Reading Response: 1984 by George Orwell

Reading Response:

1984 by George Orwell

     The story of 1984, by George Orwell, takes place after the second World War, as a vision of a nightmarish “negative utopia”. Winston Smith, the weak and inept protagonist, struggles through the orderly pace and routine of his life, scraping through on the measly portions that the Party gives out. The Party is the government in this time, which has complete control over its people. Winston finally has a chance to defy the Party when he meets a woman named Julia and says to her that “the more men you've had, the more I love you.” (pg.125) Although Winston believes that he is making a change by defying the Party's “Anti-Sex” belief, he does not realize that just being with Julia is useless and selfish – inevitably, he would be caught by the Thought Police and sucked back into the illusional safety of the embrace of the Inner Party and Big Brother. Through this, we see that, no matter what, the ones with complete power over the life of the people come out the victors.

     The main object of power in the text is Big Brother, the supposed leader of Oceania. It is unknown whether Big Brother is an actual being or just an image on a poster. He represents the “safety and hope” for the people of London. This symbol is supported by the fact that an older brother would protect and look out for his younger sibling(s). This would give the people a false sense of security, as they are forced to believe and think that Big Brother would take care of them. One of the slogans for the Big Brother posters is “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU” (pg. 2). This could possibly mean that Big Brother is watching to make sure his people are't harmed, but the more likely situation is that he is watching them for a wrong movement, a slip of expression, anything that could alert the Thought Police of a rebellion. This gives Winston a feeling of forced submission, as he feels trapped inside of himself during the Two Minutes Hate. If I were Winston, not being able to express my thoughts or emotions makes me feel frustrated, as if I were being strangled by a boa constrictor, with no way out, until the pressure and lack of room to breathe finally killed me. Early in the text, Winston “...had set his features into the expression of quiet optimism...”(pg. 5) in front of the telescreen. This goes to show that even one tiny twitch of the eye or mouth, any expression other than the one stated above, would result in an arrest or worse.

     Arresting is another way that the people are kept under the control of the Party and Big Brother. The low-class commoners, known rudely as “proles”, and the members of the Outer Party do not know much about what lies beyond their little world, and no one who had been arrested was ever the same or appeared again. They would have been “vaporized”. For example, one of Winston's friends, Syme, was “...too intelligent. He [saw] too clearly and [spoke] too plainly. The Party does not like such people. One day he will disappear.”(pg 53) Inevitably, Syme did vanish. All records of him were erased. Everyone forgot about him. Everyone except Winston, who was aware this would happen. In order for the Party to retain complete control over its people, it had to crush all threats under its foot like a bug, no matter how big or small. One way the Party did this was to capture the suspects and mentally break them. The Party needed proof of even a minor suspect, first.

     No matter what, the citizens of Oceania were always being observed, watched, and listened to. Not even in one's home were they alone or had privacy. This was due to all the telescreens and microphones set everywhere, even in the least suspicious place. Winston and Julia were lured into a trap the same way, suspecting nothing of the strange little shop where Winston bought his diary. At the end, Winston and Julia were arrested by the store owner, Mr. Charrington, who was actually a member of the Thought Police. After Winston was captured, he was constantly watched by telescreens everywhere, and tortured to no ed. He found out that the man he thought was his ally, O'Brien, worked for the Ministry of Love – which actually tortured the captives inside – and was the ultimate factor in Winston's demise. Through the telescreens everywhere, O'Brien knew how to wear Winston down and break his will, even knowing what was in his dreams. “ 'Do you remember,' said O'Brien, 'the moment of panic that used to occur in your dreams? There was a wall of blackness in front of you, and a roaring sound in your ears. There was something terrible on the other side of the wall. You knew that you knew what it was, but you dared not drag it into the open. It was the rats on the other side of the wall.' ” (pg. 284) There was no escape for Winston or Julia, because the selfish instinct to survive made them betray each other. This urge to survive was indeed what broke Winston's promise promise to the “Brotherhood”. Winston wasn't selfless, and O'Brien knew that. O'Brien used this to his advantage and manipulated Winston by extracting his weakness.

     Through all these forms of threats, the Party exercised its power over the people, robbing them of their intellectuality and emotions. People with minds have choices, can make decisions. People without minds blindly follow whatever takes command and rules them, becoming solely dependent on that one authority, no matter what they do. The term “doublethink” in Newspeak is used by the Party to manipulate the floundering people and make them believe that their economy is flourishing. The Party maintains their grasp on the people like so, crushing anything in their path. Thus, if they rule the mind, they rule the lives, they rule forever more.

