Finally Done :)

This is my last assigned post for this English blog! Reading the novel 1984 and discussing it has been a very long journey. I've read the novels Animal Farm and 1984 this school year.  The author that wrote these two books, George Orwell, is absolutely amazing. Although these were interesting novels overall, I’m so glad we’re taking a break from the analyses, reflections’ and tests. We’re saying goodbye to those long nights and all-nighters trying to get these assignments done. Don’t get me wrong, I love literature, reading, and writing. But, it can be very stressful, at times along with the other homework in different subjects throughout each day. As this novel reached a climax things began to be a little more interesting to us, but not at the beginning. It honestly felt like it was so much detail that it began to drown you with a lot of information all at once. However, at the end George Orwell taught me many things. This assignment has shown me how much people in our society today depend on a lot of technology. But when you express your thoughts, you don’t always need devices (phones, laptops, iPods, iPads, etc...). You could you’re your own personal diary. Someday, I’ll continue to read more of the great novels by George Orwell. This “1984 Blog Diary” assignment was interesting and really fun. I already have my own personal blog on Tumblr, but I’m going to continue to use Blogger more often. Bye everyone. Enjoy more blog & look out for new posts! :)

DOMINICAN PRIDE!! :)

DOMINICAN PRIDE!! :)

The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola. It's also the second largest Caribbean nation!  My family member and I have pride in our ethnicity. To express my feelings and thoughts, I write poetry. I also have close friends that are interested in it too. A girl by the name of  Dari wrote a poem about her Dominican pride that I wanted to share. It's entitled " Dominican Pride"

Roses are Red,Dominicans are brown

That's my race, so don't put it down.

My Dominican pride, I will not hide

My Dominican race, I will not disgrace.

My Dominican blood, flows hot & true

My Dominican peeps, I will stand by you.

Through thick & thin, till the day we die

Our Dominican flag, Always stands high.

I yell this poem, louder then all the rest

Because everyone knows, DOMINICANS ARE THE BEST.

DOMINICAN pride in my mind

DOMINICAN BLOOD is my kind.

So step aside & let me through

Because its all bout my Dominican crew.

Life sucks and then you die, but if your'e Dominican

YOU DIE WITH SOME GOOD PRIDE !!!

War is Peace...

The quote "War is Peace" symbolizes a theory of social classes throughout history. In the novel 1984, the full quote says " War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength".  The author George Orwell gave readers an introduction of doublethink- language that describes things as the opposite of what they really are. The governments in "1984" uses manipulation and propaganda to keep the people loyal. The idea is that as there is an enemy and a threat at all times, the people will not question their situation and revolt.

In the story, the main character Winston Smith, reads a book by the name of "Emmanuel Goldstein's The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism". Those words from the quote are the official slogans of the Party in the book, including the Ministry of Peace. It's a part of the Party's large campaign of having psychological control of the people. According to their theory, war is peace, because having a common enemy keeps the people of Oceania united. In my opinion, war is peace because good war in foreign places makes peace at home possible.

War is a distraction from the real economic and social problems we have at home. A powerful society is one that can defend itself from attack, most likely war. The quote still has a powerful meaning today. With all of the issues going on in our society today, wars are still occurring. The main goal in these wars, is to have peace at home.

Fear

SPIDERS, I hate them with a strong passion! :( 

In the dystopian setting of 1984, the protagonist was Winston Smith. He hated the totalitarian control that his government has on everyone in his society.  Winston hates the Party passionately and wants to test the limits of their power. He committed multiple crimes throughout the story. Things came risky when he expressed his thoughts in a diary, had an illegal love affair with Julia, and became a part of an anti-Party Brotherhood.  At the beginning, Winston’s constant paranoia led him to believe that sooner or later, the Party was going to catch him. In addition, Winston took another risk by trusting O’Brien, which led him to be in prison. The psychological control O’Brien had over Winston, led to fear, pain, torture, and betrayal.

