Polished Response

 

 

Polished Response

“The horror! The horror!”, cries Kurtz in Joseph Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness.

Kurtz reflects on the horrors he has seen and done as he dies.

 

This quote could also apply to the horrors described in the novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell. The animals have witnessed many horrific events as Animal Farm strives to become a stable community within a corrupt system. Many animals confess their sins and crimes to Napoleon, and are then brutally slaughtered in front of all the other farm animals. These horrific killings continue “until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood”.

 

If that scarring event isn't enough, when Boxer fails to continue to work he is taken off in a glue maker’s van as all the animals watch. Animals are often considered to be innocent creatures, like children, but these animals witness horrific events or are even the subjects of pain and brutality, making the story horrific for one to read.

Animal Farm Comic

Animal Farm 

Pages 88-89

This comic strip is a glimpse of the climax of the novel “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. When the animals come running to see that Squealer is walking upright and so are the other pigs they are absolutely shocked. But when they see Napoleon not only standing upright but also holding a whip, their eyes are opened to what Animal Farm has really become. The sheep chant “Four legs good, two legs better” and this shows that everything Animal farm and the rebellion stood for is lost. Animal Farm is corrupt and has turned back to the days of Jones going against everything they worked for. This is the epiphanal point of the story for the reader and for the characters.

Question Bank 2/2

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Question Bank (2/2)

Sarai Stevens

1) What does Benjamin means by "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey", when asked his feelings on the rebellion against Jones? What does he really mean?

2) Why is the song "Beasts of England" so important to the animals and the story?

3) What does the secluded setting add to the story?

4) Why do you think the author, George Orwell, made the rebellion against the humans so easy and successful for the animals on their first try?

5) Why did the animals decide to preserve Jones house as a museum if they were so against human objects and possessions?

6) Why was the structure of the windmill so important that the farm would keep putting energy and money into it if it kept failing and presenting unexpected difficulties?

7) Why do you think the author, George Orwell, have Mollie leave the farm? How does her leaving impact the other farm animals?

8) Why were the commandments written out if only a few animals on the farm can read? What does this tell us about the dynamics of the new farm?

9) Why did the author, George Orwell, choose a windmill as the farms project? What could the windmill represent?

10) Why was the skull of Old Major set up on a stump for the animals to see every Sunday?
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1) Why did Napoleon and Squealer insist that Snowball was a spy for Mr. Jones from the start?

2) Why did Napoleon turn to drinking whiskey?

3) What do we learn about Napoleon by the fact he banned the singing of "Beasts of England"?

4) Why does Napoleon rename "Animal Farm" and make it "Manor Farm" again?

5) Why would the animals that were confessing their sins say that Snowball influenced them to sin?

6) Why do you think the author, George Orwell, added at the end that the animals could no longer tell the difference between man and pig?

7) Why is the crow, Moses, allowed to stay on the farm even though he doesn't work and spreads rumours of "Sugarcandy Mountain"?

8) What do you believe actually happened to Snowball after being run off the farm? Do you think he joined the other farms as the pigs said?

9) In the end which do you think was better; Mr. Jones way of running the farm or Napoleons?

10) What is the symbolism or irony of the cart coming to slaughter Boxer being a glue makers cart?

Animal Farm Second Half

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Animal Farm Final Quarter

(2/2)


Sarai Stevens 　
 
Characters Introduced


Snowball is a pig on the farm who teaches the others how to read before being driven off the farm by the power of his own brother. Snowball is a round character. 
Mr. Jones was the farmer who was a drunk, disrespectful man. He is a static and flat character.

Napoleon is a pig who is witty and knows how to use his brains to his own advantage and power. Although we still do not know his thoughts or feelings, making him a flat character. 

Squealer is a pig who is on Napoleons side. He is a flat character. 

Old Major was a pig and leader of the farm who gave the other animals the idea of the rebellion. 

Benjamin is a donkey who is intelligent from the looks of things but also quiet and grumpy. Flat character. 

