Great Gatsby, part 2

Chapter Five.

- Nick wants friend, not acquaintance for money

- knocking over clock is symbolic; knocks over time just as he tries to recreate his past with Daisy

- Gatsby lying about how he got his money?

- Dialogue used to show true characters instead of Nick's interpretation.

- Daisy misses Gatsby?

- Gatsby represents both corrupted and uncorrupted American Dream; his corrupted dream is motivated by his love for Daisy

- References to time used as story telling device

- theme of dreams: Gatsby dreams for love with daisy. American Dream.

- ideology: American Dream doesn't make Gatsby happy

- The colour green is used many times; represents everything that haunts and beckons Gatsby, his dreams and the distance between him and Daisy.

- Daisy appears harsher, and appears to be more in love with money than anything else.

- Nick is more vulnerable: he wants a friend. lonely?

- Gatsby appears flamboyant with his money. he doesn't realise Daisy has changed.

Chapter Six.

- language at the start is fierce

- boat represents dreams: looking up to them and having them taken away

- jealousy is romanticised

- chapter opens with rumours about Gatsby

- balance of charatcers

Great Gatsby

Chapter One and Two.

- the reliability of the narrator is brought into question immediately because the story opens with Nick saying how he was taught not to judge people, yet he tells the readers about his opinions on Gatsby. Nick also goes off on tangents throughout the narrative.

- Many references to status and money; main theme running through the novel. Maybe Nick wants to build himself up to the reader, more importance.

- Description is used throughout these chapters as a story telling device; make an impact on the reader.

- Use of past tense is used for story telling device; novel not in chronological order, Nick goes off on tangents which means that the timing can't be linear.

- Introduction of Nick and Daisy: Daisy gets given a full description so she seems more important. However, Nick knows and tells the reader that she is fake, but he still likes the attention. Tom might be seen as irrelevant to the reader due to his almost dismissive introduction from Nick. Nick appears to be opposite to Tom.

- Relationships between Daisy & Nick and Daisy & Tom brought to reader's attention.

- Asterisk used to change focus to Jordan.

- Huge focus on setting.

Chapter Three.

- use of colours; relating to senses.

- references to upper-class

- distinction between classes in each chapter

- each paragraph refers to difference sense

- historical context; liquor prohibition

- references to real people: stereotyping the guests

- Gatsby longing for Daisy; trying to buy class to be good enough for Daisy

- Rumours about Gatsby; why is Gatsby absent from party?

- Money doesn't make you happy

- Reader still unaware of who Gatsby really is

- Car accident used as foreshadowing

Chapter Four.

- Gatsby's parties; imagery

- time period not linear

- new side to Gatsby; took Nick to 'dodgy neighbourhood'

- Gatsby's garden; dream like imagery

- Daisy lying on bed, ideology. New side to her character

Narrative passed onto Jordan because Nick doesn't have all the information. Makes Nick look more reliable, however, reliability of Jordan is questioned

- Revelation, story unfolds. Depth of Gatsby feelings are unclear

My thoughts on Nick Carraway...

1. i think that his status, whether newly aquired or not, is very important to him. This is apparant as he brings it up several times throughout the opening chapter.
"all the people in the world haven't had the advantages that you've had." and Carraway talking about his graduation from Yale is to me, a direct reference to that fact that because his family have money, they have more choices and ways to expand with life.

2. as Maud pointed out, the reliability of the narrator must be put to question. he opens by saying how he isn't judgemental at all, but then goes onto say "Gatsby turned out all right..." which shows that he obviously does judge people. I also think that the fact that his family are "new money" makes his perception of the world slightly warped.

3. he doesn't seem to show much emotion, is there a reason for this? i don't know.

My Essay Question.

To what extent does the character Hamlet conform to the conventions of a tragic hero?

Is Fortinbras right in his speech at the end of the play?

Fortinbras' speech about Hamlet's character being proud, noble warrior is wrong because though he did avenge his Father's death by killing Claudius, Hamlet took a long time to do so. However I think that the fact that it is Hamlet's 'enemy' as it were saying all of these complimentray things shows that even though they have had their differences, Fortinbras can see what Hamlet is truly like as a person.

