https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MUMH7vO_PVQ
Vintage Shine
Saturday 8 June 2013
Sunday 28 April 2013
The Beast Within Us
Found poem from William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies
Page 19-36, 83-103, 118-147
The Beast
A dark thing
Some sort of animal
A hunter
Where could a beast live?
The beast doesn't leave tracks
Maybe the beast won't come near us
Ralph saw it first
He still says he saw the beastie
The creature stepped from mirage
And went away again
We were going to look for the beast
The beast was harmless and horrible
Maybe it's only us
There rose the picture of a human
Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill
The beast disguised itself
You're a beast
You knew
Didn't you?
I'm part of you
Only me
Aren't you afraid of me?
Page 19-36, 83-103, 118-147
The Beast
A dark thing
Some sort of animal
A hunter
Where could a beast live?
The beast doesn't leave tracks
Maybe the beast won't come near us
Ralph saw it first
He still says he saw the beastie
The creature stepped from mirage
And went away again
We were going to look for the beast
The beast was harmless and horrible
Maybe it's only us
There rose the picture of a human
Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill
The beast disguised itself
You're a beast
You knew
Didn't you?
I'm part of you
Only me
Aren't you afraid of me?
Thursday 4 April 2013
Found Poetry In Lord of the Flies
This is an island
Beyond that, the sea was dark blue
Blue of all shades
Polished waters
Dazzling
The open space
The perspective of the beach to a point at infinity
The whelming sea and sweet air
At midday, the sun gazed down
If not happily, at least with absorbed attention
Life was so full
To believe in the reality of the island
Work, play, and good right through the day
They accepted the pleasures
Then darkness
Dark with violent pleasure
there was no light left of the stars
Be frightened if you like
Maybe there is a beast
Maybe it's only us
The poem was a group effort with each individual member contributing lines and verses.
Ocean noises - Sara Zhang
Storyboard - Henry Kim and Darren Kim
Animation and Software - Peter Shen and Mason Lee
Beyond that, the sea was dark blue
Blue of all shades
Polished waters
Dazzling
The open space
The perspective of the beach to a point at infinity
The whelming sea and sweet air
At midday, the sun gazed down
If not happily, at least with absorbed attention
Life was so full
To believe in the reality of the island
Work, play, and good right through the day
They accepted the pleasures
Then darkness
Dark with violent pleasure
there was no light left of the stars
Be frightened if you like
Maybe there is a beast
Maybe it's only us
CREDITS
The poem was a group effort with each individual member contributing lines and verses.
Ocean noises - Sara Zhang
Storyboard - Henry Kim and Darren Kim
Animation and Software - Peter Shen and Mason Lee
Saturday 2 March 2013
The Wars Are Over (9th Entry)
This
will be my final blog post on our Canadian novel studies, “The Wars,” by
Timothy Findley. Although the novel is relatively short, I am just generally a
slow reader. Saying this, I feel as if I am departing an old friend, leaving
behind all the experiences I had reading the book. It’s a little too
sentimental, but it just happens to be a lazy Saturday, so this is as exciting
as it gets for the day. Plus, the slow music of vintage jazz and blues playing
in the background makes the mood and atmosphere slightly gloomier. To be
honest, I don’t have much to comment on this. I guess farewell, until next
time? It’s funny, just as I was about to press the post button, Ella Fitzgerald
begins singing, “I’m Getting Sentimental over You.” Haha, I need a hobby.
Done The Book (8th Entry)
Finally, I have finished my English novel. Overall, Timothy
Findley’s novel, “The Wars,” was a decent read. Personally, I found the
beginning to be slow, but after getting over that “hump” reading the book
became more enjoyable over time. It was as if you read the book with gaining
momentum. Anyways, there are many comments I would like to mention. First of
all, the book had definitely caught my attention as I had never read a book
with so many changes in perspectives. For instance, the transition between
Robert, Mrs. Ross and the archivist was the very interesting. I would also like
to mention how Timothy Findley created a fictional world based on real events. What
I am meaning to say is how he created such vivid and extraordinary details,
almost as if pulled out from a social study textbook. To be frank, I would not
have found myself interested in this book if it had not been for school.
However, school was an initiative that allowed me to really elaborate my
thoughts on the book which later led to my enjoyment of it. Similarly, I felt
the same way of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Nevertheless, I would definitely
recommend reading this book as it really broadens the opportunity for the
reader to infer and relate through its powerful symbolism and vivid
description.
Sunday 24 February 2013
Never Judge A Book By Its Cover (7th Entry)
“Never judge a book by its cover.”
First impressions are so important, whether it’s for making
first acquaintances, starting relationships or getting a job. Most of the time,
it is hard to forget first impressions, seeming as though they had been branded
into our memory. In this novel, Timothy Findley gave many examples of how
easily one can be judged without knowing their deeper sentiments. For instance,
Robert had assumed that Taffler, being a well-respected and honorable man, was
far from being homosexual. Although this was not straightforwardly said, it was
indicated through his angered and outrageous reaction in finding out so. Furthermore,
another character, Devlin, was described as appearing to be a snobby and judgmental person, while in contrast, he was very much caring and artistic.
Personally, I find that I can learn from this as I am quick to make first
impressions. Of course, I am not proud of such actions, but it has been
something of natural instinct. Honestly, I cannot be the only one out there as
well. First impressions have always been a part of civilization, dating ages
and ages ago. For example, the hierarchy system, the feudal system or even the Renaissance
Chain of Beings has been an early base for the critique of another. I guess I have
found another inquiry question. What triggers us to make first impressions and judgments of another, and how does it really benefit us on doing so?
Saturday 23 February 2013
Depression At War (6th Entry)
Upon reading the novel, I had stumbled upon an answer in
which I had asked what the other “wars” could refer to. As guessed, the wars
did not just define physical challenges of the Great War, but the emotional obstacles
faced. However, to my surprise, Timothy Findley placed this struggle upon other
characters and not just the protagonist, Robert Ross. Many of the instances are
exclusive to Mrs. Ross, as you witness her emotional struggle to maintain order
and stability in her life. Through the course of the plot, you find the
transformation of Robert’s mother, as her morality and character breaks down. For
instance, although you are not given much detail on her, the reader assumes she
was well and capable of herself, later changing to a closed and insecure woman.
The first case of such alteration occurred after Robert’s announcement of
joining the army. Shortly after, Mrs. Ross faced a nervous breakdown, as she
quietly left the church, disgusted at how the other church-goers sang their
children off to death as if celebratory. Despite, the straight forwardness of
these events, my answer was confirmed as Timothy Findley laid out the words in
front of us to read, “And this is what they called the wars.” For this particular
line, Mrs. Ross could not bear to wave off Robert as he had departed on his
ship. Similar to the idea of my prior posts, depression has been a war in which
Timothy Findley has made his characters fight.
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