Boxer is a hard working horse who pushes himself for the success of the Farm. He is a flat character.

Moses is a raven who lies to the animals of a Mountain made of sugar. Moses is a flat character. 

Mollie is a pampered mare who is also a flat character. 

Muriel is the white goat on the farm. Muriel is a flat character. 

Clover is one of the horses. She is a flat character. 

Mr. Frederick/Mr. Pilkington/Mr. Whymper all are the farms neighbors. They are all flat characters. 

Jessie & Pincher & Bluebell are the three dogs that were taken away from their mom at birth by Napoleon. They are also flat Characters. 

Minimus is a poet who writes works that speak highly of Napoleon. Flat Character.
　



Person Vs. Others Conflict



Synopsis

-Starvation stares the animals in the face but to avoid news spreading Napoleon pretends they are doing better than okay when Mr. Whymper comes around.
 

- The farms neighbors say that Snowball did not ruin the windmill but that it was too weak. The animals don't agree but still rebuild the walls twice as thick.


-Napoleon says the hens need to sacrifice their eggs for the well being of the farm but they rebel. Napoleon says that any animal that feed the hens will be put to death and the hens (in fewer numbers) finally give in.


-Boxer speaks openly of how he does not believe Snowball was a traitor from the start as Squealer says until Squealer says that Napoleon also says Snowball was a spy and traitor from the start. When Boxer hears this he agrees since "Napoleon is always right".


-Napoleon makes animals confess their sins and those who do get their throats ripped out. Many animals died but before they did they said that Snowball influenced them to sin.


-The song "Beast's of England" is banned because it is "no longer necessary now that they are stable".


-Mr. Frederick buys the timber from Animal Farm but gives Napoleon fake cash.


-Mr. Fredrick and his men attack Animal Farm and blow up the windmill by planting dynamite at the base of the structure. Animal Farm wins although some animals die and boxer is badly injured.


-A school house is built for the education of Napoleons offspring.


-Boxer collapses and is taken away in a cart that reads "Glue maker" on the side from a slaughter house although the pigs reassure the animals that he was going to the hospital but the hospital failed to save him.


-The pigs begin to walk around on two legs and Napoleon wears clothes, smokes a pipe and plays cards with the other farmers. The animals can no longer tell man from pig. "Animal Farm" gets renamed back to "Manor Farm".　



Setting 

The setting of "Animal Farm" is on a country farm in England. The animals tend to the fields and there is mention of a lake. The story dates back to the 1930's right around the Second World War. They are totally secluded on the country side away from any known cities, and make their own community. 

 

Notables of the authors writing and Point of view 

George Orwell doesn't use much detail but states things more like a story line than a story itself. The point of view in the story is third person. The narrator tells the story the way things are without personal thoughts or feelings attached. The story is left for the reader’s personal view and opinion on the occurring events. Making it almost an omniscient point of view. 

 

Statement of Themes 

The theme in the second half of "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is about the abuse of power. Power can do ugly things to a person, or pig for that matter. Napoleon is infatuated with his own power and becomes more and more like a human until the animals cannot tell the difference between man and pig. Napoleon uses his power to bend the rules so that his actions are excepted and he can continue to be the monster he is without any interference. 　

Animal Farm First Quarter

Animal Farm First Quarter

Sarai Stevens      

Synopsis

-Old major tells the barn animals of a dream and tells them of his dying wish for the animals to break away from humans; their ways and captivity.

-Old major dies and three pigs put the rebellion into process.

-The animals easily overthrow the farm and farmer, Mr. Jones, and rename "Manor Farm" to "Animal Farm".

Snowball teaches the animals to read and write (as much as they can) and the animals work on the farm giving them the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

-Napoleon takes three pups from their mother and raises them himself.

-Snowball suggests a windmill and when it looks as though he will win the vote Napoleon gets the three dogs he raised to drive him off the land saying Snowball was a "traitor".

