School Days - Friendship

This is my own creation of a poem on friendship in school.


In the class with the sky so dull,
there the sea with waves so blue,
how I wish to be friends with them,
for I know the importance of friends.

They taught me happiness,
they brought me happiness,
how I felt grateful to them,
for they have brightly coloured my life.

So there I went to mix with them,
only to receive a good reception,
how I wish to stay with them,
till the day where it is the end.

But there is always a catch,
friends are not always good,
so there kicks in your good judgement,
to help you to really choose your friends.

Questions

Simile - "wandered as lonely as a cloud"

A cloud moves over a large distance without any purpose, thus it is described as wandering. Then, clouds usually go by their own and they do not merge together with other clouds in the sky, thus it is described as lonely.

Personification - "A host"

The word host describes a person who receives or entertains guests at home or elsewhere. So the word host here describes in this case, the daffodils, welcoming him to join them in their gathering or party, thus making the daffodils sound like humans.

Personification - "golden daffodils"

The word golden describes a person being youthful, which is used for describing humans. Using it on the daffodils would make the daffodils seem humanely young.

Personification - "Tossing their heads"

The action of tossing their heads would be for describing humans when they are in the mood of a party. This would make the readers imagine the daffodils in a happy manner, and make them look like humans, which is exactly the use of personification.

Personification - "sprightly manner"

The word sprightly is used to describe to do things in a lively manner. The flowers are plants, and they cannot move. So the two words sprightly manner are again to make the readers imagine the daffodils as humans, who are happy and lively at that moment.

Personification - "The waves beside them danced"

The waves move in an up and down motion, which seems like they are dancing. However, the verb dancing can only be humans. So the poet chose this word, as the word personification hints, to give the daffodils a human nature.

Personification - "jocund company"

The poet describes the daffodils and the waves and the leaves around him as merry (which is the meaning of jocund). Again, merry is often only used to describe human nature. Describing the plants and waves around him as jocund would be describing them like humans, which is the aim of the poet.

Why I Like This Poem.

This poem is short yet meaningful. This poem describes a person who is very lonely but has found company - a group of plants and the waves. This poem in a way convey how friends can actually help to make your life more happy, which is hinting how friends are important in our lives. Without our friends, our lives would be dull. On the other hand, with friends, as described in the poem, our lives could be joyful. On top of that, the poem has also many personifications, would be helpful in our writing in future.

My Favourite Poem - I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Satires of Gulliver's Travels

Voyage to Lilliput -
Three satires exist in this voyage story to Lilliput. Firstly, the political parties of the English government are represented by the conservative High Heels who depict the Tories, and the progressive Low Heels, or Whigs. Thus the rebellion between high and low heels is a satire of Whigs and Tories.It shows that in a country, when there are two parties fighting against each other because of frivolous matters, the unity of the country would come to harm in the end.

Next, the conflict and fight between Lilliput and Blefuscu is a satire. It is a satire of the conflict between France and England over a frivolous matter.

Lastly, another satire about the religions, which are namely the Protestants and Catholics. It is compared to how the people of Lilliput and the people of Blefuscu cut their eggs, which side of it should be cut. And due to their different beliefs, they have conflicts with each other.

Voyage to Brobdingnag -
Two satires exist in this voyage to Brobdingnag. The first Satire is about the values of the giants in Brobdingnag. It describes that although the giants have small flaws and make mistakes, they possess the much needed values. This is a satire of Jonathan Swift's (the author) impression of rulers who have great power, but does not rule without considering the well-fare of his people, but have ethics.

Secondly, the satire is describing how in life, a person's point of view could change his claims to power in the society. Gulliver now becomes the smallest in Brobdingnag, the exact opposite happening as when he was in Lilliput. This time, it shows how he must look at things from a different angle.

Voyage to Laputa -
Again, there are two satires in this voyage. The first satire satires the open rebellion of Ireland against England. It is the event of the rebelling of the Lindalino against Laputa.

