-Is Guthrie's message individualist or collectivist? Explain.
-Do you find this song to be more pro-government or anti-government? Explain.
Guthrie's message is primarily collectivist because he discusses how the land was made for both "you and me." He doesn't single anyone out; instead, he speaks of the beauty of the land and tells how it is for everyone.
It seems to be anti-government because he talks about appreciating the land as opposed to controlling it. Also, at the end of the song, he sees the sign that says "no trespassing," which could represent the government, and shows the emotions he feels about this-frustration, wistfulness, etc.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
1984 Reading Journal Part II
Winston seems to be having trouble buying into what Big Brother is selling because much of it seems irrational to him. He doesn't see why the values are what they are: children selling their parents to the Thought Police, people becoming excited over a hanging, etc. He wants the freedoms that he doesn't have, like the freedom of choice-in areas that could mean his job, his wife, etc. He has no future with Julia, which is what he wants above all, and it is because of the Party that he is stripped of this choice.
His questioning is indeed a form of rebellion-the people in this society are supposed to agree with the Party in every way, yet Winston thinks what he thinks and wonders who else might think the same way. His small rebellion can be compared with Occupy Wall Street-both Winston and the modern-day protesters are fighting the government for what they believe is right. It is, however, ironic that Winston should be fighting for more freedom and less government control while the Occupy Wall Street protesters are asking the government to do something specific instead of trying to overthrow them. Overall, our society has adapted the common parts of the Orwellian society, but nothing, as in many occasions, is to an extreme. Our citizens protest what they think is wrong and believe firmly what they believe; the difference between the two is that in our society, we have the freedom to think.
His questioning is indeed a form of rebellion-the people in this society are supposed to agree with the Party in every way, yet Winston thinks what he thinks and wonders who else might think the same way. His small rebellion can be compared with Occupy Wall Street-both Winston and the modern-day protesters are fighting the government for what they believe is right. It is, however, ironic that Winston should be fighting for more freedom and less government control while the Occupy Wall Street protesters are asking the government to do something specific instead of trying to overthrow them. Overall, our society has adapted the common parts of the Orwellian society, but nothing, as in many occasions, is to an extreme. Our citizens protest what they think is wrong and believe firmly what they believe; the difference between the two is that in our society, we have the freedom to think.
The Egg
-What kind of man was the narrator's father before he married? What changes did he undergo after marriage?
-How does the narrator feel about and view chickens?
-Why does the narrator claim to have had trouble, even as a child, being happy? What are we to make of the author's supposed gloominess and cautions against optimism?
-What role does the father's collection of "grotesques" play in the story?
-After abandoning chicken farming and going into the restaraunt business, what decision does the father make regarding his personality and behavior? What is wrong with this decision, and what happens as a consequence of it?
-What is the meaning of the narrator's statement about the "complete and total triumph of the egg"?
Before the narrator's father was married, he had a routine of a day of work and then an evening at the pub. He was very happy with his life and had little ambition for a higher status or job.
The narrator sees chickens as more trouble than they are worth and overall a complete waste of time. He comments on how they hatch, maybe get diseases, and die; he doesn't see why it is worth paying the money for them to be unreliable.
The narrator says that he was denied a happy childhood because he grew up and worked on a chicken farm. He says that if he hadd not been raised there, he would not have been surrounded by death and he would not have grown up as gloomy as he did.
The father's collection of "grotesques" is what he thinks-and hopes-will bring great success for him and his family. They are, however, extremely strange and quite unsuccessful-they could symbolize the attempt/failure of the narrator's parents ambitions.
The narrator's father tried to beome more cheerful and optimistic about life and his ambitions, and he decided to try to entertain the customers in his restaraunt. However, he never put this idea into action until one day when a young man came in and was bewildered to see the father, suffering from severe stage-fright. The father ended up scaring off the young man after throwing an egg at him in frustration; overall, his plans to be enteraining were less than successful.