Argument Essay: Should Teens Play Contact Sports?

Argument Essay:Should Teens Play Contact Sports?

     Sports. Football, soccer, ice hockey; these are but a few of the more dangerous contact sports kids enjoy to play. Alas, every year, about 3,500,000 young children suffer from sports injuries and require medical treatment. The surprising thing is that almost half of the injuries are caused by overuse, and are mainly in kids from 13-15 years old. Those kids who play sports are not only at risk of being physically injured, but mentally and socially as well. This can cause stress and grief between adults they trust, friends, and themselves. Therefore, teens should not play contact sports; for their sakes, and for others'.

     Playing contact sports can seriously damage your body – sometimes for life. In "For Children in Sports, a Breaking Point", the author states that, “the sports surgeon Dr. James R. Andrews said that he now sees four times as many overuse injuries in youth sports as he did just five years ago and that more children today are having to undergo surgery for chronic sports injuries.” More and more kids are overusing their muscles by constantly playing a certain sport for too long a period of time. This eventually causes a lot of wear and tear which, if left unchecked and continued for too long, can cause permanent damage. Another point that shows this risk in sports is in the article “How Children and Teens Can Avoid Sports Injuries” by the Wall Street Journal, which informs us that “the greatest number of sports injuries in kids are in teens from 13-15 old.” Teens at that age are still growing and developing – their bodies are more vulnerable to hits, and they can't sustain as much damage to their internal organs like adults can. When teenage sports players take hits like a professional, experienced, adult player, it increases their chances of having a permanent injury while on the field. As for being on the field, playing sports can also damage you emotionally and mentally.

     Being a player on the field can be very stressful, which can sometimes lead to breakdowns and frustration. Negative feelings can come from everywhere; parents, siblings, coaches, teammates... this torrent is enough to unravel anyone. As the editor of “Competitive Sports: Helping Kids Play It Cool”, Michelle New, states, “overzealous parents tend to overreact to mistakes, game losses, and skipped practices, which often causes kids to do the same.” A child's performance in the game may be important, but it may be affected by the attitude of the spectators, like coaches and parents. If you get your child into the habit of beating themselves up over a minor mistake, they won't be able to focus on the next game in fear of making an error while on the field. This could also pressurize them to be absolutely flawless in an adult's eyes when playing, as shown in “Competitive Sports: Helping Kids Play It Cool”. “Kids try to satisfy the demands of a parent, coach, or other authority figure and end up feeling like winning is the only way yo gain the approval of the adults they respect.” This is absolutely true, and as the pressure builds up, it may go past the limit of the child's tolerance or capacity. They may experience burnout, depression, or may just break down or decide to quit playing sports. Stress, although helpful at times, is a dangerous thing to play with.

     Some people may say that stress is a good thing when it comes to sports. Sports can also benefit you physically, socially, and mentally. From the article “Healthy Competition Key in Youth Sports”, by Ramona Shelburne, “encouraging kids to stoke those competitive flames, Bryant said, is essential to making sports and physical activity part of their lives...”. Competitiveness helps kids learn how to be good sports and treat others well. Kids become healthy, and many are more satisfied with their lives. Playing sports also releases hormones that make you more relaxed and happy. But, as in "Competitive Sports: Helping Kids Play It Cool", “stress is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it prepares the body to rise to a challenge with focus, strength, and heightened alertness. On the other hand, too much of it can exhaust a kid's energy and drive, leading to a sports burnout.” When that happens, kids will not be able to play their best on the field. All the pressure overwhelms them until it's too much to handle.

     Although occasional stress can be good sometimes, in many ways too much can bring you down, mentally, physically, and socially. Exercise is important, but there are many ways of exercising without putting your body and mind at harm. Contact sports are dangerous, and kids should cease playing for their safety and good health.

Bibliography

Brody, Jane E. "For Children in Sports, a Breaking Point." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 May 2010. Web. 17 Jan. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25brod.html?_r=0>.

"Competitive Sports: Helping Kids Play It Cool." KidsHealth. Ed. Michelle New. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Jan. 2015. <http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/sports_competition.html>.

"How Children and Teens Can Avoid Sports Injuries." How Children and Teens Can Avoid Sports Injuries. The Wall Street Journal, 19 Aug. 2014. Web. 24 Jan. 2015. <http://www.wsj.com/video/how-children-and-teens-can-avoid-sports-injuries/D707BD91-FDC1-4885-8422-7E74A9E97BD4.html>.

|, Ramona Shelburne. "Kobe, Bill Clinton Talk Youth Sports." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 25 Nov. 2014. Web. 24 Jan. 2015. <http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10291171/kobe-bryant-says-healthy-competition-key-youth-sports.html>.

