“Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil does above water,”-Miguel de Cervantes:
What is truth? Truth, I defined this word something we could prove.
However, this novel 1984, written by George Orwell had me reconsider what truth really is. For example, Winstion knows that Oceania was war with Eurasia just the day before and when he comes back to work, he’s to believe that Oceania always had been war with Eastasia. He also knows that the past was better than present, but he’s to believe that he has high quality life style, while he sleeps naked because there is no pajama supplied, and drinks Victory Gin that tastes like chemical. But, everything that happened cannot be proved and according to my definition of truth, they are not true.
I just had a big feast and my belly is about to pop because of food I ate. Suddenly, my mom comes and tries to feed me again! I tell her that I ate my lunch, but all the evidences that could prove my statement are gone. Then, did I eat the feast or was it just my hallucination? What is TRUE?
This book has raised many questions in my head. I realized that truth is something we could control, manipulate. I was shocked that everything I believe in everything I have done may be FALSE, and I was just lead to believe that by government. After reading this book, I began to doubt everything that seemed to be so natural.
2007년 6월 1일 금요일
1984-#7
“The cage was nearer; it was closing in. Winston heard a succession of shrill cries, which appeared to be occurring in the air above his head. But he fought furiously against his panic. To think, to think, even with a split 
second left- to think was the only hope.” (Page. 235)
This scene was when the antagonist, O’Brien, was torturing Winston, the protagonist. This torture, or ‘healing of mind’ was done by most crucial method, using terror hidden in a person. For Winston, it was rats. Throughout the book, it is shown that Winston has fear toward rats and he often has nightmares about them. O’Brien threatens Winston with a box full of rats and mentally molests him. However, I doubt that box to be empty. The scratching noises and sniffing sounds were probably imagined by Winston’s fear. Later, he yells out to do this to Julia not him.
After reading this scene, I was just terrified. Like Winston fears rats, I once feared being in the dark. You might say that every children hates being in the dark, but it was a little special for me. I hysterically hated and feared dark, as I am almost blind in dark. When I walk in a dark room, I tumble after the first step.
Then, I began to imagine second grade me put in a dark room without even mere light. I would cry and maybe even die with heart attack. Most of all, like Winston, I would give away names of my loved ones. This is sad truth, but I know that I will, not because I am evil, but because I am a weak person in front of pain.
This scene leads me to this question: is human will really weaker than physical torture?
I sincerely wish that the answer is ‘yes’ and I want to believe it, because human is same as animals or robots if he is without wills and dreams inside him.
second left- to think was the only hope.” (Page. 235)This scene was when the antagonist, O’Brien, was torturing Winston, the protagonist. This torture, or ‘healing of mind’ was done by most crucial method, using terror hidden in a person. For Winston, it was rats. Throughout the book, it is shown that Winston has fear toward rats and he often has nightmares about them. O’Brien threatens Winston with a box full of rats and mentally molests him. However, I doubt that box to be empty. The scratching noises and sniffing sounds were probably imagined by Winston’s fear. Later, he yells out to do this to Julia not him.
After reading this scene, I was just terrified. Like Winston fears rats, I once feared being in the dark. You might say that every children hates being in the dark, but it was a little special for me. I hysterically hated and feared dark, as I am almost blind in dark. When I walk in a dark room, I tumble after the first step.
Then, I began to imagine second grade me put in a dark room without even mere light. I would cry and maybe even die with heart attack. Most of all, like Winston, I would give away names of my loved ones. This is sad truth, but I know that I will, not because I am evil, but because I am a weak person in front of pain.
This scene leads me to this question: is human will really weaker than physical torture?
I sincerely wish that the answer is ‘yes’ and I want to believe it, because human is same as animals or robots if he is without wills and dreams inside him.
1984-#6
*Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you. why is this passage meaningful? Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.
“The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.” (page. 6)
When I read this passages, I was astounded. Telescreen is similar to television nowadays, which I turn on almost everytime when I have spare time. It is like a habitual act, so I often find myself sitting in front of the screen without thinking anything. I have never imagined that television could be used to watch us, instead of we watching it. I imagined how it would be if someone was watching over me eating, dressing up, taking shower, and sleeping. It is just horrible! I would feel like a prisoner who is sentenced to stay in the cell for whole life. While I was reading this book, I stayed away from television and had chance to think about what I was missing because of wasting time on watching TV. Instead of watching it, I tried to read more, something that was restricted in the society of the novel. Because of this shocking passage in the book, I was able to think about disadvantageous sides of development of machines. It had never occurred to me that they could be used AGAINST us!
