www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=2725572
Why did you choose the different pictures/ background(s)?
I chose the different backgrounds corresponding to the narrative text displayed at the corner of the boxes so as to emphasise contrast between two scenes and also amplify the reader's understanding of the storyline.
How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, characterization) of your narrative?
The first scene is regarding negative impacts humans have on the environment: pollution, deforestation, etc. For that I chose a background of a road with different vehicles travelling on it: cars, buses, so as to show the pollution caused by the exhaust, resulting in greenhouse gases that trap heat, thus leading to global warming. For the second slide, about how the animals and habitats of today may become extinct, I used a landscape of ice and snow to represent the North Pole and how fast it is melting todaydue to global warming. Lastly, I used the background of a desert wasteland to show how the earth might become in the future. The scenes are arranged in chronological order: present, present, future.
How did you make use of different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?
For the first scene, I chose not to have a narrator, instead placing the narrative text in the top corner of the box. For the second scene, which explains how animals and habitats are going to become extinct, I chose a polar bear as the narrator, on a landscape of snow and ice, so as to raise an example of animal extinction. For the third scene, I chose a vulture to be the narrator, on a background of a desert wasteland, to show the drastic developments the earth may undergo in the future. This also show great contrast between it and the previous scene, the North pole, which may help readers understand what negative changes may happen to the earth if actions are not taken.
welcome mat
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Discrimination
1) Race- Negroes in America were discriminated and denied certain rights
2) Ancestry- Some people tend to judge others by ancestry, and if one is descended from a notorious character, others might think of him as disgraceful.
3)Nationality- The Russians and Americans cultivated an intense hate toward each other during the Cold War
4) Religion- Hitler discriminated the Jews and massacred them.
5)Gender- Males were once admired as the higher order of society
6)Disability- They are neglected by society
7)Sexual Orientation- Homosexuals are ostracized by society
8)Physical appearance- Those with deformities, are ugly, or are fat, are shunned by society
9)Employment- Those with lower-class jobs such as cleaners or trash collectors are stereotyped as rough, smelly, and unhygienic people.
10) Political Affiliation- Some supporters of political parties are discriminated, scorned, and have taken violent action against them.
11)Education- The uneducated are looked down on in society. Elitist schools may think neighbourhood schools are inferior
12)Intelligence- People despise, scorn and ignore those of inferior intellect, especially those with psychological disorder.
2) Ancestry- Some people tend to judge others by ancestry, and if one is descended from a notorious character, others might think of him as disgraceful.
3)Nationality- The Russians and Americans cultivated an intense hate toward each other during the Cold War
4) Religion- Hitler discriminated the Jews and massacred them.
5)Gender- Males were once admired as the higher order of society
6)Disability- They are neglected by society
7)Sexual Orientation- Homosexuals are ostracized by society
8)Physical appearance- Those with deformities, are ugly, or are fat, are shunned by society
9)Employment- Those with lower-class jobs such as cleaners or trash collectors are stereotyped as rough, smelly, and unhygienic people.
10) Political Affiliation- Some supporters of political parties are discriminated, scorned, and have taken violent action against them.
11)Education- The uneducated are looked down on in society. Elitist schools may think neighbourhood schools are inferior
12)Intelligence- People despise, scorn and ignore those of inferior intellect, especially those with psychological disorder.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Cloony the clown- thoughts
I think that the poem of Cloony the clown is a perfect example of what happens in school nowadays. When a student is called up to present or say something in front of an audience and make a mistake, the audience responds by unceremoniously jeering at the presenter and making comments in order to ridicule and embarass him/her. The presenter receives a blow to his/her morale. Thus, he/she will learn from past experiences and avoid participating in activities like this. I think that we should not make it hard for the presenters who already find it hard enough to pluck up their courage to speak up in fornt of an audience. Before you jeer at the person, try putting yourself in his/ her shoes. How would you feel?
Cloony the Clown
1. Explain the irony in this poem.
When Cloony tries his best to amuse the audience, the audience get bored and depressed. Therefore, Cloony is unable to earn money simply because he fails at his job. Cloony himself begins to feel down and depressed, and he tries to tell the audience about his woes and troubles. However, upon finishing his tale, the audience breaks out in hysterical laughter. Cloony, feeling even worse, walks away and cries.
