I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. –Frank Herbert Dune
I love this quote about FEAR by Herbert. A lot of authors reflect on the power and manipulation of fear in their works... read "Once Upon A Time" by Nadine Gordimer for a really chilling children's story. Attached are two works on fear. I will list reflection/analysis questions on those works below.
- Read the first sentence and examine the use of the words/phrases: “systems of power”, “discipline the domestic population”, and “peril”… what tone and purpose do these words establish… how do they effect the impact of the warning Chomsky makes to the reader?
- What is the purpose and effect of Chomsky starting his essay with German Jewish persecution, then moving to US bombing of Japan, and finishing with the Seminole War? How does this ordering of examples make sense? How is it unexpected?
- What comparisons does Chomsky connect to Bush and Blair? What can be inferred about his feelings concerning these modern political figures based on the text?
- What is the effect of Wrights beginning his piece using General MacArthur’s quote?
- Discuss how the use of the second person point of view impacts Wrights’ voice and purpose. How does the shift to first person at the end change the tone?
- What does the use of capitalization suggest about Wrights’ beliefs and values? How might if aid his purpose as an author?
- Pick one line that speaks to you in this essay and respond to it.
This was supposed to be for today's lesson... but we had a snow day! We'll do it tomorrow... but if you guys want a head start on reading the essays (they are not that long), go for it. Otherwise, get some rest and try to cure some of your senioritis. :)
ReplyDeleteHEY! I don't have senoiritis!
ReplyDeleteNo. You're like me... you have seniorphobia. Do you want to plan on meeting tomorrow morning Matt?
ReplyDelete1. These first two sentences are warning the reader that the world isn't the kindest place, and has a dark tone. The "system of power" is what we follow, hinting that we aren't on the correct path. This system of power only acts for itself and does not necessarily mean the government, but could be any group that is rising and grasping power.
ReplyDelete2. It starts with a broader topic in which all americans know of and all despise, but then gives evidence of a time when americans did the same thing. This is unexpected because our country tends to refer to itself as being above the rest of the world.
3. They are both using self-defense policies for a reason to attack other groups of people. He expresses his distaste for these political figures and suggests that their use of power is not good.
By: Abigail Walborn, Tonya Priese, Matthew Glerum, and Lucas Landis
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteremoved??? was this inappropriate??? I have a feeling that it was!
Delete1. The first sentence sets a serious tone. "System of Power" shows that it is an organized system with a purpose that has been used time and time again. "Power" itself refers to the total control as opposed to government. Using government sounds more tame compared to the overruling tone of "power". The sentence affects the tone by creating a distrusting attitude to institutions of power and their potential controling capabilities.
ReplyDelete2. The ordering makes sense by introducing the best known subjects first then moving onto more hidden inccidents. Using Germany first showed the change from a model democracy to a out of control party. Chomsky compared the political system of Germany to that of the U.S. and how we see our government as better then he shows that perhaps we are just better at covering up the bad with "good motives". It is unexpected (the order) because it is not in chroniclogical order.
3.Chomsky connects modern leaders to historical leaders that were corrupt and shows that even though we recgonized the corruption of the past we don't see the corruption of todays government. Chomsky believes that our government is headed towards or has already reached corruption.
Hannah, Megan, Maritza, Jen, Maddie
GROUP: Tyesha, Sarah Moon, Sarah Loniecki, and me
ReplyDelete1.) It is very scary, very threatening, and very intimidating. The statement is very bold, because it is very straightforward blatanly stating that we ignore the ugly truth around us because that is what the system of power (gov.) tells us that it is okay to do. By calling the government a system of power it redefines what a government is, not a protector, instigator or organized way of living, it is a system of POWER. When it mentions domestic population, it refers to once wild, once IDEPENDENT, and now controlled, now being OWNED!!! To domesticate something is taking it away from its wild and independent life and making it dependent and incapable of living on its own.
2.) By placing the German Jewish persecution before the American part it helped Americans realize that they aren't as 'good' as we like to think. Life is a lot prettier when you point fingers at other people, but the way that this is written, it turns the finger right back at us, and its a big foam finger with blinking lights. By putting in numbers, explaining motives, the 'sweet American' cover is pulled off an all that is left it the UGLY truth. This surprises most because usually America isn't painted in this light.
3.)Bush and Blair could be seen as a mirror image. They react the same, they have similar morals and thoughts. That is probably why the author writes BUSH-BLAIR, to show how they are one, connected, ect. They justified what they do, and this is what makes them so similar. By justifying, they make the world a better place... in their mind... but it doesn't change what has been done.
