Sunday, February 5, 2017

Judged by its Cover

The different cover images, for the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, each capture different themes or ideas that are presented in the novel. The two covers on the left, of the girl sitting alone outside in some grass and bushes and of the single boat moored on land with an empty dock on still water, both portray the theme of alienation. They respectively depict an isolated object in nature with no sense of anyone else being around. The cover in the top right of the four seems to more focus on the blurred line between Kathy's, the narrator's, life and reality. This is found from her seemingly great life at Hailsham in contrast to her sole purpose being to donate her vital organs. Lastly, the fourth cover, in the bottom right, is very different from the other three. Instead of leaning towards the ideas of alienation and the contrast between Hailsham and reality, the image of the organs is an explicit expression of the purpose of the lives of the characters at Hailsham.


When I first look at this cover, the words that immediately come to my mind are: loneliness, peaceful, ominous, and still. The reason for this is that there appears to be not a single break or ripple in the water, with only a single boat in the image. The image itself makes me think of a calm spring morning on a lake, when there is no wind and only the sounds of birds. Yet, the color selection for the cover gives it a more ominous sense than this peaceful image. Yellows and greens can be seen before the coming of a tornado, signifying chaos and disruption of the calm. If I had not read the novel but simply saw the cover with the title, I would most likely think that it was about a sailor who was going to be gone for awhile with predicted storms and his wife or lover was worried that he wouldn't return. However, now that I have read it has a very different connection to the novel. The solidarity of the boat is a good representation of not only the alienation of the students/children as they are being raised for the sole purpose of donating their vital organs, but of each of them as individuals as well. Although they form their cliques or friend groups, many of their relationships are artificial or forced as they attempt to imitate what they see on T.V. or read in books about real humans. This is what they do to try and feel more real or normal, showing their loneliness or alienation from the world and hence represented in this cover image. It is also connected to the text, mainly the later part when they have left Hailsham and are staying at the cottages. If the image were viewed as the boat waiting to be taken out, it is like Kathy and the others who have the freedom to leave the cottages and yet do not take this opportunity because they fear what may happen or simply the change of no longer having the security and structure of their lives. There are many ways in which this cover could be connected to the novel aside from the ways mentioned above. The boat could be seen as a symbol of their moving on from Hailsham to the donors and carers, or from life to completion (death) when their bodies can no longer survive the donations.

The words that first come to my mind when viewing this cover are much different than the previous one. They include ones such as life, death, health, tragedy. It makes me think of one of the movies or stories where an individual within a couple is either in a horrible car accident or develops cancer, either way receiving terminal sentences due to damage or disease affecting their vital organs and the other not wanting to lose them. These ideas came from the fact that the image appearing to be hand drawn gives it a more fragile sense, as if it could fall or be taken apart at any moment. As well as with the title being written different size font, spread around the cover, and not all in line with each other, it portrays the uncertainty or tragedy that has or will happen as those are generally associated with disorganization. If I hadn't read the novel it would make me think of one or more of the situations that I described at the beginning of the paragraph as not only do books and films of the sort become quite popular, but they are tragedies that happen all the time to people in life with no warning and with no sort of control over them. After reading the text it still reminds me of the situations I discussed, however it also makes me think more of the relationship between the novel and the film The Island, where clones are living in a compound and when selected by a lottery get to leave to live on this island. However, they discover that their fate isn't so great when selected because their purpose is to donate their vital organs to rich people in need, similar to the children in the novel. For this, the cover has a literal and direct relationship to the text as it depicts the main organs that are taken from the characters to be donated to the humans in need of them for survival. With this, it would seem that the image is viewed from the perspective of one of the doctors, looking at the body of Kathy or one of the other subjects as they remove an organ for donation.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Once Upon a Time...

Link to Talk:   https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_emdin_teach_teachers_how_to_create_magic/transcript?language=en#t-396476

The point that the speaker is trying to convince the audience of is that we need to adjust our system of educating teachers so that they are better prepared and equipped to teach, and that those who currently possess these skills are not teachers. Christopher Emdin, the speaker, says that this ability is a sort of magic, but that it can be taught. Emdin began his talk by describing different techniques or methods employed by public education teachers today that are learned and taught in universities who follow a traditional curriculum for educating future teachers. Emdin explains that those he describes who already possess these skills are performers, preachers, and others who interact with people on a daily basis in a more relaxed form. He says it is from these people that future teachers should learn the skills of capturing an audience and storytelling, through immersion in the real world.

