Mwahaha. I'm going to try a completely different approach now :) Here's a Psychology post :D
* * *
Question:
During the Olympic Games in London, John and his friend James went to watch a soccer game. After the match, the fans of both teams ended in a fight at the bar. Being a polite and soft spoken man, John did what is unexpected of him and participated in the fight fiercely.
Use the knowledge that you learn in Social Approach, describe John's behaviour.
Answer:
To explain John's behaviour, and even the behaviour of the soccer teams' fans, the Social Identity Theory and the Agency Theory may be used.
In the event that the soccer teams, Team A and Team B, play in the game and Team A wins, a certain fan of Team A will feel superior to fans of Team B. He will then compare downwards towards fans of Team B. This phenomena is also known as social comparison.
When fans of Team B hear these comparisons, they will feel angry and compare themselves upwards through physical violence like shoving or kicking. When fans of Team A see this, they automatically join in and save the Team A fan, assaulting the opposite team's fans in return by identifying themselves through the jerseys they wear or the paint on their faces. As the fight continues, the segregation between the two groups grow stronger and stronger as they start casting each other as their in-group or out-group. This is part of social categorisation.
At this point, John will enter the bar and see the fight. He will process the fact that Team a fans are being beat up by Team B fans and, being a fan of Team A, jump in to 'protect his kin'. Here, he switches off his autonomous state, which is the state when he's polite and soft spoken, to the agentic state, which is when all his actions will not be accounted by him.
This is how a bar fight usually starts, and, using the Social Identity Theory and Agency Theory, it is possible to discuss and describe why and how it happened.
Marks: 7/8
~#~
I have no idea where the other 1 mark went -.- I could have gotten a higher score :'( My overall score was fantastic, though. I thought I was going to fail.
I didn't :D
I got 25/40, which is a 60+. I can't remember the exact mark -.- Will try my best to update my day soon :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
法則 Ep 3
Question 2 of my Law QT :D
* * *
Question:
Explain what is common law and its relationship to equity.
Answer:
Before common laws came about, the people relied on customs, which were acts that were dubbed as being the norm. Judges would then place judgment on offenders based on those customs.
However, after a period of time, the King decided to choose and specify which customs would prevail. Thus, this collection of customs became known as common laws.
Common laws are very closely related to equities. In fact, equities came into existence because of the flaws presented in common laws. Equities became the second option – and the more favoured one – where law was concerned. One of the reasons is because the only remedy common law could impose was ‘damages’. ‘Damages’ was a way of compensation by offering the claimant a certain amount of money.
Although this may have sounded pleasing to the plaintiff’s ears, it might not have been the best method to solve the matter between the two parties. This is because the plaintiff might want what was taken rather than a sum of money to substitute it.
This was where equities made the difference. Since there were equitable maxims and equity remedies, everything fell apart for common laws. Furthermore, the winning side would be able to claim both ‘damages’ and a remedy if the judge thought that ‘damages’ was not enough to compensate for their loss.
In the event that common law and equities should come into conflict, however, it was decided that equities would be the one to be followed. As long as common laws and equities existed among each other, there would naturally be conflicts because common law would support one side of the court and the equity would support the other.
In light of what has been mentioned above, although common laws and equities are technically polar opposites,there they are, indeed, closely related.
Marks: 19/25
~#~
Alrighty. That's my Law QT for you :P
My overall score for the whole paper was 76%, which I think was pretty good considering I thought I did quite bad. Plus, it's an A* :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
Explain what is common law and its relationship to equity.
Answer:
Before common laws came about, the people relied on customs, which were acts that were dubbed as being the norm. Judges would then place judgment on offenders based on those customs.
However, after a period of time, the King decided to choose and specify which customs would prevail. Thus, this collection of customs became known as common laws.
Common laws are very closely related to equities. In fact, equities came into existence because of the flaws presented in common laws. Equities became the second option – and the more favoured one – where law was concerned. One of the reasons is because the only remedy common law could impose was ‘damages’. ‘Damages’ was a way of compensation by offering the claimant a certain amount of money.
Although this may have sounded pleasing to the plaintiff’s ears, it might not have been the best method to solve the matter between the two parties. This is because the plaintiff might want what was taken rather than a sum of money to substitute it.
This was where equities made the difference. Since there were equitable maxims and equity remedies, everything fell apart for common laws. Furthermore, the winning side would be able to claim both ‘damages’ and a remedy if the judge thought that ‘damages’ was not enough to compensate for their loss.
In the event that common law and equities should come into conflict, however, it was decided that equities would be the one to be followed. As long as common laws and equities existed among each other, there would naturally be conflicts because common law would support one side of the court and the equity would support the other.
In light of what has been mentioned above, although common laws and equities are technically polar opposites,
Marks: 19/25
~#~
Alrighty. That's my Law QT for you :P
My overall score for the whole paper was 76%, which I think was pretty good considering I thought I did quite bad. Plus, it's an A* :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
法則 Ep 2
Law post, as promised. This is my QT Question 1 :D
* * *
Question:
Consider how the doctrine of binding precedence operates in the English courts, having particular regard to its advantages and disadvantages.
Answer:
The English legal system operates on the basis of stare decisis. Loosely, it is translated to “stand by what has been decided”. It is also divided into the ratio decidendi and the obiter dicta.
Ratio decidendi, also known in English as “reason for deciding” is the part of a judgment stated by the judge. Simply put, it is the principles of law in which the people have used in order to reach the particular decision. The ratio decidendi also forms the precedent.
In contrast to the ratio decidendi, the obiter dicta includes the rest of the judgment and means “other things said”. It does not create precedent and future judges do not need to follow it.
A binding precedent is a decision made by courts which force judges to follow them when there are sufficient similarities between an earlier case and a later case. This means that whether or not a judge agrees or disagrees with the legal principles of law used, the decision must be followed.
Courts in the United Kingdom are lined according to the court hierarchy. The court at the highest point is the European Court of Justice. The following are the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court, County Court and the Magistrates’ Court, in order. These groups are grouped into Appellate courts and courts of first instance.
Appellate courts include the European Court of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. These courts hear appeals made by lower courts. The courts of first instance include the remaining courts. Known also as inferior courts, however, the County Court and Magistrates’ Court do not create precedent.
Binding precedents mostly affect lower courts. This is because all courts are bound by decisions made previously by themselves as well as senior courts. For example, the Court of Appeal is bound by its own decisions as well as the decisions by the European Court of Justice and the Supreme Court.
In modern society, binding precedents may prove to be of very good use. This is because it has a few advantages. Firstly, precedence helps in terms of law certainty. It a later case bears similarities to a previous case which has been made precedent, the outcome would be clear. Lawyers would also be able to advise their clients on what to expect and what not to expect from the case.