In addition to this, the audience know about the flaws of Hamlet's character, and therefore may not entirely agree with what Fortinbras was saying. The audience are given both sides to Hamlet's character throughout the play and are therefore the most likely to be able to make a fair judgement about whether or not Hamlet should be considered a hero.

In my opinion, Hamlet shouldn't be considered a hero from his actions throughout the play: although he did kill the man who murdered his father, it took him so long that I, as an audience member, lost sight of why he did all the things he had (e.g. pretend to be mad, put on the play, flash Ophelia, ect...). I would have definitely considered him much more of a hero if he had just killed Claudius at the first opputunity no matter what ther people may think as this would have shown courage and bravery... whereas I view his character as cowardly.

Hamlet, Act Two and Three.

Hamlet takes fake madness to the next level (and by next, i mean like a make believe level that only insane people know about) by flashing Ophelia. But then, seeing as they slept together, why is she so shocked that he is acting in such a sexual manner? maybe he just wants a bit more, understandably. Along with this portrayal of madness, there is also a (in my opinion) brilliant portrayal of intelligence and cunning when he tells the actors to put on a play showing how he thinks his father's death happened, which happens just after the internationally-known "to be or not to be" speech.

Opinions on this speech vary about what he is actually contemplating, whether it is suicide or existence ... i don't have a real opinion, or any clarity about what he is talking about really... but he seems to be quite a developed, "deep" character

In my opinion, for someone who is suppose to be insane, his soliloquy is a bit too insightful and profound; this shows the audience yet another sign that he may just be faking insanity as a cunning plan to unveil King Claudius as the true killer of his father,

Hamlet also creates another plan to unveil King Claudius as a murderer by setting up a play showing what he believes happened when his father was murdered, and then tells Horatio to watch the King for a reaction that could only be caused by over-whelming guilt. At last, Hamlet is actually doing something, and it actually works; King Claudius hastily leaves, ending the play. He then creates a plan of retaliation with Polonius, deciding that Polonius will spy on Hamlet when he talks to the Queen. As Hamlet is on his way to speak to the Queen, he sees Claudius knelt down on the floor... perfect chance to kill him, no? No. He realises that he is praying, and thinks that if he is killed during prayer, he will go straight to heaven: Hamlet thinks this is unfair because firstly, he doesn't deserve to go to heaven after the antics he's been up to, and secondly, why should he go to heaven while King Hamlet is stuck in limbo?

However, it turns out the Claudius doesn't think his prayers are being heard, and that he won't get into heaven. Basically, if Hamlet wasn't so cowardly and indecisive, he could have avenged his fathers death long ago. Simple.

Hamlet, Act One.

The themes of tragedy and death are established in Act One of 'Hamlet' by the ghost of King Hamlet appearing during the night and then the audience finding out that it was King Hamlet's lovely yo unger brother who poisoned him so he could gain not only the status as KING OF DENMARK, but also, King Hamlet's widow, Queen Gerturde. These events cause the position in which the villain is seen as 'in control' and is basically winning at life. (yay.)
Hamlet obviously isn't at a great stage in his life; he's been busy at University studying (in a different country) until the tragic death of his father, followed by the possibly incestuous marriage of his mother to his uncle, who is now King Claudius of Denmark. Basically, Hamlet isn't happy.

After being informed by the soldiers doing the night-watch that King Hamlet's ghost is appearing, he decides to try and converse with him. In the play, it is written that King Hamlet tells Hamlet about how he was murdered, however, in the film, we get shown a ridiculous portrayal of a forest falling apart because of this ghost that can't pass onto heaven because of 'unfinished business'. Now, the audience are thinking "he should kill King Claudius in an act of revenge"... instead of this, he pretends to be mad. (in my opinion, he should have just killed him, but then i'm not one of the greatest writers ever. in history. so who am i to question Shakespeare?)

