Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Homework Week 2


Chapters 7-12
1.     What influences Elizabeth’s opinion of the Bingleys?
Their wealth as it is much greater than her own and that of her families. Her opinion is also based on how she sees the Bingleys; she likes Mr. Bingley as he is seen to be happy and cheerful (and her sisters love for him). However, she does not take fondly to the sisters due to their snobbish attitudes.
2.     What does Darcy consider an accomplished woman? What does this reveal about him?
He belives that she should be a “typical woman” of the time (household), though he also believes that she should have a character. This reveals that though he falls into the stereotype of being a wealthy man who want a tyical wife; he does not fit the full characteristic as he enjoys a woman with a personality. It is also assumed that this is aimed at Elizabeth.
3.     How does Darcy react to Miss Bingleys comments about the Bennets?
Though he does agree with her on that their class makes them inferior to the wealthy of society, he does admire Elizabeth for her individuality.
4.     How does Darcy characterize his own faults? (how does he reveal more about himself)
Mr Darcy describes that his only fault is that “my good opinion once lost is lost forever” which Elizabeth thinks is stupid. By holding this opinion on himself, it reveals that he is a prideful man and expects no one to make mistakes in life.

Chapters 13-16
1.     How do the members of the Bennet family respond differently to Collins’ letter announcing his intention to visit Longbourn?
Mrs Bennet reacts the worst at the news of his arrivial, as Mr. Collins is the man to inherit the house – she begins with an immediate dislike to him”I cannot bear to hear that meantioned. Pray do not talk of the odious man.” Elizabeth and Jane try to calm her down and seem very much unaflicted about the arrivial. Mr. Bennet seemed to enjoy it, purely to get the reaction out of Mrs. Bennet.
2.     What is meaningful about Mr. Bennet’s attention to Collins’ “talent of flattering with delicacy”? How does Mr. Bennet seem to toy with the younger man, playing on his ego?
This statement, made by Mr Bennet, seems to state that Mr. Collins compliments people, yet goes over the top in order to make himself seem higher in curtiousy. This plays on his ego by saying that his so-called-relationship with Lady Catherine is nothing really to be proud of, and her is putting too much effort into it.
3. What motivates Collins to seek a wife from among the Bennet girls?
Because he will inherit the house off the Collins after Mr Collins deceases, he thought it would be best to marry one of the girls in the family so that they could stay at the house.
3.     How does Wickham differ from Collins in his self-estimation?
Collins has high self-esteem and portrayes it greatly as he tells everyone about his relationship with Lady Catherine. However, no one really likes him. On the other hand, it is known that Wickham has a good-level of self esteem and is very self-assured, and he is liked by other people due to his nature. Therefore, Wickham has a better idea of what others think of him, than what Collins believes people think of him.
4.     Why is Wickham’s candor concerning his situation and his relationship with Darcy surprising? Are his revelations appropriate? Why or why not? What keeps him from talking even more openly?
Wickham talks about Darcy as being a man of bad character, and from Elizabeth’s point of view at this time, though the claims are surprising, she still believes them. Wickham claims that he won’t talk openly about the matter because of his respect for Darcy’s father.

Sunday, 16 June 2013

Chapter Summary questions


Chapters 3-6
1.     Despite Bingley’s appearance as a most eligible bachelor, what is revealed about his family, his age and his inexperience?
Mr Bingley is quite overwhelmed with the ladies (not in such a way that he makes a fool of himself) but he is “new to the game”. When getting to know him further it is seen that he does not always agree with his sisters.
2.     How is Elizabeth’s fun at Darcy’s expense different from his own behavior toward her and her friends and family?
Elizabeth is more upfront with Darcy, often vocalizing her attitudes towards him in ‘sophiciated’ arguments. However darcy’s opinins toward her is often shown in his thoughts and opinions rather than his verbal output (which isn’t much).
3.     Do you agree with Mrs. Lucas’s distinction between pride and vanity and her conclusion that Darcy has a right to feel proud?
To an extent. Mr Darcy should be proud of what he has come to posess however not to the point where he will not socialize with other because he thinks himself too high above the people around him.
4.     Why might Miss Bingley be eager to criticize the Bennet girls and their mother? How does she indirectly draw attention to the differences Darcy and Elizabeth’s families?
She is eager to critize the family because she is in love with Darcy so by showing the differnces between them and the downfalls on the bennet family, she is trying to convince darcy to not follow Elizabeth.
5.     What is revealed about the characters of Mary and Elizabeth by their piano performance?
That Elizabeth knows she is not amazing at the piano however mary thinks that she is rather good. It just shows that Mary is more stubborn and everything must be perfect while Elizabeth is more willing to accept the things the way they are and enjoy how it is.
6.     What effect does Elizabeth’s teasing have on Darcy? Is Elizabeth internationally trying to provoke Darcy’s attention? Note his continued attraction, despite her “interiority”
Elizabeth’s teasing to darcy is to her own satification. She does take pleasure in showing him wrong and pointing out his faults. However, this only continues to increase Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth for he enjoys her 