The main methods that Emdin uses in his talk to capture the audience are pathos and logos through both anecdotes and pre-existing data. By first appealing to the audience's emotions by describing different people in the world at that moment, such as the student who is trying to come up with a way to convince his parents that he's too sick to go to school and the educators who share their knowledge of the world, Emdin was able to capture their undivided attention because these were all people that the audience was able to relate to. Whether they had been in the situation of one of those people or had interacted with one of them at some point in their life, it was designed so that every individual would be attentive. This was effective in not only achieving its purpose, but also to support his argument as this was the magic that he was explaining and arguing that teachers need to be taught to hold their student's attention. He continues this line of thinking by explaining to the audience how those exceptional educators/storytellers, the performers, people who work in barbershops, the preachers, need to be observed by future educators. To learn the techniques that they use to be so successful in their professions. It is in this part of his talk that Emdin uses logos. Logically arguing that our future educators need to observe those who are best at their craft to be applied in the classroom as it will allow them to better teach and help their students if they are not only interested, but engaged and willing to learn.

The reason why I chose this talk is because I have experienced more types of education systems than the majority of people have, and within those have had both teachers that I have loved because they could get the whole class to pay attention without getting off task and have a good time while learning, as well as others who bore the class half to death and results in students not gaining anything constructive. The other reason is because I care a lot about the education system and how it is done here but believe that change needs to occur. Our education is a huge part of our lives and largely shapes who we become, making us the human that we are. It is for this reason that I believe it is so important and selected this TEDTalk to see what kind of ideas are being presented or examined to make change.

In summary, the purpose of this TEDTalk delivered by Christopher Emdin is to show the audience that change in our system is needed, not only for the young students but for how their educators are educated because that is the source of it all. Emdin was trying to communicate to the audience that although change needs to be made, the sources for this to happen are already present and just not being actively sought and used as we are currently studying theory with no application or experience of it before going into the professional world. Through his communication it seems Emdin is hoping that either someone in the audience, or someone who views the talk later on, may agree with him and make efforts to see these changes in the current systems.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Dual Nature of Humans

Excerpts:

Dr. Jekyll: Chapter 3 (pg.12)

Mr. Hyde: Chapter 2 (pg. 9-10)

Comparison:

The descriptions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde both come from the perspective of Mr. Utterson, and are carried out quite differently. The description of their actions may be what holds the largest contrast between the two in how it was done. Mr. Utterson first encounters Mr. Hyde outside the door in chapter two, upon which it says that Mr. Hyde has a "hissing intake of breath," instead of simply describing it as a gasp. The reason why it is significant is the connotations of the word 'hissing' as it is generally associated with the sound that a snake makes. Shortly after, Mr. Hyde "snarled aloud into a savage laugh," another animalistic comparison through the description of his actions to create a negative or foul image in the reader's mind. All of this is greatly contrasted by the description of Dr. Jekyll's actions, who is said to be well put together and kind. The first is example is when he is simply looking at Mr. Utterson and "you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection." Even when faced with a topic the Dr. did not wish to speak about, he was able to "carr(y) it off gaily."

The descriptions of the actions of the two characters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are written in very different voices to place them in different lights and set up complete opposite characters. The reason why they may have been so drastically set up is to show the duality of human nature, setting up a plot twist that would not be possible or as affective without the large contrast in character and idea development. Not only though, is the choice of voice used in each description setting up the plot twist, it is used to make the reader like Dr. Jekyll's character and further dislike Mr. Hyde. Although the descriptions of each character in these sections are focused around their appearance or actions, they develop the idea that people are able to have two polar opposite personalities, without others knowing. This allows for one of them to be the personality that people recognize and see in a positive light, with the other allowing them to perform unacceptable acts under the guise of it being another person. This is significant because it is a reflection of what goes on in the world today still, and could be used as a parallel to things such as personality disorder.

A Poem for Two 
(collabo-blog with Sydney Parker, we worked on both voices together to attempt to make the poem more cohesive and follow a smoother progression)

The purpose of this poem is to show how Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde each perceive Mr. Utterson as the novella's plot progresses, with the intended effect of portraying the duality of their personalities as they are interacting with the exact same person, but seeing him in different lights. Hyde's lack of conscience and morals, which leads to his dark acts, causes him to dislike Mr. Utterson due to the fact that he finds him intrusive and possibly with the aim to take everything in the will away from him. Dr. Jekyll, on the other hand, who is easy-going and light hearted, cares deeply for Mr. Utterson and finds him to be a genuine and caring person.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Life is but a Netflix queue...