One thing that does confuse me about this character is that he swears the soldiers to secrecy about the whole forest scenario which means that he could get away with killing Claudius, but for some reason, chooses to be insane. (leads me to believe that he possibly is insane.)

There is also a tragic element being portrayed, which is happening to Ophelia. She is completely head over heels for Hamlet (which becomes even more obvious when the audience find out they had sex, naughty.) however, her brother and father are telling her that she can't have anything to do with him. Does she obey her family, as always? or does she follow her heart?

'V' by Tony Harrison

Things i found interesting about this poem:

• even though i found the use of swearing was slightly excessive, i liked how it combined with the angry tone of the poem. "fuck" and "cunt" are both very harsh sounding words, which are en-keeping with the tone.
• i thought that there was no real sense of positive emotion throughout the poem even though he was talking about his deceased family; he seemed to concentrate more on the negative than the positive.
• the tone is consistent and obvious straight away from the title; "V" may be interpreted as swearing.
• the use of oppositions throughout the poem, contrasting 'A' with 'B'; an example of this within the poem is the opposing themes of love and hate .

my opinion on the character, Hamlet

Reflecting back on the sililolquy, my opinions of Hamlet haven't changed drasitcally since the start of the play. Throughout the play, up to the sililoquy, I thought that Hamlet had acted in a mature, understandable way seeing the circumstances that his father has died, and his mother re-married his uncle. In Act 2 Scene 2, Hamlet reveals a cunning side to him, as he reveals he is planning to unmask to true killer of the late King Hamlet by faking insanity. Many people have questioned whether Hamlet was truely insane or not, however, in my opinion i believe that for the whole play, Hamlet is in complete control of his mentel and physical state, (despite this being contridicted after Ophelia's suicide later on in the play).

I think that instead of laying out his 'master plan' to unveil King Claudius as the killer, he should have worked harder to find any evidence to then confront him sooner rather than later. His lack of decisiveness is seen as his downfall, which will be evident throughout the rest of the play.

Long Distance, Tony Harrison

In the first part of 'Long Distance', I am slightly sympathetic towards both characters: I feel sympathy towards to son because he is obviously distressed with his father's constant bad attitude and the lack of emotion he shares; i feel sympathy for the father because his tone highlights a feeling that his son isn't concerned about him and doesn't take an intrest in his life; however, due to their overbearing flaws.

In 'Long Distance 2', i am more sympathetic towards the son as although the father is widowed, in his grieving in such an way that it is effecting his son and their relationship. Due to the state of the father's grievance means that the son has not only lost his mother, but his father as well.

Rumplestiltskin, by Tom and Lilly

Once upon a time, there was a very boastful mechanic who had a beautiful daughter. One day, after being insulted by the local baker about his ‘lowly’ profession, he wanted to show the town that he and his daughter were better then anyone. He updated his status of facebook; “I have the most brilliant daughter in the world, she has the ability to spin copper wire into gold. LOL!”
An hour later, the mechanic got two emails to his iPhone; one read ‘King Dave liked your status’. The other said ‘King Dave has sent you a private message.’ The mechanic was thrilled with all the attention he had received from the most prestigious man in all of Macbookshire.
Later that day, the mechanic decided to log into Facebook to see what King Dave had sent him. The message read “Yo, I was wondering if your ever so talented daughter could pop up to my mansion. I’ve got some copper wire lying around, and tbh, I’d rather have gold lying around, tehehehehehe ;) Send her up tomorrow at 6pm, King Dave.”