Thursday, 13 June 2013

Pride and Prejudice Chapter Questions


Pride and Prejudice Chapter Questions

1.     What is the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet? How does Austen convey the tone Mr. Bennet uses with his wife?
Mr. Bennet is seen to tolerate his wife. This is shown though the language choice in which Austen uses to describe the tones each party uses when interacting on another. Mrs. Bennet is seen to “impatiently” wait for an answer out of Mr. Bennet when she “cries” out her claims and ideas. Mr. Bennet is seen to take not much interest in the girls marriage (which Mrs. Bennet is highly concerned about), this is shown by his ignorance to her. It is also directly told that Mr. Bennet “had always intended to visit him, through to the last always assuring his wife that her should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it.”. Through the descriptions of the Bennet’s silent thoughts and tones towards each other, Austen conveys that their relationship with one another is one of tolerance.
2.     Whey is Mrs Bennet so interested in the young man’s arrival?
      In the era, women had no rights to land or power, especially on their own. The only way they had the claim to any inheritance or social status was through the male connection they had. The Bennet family was not wealthy and was in need (though not desperate) of this wealth to live in a more relaxing lifestyle. This would come from any one of their daughters marrying a young man of high standard. Mr. Bingly was known to be such a man, and Mrs. Bennet’s interest in this man comes from her wish of her daughters to marry well. 

Monday, 20 May 2013

How to be Japanese Group Work

message/purpose
  • isn't against australian, but does not feel part of it.
  • always asked where she is from but she doesn't even speak chinese. she was born in australia
  • because people are judging her its an even bigger barrier 
  • more about her appearance wanted to fit in as in her appearance

  • just because they look asian but they're not really asian
  • not all asians feel that they are asians but australian

protagonist journey
  • acceptance and home 
  • acknowledging the image australian want to see in her
  • cutesy hello kitty manga
  • grandfathers migrant journey - asked and asked again if she is asian
  • believes that people only believe in her because she is asian
  • journey ends when she returns home and feels at home in china
  • learns that she expects others to know where she is from
  • but then she doesn't actually really know herself
  • treating herself like others are treating her
Obstacles 
attitudes shown towards her frustrate her
her dad is australian, she looks asian
people are unable to see the relationship between her father and herself

techniques
the use of first person narration in the beginning - the perspective of the author and understand the situation 
descriptive words
the story was like a reflection and being able to empathise and feel what the character is feeling 

attitudes beliefs and values
she values her identity and how she reflected to others
restrained, ignorant and stubborn becomes more accepting and open to ideas
people should not be stereotyped

Migrant
it makes you question what feature/something about you that defines what you culture is. E.g is it looks, heritage, where you are atm
Their opinion of this is based on others stereotypes of them compared to how strong their own interpretation of themselves is. 
It completes when you believe you find a balance of who you think you are and what others think you are. :)

How does this compare to other GUAIA
Trying to be accepted into one or the other society but in the end they manage to find a balance between two cultures, or they accept their position. 

Positioning Techniques

Implied Audience: the author is able to have a claser connection to the audience through the use of cultural 

Language Choices: At the beginning she has negative lanugage choice to position you to understand that she doesn't like the racist behaviour. Towards the end, she is having a more positive experience - using more positive language for the audience to be involved and understand the journey.