2. Does Shel Silverstein manage to convey some harsh realities in this poem?
Yes. Nowadays, when people try to tell others about their own troubles, they rarely receive sympathy or pity and instead, are ridiculed by the other party. Even when they make mistakes, they are jeered at by others. In conclusion, a majority of people in society are sadistic and delight in the misfortune of others.
3. Which poetic devices has the poet used to effectively convey his message?
The poet uses a rhyming pattern throughout the poem to convey intense emotions such as sadness and amusement. This leaves a deeper impression in the readers' minds and also amplifies the emotions described and felt in the poem. He also uses irony to add some dark humour into the poem.
When Cloony tries his best to amuse the audience, the audience get bored and depressed. Therefore, Cloony is unable to earn money simply because he fails at his job. Cloony himself begins to feel down and depressed, and he tries to tell the audience about his woes and troubles. However, upon finishing his tale, the audience breaks out in hysterical laughter. Cloony, feeling even worse, walks away and cries.
2. Does Shel Silverstein manage to convey some harsh realities in this poem?
Yes. Nowadays, when people try to tell others about their own troubles, they rarely receive sympathy or pity and instead, are ridiculed by the other party. Even when they make mistakes, they are jeered at by others. In conclusion, a majority of people in society are sadistic and delight in the misfortune of others.
3. Which poetic devices has the poet used to effectively convey his message?
The poet uses a rhyming pattern throughout the poem to convey intense emotions such as sadness and amusement. This leaves a deeper impression in the readers' minds and also amplifies the emotions described and felt in the poem. He also uses irony to add some dark humour into the poem.
Messy Room
1. Can you say that the poem is humorous? If so how?
Yes, the poem is humorous. The writer depicts and criticises a scene of a terribly messy and disorganised room. He continues to describe how the owner seems to have carelessly thrown articles of clothing all around the room and clumsily attempted to organise the items. Only at the end of his long rant does the writer realise that it is his own room he has been criticising.
2. What aspect of the human character has been highlighted in this poem?
The writer has highlighted the quickness with which people find fault with others but turn a blind eye when it comes to spotting their own mistakes.
Yes, the poem is humorous. The writer depicts and criticises a scene of a terribly messy and disorganised room. He continues to describe how the owner seems to have carelessly thrown articles of clothing all around the room and clumsily attempted to organise the items. Only at the end of his long rant does the writer realise that it is his own room he has been criticising.
2. What aspect of the human character has been highlighted in this poem?
The writer has highlighted the quickness with which people find fault with others but turn a blind eye when it comes to spotting their own mistakes.
The Little Boy and the Old Man
1. What is the underlying message that is being conveyed in this poem?
The author is trying to convey the sad truth that adults and those in their prime of life overlook those of extreme ages; the young and old, who are weaker than them and require care and attention, are left to care for themselves.
2. Has Shel Silverstein used any particular poetic technique that brings out this message more clearly?
Shel Silverstein writes the poem in a unique way: the whole poem is actually a dialogue between two characters: a little boy and an old man, representing those of the extreme ages. Furthermore, in order to emphasise the obvious and tragic similarities between the young and old, the writer also uses repetition, as shown by the old man's repeated responses "I do that too ...", "so do I...", etc.
The author is trying to convey the sad truth that adults and those in their prime of life overlook those of extreme ages; the young and old, who are weaker than them and require care and attention, are left to care for themselves.
2. Has Shel Silverstein used any particular poetic technique that brings out this message more clearly?
Shel Silverstein writes the poem in a unique way: the whole poem is actually a dialogue between two characters: a little boy and an old man, representing those of the extreme ages. Furthermore, in order to emphasise the obvious and tragic similarities between the young and old, the writer also uses repetition, as shown by the old man's repeated responses "I do that too ...", "so do I...", etc.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Tygrine Cat
Long before humans walked the earth, the first cat, Te Bubas, cried one tear from each eye; from those tears sprang kittens, from which two tribes evolved: the spotted Sa Mau, representing cat's killer instinct, and the russet-furred Abyssinian Tygrine, symbolising cat's wisdom, insight, and spirit. Armed with dark powers, the Sa sought to crush the Tygrine and condemn all cats to eternal darkness. It is claimed that the tribes became extinct after the domestication of cats. however, they were wrong...