As the King had asked, the mechanic sent his daughter to the mansion at 6 o’clock, on the dot. “I want you to prove this talent your Father is posting online. If he is lying, you shall be banished from Macbookshire, forever.” The King stated as he lead her through the mansion. They arrived at a wooden door, on an isolated corridor, that when opened revealed a room almost full with copper wire… and one spinning wheel. “You have until tomorrow morning to spin this copper into gold…”, and with that, the King left.
The daughter broke down into tears, realising that herself and her father would be banished; no-one would be able to turn copper into gold. Then suddenly, a strange looking, short man jumped onto the window sill. “Who are you?!” cried the daughter, startled by this stranger appearing. “Are you a dwarf?”
“No,” exclaimed the man, “I am vertically challenged, thank you very much. And I am here to help you, so if you could stop insulting me for a second, I’ll explain.”
The ‘vertically challenged man’ offered to help the daughter by spinning the copper into gold, but only in exchange for goods. The daughter gladly agreed, she’d give anything to help her father, and so decided that she would give up her cherished Blackberry phone to ensure her father wouldn’t get banished.
After a long night of watching the ‘vertically challenged man’ work, the daughter listened for King Dave’s return while the last of the copper wire was being spun. After a while, the door swung open and King Dave entered. “My God, your father wasn’t lying. I’m going to make a fortune of ‘Cash4Gold’.” The King ordered that the daughter stay in the mansion another night, and after feeding her, he lead her to another remote room, even bigger than the first, where there was twice the amount of copper wire than the first night. “You have until midday tomorrow to make me gold.”
Although there was more copper wire, the daughter was not worried, as she trusted that the ‘vertically challenged man’ would be back again to help her. Sure enough, at midnight, he appeared on the window sill once more. This time, the daughter exchanged her iPod for the ‘vertically challenged man’s’ gift. After 12 hours of solid work, the King burst into the room once again, and was delighted with what the daughter had produced. King Dave, once again, commanded that the daughter stay for one more night, as he only had a little bit more copper wire left. She was locked in the same room as the night before, and for hours, sat waiting for the ‘vertically challenged man’ to come to her aid. Right on cue at midnight, he emerged, and asked what the daughter had to exchange.
“All I have is my laptop, but I’m following Justin Bieber on Twitter. I can’t give it up!”
Seeing how distraught the daughter was at the thought of giving up her laptop, he agreed that she could keep it. “However, you must promise me one thing…”
The daughter nodded, encouragingly. “…I want your first born child.”

The daughter gave a sigh of a relief, and happily gave into his whim, thinking ‘I’m not having children anytime soon.’ The next morning, just as the ‘vertically challenged man’ was leaving, he added “Oh, by the way, follow me on Twitter at iwantyourfirstchild.twitter.com”. King Dave then crashed excitedly through the door. “You are the most amazing women I’ve ever known; I need you… to marry me. Please.” Knowing how rich the King was, and knowing the status she would receive, she accepted immediately, hoping that the King wouldn’t be alive for too long seeing as he was quite old.

After a year of dismal marriage, the Queen gave birth to a baby boy. A week after the birth, the Queen was sat with her baby, waiting for King Dave to return home from mouse hunting, when someone started thumping at the door. The Queen opened the door, and at first, saw no-one. However, after a purposeful cough, she looked down to see the ‘vertically challenged man’. “What are you doing here, kind sir?”
“Why, I am here to take what is rightfully mine.” The ‘vertically challenged man’ replied, gesturing to the baby.
“Of course you can have him; all he does is be sick and cry. But in return, I want my Blackberry and iPod back!”
The ‘vertically challenged man’ was hesitant at first; he had taken them fairly, but soon agreed, for his want of a baby. “Okay, we can trade. But only if you can guess my name. I’ll be back in three days.”
As soon as the ‘vertically challenged man’ left the mansion grounds, the Queen immediately got onto Google and searched ‘vertically challenged man names’.
“No results” she sighed, desperately wanting back her belongings.

Three days later, as the Queen was expecting the ‘vertically challenged man’, she decided to share her problems with her followers on Twitter. As she was scrolling through her homepage, she saw a new tweet from someone called ‘Rumplestiltskin’ which read “I’m about to get me a baby guys, yay. Good times, lol!”
The Queen was overjoyed at this revelation, even if he did mean keeping her baby. After an agonising wait, the ‘vertically challenged man’ finally appeared. She showed him in, and offered him tea, and joined him in the second floor lounge.
“So, have you guessed my name yet?” The ‘vertically challenged man’ asked mockingly, “or am I taking your baby along with your Blackberry and iPod!”
The Queen gave a cunning grin, “is it Caspar? Melchior? Balthazar?”
The ‘vertically challenged man’ shook his head.
“Well, I do have one more idea…” The Queen was grinning “is it… Rumplestiltskin?”
The ‘vertically challenged man’ was horrified, and stared in disbelief. “HOW DID YOU KNOW?!” He cried, almost breaking into tears.
“I follow you on Twitter, remember?” The Queen laughed, “And by the way, you have a stupid name”. The Queen approached Rumplestiltskin with one hand reached out, and he placed her Blackberry and iPod into her hand while covering his face with the other hand. Then, unexpectedly, Rumplestiltskin bounded towards the window sill, “again with the insults! I thought Queen’s were supposed to be gracious and kind!” And with that, he hurled himself out of the window.