In prison, Winston was face with his greatest fear at times. O’Brien knew how much Winston feared rats. That fear was used against him, whenever he disagreed with O’Brien and the rest of the Party. It led to Winston betraying his lover Julia. His betrayal toward her was completely wrong. But, if I was in Winston’s same situation, including my fears, my actions would be the same. My greatest fear is spiders. This fear causes me to tense up and get chills. It could be used against me in many ways, but my fear of spiders in very strong and in situations, I crack under pressure!!

Music & Melodies :)

I love listening to different types of music. From hip hop to rock. But my all time favorite genre of music is R&B/ Soul music. The lovely and soulful music makes me happy. I got a chance recently to meet a very talented artist by the name of Chris Brown. I've always been a huge fan of his music, and art. The concert experience with my best friend was amazing. During the summer, I spent some time with my friend & family in New York City. The greatest part of the trip was that we were going to see Chris brown at an art gallery opening & his concert. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Everything went perfect that day for me and my four closest friends. The art gallery opening was beyond amazing. Chris Brown has a charity foundation called “Symphonic Love”. His art and creativity and the love for his fans is great! The concert was incredible, especially since we were in the front! By going to New York City, I was introduced to much more music. I became a fan of many other types of music and genres. The underground artists are so talented. They are usually not shown much attention, because of mainstream artists, but they have potential. Later on this year my close friends are visiting me to go to his recent “Carpe Diem” tour!! The summer trip was beyond incredible,, and the only person to thank for it all is my best friends!

Big Brother

Big Brother.  Although he actually never appeared in the novel, he's very important. Big Brother was the perceived ruler of Oceania.  All around their communities was enormous posters with the saying “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU." This phrase is the “truth” according to the government of the propaganda that the Party promotes. The name “Big Brother” has come into common use to describe a prying and over controlling figure.  Everywhere Winston went, especially on the telescreens, Big Brother's image was there. It haunted Winston and many others because of their secret hatred for Big Brother and the Party. In this totalitarian state, everyone is under surveillance by the authorities. Whether they agree or disagree with what the Party decides, they have to keep it to themselves. The author George Orwell got the idea of Big Brother from advertising billboards. It was for educational correspondence courses from a company called Bennett’s. The time era was during World War II. George Orwell also was inspired by Lord Kitchener. He was involved in British military recruitment in World War II.  In the novel, it wasn't clear enough if Big Brother was truly a character or not. In the Party’s propaganda, Big Brother was a real person. Later on in the story when Winston was arrested, O’Brien, the interrogator, said that Big Brother is a figure that will never die. When the question appears about Big Brother really existing, O’Brien says he’s the "embodiment of the Party." He also says that Big Brother will exist as long as the Party exists.

1984- Literary Work

Literary work is imaginative or creative writing. "1984" by author George Orwell is a prime example of literary work. Winston Smith, a member of the Outer Party keeps a journal to express his thoughts, feelings, and dreams. He has lustful thoughts of a girl named Julia, a member of the the Anti - Sex League. One day, Winston meets Julia and during their conversation, she passes him a note that says "I love you". But he desperately wants to know the true meaning behind it. I can relate to this situation because when I had my first crush, I received a letter about him expressing his feelings for me.

Since I can relate to this situation, it deepens my understanding of "1984". Being able to have a real life comparison to the protagonist, makes me already know how he's feeling and why he makes certain decisions. Usually when one has a crush, expressing your feelings to them is not the easiest thing to do. A form of writing would be more preferable. But, the feelings of paranoia and rejection appear. I totally understand the way Winston reacted. Their behavior was normal, because if the controlled dystopian society that they live in.

Winston and I both experienced a similar situation where someone expressed their feelings towards us in a letter. Since Winston doesn't know the true meaning of it, mixed emotions runs through his head.  Although he’s nervous to see how Julia is going to talk to him, he needs to be confident. In my situation, I was brave and went up to the guy and had a brief conversation, putting aside my fear of how he was going to react towards me.