Reflection

Looking back at my past two years in IB includes some painful assignments, and great memories. I think we forget when we are working day by day to get everything done how much time is passing us by. I know it is cliche and expected but holy cow these two years flew by. However, in this short amount of time I am proud of what I have done and where I am now. I feel that high school has been a time of incredible growth for each one of us, and IB has changed me more than I care to admit. I think The Stranger, although I was not fond on the book, carries some valuable lessons about going through our lives and achieving our goals. The quote you provided was, "If something is going to happen to me, I want to be there." I love the idea of appreciating what we have in this moment and stopping to appreciate where we are right now. I am worried that people get too caught up on the future and stop enjoying the time we have now. So, I guess I am trying to reflect on the past few years without sadness but with enthusiasm. I like the idea of a new chapter happening next year and honestly getting out of high school. Thanks for the friendships and lessons along the way.

Witty Whitman

   As I scrolled through Walt Whitman's journal there are many scribbles and drawings that appear eccentric and rushed. I noticed many words crossed out and the drawings appear to have developed from scribbled lines on the paper. As I am unable to read most of the writing at this point, I assume this is indicative of his interesting personality and fondness of things out of the ordinary. The journal appears random and disorganized, but the pages were written by a literary genius that was ahead of his time. I noticed the classic Abraham Lincoln hat on what appears to be Walt Whitman.

  After reading through the little yellow boxes to discover what Whitman wrote I am only more convinced of his odd personality. I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle of his writing that went from Lincoln to religion to freedom and spanish. I think it is really interesting how these all connect and how his mind explored this imaginary conversation to explore such different ideas. His political believes about ideal liberty and the current political status are intertwined into his work. The ending of, "And you?" is very indicative of Whitman's writing style. He is writing this for others and to inspire thought. He wants to create conversation. He also has a knack for metaphor.

The American Dream

     There are no three words that inspire more hope and opportunity than the concept of The American Dream. This is something that has developed into the foundation of our country and the pride of most Americans. It is hard to not feel the potential in the future when one considers living or aspiring to live the American Dream. Actually defining this dream is something that may differ for every citizen of this country. I believe that the American Dream is a combination of the luxuries of our current lives and our aspirations for the future. The opportunities we are given and the so to speak "lucky breaks" of our careers and lives are the fundamental aspects of the American Dream. In America, everyone has the potential to be great. We all have at least a sliver of possibility to become the next Bill Gates or Barack Obama. It is this possibility that is summed up in those three little words. However, this does leave out the blood, sweat, and tears that it takes to truly make these dreams come true.

 

     Wealth is something that is targeted all over the world in every culture and every person on this earth. Of course, wealth itself is an extremely broad concept that, at least to me, encompasses the goals of every person. We all aspire wealth, because wealth can include anything that makes us happy. In America, this is strongly associated with money and riches. Wealth and fulfillment in life is intertwined with the amount of money one has; therefore, it is money that we try to earn. I think this obsession with more green paper counters the actual purpose of wealth. We all just want to be content and happy, and this does not come with money. I think wealth is measured in happiness, not bank accounts. How much one achieves depends on what will make them happy. This in turn plays onto the idea of poverty and money. There is a direct correlation between extreme poverty and extreme struggle. However, this does not mean they cannot be happy. Americans focus too much on the idea of being wealthy or poor in terms of material goods, when they could find a different kind of happiness if they just accept their position in economics and strive to find it. 

Blog Post

FREEBIE!

IOC

Here is the link on youtube if that doesn't work: http://youtu.be/rZsg2_wxCBo

Oh and ignore the fact that its on Sarah's account- I forgot to log her out!

Grade:

Knowledge and understanding of the extract: 5

I think I showed a little understanding of the extract by explaining where in the novel it is. I knew the scene and what the purpose of it was, as well as what happens later in the novel. However, I think I could have discussed the context more and specified how the examples applied to the text as a whole. I also think I could have talked about major themes in the novel and connected this passage to these.

Appreciation of the writer's choices: 6

I pull many examples from the text and talk about how they impact the text, but I do not talk about the overall effect enough. I think I focused too much on the individual examples and what they mean and I didn't talk about the reason Shakespeare made these choices. I also think I repeat a lot and my thoughts don't make much sense sometimes. I never concluded anything either. 

Organization and presentation: 3

I tried to organize this presentation and I think that I succeeded in the basic outline. However, I brought up tone and irony and never went into depth about these. I think I need to organize a lot more when I actually do this, because I got lost a lot and I ramble about random stuff too much. 

Language: 2

I don't even know what I am trying to say sometimes. I think I use appropriate language sometimes but most of the time it was nervous rambling and I should probably fix that. 

Please ignore the part I talk about restless ecstasy! I realized as I was saying it that it made no sense...

Oh and sorry for the awkward pauses!

I think this might be too blurry to read and it is a total mess but here is my article!

TED Talks

The Louise & Brenna Show: Season 1, Episode 1- Pilot

https://www.ted.com/talks/the_jill_and_julia_show

We realize this makes no sense, but what do you honestly expect from us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdb9NKJcK5U

(In case the video above doesn't work.)

Double Indemnity

   2.  Film noir literally means “black film.” As you are watching the film, keep track of all the elements in the picture that seem dark or depressing. Think about the characters, the setting, and the storyline.

Double Indemnity is full of dark, twisted ideas that surprise and capture the audience. The film itself challenges the distance a seemingly good guy will go with the encouragement of a woman. The first depressing aspects of the film come out in the setting and lighting. The opening scene consists of a street at night and a character with a dark hat and a black jacket. This may have been the traditional attire of the time, but the set up of a "murky and dark street" with low lighting accented the theme. Moreover, many of the scenes happen at night including the murder of Mr. Dietrichson on the train. The lighting is an important element of any film that may be directly manipulated by directors to add to the core themes, these being dark and depressing. There is a creepy silence that adds to the suspense felt by the audience throughout. The number of people in each scene is kept to a minimum, for example in the confession by Mr. Neff at the closed insurance office. This eliminates the happiness felt by social chatter and adds to the secrecy of the plans. 

There are dark motiffs found in the very characters themselves as well. One important example is the flirtatious nature of Phyllis to a man other than her husband. Walter Neff plays along and is quickly swept up in her manipulative ways. She has a secret motive to the majority of her actions and this is shown by her immediate interest in accident insurance for her husband. Neff finds himself falling for Mrs. Dietrichson despite his suspicions about her plans for her falling marriage. The talk of murder and the guilty confession throughout are all elements that fit into the idea of a "black film". 

The storyline of the film is obviously not that of a traditional cheery film. Double indemnity has lots of key characteristics of Film Noir found in the events themselves. The story is told in a "confessional, first person narration about the downfall of an innocent everyman who fell victim" to the evil plotting of Neff and Dietrichson. The attraction that is felt between the two main characters is twisted in the murder plans of Phyllis' husband, and emphasizes the "brutal, unhealthy, seamy, shadowy, dark and sadistic sides of the human experience." 

*All of the quotations come from the sheet we received on Double Indemnity and Film Noir.