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Friday, March 26, 2021

Poem Week

I have been a long fan of poetry, several years, I love to rhyme and plan out how each poem could connect rhythm-wise.  With that as well I have a long love for horror with such mixture I've come to the conclusion of loving Edgar Allan Poe's work. One of my most favourite as done by him is "The Raven", signifying memories. On how the raven repeated and repeated reminiscence of a never-ending remembrance of the perfect maiden Lenore. How his lonesomeness and solitude proceeds him to talk to the raven. How seemingly the raven responds, with such the conversation deepens. Playing upon our memories of our past in which we cannot choose but to remember. I admire how the poem was written and its symbolism for remembrance and unmotivation. How nothing can burn his fire once more. 

Why is the text written in the way it is?
The text is written in a way that suggests its repetitive nature. The way in which feels a long for someone; with such on how none can spark a light within us. As such we are then to feel the emotions of Poe whilst writing this poem. Inspired by horror as well a dwindling feeling of melancholy can be felt.



Edgar Allan Poe published “The Raven” 170 years ago today | KCRWThe Raven - Wikipedia

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Perspective: The Beatles

With great influence comes many impacts as well. Impacts that affect the world views, how perspective is a difference within not only different cultures, ages but as well as individual values as well. Through the decades of the 1960s, there were many outcries of negativity through the fame of The Beatles. Continuing on with the 'Fab Tour', 1964, rejection from the older generation were a given. Many have thought of their music and influence as leading the newer generation-then- into ruins and sins. Shaped by the Great Depression as well as the war, this has caused many of those from such generation to describe such as one from an 'old tom-tom cult'. With some even thinking of the new music as anti-religious which it wasn't.

However, there are also many positive changes in which came from The Beatles. Optimistic perspectives, how they have revolutionized the modern music that we have today. It has paved the way for the newer generation to express their values. Being the first international renowned band, as they then were in the time where television gain popularity also. They have not only set trends in music but also in fashion. They revolutionized the industry in being unique from the then quite formal attire and music that people listened to. 

The Beatles 1964 "Fab Tour": Map

The Beatles arrive in Wellington, 1964Musical Muses: Fashion Inspired by The Beatles - College Fashion 

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da -- The Beatles

Following "Music through History" we begin to analyse one of the most influential times in music. The Beatles [Beatlemania]- how different was it from the previous generation and how it has changed many of the traditions that we had at the time. The social changes that happened during that era and how society began to change their views. 

Title of the song: Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da

Lyrics:
Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly, "Girl, I like your face"
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on
Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweler's store
Buys a twenty carat golden ring (rin-ring)
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing (sing)
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da (la-la-la-la la-la-)
Life goes on, bra (la-la la-la-la-laaa)
La-la, how the life goes on
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da (la-la-la-la la-la-)
Life goes on, bra (la-la la-la-la-laaa)
La-la, how the life goes on
Yeah
In a couple of years
They have built a home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones (ha ha ha ha)
Happy ever after in the market place
Desmond lets the children lend a hand (arm!) (leg!)
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she still sings it with the band
Yes!
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on
Hey!
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on
In a couple of years
They have built a home sweet home (home: H-O-M-E)
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
Hey!
Happy ever after in the market place
Molly lets the children lend a hand (foot!)
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she's a singer with the band
Yeah!
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on
Hey!
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da
Life goes on, bra
La-la, how the life goes on (ha ha ha ha)
And if you want some fun (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
Take Ob-la-di-bla-da (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
(Ha ha ha ha)
Ahh...
Thank you (ha ha)


What was the song about?
The song Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da means "Life goes on". It is about the relationship between Molly who is a part of a band and Desmond. They fall in love as they meet in the market place. After doing so they have children with that Molly continues her musical career.

What is the difference between the said songs from the 1940s?
 The songs differences from those in the 1960s-1970s and the 1940s are very dominant and are prominent. Whilst the latter was much more of a jazz genre, in the previous one however rock is what the genre was. More energetic and much harsher than jazz which would usually be sung mildy. Orchestral instruments would be used like brass whilst in later on during the 'Revolution' --1960--instruments like electric guitars, drums were used much more commonly.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

English Tasks

A new set of tasks have been set for us--in English-- and thus we are now to complete them. The first task challenges us to translate the set s of sentences in a much more convincing and engaging piece of text. By doing so we achieve showing not telling. Using the structure and detailed words to describe and complete showing of the sentences. I have completed the said task, the following is the final product that I have completed.

Task:

" How can we re-write these sentences to “show” and not “tell”?

The buildings were tall.

Sarah was really upset.

She was so happy to see him.

The lake was beautiful."


Show not tell--

It soared--the edifice-- making it seem as if we were mere mites.

Her face distorted, an arch formed with Sarah's lips as her eyes began to water.

The fire of her raged, though the reason not is anger, but joy, as she saw him once more.

From the anguish of the goddess flowed tears; the starfell, from her pain, came an alluring lake reminiscence of the beauty of the goddess.


Following the "show not tell" activity, we then move forward into the topic that is about the opening of a narrative. How within a mere few phrases an introduction to a narrative can be formed. We are tasked with creating an opening to a narrative that comes from our imaginations or in cases such as mine I used the provided images for ideas. I have completed doing so with a sense of vagueness, with them having a seemingly tragic start, a conflict. Though it is not necessarily completed--the narrative--but merely giving a sense of conflict may engage the audience to want for more. 