Secondly, binding precedence helps to shorten the time frame of the case. Since the case has similarly been brought forth before, formalities may be executed in a professional manner. This will deter the process of a long-winded litigation.
Furthermore, binding precedence allows for the law to be, to some extent, absolute. The people will have no need to fret because the law will not change. Therefore, the citizens may rely on the law to bring justice.
However, although binding precedence brings a few advantages, it also brings certain disadvantages. For one, since it provides some level of certainty, people may miss some key facts that may lead to some discrepancies, because of its rigidity.
Moreover, binding precedence could lead to slowness in growth in terms of the law. Since precedence functions to have all courts follow decisions made previously by themselves and higher courts, it leaves little space for improvement. This means that in future, even if changes were necessary, the system would not acknowledge it.
Lastly, binding precedence has certain complexities that could confuse one or both parties. Since the method of distinguishing may be used to avoid following decisions made by higher courts, lawyers might try to find even the slightest of distinctions that may separate that case with the case it bears similarities to. To some people, this may seem illogical.
All in all, it is safe to say that binding precedence both helps provide justice in our society. There may be a few setbacks to the system, but it is balanced, in a sense.
Marks: 19/25
~#~
Question 2 coming up :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
Consider how the doctrine of binding precedence operates in the English courts, having particular regard to its advantages and disadvantages.
Answer:
The English legal system operates on the basis of stare decisis. Loosely, it is translated to “stand by what has been decided”. It is also divided into the ratio decidendi and the obiter dicta.
Ratio decidendi, also known in English as “reason for deciding” is the part of a judgment stated by the judge. Simply put, it is the principles of law in which the people have used in order to reach the particular decision. The ratio decidendi also forms the precedent.
In contrast to the ratio decidendi, the obiter dicta includes the rest of the judgment and means “other things said”. It does not create precedent and future judges do not need to follow it.
A binding precedent is a decision made by courts which force judges to follow them when there are sufficient similarities between an earlier case and a later case. This means that whether or not a judge agrees or disagrees with the legal principles of law used, the decision must be followed.
Courts in the United Kingdom are lined according to the court hierarchy. The court at the highest point is the European Court of Justice. The following are the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court, County Court and the Magistrates’ Court, in order. These groups are grouped into Appellate courts and courts of first instance.
Appellate courts include the European Court of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. These courts hear appeals made by lower courts. The courts of first instance include the remaining courts. Known also as inferior courts, however, the County Court and Magistrates’ Court do not create precedent.
Binding precedents mostly affect lower courts. This is because all courts are bound by decisions made previously by themselves as well as senior courts. For example, the Court of Appeal is bound by its own decisions as well as the decisions by the European Court of Justice and the Supreme Court.
In modern society, binding precedents may prove to be of very good use. This is because it has a few advantages. Firstly, precedence helps in terms of law certainty. It a later case bears similarities to a previous case which has been made precedent, the outcome would be clear. Lawyers would also be able to advise their clients on what to expect and what not to expect from the case.
Secondly, binding precedence helps to shorten the time frame of the case. Since the case has similarly been brought forth before, formalities may be executed in a professional manner. This will deter the process of a long-winded litigation.
Furthermore, binding precedence allows for the law to be, to some extent, absolute. The people will have no need to fret because the law will not change. Therefore, the citizens may rely on the law to bring justice.
However, although binding precedence brings a few advantages, it also brings certain disadvantages. For one, since it provides some level of certainty, people may miss some key facts that may lead to some discrepancies, because of its rigidity.
Moreover, binding precedence could lead to slowness in growth in terms of the law. Since precedence functions to have all courts follow decisions made previously by themselves and higher courts, it leaves little space for improvement. This means that in future, even if changes were necessary, the system would not acknowledge it.
Lastly, binding precedence has certain complexities that could confuse one or both parties. Since the method of distinguishing may be used to avoid following decisions made by higher courts, lawyers might try to find even the slightest of distinctions that may separate that case with the case it bears similarities to. To some people, this may seem illogical.
All in all, it is safe to say that binding precedence both helps provide justice in our society. There may be a few setbacks to the system, but it is balanced, in a sense.
Marks: 19/25
~#~
Question 2 coming up :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
リトリチャ Ep 11
Alright, as promised, here's another Literature post :D
* * *
Question:
After reading Part I of Wide Sargasso Sea, explore the ways in which Jean Rhys uses nature to create tone and mood in the novel.
Answer:
In the literary world, many things can be used to express the tone and mood in a novel. In Wide Sargasso Sea, the authoress, who in this case is Jean Rhys, used nature as her secret weapon.
One way in which Jean Rhys uses nature to create tone and mood is when she is describing her garden. She writes: ‘Our garden was large and beautiful in the Bible – the tree of life grew there. But it had gone wild.’ It is strongly indicated that the garden represents the world and the tree of life represents the people residing in the world. When Jean Rhys says ‘it has gone wild’, it means that the people have been tainted and that they are not as beautiful and pure as they used to be. The positive part of the sentence gives hope to the reader with its gentle tone and softens the mood. The latter part, on the other hand, provides a more melancholic mood to the readers because of the tone of sadness in which it was written.
Another method that the writer used was the infliction of pain Antoinette felt from nature itself. For example, Jean Rhys writes: ‘And if the razor grass cut my legs and arms I would think, “It’s better than people.”’ This pain that Antoinette felt was inflicted by a part of nature but she did not mind. In fact, she would rather be cut by razor grass than be faced with people. This tone is tragic and instills a sense of pity towards Antoinette in readers. Some would empathise while others might sympathise.
Jean Rhys also created contrast with the help of nature. This is clear when Antoinette, Annette and Mr Mason returned to the Coulibri Estate after Annette and Mr Mason’s honeymoon in Trinidad. The writer writes: ‘Coulibri looked the same when I saw it again, although it was clean and tidy, no grass between the flagstones, no leaks’. This contrasted the way she described her surroundings in the beginning. The tone of the sentence throughout was hopeful and fresh. In turn, the mood created was light and more cheerful than usual. Readers will gain more interest this way because even Antoinette says: ‘I was glad’.
Jean Rhys also used nature to create tone and mood by using the element of fire. Fire is wild and volatile. It is often associated with pain and suffering. This is why Jean Rhys used a burning event to completely turn Antoinette’s life upside down. Her house burnt with the yellow-red sky ‘like sunset’ and she knew that all that would be left would just be ‘blackened walls and the mounting stone’ instead of ‘golden ferns and the silver ferns, the orchids, the ginger lilies and the roses, the rocking-chairs and the blue sofa, the jasmine and the honeysuckle, and the picture of Miller’s Daughter’. Due to this disaster – not forgetting the fact that Tia showed a form of betrayal by throwing a rock at Antoinette as she raced towards her – the tone created was one of despair, leaving readers in a sorrowful mood.
