2013 ~ Week 2

What is a 'typical' Australian? Do you consider yourself a 'typical' Australian and why/why not?

There are no doubt mixed opinions regarding the 'typical' Australian. There is the beer-slugging, singlet and thong-wearing bogan image that we Aussies appear to sport proudly, as it is second to our nature to mock ourselves. But this is just our sense of humour - we make fun of ourselves, our national exports, our mates, whilst many other countries could never comprehend the humour in it. Australian's are also well known for their loyal mate ship, and for being quite resilient - whether it be defending our country and her allies, playing tackle rugby in the mud, or wrestling crocodiles and dingoes simultaneously. But  whilst a portion of Australian's no doubt apply to the thongs and flanny get up, driving a ute, listening to ACDC and laughing at their passed-out mate Bazza in the passenger seat, there are the rest of us. There is really no typical Australian, there are stereotypes, but those do not represent to a great number of Australian's. In contrast, I also believe Australian's are people who are proud of their homeland, but accepting of those who wish to call it theirs too. We love our barbecues, our lamp chops and steak. We look out for one another, go crazy over our sport and we share in a unique sense of humour. We are individuals, but Australia is a country of freedom, peace and comradeship, and while not always the case, it's these morals Australians stand by too. I do consider myself a typical Australian, because I am proud of the country we come from. I think we are so lucky to live in a place where we can express ourselves freely. I do not agree with all the 'typical' Australian customs, but I believe in loyalty, I believe in courage and resilience, I believe sport is an important part in our lives, and I believe in everything Australia is from our beautiful beaches to our unique wildlife. *que 'We Are Australian' song* :)

Week 2 Homework Term 4

Write an introductory paragraph in response to the question we have been working on in class. “Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure.” To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”? In your response you must discuss the way the film positions viewers to understand its message. Post to your blog before Tuesday's lesson.

Peter Weir’s film Gallipoli presents the notion that many young men volunteer in war as an opportunity for adventure, however it also proposes other reasons as to why they take part, including for the act of patriotism and an assertion of bravery to rid the image of a coward. The movie clearly enforces just how much precious life is wasted at war, and how it simply a killing spree and much less an adventure or glorious responsibility. Different techniques are used to portray this message - the initial excitement the soldiers share, the young ages at which they enrol, their interest and pride to take take part - which is all contradicted once they start to experience war and it's horrific nature. Perhaps one of the most comforting scenes where this idea of adventure and duty is contradicted and shamed is when dozens of young Australian soldiers are sent out on the front line despite knowing they will die, running out unarmed and helpless. It is through scenes such as this that Gallipolli creates the impression that despite theories, despite the glorification of war, it really is just a waste of the beautiful young men that were sent - destroying everything they were, and ever would be.

SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES

2. The author claims of “Suicide in the Trenches” that Siegfried Sassoon “makes his point clear with tremendous force and effectiveness”. What is the poet’s message and how effectively (in your opinion) is the message conveyed?

Siegfried Sassoon demonstrates an incredibly forceful and effect point in his poem Suicide in the Trenches. Sassoon emphasise the precious life that is being wasted and forgotten in war. He creates the image of a young soldier boy, a normal boy with hopes and dreams, a normal content boy with an appreciation for life and peace - his world was totally uncorrupted. As the poem continues it reverses this idea - as the boy commits suicide in the trenches. It comes to show just how horrifying the conditions must have been for a happy young man to do such a thing. War is so horrific that it has forced him to destroy his own life - a beautiful boy full of vivacity, gone. There is a mention of how the boy is forgotten after he shoots himself, meaning no-one wants to be reminded of just how terrible war can effect people. In the final paragraph Sassoon mentions the shame people should feel for sending these promising young men to war, totally destroying everything they are and ever will be. The messages are clear: people cannot possibly imagine the horrors war presents and the precious life which it so carelessly destroyed. War is not meant to glorified, but shamed. In terms of poetic techniques, the poet uses alliteration, rhyme and very descriptive language.

WEEK 4 ENGLISH HOMEWORK

A reflective response to chapters 9- 11 A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean. Post to your blog by Thursday 4 pm.

It's changin' now; the way I viewed things as a young boy, it's all changin'. Things are happenin' differently, and I have more of a responsibility now, more of a expectation to behave as any gentleman would I s'pose. We got toy rifles for Christmas from Atticus, which is what Scout and I had hoped for. We also learned that Atticus used to be the best shot in Maycomb - gavin' to take down a mad dog. I gotta watch out for little Scout, these past weeks have really put her patience to test. She's not quite old, or mature, enough to understand the situation that Atticus is in, defendin' the Negroes, and why everyones reactin' so harshly. She's not a wimp, I'll give ya that, and she'll fight anyone who ever said a bad word about uz - so it's partly my job to help her control that, she can't keep carryin' on like this. But it was only ever other kids, at school or cousins, that'd say nasty things about uz, calling uz nigger-lovers and sayin Atticus was givin the family a bad name. When Mrs. Dubose, the old lady in our neighbourhood started saying' it too, worse even, that's when it began to get to me too. She was nasty, she was cold and she didn't give care one bit about what she was actually saying' and how it waz upsetting uz. I did my best to control it, but a few wrong words and I'd lost it. She'd gone too far, and I took it even further - cuttin' down her prized flowers and ruinin' em. Of course, there was a punishment, and Atticus was real disappointed. I read to her every day, Scout by my side. I hated every minute of it. She was boring and rude and never satisfied. But what I didn't realise then was how strong Mrs Dubose was, she was fighting the battle of her life. If I'd had known it, I wouldn't have been so tough on her, but how was I expected to realise? And I gotta admit, at times, I found her with a grin on her face every now and then when I was reading' to er. Mrs Dubose died later that month, and I waz glad I read to her while she still her, it made me feel kind of good, rewarded inside. Atticus always said Mrs Dubose was a brave woman. I never thought it. I thought of her as cranky and rude and mean. But, she was, indeed very brave. Brave because she was passionate about what she believed in. She viewed things from a different angle than what others did and she never let anyone tell her otherwise. She fought her illness, and found the courage to stop relying on the morphine - she fought every step of the way, even though she knew she waz gonna die. I think that's what Atticus was getting at - that real courage comes from denying giving-up, to keep trying, to stand for what you believe in. Because of this I guess, Atticus thought of her az the bravest woman that ever lived.  

