Link: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0mbuRfRKUmQ
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
This is Water - Analysis
The essay titled 'This is water' was written by David Foster Wallace. The essay was presented as a speech towards university graduates as well. The general purpose and idea of this essay is to try and make the audience more aware and appreciative of the things that surround them, as well as to empathize more with people we see in our daily lives, since they could be going through what we are. David Foster Wallace continuously encourages his intended audience to get the most out of life.
In his brief essay 'This is water', the author implements and uses more realistic examples throughout the text in order for the text to be more engaging towards the audience, as well as have a connection between his personal self and the audience. In the very beginning of his essay, David Foster Wallace tells a story about three fish. At that point this story has no meaning and has no value what so ever to the audience. However, the author was trying to show the audience how people act and think in this world, in a creative way. He then goes on to develop his main thesis by describing people as to being ignorant and unconscious at most times.
As his essay goes on, the author continues to highlight the fact that us humans are not conscious about the very basic, but important things in life. The author also touches on how although us humans are at times aware, and thinking of what is going on in our surroundings, we are still unable to analyze and reflect on the situation; which is very true indeed. He also describes the human as to being the centerpiece. What he means by that is that the human is always in the centre of attention and ignoring the reality, and what goes on around them. In other words, all they care about is themselves and are unaware.
"How can literature develop empathy and emotional intelligence?"
This question is much more obvious after the reading of the essay. Literature is able to develop empathy since the text uses some relatable and real life examples anyone can directly relate to, therefore having a bigger impact on the audience. It can develop emotional intelligence mainly that we can at least become more aware of what is around us and our surroundings; as well as also being able to connect and engage with many other peoples' situations they face that are similar to ours.
In his brief essay 'This is water', the author implements and uses more realistic examples throughout the text in order for the text to be more engaging towards the audience, as well as have a connection between his personal self and the audience. In the very beginning of his essay, David Foster Wallace tells a story about three fish. At that point this story has no meaning and has no value what so ever to the audience. However, the author was trying to show the audience how people act and think in this world, in a creative way. He then goes on to develop his main thesis by describing people as to being ignorant and unconscious at most times.
As his essay goes on, the author continues to highlight the fact that us humans are not conscious about the very basic, but important things in life. The author also touches on how although us humans are at times aware, and thinking of what is going on in our surroundings, we are still unable to analyze and reflect on the situation; which is very true indeed. He also describes the human as to being the centerpiece. What he means by that is that the human is always in the centre of attention and ignoring the reality, and what goes on around them. In other words, all they care about is themselves and are unaware.
"How can literature develop empathy and emotional intelligence?"
This question is much more obvious after the reading of the essay. Literature is able to develop empathy since the text uses some relatable and real life examples anyone can directly relate to, therefore having a bigger impact on the audience. It can develop emotional intelligence mainly that we can at least become more aware of what is around us and our surroundings; as well as also being able to connect and engage with many other peoples' situations they face that are similar to ours.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Munro Literature Reflection
What is the benefit and purpose of the study of literature?
Literature is known as, and can also be defined as writings in which expressions and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. Literature can help us understand and make perfect sense of the world around us. Through literature, we are allowed to explore the human condition, and also analyze why and how people feel a specific type of emotion and act like they do. Literature enables us to develop our minds analytically and helps in making a person open minded. We see the world through different perspectives of different writers that may come from different cultures. It can also help us to deal with what is happening around us, and how to act. Without the study of literature, us humans would lack insight and understanding of the human nature. Thats why everyone should study literature.
What is Women's literature, and what is the value of studying it?
Women's literature can sometimes be known as Women's fiction or Women's lives relationship. Women's literature usually explores women's lives, the dynamics of relationship with the family, friends, and lovers, that may end happily, though not always. It also examines many issues women could face at work or even at home. Womens literature is usually written by a women to a female audience. They will deal with the problems and solutions by providing the reader a glimpse into how someone can deal with these situations they themselves are facing.
Why were themes and values of Munro's social realism so significant during the 1950s-1980s? How has her work contributed to gender equality?