And that’s the story of how you almost got adopted. Goodnight darling, love you.

The End.

Valentine, by Carol Ann Duffy

1) How is the story told?

It isn't so much a story that is told, it is more of an explanantion of feelings from the narrator, and what they are going to do by referring to the future. The narrator speaks in the 1st person, and it written as if they are addressing someone else. The structure of the poem is: the Opening line is the beginning, Stanzas 2-5 is the middle, last stanzas are the end. As the poem progresses the mood changes and ends with morbid imagery.

2) Themes explored within the poem
The main theme explored within the poem is love; it shows different sides of love, ‘careful’ and ‘faithful’, with ‘fierce’ and ‘possessive’. This theme comtineues through the whole poem, with the ending showing a very morbid, dark side of love..

3) Poetic and Literary devices

Alliteration is used in the poem, some examples are: "red rose" and "cute card".

Metaphores: "it is a moon wrapped in brown paper"

Personification: "it promises light"

Similie: "like a lover"

Sibilance: "fierce kiss"

Why is 'Hamlet' so good?

Shakespeare was, and still is one of the greatest writers of any times and there is a consensus that he is the greatest dramatist of all time. Hamlet is so exceptionally unique, as the character is unlike any other title character ever written.

As a structure of complete dramatic design, it is probably not Shakespeare's best; Macbeth, Othello, Midsummer Nights Dream and King Lear all have better pace and in some cases more defined characters. But Hamlet is the most intriguing, most mysterious and most challenging role in drama. It is possibly the only character that defies interpretation. It has puzzled and stirred debate since it's introduction almost 400 hundred years ago and it is the ultimate challenge for any actor ever since it was written. Many of the most notable actors that who have attempted it, left the experience convinced that the role cannot be master.

But what is it that makes the role such an incredible challenge? Well, it is Shakespeare's biggest role in his longest play, but it is not the sheer volume of the material: the problem stem from finding the consistency for the things that Hamlet does and does not want and what he does or doesn't do for them.

In short, Hamlet at times is determined to avenge his father's murder, yet when the opportunity arrives, he puts it off. He fakes madness, and moments later gives on of the most insightful critiques on the art of acting found in literature. He is at time clever and dumbfounded, wise and silly, serious and frivolous, cunning and innocent, fearless and cautious. Actors who play the role too boldly risk making his procrastination and indecision seem explicable. While those portraying him too spiritually or morally burdened risk dampening the sense of building drama Shakespeare seems to have outlined as his intention.

Why is Hamlet such a good play? Because Hamlet, himself, is such a complex and fascinating study in the human condition.

The Kite Runner.

"I became what I am today in the summer of 1975."

This opening is effective because it causes the reader to ask questions about what happens not only thoughout the book, but what happened in the past to shape this man. The author, Khaled Housseini, uses foreshadowing to show that the events that has shaped this man will be revealed later on in the novel.

Three Cups of Tea.

by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

"Here (in Pakistan and Afganistan), we drink three cups of tea to do business: the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family, we aer prepared to do anything - even die."
- Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan.

A New York Times best seller, currently unavailable in the UK, is a astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his remarkable humitarian campaign in the Taliban's backyard. 'Three Cups of Tea' tells of one mans failure revealed extraordinary kindness, determination and one promise. Over a decade, Mortenson fufils his promise by building 50 schools, especially for girls, in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban.

His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirit.