1984 Blog Post #2

I believe Winston has latched onto the ideas and vague memories that he has from a time when Big Brother was not in control. As a result of this he is unable to fully accept what the Party establishes as truth and normalcy. Winston also has a strong drive to be free and do as he pleases, which we see manifested in his relationship with Julia. He described his trist with the prole prostitute with great disgust and at the same time longed for a trully intimate incounter with another human being. The opportunity arose to fornicate, if you will, with Julia and he jumped at the chance despite the strict regulations that had been established by Big Brother. His drive to experience free and uninhibited sex left him with a complete disregard for said restrictions.

From the standpoint of Winston everything he thinks, does, or feels that is in oppostion to the Party and Big Brother is an act of defiance. His questioning of the Party and what they have reduced the human experience down to is an act of defiance in and of itself. The Party leaches its power from the citizens of Oceania as a direct result of the people's ignorance and inabilty to think for themselves, to not question any order or law that is said to be fair and valid. Inevitably, the last thing Big Brother wants is for people to think deeply or to understand the main intentions of the Party (ex:Syme). Winston seems to thrive off of the rebellion but at the same time views it as being extremely negative in terms of his personal safety. As he understands this he appears not to care because the oppostite, falling in line and saluting Big Brother full heartedly, is even worse.

In the world in which we live there are innumberable examples of protests that are aimed at governmental control and personal liberty. Due to the expanisve amount of freedom that we as Americans are given, the rebellions take different forms, but they are no less different than those of Winston in 1984. Take the Tea Party for example. It is composed of people who are disgruntled at the government's treatment of monetary funds and what they interepret to be their personal liberties. As a result, they have organized into a cohesive group that protests and questions what they believe is wrong with American governemnt. This is extremely similar to Winston protesting Big Brother by thinking for himself and abandoning regulations such as not have sex outside of marriage, if ever. Due to the Party's high level of power Winston and likeminded people are unable to unify into a societal force that openly challenges Big Brother's principals. Instead, Winston rebels in the only ways he knows how. Fundamentally, Winston's small acts of rebellion are synoymous with large protests like the Tea Party.

First 1984 Reading Journal

How have they created equality or conformity?
- The government, Big Brother, controls everything and closely monitors all activities of citizens.
 How have they reduced conflict, specifically in regards to religion, relationships, and individual rights?
- All people are required to agree with Big Brother so whatever Big Brother says goes. Indiviual rights are not much of a concern. If an individual thinks thoughts against Big Brother they are promptly disposed of.
-On the outside looking in, the society of 1984 is a dystopia. The people have very little personal freedom and are always under the watchful of Big Brother. Some people, like the main character, have similar ideas about the oppression of Big Brother, but many of the individuals in the story are oblivious and simply go along. This begs the question of whether or not the classification of 1984 society as a dystopia is because it truly is or because we know the greatness of freedom and liberty.

Utopia October 11, 2011

- A utopia is a perfect world, a paradise.
- My ideal world would be a place where food, fresh water, and love abound. The difficulty of life is incurable and neccisary for human growth. I appreciate the hurdles of this world and feel they "build character" for lack of a better term. I do howerver wish that all people were able to access food, water, and love because those are the three things that I feel are needed to live.
- My utopia would have an everchanging soundtrack to fit the setting or events of the world. All the music would be instrumental so that each person can draw their own feelings and inspiration from the music.

"You Were Right" Sept 30, 2010

·      1. The song is about two individuals who had a falling out. I think this because the song ends with “You were right/ This is the end" which I believe is in reference to their relationship.

·         2. The tempo and dynamics at the end of the song help to get across the writer's tenderness and emotion toward the subject matter. At the close of the song the tempo slows and the dynamics become softer.

·         3. The song was effective in portraying the emotions and writer's intent. The strong drums express the writer's feeling of anger and the lessening of dynamics at the end are very expressive of how the artist felt.

"Young Life" Bo Barlett

1. The young boy feels isolated from his brother.

• The boy is standing away from the man and the man's girlfriend

2. The boy is the childhood representation of man.

• The boy is holding a stick similarly to the man and his gun and his clothes look similar to the man's clothing, just not as worn.

3. The boy's stick represents his future while the stumps are the man and woman's limited futures.

• The stick extends past the boy's head but the stumps stop abruptly.

"Shame" Avett Brothers 9/26/11

Subject: the shame the speaker feels for his misdeeds

Tone: melancholy

Words: Boatloads- The massive of amount of shame he feels
             Posing- He was faking his feelings and feels shame for it
             Sinking- negative connotation that creates a sense of loss