The narrator feels that the egg was always hurting him; he grew up surrounded by chickens hatching from eggs who would either die or have more eggs and then die. He felt that they were always in control of his life. This final "triumph" meant that the egg had caused him anxiety and strife once again.
-How does the narrator feel about and view chickens?
-Why does the narrator claim to have had trouble, even as a child, being happy? What are we to make of the author's supposed gloominess and cautions against optimism?
-What role does the father's collection of "grotesques" play in the story?
-After abandoning chicken farming and going into the restaraunt business, what decision does the father make regarding his personality and behavior? What is wrong with this decision, and what happens as a consequence of it?
-What is the meaning of the narrator's statement about the "complete and total triumph of the egg"?
Before the narrator's father was married, he had a routine of a day of work and then an evening at the pub. He was very happy with his life and had little ambition for a higher status or job.
The narrator sees chickens as more trouble than they are worth and overall a complete waste of time. He comments on how they hatch, maybe get diseases, and die; he doesn't see why it is worth paying the money for them to be unreliable.
The narrator says that he was denied a happy childhood because he grew up and worked on a chicken farm. He says that if he hadd not been raised there, he would not have been surrounded by death and he would not have grown up as gloomy as he did.
The father's collection of "grotesques" is what he thinks-and hopes-will bring great success for him and his family. They are, however, extremely strange and quite unsuccessful-they could symbolize the attempt/failure of the narrator's parents ambitions.
The narrator's father tried to beome more cheerful and optimistic about life and his ambitions, and he decided to try to entertain the customers in his restaraunt. However, he never put this idea into action until one day when a young man came in and was bewildered to see the father, suffering from severe stage-fright. The father ended up scaring off the young man after throwing an egg at him in frustration; overall, his plans to be enteraining were less than successful.
The narrator feels that the egg was always hurting him; he grew up surrounded by chickens hatching from eggs who would either die or have more eggs and then die. He felt that they were always in control of his life. This final "triumph" meant that the egg had caused him anxiety and strife once again.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
American Friendship Questions
"I have heard many international newcomers say that American friendships are superficial. They say Americans do not know what true friendship is; they seem very friendly at first, but the friendships do not grow."
-What are some reasons Americans are perceived in this way?
According to the article, Americans tend to be friendly in the beginning of a relationship, mostly because they move often or live among people who move often. They also turn to outsiders for help in everyday situations, which is odd to those in other cultures who tend to turn to those with whom they're close. Speaking from experience, I know that Americans do have close friends in whom they confide-I have several best friends like this.
-What are some reasons Americans are perceived in this way?
According to the article, Americans tend to be friendly in the beginning of a relationship, mostly because they move often or live among people who move often. They also turn to outsiders for help in everyday situations, which is odd to those in other cultures who tend to turn to those with whom they're close. Speaking from experience, I know that Americans do have close friends in whom they confide-I have several best friends like this.
Collectivistic vs. Individualistic Cultures
-In a collectivistic culture, what personality traits are likely to be considered ideal? What about in an individualistic culture?
-In some societies, your opinion is likely to be challenged if you're the oldest in your family or if you have a PhD or the most published books in your university. From the other side of the conflict, you may not feel free to assert yourself with such a person if your status is near the bottom of the group. In what type of culture might this be true? Explain.
-Create a specific conflict that may occur when a teacher from an individualistic culture goes to teach in a collectivistic culture or vice versa. Identify the conflict as internal or external. Explain what clash of values caused the conflict and how the conflict may be resolved.
-What is an aquaintance? Does the word aquaintance have a positive or negative connotation?
In a collectivistic culture, personality traits that are considered ideal are selflessness and modesty. On the other hand, traits such as determination and motivation are ideal in an individualistic as these inspire independence.
This would be an individualistic society because single people are judged adn trusted based on their actions as opposed to a stron sense of equality that might be present within an entire group. People are ranked in trustworthiness based on their achievements and their past, and they stand out as an individual.