Additionally, Jean Rhys used nature in the form of imageries to establish tone and mood in Wide Sargasso Sea. One such form of imagery is a dream. Towards the end of Part 1 of Wide Sargasso Sea, Antoinette has a very cryptic dream where she is following the voice of a stranger into a forest. Antoinette narrates that she walks with difficulty, following the man who was with her and holding up the skirt of her dress. It was white and beautiful, which was why she did not want to get it ‘soiled’. That was her initial intention. However, after she reaches a forest where they are ‘tall dark trees and there is no wind’, she does not try to hold up her dress, which trails in the dirt, anymore. This imagery of ‘tall dark trees’ could signify that she is now within the company of more strangers and restraint than ever before. The imagery of ‘no wind’ represents the stillness and blandness of her newfound residence, which provided her address, but not the love that a child of her age was supposed to have. The tone at this point is one of mystery and creates a mood of suspense among readers who are desperate to know who the stranger could possibly be.
In truth, the creation of tone and mood in a novel is as essential as its storyline because if without, readers’ interests would sustain but a few pages. In order to prevent such a catastrophe, writers have to use different elements and methods in order to attract a reader’s attention and spur them to read on. As a result, where Part 1 of Wide Sargasso Sea is concerned, Jean Rhys has definitely succeeded.
~#~
Alright, we haven't handed this in to our lecturer yet so I don't know how good/bad it is, but I was pretty happy with this :)
Well, get ready for the Law posts, then :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
After reading Part I of Wide Sargasso Sea, explore the ways in which Jean Rhys uses nature to create tone and mood in the novel.
Answer:
In the literary world, many things can be used to express the tone and mood in a novel. In Wide Sargasso Sea, the authoress, who in this case is Jean Rhys, used nature as her secret weapon.
One way in which Jean Rhys uses nature to create tone and mood is when she is describing her garden. She writes: ‘Our garden was large and beautiful in the Bible – the tree of life grew there. But it had gone wild.’ It is strongly indicated that the garden represents the world and the tree of life represents the people residing in the world. When Jean Rhys says ‘it has gone wild’, it means that the people have been tainted and that they are not as beautiful and pure as they used to be. The positive part of the sentence gives hope to the reader with its gentle tone and softens the mood. The latter part, on the other hand, provides a more melancholic mood to the readers because of the tone of sadness in which it was written.
Another method that the writer used was the infliction of pain Antoinette felt from nature itself. For example, Jean Rhys writes: ‘And if the razor grass cut my legs and arms I would think, “It’s better than people.”’ This pain that Antoinette felt was inflicted by a part of nature but she did not mind. In fact, she would rather be cut by razor grass than be faced with people. This tone is tragic and instills a sense of pity towards Antoinette in readers. Some would empathise while others might sympathise.
Jean Rhys also created contrast with the help of nature. This is clear when Antoinette, Annette and Mr Mason returned to the Coulibri Estate after Annette and Mr Mason’s honeymoon in Trinidad. The writer writes: ‘Coulibri looked the same when I saw it again, although it was clean and tidy, no grass between the flagstones, no leaks’. This contrasted the way she described her surroundings in the beginning. The tone of the sentence throughout was hopeful and fresh. In turn, the mood created was light and more cheerful than usual. Readers will gain more interest this way because even Antoinette says: ‘I was glad’.
Jean Rhys also used nature to create tone and mood by using the element of fire. Fire is wild and volatile. It is often associated with pain and suffering. This is why Jean Rhys used a burning event to completely turn Antoinette’s life upside down. Her house burnt with the yellow-red sky ‘like sunset’ and she knew that all that would be left would just be ‘blackened walls and the mounting stone’ instead of ‘golden ferns and the silver ferns, the orchids, the ginger lilies and the roses, the rocking-chairs and the blue sofa, the jasmine and the honeysuckle, and the picture of Miller’s Daughter’. Due to this disaster – not forgetting the fact that Tia showed a form of betrayal by throwing a rock at Antoinette as she raced towards her – the tone created was one of despair, leaving readers in a sorrowful mood.
Additionally, Jean Rhys used nature in the form of imageries to establish tone and mood in Wide Sargasso Sea. One such form of imagery is a dream. Towards the end of Part 1 of Wide Sargasso Sea, Antoinette has a very cryptic dream where she is following the voice of a stranger into a forest. Antoinette narrates that she walks with difficulty, following the man who was with her and holding up the skirt of her dress. It was white and beautiful, which was why she did not want to get it ‘soiled’. That was her initial intention. However, after she reaches a forest where they are ‘tall dark trees and there is no wind’, she does not try to hold up her dress, which trails in the dirt, anymore. This imagery of ‘tall dark trees’ could signify that she is now within the company of more strangers and restraint than ever before. The imagery of ‘no wind’ represents the stillness and blandness of her newfound residence, which provided her address, but not the love that a child of her age was supposed to have. The tone at this point is one of mystery and creates a mood of suspense among readers who are desperate to know who the stranger could possibly be.
In truth, the creation of tone and mood in a novel is as essential as its storyline because if without, readers’ interests would sustain but a few pages. In order to prevent such a catastrophe, writers have to use different elements and methods in order to attract a reader’s attention and spur them to read on. As a result, where Part 1 of Wide Sargasso Sea is concerned, Jean Rhys has definitely succeeded.
~#~
Alright, we haven't handed this in to our lecturer yet so I don't know how good/bad it is, but I was pretty happy with this :)
Well, get ready for the Law posts, then :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
リトリチャ Ep 10
Hello~ I know I haven't been updating daily posts again but let me make it up to you with a few Literature posts, eh? My QT results just came in so I'll post that first :D
(By the way, I can't really remember the question, so I'll just type whatever I think it probably was.)
* * *
Question:
"Minor characters play an important role in creating interest in a novel".
Explore the methods which writers use minor characters to create interest in a novel.
Answer:
Minor characters do create much interest in a novel and it is no exception in Jane Eyre’s case. Although the main character may seem to be always in the spotlight, the novel’s minor characters help produce it and engage the reader. This all is thanks to the writer, whom, in this case, is Charlotte Bronte.
The use of the Reed family, for one, is presented by Charlotte Bronte. They were created in such a way that Jane Eyre was to turn out the taciturn and vengeful girl she turned out to be when she left for Lowood School. This is shown on page 19 when she says: ‘I was a discord at Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage’. She brought these negative feelings with her to Lowood School where it is shown most clearly in the fact that she did not even try to make a friend until many days after her transfer.