The story begins with the Queen of the Tygrine cats on an unspecified ship. Pulling away from her young son, she sprints toward the gangplank and down into the harbour, chanting a spell that would soon cause her son to forget his past. On the harbour, she meets the cat known as "Mithos the Destroyer", and announces that she is the Queen of the Abyssinia Tygrine and does not fear death. After, a brief dialogue, Mithos kills her.
After many days, the ship docks. The Queen's son, Mati, remembers her last instructions regarding leaving the ship when it drew to land. Saying goodbye to his floating home, Mati leaves the ship and finds himself in a busy marketplace. As he attempts to obtain some food, he meets three tabby catlings: Binjax, Ria, and Domino. While Binjax and Ria seem to be rather unpleasant, Domino tries to make friends with Mati, despite his strange appearance. Domino suggests that Mati might be able to join the stray cats in the marketplace, but they would have to find an adult cat prepared to appeal for Mati to Pangur, the leader of the stray cats. They then take Mati to Sparrow, an elderly, well-fed cat.
Far away to the Suzerain's empire to the north, the dark hunter Mithos enters the palace of the Suzerain, Zagazig. Mithos then reports to the Suzerain that the Tygrine Queen has been slain. However, the Suzerain flies into a sudden rage and snarls that a Tygrine heir still exists, and commands Mithos to hunt down and destroy the heir.
After some careful scrutinization, Sparrow decides to agree to their request and introduce Mati into their community at the next full-moon meeting. At the meeting, Sparrow appeals to Pangur, a strong black tom, about letting Mati join their kin. Pangur allows him to stay on trial basis without any objection, however the members of his feral kin do so with some reluctance, as they view Mati as an outsider.
The following day, Mati meets a stray named Jess. She strikes up a conversation with him and questions him about his history. Mati also learns about the somewhat hostile Kanks, who live in the neighborhood. Pangur seems to know their leader, Hanratty. While stealing fish from a fishmonger, Mati's eyes glow and he somehow manages to see the stall from the point of view of Binjax, Ria and Domino, who were nearby, also planning to steal fish.
In Zagazig, the Suzerain calls upon the power of the mysterious Great Spirit Alia and somehow manages to brew a storm.
Sparrow is educating Mati on the history of their kin, when Domino asks Mati out to play. They see a robin in the park. As Mati prepares to pounce on it, Domino warns him not to due to the fact that the robin is a "the first robin of the harvest moon", and their traditions forbid them to hunt it. When Domino is later called away by his mother, Jess joins Mati, and tells him about her old domesticated life. Several days later, the Suzerain, in his palace in Zagazig, speaks with the spirit Alia, who assures him that the forces of Sa are potent and he will soon be able to see Mati. True enough, a grim storm brews, and, via Alia's dark powers, the Suzerain summons thousands of bluebottle flies, which join to form the shape of a cat, and kills the robin. The Suzerain then talks with his commander, who informs him of an alliance made with the leader of a neighboring kin that could possibly help them invade the territory in which Mati is.
Back in Cressida Lock, Pangur banishes Mati for disobeying their traditions. Shortly after his banishment, he meets Etheleldra, a shalian, a mystical cat with gifts of wisdom. Etheleldra teaches him about the spirit world, Fianey, where he speaks to a spirit named Bayo. Bayo speaks of two people, one who has loyalty which Mati doubts, and the other who is young and of good heart, though his judgement would fail. However, Alia approaches and the conversation ends. Suddenly, Mati sees a flood at Cressida Lock, and rushes over to help. He manages to save Binjax from drowning in the catacombs. Pangur later admits that he is wrong about Mati, and invites him to stay. After sending Binjax, Ria, and their parents to investigate, the cats find out that the flood was actually caused by the fishmonger. In revenge, Pangur and twelve Cressida cats break into the fishmonger's house and give him such a fright that he closes his stall the next day and possibly moves out of town. A few days after, Mati manages to send Jess back to her owner. In her owner's house, Jess spots a sculpture that looks exactly like Mati. Back in Cressida Lock, Mithos lures Mati out onto the street using Mati's mother's voice. Mati is then injured in a car accident and is taken to the vet.
