EQ of choosing : What allows some individuals to take a stand against prejudice/oppression while others choose to participate in it?
Article read: The Rwandan Girl Who Refused To Die
As we grow up, our authority figures always tell us not just to be a bystander, but be a leader instead and make a difference. The same principle applies the other way around. The genocide in Rwanda is a perfect example of such a teaching. The Hutu tribe saw a threat to their culture against the Tutsi tribe therefore they took things into their own hands and started to eliminate the Tutsi to assure their survival in Rwanda. Those that refused to kill or take part of the killing were eliminated, therefore for those that did not believe in the cause, they found difficulty in refusing such an order. The Hutus can be compared and likened to many groups and gangs in history, some identical to them, some with rarely any similarities, but the factor of challenging a majority is within every single one.
Fergal Keane was the journalist who chose to write about this Rwandan girl, Valentina, who refused to let go of her life. In this article, it not only talks about Valentina's own experiences, but also that of one of the killers that murdered the rest of her family. Denis Bagaruka, one of the gang of men that were responsible for the killing at the local church, spoke of his experience to Keane. He explained how although he was taken care of by a Tutsi man, he still took part of the killing at the church. Keane was very forward with his questions, so Bagaruka was forward with his answers. He not only recounted an experience of of him witnessing his Tutsi guardian being blown up by a grenade, but he also explained why he partook of the massacre. According the the 56 year old grandfather, he took apart of the killing to save himself from the firing squad. He could not take apart of the injustice and oppression that the officiating Hutus applied to the citizens, therefore he could only give in and do what he needed to keep him and his family safe.
Valentina, a 13 year old girl was the one to take a stand. Having witnessed the killing of her parents, her neighbours and many more, Valentina proved that she was destined to live rather than give up on life. Although her stand was not as obvious as the children who refused to submit to the Hutus, she took a stand against death. Even with a deep wound on her head and many fingers chopped off, she fought to live. Everyone that saw her expected her to die, even by just looking at her situation. Both her parents and her siblings were killed and she was stuck inside a church with dozens of decomposing bodies and there was little food or water. On top of that, she had no medical attention. She could have easily lost the will to live and given up her chance on life, but she refused. Medical help came, and the rest was history. Keane saw her three years later and saw a healthy 16 year old teenager...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Movie Analysis Summative
Heathers
In this specific movie, a clique of girls who dominate the school experience a different sort of friendship. Out of the four girls, three of the girls' names are Heather while the other girl is Veronica. Being the most popular girls at school comes with a lot of pressure, which is why Veronica wants out. Soon, her interest in a new boy, J.D. spikes as she sees potential in his bad boy rep to help her out of the group. Soon, she realizes that JD pushes her to the extremes, such to as killing her best friend and other acts she never thought she would have done.
The first layer of the story is what is obvious, Veronica being tricked to kill her friends, but then taking on a new persona with this new desire and letting it grow by itself. By going out with JD, this new desire and hunger settles as her relationship with him helps that desire and hunger grow and take a life on its own.
The next layer would be why Veronica wanted out of the clique and why Veronica wants JD to be the one to help her as she seeks for a response. This layer will include not only her own opinions, but the opinions of other people around her, who have an influencing factor on her. Such as having JD, such a dark character that does not look at the bright side of things beside her, will strongly influence her decisions. Besides, it isn't just any kind of relationship, but it is a girlfriend/boyfriend scenario where they are likely to listen to one another more than a casual friendship.
The third and final layer includes her history, how she was brought up and her place in society which has serious influence on Veronica and how she grew up. It seems that Veronica has had a normal childhood, but what is untold can say a lot. Maybe in her past, there were some events that led her down this path. As well, choosing JD as her love interest is also another influencing factor since she has never been into his type. Why she chose him and why she had such a change in taste greatly influence her in every way.
Even if none of these layers show any sign of darkness, darkness can always be conveyed through the characters. When Veronica use the fire of the explosion to light her cigarette, it revealed the dark nature of her as having the guts to cause an explosion that cost a life and using it to light her cigarette which revealed her cruel nature. Such an event perfectly conveys darkness in the movie.
A character is able to represent darkness by how they choose to express themselves as in what kind of clothes they wear or what their taste in music is. A story or the writer is able to convey darkness through the setting as well because it sets the mood and tone of that scene or the whole story. Such as in Harry Potter, the whole movie seems eerie and gloomy because the movie is about the fight between the good and the evil.