Completing the final three task meant understanding settings and characters. For the third task, it included writing and being able to describe the setting in which the scene plays in. This would include how the scenery can be imagined and is a landscape that can be viewed. As such it comes back to the previously completed 'Show not Tell' Being able to address a scene as an actual event. In the task presented we were to complete 3 setting up activities, which is writing the settings of a place as we have imagined it.

Following on, still on the topic of settings we were to create a scene that had an action. In such a scene, we were to introduce a character whilst still being able to portray the scene in a realistic view. For this, we were task with only completing one followed by the creation of a character. Firstly we had known the difference between a protagonist as well as an antagonist. In doing so we then have the knowledge to manufacture a character of our choice. The way that I have created a character is by using a short narrative for the said character. Written as if the narrative was a part of a bigger story. Hence I have presented the following tasks on a slideshow.



Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Significance of WW1 - The Last Post


 The Last Post:



Unconsciously known as a song to respect, a war, a commemorative. It is played definitively on events such as Remembrance day, ANZAC; though there are such places where this can be heard as well. Places include sites of memorials, song of the funerals as well as memorials of those who've lost their lives by service. It has long existed, for centuries in fact; though at first, the tune was not intended to serve the purpose to give sorrow. Through its history, however, it has changed not only its meaning but how the piece is played. Its evolution through war, military movement and death.

The sound of 'The Last Post' is one that is outmost distinct, many worldwide are able to recognize the familiar tune of the wistful sound, played by only a bugler. The bitter and poignant feelings that hold us together, carrying the ones who've lost their lives fighting for their country. The faces, the families, the nations. 

Within the several years of the composure of 'The Last Post' was to only suggest a simple song used by the British army as a bugle call. A call in which to manage the time of the soldiers when living in the encampments. Different songs were used in during the different times of the day. The time of day was regulated by a bugler, night, noon and morning.

Only on the mid-1800s was the importance of 'The Last Post'  changed greatly. It was--before--only was used as a song to signify the end of the day. The bugle call was taken as greater importance. Wars were fought on lands, the sea itself became a battlefield. As the military bands were considered as civilians many were not to accompany the armies that went off in battle. With then commonly the bands would play in memory to those who've died in battle; the tradition was not continued as the battles began to increase. This resulted in a change of tradition in which soldiers would play the notes of the 'Last Post' to those who died in battle. 




Monday, March 8, 2021

Tim Finn and The Herbs

Through the topic of peaceful resistance we are introduced to a song titled "Parihaka" by Tim Finn and The Herbs. In this blog, we are to analyze the song, by meaning, effect and legacy.



The song Parihaka tells the story of the peaceful resistance of the Maori towards the Europeans; happened in Taranaki Parihaka. How their persistence but non-violence protest has resulted in affecting many people not only from Parihaka but around the whole world. It was a passive resistance that included the children singing and inviting the Europeans to a meal. There were multiple lines in the song that states the method into which they have protested so. "They gather still, the clouds of Taranaki, His children's children wearing the white plume" as well "The spirit of nonviolence,". Along with such lines, there is a phrase that is used, particularly ‘you can’t pull out the roots’. It is a line with a deeper meaning than one realise. In my opinion, it is a line into which states the essence of peaceful resistance and history. In my personal interpretation, it means that how much time passes the essence of what happened that day will not diminish. The start of peaceful resistance will continue. The story of Parihaka will continue to be told.

Before, during and after the resistance they showed their determination to change the unfair laws that were put under them without authorisation. They ploughed lands, resisted, not only that but in the time where they were met with armed men they greeted them with kindness. Showing their extreme determination to protest without unlawful violence.  This song has shown the significance of Parihaka in many different ways. Notably how it mentioned many times in the duration that the presence will remain. This takes into fact what happened in the upcoming decades, inspiring figures such as MLK and Gandhi into peaceful resistance. It is a significant event that not only has affected the people of Parihaka, New Zeland but also other countries that took with them the essence of peace. By doing so still affects many nations up to date, after many decades, a century. It has made many impactful changes that have helped to morph our understanding of society and peace.



Friday, March 5, 2021

Creative Writing Reflection

Finally having completed the English tasks we then come to the conclusion, the reflection. So far in English I have learned a few language features, such as anaphora as well as learning about what a slam poetry is. I have enjoyed creating poems, Haiku poems, I find them quite enjoyable. I have come across Haiku poetry several years a go but do still enjoy it as much as I did. I find that planning and putting a deeper meaning into words gives me much delight. How meaning can be given in a few words is astonishing. Another task--activity-- that I have enjoyed much also is creating the similes and metaphors. Although they themselves are quite basic how each can be subtly used amused me. One of the phrases that I made was "Christopher Columbus found the Earth was round? Such fraud! He believed the Earth was shaped like a pear and had a supple nipple!". I found it quite hilarious--but still very true. 

Having learnt of such it has made me appreciate good story writing. A way of writing where you are consumed and enamored. Being creative with how phrases are written, how words relate with each other. Knowing how using such words, a collection of words can affect the audience. Excited is how I feel about progressing more into literature and being able to learn and read more of great writing.


8 Life Lessons I've Learned From Studying Great Writers | by Darius Foroux  | Personal Growth | Medium