Porcelain doll.

At the risk of sounding foolish, she gently spoke out to the brooding man.
Not with contempt or cheek. She would never do that. Nor had she ever had the desire to do so.
For she wanted something else. Something so much more frightening than getting in trouble for being smart.

His words resonate through her mind before the conversation has even taken place.
She is mentally preparing herself for heartache.
"What do you want?"
For you to look at me when you speak.
"Nothing, I just came to see what you were doing."
"Then we're doing the same thing; nothing. What's your excuse?" he asked her smugly as he took another mouthful of his beer, before settling back into his seat; alluding superiority which left her feeling like an outsider.
What's my excuse? I don't know? I don't know anything when it comes to you. Maybe, I thought we could have spent the day together. 
"Oh, I don't know." She said with a fake laugh as she turned shyly.
She had hoped that her laugh had sufficiently covered the silent sound of her fragile heart being crushed into a million pieces. She knew that was a bad answer, yet it was the only sentence that she could pucker up the courage to let exit her trembling mouth.  She's ruined it again.
"That sounds about right. You sound pretty stupid, if you ask me."

Once more she turned away, only this time, vacant.
No overwhelming emotions; supression truly was one of her finest qualities. If only it were something to be proud of.
Her feet shuffled quietly in the opposite direction, carrying not only her physical weight but the huge and overwhelming pressure that was confining her; a burden that not only loomed in her every shadow but also winded her in the stomach regularly, just to remind her of its presence.

Not all days were like that. Some days, she was able to avoid his burning glare all together. Those days were generally the easiest. If she didn't see him, she could pretend things were different.

The situation confused her young mind. For she would often see him with others from afar. He was happy and carefree. She followed him to work sometimes. He did well, worked hard, made an effort. If he could do that job, why couldn't he do his god-given one?

"He loves you. He just doesn't know how to show it." Others would say, on occassion.
"I know he does." she nodded submissively. There was no point arguing, for she didn't have the emotional capacity to defend herself. Her spirit had been crushed. Deep down she knew she was right. However, she had lived the life of a porcelain doll; standing beautifully and smiling gracefully, observing everything, only for it to fester in her fragile glass skin. And because she had never been touched or admired up close, never had she been taken down from the shelf to risk damage; those observations just hardened the fragile glass. Supression truly was one of her finest qualities.

She would wake crying because of nightmares.
She could never figure out which was worse, the monsters in the dream, or him ignoring her screams for help.
The screams got louder and louder.
HELP!
Other people would run to her aid. They were no use to her.
 She needed a special kind of superhero to fight those monsters away. The monsters with the cunning smiles and protruding hands. The monsters who knew better than she did and made her feel like she couldn't escape. The worst kind of monsters, that should only ever exist in a dream; the monsters who could hurt you and get away with it without consequence; the monsters who could leave you feeling as though you had brought it all on yourself and you deserved it.
It scared her to think that her superhero might not exist.
It scared her more to think, that he did, but instead just didn't care.

Years passed, no superhero eventuated from past experiences.
Never had there been a sense of contentment for the girl.
Too much had happened for that to occur, at least in the sense that other people believe it's portrayed.
But rather she developed a disposition of independence. No longer did she yearn for that man's affection. She lost him a long time before. Never did she go looking for him, nor did she ever try to replace him.

She simply occupied the role of a daughter. It was not and never was her responsibility to look after or please her father.

1984 - Fatalism

Whilst contemplating what I would write for this post, knowing that it was about fatalism among other themes throughout the novel 1984; I began wondering, how would my life as a senior high school student change if  I were to predetermine my fate? Or to become submissive to the world around me and the accept the consequences that may and would follow?
Here were my conclusions:

• The first and most probable... I decide that I am going to fail exams and that I'm going to get kicked out of home for some idiotic reason, and therefore I become a homeless person who lives off of old cheeseburgers whose fate came true. (This ever-changing economy is so stressful, BUT, never fear! McDonald's promises you only the best for your dollar with their new loose change menu.) 
• The second and more propitious conclusion is that despite the stress that may come with the HSC, my predetermined fate is actually a favorable one. I would become so sure of myself and the fact that I was born to achieve, that I could afford to be nonchalant about the whole affair; accepting the fact that I am awesome! 

