"Atonement" discussion questions

3. Briony did this because she was in love with Robbie,and he didnt felt the same thing for her. She denounced him as a revenge, and in her 13 year old mind, she didn't realised what she was doing.

8. Yes, the ending did surprised me. I just didn't expect that Cecilia and Robbie died. I hoped that Briony and Cecilia made things right, and that Briony had at keast the chance to talk with Robbie. 

Written task Rrationale

The text I wrote is directly related to what we saw in class, because I spoke about mass media, more specifically about stereotypes in two Disney movies: "Snow White" and "Cinderella".
I chose this type of text (blog) because of two main reasons. First of all, it was more informal than a speech for example, so it was more appropriate for addressing my target audience, which are teenagers. And at the same time, by being less formal, it was easier for me to develop my idea as I do not need to worry about the way I'm writing. Besides, this type of text allowed me to use sarcasm and other devices that are attractive to my target audience. Once again, my target audience are teenagers and young people in general, as they spend a lot of time on-line. An example of this would be the following, "and while we might find it funny, sad or a waste of time". This is something a teenager would think about the movies mentioned.
The type of language I used is informal, because as I said before, my intended audience are teenagers and they wouldn't like to read a very formal text. This type of language is more appealing to them. I also talk direclty to them in the text, in order to be more appealing.

Word count: 222

Educreations link

https://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/c-jimenez-atonement/34663710/?s=n7hrNh&ref=app

Poem anlysis

Fatima is a poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He was a laureate poet of Great Britain and Ireland, during the reign of Queen Victoria, remaining in that position till his death. His main themes were classical myths, love and war.

First of all, I will talk about the title of the poem. "Fatima" is the lyrical speaker, so it makes sense that the poem has that name. This helps to understand the poem, because when you first read it, you are not certain about who is talking. But then if you relate the title with the poem, you understand that the lyrical speaker is Fatima. The poem is written in first person, and is not directed to anyone in particular.

The poem is about a woman (Fatima) that is waiting for her beloved to return. I am not sure if he is dead, at war or if he simply left her. As she waits, she remembers different moments of their relationship. Fatima especially recalls in her dreams a kiss they gave each other; and the memories of the moment he left. Given this situation, she also remembers what he made her feel. For this reason, the tone of the poem is reflective, as Fatima is remembering and thinking about her beloved one.

This poem theme is melancholic desire, which is conveyed throughout the poem. Desire and melancholy, because Fatima wants to be with him again, remembering him and what he made her feel. 

The mood of the poem on the other hand, is both, nostalgic and desperate, because she is remembering at the same time that she is expressing her urge to be with him. I will make reference to this later on.

In relation to the structure of the poem, the different stanzas help to change what the lyrical speaker is presenting. There are stanzas that talk about memories, or what already happened; and there are some others that talk about the “present”. For example in the first one, she is talking about when he left her and how she felt in that moment, while in the third  stanza she is talking about what happens when he is not with her, and she even sees him in her sleep. 

The rhyme pattern is very similar in every stanza: the first 4 verses of each stanza have the same ending rhyme; while the 3 other verses have another rhyme. This gives a fast rhythm to the poem, which can be related or interpreted as the speed of the memories of Fatima.

I will continue with the analysis by verse. In the first verses, Fatima talks about the moment he left, and how she felt during that moment. Then through v. 4-7, she makes reference to the estate she was left after his departure: “Throbbing thro’ all thy heat and light”, meaning that she felt pain trough out the entire day; “Lo, parch’d and wither’d, deaf and blind/ I whirl like leaves in roaring wind”, meaning that she was immersed in her memories, ignoring the rest of the world, emphasizing this with a simile.

Continuing with the next stanza, it is represented the lyrical speaker’s desperation. This can be seen in the following verses: “I thirsted for the brooks, the showers:” and then “Of that long desert to the south”. The thirst in the poem represents the desire of the lyrical speaker. Fatima is desperate, suffering because her beloved is not with her "I roll'd among the tender flowers/ I crush'd them on my breast, my mouth; / I look'd athwart the burning drouth". This helps to portray the desolation and agony she is felling. The presence of an anaphora in verses 10 to 13, with the repetition of the word “I” reinforces the idea that she is the one suffering, not anyone else. There is also an exaggeration in verse number 13 “burning drouth”, which helps to symbolize and reinforce the idea of loneliness and lack of love she felling.

Then, Fatima talks about a dream she had about a kiss they gave, using metaphors in verses 17 and 18, in the first one, to make reference to what she felt with the kiss “A thousand little shafts of flame”; and to make reference that to the idea that these memories where pushed in to her mind “Were siver´d in my narrow frame”. In verse number 21, there is a simile “My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew” which refers to wet lips drying, because the separation of her beloved one.

She remembers -once again- the moment he left her, leading to a feeling of sadness and depression, portrayed between verses 26 to 27: “In my dry brain my spirit soon,/ Down-deepening from swoon to swoon,/Faints like a daled morning moon.” The lyrical speaker uses a simile to compare a moon fainting in the morning, with her spirit once she remembered him.

The last stanza is incomplete, so I cannot refer to it. Even though, there is a simile “The wind sounds like a silver wire”, which might refer to the strength of her feelings.

As conclusion, this poem follows one of the main themes that Tennyson writes about: love. But not just any type of love. It is an obsessive love. There are not many rhetorical devices, just some similes or comparisons. The rhyme pattern is important, as it marks the transition between different moods. 

Exam. First semester 2015

Hello again my followers! 

To continue with the theme I was talking about last week, today I'll talk about stereotypes, and more specifically, stereotypes in Disney movies. 

While watching "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Cinderella" during the weekend ( my parents forced me to watch it with my little sister) I realised about how many prejudices are present in these type of movies. And not just the ones I previously mentioned, but in almost every Disney movie I've ever seen. This has been a very controversial issue since the beginning of the movie industry, and specially in the past 20 years or so, given the development of the Internet and the rise of social media, as this makes an idea easier to expand. 

First, let's talk about stereotypes in general. They are defined as "a simplified and standardised conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group"1. So it's basically a term to classify a group of people, but this term has to be general and mostly negative. It's similar to the word prejudice. Nowadays stereotypes are present in every day life thanks to media and its possibility to reach a large number of people. Ads, TV shows and movies are just some of the places where you might find stereotypes. The most common type are gender and ethnic stereotypes, and as a consequence, they are the most developed ones in media. Men and women are an example of gender stereotypes; while white, black or Asian people are examples of the second type. There is another type of stereotype, which is the one that makes reference to the place where you are from. The latter has become more "popular" in the U.S. since 9/11 attacks. People in that country judge immigrants, specially those coming from the Middle East (which were directly involved in the attacks) and latinamerica. 

But let's begin with the movies. First "Snow White". We all know what the movie is about (right?) and while we might find it funny, sad or a waste of time, many stereotypes have gone unnoticed. For example the most evident one: women are always supposed to be the tidy ones in the house, whilst men are the untidy ones. As a consequence, women are always cleaning and tidying up the mess that men leave behind. This can be seen in the movie and it's portrayed as something that makes Snow White happy, and that she enjoys it. By doing this, she saved the dwarfs from succumbing under their own trash. However, by the end of the movie she is the one that's saved (from death this time. How tragic!) by a prince. They got married, and lived happily ever after. So boring!besides, this is another stereotype (mainly directed to women): get married and all your problems will vanish but this is not always true. Some marriages get divorced. Others fight. They even cheat on each other or love just disappears. So your problems won't always disappear unless you really love your couple. 

