Category: Reading

Jem’s realisation on society

May 12, 2015 / / 1 Comment

From reading the book, we’ve discovered more about Jem, and his everchanging personality as he turns into a man.

Slowly, he is realising how everyone else thinks, what they percieve and the horrors that are associated with it. Racism, prejudice and the feeling of superiority, more-so linked with the ‘upper class’ of Maycomb. Examples such as Scout asking for Walter Cunningham to stay with them, and aunt Alexandra explaining why he cant as ‘he is trash’, beneth the Finches and therefore cannot be connected with them.

Jem is also shown to be taking on much more responsibility, whilst learning what ties go with what suits, such as explaining to Scout what complicated words mean aswell as elaborating on events that occur in the book.

(–AFTER FEEDBACK–)

These all lead Jem to feel frustrated, angry and occasionally just upset. Usually he attempts to hide these, in order to set an example for his little sister. With these feelings also comes realisation, of why certain things are so in maycomb. Like Boo Radley staying indoors most of the time- Jem uncovers that his reasons are quite the opposite to everyone wishing he does so. It is infact, because he chooses to. He isnt a fan of the society that populate maycomb either, and chooses to outcast himself the best he can.

 

 

Harper Lee using allusion

May 7, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Harper lee uses the technique of allusion in her book ‘to kill a mockingbird’. An example being the  biblical effect of refering to Atticus as Tom Robinsons savior, elevating him to a christ-like level such as in the bible, as christ is a savior.

Others examples being of how the book alludes to other parts within the story, be it future or past. She even alludes to parts happening in that time period such as world war II.

Satire in to kill a mockingbird

April 29, 2015 / / 1 Comment

Harper Lee uses satire in to kill a mockingbird, particularly on page 236 and 237 with the white community, as well as Dill and Jem. An example being the differences in how people reacted to the conviction of Tom Robinson. Rather than the black community be shocked, knowing full well his innocence, they are acceptant, because their hopes were never raised in the first place. They knew from the start that because of sociaty’s prejudice against black people, that there was almost no chance of him not being innocent.

The opposition being how the white community, although listening to all in the court and the valuble points Atticus had to say, found Tom Robinson guilty none-the-less. Whether they felt Tom Robinson was innocent or not, in order to keep up their reputation and nature of segregation, it was what they had to do- the ‘right’ thing to do.

Another perspective being Dill and Jem’s. Their outrage and confusion of how such a thing can occur, when the fact were handed out and the truth was more or less certain to all. This enthesises their innocence  which in turn is another example of Harper Lee relating to mockingbirds.

(–AFTER FEEDBACK–)

Examples of satire include when aunt Alexandra and her friends speak of the black people in maycomb, of how christianity was once used in order to stop a maid from crying and to continue her work. This is satire because the friend of Alexandras is infact not very religous and assumes the black maid is.

 

To kill a mocking bird – Symbolism

March 2, 2015 / / 2 Comments

The feature of symbolism is used in the novel on page 179, during which Scout is describing the new courthouse, as the old one no-longer stands from being burnt. ‘From the other side, however, greek revival columns clashed with big nineteenth-century clock tower housing a rusty unreliable instrument, a view indicating a people determined to preserve every physical scrap of the past.’

From a certain standpoint, the courthouse would symbolise the world around them, newly built from the old whilst maintaining is foundations. The clock representing racism, old and useless to which many have given up on, but those few still check it for the time. And the columns standing for different things from different perspectives (as the rest can too), perhaps Atticus holding up justice, or Scout and Jem holding up the burden of Atticus defending a black man, seen as how they seem to be affected more than their father is.

From logical veiwpoints rather than metaphorical the ‘film of dust’ would suggest the courthouse or its proper uses are rarely used. This would lead to enthusise that the law of maycomb disregard their duty, and make things how they wish them to be- weither somone is innocent or not.

To kill A Mocking Bird – Morality

February 11, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Throughout the book the character Scout asks questions and seems conflicted of right and wrong. In A way, Harper Lee is communicating with the reader through Scout.

I believe methods such as making her A tom-boy are intentional, and are ways or making her relatable to A brouder audiance. Her innocents was also purposely performed so as to not cut off people who think differently to the ongoing events. Younger readers may be targeted, as Scout is growing up and learning just as they are. Going deeper, Scout may have many characteristics and features taken from Harper Lee, which many authors do, in order for them and others to create A likeable subject.

Jean-Louise’s innocents is expressed in events such as the racism. She is almost oblivious to the crime. Examples would be when she asks her father, Atticus, what A nigger is, or her questioning why people call Atticus A nigger-lover.

 

 

 

Ghost Rider – Antihero

January 31, 2015 / / 1 Comment

The Bounty hunter of the devil himself, named the Ghost Rider, for being spiritually possessed, and for driving/riding on hell on wheels (sometimes hoofs) – transportation that turns along with the host of the Rider.

A comic character originally and acted later by Nicolos Cage in the 2007 movie, Johney Blaze makes a deal with satan in an attempt to save his stunt bike performer dad’s life. He only asks for A small thing in return – his soul. Having never seen any old horror movie in his life (a joke that is later mentioned in the sequel) he signed the contract.

Years later, having left most of his old life as a circus performer, Johney is doing well for himself, still contuing his stunt biking. But thats whats bothering him. After numerous close calls, his alive. “You’ve got A guardian angel!” his friend says. A mutter from Johney follows “..or maybe its something else..”

Discovering the powers of the Rider and learning more about the legends, it is known that it is an enslaved demon that is responsible for bringing the souls of the damned down to hell. He’s essentially being forced to work for a devilish fiend, so he’s quite relatable to any working man. As if that wasent enough to class him as an antihero, his soul sucking is usually done by burning out the life of the evil doers through their eyes- his penance stare, the Rider’s most powerfull weopon.

Closely following Johney Blaze’s battle, burns also one inside him, to which he loses love and friends to both. He considers himself A monster so long as this curse is his to burden. But if this is HIS curse, he will claim it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wolverine: Origins – Antihero

January 12, 2015 / / 2 Comments

The Wolverine: Origins graphic novel explores the untold aspect of the Wolverine. Reading it, James Howlett is not yet the antihero. He isn’t the tough bearded fellow you see in the films or other comics. He’s vulnerable, quick to trust others and wishes the problems he encountered never happened, rather than to combat them. This being his origin story, doesn’t show him being born and continue from there, but instead shows the pinnacle events that occurred in his early life that made him the man we see today, depicted in the present comics and movies.

Tragedy after tragedy strikes before the man with accelerated healing has any time to spit them out and close up the wounds.  Family disputes, love affairs and abandonment hits hard, all at once, ripping Logan up and leaving him to put himself back together, but regeneration doesn’t medicate a broken heart, and some wounds become permanent scars. If every day you kick the dog you walk past, eventually you’re going to get bitten, and the animal wont make the same mistake of letting you make the first move next time.

By the end of the book, the character is not in the same place he was in the beginning. He isn’t quite the polished product that is the Wolverine, but you would never look at him in the same way. Instead of some of Logan’s actions being perceived as cruel or unkind, they’re what’s expected from him. His choices are understandable, given the circumstances at the time, and if he has gone through something similar before. To be cold-hearted, still requires a heart to be frozen over. That meaning that no-one is born the way they are; its their surroundings that shape them. There is a reason why he is constantly trying to withhold his animalistic side, why he tries his best not to get too close to people, why he’s so hard on himself and others. Now I know that reason.

Apex (Based on Hawk Roosting)

December 5, 2014 / / 1 Comment

Looking at cars from A plane reminds me of being A kid. There was always an ant hill somewhere in the garden; and then one day, I found a box of matches. My sister shouted at me, asking me what they had done to me. “Look, now they’re fire ants!” I shouted back.  Makes me wonder, would the ants do the same to me if they could?

I never asked to be the best- I just am. Dad made sure of it, damn well made sure of it once mum had left with sis. “Doesn’t matter what you do” he would say “be the best at it”. Don’t explain why he signed me up for kickboxing. Never able to look at someones foot the same way again. I guess in some terrible way of getting beat in the ring, the beatings he would then give me, and watching him dish out the beatings on others, was him trying to toughen me up for the real world; make me into all of the things he wasn’t, and redeem himself in the meantime. Guess it worked, because after a while, I never wanted to win so bad. Looking back compared to now, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds.

