretends his large stick is a gun.
Supporting fact: He has joined the boy and his girlfriend on the hunting trip, and carries a stick as big as the boy's gun.
3.) Claim: The artist thinks that older people are who teach younger people to be violent, and the older boy is teaching the younger boy to live a violent life.
Supporting fact: The young boy has come along with the older boy on the hunting trip.
Paragraph: The young boy wishes to be a hunter, just as the older male is, and wishes to carry a gun as big as the young man's. This is demonstrated both by the fact that he's carrying a large stick and that he came with the young man and woman on the hunting trip. Young boys like to use sticks and pretend that they're guns, so the young boy in this picture was probably pretending that his large stick was like the older boy's gun, seeing as how they are about the same size. Also, since he came on the hunting trip with the young couple, the young boy either has no issues with watching the older boy kill a deer, or is trying to learn how to do such a thing, and has a desire to emulate the young man's actions.
Shame by The Avett Brothers
1.) ID subject and tone:
The subject is a man who realizes that his lady left him because he's selfish and doesn't think of anyone but himself, and he's admitting that he feels shame for his actions in an attempt to win her back. The speaker's attitude towards this is sorrowful and pleading, since he's sad that he lost her and sad that he behaved in such a way as to make her leave. He seems rather pleading in that he keeps saying things that show that he hopes she can believe that he's changed and feels sorry for what he's done and will eventually take him back.
2.) Choose 3 words that push the tone and explain how they do that.
The subject is a man who realizes that his lady left him because he's selfish and doesn't think of anyone but himself, and he's admitting that he feels shame for his actions in an attempt to win her back. The speaker's attitude towards this is sorrowful and pleading, since he's sad that he lost her and sad that he behaved in such a way as to make her leave. He seems rather pleading in that he keeps saying things that show that he hopes she can believe that he's changed and feels sorry for what he's done and will eventually take him back.
2.) Choose 3 words that push the tone and explain how they do that.
- overwhelming - it shows just how crushing his guilt and shame for his actions is
- always cold - when discussing his heart, he is admitting that he's always been a rather cold person, but hopes that she will take him back
- sink - this emphasizes how sad he is about losing her, and is sinking into depression over his loss
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