Is it possible to send a moral message condemning racial prejudice by portraying both the positve and negative sides of both racial groups (Blacks and Whites)?
Yes, I think it is possible. I think that both sides have their strengths and weaknesses, and only showing one side of each racial group would be unfair and lead to a mistaken moral message. However, I think that if you want to send a moral message, you need to emphasize on one sides strength or weakness, but the other side should always be shown.
I think that this was not done well in Mississippi Burning, where the whites were portrayed as callous and violent, and the blacks were spiritual and enduring. I think that this makes it hard for the audience to identify with either side, as they are either too perfect or too corrupted. However, everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and I believe that if that is shown in the movie, the audience would enjoy it more.
I believe that if racial prejudice is shown in more than one way, it helps to emphasize the moral message. In Mississippi burning, only a few ways were emphasized eg. Assault, arson while others were ignored for much of the film eg. segregation. I would have felt more strongly for the blacks if other prejudices were shown.
In conclusion, I believe that racial prejudice can be shown even with both sides strengths and weaknesses shown, but either the strength or weakness must be emphasized.
Mississippi Burning
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I feel that this movie has its good and bad points. One of the negative sides is that it is extremely slow moving. I think that it overemphasized the cruelty of the whites against the blacks, so much that it became monotonous. I found myself yawning halfway through the movie. On the other hand, I think that the movie had some very powerful scenes and I was shocked by some of the cruelty exhibited.
I think that the movie's most powerful scene was when the Ku Klux Klan hanged the black man in front of his burning house. I felt that the image symbolised the position the blacks were in. At that scene, I felt indignant for the blacks. What gave the KKK the right to take away human life? When the man's son came to save him, I felt relief, but also empathy for the blacks.
However, I did not quite understand the last part of the film. I felt that it suddenly accelerated and I was unsure of how the culprits were caught. I felt that the jail terms of the culprits were too short. They had taken away 3 youths lives and as a consequence had to spend less than a 1/5 of their lives in jail. I think that this was rather unfair.
I enjoyed the film and I think that it is definitely a worthwhile movie to watch.
I think that the movie's most powerful scene was when the Ku Klux Klan hanged the black man in front of his burning house. I felt that the image symbolised the position the blacks were in. At that scene, I felt indignant for the blacks. What gave the KKK the right to take away human life? When the man's son came to save him, I felt relief, but also empathy for the blacks.
However, I did not quite understand the last part of the film. I felt that it suddenly accelerated and I was unsure of how the culprits were caught. I felt that the jail terms of the culprits were too short. They had taken away 3 youths lives and as a consequence had to spend less than a 1/5 of their lives in jail. I think that this was rather unfair.
I enjoyed the film and I think that it is definitely a worthwhile movie to watch.
A Book I Like: Kite Runner
Monday, February 21, 2011
Kite Runner was written by Khaled Hosseini, and was published in 2003. The book received the Boeke prize and was voted the Reading Group Book of the Year. The subsequent movie was nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA, and a Critics Choice Award.
The book essentially resolves around the life of a well-off boy named Amir. Amir has a close relationship with one of his slaves, a boy named Hassan. However, the two separate when Hassan gets abused while helping Amir. Amir feels incredibly guilty in the presence of Hassan and eventually Hassan leaves.
Soon after, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, and Amir and his father, Baba, escape to California. They live there for several years, and Amir marries a woman named Soraya. Baba dies soon after of cancer.
Amir is still haunted by Hassan, and when he gets a chance to "redeem" himself to Hassan, he steps up and takes it. Even though Hassan is dead, Amir redeems himself by helping Hassan's son, Sohrab.
I really enjoyed this book because Hassan's undying loyalty really touched me. Even though Amir abused him and never stood up for him, he was still willing to help Amir, and even died for him. Even though I disliked Amir at first, because he seemed wimpy and often cocky, his willingness to redeem himself to Hassan touched me as well. At the end, if Hassan had seen what Amir had done for him, I would have forgiven Amir if I was Hassan. Anyway, I felt that this was an extremely enriching read, and I would recommend everyone to read it.
The book essentially resolves around the life of a well-off boy named Amir. Amir has a close relationship with one of his slaves, a boy named Hassan. However, the two separate when Hassan gets abused while helping Amir. Amir feels incredibly guilty in the presence of Hassan and eventually Hassan leaves.