"Building Bridges" Response

     In most parent-teenager situations, it is frequently shown that family members often disagree with each other. Teens may wish to be alone, whereas parents would want to help their child through stressful times. Things like this happen a lot in relationships between people. Throughout the short story “Building Bridges” by Andrea D. Pinkney, it is shown that relationships are complicated, especially between parent/guardian and child. Bebe is a 17-year-old girl who lives with her grandma. She greatly wishes to become an engineer, and starts with a Brooklyn Bridge renovation team. Unfortunately, Bebe's grandmother, Mama Lil, refuses to sign the contract that would officially give Bebe permission to work on the Brooklyn Bridge. Bebe tries to fight her way through to Mama Lil, and it's this determination that finally allows Bebe to reach her dreams. Through the issues Bebe and Mama Lil have, Pinkney shows us that teenagers often have a difficult time communicating with their guardians.

     
     Bebe, the main character of “Building Bridges”, dreams of one day becoming an engineer – but her grandmother has a different view on this and their lives get difficult. Bebe often disagrees with her grandmother on various things, from hairstyles to jewelry to body shape and fashion. But Bebe says in the kitchen, “I was Mama Lil's only true family, and she was the only real parent I had. If I left her, she'd have nobody; and if she passed on, I'd be alone in this world.” (pg. 19) This shows that, although they both come at odds often, Bebe and Mama Lil both really need each other. This could make life even more complicated for them – or anyone – if they don't admit how much they need each other for support. This is true for many families as well. Another example of this need for support is when Mama Lil admits to Bebe the reason for her refusal for signing the permission slip. “Your dreams are the kind that'll take you away from here, Bebe – away from your Mama Lil. You got big hopes, child, but they gonna leave me alone, by myself.” (pg. 29) Mama Lil and many parents might find it hard to let their children go follow their own dreams, not their's. I feel that people should be able to let go, and let those close to them follow their dreams, no matter what, even if they worry for their loved one's safety.

     Some parents fear what would happen when their children leave them. For example, Bebe explains early on in the story that “Mama Lil thought it just wasn't right that I'd be working on a project staffed only with boys and men.” (pg. 20) Mama Lil was concerned for Bebe's safety, like any parent would be, and she tried to protect Bebe by not letting her go. It could be risky getting a new job if you don't know what to expect. But Bebe knew exactly what she wanted, Mama Lil didn't understand. When attempting to dissuade Bebe from the renovation job, Mama Lil stated that, “whatever you call it, it's a white man's work. You ain't got no place messing with it. We should stick to our own kind, Bebe – colored women trying to cross the white man's line is asking for trouble.” (pg. 21) Mama Lil is right on some aspects, but sometimes kids need to try new things. People can't stay in the shadow of what they know forever.

     Also, some people are wary and have a hard time letting go of what they know and learning new things. According to Bebe, when Mama Lil first disagreed with Bebe becoming an engineer in the story, “...Mama Lil was afraid of something she didn't know.” (pg 20) It seems that Mama Lil liked being on top, being prepared, but when faced with something she didn't understand or know, she felt at a disadvantage and powerless. Most parents would advise their children about things based on their own experiences or other people's, like friends's, who may not fully understand the topic. Some parents might not take into consideration what the majority of other people say. One example is when Mama Lil stubbornly goes to ask her friends for advice. “...she'd taken it upon herself to ask her friends down at Rimley's Beauty Parlor about engineering. They'd convinced her that I was headed down the wrong path. 'Ain't no black woman doing no engine-ing,' she'd said.” (pg. 21) Most of the time it's better to go to the officials who are experienced in that topic rather than those who bluff or assume they know. Some people should try to understand their children's point of view before disagreeing with them and suggesting something else.

     It's always hard to admit when you are wrong, but it may be better for you and your relationships with others. Andrea Pinkney did well in showing how relationships are complicated using the bond between Bebe and Mama Lil. She describes the relationship clearly and shows their depth of feeling toward each other. It is this depth that allows the reader to comprehend the uncertainty and fear that Mama Lil has for Bebe. I understand how hard it is for Mama Lil because my parents are going through me growing up as well. As anyone else might experience, it is hard to be willing to adapt to a loved one's future. I predict that Mama Lil will have trouble adjusting to Bebe's new path in life, but she'll do it for Bebe. She always had.

