Blog Prompt: Have you ever been part of a group of people that were unkind to one or more individuals? Describe the circumstances. What caused you to behave the way you did? How did you feel then? How do you feel about the circumstances / events in retrospect?
I do admit that I have been prejudiced against other people, being unkind because I am still not mature when being prejudiced against others. In primary school, I can easily see the countless number of prejudice cases, boys working with their own gender, girls working with their own gender which is quite common but as we move on to secondary school or junior college, we work together. The question here is: Is this considered prejudice? I personally feel that it is a minor form of prejudice because primary school children are not yet mature.
The question I would like to pose myself would be: Why were you prejudiced against him/her? Simply, I feel that me being prejudiced against that person because of personality. First, dislike then to prejudice which is name-calling (according to the groups under prejudice) and physical fights and more. I hate his personality: Dirty, Weird & more. Now, maybe I just leave him alone, I will go my own way, you will go your own way, which means we hardly speak. I feel that this is not prejudice, it is a form of avoiding trouble.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Quick-Write: Character in "To Kill a Mocking Bird"
Quick-Write: Select one character from the novel To Kill A Mockingbird that left a deep impression on you. Write about why and how this character is particularly memorable for you. At which point was this character introduced? What were the high and low points for this character in the story, and why are they significant?
I would choose Tom Robinson who has left a deep impression on me. To start off, I am one that would sympathise with him because he is a victim of prejudice. As all of us know, this book concentrates on prejudice and in his case; he is being prejudiced because he is a Black. Tom Robinson is being mocked at by the Whites, some calling him “nigger”. Despite being innocent, he was accused of rape just because he is a Black, this is definitely unfair in terms of morality and we are able to infer that the situation during that time was disastrous, with the Blacks and Whites separated into 2 different worlds. This character was introduced when he was held in custody, with men coming to look for him, a more detailed description of him came at the court case. The high point of this character has got to be the court case, where many whites saw him as guilty, only Atticus defending him. The low point would be due to the little support he got of being innocent, he gave up and decided not to persist on to verify his innocence, thus tried to escape from jail, being shot dead in the end while trying to do so.
I would choose Tom Robinson who has left a deep impression on me. To start off, I am one that would sympathise with him because he is a victim of prejudice. As all of us know, this book concentrates on prejudice and in his case; he is being prejudiced because he is a Black. Tom Robinson is being mocked at by the Whites, some calling him “nigger”. Despite being innocent, he was accused of rape just because he is a Black, this is definitely unfair in terms of morality and we are able to infer that the situation during that time was disastrous, with the Blacks and Whites separated into 2 different worlds. This character was introduced when he was held in custody, with men coming to look for him, a more detailed description of him came at the court case. The high point of this character has got to be the court case, where many whites saw him as guilty, only Atticus defending him. The low point would be due to the little support he got of being innocent, he gave up and decided not to persist on to verify his innocence, thus tried to escape from jail, being shot dead in the end while trying to do so.
1st Person VS 3rd Person
In a Nutshell,
These are the Advantages & Disadvantages from Telling the Story in the 1st Person or 3rd Person:
In 1st Person, it usually allows you to see the scene from the narrator’s eyes, it looks as if the narrator is you pair of eyes, guiding you through the whole story (especially in detective stories). However, there is a disadvantage here because the narrator may be only part of the story and will not appear on every page, as such, we are not able to see the whole story. 1st Person also allows readers to access the feelings & opinions of the narrator, which in turn allows us to know the relationship in the story between the narrator and another character. In conclusion, the 1st Person wants readers to concentrate on the narrator, what he sees, what he does and what he thinks.
In 3rd Person, it usually allows us to see the whole story, from different points of view, example, what Character A does, see and thinks and what Character B see, does and think. Besides, we can also get access to all the feelings of ALL characters in the story (if that is the author’s plan). To say it in a different way, it allows us to know everything about each character, whether they are major or minor, their personal traits and facts about them. In conclusion, it allows us to see the whole story.
