Grace Mokdassi

Peer Review 2

Maria’s blog is found at https://mariasblog920751433.wordpress.com/blog/

Sassoon opened my eyes to the history of brutality that the walls of memorials embrace…

Your blog perfectly summed up the emotion that I held whilst reading Sassoon’s piece. In particular, the above line captivates what it is that, as a reader, I was thinking while reading the poem.

Your blog delved into the language devices that Sassoon used to express his opinion, namely tone. I specifically mention this to push the fact that your blog made good comments on his piece, but also looked at the language to back up your claims. Tone is definitely something that is important to “On Passing the New Menin Gate”, so I commend you on commenting on his tone and using examples from the poem.

You effectively answered the question posed by looking at your initial response to war memorials and explaining why and how it has now changed after reading Sassoon’s poem. Your writing was succinct and appropriately responded to the question. You tied it up well by concluding with your current views on war memorials.

My only criticism would be to incorporate a second language device to better support your reading of Sassoon’s poem, or dive further into the tone and provide a little longer explanation of how Sassoon uses tone to enhance his message.

Other than that, I absolutely loved your blog! It was extremely thought-provoking and provided me with a better insight into the message of “On Passing the New Menin Gate”.

Picasso explained

The above Picasso piece, titled “Nude in a Rocking Chair” is modernism at it’s finest. The edgy strokes, contrasting colours and seemingly angry nature of the artwork encompasses an irritated and unsympathetic character, watching the outside world from the confines of her rocking chair.

A faceless woman is sitting nude in a chair, ‘staring’ out of a window at a simple expression of a palm tree. Whilst her face is emotionless, Picasso utilised her body to exhibit an angry-looking face. Whilst she sits in compliance and grace, her anger within is roaring to be heard. The bright, red flooring contrasts with the natural green and brown chair/background. The arms of the chair swirl around either side of the painting. Beyond the chair, the black wall is a catalyst for enhancing the colours of the artwork, further heightening the message behind it. The green behind her overlaps into the outside, showing some kind of continuity between the world and her home (assuming she is seated in her home!). This could represent the overlapping impact that the world has on an individual, and vice versa.

While this piece seems to make sense, the fragmented style encompasses the brokenness of society at the time and the displacement that people felt, especially through the modernist period of time.

Peer Review 1

Three Words And A Wedding

“Seas of rolling green dotted with grazing cattle and Australian bush merged into one blur outside of my passenger window.”

Such an amazing opening line to a beautiful paragraph! The imagery and emotion conveyed in this single line is unmatched. As a reader, I can already imagine the scene being expressed in this blog.

The blur of the day is captivated in the quick turn of events and the shift in the tone between the beginning and the end of the blog.

As a reader, I felt as if I had experienced the same feeling Teneillie had written about. Your writing was succinct yet captured the day perfectly. There was a balance between emotion and setting that perfectly explained the feeling that I felt whilst reading it.

The love written to be shared between two friends was relatable and triggered memories between me and my friends which I hadn’t experienced in a while, especially with COVID running its course.

I could not fault the writing, however I do wish that it was a little longer to fully draw out the moment and emotion. With that being mentioned, the point of the blog is to be a short memo, so it’s definitely something that I could overlook. I suppose it was so well written that I wanted more!

An extraordinary, ordinary moment

Hiking is something I love to do, but don’t get to do it often. Nothing compares to the adrenaline you feel when you finally finish your 5 hour walk and arrive at the summit of your adventure. The ability to say you conquered the mighty, powerful formations is a victory in itself.

This walk was like no other. It was only 2 hours each way, but something struck me in that second hour that I will never forget. Something about standing on the edge of the world, watching God’s greatest creatures leap from the waves of the ocean is something that I hold in my heart. The inexplicable feeling of your toes hanging off what seems to be the highest point in the universe. The insignificance of our lives in the grand scheme of things.

This moment, standing on the brim of the land, the peak of our lives, means nothing to the world and everything to me. Hiking has always been something I love to do. But no other moment, no other place and no other emotion will wash over me the same way it did at that point. The idea that every action, word and thought has led me to this point overwhelmed me. Every stress and victory was a lead up to this moment.

And for no reason in particular, it was all worth it.

The Impact of Chaplin

Blog 1

Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” is a powerful and politically-driven speech which utilised a variety of devices to convey his message.

The delivery of his speech is significant to the impact that it has on the audience. Chaplin starts off using a soft tone, compelling the audience to listen closely to what he is saying. As his tone becomes harsher, the intensity of his speech is escalated and the audience is fully invested in what he is saying. At the beginning of his monologue, he avoids eye contact and looks at what seems like nothing. There is sadness in his eyes and this is reflected in his choice of words. When he finally addresses his audience, the ‘soldiers’, he becomes louder and more aggressive, whilst still maintaining his ‘cool’.