GUAIA Homework

What message or purpose does the author have in writing this story?
The author isn't against Australia, however she is conveying the message that she feels left out. She is constantly asked where she was from, even though she was born in Australia. In the end when she visits China, she describes how she feels at home without even speaking the language. Supposedly this is a bigger barrier than appearances however she is saying that because of her look difference, she is automatically being judged. 

what Journey is the protagonist on? Explain with examples?

She is on a journey on being accepted and finding home. She begins by acknowledging that the representations that the Australian society want to see of her is her "worst nightmare: the cutesy, Hello Kitty-loving Asian manga-girl". It is also through her grandfathers death where she becomes more interested in Chinese history. By learning about her grandfathers Australian migrant journey and how he slowly became Australian, including his skin turning white and his eyes a milky blue. From there, she explains how she is asked and asked if she is asian, in which she replies "no, I'm not", and how she "lives in perpetual fear that I'll [author] get caught out by a serial Asian fetish". She believes that people only are interested in her because she is asian. Her journey comes to an end when she visits china as she states "i felt at home". 

What are some of the obstacles she face on this journey?

She overcomes the obstacles of containing her rage as people assume that she is Asian. As she says; "I'm bringing with prejudices of my own.. I just roll my eyes". She is able to contain this dislike by choosing not to act on it, however these attitudes shown towards her frustrate her. 

How (techniques) has the author presented this to us?

Unlike the other stories in GUAIA, this story is a reflection. It is done in the current time which allows the author to convey her emotions as well and the events happening at the time. It gives the audience her interpretation of what is happening through her point of view. 


What values, attitudes and beliefs are being expressed? Use evidence from the text to support your discussion

VALUES: being accepted  (as shown as a constant idea throughout the text, her fustration when people stereotype her, to when she arrives in China and feels at home)
ATTITUDES:She is restrained "Naz looks like she might want to punch him; I just roll my eyes". 
BELIEFS: She believed that people shouldn't be stereotyped "

Monday, 13 May 2013

Mates - Homework week 5

Wei-Li and Me

1. How Important is frienship to these characters?
Very important, for the author, Wei-lei was originally the one to take to torment off her. But as she became friends with him, they became each other's havens. It was when they were both appreciated for being their selves. As when the author says "Everything Wei-Li saw could be used as evidence for my difference. But Wei-Li didn't notice anything, or if he did, he never mentioned it" (p78) this showing how the author feels accepted by Wei-li. 

2. Different expectations of friends and enemies are revealded in these stories. What are they and how do they contribute to the character's understandings of relationships with their peers
In this story, Barry West is described as the 'bully'. As established very early on in the story when he tells the author "You're Indian and I've got your Indian Shit on me" (p76). And through Barry is the key enemy, the other student in the class are against the author and Wei-li "It took the class exactly thirty seconds to shorten his name to Wee." The expectation of these bullies in the story is that they constantly are forcing the targets to feel left out or isolated from the rest of the school. It shows that the author and Wei-Li also had to stick together because it was only when they were separated that Barry's bullying began on them again - suggesting that he is a coward and only "prey's on the weak". 

3. What are the attitudes, values and beliefs of your character?
"You must apologise to that boy" "never" this is what the author's mother tells her after the incident with the baseball bat. This conveys that the author believes that if someone (in this case barry) bring on so much torment onto her and her friends, it is not her fault that she attacked him and therefore has no need to apologise. She values her friendship with Wei-Li and trusts him. Her attitude towards life is overall a positive one, shown in the conclusion where she and Wei-Li are accepted in society and become "what we though we could never be: Australian".

4. What type of journey does your character go on? Pick one line from the story that tells you this. 
 "we had become something what we though we could never be: Australian". This quote shows that the author is acknowledging her's and Wei-Li's inner journey from being outcasts and bullied to being part of the Australian society. Being accepted without changing who she is is what has made her now believe that she is Australian. 

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Battlers Homework - Take me away please pg64

"Right there was the divide between the old world and the new." Hop Dac
 Once immigrants arrive their battles are not over. There is still the challenge of finding work, making a living and supporting you and your family in a strange land. The tales of migrant efforts to survive thrive, and what their children learn from these form the core of this section.