Another minor character that engages the reader in a different way is Helen Burns. Charlotte Bronte used the method of creating a role model for Jane Eyre whom she could follow. For example, when Jane Eyre said that Miss Scatcherd was cruel to her, Helen Burns said, ‘“Cruel? Not at all! She is severe; she dislikes my faults,”’ to which Jane Eyre replies with: ‘“And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her; if she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose”’. Instead of raising her voice, however, Helen Burns gently refuted: ‘“Probably you would do nothing of the sort: but if you did, Mr Brocklehurst would expel you from the school: that would be a great grief to your relations. It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and, besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil.”’ The character of Helen Burns was presented in such a way that she could very well be educating the readers as well as Jane Eyre that violence is never the answer – as you can see, the reason Jane Eyre was sent away was due to the fact that she ‘attacked’ John Reed.
St John Rivers also played a part in the engaging of readers. Charlotte Bronte had had St John Rivers propose to Jane Eyre after she lived with him for a while. He said: ‘“Jane, come with me to India: come as my helpmeet and fellow-labourer”’. Now, this is very important because readers will be interested to know what Jane Eyre’s reply will be. Fortunately for some fans of Mr Rochester and his moody demeanour, Jane Eyre was insistent on only following him as his sister and not his wife. When she could not take his pressuring her on that subject anymore, she said that she scorned his idea of love, which silenced him.
Ultimately, however, the method that Charlotte Bronte used to engage readers most was the creation of Bertha Mason, Mr Rochester’s insane wife. Being in the locked attic, disguised as the maid Grace Poole, Bertha Mason was absolutely essential to spark the readers’ interest. Many would have kept wondering and wondering about the ‘low, syllabic tone’ which ‘terminated in an add murmur’. Most readers would have probably been fooled into thinking that is was really Grace Poole who was laughing, though Charlotte Bronte dropped subtle hints with each chapter. For example, she had Jane Eyre wonder why he kept Grace Poole in Thornfield Hall even after he thought she set his room on fire. This probably aided readers to read on.
In light of the above statement, it is undeniable that while the main character plays the major role in providing a storyline and engaging its readers, it is just as important to have minor characters. This is because the combination of the minor and main characters is what makes a great novel in anyone’s eyes.
Marks: 23/40
~#~
Yeah~ I think my conclusion was pretty nice. Unfortunately, I only got 57% for this test because I wrote Mr Rochester as a minor character. I did not include it here, though I got some points in a different section of the paragraph.
The next post will also be a Literature post, and the two posts after that will be about Law. Just warning you :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
(By the way, I can't really remember the question, so I'll just type whatever I think it probably was.)
* * *
Question:
"Minor characters play an important role in creating interest in a novel".
Explore the methods which writers use minor characters to create interest in a novel.
Answer:
Minor characters do create much interest in a novel and it is no exception in Jane Eyre’s case. Although the main character may seem to be always in the spotlight, the novel’s minor characters help produce it and engage the reader. This all is thanks to the writer, whom, in this case, is Charlotte Bronte.
The use of the Reed family, for one, is presented by Charlotte Bronte. They were created in such a way that Jane Eyre was to turn out the taciturn and vengeful girl she turned out to be when she left for Lowood School. This is shown on page 19 when she says: ‘I was a discord at Gateshead Hall; I was like nobody there; I had nothing in harmony with Mrs Reed or her children, or her chosen vassalage’. She brought these negative feelings with her to Lowood School where it is shown most clearly in the fact that she did not even try to make a friend until many days after her transfer.
Another minor character that engages the reader in a different way is Helen Burns. Charlotte Bronte used the method of creating a role model for Jane Eyre whom she could follow. For example, when Jane Eyre said that Miss Scatcherd was cruel to her, Helen Burns said, ‘“Cruel? Not at all! She is severe; she dislikes my faults,”’ to which Jane Eyre replies with: ‘“And if I were in your place I should dislike her; I should resist her; if she struck me with that rod, I should get it from her hand; I should break it under her nose”’. Instead of raising her voice, however, Helen Burns gently refuted: ‘“Probably you would do nothing of the sort: but if you did, Mr Brocklehurst would expel you from the school: that would be a great grief to your relations. It is far better to endure patiently a smart which nobody feels but yourself, than to commit a hasty action whose evil consequences will extend to all connected with you; and, besides, the Bible bids us return good for evil.”’ The character of Helen Burns was presented in such a way that she could very well be educating the readers as well as Jane Eyre that violence is never the answer – as you can see, the reason Jane Eyre was sent away was due to the fact that she ‘attacked’ John Reed.
St John Rivers also played a part in the engaging of readers. Charlotte Bronte had had St John Rivers propose to Jane Eyre after she lived with him for a while. He said: ‘“Jane, come with me to India: come as my helpmeet and fellow-labourer”’. Now, this is very important because readers will be interested to know what Jane Eyre’s reply will be. Fortunately for some fans of Mr Rochester and his moody demeanour, Jane Eyre was insistent on only following him as his sister and not his wife. When she could not take his pressuring her on that subject anymore, she said that she scorned his idea of love, which silenced him.
Ultimately, however, the method that Charlotte Bronte used to engage readers most was the creation of Bertha Mason, Mr Rochester’s insane wife. Being in the locked attic, disguised as the maid Grace Poole, Bertha Mason was absolutely essential to spark the readers’ interest. Many would have kept wondering and wondering about the ‘low, syllabic tone’ which ‘terminated in an add murmur’. Most readers would have probably been fooled into thinking that is was really Grace Poole who was laughing, though Charlotte Bronte dropped subtle hints with each chapter. For example, she had Jane Eyre wonder why he kept Grace Poole in Thornfield Hall even after he thought she set his room on fire. This probably aided readers to read on.
In light of the above statement, it is undeniable that while the main character plays the major role in providing a storyline and engaging its readers, it is just as important to have minor characters. This is because the combination of the minor and main characters is what makes a great novel in anyone’s eyes.
Marks: 23/40
~#~
Yeah~ I think my conclusion was pretty nice. Unfortunately, I only got 57% for this test because I wrote Mr Rochester as a minor character. I did not include it here, though I got some points in a different section of the paragraph.
The next post will also be a Literature post, and the two posts after that will be about Law. Just warning you :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
法律 Ep 1
Here's a little change of scenery, eh? :)
* * *
Question:
Describe the main types of European Law.
Answer:
In European law, there are four main types; treaties, directives, regulations and decisions.