For the second movie happens something very similar. As you might find "Cinderella" once again funny, sad or whatever, there's also a couple of stereotypes that can be identified. First of all, the one related to cleaning, cooking and serving or attending the rest.mThis stereotype is very similar to the one present in "Snow White", but there is a difference. Cinderella is forced by her evil stepmother to work in the house as a servant. She doesn't like it. She doesn't enjoy it. However, if she wants to stay living there, she is obligated to comply with the desires of her stepmother. This situation leads us to another stereotype present in this and almost every Disney movie: the evil stepmother and, to a lesser extent, stepsisters. We can also find an example of this in "Snow White", since that is the reason she escaped in the first place: her evil stepmother wanted to kill her because of her beauty. Anyway, let's go back to "Cinderella". In this movie her stepmother and stepsisters tease her and make her feel bad. For example p, this situation can be seen when they don't let her go to the party. Once again in this film, the main character is saved from her evil family by a man, and more precisely, by a prince. Yet, this is another stereotype. In fact, it's the same that's present in "Snow White". For girls, getting married or finding a man is the only way to solve your problems or, in this specific case, be free.

So what was my point by telling you all this? Open your ayes. Make you realise that stereotypes are present everywhere, even in movies aimed for little kids. And this is the most worrying part. If kids can't be free of prejudices, who will?

Try not to believe everything you see in the media and question yourselves: is what I'm watching accurate? Does it stick to reality? This is the only way we can change this situation. 

What do you think about this issue? Is your opinion similar to mine? Please write it in the comments section.

Thank you for reading!

Word count: 870 words

1: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stereotype

Gender stereotypes: girls and women in media

1.- That women are supposed to clean, cook and serve or attend the rest (usually men). Women is also  portrayed as good, submissive and weak (Cinderella). But there is a second stereotype: the one of the step-mother. She portrays a different image of women, as she is evil and manipulator. Both, Cinderella and her step-sisters (who are just like her mother), always need to be pretty and well dressed in order to gain men's attention.

2.-  Only one. If you (as a girl or women) fall in love and get married, all your problems will disappear and you will be happy for ever.

3.- Negative

4.- No, because all Disney princess movies are the same. They all portray women in an innocent and submissive way.

5.- Yes. They are generally portrayed the same way as Cinderella in the movie.

6.- Girls (specially the youngest ones) accept this type of image, and start copying what they see in media. Society, on the other hand, keeps thinking of women and girls as media shows them. So in the end is a vicious circle that might never end. 

7.- Yes, they have a responsibility. They are the ones that control media, so they have the power to change this, and help women stop thinking of them as something that is not always true or accurate. However, even if they try it will be very difficult to accomplish, because changing what a person thinks is not easy.

8.- No, but it ads other stereotypes. It mainly portrays the one that shows women cleaning, cooking and serving the rest, besides the one that shows them weak and submissive.

9.- I have learned that stereotypes are present everywhere, even in kid movies.

10.- People can avoid being manipulated by media in different ways. First, you need to be concious about the fact that media do this type of things (use stereotypes). By doing this you will question everything you see, and as a consequence, you will stop believing in everything media shows you. And in second place, you should go and meet people (in this case girls and women) to see if stereotypes are correct or not. Do a little research.

Song lyrics and stereotypes

Cater 2 you

Destiny's Child

Baby I see you working hard
I want to let you know I'm proud
Let you know that I admire what you do
The more if I need to reassure you, my life would
Be purposeless without you (yeah)
If I want it (got it)
When I ask you (you provide it)
You inspire me to be better
You challenge me for the better
Sit back and let me pour out my love letter

Let me help you
Take off your shoes
Untie your shoestrings
Take off your cufflinks (yeah)
What you want to eat boo (yeah)
Let me feed you
Let me run your bathwater
Whatever your desire, I'll supply ya
Sing you a song
Turn my game on
I'll brush your hair
Help you put your do rag on
Want a foot rub (yeah)
You want a manicure
Baby I'm yours I want to cater to you boy

[Chorus]
Let me cater to you
Cause baby this is your day
Do anything for my man
Baby you blow me away
I got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert and so much more
Anything you want just let me cater to you
Inspire me from the heart
Can't nothing tear us apart
You're all I want in a man;
I put my life in your hands
I got your slippers, your dinner
Your dessert and so much more
Anything you want, I want to cater to you