My Name

    My name is Anaïs Real. Anaïs means grace and mercy. My name makes me think of a moonlit lake – quiet and polite. But I am more than that. On the inside currents swirl and tumble, making the growth underneath the silent exterior sway with happiness and thoughts. My name also makes me think of a deep, shimmering blue, the kind that wraps its cool wetness like a blanket around you. Blue is the color that is calm, wise, fair, and respectful. Blue is noble and kind. That is what I want to be.

    My last name, Real, came from my great-great-great-grandfather, whose last name was “Reale”. When he immigrated from Genoa, Italy to Uruguay, the “e” in his name was dropped, and became “Real”, which means royal in Spanish. My last name makes me think of a royal blade, ancient and delicate, sounding hard but with a soft sheen. My last name is a bright red. Courage, spirit, strength is what red is.

    My name is a part of me. I want to be blue and red, to become harmonious purple. The deep, elegant color of royalty and truth. I want to be strong, willful, courageous, kind, respectful, wise, and calm all at once. I appreciate my name and what it means to me.

    Like everybody else, my last name carries a lot of family history. We might have similar family backgrounds, or there might be another Anaïs Real, but there is only one Anaïs Real of red and blue. That's what makes me special.

My Finished Reading List

Life As WE Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer 6/5/15

House of The Scorpion by Nancy Farmer 5/23/15

The One: Book Three of the Selection Series by Kiera Cass 5/13/15

1776 by David McCullough 5/11/15

Cinder by Marissa Meyer 3/31/15

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 3/20/15

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 3/8/15

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill 3/3/15

Allegiant by Veronica Roth 2/24/15

The Rithmatist by Brandon Anderson 2/3/15

Insurgent by Veronica Roth 1/23/15

Packing For Mars by Mary Roach 1/20/15

The Sea-Wolf by Jack London 1/6/15

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 12/17/14

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare 12/10/14

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 12/2/14

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 11/28/14

Bomb by Steve Sheinkin 11/25/14

Trash by Andy Mulligan 11/20/14

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee 11/13/14

Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne 11/7/14

Legend by Marie Lu 11/4/14

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman 10/29/14

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach 10/21/14

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 10/20/14

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 10/16/14

Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney 10/15/14

Locked in Time by Lois Duncan 10/10/14

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams 10/7/14

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells 10/2/14

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 9/29/14

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 9/27/14

Speak by Laurie Anderson 9/14/14

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 9/10/14

My Summer Reading Project: War Horse

My Summer Reading Project: War Horse

Over the summer I read multiple books and watched their movie versions. Some of these books are The Joy Luck Club, The Hunger Games, The Black Cauldron, and An Inconvenient Truth. But the one that impressed and awed me the most was War Horse.

Summary:

     The book War Horse was an inspiring historical fiction story about a workhorse named Joey who is sold to the army during the Civil War. He is separated from his master and friend, Albert, and travels through many dangerous situations and witnesses terrible tragedies, yearning to be with Albert once again. Throughout the book he finds many friends, like Topthorn, and Captain Stewart. He is reunited once again  with Albert when the war finally ends. Having lost many masters, companions and friends, yet being a horse, no one will know how Joey ever truly felt- but there is one thing for sure: Joey is a war horse to the heart.

My Response:

     I felt that the book was very interesting and inspirational, especially it being from Joey's perspective. This, and many books like it, makes me wonder what goes on in the minds of other animals, if they understand and know more than they let on, and why they do certain things when we 'command' them. 

     This book shows that we aren't the greatest beings in the world- there are far more powerful beasts than us. It is because of our advanced minds that we think in this condescending way. Chimpanzees are our ancestors and can communicate to a limited extent with us. But we don't appreciate their intelligence, we still think of them as inferior creatures to us humans. We hate certain animals because we don't understand them. They might think the same way. 

     This book shows us again and again that humans and animals can live in peace and that animals are more than we think. For example, Joey never spooked when Captain Nicholls fell in battle; he led on the charge, risking his life and never breaking stride, even when horses and humans fell all around him. Through his eyes we see how exactly terrifying war is, alone in many, never knowing if you'll live to see the light again. We see how he endured many cold months of starvation, bad men and masters, and ground that exploded beneath his hooves. We understand why he struggled through his grief and pain, fighting to survive when others became mere shells of their former selves. 

     We have much to learn from this book, and much to discover about the beings that live by our side every day.