A treaty is a primary source of law, with the Treaty of Rome being the most prominent. Treaties act as binding agreements between all the member states and individuals as far as they apply to them.
Following the European Communities Act 1972, s 2(1), when treaties are signed by the heads of government, the law automatically becomes a part of the English law. Treaties govern mainly the organisation of the community and relationships between the Member State, but some of them affect individuals directly. For example, Art 141 establishes the principle of equal pay between men and women. An individual citizen may, under certain circumstances, rely on the provisions of the treaties when taking legal action against a government or other individual.
Directives apply only when implemented by the member state. In simpler words, if the European Union produces a directive, a member state must make a domestic rule, which facilitates the law envisaged in the directive.
Also, if the directive specifies a right, the individual must wait for the member state to pass a law implementing a directive. If the above is not fulfilled, the individual will only be able to sue the government itself for failing to comply with the directive. This is also known as the indirect effect.
Regulations come into force at the member state level states to pass any laws, and the member states are automatically expected to ignore any local laws which conflict with the regulation.
If a regulation provides individuals with certain rights, an individual has a legal claim to that right, and can bring an action against any other party if this right is infringed upon. Under these circumstances, the individual is advised to seek legal advice from a solicitor. The regulation, therefore, is said to have direct effect because the citizen in a member state can rely on the regulation directly.
Lastly, the court, under the power of Article 288, makes decisions. It operates to both clarify the existing laws and ensure their enforcement by member states. These decisions consider the statutes (directives and regulations) and apply them to specific cases.
They are administrative in nature and Article 288 allows for recommendations and opinions to be issued although they have no binding force.
Marks: 7/12.
~#~
Woo~ Law essay. Please note that this is not a good essay. I'm working on it :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
Describe the main types of European Law.
Answer:
In European law, there are four main types; treaties, directives, regulations and decisions.
A treaty is a primary source of law, with the Treaty of Rome being the most prominent. Treaties act as binding agreements between all the member states and individuals as far as they apply to them.
Following the European Communities Act 1972, s 2(1), when treaties are signed by the heads of government, the law automatically becomes a part of the English law. Treaties govern mainly the organisation of the community and relationships between the Member State, but some of them affect individuals directly. For example, Art 141 establishes the principle of equal pay between men and women. An individual citizen may, under certain circumstances, rely on the provisions of the treaties when taking legal action against a government or other individual.
Directives apply only when implemented by the member state. In simpler words, if the European Union produces a directive, a member state must make a domestic rule, which facilitates the law envisaged in the directive.
Also, if the directive specifies a right, the individual must wait for the member state to pass a law implementing a directive. If the above is not fulfilled, the individual will only be able to sue the government itself for failing to comply with the directive. This is also known as the indirect effect.
Regulations come into force at the member state level states to pass any laws, and the member states are automatically expected to ignore any local laws which conflict with the regulation.
If a regulation provides individuals with certain rights, an individual has a legal claim to that right, and can bring an action against any other party if this right is infringed upon. Under these circumstances, the individual is advised to seek legal advice from a solicitor. The regulation, therefore, is said to have direct effect because the citizen in a member state can rely on the regulation directly.
Lastly, the court, under the power of Article 288, makes decisions. It operates to both clarify the existing laws and ensure their enforcement by member states. These decisions consider the statutes (directives and regulations) and apply them to specific cases.
They are administrative in nature and Article 288 allows for recommendations and opinions to be issued although they have no binding force.
Marks: 7/12.
~#~
Woo~ Law essay. Please note that this is not a good essay. I'm working on it :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
リトリチャ Ep 9
Our teacher had had us write a poem a few days ago. I don't know about other people, but I'm a girl with a huge ego, so I'd like to share it :)
* * *
Question:
Write an eerie and mysterious poem.
Answer:
Is He Aware It's Autumn Now?
On the hill near the Union Cemetery
Lies a haunt 'n which hemlocks grow
Strong winds brew at night n' mornin'
Shrouded by a heavy fog
Thunder strikes the crook'd roof
As ravens crow at a brainless stranger
Who knew that this stupid douche'd
Walk in 'cause he knew no better?
The doors creak open with a gentle push
Not knowing he'd had eyes on him
Silently, the black cat mews
He finally knows his light has dimmed
Outside, the vines are calm an' still
From victims they had previously bound
He can hear the bird's wings beat
Is he aware it's autumn now?
He's stepping up much higher now
Foolish choice for one so young
Should have stopped and gone back down
Instead of going on half-drunk
The halls are dark and blackened so
No signs of joy or faith or hope
His mind could have taken control
N' made him lose sight of his soul
But he walks as though black were white
Like parsnip weeds were pretty lilies
Thinking as though dark were light
He might as well take poison ivy
He hasn't ceased his growing interest
Curiosity would not allow
He's deeper in this than he wanted
Is he aware it's autumn now?
What's that? That sound? So weird, so loud
That shade o' red, he's seen before
Blood? So much? He starts to frown
"What the hell did I come here for?"
He turns around to see a fox
Or 's it a wolf? – He could not tell
In its mouth; a mirror or clock?
Broken to pieces, it would not sell
"I'll go back down, get out of town,
Forget about this haunted house."
But b'fore he could, he looked around,
"Exactly where do I get out?"
Another door appeared somehow
I'm thinking what'll he do now?
He'd better stop roaming about
Is he aware it's autumn now?
Teacher's comment: I enjoyed reading this! I like the recurring questions :)
~#~
Yeah~ Sorry, I have to accommodate my humongous ego in my humongous head :P Nothing more tough than doing that :P Might come off as a snob to people around me, but hey, I'm trying :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
Write an eerie and mysterious poem.
Answer:
Is He Aware It's Autumn Now?
On the hill near the Union Cemetery
Lies a haunt 'n which hemlocks grow
Strong winds brew at night n' mornin'
Shrouded by a heavy fog
Thunder strikes the crook'd roof
As ravens crow at a brainless stranger
Who knew that this stupid douche'd
Walk in 'cause he knew no better?
The doors creak open with a gentle push
Not knowing he'd had eyes on him
Silently, the black cat mews
He finally knows his light has dimmed
Outside, the vines are calm an' still
From victims they had previously bound
He can hear the bird's wings beat
Is he aware it's autumn now?
He's stepping up much higher now
Foolish choice for one so young
Should have stopped and gone back down
Instead of going on half-drunk
The halls are dark and blackened so
No signs of joy or faith or hope
His mind could have taken control
N' made him lose sight of his soul
But he walks as though black were white
Like parsnip weeds were pretty lilies
Thinking as though dark were light
He might as well take poison ivy
He hasn't ceased his growing interest
Curiosity would not allow
He's deeper in this than he wanted
Is he aware it's autumn now?
