In the story “On the Rainy River”, the narrator Tim O’Brian shares a personal story with us. He is a young adult who works at a slaughterhouse. He ends up getting recruited to come to Vietnam to fight in a war, and instead of going, he starts his journey to Canada. If you look at this story and apply archetypal lens, you may notice there are many characters and symbols that relate to the archetypal theory.
In the story, Tim is faced with a crisis. Usually all protagonist are faced with some sort of problem that helps make them wiser and stronger. In this situation, Tim doesn’t want to go to Vietnam because he feels that he isn’t fit for the job and doesn’t know what he is fighting for. He also believes that if you go to war not knowing what you are fighting for then you are a “coward.” Archetypal critique focuses in the narrative on the hardships that the protagonist experiences. Within an "underworld" the protagonist usually goes through some sort of injustice, and generally becomes wiser and has a better understanding of the world. In the story we see Tim experiencing lots of hardships, and then he finally breaks down at the river, where he finally makes a decision. The hardships he experienced throughout the story, helped him in making his final decision. There is also a father figure/mentor throughout the story. This archetype is a person who guides the protagonist towards the right path. In this situation, the father figure or mentor is Elroy Berdahl, he guides and helps Tim in many ways. We see that in the story he provides Tim with a place to stay, food, and proper advice just like a father figure or mentor would do. In the story Tim calls Elroy his savior. “The man who opened the door that day is the hero of my life. How do I say this without sounding sappy? Blurt it out—the man saved me. He offered exactly what I needed, without questions, without any words at all. He took me in.” (O'Brien) We also see “The Fall” archetype in the story. This archetype is described when a character that is at a high state of being descends to a lower state of being. Tim experiences this when he is recruited into the war. He starts feeling scared and anxious “I remember opening up the letter, scanning the first few lines, feeling the blood go thick behind my eyes. I remember a sound in my head. It wasn't thinking, just a silent howl. A million things all at once - I was too good for this war. Too smart, too compassionate, too everything. It couldn't happen.” (O'Brien) This archetype sometimes also causes loss of innocence. In the story Tim faces loss of innocence when he is being drafted into the war, he is finally hit with reality. "I was no soldier. I hated Boy Scouts. I hated camping out. I hated dirt and tents and mosquitoes. The sight of blood made me queasy, and I couldn't tolerate authority, and I didn't know a rifle from a slingshot. I was a liberal for Christ sake: If they needed fresh bodies, why not draft some back-to-the-stone-age hawk? " (O'Brien) Near the end of the story, Elroy and Tim go to the Rainy River. This is shown as a symbol of rebirth in the story. When he is there, he realizes things that his old self didn’t. He finally comes to a decision that he should go out and help in the war, it also helped him realize that coming to Canada was a fantasy. “It struck me then that he must've planned it. I'll never be certain, of course, but I think he meant to bring me up against the realities, to guide me across the river and to take me to the edge and to stand a kind of vigil as I chose a life for myself.” (O'Brien) In conclusion, there were many archetypes throughout the story, and applying the archetypal lens helped me find the deeper meaning. TAGS: ARCHETYPE, LENS, STORY
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Writing an essay can be very hard for many individuals. Sometimes this happens because they don’t take the steps to writing a successful essay. If people start taking the steps to writing a great essay, it wouldn’t seem as hard anymore. When you start brainstorming your ideas, take the time to write multiple drafts and get feedback from your peers and teachers, it decreases the anxiety and frustration of writing an essay. Taking these steps just helps you get closer to writing a successful outstanding essay. Over the course, I have learned some many tips and tricks that helped me with writing some great essays and helped with reaching my fullest potential. Which I will be sharing with you today.
In my opinion, I think that having your peers and teachers have a look at your work gives you the opportunity to improve in many ways. Having another person go through your essay, helps catch grammar errors you didn’t see or ideas that they think might work better in some areas. Which all help the essay become a better version. I also think that when you show your peers or teachers your work, it tends to start a conversation. Which helps spark more ideas into your head, and results in better and stronger points. While writing my own essays, somethings I’ve experienced myself is the importance of brainstorming. This step is very important, because it allows you to get all the ridiculous thoughts on paper before you forget, because once you forget it becomes hard to come up with points and proofs to back yourself up. Since I’ve started to take the time to brainstorm, I have seen my grades come up, because it allows you to think about how your essay will flow and gives you a rough outline. If you decide to just jump into your essay, it doesn’t allow your essay to flow and seems rough and ineffective. Which results in weak points, because you haven’t had the time to think about it. When you take these tips into consideration, you will definitely end up with a great essay. Both these things will help you in the future with writing outstanding essays and make the process less frustrating. TAGS: PROCESS, ESSAY, WRITING When we think about big artists and producers, the idea of them copying someone else’s work doesn’t come to mind. We directly think that it’s impossible and expect them to already know the consequences of it. But is it possible for artists to copy someone else’s work and totally be unaware? Many well-known artists like Ariana Grande have been accused of copyright. On June,16, 2019 Grande was sued for her huge single “7 Rings” by artist, songwriter and producer Josh Stone, who is also known as DOT on stage. He sued Grande for taking his original lyric from a 2017 track “You need it I got it, you want it I got it” and adding it to her 2019 top track that hit billboard. Stones lawyer later confirmed the chorus and hooks from the 2017 track were copied, along with additional 39 song notes that were very similar. Stone later pointed out the similarities that were very evident in both songs. In “7 Rings the lyric was “I want it I got it, I want it I got it” While in Stones 2017 song the lyric was “You need it I got it, you want it I got it.” Stone has demanded the court for judgement of copyright infringement and has asked Grande to give “7 Rings” to Stone for the damage the copyright has caused.