The second satire described about the people of Laputa being very knowledgeable about Music and Mathematics but do not know how to use the knowledge of it practically. It shows how Jonathan Swift dislikes theories and ideas that are abstract, that do not benefit.

Voyage to Houyhnhnms -

This voyage put emphasis on one topic, which is the nature of human. Swift makes a satire with the Houyhnhnms and Yahoos. The Houyhnhnms are considered the reasoned horses, as they have morally good characters, while the Yahoos are considered degraded humans as their moral characters are bad. This displays that in the process of dealing with our flaws and even recognising them, our pride would stop us as we would have too much pride to even admit that we are in the wrong or have mistakes. If this continues on, we would be like the Yahoos, having bad characters.

Active Reading, Animal Farm Chapters 8-10

As Napoleon takes over leadership of the farm, a new social and political structure emerges. This restructuring leads to many changes in power and privilege among the animals. As you read, use the diagram below to record and compare the living conditions of the pigs with the living conditions of the other animals.

Life for the Pigs

The pigs live in farmhouse
Napoleon is waited on
The pigs sleep in beds
The pigs work shorter hours
The pigs sleep longer hours
The pigs gained the rights to the milk
The pigs had more rations

Life for the Other Animals

They live in the barn
They wait on Napoleon
They sleep in hay
They worked longer hours
They did not have excess to the milk
They had lesser rations

Active Reading, Animal Farm Chapters 5-7

Orwell’s characters and narrator use language to communicate hidden agendas. Sometimes Orwell hints that language should be carefully questioned, other times it’s up to the reader to notice. As you read Chapters 5 through 7, complete the chart below by filling in some examples of manipulative communication. Then state what you think the language really means.


The Words:
In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs presided over by himself

What They Really Mean:
Napoleon is going to make all the decisions from now on.


The words:
This work (to work on Sundays) was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself would have his rations reduced by half.

What They Really Mean:
Animals were forced to do work on Sundays.


The Words:
For the time being, certainly, it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations.

What They Really Mean:
It was found necessary to reduce rations.


The Words:
It was noticed that the sheep were especially liable to break into "Four legs good, two legs bad" at crucial moments in Snowball's speeches.

What They Really Mean:
The sheep were helping Napoleon.


The Words:
It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm should have a quiet place to work in.

What They Really Mean:
The pigs are able to gain excess to do things in more comfortable areas, like the farmhouse.


The Words:
It was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals.

What They Really Mean:
This means that the pigs are able to sleep more than the other animals, and they get to work lesser at that.


The Words:
They (the dogs) kept close to Napoleon. It was noticed that they wagged their tails to him in the same way as the other dogs had been used to do to Mr Jones.

What They Really Mean:
The dogs were Napoleon's.

Responding, Animal Farm

Personal Response

Animal Farm contains many extremely effective scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others are bitterly ironic or pessimistic. Which scene did you find most memorable and effective? Why?

I find the Battle of the Cowshed most memorable. The battle is described in a very effective manner, such that I felt like I was in the scene. The battle included the hiding of the animals and how the humans and animals clashed, and how animals got injured and how Snowball's witty planning worked out. All the words used being very descriptive, it was like I have watched that part in a movie or in real life. This made it very memorable for me.

Responding, Animal Farm Chapters 8-10

Analyzing Literature (continued)

Evaluate and Connect

4. In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of progress? Explain.

I do not think that this is a sign of progress, but more of being influenced. Napoleon often dealt with humans and got influenced by them to want to stand on two legs. Therefore, I think that it is a sign of being influenced more than a sign of progress.

5. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are interchangeable? How might power change those who have it? Explain.

I do think most political leaders are interchangeable. Some political leaders are not leading their people correctly, just like the pigs. I think power corrupts those who have it. As Orwell stated, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". When the people did not have power, they did not have the position to make decisions. So when they gained the power, they think they have the freedom to do anything, so they make wrong decisions, and through all these wrong decisions, they would gradually get corrupted.

Responding, Animal Farm Chapters 8–10

Personal Response

What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For example, do you find it uplifting, depressing, cynical? Explain.