In Jess's house, her owner explains to her the legend regarding the two tribes of the Tygrine and the Sa. In his slumber, Mati sees a vison of Te Bubas, telling him the story of the Creators and the Beginning. When she questions him about his identity, Mati simply replies his name. Te Bubas then frowns and closes her eyes. In Cressida Lock, Pangur reveals to the ferals that Hanratty is his brother, and that it was probably him that baited the fishmonger into flooding their territory.
Pangur and Hanratty had originally travelled together. Pangur was the stronger one, and Hanratty seemed content to step back whenever there were good things. However, one day, when Pangur told him that he was going to settle down and rule Cressida Lock, Hanratty revealed that he had just been biding his time. This led to a fight; Pangur won and led the Cressida cats while Hanratty led the Kanks. Pangur ends the story and tells the Cressida cats that they would now openly declare war on the Kanks.
Meanwhile, the Suzerain instructs Mithos to hunt Mati both in the spirit and physical world. In his sleep, Mati hears his mother: "To cast a light in your darkest hour, simply speak your self." When Mithos is so close to Mati that he can almost kill him, Mati senses him. Back in Jess's house, Jess runs away from her owner again. As the Cressida Cats wage their petty war against the Kanks, Mati flees from Mithos. As Mithos lands a blow on Mati, cats all over the world writhe in agony. Seeing as Mati is their top priority, the Cressida Cats and the Kanks make an alliance. Racing back to Cressida Lock, they attempt to stop Mithos, but he kills Hanratty with ease, along with a few others.
At the brink of giving up, the memories of a thousand Tygrines flood to Mati: Te Bubas and two kittens, the war of the two dynasties, his mother leading the Tygrines... Opening his eyes, Mati proclaims himself son of the Queen and heir to the Tygrine throne. Once he accepts his birthright, his eyes glow so bright that Mithos is instantly obliterated.
The Kanks and the Cressida cats join into one kin under Pangur's leadership. Mati then realises that Bayo was speaking of Domino and Pangur respectively. The story ends with jess returning to her owner.
I recommend this fantasy book to teenagers, especially cat lovers. The author, Inbali Iserles, has also written a few other books like The Bloodstone Bird. Her blog is mslexia.wordpress.com.
The story begins with the Queen of the Tygrine cats on an unspecified ship. Pulling away from her young son, she sprints toward the gangplank and down into the harbour, chanting a spell that would soon cause her son to forget his past. On the harbour, she meets the cat known as "Mithos the Destroyer", and announces that she is the Queen of the Abyssinia Tygrine and does not fear death. After, a brief dialogue, Mithos kills her.
After many days, the ship docks. The Queen's son, Mati, remembers her last instructions regarding leaving the ship when it drew to land. Saying goodbye to his floating home, Mati leaves the ship and finds himself in a busy marketplace. As he attempts to obtain some food, he meets three tabby catlings: Binjax, Ria, and Domino. While Binjax and Ria seem to be rather unpleasant, Domino tries to make friends with Mati, despite his strange appearance. Domino suggests that Mati might be able to join the stray cats in the marketplace, but they would have to find an adult cat prepared to appeal for Mati to Pangur, the leader of the stray cats. They then take Mati to Sparrow, an elderly, well-fed cat.
Far away to the Suzerain's empire to the north, the dark hunter Mithos enters the palace of the Suzerain, Zagazig. Mithos then reports to the Suzerain that the Tygrine Queen has been slain. However, the Suzerain flies into a sudden rage and snarls that a Tygrine heir still exists, and commands Mithos to hunt down and destroy the heir.
After some careful scrutinization, Sparrow decides to agree to their request and introduce Mati into their community at the next full-moon meeting. At the meeting, Sparrow appeals to Pangur, a strong black tom, about letting Mati join their kin. Pangur allows him to stay on trial basis without any objection, however the members of his feral kin do so with some reluctance, as they view Mati as an outsider.
The following day, Mati meets a stray named Jess. She strikes up a conversation with him and questions him about his history. Mati also learns about the somewhat hostile Kanks, who live in the neighborhood. Pangur seems to know their leader, Hanratty. While stealing fish from a fishmonger, Mati's eyes glow and he somehow manages to see the stall from the point of view of Binjax, Ria and Domino, who were nearby, also planning to steal fish.
