Thursday, November 15, 2012

Irony is 1984

The novel 1984 written by George Orwell is about a man named Winston Smith who lives in Airstrip One, Oceania, which was now known in the past to be London, England; it was taken over by a government called Big Brother. There are many themes being observed in this novel so far such as foreshadowing, sex, and irony. The definition of irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Even though many examples of irony are observed in this novel, the ones that were most noticeable were the dark-haired woman and the three slogans. One example of irony that was noticeable was the irony behind the dark-haired woman. This is considered ironic because when Winston first saw her he stated that he hated her, but in his dreams he likes her. Winston’s lusted for her in his dream but knew that she was part of the Anti-Sex League. Even though she was in the Anti-Sex League in Winston’s dreams she encourages sex. It’s ironic because it contradicts itself. Another example of irony is the three slogan of the party: War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength. The first line of the slogan is ironic because Oceania is constantly at war, according to Winston. The second line of the slogan is also ironic because by not being free, no one can do anything that is not acceptable by the party. The party wants people to believe that if you are independent, you are going to fail. The third line of the slogan, being Ignorance is Strength, is ironic because Winston and his comrades fail to notice all contradictions and lies that are being fed to them by the party which is giving the party more strength over control.By paying attention to detail in a book, novel, movie, or story you can find things like irony. In the novel 1984 irony can be found in the Party’s slogan: War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength. It was ironic because for each line it contradicted itself in a way. War is the opposite of peace, freedom is the opposite of slavery, but, ignorance can be strength because in the novel the party feeds Winston and his comrade’s lies that which is giving the party more strength over control. The dark-haired woman had some irony too because of Winston having to hate here when her first laid eyes on her, but in his dreams he wanted her. Also, she was in the Anti-Sex League, but in Winston’s dreams she would encourage sex.

Reflecton "War Is Peace"

In the novel 1984, the author George Orwell describes what he believes life in the future will be like. The main character is to be named Winston Smith, lives in London, England which was now called Airstrip One, Oceania. Winston and his comrades are being controlled by a Party called Big Brother. In Chapter 9, part 2, I can relate to the slogan “WAR IS PEACE” because when I get into an argument with someone, I feel much better after it is over, as in saying I'm with peace of myself. In the novel it states that the reason why one of the slogans is “WAR IS PEACE” is because Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceania have been at war with each other for forever now and basically that is considered peaceful. I have been in many arguments and after them I feel better to let it all out. Therefore, I can relate to the slogan “WAR IS PEACE” actually meaning. A couple days ago I had a big argument with my mother. Once I started arguing with my mom, I felt better because I let everything out. I can relate to war being peace because fights, arguments, and disagreements all end with a peaceful ending. In final analysis, I can relate to the slogan “WAR IS PEACE”. I’ve had many arguments in my life and they’ve brought me peace. In the novel, Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceania being at war for so long has made “WAR IS PEACE”. By these three being in war so much, it created peace in a way. It created peace by after all the time off fighting you will eventually come to an agreement which will lead to peace. I feel as though I can relate to what’s going on in the novel more.
 

Relation "Winston"


 In the novel 1984 by George Orwell the protagonist named Winston Smith, who lived in a time period where London, England which is known as Airstrip One, Oceania, was living in a dystopian society. I can relate to Winston when he writes in his diary. He keeps a diary that he writes in and he keeps it a secret because it can have him vaporized. Because of that, he writes in a corner so that the telescreen cannot see him when he writes in the diary. Whenever I write something I'm always self-consciences if someone I know reads what I wrote. My blog is something that I write that people read but, most likely the people reading it do not know me personally. I always feel that whatever I write is not entertaining or it is idiotic. When I write an essay I have my mom or sister read it to make sure it's okay. But, I leave the room and ask them to proof read it and hand it back to me when they are done. When I was around the age of 10 I had to write a short story, it was the only story I have ever written. It was called Halloween, which is kind of ironic because when I was that age I was deathly afraid from anything remotely scary. I would not go to any haunted houses or walks. Hence, I can relate to Winston Smith because he writes in a dairy and keeps to himself just like I do. Pursuing this further, you can see how my personal life can relate to a character in the novel 1984. When Winston sits in his corner and writes in his diary so that the telescreen cannot see him, it relates to me to how I write things and keep them to myself even though his life is on the line, if caught.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Heroes

Heroes can be fictional or non-fictional. Some fictional heroes are like Superman, Hulk, Spiderman, Batman, Aquaman, Captain America, Hawkeye, etc.  Those are more like superheroes more than just heroes. Those "superheroes" are from comics and movies. Mostly from Marvel. (By the way, Marvel is my favorite). non-fictional heroes are your everyday heroes as in Policemen and women, Firefighters, and even construction workers. The people who have these jobs are considered heroes because they help someone everyday. From saving a kitten out of a tree to stopping murder. Not many people have a hero, I'm one of those people. I know people will be like "what about your parents?" I know, I know. They are my heroes, but for me to have one person to look up too, I can't find one. People portray heroes as people whose lives are amazing and they do everything right in life. There's not one person in the universe that their life is "Perfect". No one can have a perfect life, nothing can ever be perfect. It might come close, but never exact. I guess I can consider my heroes as being my three closest friends. (Sammi, Iselle, and Sierra). They are always there for me, as I am for them. They always know when I'm down or not doing good. I consider them as my heroes because they point me into the right direction. Also does my mom. They help me when I need it, and always knows what to say. I believe the definition of "hero" is someone you can look up to, or someone who is there for you to help you do the right things. So I guess from my writing this post I've came to realize that I have not just one hero but many. All you have to do is think about it.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Fear