Baby I'm happy you're home
Let me hold you in my arms
I just want to take the stress away from you
Making sure that I'm doing my part (oh)
Boy is there something you need me to do (oh)
If you want it (I got it)
Say the word I (I will try it)
I know whatever I'm not fulfilling (oh)
No other woman is willing (oh)
I'm going to fulfill you mind, body and spirit

I promise you (promise you)
I'll keep myself up (oh)
Remain the same chick, you fell in love with(yeah)
I'll keep it tight, I'll keep my figure right
I'll keep my hair fixed, keep rocking the hottest outfits
When you come home late tap me on my shoulder
I'll roll over
Baby I heard you, I'm here to serve you
(I'm lovin' it, I'm lovin' it)
If it's love you need, to give it is my joy
All I want to do is cater to you boy

[Chorus]

I want to give you my life, my strength
My will to be here
That's the least I can do
Let me cater to you
Through the good (good)
The bad (through the bad)
The ups and downs (ups and downs)
I'll still be here for you
Let me cater to you
Cause you're beautiful(you're beautiful)
I love the way you are (you are)
Fulfill your every desire (desire)
Your wish is my command (command)
I want to cater to my man
Your heart (your heart)
So pure your love shines through (shines through)
The darkness we'll get through (so much)
So much of me is you (is you)
I want to cater to my man

[Chorus]

The song portrays the stereotype that women are supposed to cater men in every possible aspect and trough the good and the bad. This can be seen in the following verses: 

"Let me cater to you

Through the good (good)

The bad (through the bad)"

In the song, women also feel that is their duty to do this:

"Making sure that I'm doing my part (oh)"

They also need to stay fit to make his man happy, representing another stereotype. This is present in the following verses of the song: 

"Remain the same chick, you fell in love with(yeah)

I'll keep it tight, I'll keep my figure right

I'll keep my hair fixed, keep rocking the hottest outfits"

For men to take into account women, they always have to be well dressed and good looking. And in order that their relationship lasts, she has to stay as pretty as when they first met.

The song also talks about women's life revolving around men, and that without them, their life would be meaningless.

"I want to give you my life, my strength

My will to be here

(...)

So much of me is you (is you)"

Going to a deeper analysis the song, by assuring that women do everything that men needs, they are indirectly saying that men are useless and that they need a woman besides them to survive. 

Written task: blog

Hey my followers!

Today I will talk about the Internet, social networks and language used in it. 

The other day I read on-line a newspaper article form 1995 (a bit old, I know), talking about some problems or issues that the Internet was supposed to bring to our society. And I have to say that some of the issues presented in the text remain till today, such as the fact that teachers are increasingly supporting their classes with new technologies, the developing "cyber business" (which, as said I the text, it is not yet completely reliable) or some other things that the author does not say but came up to my mind later: what is happening nowadays with all this chatting apps, is that they are causing that we don't phone each other or get together to talk anymore. This is making us to isolate from the world around us, spending more and more time on our phones and in the Internet. However, this also has an impact on our language, how we use it and the way we communicate.

Now, let's focus on the language used on the Internet and social networks. We as teenagers choose this way to communicate with each other instead of calling or talking face to face, and we don't always use words for doing this. Now we can express our thoughts and ideas by using emojis (those funny little faces that express different moods and things), acronyms (like LOL) or abbreviations. Also, with the rise of these expressions and social media we don't feel the need (and sometimes as in Twitter and its 140 characters, we are not able) to fully explain and elaborate an idea, tending to be more brief, concise and getting to our point faster. Consequently, we have replaced traditional language and changed the way we communicate. This has brought some trouble to students, since they still need to do homework (such as essays) and tests for school. Not being used to developing ideas, kids these days have difficulties to write long essays or works, and if they do, they are full of grammatical errors and typing mistakes.