-Napoleon gets the animals to build the windmill.

-The foundation of the windmill is ruined in a storm but Napoleon blames it on Snowball and offers any animal a bushel of apples for his entrapment.

-Napoleon controls the farm and the animals with Squealer and the pups at his side. He even changes the 7 commandments so he can do trades with humans for farming supplies.
　
　
　

Characters Introduced

Snowball is a pig on the farm who teaches the others how to read before being driven off the farm by the power of his own brother. Snowball is a round character.
　
Mr. Jones was the farmer who was a drunk, disrespectful man. He is a static and flat character.
　
Napoleon is a pig who is witty and knows how to use his brains to his own advantage and power. Although we still do not know his thoughts or feelings, making him a flat character.
　
Squealer is a pig who is on Napoleons side. He is a flat character.
　
Old Major was a pig and leader of the farm who gave the other animals the idea of the rebellion.
　
Benjamin is a donkey who is intelligent from the looks of things but also quiet and grumpy. Flat character.
　
Boxer is a hard working horse who pushes himself for the success of the Farm. He is a flat character.
　
Moses is a raven who lies to the animals of a Mountain made of sugar. Moses is a flat character.
　
Mollie is a pampered mare who is also a flat character.
　
Muriel is the white goat on the farm. Muriel is a flat character.
　
Clover is one of the horses. She is a flat character.
　
Mr. Frederick/Mr. Pilkington/Mr. Whymper all are the farms neighbors. They are all flat characters.

Jessie & Pincher & Bluebell are the three dogs that were taken away from their mom at birth by Napoleon. They are also flat Characters.

Setting

The setting of "Animal Farm" is on a country farm in England. The animals tend to the fields and there is mention of a lake. The story dates back to the 1930's right around the Second World War. They are totally secluded on the country side away from any known cities, they make their own community.

Notables of the authors writing and Point of view

George Orwell doesn't use much detail but states things more like a story line than a story itself. The point of view in the story is third person. The narrator tells the story the way things are without personal thoughts or feelings attached. The story is left for the reader’s personal view and opinion on the occurring events. Making it almost an omniscient point of view.

Statement of Themes

The theme in the novel "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is the role of leadership. A few pigs have taken on the leadership roll such as Old major and Snowball but Napoleons view of leadership is horrendous. Napoleon uses his brains as power over the other animals when yet he publicises that all animals are equal. Napoleon abuses his power and manipulates the animals and pushes them in labor while he supervises; being more of a slave driver than a leader.

*Question Bank*

"Life of Pi" Question Bank

1) What did Pi gain by practicing three religions and not just one?

2) Why do you think Pi's father made Pi and Ravi watch the Tiger kill the goat?

3) Why does religion play such an important role in Pi's life and in the story?

4) Why did the author, Yann Martel, name the protaganist after a swimming pool?

5) Why did the author, Yann Martel, include that Pi was bullied? What does this add to Pi's character and character developpement?

6) Why does the author, Yann Martel, make both Pi and his Mother vegetarians?

7) Why does the author, Yann Martel, put in such a long backstory of Pi's life before the sinking of the ship?

8) What is the point of having the author talk about Pi in the present day as an old man in between parts of the story?

9) Why do you think the author didn't say right away that Richard Parker was a tiger?

10) Why does the author go into so much detail? Does the story gain anything from all the extra details? If so how?

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1) Why do you think Pi uses an orangutan to symbolize his mother?

2) What do the teeth inside the fruit on the island represent?

3) Where do you think the meerkat bones came from? Which do you believe to be truthful, the officials idea or Pi's explaination?

4) Why do you think Pi referes to the french, blind, castaway as a friend and cries for his "brother" if he was really the cook who killed his mother?

6) Is Pi benefited at all by the occurance of events, losing his family and being stranded at sea?

7) Why do you think Pi used a tiger to symbolize himself in the story?

8) Where do you think Pi receives his strength? Richard Parker or God? Explain.