ENGLISH HOMEWORK T3WK3 - TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

The first eight chapters of to "Kill a Mockingbird" focus largely on the story of the children trying to make Boo Radley come out. List all of the events in this story including those which show the reader that Boo actually has come out. Now write a section in Atticus’s journal on the night after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house. How would Atticus reflect on the events that have happened? Post to your blog by 8.20 am Friday.

EVENTS SHOWING BOO RADLEY HAS COME OUT: 

1. A shutter in the house moves as Jem approaches the Radley house

2. Presents start to appear in the Radley oak tree: Tinfoil sticking out of a hole in one of the Radleys’ oak trees with two pieces of chewing gum + two old “Indian-head” pennies hidden in the same place+ ball of grey twine + two soap figure + spelling bee medal + old pocket watch

3. Scout hits the house whilst rolling in the tyre and hears laughter

4. Jem's pants mysteriously mended and folded neatly over the fence

5. The blanket that was draped over Scout

Atticus's journal 

Well, today was surely an eventful one. It was just past one this morning when we started to hear the commotion on the street, including the high pitched siren that came blaring round the curb. It was dear little Miss Maudie's house, it was alight, flakes of fire ravishing the house away and crawling up to the roof. I woke the children and told them to gather their coats, trying to be as calm and collected as possible as to avoid scaring them. I instructed them to wait in front of the Radley's house whilst I helped at the scene. There was already a crowd in front of the house, along with the firemen, and I didn't want the children being caught up in the anarchy. So, I left the children in safety, and accompanied the other men in helping to remove the furniture from Miss Maudie's humble abode. 

By dawn, the commotion at Miss Maudie's had calmed itself, and the fire was controlled, but my heart went out to her. She was a good, kind, strong woman - she was dealing with the situation very well, but she was still of course shaken and a little distraught. I met the children where I had left them, and took them home for hot chocolates to warm them up, it was cold and icy outside from the snow. As we sat before the fire pit it occurred to me the blanket draped over Scout's shoulders - it hadn't been there before, and the children had told me they did not leave where I had asked them to stay. I don't think Scout was first aware of it being there either, the children were probably too encompassed by the trouble at the fire. From then Jem started motoring away about the gifts they had found in the trees, and his sewn pants. He assured me it was probably the work of Nathan Radley, but I had my own idea that perhaps the man behind this all was Arthur. It somewhat affected the children I should say that though - it beats me - but they have this wrenching fear of Boo Radley. I think it's all talk to be honest, rumours being snowballed as the years pass. The Radley's are not bad people, they're just a bit misunderstood and judged too quickly if you ask me. No one knows enough about them to go around saying what they believe is true. I hope the children will come to realise this someday soon.

WEEK 8 HOMEWORK

Look up the meaning of the word which constitutes the title of the play, "crucible", and give a dictionary definition. How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Write a paragraph in answer, referring to one of the play's themes to justify your response. Post on your blog before 8.20 Tuesday.  I was able to locate three variations of the definition for Crucible: 1. A vessel made of a refractory substance such as graphite or porcelain, used for melting and calcining materials at high temperatures. 2. A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial. See Synonyms at trial. 3. A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces I believe the title is highly appropriate as The Crucible is a severe test of belief and patience, and it is certainly characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual and political forces. For instance, one theme strongly portrayed during the play is that of loyalty. Loyalty no doubt tests the commitment one has to their beliefs and their community. There are a few characters in the play who do show this character trait positively, for example, Rebecca Nurse, who despite the uproar and pressures to confess, remains loyal to God and her faith. Other characters do not possess such characteristics, instead having betrayed God and their friends. This is represented well in the character of Abigail Williams. Abigail betrays her beliefs, she lies and sins. Additionally, she blackmails and wrongs her friends, as she accuses innocent people in order to save herself. In terms of 'a situation characterised by the confluence of powerful intellectual and political forces', the Crucible shows this through the use of abuse of power and authority. This can be seen when Parris uses his role as reverend to make accusations and uneccessary input. The Salem trials is an event of total anarchy, and everyone uses the opportunity to blame those who they do not respect in any sense, abusing their given rights to save themselves. I think the title is highly relevant to the situation. It is undoubtedly a test of belief and a situation that is characterised by the powerful intellectual and political forces.

Write a paragraph explaining the connection between the McCarthy era and the play. Be concise and prioritise your ideas. Think and plan before you write! Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.