"You must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all." A wise and inspirational quote by Mr. Keating in the the Dead Poet's Society directed by Peter Weir. This astonishing movie is about a very prestigious all boys school and the events that progress after they get a new English teacher. Mr. Keating, the new English teacher discusses important topics and encourages his students to think and act for themselves. Unfortunately, other teachers and parents disagree which leads to a student named Neil facing strict consequences from his Father after he joins an acting group. His Father disproves of this and causes his son Neil to commit suicide. He then blames Mr. Keating for his death because of him encouraging his students to be original. This brings up multiple themes in the movie that left whomever watched the film inspired and changed indifferently. The movie explained the power of authority, non-conformity and literature. These are points everyone has dealt with in their lives. Therefore, one finds themselves connected to the film.
One thing we have all experienced is the power of authority. In Dead Poet's Society we see a group of boys that call themselves, "The Dead Poet's Society" being forced to sign a document that blames their teacher, Mr. Keating for the suicide of their friend Neil Perry. The head principle makes it clear they must sign the document and so the boys are left no choice but to comply. It is clear to whomever watches the film that Mr. Keating is innocent and had only tried to encourage Neil to follow his dream of acting. Neil's Father on the other hand condemned his son for his choices and enrolled him into a military school so he could become a doctor. After, being told his life had already been planned for him and that he had no choice but to listen to his authoritative Father, Neil shots himself while wearing his acting costume. This horrific death explains how deadly the power of authority can be.
Non-conformity is also an issue that is brought up during this film. At one of Mr. Keating's English classes he takes his class out for a walk. He tells three boys to walk around the courtyard and all of them end up following each other in a march. The boys illustrated conformity and how it is hard to maintain your pace, beliefs and opinions. Mr. Keating explains how others might tell you, "That's Bad" but how it is important to have your own unique views. After that he tells all of the boys to walk around the courtyard how they wish. This is an extremely important topic that teaches people how wanting to be accepted is fine but also do not conform to fit in.
Another important topic brought up in this film is literature. In Mr. Keating's English class all of the boys take out the English textbook and look at the first page which explains how to understand and rate poetry. It states that you must rate the poem and use a graph to determine it's value. Mr. Keating explains you don't rate poetry, just because one person likes doesn't mean another won't. Each person thinks differently and therefore you cannot rate a poem. He tells the boys to rip out the entire introduction chapter in the textbook that speaks of this method. Mr. Keating truly shows the boys that poetry is more than something you just read in school but a way of communicating emotions and thoughts.
“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” The words of wisdom from Mr. Keating in this movie are ones to definitely live by. We should all stand up for what we believe in and not conform to other people's ideas. As well as we need to understand the power of authority and be willing to rise against it. Similarly, we need to understand literature and see it as the important thing it is. This incredible film shows us how we are all truly unique and how our thoughts can change the world.
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Thursday 10 April 2014
Spoken Word Poetry
Anxiety Group By Catalina Ferro
Nobody wants to go to help groups. Especially, in an Anxiety Group where you sit with the, "sweaty palm" people and the insomniacs. Catalina Ferro captures the racing of anxiety in her fast, wild performance. She explains how with anxiety comes insomnia and how some people can go nine days without sleep. As well as she says the line, "Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, you know, and I do this to myself." This speaks to me so much, as I am person with anxiety. To some people this seems like an exaggeration on what we go through but this is really true. We go through Melatonin, Benadryl, and later the heavy sleep medications that end with "pam". It is a escalator of higher doses and stronger drugs. Catalina captures all these perfectly and then at the end says, "These people who fight through every day like gladiators... just because they want so badly to live. To hold on. To love. Because you can’t be this afraid of losing everything if you don’t love everything first." This is a line that hits me so hard because it captures the very part of why we carry on. This poem is absolutely brilliant and show us how yes, "nobody wants to be here" but how everyone will keep fighting to get out of here.
To This Day By Shane Koyczan
"They have to be wrong". A powerful quote spoken by Shane Koyczan in his poem, To This Day about bullying and it's damaging effects. He brings up the issues of bullying and how we must love ourselves. That the rhyme of, "stick and stones" is wrong because names do not "hurt less than a broken bone". The strong and dark mood of this poem opens the eyes of whomever reads or hears it. I specifically love when he says, "if you can't see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror". We must see our true beauty and learn to take care of our-self. I deeply enjoyed this poem and the expressive way Shane Koyczan presented it.