To conclude, in my own opinion, I would choose the 3rd Person because one, it is easier to write due to the fact that we can write the whole story out and not confuse your readers. It is also easier to expand the story compared to 1st Person. In 1st Person, it is really EASY to make mistakes if you do not have 100 percent concentration, you will tend to confuse who your narrator is and in the end, you will have many characters being the narrator, destroying the whole story.
These are the Advantages & Disadvantages from Telling the Story in the 1st Person or 3rd Person:
In 1st Person, it usually allows you to see the scene from the narrator’s eyes, it looks as if the narrator is you pair of eyes, guiding you through the whole story (especially in detective stories). However, there is a disadvantage here because the narrator may be only part of the story and will not appear on every page, as such, we are not able to see the whole story. 1st Person also allows readers to access the feelings & opinions of the narrator, which in turn allows us to know the relationship in the story between the narrator and another character. In conclusion, the 1st Person wants readers to concentrate on the narrator, what he sees, what he does and what he thinks.
In 3rd Person, it usually allows us to see the whole story, from different points of view, example, what Character A does, see and thinks and what Character B see, does and think. Besides, we can also get access to all the feelings of ALL characters in the story (if that is the author’s plan). To say it in a different way, it allows us to know everything about each character, whether they are major or minor, their personal traits and facts about them. In conclusion, it allows us to see the whole story.
To conclude, in my own opinion, I would choose the 3rd Person because one, it is easier to write due to the fact that we can write the whole story out and not confuse your readers. It is also easier to expand the story compared to 1st Person. In 1st Person, it is really EASY to make mistakes if you do not have 100 percent concentration, you will tend to confuse who your narrator is and in the end, you will have many characters being the narrator, destroying the whole story.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Comments on Liak Ghee's Setting Descriptions
Just would like to comment on a few pointers of improvement:
1.) "Few Deck Chairs", I feel can be changed into a type of language, for example "brown chairs seemed to camaflouged in the sand".
2.) There is no need for "but other than that there was nothing much." First, it is informal and it is unnecessary to mention.
3.) I feel that "azure blue and magnolia white clouds" are commonly used phrases, do change it.
4.) I like the last sentence "dancing in the wind", good use of metaphors.
1.) "Few Deck Chairs", I feel can be changed into a type of language, for example "brown chairs seemed to camaflouged in the sand".
2.) There is no need for "but other than that there was nothing much." First, it is informal and it is unnecessary to mention.
3.) I feel that "azure blue and magnolia white clouds" are commonly used phrases, do change it.
4.) I like the last sentence "dancing in the wind", good use of metaphors.
Scenery Descriptions
That day at the seaside, I was looking at the sand that spanned the beach, it was as white as snow and looked never-ending. Green trees were lined up along the sides of the sand and the sound of ruffling tree branches could be heard, the sky looked perfect, being light blue with clouds. An attap house was seen amongst the greenery of the trees, with an exquisite and yet unusual structure made from rock, with the staircases piling up, leading to the hazel-coloured door and the roof in the colour of nut-light brown.
Monday, January 24, 2011
LA Home Learning Comic (Questions)
Q1.) Why did you choose the different pictures or backgrounds?
Basically, different pictures or backgrounds give you the answer to the identity of a person. Having a background allows you to infer more about the person, more on what he does, but does not reveal so much about his characteristics. DIFFERENT backgrounds give you DIFFERENT answers to the person’s identity.
Q2.) How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, and characterisation) of your narrative?
In the first frame, I put up a background of a modern society, telling the readers that in this day and time, people can do anything for their own benefits, even kinship which cannot be bought with money. This gives the reader some background knowledge of the plot on what I am planning to write. In the second frame, I put up a background of a soccer field, indicating my dreams. In the third and fourth frame, I indicate myself in different situations where I have a dilemma. In the fifth frame, I indicate my desire to be there for my favourite sport. Lastly, the background of my home indicates that I will never leave this home, and this is the place where I belong.