9) Why do you think Pi store cookies and bananas under his bed sheets?

10) What is gained or lost by Pi telling the story with animals instead of humans?

Wordle

Final Quarter of "Life of Pi"

       (Pg.267-356)                                                                                    Sarai Stevens

Synopsis
-Pi goes blind and talks to a fellow castaway with a french accent who is also in a life boat, starving and blind.

-The frenchman tries to kill and cannibalize Pi but Richard Parker eats the frenchman first.

-Pi's vision returns and he see's the frenchmans body dismembered across the boat.

-Pi comes across and island of pure vegetation. Richard Parker and Pi use this soiless island of algea, trees, fresh water and luch vegetation to nurish themselves.

-The tree has fruit on it but inside each piece of fruit is a human tooth so Pi comes to the conclusion that the island is a cannible and he and Richard Parker should set back out to sea.

-The life boat washes up on the shore of a Mexican beach where Richard Parker leaves "informally" and Pi is rescued by the locals.

-Pi is washed, fed and clothed by the locals and then is interviewed by two men investigating the sinking of the vessel Pi was aboard and Pi tells them his story.

-The men question Pi for a long time, picking apart every unlikely event and/or detail of his story.


As a boy, Pi turned to his mother for protection and respected his father for the lessons he taught him and his brother. Pi as a teenager is a very shy but also quite witty. Pi loves and is devoted to God and this results in him progressively practising three different religions. Pi even studies his family praying and asked for a prayer mat and is baptized. Pi doesn't seem to be very close with children his age but slowly turns to socializing with the three religious figures in his life, and his atheist teacher. When in the life boat Pi turns to God and his religion again. He imagines a tiger in the boat with him as he sees the tiger being a symbol of courage and strength, something he needs desperately to survive.

Characters introduced
Richard Parker - 450 pound Tiger that shares life-boat with Pi (Pi considers Richard Parker a friend and savior). Round character.

The blind castaway - Pi meets a blind frenchman in the middle of the ocean who is also blind. He too is hungry and even trys to eat Pi. Flat character.

Tomohiro Okamoto - An official who is invesigating the sinking of the vessel Pi was aboard. Flat Charater. Dynamic-Later believes Pi's story.

Atsuro Chiba -Tomohiro Okamoto's assistant. Flat Character. Dynamic-Later believes Pi's story.

　


Point of viewAlthough the last few chapters are mostly dialogue, the Point of view in the story in the final quarter, is first person. Pi is telling his story to the Japanese transport officials. Being told the story by the protagonist enriches the story because the reader is exposed to all the thoughts of the protagonist and sees how the protagonist viewed the world and his surroundings. This helps the reader feel more connected to the story and leading events if they are in the mind of a character.


SettingThe setting is mostly in the life boat in the vast ocean. Pi comes across a island that is made up purely of vegatation but no soil. Only trees and luch vegetation. He stays for a while and eats the sugary leaves. Pi also comes across land by the end of the story. He is on a Mexican beach and comments on how well the locals treat him, and even though they are poor they feed him and give him clothes. The settings of the ocean and island emphasizes how alone and lost he is but then, in the setting of Mexico with the locals it contrasts into a bond of the same species and being together as "brothers and sisters" as Pi says.


Notables about the writers styleThe author of "Life of Pi" goes into great detail. Little is left out or unsaid.


Statement of themesThere are many themes in "Life of Pi". Such as Relationships, Survival, Logic, Forgiveness, Religion, Searching, Freedom and Understanding. But I think the main themes in this novel are Religion and Survival. Pi survived through the worst of the worst, seeing his whole life sink to the bottom of the ocean, wittnessing his mothers murder and being terribly lost for a long period of time. Pi went into survival mode and turned towards his religion and relations with God for survival. He put his faith in God and this is Pi's mind is what saved him.