I would find it rather depressing, as the animals' hopes are dashed of having a free life. Although they think they are free and they work for themselves, they are actually working for the pigs. It is quite saddening for the animals, it is like they have been betrayed. Therefore, I find it rather depressing.

Analyzing Literature
Recall and Interpret

1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the windmill affect the animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?

Napoleon was selling timber to either Frederick or Pilkington, whomever paid the most to him. The battle of the windmills shattered their morales as during the battle of the windmill, their hard work (the windmill), was blown up by the humans. Orwell is highlighting the German Invasion of Russia during World War 2.

2. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they
come to a final conclusion about these events?

Boxer was sent to the knacker's. The other animals learnt of his fate when Benjamin announced the word on the side of the van in which Boxer was in. The words pointed out that the van belongs to the knacker's. They came to a conclusion that Boxer was sent to the hospital where he received expensive and admirable care before he died happily.

3. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is Orwell making about the role of
communication in Soviet society?

The fifth commandment was changed to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess" from "No animal shall drink alcohol". The Sixth Commandment was changed to "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause" from "No animal shall kill any other animal". The entire list of commandments were eventually changed to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others". I think Orwell is trying to make a point that the communication in the Soviet society is effective, as the news of Napoleon and the other pigs' wrongdoings were very fast known by the whole farm.

Responding, Animal Farm Chapters 5–7

Analyzing Literature (continued)

Evaluate and Connect

4. How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon’s leadership, to its exploited state under Farmer Jones’s rule? What attitude about totalitarian government do you think Orwell conveys?

I believe Orwell is trying to show that under Napoleon's leadership, the animals' life are still as bad as what they were living like under Jone's rule. He conveys the message that a totalitarian government is not good as it brings a lot of internal problems. I would think that Orwell is trying to convey the message that having a totalitarian government is not good, as it may bring or cause more trouble.

5. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled—like the pigs in Animal Farm—have more influence in decision making? Consider how decisions are made in your community, state, or in the nation.

I do think it is fair to some extent, but unfair to certain extent. It is fair as those who are more educated would make more proper decisions than those who did not receive as much education or more educated than them. However, I would think that it is unfair to a certain extent as those who are not as educated also have their rights to make decisions; have their freedom in the process of decision-making.

Responding , Animal Farm Chapters 5-7

Personal Response

What was your reaction to Snowball’s expulsion from Animal Farm?

I was extremely surprised when Snowball was expelled. Snowball was one of the cleverest animals on the farm, and Napoleon actually expelled Snowball, by using the dogs he had been raising since they were young to scare Snowball out of the farm and gain absolute power in the farm. What Napoleon did was astonishing as I would not have thought of him as such a despicable animals : expelling Snowball for his own gains.

Analyzing Literature
Recall and Interpret

1. What happens to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in
Soviet history does this scene suggest?

During the meeting about the windmill, Snowball and Napoleon were arguing about the need of the windmill. Napoleon disagreed with the idea and calls in the dogs to chase Snowball out of the farm. This scene suggests the struggle for power between Stalin and Trotsky after the death of Lenin, and that Stalin eventually drove Trotsky out of the Soviet Union and into exile.

2. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?

Firstly, Napoleon raised nine fierce guard dogs for himself, to threaten any animal who defies him or goes against him. Secondly, he expelled Snowball , who was the other leader of the farm. Lastly, he uses Squealer as his mouthpiece, to help him convince the animals to believe and trust him.

3. Why do the executions take place? What message do these events send to the animals
about their role in a future society?

The executions takes place in the yard. These events tell the animals to work only for Napoleon, and that those who betrays him would suffer the consequences ( which were heavy ).

Responding, Animal Farm Chapters 1-4

Analyzing Literature (continued)
Evaluate and Connect

4. What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution?

Orwell used Old Major's speech to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution. He wrote in Old Major's speech that they could not wish for it to happen in their lifetime and that the idea of revolution has been around for many years. There two sentences make readers think that the revolution would not happen in near future.

5. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the appropriate reaction to have during a revolution?

Characterizing Snowball as a leader, I would think that it would be appropriate for him to react in the way he reacted if it is during a revolution. If Snowball were to take pity on the boy and treats him well, the humans would probably learn about it and take advantage of the animals' soft side. Therefore, they have to appear vicious so as to show the humans that they are no pushover.

Responding, Animal Farm Chapters 1-4

Personal Response

What is your reaction to the animals' revolution?

It is quite amazing how the animals want to start their own revolution. I was thinking that it would be easy for the animals to start the revolution, but it would be hard to continue it, especially if they are living by the 'laws' set by Old Major, as they would not have the needed gold and resources. It makes me want to read on.

Do you sympathize with the animals' complaints and goals? Why or why not?

Yes, I sympathize with the animals' complaints and goals. Mr Jones and his men had really gone too far in maltreating the animals. It would be perfectly normal for the animals to want to fight for their own freedom under such circumstances.

Analyzing Literature
Recall and Interpret

1. Describe how the rebellion takes place. How does the animals' behaviour during the Rebellion suggest both human and animal characteristics?

The animals became very rowdy after they had not been fed for days. The animals then barged into the barn in search for food. When Mr Jones and his men found out what had happened, they went to stop the animals, but because of the animals' anger at that time, they bravely stood up against them and drove them out of the farm. The animals suggest the characteristics of both human and animals as they became rowdy after they had not gotten their food, and they could do anything like barging into the barn in search for food. It depicts human characteristics too as humans would get rowdy if they do not get food, and they would be desperate and would not be afraid of anythings to get food if they were not given food for days.

2. How do the pigs gain the tights to the cow's milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur? What doest this event suggest about the hierarchy on the farm?

The pigs were the 'thinkers' of the farm and they needed brain power, and milk, as stated by Squealer, would help boost their brain power, and thus, the pigs gain the rights to the cow's milk. The other animals allowed this to occur as they did not want Jones to come back, as Squealer said, if the pigs could not think and plan properly, Mr Jones would come back, and none of the animals would want this to happen, therefore, they allowed this to occur. This shows that no one in the farm dares to doubt the pigs.

3. How does the original version of Animalism become the slogan "Four legs good, two legs bad"? In your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs use?

The pigs realised that the original vision were too long and hard for the animals to remember and understand, thus they reduced it to an easier slogan. I think the animals want rules with simple language, but the pigs use complicated and deep English.

Active Reading , Animal Farm Chapters 1-4

Character - Characteristics / Actions / Purpose

Old Major - gets the revolution started; inspires hope for real change

Napoleon - leads the rebellion with Snowball, takes over the farm over time and adopt human vices

Snowball - one of the rebellion's most valuable leader and has good ideas, but was later expelled from the farm by Napoleon.

Squealer - Napoleon's mouthpiece; helps convince the animals that what Napoleon doing is right, using his speaking talent and actions

Boxer - hardworking, thinks that hard work will solve all the problems; a little dim-witted.

Clover - very motherly, treating all the animals well and caring for them, cares for Boxer a lot and sometimes question Napoleon's decisions

Benjamin - pessimistic and cynical

Dogs/puppies - raised by Napoleon since young and become Napoleon's guard dogs; are used by Napoleon to get his way

Mr Jones - often drunk and maltreats animals, but was later overthrown and kicked out of the farm by the animals

Alice In Wonderland Movie Review

This movie "Alice in Wonderland" is about a 19-year old, who has been constantly dreaming about a wonderland in which animals talk and where anything is possible. One day, when rich but fussy man( whim she does not like ) proposed to her, she happened to see a rabbit in blue clothes and ran away, chasing the rabbit. From there, she falls into a magical hole and her magical journey begins there.

This movie was entertaining about how the animals in the wonderland could talk. The movie was captivating and the actors and actresses managed to pull it off quite well. The red-queen, Bonham Carter, was a queen who wants everything done her way, or she would threaten to chop off their heads. She was vicious, and that was what red-queen was supposed to be like.