A text to world connection can be made to every girl, or even guy, that wanted to leave the group they are currently attending and trying to find different ways to do that. Although the measures taken will definitely be less extreme than those that Veronica took, it can still relate as the desperateness to be anything but a part of something that is happening at the moment.
The EQ of choice that I chose to answer is : Are we implicated in injustice and what can we do about it? This specific EQ relates very well with the character of Veronica as she finds herself in the middle of injustice against her best friends and instead of stopping it, she goes along with it. JD is the root of the problem along with her desperate need to escape the group, but as her relationship with JD grows, she finds that he feeds her desperate need with his knowledge of things that are beyond her expertise. What Veronica could have done was put her foot down and decide that this was not the way that she wanted to carry out her plan, but instead, she was taken over the desperate need and heavily influenced by JD's knowledge of darkness.
I improved my piece by adding onto each idea and really identifying it as well as putting in more examples to justify myself. I also expanded the piece and full developed each idea.
In this specific movie, a clique of girls who dominate the school experience a different sort of friendship. Out of the four girls, three of the girls' names are Heather while the other girl is Veronica. Being the most popular girls at school comes with a lot of pressure, which is why Veronica wants out. Soon, her interest in a new boy, J.D. spikes as she sees potential in his bad boy rep to help her out of the group. Soon, she realizes that JD pushes her to the extremes, such to as killing her best friend and other acts she never thought she would have done.
The first layer of the story is what is obvious, Veronica being tricked to kill her friends, but then taking on a new persona with this new desire and letting it grow by itself. By going out with JD, this new desire and hunger settles as her relationship with him helps that desire and hunger grow and take a life on its own.
The next layer would be why Veronica wanted out of the clique and why Veronica wants JD to be the one to help her as she seeks for a response. This layer will include not only her own opinions, but the opinions of other people around her, who have an influencing factor on her. Such as having JD, such a dark character that does not look at the bright side of things beside her, will strongly influence her decisions. Besides, it isn't just any kind of relationship, but it is a girlfriend/boyfriend scenario where they are likely to listen to one another more than a casual friendship.
The third and final layer includes her history, how she was brought up and her place in society which has serious influence on Veronica and how she grew up. It seems that Veronica has had a normal childhood, but what is untold can say a lot. Maybe in her past, there were some events that led her down this path. As well, choosing JD as her love interest is also another influencing factor since she has never been into his type. Why she chose him and why she had such a change in taste greatly influence her in every way.
Even if none of these layers show any sign of darkness, darkness can always be conveyed through the characters. When Veronica use the fire of the explosion to light her cigarette, it revealed the dark nature of her as having the guts to cause an explosion that cost a life and using it to light her cigarette which revealed her cruel nature. Such an event perfectly conveys darkness in the movie.
A character is able to represent darkness by how they choose to express themselves as in what kind of clothes they wear or what their taste in music is. A story or the writer is able to convey darkness through the setting as well because it sets the mood and tone of that scene or the whole story. Such as in Harry Potter, the whole movie seems eerie and gloomy because the movie is about the fight between the good and the evil.
A text to world connection can be made to every girl, or even guy, that wanted to leave the group they are currently attending and trying to find different ways to do that. Although the measures taken will definitely be less extreme than those that Veronica took, it can still relate as the desperateness to be anything but a part of something that is happening at the moment.
The EQ of choice that I chose to answer is : Are we implicated in injustice and what can we do about it? This specific EQ relates very well with the character of Veronica as she finds herself in the middle of injustice against her best friends and instead of stopping it, she goes along with it. JD is the root of the problem along with her desperate need to escape the group, but as her relationship with JD grows, she finds that he feeds her desperate need with his knowledge of things that are beyond her expertise. What Veronica could have done was put her foot down and decide that this was not the way that she wanted to carry out her plan, but instead, she was taken over the desperate need and heavily influenced by JD's knowledge of darkness.
I improved my piece by adding onto each idea and really identifying it as well as putting in more examples to justify myself. I also expanded the piece and full developed each idea.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Cask of Amontillado Response
EQ 1: What are the layers of context/setting in this film?