Likewise, I would like to tell that I consider age an important factor too when discussing this matter. Teenagers and young people in general tend to use this type of "language" because they might consider that it's easier and faster to use. Older people on the other hand, weren't born surrounded by technology, so they don't have the same ease as we do to use computers, iPods or mobile phones. As a consequence, they don't understand what those signs, abbreviations and drawings (I mean emojis) are, so they found that it's not easy to use them. 

While we spend more time than ever on our phones and social media, the evolution of language has been easier and faster than ever. This is possible thanks to the opportunity to instantly interact with the big audiences offered by this type of sites. There is no longer the need to publish a new word in an important magazine, newspaper or be someone influent in the academic world, as long as you have a significant amount of on-line followers. An example of this would be the use of the word "troll".  This word it's no longer a creature that belongs to the Scandinavian culture. Instead, this word is now used to designate a person who provoke and mock the rest.

Going back to the newspaper article, the author says that the Internet and technology are replacing "human contact", considering this as a bad thing and that we should worry about it. And I think he is completely right. He says one phrase that I consider important :"computers and networks isolate us from one another". Does it ring any bells? Now, let's remember that this article was written in 1995, almost 20 years ago, and even though he was right, Nowadays Internet, and particularly social networks, have made that we isolate form the world around us leaving "important aspects of human interactions relentlessly devalued". And this my friends, has caused that language and the ways we communicate with each other to change. It's all connected: while we spend more of our time on-line (and I repeat this one more time: isolating ourselves from the world), we find new ways of talking and interacting among us, therefore varying the type of language we use to fulfil this goal.

So, is there a solution for this? Yes and no. There is a solution to the problem that we are spending too much time on our phones: quit them. I know it's hard, but try to put them away every now and then, maybe try to talk to someone face to face (or am I going too far?). On the other hand, evolution of the language is not an easy thing to stop, so there is no much to do. 

What about you? Do you think that we are isolating from the world? And what about the language we will use in the future?

Thank you for reading!

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Rationale

The text I wrote is directly related to what we saw in class, because I spoke about mass media, more specifically about the Internet and social media and language used in it. I also made references to the evolution of the ways we communicate, and how this is related to social media. 
I chose this type of text (blog) because of two reasons: it was more informal than the speech, for example, so it was more appropriate for addressing my target audience; and by being less formal, it was easier for me to develop my idea, as I do not need to worry about the way I'm writing. Besides, it allowed me to use sarcasm which is attractive to my target audience. That said, my target audience are teenagers and young people as they spend a lot of time on-line. An example of this would be the following, "We as teenagers", where I assume that the person who is reading is a teenager.
The type of language I used is informal, because as I said before, my intended audience are teenagers and they wouldn't like to read a very formal text. This type of language is more appealing to them. One example of this is the phrase "Does it ring any bells?"

Letter correction

Dear Ms X, 

Each morning, over the paste six years, I have been happy to see my students walk through the classroom door. It feels so natural to me to be a primary school teacher. However for the past few months I have been longing for and thinking about a new personal challenge in the field of primary education. As I am very much intrigued by different cultures and languages, I have decided look for a position at an international school.

Your school attracted my attention because it is a relatively young school, where I could be part of a pioneering and ambitious team. I also like the fact it is a Dutch subsidised school with competitive fees, open to a variety of students. Furthermore, I value the experience of living in Amsterdam, and I appreciate how your school uses the multicultural atmosphere of the city into the school. I really think this city, and also the Dutch culture have much to offer.

Initially I am interested in teaching groups 3-8. To me, children of these ages are still very spontaneous, eager to learn and able to communicate and discuss well. In view of my university education, teaching in a secondary school might be a future job possibility to me. 

I am an open minded person, I have good social and handle pressure easily. Group management, organising and planning is natural to me. I graduated from an outstanding technical university and worked for several years as a consulting engineer and groupleader in the field of logistics and general management. This is how I developed my rational, analytical and coordinating skills. Then I decided to follow my heart and passion and become a primary school teacher.

I believe I would add value to your organisation with my skills and enthusiasm. I would appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed, so we can discuss more about the job and the possibility of working together. 

Yours sincerely,

Candidate Y