Nobody wants to go to help groups. Especially, in an Anxiety Group where you sit with the, "sweaty palm" people and the insomniacs. Catalina Ferro captures the racing of anxiety in her fast, wild performance. She explains how with anxiety comes insomnia and how some people can go nine days without sleep. As well as she says the line, "Sleep deprivation is a form of torture, you know, and I do this to myself." This speaks to me so much, as I am person with anxiety. To some people this seems like an exaggeration on what we go through but this is really true. We go through Melatonin, Benadryl, and later the heavy sleep medications that end with "pam". It is a escalator of higher doses and stronger drugs. Catalina captures all these perfectly and then at the end says, "These people who fight through every day like gladiators... just because they want so badly to live. To hold on. To love. Because you can’t be this afraid of losing everything if you don’t love everything first." This is a line that hits me so hard because it captures the very part of why we carry on. This poem is absolutely brilliant and show us how yes, "nobody wants to be here" but how everyone will keep fighting to get out of here.
To This Day By Shane Koyczan
"They have to be wrong". A powerful quote spoken by Shane Koyczan in his poem, To This Day about bullying and it's damaging effects. He brings up the issues of bullying and how we must love ourselves. That the rhyme of, "stick and stones" is wrong because names do not "hurt less than a broken bone". The strong and dark mood of this poem opens the eyes of whomever reads or hears it. I specifically love when he says, "if you can't see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror". We must see our true beauty and learn to take care of our-self. I deeply enjoyed this poem and the expressive way Shane Koyczan presented it.
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Louvre Catastrophe
Alyshia Holmes
221B Baker St.
London, England
V2A 7T7
April 2, 2014
Inspector Clouseau
Chief of Police
123 Rue Justice
Paris, France
1A2 R3T
Dear Inspector Clouseau:
I would like to start by sending my deepest and most sincere apologies to the family of Ada Artlover. When I had the brief honor of speaking with her I saw that she was a truly kindhearted women. The tragic loss of her life shall stay with me forever and I hope the family will one day forgive me. As for my decision to save the Mona Lisa instead of Ada I must say it was the most formidable circumstance one could ever be put in. The fire happened so quickly that I made a life altering decision in a second. A choice I never thought I would have to make and one I would never wish upon anyone to make in their lives. It seemed logical and almost instinctively to save the Mona Lisa. This painting is a monumental part of our history and should last for hundreds of more years for many generations to savor. I saved an item of historical importance that day and I believe that was the right judgement to make.
The Mona Lisa is also the painting that started an era of new skill and standards that we still use today. It is a revolutionary painting that introduced ideas such as the 'Three-Quarter Pose' and the 'Atmospheric Perspective'. Artists even in this day and age use DaVinci's creative approach. I believe that this most certainly makes the painting worth saving. Though, do not think for a second that I do not value Ada Artlover. She was a Wife, Mother and Grandmother. I think Ada, 92 as she was, would of understood my decision to save such a relic. Ada was near the end of her days anyway where as the Mona Lisa can forever live on.
In addition, the Mona Lisa is worth millions of dollars. Though, many people would say it is priceless and I for the matter agree. Such a wealthy item being lost would of been catastrophic. A logical choice would be to save the costly painting. Imagine the Louvre and art organizations loosing it. I knew I had to be the one to make the sacrificial decisions to save it for the world.
Sincerely,
Alyshia Holmes
221B Baker St.
London, England
V2A 7T7
April 2, 2014
Inspector Clouseau
Chief of Police
123 Rue Justice
Paris, France
1A2 R3T
Dear Inspector Clouseau:
I would like to start by sending my deepest and most sincere apologies to the family of Ada Artlover. When I had the brief honor of speaking with her I saw that she was a truly kindhearted women. The tragic loss of her life shall stay with me forever and I hope the family will one day forgive me. As for my decision to save the Mona Lisa instead of Ada I must say it was the most formidable circumstance one could ever be put in. The fire happened so quickly that I made a life altering decision in a second. A choice I never thought I would have to make and one I would never wish upon anyone to make in their lives. It seemed logical and almost instinctively to save the Mona Lisa. This painting is a monumental part of our history and should last for hundreds of more years for many generations to savor. I saved an item of historical importance that day and I believe that was the right judgement to make.
The Mona Lisa is also the painting that started an era of new skill and standards that we still use today. It is a revolutionary painting that introduced ideas such as the 'Three-Quarter Pose' and the 'Atmospheric Perspective'. Artists even in this day and age use DaVinci's creative approach. I believe that this most certainly makes the painting worth saving. Though, do not think for a second that I do not value Ada Artlover. She was a Wife, Mother and Grandmother. I think Ada, 92 as she was, would of understood my decision to save such a relic. Ada was near the end of her days anyway where as the Mona Lisa can forever live on.
In addition, the Mona Lisa is worth millions of dollars. Though, many people would say it is priceless and I for the matter agree. Such a wealthy item being lost would of been catastrophic. A logical choice would be to save the costly painting. Imagine the Louvre and art organizations loosing it. I knew I had to be the one to make the sacrificial decisions to save it for the world.
Sincerely,
Alyshia Holmes
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