“The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.” (page. 6)
When I read this passages, I was astounded. Telescreen is similar to television nowadays, which I turn on almost everytime when I have spare time. It is like a habitual act, so I often find myself sitting in front of the screen without thinking anything. I have never imagined that television could be used to watch us, instead of we watching it. I imagined how it would be if someone was watching over me eating, dressing up, taking shower, and sleeping. It is just horrible! I would feel like a prisoner who is sentenced to stay in the cell for whole life. While I was reading this book, I stayed away from television and had chance to think about what I was missing because of wasting time on watching TV. Instead of watching it, I tried to read more, something that was restricted in the society of the novel. Because of this shocking passage in the book, I was able to think about disadvantageous sides of development of machines. It had never occurred to me that they could be used AGAINST us!
1984-#5
* What is the mood of this novel? Do you find this novel saddens you in any way? Why?
The mood of this Negative Utopian novel 1984 by George Orwell is dark. The setting of the book itself is already desolate world with gray sky, which sometimes is lightened by bombs. In the society, the one that is described in the novel, people have absolutely no freedom. They cannot write, read other than the books given from government, and even cannot love anything but Big Brother. Except those minorities who are in Inner Party, Outer Party and proles do not have their basic needs fulfilled. Proles still have their freedom and are not restricted by the Party, while Outer Party members are deprived of their personal rights. Their memories are manipulated by Inner Party members and are observed 24 hours a day and 365 days an year by hidden microphones and telescreens. The depiction of their miserable life by the author through this novel is truly despairing. Especially when it is said that their life will be the way it is and the party would last FOREVER, the mood was depressing.
Sometimes, there were hopeful mood in the book. When Winston and Julia, against the rule of Party, shares love is cheerful point of the book. Even though the characters and I knew that two lovers would not make thorough, when they were together I was happy with them. Like my expectation, their love ended with bitterness. The ending of the book was the darkest part of whole book, because there was absolutely no more hope, no more daydreams, and no more love. After all, the future of the society in the book was like what was said by Winston, the main character: “Boot stamping on a human face forever.”
The mood of this Negative Utopian novel 1984 by George Orwell is dark. The setting of the book itself is already desolate world with gray sky, which sometimes is lightened by bombs. In the society, the one that is described in the novel, people have absolutely no freedom. They cannot write, read other than the books given from government, and even cannot love anything but Big Brother. Except those minorities who are in Inner Party, Outer Party and proles do not have their basic needs fulfilled. Proles still have their freedom and are not restricted by the Party, while Outer Party members are deprived of their personal rights. Their memories are manipulated by Inner Party members and are observed 24 hours a day and 365 days an year by hidden microphones and telescreens. The depiction of their miserable life by the author through this novel is truly despairing. Especially when it is said that their life will be the way it is and the party would last FOREVER, the mood was depressing.
Sometimes, there were hopeful mood in the book. When Winston and Julia, against the rule of Party, shares love is cheerful point of the book. Even though the characters and I knew that two lovers would not make thorough, when they were together I was happy with them. Like my expectation, their love ended with bitterness. The ending of the book was the darkest part of whole book, because there was absolutely no more hope, no more daydreams, and no more love. After all, the future of the society in the book was like what was said by Winston, the main character: “Boot stamping on a human face forever.”
1984-#4
* What is the climax of this novel? What happens? How do the events of this novel make you feel?
The climax of the novel 1984 is the part where Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought police. After they got the book from O’Brien, Winston read out loud to Julia, who is half asleep in their own world, a small room in Mr. Carrington’s store. After reading aloud, Winston whispers to Julia that they are the dead. Suddenly, a voice from hidden telescreen tells them they are dead indeed. This was the point of with most tension throughout the whole book. At that point, there was no way for protagonist and his lover to escape the situation, but to be taken to Ministry of Love, where torture is inflicted on “thought criminals” like Winston and Julia. While I was reading this climax part, I was sweating! I hoped that Winston would think of something brilliant; however, contrary to my expectation, they were separated and were taken to Ministry of Love. The fact that Mr. Carrington was a member of thought police shocked me, because I did not expect this to come.
Another tense moment of the novel was when Winston was being tortured by O’Brien in room 101. He gets threatened by the object that fears him most: rats. Winston’s love ends here and he exclaims to do it to Julia not to him. This is the point when Winston finally gives up his own thoughts and be “cured.”
The climax of the novel 1984 is the part where Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought police. After they got the book from O’Brien, Winston read out loud to Julia, who is half asleep in their own world, a small room in Mr. Carrington’s store. After reading aloud, Winston whispers to Julia that they are the dead. Suddenly, a voice from hidden telescreen tells them they are dead indeed. This was the point of with most tension throughout the whole book. At that point, there was no way for protagonist and his lover to escape the situation, but to be taken to Ministry of Love, where torture is inflicted on “thought criminals” like Winston and Julia. While I was reading this climax part, I was sweating! I hoped that Winston would think of something brilliant; however, contrary to my expectation, they were separated and were taken to Ministry of Love. The fact that Mr. Carrington was a member of thought police shocked me, because I did not expect this to come.