While I was reading the article, I understand Stones point of view. It was sort of obvious that copyright had occurred, since both the lyrics from both artists were very similar. But having said that, I also think that even though both the lyrics are similar, they aren’t totally same either, and so to a certain extent I do believe Grande put in work and her creativity, since both songs have completely different meanings and beat of the music. When I was reading the article a question that had crossed my mind was it even necessary for a lawsuit? Since both lyrics are talking about a totally different person and aren’t exactly the same. I think that for artists to make sure that their work has no copyright, they should look over it more than once. They should try creating lyrics that are unique and less likely to be used often, which decreases the chance of copyright occurring. But if they are aware and want to use someone else’s work they should make sure they give the original person credit for it. If they continue to be careful and pay close attention to the ideas they add to their songs, and where there coming from, it will reduce the amount of times these situations occur. TAGS: FAMOUS, LAWSUIT, INTENSE While I was listening to the podcast, I think I really enjoyed it since it was very different from other types of media platforms today, and also because I don’t really listen to podcasts often, So it was very new to me and if you know me I love trying new things. I like how I got an opportunity to visualize things that I was listening to rather than just having it in front of you already, which was different and fun. I think that even though podcasts are available to us not many people our age turn to that form of platform, and they should because it gives them the opportunity to visualize and pay close attention to what the person is saying, and I think by visualizing and actually thinking it helps make better connections. But even though I really enjoyed it, maybe someone else might see it as a drawback, they might look at it as time consuming or a distraction in a way, since we all have our strengths and weaknesses. My Thoughts........The podcast today that was introduced to us was serial and was narrated by Sarah Koenig, she investigates a case on the death of Hae Min Lee and the guilt of Adnan Syed. During the podcast we don’t hear much from Syed’s family, which I think is totally unfair since this trial is all about him, and people listening to this podcast should get a chance to hear his point of view. Besides hearing his point of view, which we don’t even get to hear that much. If we put ourselves in his shoes, and take a moment to think about what he or his family might be feeling, wouldn’t it be overwhelming and painful? Take it in that Syed is now 32, and probably has moved on or tried to push down those unwanted memories out of his head, and now suddenly, this case is reopened again, and stuff is being digged up for a second time. I appreciate the fact that Sarah is trying to prove Syed’s innocence but digging up stuff from years ago, is it even worth it?
TAGS: INNOCENCE, PROVE, JUSTICE SYSTEM When we apply to universities, every program has specific criteria that must be met in order to be accepted. Mostly for every program in Ontario or Canada, a credit of grade 12 English is needed. Many people argue that it is a boring unnecessary class, while others believe it is crucial for success. In my point of view, I think that grade 12 English should stay mandatory for all programs. Even if your pursuing an interest in the arts or the business. Regardless of any program you go into, in many aspects of life basic reading and writing skills are needed. You will be asked to write a formal paper someday for work and you won't be able to compose an essay without the basic knowledge. I value that the skills we learn in English are the key to success in post-secondary and reflect all that we have learned. In English class we have learned about very crucial skills that will be useful to us during our lifetime. These skills include essay writing, logical thought, making notes, how to correctly plan and compose papers, the ability to communicate and the ability to make powerful arguments. Many of these skills will be extremely useful to use in the coming years, don't you agree? I think the most useful skill we learn in English is communication, because some universities don't really focus on that skill and so it is better you understand them in high school. In university every student will run into English in some way, shape or form. In the program you choose they will not take the time to teach you how to write an essay and will be expected of you to know already. If they remove mandatory English, when students get into the program and must write up an essay they will struggle, since they don't have the knowledge.
In conclusion, yes grade 12 English should stay a requirement since it provides us with so many life skills. TAGS: ENGLISH, POST-SECONDARY, MANDATORY |