Munro's themes and values of social realism were extremely significant during the 1950's to 1980s due to the fact that there were many active movements towards gender equality all over the globe in that period in time; Specifically, in France, the united states, and the united kingdom. Many of Munro's writings are aimed at the women audience which at many times supports them in their daily lives.
What do you enjoy most about Munro's work, and how has it impacted you?
I realized and enjoyed that in many of munros short stories, she is not necessarily focused on the main character/protagonist of the story and the specific conflict of the story at all times. In fact, as the readers, we get to see much of the other characters and know a lot of background information about them. Many of Alice Munros short stories seem to have a small life lesson or a morale at the end, which is pretty good, and would make the reader want to read more of her writings.
Literature is known as, and can also be defined as writings in which expressions and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. Literature can help us understand and make perfect sense of the world around us. Through literature, we are allowed to explore the human condition, and also analyze why and how people feel a specific type of emotion and act like they do. Literature enables us to develop our minds analytically and helps in making a person open minded. We see the world through different perspectives of different writers that may come from different cultures. It can also help us to deal with what is happening around us, and how to act. Without the study of literature, us humans would lack insight and understanding of the human nature. Thats why everyone should study literature.
What is Women's literature, and what is the value of studying it?
Women's literature can sometimes be known as Women's fiction or Women's lives relationship. Women's literature usually explores women's lives, the dynamics of relationship with the family, friends, and lovers, that may end happily, though not always. It also examines many issues women could face at work or even at home. Womens literature is usually written by a women to a female audience. They will deal with the problems and solutions by providing the reader a glimpse into how someone can deal with these situations they themselves are facing.
Why were themes and values of Munro's social realism so significant during the 1950s-1980s? How has her work contributed to gender equality?
Munro's themes and values of social realism were extremely significant during the 1950's to 1980s due to the fact that there were many active movements towards gender equality all over the globe in that period in time; Specifically, in France, the united states, and the united kingdom. Many of Munro's writings are aimed at the women audience which at many times supports them in their daily lives.
What do you enjoy most about Munro's work, and how has it impacted you?
I realized and enjoyed that in many of munros short stories, she is not necessarily focused on the main character/protagonist of the story and the specific conflict of the story at all times. In fact, as the readers, we get to see much of the other characters and know a lot of background information about them. Many of Alice Munros short stories seem to have a small life lesson or a morale at the end, which is pretty good, and would make the reader want to read more of her writings.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Song Commentary
Throughout the song of Radioactive- Imagine Dragons; the singer continuously hints about his extreme battle with anxiety and depression that he faces in his life. He then goes on to speak about how this world has transformed in to such a different place, where nobody can be trusted these days, and that we are about to face some big events that are coming up
In verse one, line 1 "I'm waking up to ash and dust."In this line the narrator is describing the end of the world, since this song was released in 2012, which was the year many people feared would be the end. And shortly after those fear were put to bed, came the North Korean nuclear threats, which many people feared as well. Both of these main events give credibility to the idea that it was the end of the civilized world we lived in. But since the line sounds more depressing rather than predicting, as well as the fact that he uses 'waking' rather than 'will wake up to', this refers to the world we are living in right now also and not only the future. As we know of course there are loads of political and economic issues our world faces today, that could be dangerous to the planet.
Verse one, line 2: "I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust." As we can tell, the singer is using some sort of metaphor here since he says that humans sweat rust. As we know humans do not sweat rust, and by using this metaphor in the song, he is implying that humans are brainwashed and controlled these days like they are just like robots.
Verse one, line 3: "I'm breathing in the chemicals." This line in the song could have two meanings; firstly, the singer could be referring to an aftermath of any nuclear disaster that has happened or more likely that is about to happen. However, this line could also refer to smoking, since cigarettes and any other smoking material includes the process of breathing in chemicals. Additionally, in the music video of this song, right immediately after this line, we can see a man smoking. So again, this line could have a double meaning.
Verse one, line 6: "This is it, the apocalypse, whoa." In this line, the singer does not mean literally the apocalypse itself. He uses the powerful word 'apocalypse' to describe a dramatic change in either an individual or a government that he is currently witnessing, or about to witness.