Soon after, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, and Amir and his father, Baba, escape to California. They live there for several years, and Amir marries a woman named Soraya. Baba dies soon after of cancer.
Amir is still haunted by Hassan, and when he gets a chance to "redeem" himself to Hassan, he steps up and takes it. Even though Hassan is dead, Amir redeems himself by helping Hassan's son, Sohrab.
I really enjoyed this book because Hassan's undying loyalty really touched me. Even though Amir abused him and never stood up for him, he was still willing to help Amir, and even died for him. Even though I disliked Amir at first, because he seemed wimpy and often cocky, his willingness to redeem himself to Hassan touched me as well. At the end, if Hassan had seen what Amir had done for him, I would have forgiven Amir if I was Hassan. Anyway, I felt that this was an extremely enriching read, and I would recommend everyone to read it.
To Kill A Mockingbird Personal Response
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Harper Lee's novel is full of interesting and richly painted characters. Which character was your favourite and why?
My favourite character in the novel is Ms Maudie. She enjoys the childrens company as they enjoy hers, and she bakes food for them to eat. She is very understanding towards the children, never imposing her own point of view onto them, like Aunt Alexandra, but taking them seriously. She does not treat them like children, but more of equals, and she always prepared to agree with the children. Ms Maudie is very practical, never dwelling on the past, but always looking to the future. For example, when her house burned down, she did not dwell on it, but immediately planned for the future. She is also intelligent, and took on the role as one of the childrens many educators. I think that she is one of the few character's that Scout really trusts, and I think that is because she does not impose on Scout's point of view, and is always prepared to listen to Scout.
Ms Maudie is my favourite character because I really like her personality. I enjoy her practicality as I find that I do not really like characters who are overemotional or too sensitive. Most of all, I like the way she always listens to others, never shutting them out. I think that she is one of the most major educators in the childrens lives, even though she is not a main character in the story.
My favourite character in the novel is Ms Maudie. She enjoys the childrens company as they enjoy hers, and she bakes food for them to eat. She is very understanding towards the children, never imposing her own point of view onto them, like Aunt Alexandra, but taking them seriously. She does not treat them like children, but more of equals, and she always prepared to agree with the children. Ms Maudie is very practical, never dwelling on the past, but always looking to the future. For example, when her house burned down, she did not dwell on it, but immediately planned for the future. She is also intelligent, and took on the role as one of the childrens many educators. I think that she is one of the few character's that Scout really trusts, and I think that is because she does not impose on Scout's point of view, and is always prepared to listen to Scout.
Ms Maudie is my favourite character because I really like her personality. I enjoy her practicality as I find that I do not really like characters who are overemotional or too sensitive. Most of all, I like the way she always listens to others, never shutting them out. I think that she is one of the most major educators in the childrens lives, even though she is not a main character in the story.
To Kill A Mockingbird Focus Activity
What does it mean to "put yourself in another person's shoes"? What personal qualities are necessary to be able to see things as someone else does?
Putting yourself in someone elses shoes means seeing things from their perspective. Its generally used when people get into disagreements, and seeing things from another viewpoint helps resolve the dispute, because then you understand why the other person is acting like that, and you tend to be more willing to compromise after that.
I think that some important qualities people should have are to be flexible, to be open, to be accepting and to be diverse. All these qualities are useful because are rigid, they tend to confine themselves to a very narrow path, and reject others mindsets simply because they do not follow your path. I think that that makes you a very difficult person to work with because you are unwilling to diversify and open up other paths, which could potentially be better than your own narrow path.
Putting yourself in someone elses shoes means seeing things from their perspective. Its generally used when people get into disagreements, and seeing things from another viewpoint helps resolve the dispute, because then you understand why the other person is acting like that, and you tend to be more willing to compromise after that.
I think that some important qualities people should have are to be flexible, to be open, to be accepting and to be diverse. All these qualities are useful because are rigid, they tend to confine themselves to a very narrow path, and reject others mindsets simply because they do not follow your path. I think that that makes you a very difficult person to work with because you are unwilling to diversify and open up other paths, which could potentially be better than your own narrow path.
To Kill A Mockingbird Focus Activity
Describe an everyday situation in which one person might judge another incorrectly. What things can interfere with making a fair judgement?
I think that one of the most common situations would be "cutting queue". Sometimes, especially at lunch period, the canteen is extremely crowded and the stalls are packed. Misunderstandings can occur between students as there are more than 1 queue per stall and sometimes people accidentally get in line in front of people who are queuing. Misunderstandings can also occur between stall vendors and students. For example, when I was in Primary School, a stall vendor accused me of cutting queue even though I had not, and I was forced to queue for food again.