What's that? That sound? So weird, so loud
That shade o' red, he's seen before
Blood? So much? He starts to frown
"What the hell did I come here for?"
He turns around to see a fox
Or 's it a wolf? – He could not tell
In its mouth; a mirror or clock?
Broken to pieces, it would not sell
"I'll go back down, get out of town,
Forget about this haunted house."
But b'fore he could, he looked around,
"Exactly where do I get out?"
Another door appeared somehow
I'm thinking what'll he do now?
He'd better stop roaming about
Is he aware it's autumn now?
Teacher's comment: I enjoyed reading this! I like the recurring questions :)
~#~
Yeah~ Sorry, I have to accommodate my humongous ego in my humongous head :P Nothing more tough than doing that :P Might come off as a snob to people around me, but hey, I'm trying :)
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
リトリチャ Ep 8
This is another Literature post to make up for my hiatus :)
* * *
Question:
"Home haunts those who write about it."
Compare and contrast the ways in which home is presented in at least 2 poems in light of this statement.
Answer:
The poems "To My Mother" by George Barker and "One Flesh" by Elizabeth Jennings bear some similarities and differences in light of the above statement.
The persona in "To My Mother" seems to miss her or her mother dearly. The persona constantly thinks about her, reminiscing about things she used to do, like: "Under the window where I often found her." The persona also remembers the habits and tendencies of his or her mother, no matter how insignificant they may be to other people. For instance, "Sitting as huge as Asia, seismic with laughter, gin and chicken helpless in her Irish hand."
Home also 'haunts' the persona by making him or her remember details of his or her home. For example, the persona would remember that there was a cellar the mother could 'scuttle' to. Other details include the fact that the persona's home houses a mahogany table which his or her mother would lean on "like a mountain whom only faith could move."
In "One Flesh", Home also 'haunts' the persona by making him or her think about his or her parents, who are revealed in the last stanza when the persona says: "These two who are my father and my mother." The persona also, similarly in "To My Mother", thinks about his or her parents' actions, such as his or her father "with a book, keeping the light on late" and his or her mother "like a girl dreaming of childhood."
Also similar to "To My Mother", Home 'haunts' the persona in "One Flesh" by making him or her recall events of home which include the presence of books, beds and lights which his or her father left switched on until late.
However, there are also differences between the poem where the above statement is concerned. In "To My Mother", the tone of the poem suggests that the persona is thinking of his or her mother and home endearingly. One example would be when the persona first introduces his or her mother: "Most near, most dear, most loved and most far." On the other hand, in "One Flesh", the persona is mostly pained by the memories of home and his or her parents. An instance would be when the persona notices that the "silence between them like a thread to hold" and the recollection that they are "lying apart now, each in a separate bed."
Apart from that, the persona in "To My Mother" remembers his or her mother to be fearful and unbeatable in a certain sense, such as when he or she says: "She is like a procession no one can follow after but be like a dog following a brass band", suggesting that the persona's mother is one of a kind. In "One Flesh", however, the persona only remembers the awkward and tense moments between his or her parents like when he or she notes "how cool they lie. They hardly ever touch" as well as "the book he holds unread" and "her eyes fixed on shadows overhead."
Therefore, it does not necessarily have to be bad memories when the above statement says 'haunt'. This is because something, or someone, can 'haunt' us in different ways and can bring us an equal amount of pain and joy. It just so happens that the persona's home in "To My Mother" brought back sweeter memories than those of the persona in "One Flesh".
Teacher's comment: Good comparison. Compare on structure and language.
Marks: 25/40.
~#~
This was actually an English Literature test. Although, I was absent that day from school when this was done. Thankfully, my teacher let me bring home the question to do at home as long as I did it within one and a half hours.
Don't worry, I timed myself :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
"Home haunts those who write about it."
Compare and contrast the ways in which home is presented in at least 2 poems in light of this statement.
Answer:
The poems "To My Mother" by George Barker and "One Flesh" by Elizabeth Jennings bear some similarities and differences in light of the above statement.
The persona in "To My Mother" seems to miss her or her mother dearly. The persona constantly thinks about her, reminiscing about things she used to do, like: "Under the window where I often found her." The persona also remembers the habits and tendencies of his or her mother, no matter how insignificant they may be to other people. For instance, "Sitting as huge as Asia, seismic with laughter, gin and chicken helpless in her Irish hand."
Home also 'haunts' the persona by making him or her remember details of his or her home. For example, the persona would remember that there was a cellar the mother could 'scuttle' to. Other details include the fact that the persona's home houses a mahogany table which his or her mother would lean on "like a mountain whom only faith could move."
In "One Flesh", Home also 'haunts' the persona by making him or her think about his or her parents, who are revealed in the last stanza when the persona says: "These two who are my father and my mother." The persona also, similarly in "To My Mother", thinks about his or her parents' actions, such as his or her father "with a book, keeping the light on late" and his or her mother "like a girl dreaming of childhood."
Also similar to "To My Mother", Home 'haunts' the persona in "One Flesh" by making him or her recall events of home which include the presence of books, beds and lights which his or her father left switched on until late.
However, there are also differences between the poem where the above statement is concerned. In "To My Mother", the tone of the poem suggests that the persona is thinking of his or her mother and home endearingly. One example would be when the persona first introduces his or her mother: "Most near, most dear, most loved and most far." On the other hand, in "One Flesh", the persona is mostly pained by the memories of home and his or her parents. An instance would be when the persona notices that the "silence between them like a thread to hold" and the recollection that they are "lying apart now, each in a separate bed."
Apart from that, the persona in "To My Mother" remembers his or her mother to be fearful and unbeatable in a certain sense, such as when he or she says: "She is like a procession no one can follow after but be like a dog following a brass band", suggesting that the persona's mother is one of a kind. In "One Flesh", however, the persona only remembers the awkward and tense moments between his or her parents like when he or she notes "how cool they lie. They hardly ever touch" as well as "the book he holds unread" and "her eyes fixed on shadows overhead."
Therefore, it does not necessarily have to be bad memories when the above statement says 'haunt'. This is because something, or someone, can 'haunt' us in different ways and can bring us an equal amount of pain and joy. It just so happens that the persona's home in "To My Mother" brought back sweeter memories than those of the persona in "One Flesh".
Teacher's comment: Good comparison. Compare on structure and language.
Marks: 25/40.
~#~
This was actually an English Literature test. Although, I was absent that day from school when this was done. Thankfully, my teacher let me bring home the question to do at home as long as I did it within one and a half hours.