FEAR. It's one of the things that stops us from doing most things. My fear is "drowning". I believe it is my biggest fear because I have encountered it before. It happen last summer when I went to the beach. My mom and cousin were far out jumping over waves. Let it be known that it was a RED flag that day. After some time the waves had pushed them to the side where the ground have gotten really deep. My other cousin had said that my mom and cousin were getting to far, so I swam out to them to get them. When I got there I noticed that they were not playing but were having trouble keeping above the water. I fought to keep my cousin and mother above water. My mom went under and stood on the ground and held my cousin above the water. Just talking about this event brings me to tears. That's how much fear can have an effect on you. During all this, I guess I can have my life flash before my eyes. I seen all my loved ones. My Grandparents, my Aunt, my family that was on the shore. Safe. I seen my friends. My closest friends. My crush. I knew that I could swim away anytime and save myself, but what person is so inhumane and can leave their mother and cousin out to die. After about a minute of struggling, some people that were close by noticed our trouble and came to our rescue. They tried helping me but I told them to get them, my mom and cousin, because I could get myself back to shore. That day made me change, not just to be careful when swimming when there are very strong rip currents but at all times. Fear change people, it can change a person completely if there are faced with their fear. Fear does stop most people from doing things, but it did NOT stop me from trying to save my family. Better one than three.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Cemeteries

Today I have decided to post from my phone. It might take me a little longer to write it but I'm sitting in the backseat a little bored. This weekend I'm staying over at my dad and Grandma's house and visiting. Today I was cleaning her windows, inside and outside. I had just finished before it started to pour outside. I like staying at my Grandma's house, it's somewhere that I can get away from my house and relax and not worry about chores. Another reason I love visiting my grandma is that my dad cooks every morning on the weekends and makes me eggs, toast, sausage, and sometimes bacon. When I'm at my Grandma's house I'm usually watching the food channel or CSI. But our (me and my grandma) favorite show is BBT or The Big Bang Theory. It's even better when I visit in the summer because my dad goes to work. So, my grandma doesn't care if I sleep till noon as for my dad, I had to get up at 8:30am today. My dads mom is the only grandparent I have left. Today we (me, my dad, and my grandma) are going to cemeteries to visit my great grandparents and my grandfather. Every year we go and put wreaths in front of their graves. As I write this we are on our way to the second cemetery. I don't remember anything about my great grandparents, but I remember something about my grandfather. My mom's parents have already died. I used to love going to their house in the city. But what made it even better is that my cousin Amber lived there with them. So I always had someone to play with. I've seen that I haven't really show emotion about them. Mostly because I don't really tell people how I feel. I mostly talk to one of my closest friends that I can tell anything. When I went to both of my grandparents on my moms side I didn't show any emotion until later when I would just burst out crying. Today I found out that my great grandmother died on my birthday in 1971. My birthday is September 11.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Bus Driver Uppercuts Woman

Today was a good day for me... Even though somethings didn't go as plan :/. Today was my lazy day, I wore my grey joggers with a black V-neck T-shirt. I've realized that most of my post are my essays that I have been writing for my English class. It's mostly is about this book called 1984. It's an okay book I guess. But this weekend I have to write to more essays on the book. One being a Literary Reflection to "Fear", and the other being a Literary Analysis on "Heroes". I've been noticing the deeper we get into the semester, the more essay we have to write. Me personally, I HATE writing essays with a passion. I will procrastinate an essay to the last day or so and to about 11:00pm. It's weird  I'm not used to writing on what I'm thinking. Most things I think can get me in trouble mostly because my English teacher Ms. Davis will be reading this x). Today was fun in first period, by the way I have Ms. Davis first period. Today she was showing some students how to use their blogs. Me knowing how to do it I didn't pay attention until she was done. When she was done she went onto YouTube to show us this hilarious YouTube video. It was called: Bus Driver Uppercuts Woman. Here it is.




I found this video hilarious, supposedly she was asking for equal rights and she got them. x) I've seen this video before, my sister showed me it the other day. 

This passing Wednesday (the 7th of November) I went on a field trip to this library in Downtown Chicago. We went for Level 2 Languages, as for the Senior went to Extreme Trampolines. When we were Chicago we stopped at the Rock n' Roll McDonald's to eat before we headed back to school. While we were there me and my friend were about to go to the Sport's Authority that was across the street. But as we started to head to there we had seen that the whole street cleared out and everyone was on the curb looking down that street. After a while I had realized that the President (Barack Obama) was coming down the street with about 4 cars full of the Secret Service and 5 police cars. Here's a picture.




The car that is in the front is to be believed that car that Barack Obama was riding in. Later that day, when I got home my mom was watching the news and they announced the President was in Chicago visiting his favorite restaurant and was going to buy everyone breakfast that was there. I'm guess it was away of saying thanks for voting for him. That's probably not true but that's was I believe. 

In result of the Juniors & Seniors going to Extreme Trampolines, as the Freshmen & Sophomores were going to go in April, is canceled because of the injures that happen to the Juniors and Seniors. Apparently, 2 kids got injured one had a broken ankle and the other had dislocated his/her knee. That is kind of a good reason to cancel it for the F & S but that is not our fault that they don't know how to jump on a trampoline without getting hurt. But I've heard that we will be either going Rock Climbing or something else that I cannot remember. I'd rather go rock climbing as I love to climb things. For those who don't know what Xtreme Trampolines is, here's a video.