Another tense moment of the novel was when Winston was being tortured by O’Brien in room 101. He gets threatened by the object that fears him most: rats. Winston’s love ends here and he exclaims to do it to Julia not to him. This is the point when Winston finally gives up his own thoughts and be “cured.”
1984-#3
* Who are the main characters in the novel? Do you like them? why or why not? What is special about them? What do they reveal about the universal human experience?
The major characters of the novel 1984 include Winston Smith, Julia, and O’Brien.
The central character and the protagonist of the book is Winston and people and objects are described in his view.
Winston tries to rebel against Party, antagonist. With Winston, Julia is against the Party. However, while Winston tries to make difference in society, Julia seeks ways out to be free under blindsides of the Party. This difference is mainly caused by how much they have memories of past, where things were better. Winston was born during the war and Julia was born after the Party was created. Therefore, Winston realizes that society he is living in is wrong and past was better, while Julia does not have anything to compare with and is not interested in one. She is rather interested in entertaining herself and her unconcerned attitude toward finding out about the existence of Brotherhood and reasons for constant war is shown when she falls asleep while Winton reads her “The Book” given by O’Brien. She has a rebellious personality and simply hates being controlled.
O’Brien is on the side of antagonist, and actually is one of the Inner Party members. He traps Winston by lying to him that he is a member of the anti-Party group. He later “cures” Winston by physical and mental torture. Throughout the book, which is written in Winston’s view, the character of O’Brien is like a teacher for Winston. At first, he leads Winston to Anti-party group by giving him “The Book” and later he “cures” him to a character with no thoughts, a character that party wants.
My favorite character throughout the book was Winton. He, while others believe and give the Party absolute obedience, has questions and doubts about it as he revises history in Ministry of Truth. He is not a hero that saves the society from the Party, but later is captured in Ministry of Love and is “cured” as a complete zombie. After he is released, his mind, which was full of defiance and hostility toward Big Brother, turns into dull mind full of love toward the Party. As he possesses intelligence with sharp intuition toward reality, he was very attractive character. After seeing Winston being changed to a person with his head and mind only filled with love toward the Party, I realized that human emotions and their experiences can be erased with torture. In the end of the book, he thinks that his childhood memory is wrong and such thing never has happened. It was a shock for me to think that someone is forced to deny their past. I was in agony of this question: Is human memory and experience reliable? After the dreadful experience, the main character does not dare to stand up against the antagonist. He does not even think about hating the Party.
The major characters of the novel 1984 include Winston Smith, Julia, and O’Brien.
The central character and the protagonist of the book is Winston and people and objects are described in his view.
Winston tries to rebel against Party, antagonist. With Winston, Julia is against the Party. However, while Winston tries to make difference in society, Julia seeks ways out to be free under blindsides of the Party. This difference is mainly caused by how much they have memories of past, where things were better. Winston was born during the war and Julia was born after the Party was created. Therefore, Winston realizes that society he is living in is wrong and past was better, while Julia does not have anything to compare with and is not interested in one. She is rather interested in entertaining herself and her unconcerned attitude toward finding out about the existence of Brotherhood and reasons for constant war is shown when she falls asleep while Winton reads her “The Book” given by O’Brien. She has a rebellious personality and simply hates being controlled.
O’Brien is on the side of antagonist, and actually is one of the Inner Party members. He traps Winston by lying to him that he is a member of the anti-Party group. He later “cures” Winston by physical and mental torture. Throughout the book, which is written in Winston’s view, the character of O’Brien is like a teacher for Winston. At first, he leads Winston to Anti-party group by giving him “The Book” and later he “cures” him to a character with no thoughts, a character that party wants.
My favorite character throughout the book was Winton. He, while others believe and give the Party absolute obedience, has questions and doubts about it as he revises history in Ministry of Truth. He is not a hero that saves the society from the Party, but later is captured in Ministry of Love and is “cured” as a complete zombie. After he is released, his mind, which was full of defiance and hostility toward Big Brother, turns into dull mind full of love toward the Party. As he possesses intelligence with sharp intuition toward reality, he was very attractive character. After seeing Winston being changed to a person with his head and mind only filled with love toward the Party, I realized that human emotions and their experiences can be erased with torture. In the end of the book, he thinks that his childhood memory is wrong and such thing never has happened. It was a shock for me to think that someone is forced to deny their past. I was in agony of this question: Is human memory and experience reliable? After the dreadful experience, the main character does not dare to stand up against the antagonist. He does not even think about hating the Party.
