So, high school is almost over. I haven’t quite formed a solid opinion or single emotion towards this ending, but I don’t think I will. We’ve been working towards this since our first day of ninth grade, but now that it’s here, it’s not all the freedom and relief I’d hoped for. We’re like children who arrive at the beach, so eager to swim, and we’re running towards the water. Our legs pump until they ache, amorphous sand tripping our steps, the scalding sun blistering our backs. Our breaths become quick and short, but we see the tide ebb towards us, then away, like a finger that beckons our company. Finally, our feet sink into cool moist sand, laced with tiny pebbles. The tide quickly washes around our naked feet, encompassing our toes in a chilly hug. Our arms spread like wings, ready to grab hold of the entire ocean. It crashes against our shins, knees, thighs, waist, then our necks. The cold liquid cradles us for a moment, then begins to swell. Here we are, having obtained our sole ambition, but not knowing where to go. It’s sink or swim, drown or breathe. What do we do? How do we feel? Where do we go? It’s scary, it’s exciting, it’s anxiety-inducing, it’s boring, it’s nothing, it’s everything. I don’t know how to feel, but I wish you all well. I hope we help to keep one another afloat.
J-BIEBZ CAPUCHIN LOVIN’
It seems as though our local star Justin Bieber had a little Ross Geller moment! His 23-week-old white-headed capuchin monkey named Mally (kinda like Marcel!) was taken into custody by German custom authorities because Biebs failed to get the poor thing vaccinated and produce proper import papers and the like. Now, I know your first reaction is, Jeez, they should have held a green-card monkey wedding! But, it’s really a blessing in disguise. Mally will be living at Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen (home to 1,500 animals) and hopefully integrated intoanother group of capuchins. In this group, there is a female capuchin of the same age named Molly. Mally and Molly, like how cute is that? Apparently Bieber will be billed about $1,300 for the whole ordeal, but I doubt that’s much of a problem for him. Anyway, I hope Mally adjusts well to his new home! I’m sure we’ll have a lovely influx of Beliebers writing some totes kawaii MallyxMolly fanfics!!! SOoOooO X-CiDEd!!!!11!1!!!1!!!!<3<3<3<3*
Decorated Vesicles
I was looking through old works and I found this. It’s unfinished, and I don’t know if I will ever finish it. It was a descriptive vent to my paper mostly, and I hope I’ll never find myself in that place again to finish it. It’s odd for me to revisit, because I wrote it in a place I believed I’d never get out of, but here I am. I also swore I’d never share it, but oh well, that’s the best kind of thing to share.
We’ve developed this sick taste for severing each other’s vitals with the fragmented shards of our love. But it’s so fun to fool ourselves into liking the pain. Sick breath becomes sweet in our ears and whispers our all enveloping lie, “it’s all worth the pain.” And we never wonder as often as we should: is it really?
I see you violently shake under the pressures of your own heartache, so I reach out, because it’s my fault. I need to fix the mess I’ve made. All I want is to see that cracked expression of frowns and bleakness elate upwards to a grin– the toothy one that both gives me breath and takes it away. I try to lull you into false securities of my heart that was never really yours. You smile for a moment because you think it is. Then you close your eyes, and press your lips together in a flat line; flat line like your hopes.
We both know, no matter how much we embellish and neatly decorate the sound of ripped vesicles, it’s still the sound of life rushing out. It’s still the howling, ugly lie with which we’ve let ourselves fall in love. We let ourselves drown in the love of our lie. Thick pools of hot, sticky blood fill our nostrils and mouths and we inhale. We breathe in both death and life. We will die if we keep inhaling, but we’ll die if we stop. If death is imminent, then please, pick one. Choose our death. I’m not sure how much longer I can breathe in this beautiful pain, nor how long I can hold my breath.
Tribute to Severus Snape
Don’t judge a book by its cover; this ethical idiom is rampant in the parabolic vocabulary of those in the Western world, often until we’re desensitized to its truth. However, for this tribute, please take a moment to refresh the truth and moral paramountcy this metaphor holds. This is vital to the honorable remembrance that our tribute is deserving of. From the initial description of this character’s outward appearance and demeanor, we are lead to believe him a tight-fisted malicious man who is concerned only with his own selfish progression. But once we look beyond the cover and begin to read this man’s life and legacy, we know he is a genuinely good person. This person is Severus Snape.