#1)By using the word power it makes it seem like they have more control over the people, as compared to a government, which is in theory working for your benefit. Discipline implys negative and viloent consequences, and of the domestic population makes it sounds like those who are being punished are innnocent. Peril implys danger, or something bad is going to happen,.. caution, caution, do not pass.
ReplyDelete#2)He started off with an event that we would recognize as bad and wrong, and then moves into something that we often justify as neccesary. It makes senses because it forces the reader to connect the two situations actions, therefore there negative effects.
#3) :Both bush and blair use defence as a facade in order to expand their country.
Emily, Mallory, Laura, Christian
(Kendra, Tyler, Noah, Garrett)
ReplyDelete1.
-system of power- government, it doesn't matter what kind of government it is
-domestic population- system of power is punishing the domestic population (exercise power over it
-peril- death, danger
2.
showing how different systems of power have exercised forcing power, tyler says "to blow your mind."
3.
he makes the comparison for the justification of the bombings
1. It summarizes that we have always been driven by fear, to accomplish different endeavors in our society, especially government.
ReplyDelete2. The second person aspect allows the reader to feel like it is a general idea, not a specific person's opinion that could be influenced by so many other factors. Keeping it in second person makes it seem more like fact.
3. The aspects of his essay which he capitalizes are the main points, in which he is trying to place the most emphasis. This aids the purpose of the author because it allows the main points to be portrayed without having to bluntly say it.
4. "You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you." -Eric Hoffer
This quote makes the reader think about all of the different "enemies" in their life and why those "enemies" cause our fear of them, and the conflicts they bring about. It's also one of those profound statements that everyone can relate to once it is presented and understood.
That was by abby, tonya, matt, and lucas.
ReplyDelete(Kendra, Tyler, Noah, Garrett)
ReplyDelete1. him using the quote at the beginning sets up the essay and causes us to think and realize that the fear is imaginary, General was part of the government.
2. starts talking to us, and then at the end he includes himself. he makes it more personal.
3. he capitalizes fear because he's saying thats what the government does
4. They may disguise this desire with pleasant-sounding terms, like “giving something back,” calling what they do “public service,” or claiming they are doing it “for the children.”
all the politicians say they are doing it for the well-being of America but its a lie.
#1) By using that quote, he makes it seem like fear is something that isnt there, that we fear something that is unreal and made up, and ironically, a General, who is fighting off our fears is the one who is saying it.
ReplyDelete#2)The use of second person connects the piece to our own emotions, and then switching the point of view, reassures your emotions because it brings logic into the picture.
#3)By capitalizing fear, envy, pride, along with many others it shows that he puts value and importance on these attributes, it spells out clearly what he cares about.
#4) "Democrats and Republicans know its easier to scare people inot supporting them than it is for them to convince people of the truth and value of their own arguments; it is easier to scare than persuade"
Emily, Mallory, Christian, Laura
1. He uses the quote to introduce the thesis of the paper- That people feed off the fear created by the government for their purposes.
ReplyDelete2. By using second person he directs his paper and idea directly at you. He suggests that you (the reader) are wrapped up in the produced fear. When he switches to "we" he is trying to show that he is on our side and that we are all together being ruled (or not so much) by fear.
3. The capitalization personifies the chararistics of topics he is passionate about whether they be good or bad. As an author the capitalization stresses the importance of the role these words play.
4."There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
"keep the populace alarmed … by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."
GROUP: Tyesha, Sarah Moon, Sarah Loniecki, and me
ReplyDelete1.)By R. Lee Wrights putting Gen. Douglas MacArthur's quote in the beginning of the paper, it shows how our governemnt has become contorted. It reminds us that the government is a corrupted and twisted thing, becuase while we are supposed to be protected by our government, they are putting fear into us to remain loyal, instead of our loyalty just coming... interesting
2.)At first he just informs the audience, it throws out some "Brain Food" (tyesha). IT explains what is happening around you, and then when he gets to first person its THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TOOOOO YOU! It suddently is a personal thing instead of a completely seperate issue. Its personal... its intimidating.
3.)When R.Lee Wrights capatlizes certain words, you pay attention. They are important words, they are special words. When they are capatilized, you get yoru mind in gear and pay attention. But then he will throw in a seemingly random word that is capatlized, and then you beging to think, until you come to a conclusion that makes that word important.
4.)Roosevelt's line;
"we have nothing to fear but fear itself"
and the line
Democrats and Republicans know it’s easier to scare people into supporting them than it is for them to convince people of the truth and value of their own arguments; it is easier to scare than persuade.
