Quote Explanation

Kurt Vonnecut did an incredible job at portraying war in slaughterhouse five. He used pathos and made the readers feel sorry for the soldiers in war. I felt really sad reading some parts because the descriptions were very intense. One of the quotes in the book that I thought was very interesting was: "My God - what have they done to you lad? This isn't a man. It's a broken kite (page 97)". I absolutely love that quote, I believe it captures how the war was going on in the World War II firebombing of Dresden. Throughout the book Kurt Vonnecut shows that many of the soldiers fighting in the wars were children. The "broken kite" represents how children are the ones playing with kites but their innocence was broken as they fought in the war. That quote really changed my viewpoint of war, and caused me to think about both sides.  Near the end of chapter one Billy goes to Bernard O'Hare's house where she has a conversation with his wife Sara. She was mad at him because she didn't want him to write about glorifying war. "she didn't want her babies or anybody else's babies killed in wars". And Billy promised her that he wouldn't do that he would call it the "Children's Crusade". I find it crazy how people used kids to fight, because that's a whole generation they are wiping out. What was your favorite quote from Slaughterhouse - Five?

Religion in Slaughterhouse - Five

  Slaughterhouse -Five is written by Kurt Vonnecut. Ever since it was published in 1969, it had been banned many times. It is one of the greatest "anti-war" books. Kurt Vonnecut used religion in various parts of "Slaughterhouse -Five". The one that stood out to me was when he compared himself to Lot's wife who turned to salt. In the end of chapter 1 he is shown reading the story oh how Sodom and Gomorrah were in the wrath of God. In Genesis 19:15 it said that with the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. But Lots wife looked back to where the people and their homes had been. "But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human" (page, 22) Kurt Vonnecut had very strong points and opinions on religion and things he believed in. Why was she turned into salt? I think it was because she was used to represent all the future generations of people that will come to disobey God. Lot's wife looked back to her own city with regret and sadness at having to leave it. Sodom was still in her heart, causing her to look back just once which resulted in disobeying the very God who warned her.

Character Analysis on Clover

 Animal Farm is a very clever book which was about the Russian revolution. Written by George Orwell, all the characters had very symbolic meanings. Clover is a motherly mare who was loyal, caring, and trustworthy. She was also a very good friend of Boxers. When Boxer collapsed between the shafts of the cart, he could barely even raise his head. Clover even rushed his side to try to help him and calm him down. After the terror of the executions died down a bit, not one animal was willing to mention the 6th commandment for the fear of getting caught by dogs and the pigs. And she had Muriel read it to her. Clover represents the people who remember a time before the Revolution that realized the government was lying but were helpless to change anything. "As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts; it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion." Clover is my favorite character from Animal Farm. She may not have been the loudest or the strongest. But her little actions were powerful. Who was your favorite character?

#3

 

Why do you think, according to Winston's actions and thoughts, what was his biggest weakness? I personally felt like O'brien was Winston weakness and not Julia. Ever since the beginning, he was always  awed by O'Brien and almost convinced he was a part of the of the revolutionary group called the Brotherhood. On page 17 he says "I am with you, O'Brien seemed to be saying to him. I know precisely what you are feeling. I know your contempt, your hatred, your disgust. But don't worry, I am on your side!" But in the end of the book, when Winston is caught with Julia, he realized that he was a powerful member of the Inner Party. What i thought was interesting was that he let his fear get the worst of him and he let O'Brien torture and destroy the little ounce of hope he had left. When Winston confessed that it was all Julia, i was devastated. It was sad because Winston went through soo much and fought so hard and it was definitely a huge twist to the whole story. If you were given the chance to re-write the ending of "George Orwell 1984" would you? Or did you like how the whole story ended?

Blog #2

Which slogan was the most significant in the story?

I believe the slogan, "war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength" played such a significant role in the story. Propaganda is used many times to emphasize the importance it portrays. Throughout the book, you can see this slogan brought up over and over again. The whole purpose is for the government to control the people. They hate rebellion, and even the slightest bit of thinking can get you taken away from the thought police. I realized that this is a form of double speech. Which we went over in class, It's like saying one thing but meaning a whole other thing. I found the picture above to be so accurate to what was happening in-the book. In the first one it shows how the party was telling us what to believe and not to believe. The 2nd block is saying, how they are going to give us "freedom" but still watch our every move. In today's society that's like they were a parent who doesn't trust their child, so they keep watching them. But by doing that, they just broke the trust relationship between them. In Oceania, they were always in war, so the 3rd block shows how they are holding missile but demanding "peace". They totally contradict each other. Which quote from the book stood out to you more?

Totalitarian Goverement

 

How does "Big Brother" connect to a totalitarian government?

Hey Guys! I am reading George Orwell 1984, and it is a very interesting book. There are so many ways you could take  look at things from a different perspective. This story helped me be more aware of the situations going on.

A totalitarian government is a political system in which all authority is in the hands of the state. It is like we are all puppets, and the government is watching and directing us. Ordering us around, and having control over everything. Basically, nothing is a secret, private becomes theirs. The term "Big Brother" is often said in the book "George Orwell 1984". "It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran (page 2)." I found it very interesting how the author wrote that in Bold and emphasized it a lot. He talks about a society that has so much control, they even monitor their very own thoughts in their mind.

That particular section of the book, Orwell is feeling overpowered, it was more like a threat. The way he described his gaze said a lot about what Orwell thought. Big Brother, can sometimes be seen as a brotherly figure, or one who protects them...."What big brother was saying. It was merely a few words of encouragement, the sort of words that are uttered in the dim of battle, not distinguishable individually but restoring confidence by the fact of being spoken (page 16)."It was a little  comforting as well.  Both "big brother" and the Totalitarian government seemed to go off one rule. Which is to control everything. Since they monitor thoughts, Orwell writing in his journal was a big risk for him. How would you feel if you had your privacy invaded? Would you like it if the government watched us all the time?  

#3 - Charcters

Everyone has someone special in their life that shapes them. It might be a parent, girlfriend, boyfriend, aunt, or teacher. In Jazz's life it was his girlfriend Conny. Conny has been there for Jazz ever since his dad went to jail. She gave him moral support, and without her presence i feel like Jasper would have definitely give into his fathers wishes and would have turned into a serial killer as well. When Conny heard that Jasper had to go with the New York Police officer to help with a crime. She lied to her parents, sneaked out of the house and fought to stay with her boyfriend. A thing i found interesting was revealed alot latter in the story. Jasper noticed that all the people his father murdered were white. So the real reason Jasper was dating Conny was because she was an African. Jasper wanted to have something that wouldn't be taken away easily. He wanted to keep her safe. "Jazz would loose confidence in himself that he wouldn't be able to control who he turned out to be. But Conny was  tough, and firm, and tells him that this is who he is. " I know, there's this stuff buried in you, and you're afraid it will erupt, like it's going to be triggered". He's feels guilty because he has emotions and feelings that are human and not monstrous.

In my life, the person that shaped me was my mom. She has always been there for me and my family. She always put our needs first before her own. She has always been my hero, my bestfriend, my sister. I want to grow up and be like her one day. Whenever i have a problem i can talk to her about anything and she gives me courage and strength to handle it. Without her i would not be half the person i am today. She is the very reason, i am so strong in my faith. Whenever i was loosing hope about anything she would cheer me up and always tell me that if God brings you to the obstacle, he will definitely bring you through it. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful person like her in my life. So who's the person you can't live without? The person that changed your life, and shaped it for the better?