Verse one, lines 7,8: "I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones. Enough to make my systems blow." Again, similar to the lines we witnessed before, the singer is using some extremely powerful words to indirectly get his point across, just like he used 'apocalypse' previously to describe drastic change. However here he says "I'm waking up." He's trying to say basically that he has finally come to realization of what is happening around him, and that he's ready to change. Similarly, like when he compared humans to robots previously; here he says he has a system. What the singer is trying to get across in those lines is that he has finally come to realization to kind of find the solution, and he believes that this solution is enough to make his system blow.
Verse one, lines 9,10: "Welcome to the new age, to the new age." Here we can tell that things have changed in the song for the singer, in a positive way. Those lines also may have many meanings, and the 'new age' can be referred to as different things. It could just be a new start for the writer himself and his personal life; or the writer could be referring to the new nuclear age we live in.
Verse one, lines 11,12: "Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive. Here the writer is trying to explain that he is unstoppable by using a metaphor by saying that he is radioactive.
Verse two, line 6: "This is it, the apocalypse." The singer ends this song with some strong words by saying that it is the apocalypse. This can't be a good sign, and that we are heading to the inevitable truth.
In conclusion, This song is an extremely meaningful song, that can be taken in many different views, and can be taken quite literally or metaphorically. The Singer uses metaphor for almost every line, and not only metaphor but some powerful ones too.
In verse one, line 1 "I'm waking up to ash and dust."In this line the narrator is describing the end of the world, since this song was released in 2012, which was the year many people feared would be the end. And shortly after those fear were put to bed, came the North Korean nuclear threats, which many people feared as well. Both of these main events give credibility to the idea that it was the end of the civilized world we lived in. But since the line sounds more depressing rather than predicting, as well as the fact that he uses 'waking' rather than 'will wake up to', this refers to the world we are living in right now also and not only the future. As we know of course there are loads of political and economic issues our world faces today, that could be dangerous to the planet.
Verse one, line 2: "I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust." As we can tell, the singer is using some sort of metaphor here since he says that humans sweat rust. As we know humans do not sweat rust, and by using this metaphor in the song, he is implying that humans are brainwashed and controlled these days like they are just like robots.
Verse one, line 3: "I'm breathing in the chemicals." This line in the song could have two meanings; firstly, the singer could be referring to an aftermath of any nuclear disaster that has happened or more likely that is about to happen. However, this line could also refer to smoking, since cigarettes and any other smoking material includes the process of breathing in chemicals. Additionally, in the music video of this song, right immediately after this line, we can see a man smoking. So again, this line could have a double meaning.
Verse one, line 6: "This is it, the apocalypse, whoa." In this line, the singer does not mean literally the apocalypse itself. He uses the powerful word 'apocalypse' to describe a dramatic change in either an individual or a government that he is currently witnessing, or about to witness.
Verse one, lines 7,8: "I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones. Enough to make my systems blow." Again, similar to the lines we witnessed before, the singer is using some extremely powerful words to indirectly get his point across, just like he used 'apocalypse' previously to describe drastic change. However here he says "I'm waking up." He's trying to say basically that he has finally come to realization of what is happening around him, and that he's ready to change. Similarly, like when he compared humans to robots previously; here he says he has a system. What the singer is trying to get across in those lines is that he has finally come to realization to kind of find the solution, and he believes that this solution is enough to make his system blow.
Verse one, lines 9,10: "Welcome to the new age, to the new age." Here we can tell that things have changed in the song for the singer, in a positive way. Those lines also may have many meanings, and the 'new age' can be referred to as different things. It could just be a new start for the writer himself and his personal life; or the writer could be referring to the new nuclear age we live in.
Verse one, lines 11,12: "Whoa, whoa, I'm radioactive, radioactive. Here the writer is trying to explain that he is unstoppable by using a metaphor by saying that he is radioactive.
Verse two, line 6: "This is it, the apocalypse." The singer ends this song with some strong words by saying that it is the apocalypse. This can't be a good sign, and that we are heading to the inevitable truth.
In conclusion, This song is an extremely meaningful song, that can be taken in many different views, and can be taken quite literally or metaphorically. The Singer uses metaphor for almost every line, and not only metaphor but some powerful ones too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)