Blog #15

Freebie 

  Banqou's Netflix Recommendations

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Braveheart- A bunch of Scotts fighting against those darned English? What's not to like! That William Wallace fellow is a true Scott, a great leader, a fierce leader, and the uniter of Scottland. Reminds me a lot about my good friend Macbeth actually. Except Macbeth hasn't been beheaded by the English, Haha. Just watching it fills me up with some good 'ol Scottish pride.

Breaking Bad- I simply can't get away from this show for some reason. I just love hating Walter White. The way he does anything to gain power, the way he lies and deceives those close to him so he can cover up his crimes, and his descent into a life of crime are just despicable. The worse part is that Walt's brother-in-law is a DEA officer, Hank Schrader and he doesn't even know what is going on! It's just something exciting to watch to escape from boredom of sitting around the castle.

The Road- Let me start off by saying that I don't cry, being the tough Scottish warrior I am, but this movie has cut me deeper emotionally than any blade ever could in battle. Just watching that Man care for his Son in the hell hole he lives in just tears at me heart. Watching him give up all his food for his boy, fight off bandits for him, and just witnessing the lengths he goes to take care of him just rings with me. Oh don't look at me like that! I am a father too you know! 

Wayne's World- Just the tale of two best friends out to fulfill of dream. This movie is truly a testament to the strength of camaraderie. Even though Wayne and Garth are almost torn apart by the promise of power, riches, and woman, they manage to overcome all these temptations and not screw one another over. Very inspiring really: Two best friends trying to find their rightful place, and not stabbing one another in the back and/or face. Man that was a weird analogy I said back there. I just want to be a Thane with Macbeth and not die is what I'm trying to say.

There are no strings on me.

3. Do you believe events in your life have been guided by fate or chance? Why or why not? Based on the text, what do you think Shakespeare's attitude was towards fate? Does Macbeth have any choice in his actions or was everything predetermined? Use examples from the text as your support.

    I have never enjoyed the concept of fate because it takes away the fun from living. When you are told that all your actions have already been made, your mistakes predetermined, and the end decided how can you enjoy what you do? I hate the thought of "no matter how hard you try, or what you do, this is where you'll end up." I believe that all my actions are my own to make. When I achieve my goals I don't want people to attribute it to destiny or fate, I want them to know I did it myself. That my skill and determination got me where I am. Same thing with my failures. I don't blame fate for when I fail, I blame myself and strive to do better. Fate is an excuse for those who don't claim responsibility for their own actions.

    Shakespeare would share my opinion on this chance vs fate debate. Shakespeare utilizes fate as a plot device in  Macbeth to reveal the nature of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and if you want to go further: all humans. Neither Macbeth nor Lady Macbeth had any thought of pursuing the crown until they heard the supposed "prophecy" from the three Witches. Before he is pressured by his wife to kill Duncan, Macbeth is strongly opposed to the thought of murdering his King: "He's [Duncan is] here in double trust; First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself."


     Unfortunately Macbeth's resolve and virtue are eroded by Lady Macbeth's charmed words. The prophecy planted the thought of Macbeth taking the throne into Lady Macbeth's mind, and her id seemed to catalyze it into a insatiable desire. If any force were controlling Macbeth it would be Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare is commentating on various aspects of human nature and life such as dark desires (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both end up committing murder to claim the crown), Husband-wife relationship (how the Lady Macbeth has more control over the decision making while Macbeth carries out the plan), and effects of power on an individual (Macbeth begins to shift from an honest man loyal to the king, to a deceitful scoundral who would do anything for power.) 

The slacker's prologue

I looked at the screen, thinking what to do

I had thought aloud: What, tomorrow, was due?

Spanish, Math Sl, and even ToK

So much to do on this lazy Sunday

Then from my pocket my phone vibrated

From Mrs. G: "blog post due" is what it stated

i mumbled some words, too soft to be heard:

To have this much work was very absurd.

Then I remembered the favor Mrs. G had gifted

One word typed and this weight would be lifted!

"Freebie" is what I wrote on my blog

and back to work I went, to continue to slog

5. Reread the following passages and complete the task that follows:

“And, ma’am,” he continued, “the laundress tells me some of the girls have two clean tuckers in the week: it is too much; the rules limit them to one.”

“Julia Severn, ma’am! And why has she, or any other, curled hair? Why, in defiance of every precept and principle of this house, does she conform to the world so openly—here in an evangelical, charitable establishment—as to wear her hair one mass of curls?”

“Naturally! Yes, but we are not to conform to nature; I wish these girls to be the children of Grace: and why that abundance? I have again and again intimated that I desire the hair to be arranged closely, modestly, plainly. Miss Temple, that girl’s hair must be cut off entirely; I will send a barber to-morrow.”

“(T)hree other visitors, ladies, now entered the room. They ought to have come a little sooner to have heard his lecture on dress, for they were splendidly attired in velvet, silk, and furs. The two younger of the trio (fine girls of sixteen and seventeen) had grey beaver hats, then in fashion, shaded with ostrich plumes, and from under the brim of this graceful head-dress fell a profusion of light tresses, elaborately curled; the elder lady was enveloped in a costly velvet shawl, trimmed with ermine, and she wore a false front of French curls.”

