English Poem

English Poem

My School Life

Time flies,
In a blink of an eye
Half a year has passed,
Since we graduated.

Now in a new school,
With a bunch of new friends,
We get along together,
Communicating with one another.

A hectic school life begins
With tons of tests
Coming our way.
Oh Gosh…

Results came back,
Both good and bad.
Strive to work harder,
And try to bounce back.

When holidays come,
It’s time to let loose.
But the teachers will say,
Work hard or lose.

My favourite poem

Fast rode the knight by Stephen Crane
Fast rode the knight
With spurs, hot and reeking,
Ever waving an eager sword,
"To save my lady!"
Fast rode the knight,
And leaped from saddle to war.
Men of steel flickered and gleamed
Like riot of silver lights,
And the gold of the knight's good banner
Still waved on a castle wall
.. . . . .
A horse,
Blowing, staggering, bloody thing,Forgotten at foot of castle wall.
A horse
Dead at foot of castle wall.

Q1) The figurative languages used are mainly personification but there is also a little mention of simile.
The sword was personified and described as eager to save the knight’s lady and being eager is one of the human’s emotions. There was also mention about the banner on the castle wall was waving. Waving is an action only humans can do, thus the banner on the castle wall was also personified in the poem.
I think that the poet personified the sword as the knight is going to save a lady, thus his weapon is important to him, and so personifying the sword is just the right thing.
There was also simile used in the poem as in the poem, the poet compared the knights when they are battling to riots of silver light. I think that the poet compared the knights to the riots of silver light as when the knights fight against each other, their swords create sparks when they clash against each other, and thus the poet chose to compare the two of them.

Q2) I like this poem as the poem is easy to understand as the figurative language used is not too difficult and I can easily understand what the poem is writing about. The poem also used personification and to personify the sword, making it looks real and simile was also used in the poem to compare the knights fighting with the riots of silver light. Personally, I think that this poem is a romantic poem between the brave knight and the lady whom he is trying to save. Although there are many difficulties along the way, he still did not give up. However, I find it sad when the horse died when the knight was trying to save the lady.

Gulliver's Travels

Gulliver's Travels - Satire

Gulliver went to four different places: Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa and Houyhnhnm and the book ‘Gulliver’s travels’ is a satire in two ways….

It was first seen as a satire through a fight between Liliput and Blefuscu. In Lillput, the Lilliputians used to break their eggs on the big end but an incident when the grandfather of the present King once cut himself because he broke an egg on the big end changed the law. The Lilliputians, refusing to follow the new law, decided to seek refuge in Blefuscu. Therefore, Lilliput and Blefuscu were no longer at war. This is clearly an example of the unnecessary war between France and England.

Secondly, when Gulliver travelled to Houyhnhnm, there were “people” called the Yahoos. They are actually quite similar to humans, just that they are dirtier and did not wear any clothes on them. This is one of the satires of human behaviour and thus making the horses look more inferior to humans.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

After watching Alice in Wonderland, I find that the movie was quite a disappointment as it was not as nice as the one I had read in the book. Here are the reasons…

Firstly, the movie was not well- planned and the plot was all messed up but I could somehow get a picture what the movie is showing.

Secondly, I find that the movie lacked excitement and actions as some of the parts in the movie were supposed to be more exciting than other parts of the movie. One of the examples is when Alice was challenging Jabberwocky, the monster which belongs to the Red Queen. I find that the battle ended too soon as it only lasted for minutes without bring out much action and excitement and as most people know that Alice won, she wanted to know how she did it, thus the director had failed to grab hold of such an opportunity to create more action and life to the movie, making the movie somewhat a letdown.

However, I found that the graphics and animations were better for that movie, so I think that the director may have paid more attention to that area, making it slightly better in my opinion.

Overall, this movie looks quite of a failure to me and I think that the director could have done a better job if he had paid attention to the plot and added in more action and excitement in the movie.

Animal Farm Chapters 8-10

Animal Farm Chapters 8-10

Life for the pigs:

-Sleep on beds
-Worked shorter hours than other animals
-Have more food to eat
-Drink the milk and eat the apples

Life for the other animals:

-Sleep in the farm
-Work longer hours than the pigs
-Have less food to eat
-Cannot drink the milk and eat apples

Personal Response

What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For example, do you find it uplifting, depressing, cynical?