The hatter, Johnny Depp, was also an actor in the Charlie and the Chocolate factory and he did not disappoint most viewers in both movies. He managed to act quite madly and was witty. The white-queen, Anne Hathaway, was gentle and saintly. On the other hand, the newcomer, Mia Wasikowska, was natural in her role as Alice. She acted naturally and was not unnatural like what newcomers would do. The actors ans actresses portrayed the characteristics of the characters they were supposed to play as, accurately. This movie is definitely not a letdown.

About the Animal Farm Play

Difference Between Play and Novel - There were quite a few differences between the play and novel. There were characters in the book that the play did not include, like Muriel, Minimus and the cat. In the Novel, it was said that Boxer had a split hoof, however, in the play, it was never mentioned that Boxer was injured. The way the 7 Commandments were changed were also different. In the Novel, the 6th Commandment was changed to " No animal shall kill any other animal without reason " from " No animal shall kill any other animal ". However, in the play, it was changed to " No animal shall kill any other animal without cause ". On top of that, there was no mention that there was no work on Sundays in the play, when the book included that portion. Also, in the book, it was mentioned that the barley that was cooked was to be stirred only into the pigs' mash. However, there was no mention of the barley in the play. Finally, in the Novel, it was always Muriel who helped Clover read out any of the Seven Commandments when she suspected that the pigs had broken that commandment. However, in the play, it was always Benjamin who helped Clover with the reading of any of the Seven Commandments.

Most memorable character - The most memorable character from my point of view is Squealer. How the actress of Squealer put across her actions to the audiences was entertaining. Example, when the animals doubted that Snowball was helping Jones during the Battle of the Cowshed, when she flashed a piece of 'evidence' and exclaimed," Jones's shot only grazed him! I could show you this in his own handwriting if you can read it. " Then she flashed a piece of paper in front of the animals for less than a second (No one would actually have the chance to read it contents!). How she managed to convince all the animals using her entertaining excuses, and all the sneaky actions that she does makes her an entertaining character, and thus, she would be the most memorable character for me.

Compare and Contrast (most similar and different character to the Novel in the play) - In my opinion, the most similar character to the Novel in the play is Napoleon. The Napoleon in the play was as selfish and bossy as that described in the book. However, the animal that is most different from that of the book would be Squealer. Although I mentioned that Squealer is the most memorable character in the play, the Squealer in the play is also the most different from the Novel. Squealer, as described in the book, is supposed to be skipping around when explaining to the animals. However, the Squealer in the play did not do so.

Sentences that Characterize the main animals:
Boxer - I will work harder!
Clover - I love everybody, I care for everyone.
Moses - Afterlife is good.
Mollie - The grass is always greener on the other side.
Benjamin - Nobody has seen a dead donkey.
Napoleon - I am always right!
Squealer - Napoleon would always be right.


An Article From TODAY Newspaper



My own review
- The play of animal farm is about a group of animals who decides to overthrow their master and manage the farm on their own under the leadership of the smarter pigs. When their master was finally kicked out, Napoleon and Snowball starts the fight for the position of the leader. Napoleon emerges as a winner and starts to carve out his own small empire and makes the rest of the animals work for him.

The casts of the Animal farm play acted as their characters very well, and some of them even had to act as different characters and change to act as another animal within seconds. They are talented and were convincing. They portrayed the right characteristics of the animals they were acting as. Napoleon was as wicked, Squealer was as convincing, Boxer was as loyal and hardworking, Clover was as motherly, Mollie was as vain and Benjamin was as cynical. No one who watches the play would feel disappointed.

On top of that, there was a live percussionist who went on stage during the storm and created rhythmic beats by hitting different parts of the set on stage. It definitely was interesting.

The use of the air-conditioning ducts which symbolized the continuously building of the windmill left many students amazed at how it could rise up by itself. The play had allowed us understand the story better with the visual scene right in front of us, and it proved to be quite entertaining, fun and enriching for us.