1984-#2
* Are there are any current situations in the world that relate to the novel? What are they, and how do they relate? Does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved or "fixed"?
The society in the novel, 1984, is a description of the world with socialism. It is not directly related to the present environment where I am living in. However, this book reminded me of North Korea under a leader called Kim Jung il. Even though there are many differences between Oceania and North Korea, such as North Korea is not war with other countries YET and they desire to have more materials while Oceania keeps war to spend their overproduced materials to be in poverty. There are many similarities between two countries as well as many differences. People in both countries suffer with deprivation of basic needs for different reasons. Only the minority upper class is well fed. Also, the communism of Oceania and North Korea began after the WWI and WWII.
Another distinction is shown in two different futures of these countries. As North Korea is being pressured by other democratic countries with more power, such as United States, it will be changed to democracy in near future. In contrary, whole world is under socialism and totalinarism in 1984. There is not even a mere hope that this unwavering party will collapse.
The author of this novel suggests no clear instruction or any solution. He only tells us how our emotion easily can be repressed by physical torture and can be even removed from one person. George Orwell also reminds and warns us of communism and its dangerous blindsights. At some points of the book, he describes how proles, the lower class with freedom but no proper education, can save the society. I also feel that the rebellion of proles is the only hope of the society in 1984, as brotherhood with leader called is Goldstein is just a fictional character created by the government just to focus people’s hatred into one person or object. However, the solution to solve the communism in North Korea, the most isolated country in the whole world, is not given in this book.
The society in the novel, 1984, is a description of the world with socialism. It is not directly related to the present environment where I am living in. However, this book reminded me of North Korea under a leader called Kim Jung il. Even though there are many differences between Oceania and North Korea, such as North Korea is not war with other countries YET and they desire to have more materials while Oceania keeps war to spend their overproduced materials to be in poverty. There are many similarities between two countries as well as many differences. People in both countries suffer with deprivation of basic needs for different reasons. Only the minority upper class is well fed. Also, the communism of Oceania and North Korea began after the WWI and WWII.
Another distinction is shown in two different futures of these countries. As North Korea is being pressured by other democratic countries with more power, such as United States, it will be changed to democracy in near future. In contrary, whole world is under socialism and totalinarism in 1984. There is not even a mere hope that this unwavering party will collapse.
The author of this novel suggests no clear instruction or any solution. He only tells us how our emotion easily can be repressed by physical torture and can be even removed from one person. George Orwell also reminds and warns us of communism and its dangerous blindsights. At some points of the book, he describes how proles, the lower class with freedom but no proper education, can save the society. I also feel that the rebellion of proles is the only hope of the society in 1984, as brotherhood with leader called is Goldstein is just a fictional character created by the government just to focus people’s hatred into one person or object. However, the solution to solve the communism in North Korea, the most isolated country in the whole world, is not given in this book.
1984-#1
* What is the major theme of this novel? Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2007?
The major theme of the book 1984 by George Orwell is the importance of keeping history.
In his book, George Orwell describes how if there is no history, there will be a society just like in the book. The dystopian society in novel, they erase people memories to keep the party going, just like erasing a spelling mistake,. If people in the book remembered the past and learned lessons from it, such as World Wars and tyranny leaders, the people would stand against party. Also, if they remembered better time than that they are living in; they will realize that they can live in fairer condition, which will eventually lead to rebellion. This is why they brainwash and control people’s thoughts, to stop the time and make an immortal party. Other methods used by government include education with Party doctrine (INGSOC), joycamps, and youth education. This theme is very important to people living in 21st century, especially teenagers, because it emphasizes the importance of learning the past. The author describes the dreadful consequences of not looking back. I realized after reading this book that if I was in the book, I would one of the majority, who acts according to the Party orders, a zombie.
Also, the author of the book sharply criticizes the dictatorship and “totalinarism.” Totalinarism is when the government has authority to restrict individuals even with their deepest privacy. It is related to socialism and the descriptions of Big Brothers in the book are actually very similar with Stalin, a dictator in Soviet Union. The author vividly depicts how people can suffer under such a government, which controls every actions, history, memories, words, and even THOUGHTS. Whatever the thought is against the idea of party is labeled as “thought crime.” With this theme, he tells readers that it is critical for individuals to keep their own thoughts and opinions about the world. Winston, the main character goes through torture by Ministry of Love because he was “sick” as he had different views from the party and later, he was forced to be “cured.”