We chose these because they are almost black and white to eachother. One, a president of the United States, says that the only thing that we should fear is fear itself, but then, in Wrights essay, he says that it is easier to put fear into people than to persuade. So we are PUTTING FEAR INTO PEOPLE. We are scaring people into believing a certain thing instead of filling them with hope. This is absolutely opposite of what President Teddy Roosevelt wanted! OPPOSITE! DO NOT FEAR! That is what he was preachign, so in turn we PUSH FEAR into the society we live in, 'thrive in', and raise our children in. THIS IS MESSED UP!
We are supposed to write if we thought that the authors depicted a world that was like Oceanea... right? Such as; Did they depict a world more like Oceanea or the United States in their writings???
ReplyDeleteWell here is my guestimated answer:
I think that in the authors writings they depicted EXACTLY like Oceanea. In oceanea they talk about how terrible the world would be if it wasn't for big brother, and in how lost and scared we would be... so you BETTER go along with big brother or... you will just get vaporated and cease to exist as you know it (evil laugh) MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Pretty much this is what those authors were saying as well! Its like this;
If you don't vote along with me, you will be tricked and destroyed by the other guy running, so you vote for me..... then the mwahahaha (or it could just be like Biden and say "this is so *(bad word) awesome" because that is just what you do now when your in politics, its very professional) And if you decide to think outside what my election team is promoting... you may not get a cut of the bill I a writing, but if you donate money... you will get lower taxes and a bigger return!
:D
Yeah I think it was supposed to be along the lines of how is the idea of Fear different from 1984 (Winston's perspective) and which one we agreed with the most.
DeleteSo I'm just going to go off of what Brianna wrote because I really don't remember what the question was...but I completely agree with her. The government depicted in Oceania is similar to what the authors describe. The Party creates this intense fear of being vaporized, or taken to the Ministry of Love where everyone knows that people that go there are tortured. Every citizen is kept in line by the fear of the thought police, Goldstein, the Brotherhood, and Eastasia/Eurasia (whichever one is the enemy at the time). This is similar to how Americans are kept in line with the fear of terrorist groups, bombings, attacks, and all that stuff. Also, Wrights talks about how politicians say they'll change things and then they don't, they just want to be masters. This is similar to Big Brother who says that he's protecting you and watching [over] you and yet he tortures, kills, and brain washes his citizens.
ReplyDeleteOh crap, I just read what Megan wrote..so now I'm gonna revise mine a bit to include that I agree with Wrights view of fear the most. (Mostly because that essay made more sense to me) And these essays differed from Winston's view of fear because Winston's view of fear was pure terror. Those rats scared the bejesus out of him whereas the fear instilled by the government, described in the essays, is an underlying fear. Winston's fear is the fear that makes you have nightmares and poop yourself (ew). The fear described by the government is more that fear that is always there, lurking in the closet of your mind, subtly scaring you.
DeleteI believe the first essay was about the Upper or Knowledgeable class and how they create disasters in the world we live in, and the second one we read was geared more specifically towards politicians and their manipulations of words to strike Fear into the hearts of their followers.
ReplyDeleteIn 1984 I believe Winston considers Fear to be an individual's weaknesses. For example with Winston it was rats, and this was shown in Book 3 when he was being tortured by O'Brien, sorry if that was a spoiler alert for any of you but I'm pretty sure we're supposed to be that far by now.
I can't pick a side as to which description of fear is true, I think its a combination of all of them. I think it starts with a physical problem, as demonstrated in Chomsky's writing, and is then reinforced with words by politicians. But ultimately a person's worst fear can result to be their biggest weakness; Lee Wright described it as paralyzing. So really all of these different perspectives revolve around the same idea of Fear.
1984 had a lot of fear in it. I think Orwell makes it seem more fearful then the other two essays did. I agree with Megan that Winston thinks of fear to be and individual weakness. And that is so so so true. Everyone is afraid of something different. I don't think that the two essays really had the same idea. Both essays seemed to be about our government now and sure they talked about bad things that have happened in our countries past, but it wasn't anything that was able to make someone actually get scared. It doesn't really effect us so why would it scare us? In 1984 it makes you think of what if life was really like this. That is a scary feeling.
ReplyDeleteI like Chomsky's explanation of fear the most. Though its hard to decide between the two I chose this one mainly because of what he said about the intellectuals. How many of the people involved in the Holocaust could almost be excused because they were manipulated but the intellectuals should have been able to recognized what they were doing was wrong. I think he really demonstrates how fear can create a powerful and repressive force.
ReplyDeleteSoooo...I think that Winston's Sense of fear closer resembles that of Wright's. I think this mostly because of that first quote. Winston Pretty much figured out what the partyy was afriad of because of what they were limiting the people to. I also feel that the fear in Oceania is meing manufactured by the Inner Party, this also makes the fear of Winston and Oceania much more like that of Wright's.
ReplyDelete