Use one story from Battlers to answer the following questions

1. Discuss the notions of humiliation, honour and the need to survive. Do you lower yourself if you work at menial tasks in order to help your family?What does this have to say about those who do not take "any job" in order to work?
Lily Chan (author and narriator) has the eldest child responsibility of managing the cash float in her family's business. She explains that her homeworks is what helps her "pass the time". She does not enjoy working in the takeaway shop; for her, it is borning and repetitiive. However she still works diligentally because she understands (as she describes the regular customers as "the bread and butter" of the business) that the working of the takeaway shop is vital to her family.
Though the text does not directally talk about people who do not take "any job" in order to work, it implies that other people who choose not to take any job, do not have the same obglititaion to their family and Lily does. This may be because their family does not need them to work (as Lily must) or because that this other person may not have the same loyality to their family as Lily does.
2. What sense of resourcefulness does the text give you? What do you have to do to belong and thrive in a new land?
Lily Chan describes their connection to the other Laus (another chineese family) as one that allows them to keep their Chinese traditions alive. Together they celebrate "events on the Chinese calendar" and have get-togethers because within their "small, prejudiced town, all we [both families] had was each other". This gives the reader insight to the community they live in, that their previous traditions are not embraced in their small town. In order to belong and thrive, for the community, Lily's family runs the towns Chinese Takeaways shop and for their own heritage, they keep close company with the other Chinese family. This allows them to belong to their community for they are able to experience the "new land" whist keeping their previous traditions.

3. Make a list of the challenges faced in this section and the emotions they invoke in the participants. Why do they go on trying?
The main challange for Lily Chan in Take me away please is that she is bored living and working in the takeaway shop. Though she expresses her want "to get out of this town very badly" she carries on trying because she is loyal to her family and understands that this is their life and their business.

4. What journey is being represented in the story? Use evidence from the text to support your discussion.
Take me away please is representing the unfinished migrant journey. Lily Chan expresses her "dread" for the four o'clock opening of her familys local takeaway shop, as she explains "getting to work wans't and issue, but getting away was".  Early on in the text she describes her want to "get out of this town" and through further reading, this is likely due to her feeling bored within her environment. Her dull tone when explaining the events, such as, "The phone rang. Ah, Bodybuilder Man, on time as usual" expresses the boredom she has working in the takeaway shop which is vital to "every quintessential Australian town".

5. What attitudes and beliefs does the main character have (what do they think is important)? Why do they think this way? Use evidence front the text to support your descussion.
Lily Chan's attitudes towards her life is that she does not enjoy it, it is not hard but she does not want to be there. However as she explains that the regular customers are the "bread and butter" for her familyies business, this conveys to the reader that her attitude also reflects loyalty to her family, and her value in what keeps their business running.

Sunday, 5 May 2013

Homework - GUAIA Pioneers

Pioneers - The Beat of A Different Drum

  1. Do the second generation of migrants have an easier time than the first?
    1. Yes because the second generation have grown up in the society of Australia (ie. trends, language). Where as the boy in this story has trouble understanding the language, as he states that on his first day of high school he couldn't understand the first question his teacher asked him. He also doesn't understand the uses of words, such as the lunch lady calling him "luv". This overall makes him feel angry, because back in Hong Kong he was successful, however he feels like he is an idiot in Australia because he is still trying to learn how to spell pie. 
  2. WHy do the pioneers choose to come to Australia? Do you think that their reasons are always clear, even to them?
    1. The boys family moved to australia to flee the "subsequent madness" which was caused by Margret Thatchers negotiation with Deng Xiaoping for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. This is all he explains about their movement to Melbourne, it may be because this seems the only reason he can understand in which explained why they moved to Melbourne. 
  3. How do the pioneers' lives change when they come to Australia
    1. He is not used to the heat and humidity in Australia, as he explains that it "felt alien on my skin". He wanted to be able to sit at the back of the class and go unnoticed, however he was pestered with questions like "the new animal at the zoo". He felt "robbed" of language and the idea of going to school frightened him because he would be exposed to the new environment which he was not used to. He begins to feel angry and an urge to withdraw. He didn't have anyone to talk to, because no one would understand. He begun to 'absorb' himself in his martial art novels as a form of escape. 
  4. What elements do they choose to bring with them when they migrate? And which do they reject? Why?
    1. He brought his comics with him when he arrived in Australia, because it gave him a way to escape the difficulties of being in another country. Within this story it is not clear what particular things/elements rejects, we do not know much about his use of chinese, (but would assume that he would use it at home). Though at the beginning he does loose his love for things, because it becomes too difficult to understand and enjoy things in a world that he does not fit into. 
  5. What tricks do the pioneers learn to assist them in belonging to Australian culture
    1. He becomes good friends with Stewart, who is patient with him and help him understand the language. They bonded over the fact the Nigel found it cool that he could read chinese. Also he used soap operas to learn the language, with the repetitive plot and over-acting. This taught him the rhythm and tone of the language. He also began anticipating sentences so he would have the time to prepare what to say. As he explains in the final line, he begun to understand english when he began to "listen to its music". 