Macbeth's Recommendations:
  • Supernatural
    • Supernatural follows the story of brothers Dean and Sam Winchester, who hunt supernatural beings and entities. The job was left to them by their father who disappeared whilst off chasing the most power demon and was stolen into the supernatural realm. Due to the loss of their father, the brothers took up the work in search of him, but face all sorts of challenges along the way. The show depicts their struggles with possessions and death of family and friends while showing the effect that the supernatural (that the majority of people cannot see) have on the real world. The reason why this would be included on Macbeth's recommendation list is because it is a parallel to his interaction with the witches as no one but Lady Macbeth knew that they existed but had such a large impact on the rest of the world. This happened by their influence on Macbeth's actions as he attempted to attain the crown through treason. 
  • Making a Murderer 
    •  This is a docuseries (like a documentary but broken into episodes for length) tells the tale of Steven Avery. A man who spend near two decades in prison for a crime that he was falsely accused of. You'd think that was about as bad as it could get, until he is then charged with the murder of 25 year old photographer Teresa Halbach, who was last seen on his property. Him and his nephew were both convicted of the crime, but not everyone is so convinced that he actually committed it. This show demonstrates the effects of false accusations on both the victims and those close to them. It would be included on the list for its provision of visible consequences on the guards (although not so much on them since they were killed) and the people close to them because it was not described in the play. This would also provide insight as to possible reasons for the guilt or remorse experienced by Macbeth. 
  • Rambo
    •  What man doesn't want to be able to take on 200 soldiers and defeat them with barely a scratch to show? That is Rambo. A troubled Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who has virtually every survival and combat skill set imaginable. The series of four movies follows his different adventures and life after war. He is living out his life of solitude in Thailand, but is contacted periodically to work as mercenary protection detail. The embodiment of a 'manly man,' Rambo is unstoppable and woos all the ladies. The reason it would be included is because it reveals the masculinity that Macbeth lacks, but that Lady Macbeth desires for him.
  • Wolf of Wall Street 
    •  Jordan Belfort was born and raised in New York by two accountant parents. As an adult he became a stockbroker, starting with penny stocks before progressing to Wall Street. During his career he scammed hundreds of people to make his millions. When brought to court for fraud and other crimes connected to stock-market manipulation he plead guilty and spent four years in prison and fined $110 million. The movie is not a documentary but based off of his story and the lavish life that he lived. Ambition led him to acquire his wealth through illegal activities and he suffered the consequences. It is a mirror image of the events and consequences that followed Macbeth when he tried to cut corners to fulfill a prophecy by killing Duncan, the current king, and then his best friend for his suspicion. He secured grandeur for only a short amount of time before being dethroned and killed. (So a little more violent than Belfort's punishment but same idea.)
  • Bloodline
    • A seemingly normal American family that in fact have their own demons lurking beneath the surface. Sound sorta familiar? The Rayburns are a family that is deeply involved in their Florida Keys community. Their hard work and commitment keep the community functioning and held together. The truth is, all of their pasts contain dark secrets that they must keep from the others. Their harmonious relationships begin to disintegrate as paranoia and mistrust climb from spreading lies, leading to an unthinkable crime. Seems to me a perfect recommendation for Macbeth's Netflix list. The show provides insight into the ongoings between his relationships with Lady Macbeth (his wife) and Banquo (his best friend). Everything seems great as he returns from battle with Banquo, then as the plot progresses he has him murdered for fear Banquo would expose his crime against Duncan.  

I apologize if it was lower quality, the one I wrote yesterday was A1 but it was a bit frustrating to do it again. Thank you again for understanding and the extension :)

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Witch-slapped: Macbeth's fall from grace

"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" - Lord Acton 

From the events of the play, Macbeth, by Shakespeare as well as other support from my own experiences from learning about history, I think that Shakespeare would agree with this statement to a great extent. In the play of Macbeth, Macbeth, a current Lord, was confronted by three witches when returning home from battle with Banquo. Here they delivered a prophecy to the two soldiers, naming Macbeth as "Thane of Glamis," "Thane of Cawdor," and "king hereafter." (Macbeth 1. 3) This was mysterious and confusing to him because currently only the first was true, making the rest interesting to him, but was then followed by a prophesying statement that Banquo's son would become king. 