This theme reminded me how I, sometimes am manipulated by the media like people in this novel being controlled by party. I often am given certain beliefs and values from TV and radio. As technology develops more and more, I feel myself losing my own thoughts and color.
The major theme of the book 1984 by George Orwell is the importance of keeping history.
In his book, George Orwell describes how if there is no history, there will be a society just like in the book. The dystopian society in novel, they erase people memories to keep the party going, just like erasing a spelling mistake,. If people in the book remembered the past and learned lessons from it, such as World Wars and tyranny leaders, the people would stand against party. Also, if they remembered better time than that they are living in; they will realize that they can live in fairer condition, which will eventually lead to rebellion. This is why they brainwash and control people’s thoughts, to stop the time and make an immortal party. Other methods used by government include education with Party doctrine (INGSOC), joycamps, and youth education. This theme is very important to people living in 21st century, especially teenagers, because it emphasizes the importance of learning the past. The author describes the dreadful consequences of not looking back. I realized after reading this book that if I was in the book, I would one of the majority, who acts according to the Party orders, a zombie.
Also, the author of the book sharply criticizes the dictatorship and “totalinarism.” Totalinarism is when the government has authority to restrict individuals even with their deepest privacy. It is related to socialism and the descriptions of Big Brothers in the book are actually very similar with Stalin, a dictator in Soviet Union. The author vividly depicts how people can suffer under such a government, which controls every actions, history, memories, words, and even THOUGHTS. Whatever the thought is against the idea of party is labeled as “thought crime.” With this theme, he tells readers that it is critical for individuals to keep their own thoughts and opinions about the world. Winston, the main character goes through torture by Ministry of Love because he was “sick” as he had different views from the party and later, he was forced to be “cured.”
This theme reminded me how I, sometimes am manipulated by the media like people in this novel being controlled by party. I often am given certain beliefs and values from TV and radio. As technology develops more and more, I feel myself losing my own thoughts and color.
2007년 2월 15일 목요일
Fahrenheit 451-#8
-choice
After reading the Fahrenheit 451
As I am very interested in scientific-fiction books, I chose this book among others without any hesitation and I do not regret my choice.
This book was very challenging for me to read as the author had very different view about the world than me. While I looked at the human deveopement in positive way, the author described it with fearful machines controlling us.
Also, this book gave me many questions to think about. For example, the murder of Captain Beatty by Montag left me question of "Does knowledge worth human life?"
Other than that, I realized how much I depend on modern technologies and how many simple things I can not do by myself without any help from machines. Even when I am doing the simplest calculation in math, I do it with calculator and I began to lose confidence in myself.
I also realized that idea of being equal while neglecting one's unique characteristic can be dangerous idea, which is very similar to the communism.
In the end, the book was so vivid and realistic that I fear it would be prediction of our future.
After reading the Fahrenheit 451
As I am very interested in scientific-fiction books, I chose this book among others without any hesitation and I do not regret my choice.
This book was very challenging for me to read as the author had very different view about the world than me. While I looked at the human deveopement in positive way, the author described it with fearful machines controlling us.
Also, this book gave me many questions to think about. For example, the murder of Captain Beatty by Montag left me question of "Does knowledge worth human life?"
Other than that, I realized how much I depend on modern technologies and how many simple things I can not do by myself without any help from machines. Even when I am doing the simplest calculation in math, I do it with calculator and I began to lose confidence in myself.
I also realized that idea of being equal while neglecting one's unique characteristic can be dangerous idea, which is very similar to the communism.
In the end, the book was so vivid and realistic that I fear it would be prediction of our future.
Fahrenheit 451-#7
-Are there any settings in this novel which you have found to be beautiful? Or disturbing? Or memorable? Describe these settings and comment on why they were meaningful to you.
The scene where the machine-snake sucks out blood from mildred and putting new and fresh blood into her was the most memorable setting for me. When Mildred tries suicide, the two men from emergency center comes and replace her poisoned blood. The author reveals self hatred and deep saddeness within Mildred by this incident. However, her rotten spirit with misery does not get replaced and Mildred shows her emptiness through out rest of the story.
I thought this was very significant setting, because Mildred represent the people living in that world and their empty lifestyles filled with the desolation.
The scene where the machine-snake sucks out blood from mildred and putting new and fresh blood into her was the most memorable setting for me. When Mildred tries suicide, the two men from emergency center comes and replace her poisoned blood. The author reveals self hatred and deep saddeness within Mildred by this incident. However, her rotten spirit with misery does not get replaced and Mildred shows her emptiness through out rest of the story.
I thought this was very significant setting, because Mildred represent the people living in that world and their empty lifestyles filled with the desolation.