Sunday, 10 March 2013

Responding To Representations in Bran Nue Dae



1.             What qualities and values of people are privileged (presented positively)?
The qualities and values of people who are viewed positively are someone who is down-to-earth yet (unlike most characters) has a mild set of morals/rules that they follow. Most people (by the end of the film) defy these rules that you had though they lived by (e.g Willies mother) but because so many in Broome are seen to defy this then the people who are present positively change slightly to be people who are part of a family (no matter how complicated) and who take care of each other. 

2.            Which groups are marginalised or silenced? (presented negatively or not represented in the movie)
The rest of the Perth, community outside of the school are not refered to. Also abrigionies who want to have the ‘privileged’ life are also not mentioned. Groups of people who are viewed negatively are the white community as they are portrayed as being larrikin or highly full of themselves.

3.             What aspects of Aboriginality are presented in a positive way? What words/images are used to portray them this way? Parts of the aboriginal society are viewed as positive including their ‘down to earth’ manner (when Willie thinks about how he wants to live like – catching fish etc). Also their connection as a community and God are viewed in a positive manner, this shown by how the German Hippies view the society when they arrive in Broome.

4.       What aspects of Aboriginality are presented in a negative way? What words or images are used to portray them this way: In the film, aborigines are negatively portrayed as drunks and thieves. This is dominantly portrayed by Uncle Tadpole and his influence over Willie; however, it is also shown through many of the other abrigionals they come into contact with on their journey. Another representation is that they do not follow rules of society and have complex love lifes (Willies mother and Missy)

5.       How are European Australians represented in the movie? What words/images are used to portray them this way? The European Australians are postrayed in a negative manner, with an attraction to violence. This is shown through the lady at the petrol station who appears unattractive and repulsive. Also having no hesitation in pulling out a gun. It is also shown through Rosies short-term boyfriend when he tries to beat Willie up.

6.         How is Broome represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Broome is represented as a very down-to-earth place where everyone lives by their own rules which mostly don’t coinside with the expected rules of societies. At the beginning of the film the kids in the town are signing words along the lines of “I don’t care if you wear a condom” suggesting their ease of talking about sex life and their approach to it. It is a community where everybody knows everybody and most will continue to live off the land within Broome.

7.         How is Perth represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Perth is only briefly seen in the film, however in that time it is the representation of a strict society with many rules. It is the opposite to Broome and Willie does not want to be apart of it.

8.        How is Port Headland represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Port Headland is viewed as a highly inappropriate society where there are no set rules that the society abides. This is specifically noted in the "condom tree" scene where Willie is already drunk (something that he would not likely do on other circumstance) and about to have sex with Missy under a tree filled with condoms. It represents that this is a place where one would do things that he or she would not consider doing in any other area. 

9.         Select two of the characters and explain, using direct evidence from the movie, what type of ‘Australian-ness’ they represent. (How do they and others view themselves as Australian? This might include things that you think make them stereotypically Australian) Uncle Tadpole represents the stereotypical aborigine who spends his time conning people in so that he can get money for alcohol. He views his actions as being normal and the community views his actions as being ‘typically aborigine’. The character of Father Benidictus represents the Austrialans who were involved with the church. His racist words against the aborigines are typical of this stereotype of Australian.

10.       Overall what representation of “Australian-ness” does Bran Nue Dae portray? (attitudes/beliefs/ideas make someone an Australian according to the movie) Overall “Australian-ness” is viewed as complicated yet down to earth. The film begins with everyone living a supposidate ‘set lifestyle’ but as the film progresses the audience begins to understand that no-one is as they pretend to be and that everyone is part of a small community and connected to each other in a familiar way.