Q3.) How did you make use of the different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?
To start off with, my theme is “Kinship/Friendship can never be bought with money”. From this theme, I start off with having to ponder over two choices, kinship or a dream to be fulfilled and my final decision tells me which is more important. The first setting gives us an introduction of what is happening today while the setting of the home gives the audience the feel how etched my feelings are to where I belong, while the background of soccer fields show the desire to fulfil my own dream. Lastly, characterisation shows the feeling of a home and the feelings of a dream fulfilled.
Basically, different pictures or backgrounds give you the answer to the identity of a person. Having a background allows you to infer more about the person, more on what he does, but does not reveal so much about his characteristics. DIFFERENT backgrounds give you DIFFERENT answers to the person’s identity.
Q2.) How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, and characterisation) of your narrative?
In the first frame, I put up a background of a modern society, telling the readers that in this day and time, people can do anything for their own benefits, even kinship which cannot be bought with money. This gives the reader some background knowledge of the plot on what I am planning to write. In the second frame, I put up a background of a soccer field, indicating my dreams. In the third and fourth frame, I indicate myself in different situations where I have a dilemma. In the fifth frame, I indicate my desire to be there for my favourite sport. Lastly, the background of my home indicates that I will never leave this home, and this is the place where I belong.
Q3.) How did you make use of the different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?
To start off with, my theme is “Kinship/Friendship can never be bought with money”. From this theme, I start off with having to ponder over two choices, kinship or a dream to be fulfilled and my final decision tells me which is more important. The first setting gives us an introduction of what is happening today while the setting of the home gives the audience the feel how etched my feelings are to where I belong, while the background of soccer fields show the desire to fulfil my own dream. Lastly, characterisation shows the feeling of a home and the feelings of a dream fulfilled.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Learning Outcome: To Kill a Mocking Bird
1.) Why is it necessary to understand the historical and cultural context of the novel?
Yes, it is necessary. This is to find out what had happened during the time when the author wrote this book, during the 1950’s. From this, we will be able to find out what happened in the past, which is under history. For the culture, by understanding the whites prejudiced against the blacks, would be able to tell us more about the culture during the 1950’s. Is this situation “whites prejudiced against blacks” happening at that time?
2.) How does it help to understand the author’s background? Is it necessary to learn about the author’s background?
By knowing the historical and cultural context of the book, we are able to infer that the author may have been in two situations when he wrote the book. One, he could be a victim of prejudice and is ostracised from the society, he feels sad and would like more people in the near future to know the impacts of being prejudiced against another person. Two, he could be prejudiced against others in the past but has reflected on his actions and feels regretful, thus writing this book, to persuade people from being prejudiced against others. It is not necessary to know, but it would be much better to know because knowing about his background would tell us directly his purpose in writing this book. If we do not know, there would be many guesses on his purpose, which may not entirely be true.
3.) Is it possible to appreciate the text without pre-reading about the historical and cultural context of the novel/ background of the novel?
Yes, it is possible to do so, however, as mentioned to the answer for question two, it would be much better. The author has written it well to allow all people to understand the story with ease and uses words such as “nigger” (name-calling) for a huge impact on the audience. He has a good storyline as well for the happenings between the blacks and the whites, as such; we are able to appreciate the text. If we are able to know about the background, probably we will know the author’s purpose in writing this book.
Yes, it is necessary. This is to find out what had happened during the time when the author wrote this book, during the 1950’s. From this, we will be able to find out what happened in the past, which is under history. For the culture, by understanding the whites prejudiced against the blacks, would be able to tell us more about the culture during the 1950’s. Is this situation “whites prejudiced against blacks” happening at that time?
2.) How does it help to understand the author’s background? Is it necessary to learn about the author’s background?