Of course these ideas regarding my future are irrelevant in regards to 1984 and the challenges that Winston faced with Big Brother, the Party and The Thought Police. However, it's a similar notion. Winston had predetermined his fate also. He was sure that his relationship with Julia would and could not last. He was certain that he would be caught out by the Thought Police. And he was sure that he would eventually vanish from the face of the earth and society would not even notice for he would never have even existed.  
The only thing that Winston was not sure of? The only thing that is uncertain in life. Time. How long would it take until his fate caught up with him?

Winston believed that the one thing the Party could not take away from him were his feelings for Julia. He knew that they would be forced to physically betray one another.  However he believed whole-heartedly that those feeling were his own.
  Winston Smith: It's not so much staying alive, it's staying human that's important. What counts is that we don't betray each other. 
Julia: If you mean confessing, we're bound to do that. Everybody does. You can't help it. 
Winston Smith: I don't mean confessing. Confessing isn't betrayal. I mean feelings. If they can make me change my feelings. If they can stop me from loving you, that would be real betrayal. 
Julia: They can't do that. It's the one thing they can't do. They can torture you, make you say anything. But they can't make you believe it. They can't get inside you. They can't get to your heart

This ideal that Winston held, we know was smashed when Winston was taken to Room 101, where he begged that the rats be put onto Julia to rip her apart rather than himself. He had betrayed Julia. he had betrayed himself. With this in mind, the only thing that Winston really had control over was anticipation. All he could do was sit, wait and pretend to live a life of meaning to fill the void of waiting. 
In this respect, did he in fact beat The Party? They wanted society to be submissive and reverent towards Big Brother. In order to do this, would that not mean that train of thought would have to be lost. The principles of Ingsoc are in place to eliminate independent thought. They punish thought crime through death. Thought crime is death. That's it. Life goes on as usual. Thought crime need not even have a name, for it doesn't exist. However, Winston was aware of his actions, he knew what to expect, therefore regardless of the consequences that would come from those actions, he was still right... His anticipation, his independent thought had paid off. Not only was he committing thought crimes, he was predetermining his fate. The Party never took that thought from him.

This video has no real relevance except for the fact that I referred to a hobo at the beginning of the post :D
Enjoy!

What is Big Brother’s identity? Does he exist?

Big Brother is enigmatic. It is irrelevant whether he exists or not, as long as people believe that he does. He personifies the party; being portrayed on posters and as a voice over the telescreens. 
Big Brother is able to achieve such a status thanks to Ingsoc. It forces total submission. Physical, mental and moral. The only acceptable thing in the eyes of the party is to be devout and orthodox; to love Big Brother and all that he has done and continues to do for the better of mankind. 

What does Goldstein represent? Does he hold more importance than just being Big Brother’s antithesis?

Goldstein represents all that is wrong in society, from the party's perspective. Rebelling against the party and forming his own organisation, 'The Brotherhood'; which is dedicated to bringing an end to Big Brother and the party. In my opinion, Goldstein does hold more importance than just being Big Brother's antithesis. Yes, I feel that it is important, and typical for novels, to have a nemesis. Someone of equal stature and power, who has a different philosophy. I also think it is quite typical and cliche that Goldstein had been part of the Inner Paty before he formed the Brotherhood. Often in novels and movies, the antithesis, was once a comrade or friend, before they turned and changed sides. They once were good before they went 'bad'.
Apart from that, Goldstein has a fundamental role in 1984. He represents all that Winston believes, or thinks he believes. He understands and is able to articulate his views. We see this in the book that all members of the Brotherhood must read, The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism.
Like Big Brother, I am unsure and don't think it necessarily matters if Goldstein exists. From the party's perspective, he serves two purposes: One, to focus all the anger of Oceania onto him, and that therefore will unite them and keep the 'peace'. Two, is to use Goldstein as an excuse. Because of him, the party is able to justify many of their decisions.

What is the ultimate meaning of Newspeak? What is its end or goal for society? Does it hope to eliminate thoughts?