In Zagazig, the Suzerain calls upon the power of the mysterious Great Spirit Alia and somehow manages to brew a storm.
Sparrow is educating Mati on the history of their kin, when Domino asks Mati out to play. They see a robin in the park. As Mati prepares to pounce on it, Domino warns him not to due to the fact that the robin is a "the first robin of the harvest moon", and their traditions forbid them to hunt it. When Domino is later called away by his mother, Jess joins Mati, and tells him about her old domesticated life. Several days later, the Suzerain, in his palace in Zagazig, speaks with the spirit Alia, who assures him that the forces of Sa are potent and he will soon be able to see Mati. True enough, a grim storm brews, and, via Alia's dark powers, the Suzerain summons thousands of bluebottle flies, which join to form the shape of a cat, and kills the robin. The Suzerain then talks with his commander, who informs him of an alliance made with the leader of a neighboring kin that could possibly help them invade the territory in which Mati is.
Back in Cressida Lock, Pangur banishes Mati for disobeying their traditions. Shortly after his banishment, he meets Etheleldra, a shalian, a mystical cat with gifts of wisdom. Etheleldra teaches him about the spirit world, Fianey, where he speaks to a spirit named Bayo. Bayo speaks of two people, one who has loyalty which Mati doubts, and the other who is young and of good heart, though his judgement would fail. However, Alia approaches and the conversation ends. Suddenly, Mati sees a flood at Cressida Lock, and rushes over to help. He manages to save Binjax from drowning in the catacombs. Pangur later admits that he is wrong about Mati, and invites him to stay. After sending Binjax, Ria, and their parents to investigate, the cats find out that the flood was actually caused by the fishmonger. In revenge, Pangur and twelve Cressida cats break into the fishmonger's house and give him such a fright that he closes his stall the next day and possibly moves out of town. A few days after, Mati manages to send Jess back to her owner. In her owner's house, Jess spots a sculpture that looks exactly like Mati. Back in Cressida Lock, Mithos lures Mati out onto the street using Mati's mother's voice. Mati is then injured in a car accident and is taken to the vet.
In Jess's house, her owner explains to her the legend regarding the two tribes of the Tygrine and the Sa. In his slumber, Mati sees a vison of Te Bubas, telling him the story of the Creators and the Beginning. When she questions him about his identity, Mati simply replies his name. Te Bubas then frowns and closes her eyes. In Cressida Lock, Pangur reveals to the ferals that Hanratty is his brother, and that it was probably him that baited the fishmonger into flooding their territory.
Pangur and Hanratty had originally travelled together. Pangur was the stronger one, and Hanratty seemed content to step back whenever there were good things. However, one day, when Pangur told him that he was going to settle down and rule Cressida Lock, Hanratty revealed that he had just been biding his time. This led to a fight; Pangur won and led the Cressida cats while Hanratty led the Kanks. Pangur ends the story and tells the Cressida cats that they would now openly declare war on the Kanks.
Meanwhile, the Suzerain instructs Mithos to hunt Mati both in the spirit and physical world. In his sleep, Mati hears his mother: "To cast a light in your darkest hour, simply speak your self." When Mithos is so close to Mati that he can almost kill him, Mati senses him. Back in Jess's house, Jess runs away from her owner again. As the Cressida Cats wage their petty war against the Kanks, Mati flees from Mithos. As Mithos lands a blow on Mati, cats all over the world writhe in agony. Seeing as Mati is their top priority, the Cressida Cats and the Kanks make an alliance. Racing back to Cressida Lock, they attempt to stop Mithos, but he kills Hanratty with ease, along with a few others.
At the brink of giving up, the memories of a thousand Tygrines flood to Mati: Te Bubas and two kittens, the war of the two dynasties, his mother leading the Tygrines... Opening his eyes, Mati proclaims himself son of the Queen and heir to the Tygrine throne. Once he accepts his birthright, his eyes glow so bright that Mithos is instantly obliterated.
The Kanks and the Cressida cats join into one kin under Pangur's leadership. Mati then realises that Bayo was speaking of Domino and Pangur respectively. The story ends with jess returning to her owner.
I recommend this fantasy book to teenagers, especially cat lovers. The author, Inbali Iserles, has also written a few other books like The Bloodstone Bird. Her blog is mslexia.wordpress.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)