The obvious allusion made to Hitler through Chaplin’s costume and the setting choice is powerful in delivering a message through comparison. Whilst Hitler promoted hate and anger towards communities, Chaplin encouraged unity, peace and love between people, regardless of their race or faith.

Ultimately, Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” was a well-defined statement against the hate-speech which was prevalent during the second world war. His ideas directly opposed what was an almost widely accepted idea by many. His speech holds great power against the reigning forces at the time.

Peer Review 2

Veronicas blog is found at https://veronicabliteratureblogs.wordpress.com/2020/04/02/blog-2-virtual-visit-to-the-state-library/

I really enjoyed reading your blog on our virtual visit to the state library! Your close analysis of “To the Memory of My Beloved…” by Ben Jonson and its links to Shakespeare as a writer were done succinctly. You also connected the virtual visit to the state library very well by stating that your appreciation for Shakespeare has deepened through the visit. Your points were backed up with quotes and evidence, making it difficult for me to criticise anything. I would like to provide an alternate theory regarding Shakespeare writing a “living line”. As opposed to Shakespeare writing with the hopes that his works would be timeless, I believe that he wrote to be relevant in the time he was in. His works dealt with many issues that were apparent at the time and it is through the nature of society that we deal with these issues currently, making his work timeless. Just a small thought, but I do agree with Shakespeare having his work come alive as it was relevant in his society.

It should be me

Context: This is a monologue of a woman who is jealous of the girlfriend of the man she loves.

It should be me. Holding his hand. Dancing to his favourite song with him. It should be me that he gives those flowers to. What does she have that I don’t? Why must he ignore the electricity between us? Can’t he feel the sparks?

I mean, look at her! Her hair is frizzed – mine is as soft as silk. Her smile is stained yellow. The brightest star in the sky could not outshine mine! Her stench – her vile stench. It does not compare to the sweet smelling fragrance I emit. Yet, he chooses her wretchedness over my beauty!

What do I need to do to get him to see that I’m his true love? It pains, no, burns me to think that he is holding her tonight. His hand is wrapped around my heart and her claw clutches his.

The man I love, the only one I have ever thought of in such a way. That’s all I ask. And she has him wrapped around her scrawny, little finger. She doesn’t deserve his love. As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t even love him. Not at all and definitely not in the way that I do.

It should be me.

Peer Review

Natalies blog is found at https://natalie4820.wordpress.com/2020/03/20/modern-day-ophelia/

Your blog was perfectly dramatic! It captured the essence of Ophelia as a character and maintained the tone throughout the writing. Ophelia is consumed by her love for Hamlet and torn by his disinterest, which you wrote as an emotional plea for his affection. The subtle mention of people and ‘the screens in front of them’ brought your piece into the current world and made a judgement on society succinctly. The only advice I could give to your piece would be to end with ‘fear of love’ and delete the final sentence. In my opinion, Ophelia is making a theatrical speech and ending with a short line is more powerful. Other than that, I really enjoyed reading your point of view.

How technology has maintained our connection to literature

In the past few weeks the whole world has shifted in their attitude and behaviour. What was once considered normal and social is now labelled as ‘reckless’ and ‘risky’. Watching a movie at the cinema? Dangerous. Going out for a drink with your mates? Perilous. Shaking your boss’ hand? Rebellious.

Yet in these uncertain times, one thing which has continued to amaze me is the adaptability of literature to suit any environment. On-campus learning has shifted to online learning, and with it, so has our Shakespeare study.

Back in the time of Shakespeare, enjoying one of his works would require a seat in his audience or a copy of his play. Here we are, almost 500 years later, speaking about his writings over our devices, kilometres away from each other. Reading his plays online. Watching performances online. Taking a virtual tour of the Shakespeare room at the National Library.

Some may argue that technology has contributed to the closure of physical book stores, laziness in writing and an overall loss of language. While these may be true, it would be a shame to not acknowledge the role that tech has played in maintaining a connection between literature and the younger generation.

Point of View of Ophelia in 2020

What are these people wearing? Nay, not people, monsters! With their coloured locks and metal bits hanging from their ears. Ripped pants, baggy shirts and exposed skin! Shame! I shall keep my head down and continue to look for my love, Hamlet. Don’t look them in the eye. Hold your breath. Keep on walking.

I wonder what happened in the last 400 years for humanity to take this turn. Where we once ravished in flower-ridden gardens – sky-high slabs of concrete now sit. Where the sky was blue, its white fluffy clouds painted across its canvas – a smog fills the air. Where nature sang in the morning dew – horrendous machinery roams the streets, blasting its noise for the world to hear. Shame!

And yet, the worst of all is the people. How have they become blind to the world around them? They preach one thing yet practice another. They speak of love and friendship yet make it so difficult to attain. They say they are out, looking for adventure, just to capture it on their ‘devices’ for the world to approve of.

Someone take me back! I don’t belong here. Woe to those who find their happiness here. They have been misled.