Newspeak is the elimination of words. It aims to erase all ambiguity and meaning. It aims to get rid of thoughtful meaning. Eventually the only words in the vocabulary will be completely orthodox and will only remain there if it is in the favour of the Party. People can't think or argue something if there are no words in which they can use.

What hierarchies/ social classes are depicted in 1984? (E.g. the proles)

Three main social classes are depicted in 1984. The Inner Party, Outer Party and the Proles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1984_Social_Classes_alt.svg

Please come up with some points to discuss the following:

Thought Police

Two Minutes of Hate

The Ministries

Control and power

Totalitarianism

How/ why is ‘1984’ a dystopia?

The Hunger Games

Over the weekend, I went to the movies with friends and watched The Hunger Games. Throughout I noticed that the themes were dystopian and perhaps we could study it for Extension? It's a book series, also.
Some food for thought.
P.S IT'S AWESOME, SO WE SHOULD DO IT :)

Contemplating Gattaca after Surgery? How invalid am I?!

First and foremost I would like to acknowledge just how useful the blog idea was!
Secondly, thanks girls for your concern while I've been sick. I assume that Miss Glynn was in hysterics, worrying about a 1/3 of her ideal student ;) I am well on my way to recovery now. I'm not going to die, I had a lovely doctor named Sunday, an arm stuffed with gauze and now, a  cool scar to show off!  :D
Anyway! Back to business

1.      Ecclesiastes 7:13 “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?” on the DVD cover there is a quote, “There is no gene for the human spirit”. What is Niccol trying to say? What do you think Niccol’s perspective is on genetic testing and modification?

Following the Christian ideology, we are all created equal before God. He died so that we may live. Apart from Jesus, no human is perfect. Each person has a purpose and we are formed accordingly. That is given the gifts and traits required to achieve; be that as a mother or as President. Therefore if God, who is omnipotent, has created us with flaws... "Who can straighten what he has made crooked? Obviously that is god's will and no government overhaul can compete.

I think think the quote "There is no gene for the human spirit" is Niccol's way of rebelling against the ideas of Gattaca Corp. and the dystopian society. It promotes freedom, even if the only freedom you have is inside your mind. It points out a flaw in the system. They believe that they have created the ideal world; manipulating the genetic code to create the perfect person. You can't determine human spirit with a blood or urine test. It is internal. The one thing that society doesn't have control over. The one thing that belongs solely to you and can't be altered. The one possible solution to overcoming society's views?

In my opinion, Niccol, when writing and creating characters for Gattaca, had definitely invested some of his beliefs into the character Vincent/Jerome. They share that same determination. They both question society and are both strong-willed. Both will push barriers. Both will dream big and then aim bigger. Neither will conform. Therefore I feel that Niccol's perspective on genetic testing and modification is neither "for" or "against"; but whether that testing and modification influences our innermost desires. 

2.      Who are the main characters? What are their relationships?

•      Vincent: A "faith birth, initially born into a loving environment until society began pointing out flaws. Since then, he has always been the "inferior" child in his family, as compared to Anton. He defies society by stealing Jerome's identity, forming a relationship with him. All other relationships are fake, based on lies. Apart from Irene, who he falls in love with and eventually reveals the truth too.
•       Irene: An inferior person, she has ambition but has succumbed to society's ideal of perfection. And so never believing in herself and the constant comparison. She falls in love with the "perfect Jerome", only to realise that he is in fact invalid Vincent.
•        Jerome: A perfect human being, who became paralysed from the waist down, after a car accident. He is anti-social, angry and doesn't have relationships...Until he meets Vincent, who he agrees to help by letting him "take his identity". Letting Vincent take his DNA.
  

3.      How does this film fit into the category of dystopia?
Gattaca fits into the category of dystopia with: The oppression of society, the fear of consequences, Vincent's desire to defy the mores of society. 

4.      What elements of this film are science fiction? Why does this work well with dystopia?

•      Gattaca being a space station
•      Set in the future
•      DNA testing/ modification
•      Futuristic scientific developments

                                                                To be continued...