Don't worry, I timed myself :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
リトリチャ Ep 7
Okay, I know I haven't been very consistent with the posts but this is another Literature one to keep things going before I finally attempt a daily post :P
* * *
Question:
The Diary of St John Rivers (covering chapters 31-34).
Answer:
Dear Diary,
There are very little things that can move me: the missionary that I have resolved to be and the angel I saw in Ms Oliver's person. I did not think that within the course of a few days, I would need to be justifying both to Jane Eyre and myself.
That my late father had, as I put forth to Jane Eyre, "opposed the determination" to be a missionary only made me work harder to prove I could succeed. I believed it was my calling; my destiny; my duty to fulfill, as God desired.
And then there was Ms Oliver. Oh dear, sweet, beautiful Rosamond Oliver. If only we could have been. If only I could bring myself to take her as my own and take her with me where I deemed fit. But it was not to be. As I had told Jane Eyre during the last visit I paid her: "It is strange that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly – with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, and fascinating – I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife; that she is not the partner suited to me; that I should discover this within a year after marriage; and that to twelve months' rapture would succeed a lifetime of regret. This I know."
Indeed, it was almost impossible to envision Rosamond Oliver a missionary's wife. (Though I must admit, that Jane Eyre could even bear to suggest I "relinquish that scheme" to be a missionary was even more impossible to envision.)
They cannot judge me. Ms Oliver was born "surrounded by suitors and flatterers", as I told my dear cousin. It would not be long before my existence in her memory was permanently erased. My cousin may suggest that I suffer in actual fact – and maybe she spoke the truth – but I am confident that I will do just as well without her as she will without me.
Oh, but Diary, I did not expect my dear cousin to press on the subject. Can you imagine it? She said that I "tremble and become flushed whenever Ms Oliver enters a schoolroom"! Was she so observant of my actions towards Ms Oliver to this extent? I really could not have foreseen this. In fact, I told her that there was something brave in her spirit as well as penetrating in her eye. Although with that declaration, I assured her that she had misinterpreted my emotions, because even as I am writing this, I am convinced she will bring me limited benefits.
In fact, she was to be married to someone else! I will not pen his name: I shudder – just barely – to think what kind of person Rosamond Oliver will be attached to. Instead, within the next few days, I had asked my cousin for her hand in marriage; to be a missionary's wife; "for my Sovereign's service."
I can imagine what other people would think. They would think that my marrying Jane Eyre meant I was succumbing to jealousy; that I claimed her to get even with Ms Oliver for having moved on so soon. Well, they would be very, very wrong. I am but dust and ashes, but I do not suffer this sense of my personal vileness to daunt me. I told Jane Eyre the exact some thing when I implored her to come with me to India.
As I said, however, my cousin was as stubborn as she was an Eyre. She told me that she would not go as my wife, but as my sister. She did not understand, Diary. She did not understand that adopted fraternity was strongly scrutinized. I told her to consider; that her sense would guide her, but she was persistent. She would not have me as her husband. She did not believe in a loveless marriage. She "scorned" it, actually. She said so, to my face, with no hesitation, guard or remorse for having done so.
Dear Diary, I will say that I was stunned, though I forced myself to remain calm. No gentleman would expose himself to such vulnerability. Yes, I said to Jane Eyre: "I scarcely expected to hear that expression from you. I think I have done and uttered nothing to deserve scorn."
Maybe I did. Maybe I was at fault for speaking such, as my cousin put it, "counterfeit sentiments". I once again say, I must not be judged: I believed that my 'scheme' was a long-cherished one, which could secure my great end. I assure you, though, that I did not press her further. I told her to think about my offer once more before giving me her final answer.
I will say that I acted childishly, shaking hands loosely when beckoned. I was offended, to say the least. To think that she would reject me so strongly, when I had nothing to hurt her or even cause her any discomfort. I just told her that I was not in the habit of cherishing the remembrance of vexation – yes, for I was vexed – and that I had nothing to forgive, not having been offended – yes, I lied. And then I left.
After reading this, will there still be people who judge me? Will there still be people who disapprove of me? Will there still be people who think I thought of marriage as a dark, twisted scheme?
Dear Diary, I did not care.
Teacher's comment: You stayed true to the text. Excellent!
~#~
And so that was St John Rivers' Diary :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
The Diary of St John Rivers (covering chapters 31-34).
Answer:
Dear Diary,
There are very little things that can move me: the missionary that I have resolved to be and the angel I saw in Ms Oliver's person. I did not think that within the course of a few days, I would need to be justifying both to Jane Eyre and myself.
That my late father had, as I put forth to Jane Eyre, "opposed the determination" to be a missionary only made me work harder to prove I could succeed. I believed it was my calling; my destiny; my duty to fulfill, as God desired.
And then there was Ms Oliver. Oh dear, sweet, beautiful Rosamond Oliver. If only we could have been. If only I could bring myself to take her as my own and take her with me where I deemed fit. But it was not to be. As I had told Jane Eyre during the last visit I paid her: "It is strange that while I love Rosamond Oliver so wildly – with all the intensity, indeed, of a first passion, the object of which is exquisitely beautiful, graceful, and fascinating – I experience at the same time a calm, unwarped consciousness that she would not make me a good wife; that she is not the partner suited to me; that I should discover this within a year after marriage; and that to twelve months' rapture would succeed a lifetime of regret. This I know."
Indeed, it was almost impossible to envision Rosamond Oliver a missionary's wife. (Though I must admit, that Jane Eyre could even bear to suggest I "relinquish that scheme" to be a missionary was even more impossible to envision.)
They cannot judge me. Ms Oliver was born "surrounded by suitors and flatterers", as I told my dear cousin. It would not be long before my existence in her memory was permanently erased. My cousin may suggest that I suffer in actual fact – and maybe she spoke the truth – but I am confident that I will do just as well without her as she will without me.
Oh, but Diary, I did not expect my dear cousin to press on the subject. Can you imagine it? She said that I "tremble and become flushed whenever Ms Oliver enters a schoolroom"! Was she so observant of my actions towards Ms Oliver to this extent? I really could not have foreseen this. In fact, I told her that there was something brave in her spirit as well as penetrating in her eye. Although with that declaration, I assured her that she had misinterpreted my emotions, because even as I am writing this, I am convinced she will bring me limited benefits.
In fact, she was to be married to someone else! I will not pen his name: I shudder – just barely – to think what kind of person Rosamond Oliver will be attached to. Instead, within the next few days, I had asked my cousin for her hand in marriage; to be a missionary's wife; "for my Sovereign's service."
I can imagine what other people would think. They would think that my marrying Jane Eyre meant I was succumbing to jealousy; that I claimed her to get even with Ms Oliver for having moved on so soon. Well, they would be very, very wrong. I am but dust and ashes, but I do not suffer this sense of my personal vileness to daunt me. I told Jane Eyre the exact some thing when I implored her to come with me to India.