The first layer is the obvious layer. On the surface, this story seems like a quest between to friends for the quest of the rare sherry, Amontillado, in a deserted catacomb, which may ray suspicions. However, the creepy, dark setting brings us into the next level, which is the meaning of the story. As the story comes the a conclusion, it is realized that Fortunado had fallen in the trap of his companion, chaining himself to his death. The narrator knew how to tug onto Fortunado's heartstrings by tempting him with the rare Amontillado. Because of Fortunado's desire for Amontillado, he blindly follows his companion to wherever he leads him. Once inside the catacomb, his companion turns on him and reveals his true intentions. He led Fortunado to the catacombs for revenge, to chain him to the wall so he cannot escape. Finally, in examining the third layer of the story, we ask ourselves what is the true nature of our narrator. Has Fortunado done something so bad that he deserves to be locked alive in a catacomb, doomed for death? The narrator's nature is truly questioned due to his way to execute his revenge. We also see how Fortunado's lust for Amontillado, desire for it, to lead him to his death, unknowingly. By creating the setting, a dark, gloomy, catacomb, Poe created the perfect setting for the unexpected act of the narrator chaining his victim to the wall, ceasing all hopes or ways of attempted escape or anything else.
EQ 2: How does the author/poet convey evil or darkness? Is it through the plot, imagery, characters, setting? What expressions of darkness had the most impact on you and why?
The poet/author conveyed darkness by making the setting a place of darkness and death to set the mood of the story. Although the carnival at the beginning seems like a happy and friendly place, Poe chose to take the story to a totally different mood. The characters did not give much information about what is to happen, other than the introduction of the beginning as the narrator talks of revenge. The setting does make an impact in this story, but I prefer a more direct approach, an approach through the portrayal of characters to see what they are thinking, which gives a more personal feel towards the story.
EQ 3: How can a character represent darkness? Who or what is evil in this film? From whose perspective or in what context?
A character is able to represent darkness by what they say, how they say it, what they wear as well as the places they choose to go to. In this story, in the very end, the narrator, the one that led Fortunado to his death was the "evil" one. Even though Fortunado seems like the pessimistic character in the story as it progresses, but in the end, the narrator is the one that does the deed to prove his suspected nature. The perspective is from that of the audience, that of the reader in the context of the this story. Although it is a dark story, it questions the human nature and what a normal person may be thinking, of how we judge, it is still a story that explores the character and what is within them.
EQ 4: What factors contribute to the character's evil actions? What patterns in society or context help and/or hinder and/or change in his behaviour?
Factors that may contribute to the evil actions of our character include the time, what is happening in the society, politically as well as economically. It might also come in the form of the people he is surrounded by and their influencing factor on his decisions. The pattern in society may also change his behaviour as a sign of the survival instinct.
EQ 5: What are the roots of this person's choices/evil/dark behaviour? What are the choices he/she makes or could have done differently?
The roots of Montresor choices and behaviour in this specific story is revenge. It is because of his desire and the temptation of revenge on Fortunado. The choices that he could have done differently include choosing not to take revenge on Fortunado and be a good person by forgiving and forgetting. Also, he could have made different decisions on how to execute this dreadful act, maybe a more humane way of doing things.
EQ 6: How does this character/plot/setting symbolize the darkness in all of us? In humanity?
The character himself symbolized darkness by his choice of executing his revenge on Fortunado. The plot itself lead the story to a place of darkness, but at first glance, it does not to be going down the path of darkness. As the story wraps itself up, the plot reveals its true nature and that of the character as well. By choosing the lead the characters to a dark, somber catacombs This directly links us to the setting. By choosing a dark, deserted, somber catacomb, the author portrays a setting that is filled with death, resembles the terminations of life and casts the air of suspicion to both characters, although one of them realize what is going to happen. In humanity, there are always things that happen, especially the moment you turn on the news. People, events and setting may also symbolize darkness by casting the eery atmosphere, the choices people make, and the situations people find themselves in.
The first layer is the obvious layer. On the surface, this story seems like a quest between to friends for the quest of the rare sherry, Amontillado, in a deserted catacomb, which may ray suspicions. However, the creepy, dark setting brings us into the next level, which is the meaning of the story. As the story comes the a conclusion, it is realized that Fortunado had fallen in the trap of his companion, chaining himself to his death. The narrator knew how to tug onto Fortunado's heartstrings by tempting him with the rare Amontillado. Because of Fortunado's desire for Amontillado, he blindly follows his companion to wherever he leads him. Once inside the catacomb, his companion turns on him and reveals his true intentions. He led Fortunado to the catacombs for revenge, to chain him to the wall so he cannot escape. Finally, in examining the third layer of the story, we ask ourselves what is the true nature of our narrator. Has Fortunado done something so bad that he deserves to be locked alive in a catacomb, doomed for death? The narrator's nature is truly questioned due to his way to execute his revenge. We also see how Fortunado's lust for Amontillado, desire for it, to lead him to his death, unknowingly. By creating the setting, a dark, gloomy, catacomb, Poe created the perfect setting for the unexpected act of the narrator chaining his victim to the wall, ceasing all hopes or ways of attempted escape or anything else.