Never got the best grades though. His idea was that maths would only ever help you when you’re counting the seconds you’ve got your arm wrapped around his neck. No job, and certainly no friends (I had a tendency  for hurting those who got near me) I enlisted in “serving our great country”. I’d call it the hardest few years of my life, if I hadn’t been spending my earlier teens being kneed and elbowed in the head at the club, and then given a good few more at home. It was really just like A school, for those who didn’t pay much attention in class the first time round. Kept my head low, got on with my work, just like i’d been doing the whole of my life. The physical becomes a routine, just like anything else, you get used to it.  It was the abbreviations, worded alphabet and all that stuff that was difficult. The one that did stick in, was KIA- Heard that followed by enough poor soul’s name to last A lifetime. Then like cow to the slaughter, they shipped me of to fight in a country id never set foot in before.

Few months there and they paired me up with this bloke called Andy. Never knew the guy up until then. Heard him and his mates at there table in the mess hall- this pilot, Ted Hughes, and real hardcore Veteran,  John.J, who later suffered from PTSD, and ended up killing these guys when he was looking for A place to eat, but that was about it. Real patriotic guy, Andy was. Believed he was doing himself, his family, his country and every bloody sod under the sun A ‘great duty’. The start of the best spotter and sniper friendship you will ever hear, is the day he asked me “AC/DC or Hendrix”. “No ones tied down this Rollin’ Stone yet, And” I said. ‘Eagles’ the other units called us. Fitting name, considering we both loved the band. There’d be times when And would wake me up in the night just to tell me ” ‘I Dreamed There Was No War’ ” or when he got a letter from his girl back home i’d say,   “Well she sounds like A ‘Witchy Woman’.

This one time, our squadron was tracking through the  jungle. It’d just finished pissing down and me and Andy were at the back, secretly playing air guitar on our rifles, as you do. Heard it before I saw it, this load bang and a puff of black smoke coming out the ground. All those excirsises come into play, its that time to prove to yourself and the rest that your sorry arse is worth anything; grabbed Andy by his helmet and pushed him down into the mud, me falling with him. “How the fuck didn’t spot that one, And.” Look at me; some guy’s legs have just been blown off and i’m cracking jokes. Guess i’d been in situations like this too many times to take it seriously anymore. I was already looking through my scope, tearing off heads. No-one wants to be there, not even the rebels. One or two collapsing, crying and wishing they were someplace else, anywhere but there. Id be lying if I told you, I didn’t love every second. Not because im some pyshco. But because conflict is the most basic thing I know. The more you hit, and the less you get hit, gets the win. Eleviating those poor basterds from their hell on earth was acctually the kindest thing that could’ve been done. Them falling down, the smoke from their guns almost resembling their souls escaping. I’d rehearsed these kills in my sleep. Im no saint, I’ve just got the balls to say it. Few minutes before we all heard “fall back!” That feeling, when you know you could’ve won, but someone had rung the bell too early, reminded me all too much of kickboxing as A kid. Gave Andy A tap and said ” ‘Life In The Fast Lane’ “. To this day, I know he knew that reference, and I got up from the mud and ran. Got quite A bit before I realised And wasn’t behind me. This lanky guy, who weren’t too bad at ping pong back at base, was pulling out guys who couldn’t make it out themselves, bringing them back to the coastline. From the looks and sounds of things, he was looking for A guy called ‘Bubba’, I think I heard him call out. Heard he got the medal of honer later.

I found Andy after I went back in. He was still in the mud looking through his binoculars. I called his name. He didn’t answer. I heard some of the other tommies shouting “Eagles!” They were looking for us. “And.” I said A bit louder. I turned him over. His face was full of blood and shrapnel. I’d had no issue with seeing gore. I was A sniper. I’d seen heads explode before. But this one bothered me. I picked Andy up, and walked back to the coastline where we were getting an evac. Nothing has changed since I began. I should’ve just kept things like this.

Poem 1 Analysis (Hawk Roosting)

December 1, 2014 / / 0 Comments

The poem ‘Hawk Roosting’ was written by Ted Hughes and was published in 1960. He was skilled at writing poetry regarding nature, such as this poem, as his veiws were heavily influenced by animals and their way of life, being that they served an insterest of his from an early age. This traversed into his literature. Ted Hughes used animals and nature as a metaphor for human life. It is written in A first person point of view from what I believe to be A hawk, eagle, or winged predator. The poems history At first read it looks like the creature is describing its flight and life. ‘Hawk Roosting’ can however, be interpreted deeper. I found help with this from the 4th and 5th stanzas. I believe that this isn’t layered with a deeper meaning or symbolism hidden underneath. It is simply “I am powerful, not only in strength, but with the power to do what I please with that power”.