Fahrenheit 451-#6
-Please choose one passage from the novel that is significant to you. why is this passage meaningful? Please type it into one of your entries and comment on what you think about the passage.
"Well, after all, this is the age of the disposable tissue. Blow your nose on a person, wad them, flush them away, reach for another, blow, wad, flush. Everyone using everyone else's coattails. How are you supposed to root for the home team when you don't even have a program or know the names? For that matter, what color jerseys are they wearing as they trot out on the field"
This is what Clarisse's uncle said during the conversation of family.
It is rather a sarcastic joke about how excessive reliance on machines resulted downfall of human value. This passage was very significant to me as it was describing our society right now. One man dies today, everyone forget about his existence the next day. One machine gets broken, everyone cries out of pure fear. This mere thought made me shudder. The development of machines made our life much easier than before, but at the same time, it disabled us. Now, people have lost the ability to do even the simplest of tasks.
This idea of human value downfall is mentioned in the book for several times.
When Mildred and her friends were chatting, Montag turns off the "family" on the wall.
They act uneasy and cry out of discomfort because of fake "families" were gone, while they do not care if their husband dies during the war.
This also include me, even though I am not that extreme. I feel indisposition if my computer is out of order or tv is dead.
"Well, after all, this is the age of the disposable tissue. Blow your nose on a person, wad them, flush them away, reach for another, blow, wad, flush. Everyone using everyone else's coattails. How are you supposed to root for the home team when you don't even have a program or know the names? For that matter, what color jerseys are they wearing as they trot out on the field"
This is what Clarisse's uncle said during the conversation of family.
It is rather a sarcastic joke about how excessive reliance on machines resulted downfall of human value. This passage was very significant to me as it was describing our society right now. One man dies today, everyone forget about his existence the next day. One machine gets broken, everyone cries out of pure fear. This mere thought made me shudder. The development of machines made our life much easier than before, but at the same time, it disabled us. Now, people have lost the ability to do even the simplest of tasks.
This idea of human value downfall is mentioned in the book for several times.
When Mildred and her friends were chatting, Montag turns off the "family" on the wall.
They act uneasy and cry out of discomfort because of fake "families" were gone, while they do not care if their husband dies during the war.
This also include me, even though I am not that extreme. I feel indisposition if my computer is out of order or tv is dead.
Fahrenheit 451-#5
-What is the mood of this novel? do you find this novel saddens you in any way? why?
The mood of this novel, Fahrenheit 451 is both dark and hopeful.It generally is dark and sad, becuase it sharply reflects our present life.We depend our knowledge and values on electronic devices and often we find ourselves saying what we are told from the media without really thinking about it.It is brainwashing in a way, because our value is determined by what world is saying, which makes us their spokesman. For example, the TV and magazines determined the standard of beauty, and many people try to fit in there without thinking why it is beautiful.While reading the book that describes chaotic world, where people chase after entertainment, I realized that it is exactly we, and our world. We sit in front of television and computers for pleasure, but hardly read book. We seek easier ways to gain knowledge and information, which result us to estrange from the books.
However, like the two sides of a coin, the mood of this book is also full of hopes about the "new world" where people start to read and think about their lives. The ending of the book when Montag and other walk toward the destructed world with the hope of rebuilding it with freedoms is the brightest point of the book.
The mood of this novel, Fahrenheit 451 is both dark and hopeful.It generally is dark and sad, becuase it sharply reflects our present life.We depend our knowledge and values on electronic devices and often we find ourselves saying what we are told from the media without really thinking about it.It is brainwashing in a way, because our value is determined by what world is saying, which makes us their spokesman. For example, the TV and magazines determined the standard of beauty, and many people try to fit in there without thinking why it is beautiful.While reading the book that describes chaotic world, where people chase after entertainment, I realized that it is exactly we, and our world. We sit in front of television and computers for pleasure, but hardly read book. We seek easier ways to gain knowledge and information, which result us to estrange from the books.
However, like the two sides of a coin, the mood of this book is also full of hopes about the "new world" where people start to read and think about their lives. The ending of the book when Montag and other walk toward the destructed world with the hope of rebuilding it with freedoms is the brightest point of the book.
Farenheit 451-#4
-What is the climax of this novel? What happens? How do the events of this novel make you feel?