EQ 2: How does the author/poet convey evil or darkness? Is it through the plot, imagery, characters, setting? What expressions of darkness had the most impact on you and why?
The poet/author conveyed darkness by making the setting a place of darkness and death to set the mood of the story. Although the carnival at the beginning seems like a happy and friendly place, Poe chose to take the story to a totally different mood. The characters did not give much information about what is to happen, other than the introduction of the beginning as the narrator talks of revenge. The setting does make an impact in this story, but I prefer a more direct approach, an approach through the portrayal of characters to see what they are thinking, which gives a more personal feel towards the story.
EQ 3: How can a character represent darkness? Who or what is evil in this film? From whose perspective or in what context?
A character is able to represent darkness by what they say, how they say it, what they wear as well as the places they choose to go to. In this story, in the very end, the narrator, the one that led Fortunado to his death was the "evil" one. Even though Fortunado seems like the pessimistic character in the story as it progresses, but in the end, the narrator is the one that does the deed to prove his suspected nature. The perspective is from that of the audience, that of the reader in the context of the this story. Although it is a dark story, it questions the human nature and what a normal person may be thinking, of how we judge, it is still a story that explores the character and what is within them.
EQ 4: What factors contribute to the character's evil actions? What patterns in society or context help and/or hinder and/or change in his behaviour?
Factors that may contribute to the evil actions of our character include the time, what is happening in the society, politically as well as economically. It might also come in the form of the people he is surrounded by and their influencing factor on his decisions. The pattern in society may also change his behaviour as a sign of the survival instinct.
EQ 5: What are the roots of this person's choices/evil/dark behaviour? What are the choices he/she makes or could have done differently?
The roots of Montresor choices and behaviour in this specific story is revenge. It is because of his desire and the temptation of revenge on Fortunado. The choices that he could have done differently include choosing not to take revenge on Fortunado and be a good person by forgiving and forgetting. Also, he could have made different decisions on how to execute this dreadful act, maybe a more humane way of doing things.
EQ 6: How does this character/plot/setting symbolize the darkness in all of us? In humanity?
The character himself symbolized darkness by his choice of executing his revenge on Fortunado. The plot itself lead the story to a place of darkness, but at first glance, it does not to be going down the path of darkness. As the story wraps itself up, the plot reveals its true nature and that of the character as well. By choosing the lead the characters to a dark, somber catacombs This directly links us to the setting. By choosing a dark, deserted, somber catacomb, the author portrays a setting that is filled with death, resembles the terminations of life and casts the air of suspicion to both characters, although one of them realize what is going to happen. In humanity, there are always things that happen, especially the moment you turn on the news. People, events and setting may also symbolize darkness by casting the eery atmosphere, the choices people make, and the situations people find themselves in.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
response
How true that we do need a balance. Unfortunatley that is what are society since the beginning of time has created the need for. That is all we know. We have never known a society that is all pure. How "evily" put. to be reeled and spit out! What a harsh world we do live. Do you not think we can survive it and overcome the darkness? Can one not change their morals? Do we go back to the nature/ nuture theory?
You have raised many valid issues in your well written piece. Great diction.
You have raised many valid issues in your well written piece. Great diction.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Why darkness exists in society
The depressing term of darkness is able to make a name for itself, survive, and thrive in a society based upon good morals and good intentions. Why? It is the same principle as black on white. You will never know the how pure and simple white is until you see the hideous looming black behind it, creating that contrast, that attention the black craves for. Therefore, darkness is able to exist in our society due to the need of a contrast to the good morals and good intentions. Without the darkness looming behind, the good morals and actions will never be noticed and will never shine through the dark. Remember, a hero would not exist is there was a villain. The two need each other to survive, to thrive in the monster of society that will reel you in and spit you out. Their nature are forever entwined and their paths inseparable.
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