Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Catcher in the Rye Notes

Chapter 1
Holden Caulfield is in a rest home which he has been sent in for therapy.
Will not talk about his early life
Brother D.B Hollywood writer, (bitter as he believes brother sold out to Hollywood)
Tells his story starting with his departure from Pencey Prep ( famous school in Agerstown, Pennsylvania)
Does not apply himself in Pency Prep( failed 4/5 classes only passed English)
Manger of the schools fencing team and is supposed to be in New York for a meet, but lost teams equipment.
Wants to say goodbye to the school
Heavy smoker

Chapter 2
“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.” “His former teacher is needling him about his failures at Pencey; at this point, he lectures Holden about the importance of playing by the rules. The conversation succinctly illuminates key aspects of Holden’s character.”

Meets with Mr. Spencer and his wife
Spencer lectures Holden about his failures.
While Spencer lectures Holden interrupt Spencer and leaves.

Chapter 3
Lives in Ossenburger Hall (named after a wealthy Pencey graduate)
Ackley often interrupts Holden ( disgusting personal habits and poor hygiene)
Holden reading Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa ( Ackley disturbs his reading)
Annoys Holden with pasturing questions
Ackely leaves after Stradlater ( Holden’s roommate)

Chapter 4
Stradlater wants Holden to write him a English Composition for him
Stradlater taking out a girl that Holden knows (Jane Gallagher)
Holden has feelings for Jane
Holden not happy has Stradlater is sexually active
Holden is tormented by thoughts of Jane and Stradlater

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Post 10 - Conc.

Living in a world full of deceit, ignorance, and suppression is very difficult to express yourself. In 1984 the society is heavily suppressed. Every thought, move and very action is constantly monitored with immense consequences to disobedience. Living in the world of 1984 is not completely out of the question because if you were to travel to Hitler’s 1930’s reign one would experience similar laws and regulations.

The struggle for Winston to survive in a world full of deception is improbable as he must live in a world that has no freedom and no self-determination. Winston tried to successfully disobey the party however Winton’s rebellion was soon squashed as the party successfully accomplished everything it had wanted. The party was able to convert the minds of each individual to only loving the party not any other personality. Putting forward agencies that control every aspect of life made it impossible for the freedom of citizens as everyone feared vaporization.

In all of the drama and excitement in the novel it was a very good reminder to the reader that the current world should not be taken granted of. The world of 1984 was not much different during the interwar period of World War I and World War II. If man does not step up and work hard for mans freedom all we will do is just go back to the doctorial times of the 30’s.

Post 9 - Part 3

Imagine your worst fear in the world behind a door. A room which contains every individuals worst fears from drowning to burning. Humans have certain fears that they can not grip and will do everything and anything to get out of that tough situation.

Winston is finally brought into the all mysterious Room 101. To his shock, behind the door was Winston’s absolute worst fear; Rats. Winston was yet to betray Julia and their love however O’Brien knew exactly what to do in order for Winston to start talking. As Winston gazed at the flesh eating creatures’ hungry for flesh, he lastly gives in and cries out “Do it to Julia! Not me!”

Reading this section reminded me of the famous hit show Maury. Episodes varied however the episode that relates to the novel is the one where people are terrified of the craziest things such as clowns, birds, snakes, and numerous other ridiculous things. The reader can relate in the sense that when people witness their worst fears the person, no matter what stature, is completely changed.

People may seem to be tough and hard edged however when and individual is faced with the one thing they detest in this word they themselves can no longer be tough and strong as they are completely changed and they will carry out things they would not normally dare to do.

Post 8 - Part 3

Spending time in a brutal prison cell can be very demanding on the human body both physically and mentally, while it does more harm than good. Many prison inmates throughout time have developed mental diseases that have changed the person they are. In 1984 dictatorial government has ultimately led to thousands and thousands of individuals being locked up and even being whipped out.

Reading this section of 1984, reminded me of the times in the 1930’s during Hitler’s rise to power. Winston was told the party only wanted power for its own sake as like the Nazis. Hitler’s goal was to dehumanize the Jewish race; however in 1984 the party’s goal was to dehumanize every human emotion and instinct. In Hitler’s reign as chancellor of Germany, he had destroyed anything that seemed as a threat to him even if it meant killing his long time friend Ernest Rohm. 1984 uses the same analogy as the party impersonates anyone who they seem as going against the party’s orders.

In past time along with today’s time there as been many manipulations with human numbers. Many past dictators have ordered the mass execution of people who they see as a threat and have ordered their record to be destroyed to the point that they had never existed. In 1984 thousands of records were deleted and history itself was even re-written. Party’s who are running the show for their own sake will stop at nothing to keep the upper hand in the society.

Post 7 - Part 3

Is sheer brutal torture really worth true love? For many the answer would be no, however Winston and Julia shared a powerful connection which allowed their love for each other to flourish. The torture that Winston had gone through was wroth it for Julia. Winston would do not betray Julia, however would Julia betray Winston?

Winston was physical tortured which had reduced him to a broken down man who would confess to anything and everything. Winston is put through the worst pain a human can inflict on the other. Winston was humiliated, drugged, physically beaten, and exhausted all for the love towards Julia. The last blow was uttered when Winston realized that Julia had completely betrayed Winston.

An individual can only suffer so much physical abuse before they can no longer hold in the truth. Under pure torture no promise or commitment is ever safe because the human body can take only a certain amount of toll. Winston and Julia’s promise to each other had not been triumphant as neither could outlast the pain.

Post 6 - Part 3

The consequences of a forbidden love are very difficult apprehend. The period of suppression to keep the couple away from each other frequently allocates for the love to become more powerful. The Ministry of Love finally caught up with Winston and Julia after their secretive love could no longer be hidden.

After the betrayal of Mr. Charrington, the thought police took Winston and Julia away to be locked up. Awakening in the cell of the Ministry of Love, Winston finds himself waiting to find out his punishment. Winston must wait for is turn in the infamous room 101. While waiting Winston is witness many harsh beatings carried out, fearing for the worst Winston puts his fate into O’Brien. The novel reaches another climatic point when O’Brien, part of the Brotherhood, is found to be working with the enemy; consequently Winston realizes he has been deceived the whole time.

Within in a short time Winston felt like his world was turned upside down. Mr. Charrington, who has sheltered him form the thought police, along with O’Brien, part of the Brotherhood, had also been against Winston and Julia all along. Winston was shocked as he no longer knew what to believe or what is the truth.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Part Two

The answers to many questions lie in books or documents. Different religions use different holy passage to convey their messages such as the Bible or the Quarn. In the novel 1984 the book that all the answers lay is Emmanuel Goldstein’s book.

Winston and Julia travel to O’Brien’s apartment where they are stunned to uncover that O’Brien has the freedom to turn off his telescreen. Winston finds the important book that will help clear up the any conspiracies in a briefcase. Emmanuel Goldstein, the author of the book, explains the three superpowers and their nuclear weapon capabilities. After continually reading Goldstein’s book, Winston understood “how” however he did not understand “why”.
Orwell used the Russian Revolution to write the satire “Animal Farm”, in this novel Orwell uses the Cold War to assist him with the scheme of the three superpowers having nuclear weapons without using them on each other.

Orwell uses the Cold War between Russia and the Untied States because it allows us to relate to pass war like problems our world has faced. Orwell allows us to pout things into perspective because he often relates his work to past important events that our world has faced.