The climax of Fahrenheit 451 is when Guy Montag kills Captain Beatty and other firemen. When Beatty puts electronic hound after Montag, he realizes that Montag is hiding books. So, he somewhat enthusiastically watches Montag struggling to find the truth about the books. He instructs Montag to burn his own house down, giving him the message that books bring nothing but disasters.This is the point where indecisive Montag was forced to make choice between the plain and manipulated life and dangerous life. He chooses the dangerous life, and burns Captain Beatty and runs away. Even though the main antagonist died, I felt uneasy and angry with protagonist rather than feeling relieved. At this point, a question started to rise in my head: "is mean justified by the extreme?" Because I have believed that murder cannot be excused even if it was for the right reason this scene made me think about my value. I think human protection is the main point of every action. Of course, he had this important goal to save the knowledge for the world, was violence and blood necessary? I still believe that there were other options for Montag than killing the men. After all, saving the knowledge in books is for human.
The climax of Fahrenheit 451 is when Guy Montag kills Captain Beatty and other firemen. When Beatty puts electronic hound after Montag, he realizes that Montag is hiding books. So, he somewhat enthusiastically watches Montag struggling to find the truth about the books. He instructs Montag to burn his own house down, giving him the message that books bring nothing but disasters.This is the point where indecisive Montag was forced to make choice between the plain and manipulated life and dangerous life. He chooses the dangerous life, and burns Captain Beatty and runs away. Even though the main antagonist died, I felt uneasy and angry with protagonist rather than feeling relieved. At this point, a question started to rise in my head: "is mean justified by the extreme?" Because I have believed that murder cannot be excused even if it was for the right reason this scene made me think about my value. I think human protection is the main point of every action. Of course, he had this important goal to save the knowledge for the world, was violence and blood necessary? I still believe that there were other options for Montag than killing the men. After all, saving the knowledge in books is for human.
2007년 2월 13일 화요일
Farenheit 451-#3
-Main characters in the novel
*Guy Montag- He is the main character and protagonist of the story. Despite the fact that he is a fireman, who burns the books, he starts to question himself about the world he is living in.Even though he did many small mistakes, I liked him because of his courage and pure passion to gain the knowledge. If I was in the same possession as he was, I would just ignore the truth I know and follow the rules that world gives me. Later when he was forced to choose between knowledge and comfortable life, Montag risks his life and all the worldly possession just to know the truth: the value of the books.
*Mildred Montag- She is the wife of Montag in the story. As Mildred was the one to turn Montag in, she can be counted as antagonist with Captain Beatty. Rather than like/dislike her, I pitied her emptiness for she is dead in spirit. Mildred leads a vacant and meaningless life with loss of passion and curiosity. She is the character who represents the people living in the world, which book describes, and perhaps some of us too. Everyday she watches the entertainment wall and finds comfort and joy from fake "family", while neglecting their real family and friends. She is rather a robot than a living person for she lives her life the way world instructs to.
*Captain Beatty- Captain Beatty was the main antagonist who represents the majority of the world, who strongly believes that knowledge is threat and ignorance equal happy life. Even though Captain Beatty has read few books, he could not understand it, but thought it was non-sense. With his experience, he attacks the protagonist saying books are nothing but papers with letters that contradicts themselves. He shows anger, hatred, and even jealousy to those who understand books. Guy Montag kills him, when Captain Beatty tried to submit him by burning his house with books in it.
*Guy Montag- He is the main character and protagonist of the story. Despite the fact that he is a fireman, who burns the books, he starts to question himself about the world he is living in.Even though he did many small mistakes, I liked him because of his courage and pure passion to gain the knowledge. If I was in the same possession as he was, I would just ignore the truth I know and follow the rules that world gives me. Later when he was forced to choose between knowledge and comfortable life, Montag risks his life and all the worldly possession just to know the truth: the value of the books.
*Mildred Montag- She is the wife of Montag in the story. As Mildred was the one to turn Montag in, she can be counted as antagonist with Captain Beatty. Rather than like/dislike her, I pitied her emptiness for she is dead in spirit. Mildred leads a vacant and meaningless life with loss of passion and curiosity. She is the character who represents the people living in the world, which book describes, and perhaps some of us too. Everyday she watches the entertainment wall and finds comfort and joy from fake "family", while neglecting their real family and friends. She is rather a robot than a living person for she lives her life the way world instructs to.
*Captain Beatty- Captain Beatty was the main antagonist who represents the majority of the world, who strongly believes that knowledge is threat and ignorance equal happy life. Even though Captain Beatty has read few books, he could not understand it, but thought it was non-sense. With his experience, he attacks the protagonist saying books are nothing but papers with letters that contradicts themselves. He shows anger, hatred, and even jealousy to those who understand books. Guy Montag kills him, when Captain Beatty tried to submit him by burning his house with books in it.
Farenheit 451-#2
- are there are any current situations in the world that relate to the novel? what are they, and how do they relate? does the novel shed any light on how current situations could be resolved or "fixed"?
Farenheit 451 is the book with extreme drawing of our current world.