First Quarter-Life of Pi

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Quartering Text: Life of Pi, First quarter 

(pg.1-93)                                                                             Sarai Stevens

Characters Introduced 

Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi)- Protagonist. Round Character. Static Character.
Ravi- Pi’s older brother. Flat Character. Static Character.
Santosh Patel - Pi's Dad. Flat Character. Static Character.
Gita Patel- Pi's Mother. Flat Character. Static Character.
Satish Kumar- Pi's Teacher (Mr. Kumar). Flat Character.
Francis Adirubasamy (Mamaji)- "Respected uncle". Taught Pi how to swim. Flat Character. Static Character.
The Author- Unknown. Maybe even Yann Martel himself. Flat Character. Static Character.
Father Martin - The priest who introduces Pi to Christianity. Flat Character. Static Character.
Mr. Kumar- Muslim baker and mystic who introduced his religion to Pi. Flat Character.  Static Character.
Meena Patel- Pi's wife. Flat Character. Static Character.
　
Point of View
The Point of view in the story, in the first quarter, is first person. Pi is an older man looking back on his life as a young teenage boy. Being told the story by the protagonist enriches the story because the reader is exposed to all the thoughts of the protagonist and sees how the protagonist viewed the world and his surroundings at that earlier age. This helps the reader feel more connected to the story and leading events if they are in the mind of a character. 　
　
Synopsis
 
Events 

-Pi talks about visiting a hospital in Mexico and being treated very well although, he was very sick.

-Pi was criticized by a Canadian waiter for eating with his fingers. This was a very scarring event for Pi.

-Pi was made fun of a great deal at school because of his name.

-Pi's father fed one of the goats to the tiger and made his sons watch to make them fear the tiger and not get too comfortable around tigers, for their own safety.

-Pi's father continues the lesson by teaching Pi and Ravi to fear all wild animals, even the ones in the zoo(except the guinea pigs). But also to fear humans, the worst beast of them all. .

-Pi becomes a Christian after Father Martin introduces him to Christianity. Father Martin says Pi already was a Christian, but just didn't know it.

-Pi becomes Muslim at age 15 because of a Muslim baker who excused himself to pray. This intrigued Pi and he started attending a local mosque with Mr. Kumar.

-Everyone finds out that Pi is a Hindu, Christian, and Muslim all at the same time and the three religious leaders with whom he practices the separate religions insist he chooses one. Pi replies that he just wanted to love God.

-Pi asked for a prayer mat and not long after receiving one he was baptized in front of his parents.

-Pi's father decides to move his family from India to Canada.

-Author meets Pi's wife

Character development 
As a boy, Pi turned to his mother for protection and respected his father for the lessons he taught him and his brother. Pi as a teenager is a very shy but also quite witty. Pi loves and is devoted to God and this results in him progressively practising three different religions. Pi even studies his family praying and asked for a prayer mat and is baptized. Pi doesn't seem to be very close with children his age but slowly turns to socializing with the three religious figures in his life, and his atheist teacher.

Setting
The setting of the story (so far) is in Pondicherry, India. The Zoo is the main setting. Pi has itchy eyes at times from the dust, but does not complain. Pi is surrounded by nature and animals, showing his awareness of what God's given him in his everyday life. Pi doesn't live in the city, but in a more isolated town. After Gandhi overthrew the Tamil Nadu government, the family decided to move to Canada.
 
Statement of Themes
So far the novel seems to have a long back-story and the theme does not seem apparent. I'm sure the novel is a background story so far but I am also most certain this is all very important information for the climax of the story and the rest of the story.

Notables about the writers style 
So far in the Novel "Life of Pi" the author goes into very specific details, and leaves little unsaid.

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Intro to blog by Sarai Stevens

Hello, my name is Sarai Stevens and I am currently starting the novel "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. I have an obsession with dogs and most furry animals. My nickname is Mouse and when I'm older, I would like a pet monkey. I prefer the colours baby pink and white. I like giraffes because they have the biggest hearts of all land mammals. I also like a variety of music but Justin Bieber conquers them all. I hope you enjoy this blog...namaste!