Macbeth sends word of the prophecy to Lady Macbeth, who already being in a position of power as the wife of a Lord, instantly desired more and began to plot how to enable Macbeth becoming the king. This leads her to persuade him to kill Duncan, the current king, who is a great friend of theirs and has always done good. Lady Macbeth does this by questioning his manhood and coercing him. However, we not only see her corruption by power in this form, but through her soliloquy when she asks to be unsexed and for her blood to be thickened to commit these acts as she does not believe that her husband has the capacity to carry them out. The killing of Duncan by the Macbeth's is not the only, and maybe not even the main reason, why Macbeth would agree with this statement. After the king had been killed and Macbeth's power had grown, Banquo became doubtful of Macbeth's integrity and involvement in all of the happenings. To make sure that nothing came of this, Macbeth plotted Banquo's death and hired murderers to kill both him and his son Fleance, which would secure the throne not only for Macbeth but also his descendants. This shows how power corrupted him so absolutely that he was willing to turn on and kill his best friend just to retain it. 

Aside from the play, there have been many leaders and people who acquired power in history who were corrupted by it. An example of a figure who was corrupted by power, and actually died recently, is Fidel Castro. Castro led the Cuban Revolution against the government of the time due to the oppression of the Cuban people and the unjust treatment from which they suffered. His original goal was mainly good as he aimed to liberate the Cuban people, which succeeded and he was placed into a position of power as the new leader of the country, at least until things were stabilized. For awhile he did do good for the people, which is why even today so many people still liked him. However, he quickly became corrupted by his absolute power in a time of such turmoil. It was through this that he was able to secure his position and rule for the next 55 YEARS. He modeled much of what he originally fought against and many Cubans were exiled or had to flee to America to escape his terror. 

There are many more instances in which people in positions of absolute power have been absolutely corrupted, including some people who are currently still in power and causing many people to have to lead difficult and fearful lives. So, with the examples from Macbeth as well as history as support, I believe that Macbeth would agree with the statement to a great extent. 



Sunday, November 13, 2016

#IBMakingart

Reliquary Pendant with Queen Margaret of Sicily Blessed by Bishop Reginald of Bath
Artist: Bishop Reginald of Bath
Title: Reliquary Pendant with Queen Margaret of Sicily Blessed by Bishop Reginald of Bath
Date: 1174-1177
Medium: Gold
Size: 5 x 3.1 x 0.7 cm
During the late 1100s, when this piece was made in Canterbury, England, there was a lot of divide and conflict over religion and its practices. This caused most of people's lives to revolve around it, either from wars or everyday life, and led many artists to create religious artworks. However, it was not only artists who created pieces as religion had been tied to murder and so pieces like this were used as a way to show sympathy or other emotions. The time period in which the piece was created is also significant because it was just a few years after the murder of the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, by the king.

The little picture of this piece is quite literally engraved into it, a gift from Bishop Reginald to Queen Margaret of Sicily. It was given to her by him at her son's wedding when he married the daughter of Henry II in 1177. The exact reason as to why he presented this gift to her is unknown, but the different, deliberate choices made in its design can be used to infer its purposes. This can also be representative of the fact that although conflict was present between the ruling body and religious figures, it was not between all of them and that positive relationships could be preserved.

It is arranged so that the observer's eye is drawn to the center, the large part of the pendant containing to image of the pendant being handed from Bishop Reginald to Queen Margaret. Around this central image is inscribed the title of the piece, to make clear what exactly is happening in the image and who the two people are. On the back of the pendant is an open space, now without covering or items inside, but makes it clear that it did serve a purpose and originally held something. Along with this open space is a list of items that were held within it.





The piece and the fact that it was given as a gift may both hold a lot of significance. As mentioned, it is currently empty, however, the list that was on the back of the pendant names pieces of clothing items that were held. Specifically, it said: "Of the blood of Saint Thomas martyr. Of his vestments stained with his blood: of the cloak, the belt, the hood, the shoe, the shirt.” This was in reference to Thomas Becket, the same one who was murdered, in that it held pieces of his bloodied clothing. The significance of them being placed in this pendant, held in by a crystal, and presented to the Queen of Sicily as a gift is the possible meanings of this. It could be that this is evidence of some sort of relationship or friendship between the Queen and Becket that was not widely known. Regardless as to whether or not this is its original significance, it is one that could be inferred from what is seen. It is also significant as it emphasizes the importance of relics and such within both the political and social commerce of the time.