As I said, however, my cousin was as stubborn as she was an Eyre. She told me that she would not go as my wife, but as my sister. She did not understand, Diary. She did not understand that adopted fraternity was strongly scrutinized. I told her to consider; that her sense would guide her, but she was persistent. She would not have me as her husband. She did not believe in a loveless marriage. She "scorned" it, actually. She said so, to my face, with no hesitation, guard or remorse for having done so.
Dear Diary, I will say that I was stunned, though I forced myself to remain calm. No gentleman would expose himself to such vulnerability. Yes, I said to Jane Eyre: "I scarcely expected to hear that expression from you. I think I have done and uttered nothing to deserve scorn."
Maybe I did. Maybe I was at fault for speaking such, as my cousin put it, "counterfeit sentiments". I once again say, I must not be judged: I believed that my 'scheme' was a long-cherished one, which could secure my great end. I assure you, though, that I did not press her further. I told her to think about my offer once more before giving me her final answer.
I will say that I acted childishly, shaking hands loosely when beckoned. I was offended, to say the least. To think that she would reject me so strongly, when I had nothing to hurt her or even cause her any discomfort. I just told her that I was not in the habit of cherishing the remembrance of vexation – yes, for I was vexed – and that I had nothing to forgive, not having been offended – yes, I lied. And then I left.
After reading this, will there still be people who judge me? Will there still be people who disapprove of me? Will there still be people who think I thought of marriage as a dark, twisted scheme?
Dear Diary, I did not care.
Teacher's comment: You stayed true to the text. Excellent!
~#~
And so that was St John Rivers' Diary :D
CIAO!!
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
リトリチャ Ep 6
Okay, it's been a while, but I've got another Literature post today :D
* * *
Question:
Select your favourite poem. Why do like this poem?
Answer:
My favourite poem is The Last Duchess, written by Robert Browning. It is told from the persona’s point of view. He is speaking of his last duchess, who is most likely no longer in this world, since in the first two lines, he writes: ‘That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, looking as if she were alive’.
I like this poem the best of all the ones I have read so far because it speaks of the deep love the persona has for his duchess. He had had her painted by a very famous artist, Frà Pandolf, whom, in turn, produced a very beautiful painting of her. This is shown in the third and fourth line of the poem, stating: ‘Frà Pandolf’s hands worked busily a day, and there she stands’.
Apart from that, the persona respects his duchess’ privacy even in death. This is because he does not publish Pandolf’s work in public, as if to safeguard his late duchess from the world. Although, this may also be seen as the persona being very selfish because he does not want anyone else to see his duchess except those he permits. He makes that fact clear in the ninth and tenth line, when he says: ‘since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I’.
The writer also has the artist, Pandolf, praise the beauty of the duchess, saying: ‘Paint must never hope to reproduce the faint half-flush that dies along her throat’. I also fancy the characteristics of the duchess, whom was honest in her speech and graceful in her mannerisms. This is proved in the twenty ninth, thirtieth and thirty first line: ‘She rode with round the terrace – all and each would draw from her alike the approving speech, or blush, at least’.
While these are all admirable traits of the persona, which warrant my affinity for this particular poem, I also like the persona’s contradicting personality, which suggests he began mistreating his duchess. The most prominent line which describes this is the forty second, forty third, forty fifth and forty sixth line: ‘Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, whene’er I passed her; but who passed without much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together’. This could mean that he set about abusing her since he started wanting more attention from her. Due to this growing greed, he unknowingly pushed her further away.
It is also amazing how the writer used Neptune’s taming of a sea horse to summarize how the persona feels for his duchess and what “taming” her led to, eventually. This was portrayed in the final lines of My Last Duchess: ‘Notice Neptune, though, taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!’
As a result, this poem definitely taught me a life lesson. Love comes in different forms, and while I definitely do not agree with some expressions, it tells me that nobody can predict how a person will react to love, except that it will only be acceptable in their eyes.
~#~
Yeah~ It's more like a "proving" assignment rather than just explaining why I like this poem -.- Either way, kudos to Madame S for introducing this poem to my brother and I :D
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
* * *
Question:
Select your favourite poem. Why do like this poem?
Answer:
My favourite poem is The Last Duchess, written by Robert Browning. It is told from the persona’s point of view. He is speaking of his last duchess, who is most likely no longer in this world, since in the first two lines, he writes: ‘That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, looking as if she were alive’.
I like this poem the best of all the ones I have read so far because it speaks of the deep love the persona has for his duchess. He had had her painted by a very famous artist, Frà Pandolf, whom, in turn, produced a very beautiful painting of her. This is shown in the third and fourth line of the poem, stating: ‘Frà Pandolf’s hands worked busily a day, and there she stands’.
Apart from that, the persona respects his duchess’ privacy even in death. This is because he does not publish Pandolf’s work in public, as if to safeguard his late duchess from the world. Although, this may also be seen as the persona being very selfish because he does not want anyone else to see his duchess except those he permits. He makes that fact clear in the ninth and tenth line, when he says: ‘since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I’.
The writer also has the artist, Pandolf, praise the beauty of the duchess, saying: ‘Paint must never hope to reproduce the faint half-flush that dies along her throat’. I also fancy the characteristics of the duchess, whom was honest in her speech and graceful in her mannerisms. This is proved in the twenty ninth, thirtieth and thirty first line: ‘She rode with round the terrace – all and each would draw from her alike the approving speech, or blush, at least’.
While these are all admirable traits of the persona, which warrant my affinity for this particular poem, I also like the persona’s contradicting personality, which suggests he began mistreating his duchess. The most prominent line which describes this is the forty second, forty third, forty fifth and forty sixth line: ‘Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, whene’er I passed her; but who passed without much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together’. This could mean that he set about abusing her since he started wanting more attention from her. Due to this growing greed, he unknowingly pushed her further away.
It is also amazing how the writer used Neptune’s taming of a sea horse to summarize how the persona feels for his duchess and what “taming” her led to, eventually. This was portrayed in the final lines of My Last Duchess: ‘Notice Neptune, though, taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!’
As a result, this poem definitely taught me a life lesson. Love comes in different forms, and while I definitely do not agree with some expressions, it tells me that nobody can predict how a person will react to love, except that it will only be acceptable in their eyes.
~#~
Yeah~ It's more like a "proving" assignment rather than just explaining why I like this poem -.- Either way, kudos to Madame S for introducing this poem to my brother and I :D
P/S: Please click on my Nuffnang ads :) Thanks!!
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