The book describes how people begins to lose rooms for literature because of busy lives.
The cars, bill boards, and entertainment walls, things that were invented to make our lives easier start to make people forget about the books and later, even ban them. It is very simlilar to our present world, where everyting goes fast that we actually cannot focus or concentrate on one thing. Like chanracters in the book, we often rely on internet and TV to get knowledge and information than reading a book.
The author gives solution through out the book, which is people in the world having affection for books and finding the needs of them again. Other than that, he gave the message saying, people recognizing the problem should courageously stand up in the society and fix it, rather than keeping silence. The author emphasize how minorities can change and fix the world. For example, the death of the woman might seem useless, but eventually it influenced the other person: Mintag. Montag, in the end of the book, joins the minorities who know the importance of the book, and goes on the journey the spread knowledge.
Also, the book shows how people's envy and sense of inferiority toward the group of minorities who are intelligent than others, can lead to banning of the books. The minorities in the book include people with more knowledge and insight than others.
Both in the book and in the world we are living in, people view them strange and dangerous.
It is the perfect example of communist countries, such as North Korea.
The limitation for people might be linear, as they can read books with Socialist Realism, which is glorifying the idea of communism and saying only positive sides of it.
However, the two worlds are similar in the end, because government doesnot want people to see the truth about what is right and what is wrong; and they limit your knowledge, while punishing the minorities.
The author keep mentions the animosity toward knowledge and attempts to make world equal, can bore a disasterous result in the end.
Farenheit 451 is the book with extreme drawing of our current world.
The book describes how people begins to lose rooms for literature because of busy lives.
The cars, bill boards, and entertainment walls, things that were invented to make our lives easier start to make people forget about the books and later, even ban them. It is very simlilar to our present world, where everyting goes fast that we actually cannot focus or concentrate on one thing. Like chanracters in the book, we often rely on internet and TV to get knowledge and information than reading a book.
The author gives solution through out the book, which is people in the world having affection for books and finding the needs of them again. Other than that, he gave the message saying, people recognizing the problem should courageously stand up in the society and fix it, rather than keeping silence. The author emphasize how minorities can change and fix the world. For example, the death of the woman might seem useless, but eventually it influenced the other person: Mintag. Montag, in the end of the book, joins the minorities who know the importance of the book, and goes on the journey the spread knowledge.
Also, the book shows how people's envy and sense of inferiority toward the group of minorities who are intelligent than others, can lead to banning of the books. The minorities in the book include people with more knowledge and insight than others.
Both in the book and in the world we are living in, people view them strange and dangerous.
It is the perfect example of communist countries, such as North Korea.
The limitation for people might be linear, as they can read books with Socialist Realism, which is glorifying the idea of communism and saying only positive sides of it.
However, the two worlds are similar in the end, because government doesnot want people to see the truth about what is right and what is wrong; and they limit your knowledge, while punishing the minorities.
The author keep mentions the animosity toward knowledge and attempts to make world equal, can bore a disasterous result in the end.
Farenheit 451-#1
what is the major theme of this novel? why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2007?
The major theme of this book, Farenheit 451, can be condensed down to conflict between knowledge and ignorance. After reading this book, I thought about the question, "does ignorance lead us to happy life, while knowledge destroys our life?"
It is about how we became estranged toward the book, furthermore, having knowledge.
In the book, people tries to make the society equal by banning people from learning or having anykind of knowledge, which results them to burn all the books.
The government tries to hide the truth about the sad and horrible life from people. In order to do that, they give people endless entertainment and takes away the books.
Minorities who recognized its importance, were punished and people began to forget about the war and complexities of life. They chase the "happiness" but what they got was "ignorance".
The book itself was a quite shock for me, because I am very similar to character Mildred, who depends my knowledge and life on modern technologies, such as computer. As it is easier to surf web than reading the book, I tend to stop reading the books when I have a choice.
The major theme of this book, Farenheit 451, can be condensed down to conflict between knowledge and ignorance. After reading this book, I thought about the question, "does ignorance lead us to happy life, while knowledge destroys our life?"
It is about how we became estranged toward the book, furthermore, having knowledge.
In the book, people tries to make the society equal by banning people from learning or having anykind of knowledge, which results them to burn all the books.
The government tries to hide the truth about the sad and horrible life from people. In order to do that, they give people endless entertainment and takes away the books.
Minorities who recognized its importance, were punished and people began to forget about the war and complexities of life. They chase the "happiness" but what they got was "ignorance".
The book itself was a quite shock for me, because I am very similar to character Mildred, who depends my knowledge and life on modern technologies, such as computer. As it is easier to surf web than reading the book, I tend to stop reading the books when I have a choice.
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