If a teacher from a collectivist society came and taught in an individualistic society, he or she might use teaching methods intended to move the entire class forward at a constant rate, while the class might be used to methods that allow them to work at their own rate, allowing for some to stand out. An example for a solution for this would be a more moderate teaching method.
An aquaintance is someone who is not a friend but is by no means an enemy. It is a person known well enough to talk to, but not close enough that one could confide in them. This word typically has a positive connotation.
-In some societies, your opinion is likely to be challenged if you're the oldest in your family or if you have a PhD or the most published books in your university. From the other side of the conflict, you may not feel free to assert yourself with such a person if your status is near the bottom of the group. In what type of culture might this be true? Explain.
-Create a specific conflict that may occur when a teacher from an individualistic culture goes to teach in a collectivistic culture or vice versa. Identify the conflict as internal or external. Explain what clash of values caused the conflict and how the conflict may be resolved.
-What is an aquaintance? Does the word aquaintance have a positive or negative connotation?
In a collectivistic culture, personality traits that are considered ideal are selflessness and modesty. On the other hand, traits such as determination and motivation are ideal in an individualistic as these inspire independence.
This would be an individualistic society because single people are judged adn trusted based on their actions as opposed to a stron sense of equality that might be present within an entire group. People are ranked in trustworthiness based on their achievements and their past, and they stand out as an individual.
If a teacher from a collectivist society came and taught in an individualistic society, he or she might use teaching methods intended to move the entire class forward at a constant rate, while the class might be used to methods that allow them to work at their own rate, allowing for some to stand out. An example for a solution for this would be a more moderate teaching method.
An aquaintance is someone who is not a friend but is by no means an enemy. It is a person known well enough to talk to, but not close enough that one could confide in them. This word typically has a positive connotation.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
"2+2=5"-Radiohead
-What is this song talking about lyrically?
-How does the music mirror or help push the message?
-The title is an allusion to 1984; explain the connection.
Lyrically, this song is talking about an overload of power to one source and no control to another source (the speaker). It is also implied that what the authority says is always correct, despite the fact that it could have huge flaws in it. This could be a relationship problem between two people so that one person is extremely controlling and there is no balance.
The music sounds angry and frustrated, but it is not straight to the point. The speaker sounds slightly conflicted and confused.
Firstly, the title is a quote from 1984 in which it is said that everything Big Brother says is right, even if he said 2+2=5. The similarity is that the power is out of control and chaos is disguised as organization.
-How does the music mirror or help push the message?
-The title is an allusion to 1984; explain the connection.
Lyrically, this song is talking about an overload of power to one source and no control to another source (the speaker). It is also implied that what the authority says is always correct, despite the fact that it could have huge flaws in it. This could be a relationship problem between two people so that one person is extremely controlling and there is no balance.
The music sounds angry and frustrated, but it is not straight to the point. The speaker sounds slightly conflicted and confused.
Firstly, the title is a quote from 1984 in which it is said that everything Big Brother says is right, even if he said 2+2=5. The similarity is that the power is out of control and chaos is disguised as organization.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Faith and Globalization Initiative
-Identify the conflict. Is it internal or external?
-How/why does globalization create conflict? In the speaker's opinion, globalization has flown in only one direction. What does she mean by this?
-Although the speaker feels globalization has been one-sided, she notes there has been one benefit related to the precess. What benefit does she mean?
-The speaker says Muslims and Westerners live by/are obligated to two different sources of truth. What sources does she mean?
This is an external conflict because it is between two or more people as opposed to simply one person debating with herself about something.
Varying views combined are bound to create a clash between opinions-globalization opens up many opportunities for there to be conflict between many different ideas. In saying that globalization has flown in only one direction, the speaker means that standards are biased.
The benefit that she noted is that in Western culture, there are role models in the media that show people what it means to be a strong woman holding her own. However, there are Muslim/Eastern role models that few people are aware of.