By knowing the historical and cultural context of the book, we are able to infer that the author may have been in two situations when he wrote the book. One, he could be a victim of prejudice and is ostracised from the society, he feels sad and would like more people in the near future to know the impacts of being prejudiced against another person. Two, he could be prejudiced against others in the past but has reflected on his actions and feels regretful, thus writing this book, to persuade people from being prejudiced against others. It is not necessary to know, but it would be much better to know because knowing about his background would tell us directly his purpose in writing this book. If we do not know, there would be many guesses on his purpose, which may not entirely be true.
3.) Is it possible to appreciate the text without pre-reading about the historical and cultural context of the novel/ background of the novel?
Yes, it is possible to do so, however, as mentioned to the answer for question two, it would be much better. The author has written it well to allow all people to understand the story with ease and uses words such as “nigger” (name-calling) for a huge impact on the audience. He has a good storyline as well for the happenings between the blacks and the whites, as such; we are able to appreciate the text. If we are able to know about the background, probably we will know the author’s purpose in writing this book.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Prejudice: Know & What
I know the definition of prejudice is the unfavorable opinion of a person. Prejudice has many causes and bring prejudiced against another person would mean that the victim will receive disadvantages and thus leading to severe consequences.
There are many reasons why one is prejudiced against another:
1.) Racism
2.) Family Backgrounds
3.) Status in Society
4.) Personality (Self-Centred)
5.) Disabilities
6.) IQ (Story: Flowers for Algernon)
7.) Gender
8.) Religion
Disadvantages Received by Victims:
1.) Bullied
2.) Looked Down At by Others
3.) Ostracism
4.) Removed Privileges
5.) Loss of Pride
I feel that prejudice is a form of disrespect to another person because people should be treated equally in this world and not be separated because of racism, being the largest cause. Not only do the victims lose their pride, but they are also ostracized by the society.
Prejudice, due to the fact that people are biased to a particular person, means it is a form of disrespect. However, there is more because most of the times, victims are wrongly accused of the reason why they are prejudiced. Many people do not confirm the facts first even before starting to be biased towards the victim.
This theme is seen in "To Kill a Mocking Bird", where people are differentiated by black and white. White people look down on blacks, and call them names, thus leading to many believing the white people but not the black people.
What I would like to know more about prejudice would actually be the steps taken by the victims after being ostracized, I would like to know how they try to prevent oneself from being a victim of prejudice and how he/she can reclaim her lost pride and confidence to be part of the society.
Also, I would like to know what steps they take to be prejudiced against others besides bullying and why they have a straightforward mindset instead of confirming the facts first. Lastly, I would like to find out real-life examples in the current modern world of prejudice, whether in politics or countries.
There are many reasons why one is prejudiced against another:
1.) Racism
2.) Family Backgrounds
3.) Status in Society
4.) Personality (Self-Centred)
5.) Disabilities
6.) IQ (Story: Flowers for Algernon)
7.) Gender
8.) Religion
Disadvantages Received by Victims:
1.) Bullied
2.) Looked Down At by Others
3.) Ostracism
4.) Removed Privileges
5.) Loss of Pride
I feel that prejudice is a form of disrespect to another person because people should be treated equally in this world and not be separated because of racism, being the largest cause. Not only do the victims lose their pride, but they are also ostracized by the society.
Prejudice, due to the fact that people are biased to a particular person, means it is a form of disrespect. However, there is more because most of the times, victims are wrongly accused of the reason why they are prejudiced. Many people do not confirm the facts first even before starting to be biased towards the victim.
This theme is seen in "To Kill a Mocking Bird", where people are differentiated by black and white. White people look down on blacks, and call them names, thus leading to many believing the white people but not the black people.
What I would like to know more about prejudice would actually be the steps taken by the victims after being ostracized, I would like to know how they try to prevent oneself from being a victim of prejudice and how he/she can reclaim her lost pride and confidence to be part of the society.
Also, I would like to know what steps they take to be prejudiced against others besides bullying and why they have a straightforward mindset instead of confirming the facts first. Lastly, I would like to find out real-life examples in the current modern world of prejudice, whether in politics or countries.
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