I think that one of the largest factors that could interfere with judgement would be your impression of the person in question. If you have a bad impression, it is more likely that you would accuse him wrongly. Another factor would be your general mood during the incident. If you are tired or stressed, you would be more likely to make an incorrect judgement.
I think that one of the most common situations would be "cutting queue". Sometimes, especially at lunch period, the canteen is extremely crowded and the stalls are packed. Misunderstandings can occur between students as there are more than 1 queue per stall and sometimes people accidentally get in line in front of people who are queuing. Misunderstandings can also occur between stall vendors and students. For example, when I was in Primary School, a stall vendor accused me of cutting queue even though I had not, and I was forced to queue for food again.
I think that one of the largest factors that could interfere with judgement would be your impression of the person in question. If you have a bad impression, it is more likely that you would accuse him wrongly. Another factor would be your general mood during the incident. If you are tired or stressed, you would be more likely to make an incorrect judgement.
Personal Response: Childhood Memories
Sunday, February 13, 2011
What memories of your own childhood come to mind as you read about Scout's experiences?
I think that Scout's childhood was much wilder than mine, as I did not really spend much time roaming outdoors as my parents kept me on a pretty tight leash. However, I spent much time playing in the garden with my older sister. Now, looking back, the things we did seem foolish, but at the time I had a lot of fun making mud patties, catching snails, writing with mud, and even eating plants. I did not have as much imagination as Scout so my childhood looks rather bland in comparison but her antics reminded me of my carefree childhood, when I had no responsibilities and I could just play outside all day long.
I think that Scout's childhood was much wilder than mine, as I did not really spend much time roaming outdoors as my parents kept me on a pretty tight leash. However, I spent much time playing in the garden with my older sister. Now, looking back, the things we did seem foolish, but at the time I had a lot of fun making mud patties, catching snails, writing with mud, and even eating plants. I did not have as much imagination as Scout so my childhood looks rather bland in comparison but her antics reminded me of my carefree childhood, when I had no responsibilities and I could just play outside all day long.
Book recommendation: Roots
Friday, February 11, 2011
Roots was published in 1976 by an American journalist named Alex Haley. Roots was written about his own family, tracing all the way back 7 generations to Kunta Kinte, who lived in Africa and was captured by whites and brought to the USA as a slave. Alex Haley spent over 10 years researching his family background, and when it was published, it won a Pulitzer, and was even adapted into a television series.
Roots focuses on Kunta Kinte, describing his life in detail, and the cruelty of the slave traders. It also provides an unique insight into an African's point of view, showing that history is not always "written by the winners". I felt shocked when I read about how Americans treated the Africans 200 years ago, as I had never actually read about it in any detail. The verbal and physical abuse, maiming, torture, rape, were all laid bare in the story. The story changes perspective when it transfers from one generation to the next, in this case when Kunta's daughter was sold off by their master. The story also switches from 1st to 3rd person regularly. The following generations are not written about in much detail, except when Lincoln liberated the blacks. Haley described the emotions of the blacks with much detail, following their ups and downs. The story accelerates until it reaches Alex Haley himself.
I felt that this book put a stark contrast between the past and present, and it shows a more brutal perspective on prejudice, which is also a theme in To Kill A Mockingbird. I think that this book is an excellent read, and I think that it widened my horizon by quite a bit.
Roots focuses on Kunta Kinte, describing his life in detail, and the cruelty of the slave traders. It also provides an unique insight into an African's point of view, showing that history is not always "written by the winners". I felt shocked when I read about how Americans treated the Africans 200 years ago, as I had never actually read about it in any detail. The verbal and physical abuse, maiming, torture, rape, were all laid bare in the story. The story changes perspective when it transfers from one generation to the next, in this case when Kunta's daughter was sold off by their master. The story also switches from 1st to 3rd person regularly. The following generations are not written about in much detail, except when Lincoln liberated the blacks. Haley described the emotions of the blacks with much detail, following their ups and downs. The story accelerates until it reaches Alex Haley himself.
I felt that this book put a stark contrast between the past and present, and it shows a more brutal perspective on prejudice, which is also a theme in To Kill A Mockingbird. I think that this book is an excellent read, and I think that it widened my horizon by quite a bit.
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