The sources she mentions are the Constitution and the Qu'ran.
-How/why does globalization create conflict? In the speaker's opinion, globalization has flown in only one direction. What does she mean by this?
-Although the speaker feels globalization has been one-sided, she notes there has been one benefit related to the precess. What benefit does she mean?
-The speaker says Muslims and Westerners live by/are obligated to two different sources of truth. What sources does she mean?
This is an external conflict because it is between two or more people as opposed to simply one person debating with herself about something.
Varying views combined are bound to create a clash between opinions-globalization opens up many opportunities for there to be conflict between many different ideas. In saying that globalization has flown in only one direction, the speaker means that standards are biased.
The benefit that she noted is that in Western culture, there are role models in the media that show people what it means to be a strong woman holding her own. However, there are Muslim/Eastern role models that few people are aware of.
The sources she mentions are the Constitution and the Qu'ran.
Monday, October 17, 2011
1984 Reading Journal Part I
The society in the book 1984 is meant by the government to be a utopia, but has become more of a dystopia, even if many of the citizens cannot recognize this fact. The government, in true utopian fashion, has tried to make all citizens appear equal and happy by way of the same opportunities, homes, foods, etc. for all citizens. However, the citizens have been stripped of all rights-freedom of speech, religion, even thoughts! Only Goldstein, who is despised by all (or is meant to be), suggests that people should have such rights, and the people follow the government in saying that this idea is preposterous. One might think that it would be difficult to convince people to conform so easily to such strange ideas; however, the government is all-powerful and often arrests people or makes it so that they simply "no longer exist" if they are not cooperating with the rules. Enough people think that they are happy that there is no mass thought of a revolution. Overall, the people are told that they live in a perfect world, even with their patched clothes and disgusting food and smelly houses--proving that this is a dystopia in disguise as a utopia.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Utopia
-What is a utopia?
-What is your ideal world?
-What type of music would be the soundtrack for your utopia?
A utopia is a world perfectly under control.
My ideal world has no violence-people are not killed, there is no war, etc. People respect each other and don't hurt each other; the world is very peaceful. People are also more environmentally friendly and manage resources well.
The music would typically be peaceful and calm-however, people would be able to listen to their own music, because people favor so many different kinds and it would be taking control too far to restrict music.
-What is your ideal world?
-What type of music would be the soundtrack for your utopia?
A utopia is a world perfectly under control.
My ideal world has no violence-people are not killed, there is no war, etc. People respect each other and don't hurt each other; the world is very peaceful. People are also more environmentally friendly and manage resources well.
The music would typically be peaceful and calm-however, people would be able to listen to their own music, because people favor so many different kinds and it would be taking control too far to restrict music.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Chuck Baird
-Make a claim about the author's voice. Support with facts.
-Identify a culture within these paintings.
-Write a claim you could make about this culture based on the paintings.
The artist's voice is reflected through the diversity of color in his work. This shows that he is probably accepting and open to many different views and ideas.
His culture is most likely an open and accepting environment-he does not limit himself in his art.
His paintings show no limitations in regard to color, which shows that his culture is accepting and shows no boundaries.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
-Make an inference about the lyrical content of the song and explain it.
-Write one analytical statement about the musical content of the song and explain/support it.
-Make one evaluative statement about the song's overall effectiveness and support it.
-Write one analytical statement about the musical content of the song and explain/support it.
-Make one evaluative statement about the song's overall effectiveness and support it.
The lyrics show that the speaker has experienced pain and loss, clearly illustrated by the lyrics, "You were wrong when you said everything's gonna be alright," and "You were right when you said you can't always get what you want."
The slide of the electric guitar in the musical aspects of this song shows the lack of structure in the speaker's life. Not everything is planned, and sometimes things just happen without any interference.
The overall effectiveness of this song seems somewhat contradictory. The lyrics imply that the speaker is in a lot of pain, but the background music seems too loud and doesn't seem to flow as much as one would think with the lyrics.
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