Analyze the author’s use of irony in describing Mr. Brocklehurst’s family in the second passage. How does the author contrast this description with Mr. Brocklehurst’s lecture to Miss Temple to provide social commentary on perceptions of class during this time? 

     In the passage the contrast between the values Mr. Brocklehurst tries to imprint upon the girls and what his family seems to value. Mr. Brocklehurst lectures the girls and Miss Temple about the values they should hold to become "children of grace". He's so stringent in enforcing these values that he sends a child to get their head shaved because her hair is naturally curly. On the other hand his family embodies the opposite of these traits. They walk into the room with their curly hair and elaborate clothing, and act rude to the staff. This is ironic given the fact that Mr. Brocklehurst is giving them a lecture on how they cannot advance in society if they don't act like modest little angles, but here are these rich girls and women walking doing the very things that Mr.Brocklehurst warned them about. 

    The author, Charlotte Brontë, wants to address the discrepancy between what higher class tells the lower what is values to uphold, and what values they actually hold. In layman's terms: Charlotte is telling us that the upper class are a bunch of hypocrites, and that they don't behave much differently than the lower class. By forcing these young girls to adhere to values that they do not even follow Mr. Brocklehurst seems to be misleading them, or at the very least unnecessarily punishing them. 

The friendly follower of Christ

     My name, Christian-Dave, means "follower of Christ" or "A Christian" big surprise huh? The second part of my name "Dave" is a shortened version of "David". The name David means "Beloved" or "A friend". How my parents actually named me, and all my brothers as well, was after a king. In my case it was King Christian of Denmark. The second part of my name actually comes from a Filipino tradition: When my parents named me and my siblings they included my Dad's first name (Dave) and my Mom's maiden name "Raymundo" (Spanish for king of the Earth by the way, pretty awesome middle name). Also, fun fact, if I was born in the Philippines I would have been named "Ricardo" which means "Powerful Leader" slightly more BA in my opinion.

     So does the meaning of my name, a Christian friend or beloved follower of Christ, define me properly? I would say yes. The "follower of Christ" is accurate for the most part. I go to church on Sundays and rosary on Saturdays and I believe that Jesus died for our sins. The second meaning of my name "friend" or "beloved' depends on the person. If your my friend then this hold true, and if your not my friend you are missing out on something that you didn't know you needed in your life until now.

    The dilemma of individual values and familial or social values can be a hard one to overcome depending on your situation. As someone who has to take care of three other younger siblings I can say that one's time can be very limited when they're responsible for others. When you have to care for the needs of the many it becomes difficult to attend to the needs of the few. This counters the need for self-progression/ self improvement, and forces the individual to make decisions that may not appeal to the larger whole in order to achieve this self-improvement.

     We are taught at a young age to put others before ourselves, and that being selfless is a trait that a good person possesses. We even having a saying regarding the matter: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"This is where the dilemma comes into play: How can those who believe in the ideal of selflessness find opportunity for themselves?

   

"Elderly Man and Baby, St Paul, MN"

by: Wing Young Huie on http://photos.wingyounghuie.com

     I chose the photograph "Elderly Man and Baby" for a multitude of reasons. First off, a denotative look at the contents of the photo: An adorable baby, and an adorable Older Man. Both of them are sitting in a chair with wheels attached, and both of them aren't looking at the camera. The background is a rural neighborhood with no real eye-catching points. 

     Through a connotative lens the photo has more to say.Wing Young Huie's is trying to ddemonstrate the generation gap through this photo. The older man is any where from 60-70 years older than the baby, who looks about less than a year old, and was probably raised in a much different fashion than the baby. He has, quite literally, a life time of experience over the baby. Despite these facts they appear to resemble one another in this photo, both relacing in a chair and looking away from the camera. This is a testament to how, despite the generation gap, have at least some things in common. They cannot walk yet, they may not know where they are, and they don't have an a appreciation for photos. 

    Margaret Atwood approaches "othering" in The Handmaid's Tale through language. She created Neologisms that are used by the Gilead government to approach othering. Everyone in society has some kind of label: Haidmands, Unwoman, Angels, Aunts, and Commanders all have a title to their person. A judgement can be made just by hearing someones title. A Commander is in a position of power, an Aunt or Angel are capable of getting someone arrested by the Eyes, and Handmaids are only valuable in the bed. The Gilead society is based upon othering in order to maintain structure.  

     Wing Young Huie takes a different approach to "othtering". He goes out into the world and takes photographs to present examples of othering. This photo, "Elderly Man and Baby", is a perfect demonstration of othering. The two subjects of the photo are complete opposites. A baby experiencing life, and an old man who has plenty of experience. The baby appears to be black and the older man white (even thought it is hard to tell given the photo is in black and white). This difference is emphasized by the direction they are staring. The baby is staring to the right, and the older man is staring to the left. This opposition shows a difference in mind as well as body.