Ans: I find the novel depressing as after the animals chased Jones out of the farm, the pigs took over and the life of other animals are still miserable.

Analysing Literature

1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and Pilkington? How does the battle over the windmill affect the animals? What events Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?

Ans: Napoleon started trading with Frederick and Pilkington. The other animals started obeying Napoleon even more than before. Orwell highlighted about Stalin taking over the Republic.

2. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of his fate? How do they come to a final conclusion about these events?

Ans: Boxer was sent to be slaughtered and the other animals learnt his fate by looking at the van carrying Boxer and realised he was going to be slaughtered. Squealer convinced others that Boxer was sent to the hospital to be treated.

3. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments? How is the entire list of Commandments ultimately refashioned? What point is Orwell making about the role of communication in Soviet society?

Ans: The Fifth Commandment is changed to “No animals shall kill other animals without cause” and the Sixth Commandment is changed to “No animals shall drink alcohol to excess”. The leaders in the Soviet society changed the rules for themselves and made the whole society in a mess.

4. In Chapter 10 the pigs began to walk on two legs. In your opinion is this evolution a sign of progress? Explain.

Ans: No, it is not a sign of progress. The pigs were becoming like humans by walking on two legs and that defeats the whole purpose of Animalism.

5. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell suggests that the pigs and human political leaders are interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are interchangeable? How might power change those who have it? Explain.

Ans: I think that they are interchangeable as some leaders abuse their authority and those leaders should be changed.

Animal farm chapters 5-7

Animal farm chapters 5-7

The words: In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs presided over by himself.

What they really mean: Napoleon is going to make all the decision from now on.

The words: I trust that every animal here appreciate the sacrifice that comrade Napoleon has made in taking this extra labour upon himself

What they really mean: Napoleon is doing more than he should for the farm

The words: This work is strictly voluntary but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.

What they really mean: Working on Sunday afternoons is compulsory

The words: From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with neighbouring farms: not, of course, for any commercial purpose, but simply in order to obtain materials which were urgently necessary

What they really mean: Napoleon is starting to trade with humans.

The words: The hens, said Napoleon, should welcome this sacrifice as their own special contribution towards the building of the windmill.

What they really mean: The eggs of the hens must be used.

The words: It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm should have a quiet place to work in.

What they really mean: The pigs were getting better treatment.

Personal Response

What was your reaction to Snowball’s expulsion from Animal Farm?

Ans: I was quite surprised that Snowball was expelled from Animal Farm as Snowball was an intelligent pig and he fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed, so I was quite surprised at Napoleon’s decision.

Analysing Literature

1. What happen to Snowball during the meeting about the windmill? What events in Soviet history does the scene suggest?

Ans: Snowball was chased out by Napoleon’s dogs, which Napoleon had secretly reared. It refers to Stalin overthrowing Trotsky.

2. Identify three ways that Napoleon tries to solidify his leadership position on the farm. How does the process of decision-making on the farm change under Napoleon’s leadership?

Ans: He chased Snowball out of the farm, had Squealer to convince the animals for him and had dogs to scare other animals. He threatened to kill other animals with the dogs if they did not obey him.

3. Why does the execution take place? What message do these events send to the animals about their role in a future society?

Ans: Napoleon wanted to make sure that there were no animals in the farm still communicating with Snowball. The message is that if anybody was found betraying Napoleon, they will be killed.

4. How does Orwell compare Animal Farm under Napoleon’s leadership, to its exploited state under Jones’ rule? What attitude about totalitarian do you think Orwell conveys?

Ans: Orwell proved that the animals’ life under both Napoleon and Jones are both very tiring. Orwell conveys that totalitarian government is not good as it causes a lot of problems.

5. Do you think it’s fair that those who are more educated or more skilled – like the pigs in Animal Farm—have more influence in decision making? Consider how decisions are made in your community, state, or in the nation.

Ans: I do not think it is fair as I believed that everybody has the right to make decisions, not just the cleverer ones. In Singapore, the ministers make most of the decisions, however, the citizens are able to make their decisions during some events too.

Animal Farm chapter 1-4

Animal Farm chapter 1-4

Old Major – Gets the revolution started, inspires hope for real change

Napoleon – The leader of the farm, does anything to get the things he wants

Snowball – Does his best for the farm but was not on good terms with Napoleon

Squealer – Napoleon’s assistant, convince others when the other animals doubted Napoleon

Boxer – Always try to work harder and think that Napoleon is always right

Clover – Works quietly without any complaints

Benjamin – Have a good memory and thinks that nothing will change even after Jones is overthrown

Mollie – Very timid and cowardly, hides when there is danger

Jones – Mistreated the animals and was overthrown by them

Personal Response

What is your reaction to the animals’ revolution?

Ans: I think that the animal wanted their revolution as they were being mistreated by Jones and they wanted to overthrow Jones to get back their freedom.

Do you sympathize with the animals’ complaints and goals? Why or why not?

Ans: I sympathize with the animals’ complaints and goals as Jones ill- treated them too badly by giving them little amount of food and letting work for long hours.

Analyzing Literature

1. Describe how the Rebellion takes place. How does the animals’ behavior during the Rebellion suggest both human and animal characteristics?

Ans: The animals chased Jones out when he was drunk and asleep. The pigs were greedy as they wanted to be the leader of the farm and being greedy is one of human characteristics.

2. How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow’s milk? Why do the other animals allow this to occur? What does this event suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?

Ans: The pigs said that the milk contains substances absolutely necessary to the well being of pigs. The other animals allowed that after Squealer convinced them that if they did not allow, Jones will come back. The pigs have more power than other animals in the farm.

3. How does the original vision of Animalism become the slogan “Four legs good , two legs bad”? In your opinion, do the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of language do the pigs use?

Ans: It changes from ‘Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy’ and ‘Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend’ to ‘Four legs good, two legs bad’. I think that the animals want rules with simple language. The pigs used language that was understood by all the animals in the farm.

4. What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution?

Ans: He portrayed his characters in the novel to be in a state of doubt but still obey Napoleon’s orders in order to cast doubt on the likelihood of a successful revolution.

5. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the appropriate reaction to have during a revolution?

Ans: I think that Snowball was doing according to what he thinks. I think that his actions were appropriate as anything can happen during war.

Animal Farm

Animal Farm

Differences between novel and play

1) There was a speech at the end of the play by Mr. Pilkington but in the novel, nothing about the speech was mentioned.

2) In the play, the pigeons told the other animals that Napoleon was sleeping on a bed, but in the novel, Squealer told the animals and convinced them why.

Which animal was the most memorable?

In my opinion, Boxer was the most memorable as he was the most hardworking animal in the farm. I remembered him the most as he had two very famous maxims ‘I will work harder’ and ‘Napoleon is always right’. I also remembered his determination towards completing his work as he worked day and night in order to finish the windmill. Although the work was tiring, he did not give up but worked even harder than the rest of the animals in order to get the work done faster. Thus, I remembered Boxer the most and I admired his attitude towards work.

My review

George Orwell’s allegory was fantastically played out by the cast, with actors and actresses totally immersed in their acting. Actors and actresses trotted around like strong horses, strutted around like powerful leaders and darted around like chickens. Their wonderful acting skills and passion for their roles in the play made the play appealing to both the adults and the children.
This play talks about the animals rebelling against human and how the pigs treated other animals, just like the rebellion during the Russian Revolution. However, the actors entertained the audience by their acting skills and made it an entertaining night for the audience.
Actor Gani Abdul Karim acted as a boar, Old Major, at the start of the play and went on acting as a hardworking horse, Boxer. He worked and worked and then came heartbreaking scene when he collapsed while building the windmill and a funeral was held in the honour of Boxer.
Another actor, Lim Yu-Peng, acted as Napoleon, the leader of the farm. With the help of Squealer, he secretly changed the seven commandments and made all the animals obey his orders.
This play is indeed directed nicely and although this is not the ideal play I wanted it to be, it is a play that can be enjoyed by all walks of life.