Philosopher Aristotle believed the virtue of being a good person lie in a man’s ability to reason right over wrong, controlling the irrational tendencies in his soul. He wrote, “It is the life which accords with reason then that will be best and pleasantest for Man, as a man’s reason is in his highest sense of himself.” Snape’s actions and life are congruent with Aristotle’s views of a good person in the sense that Snape constantly chooses to live his life for a greater purpose than his negative feelings. At one point, Severus Snape’s carnal desire for power and vengeance charmed his judgement and actions, leading him to follow The Dark Lord Voldemort. However, Snape realized the error in his judgement and virtue and resolved it by transferring his loyalty to Dumbledore. He rose above his irrationality and chose the ethical and moral response to his situation and allegiance. He displays his goodness in the same way, spanning the years he watches over Harry Potter. Snape, in love with Harry’s departed mother but bullied by his deceased father, saw Harry as an emblem of pain. Harry acted as a constant and tangible reminder of the inferiority Snape felt next to his father, James Potter. Because of this, it was difficult for Snape to watch over Harry and shepherd him. However, he suppressed his own pain and rationalized with his love for Lily Potter and his loyalty to Dumbledore. Due to his ability to reason right over wrong, Snape kept Harry safe, and sequentially the world.
Severus Snape was an antihero, outwardly unlikeable but altruistically devoted his life to goodness and justice in secrecy. He proves to be a good person not by a single gesture or movement, but continually through unselfish acts and sacrifices. Although he outwardly deviates from the norm of heroic, Severus Snape rises above shallow judgement, and is an undeniably good person, and shall he be remembered as such.
Rebirth
Messily tucked away on an old and stale bus seat, her frail frame softly but sporadically swayed and bumped with the incongruent surface of the road. Minor dips, cracks, bumps and stones were all enough to stir her body, but not enough to stir her soul. Voluntarily, she did not move; only sat, softly curving at her spine. The frozen air around her was heavy on her shoulders, and weighed in her lungs as she breathed. She angled her head towards the lightly fogged window, misted with cold rain and dirt. The sky is a mirror of her face; pale and empty, wonder-less and void. She gazed at the ground, unfocused but with familiarity. The once immaculate snow mingled with the mud, tainting its innocence and purity.
The old engine of the bus hummed and sputtered every so often. Nobody spoke. Her heart skipped and veiled itself in her stomach every moment they would slow or stop, fearing they would turn back and she would be hurled into the world she was trying to escape. She didn’t know where she was going, nor did she care, as long as it was away. Home was home no more. A screech and push of momentum gently pulled her up to stand as the bus halted. The sparse crowd of people walked forward, pulling her along by imaginary strings that attached to her feet and legs. She stumbled forward, a marionette to her surroundings and circumstance.
She stepped off the bus, a new wind crashing in her face as her foot messily displaced the slush below it. New air forced itself into her nose, numbing her head. The air used feather-like fingers to tempt her mouth open, then swiftly entered her lungs and danced with the warm air. The cold sweetly charmed the warm, then suffocated it slowly, lulling it to death and cold took over.
She stepped forward slowly. She did not own anything. Not a home, not a family, not love, not the privacy of her thoughts. She didn’t even have the air in her lungs. In some part of her tattered sanity that still clung to the walls her mind, she understood this was a very sad realization. But, she did not feel sad, or mad, or bad. She wouldn’t dare say she was happy, but she felt a spark of hope that she eventually could be. Icy rain spat from the sky, pricking her face as she waded through the damaged snow and slush. She thought of the once perfect snow, first fallen, then how the ground had cruelly corrupted its beauty. Then it would melt, and wash away, and evaporate into the sky. The icy rain gentled itself, transforming into sweet puffs of tiny snow flakes, clean and pure. She then realized, this dirty snow had a second chance at being clean. It would melt away and evaporate, yes, but one day it would snow again; pure and white. Her hand lifted itself into the air, catching crystals of snow as they fell. She walked by her own accord, strings broken. As she held hands with the forgiving sky and reborn snow, she learned and aspired.
She had nothing. And she had nothing else to lose. And that was everything.
I’M CATBUG
What do you get when you cross a baby feline, spotted beetle, and an unwavering supply of adorable? Answer: Catbug.
A secondary character in the rising animated web series Bravest Warriors by Pendleton Ward (creator of Adventure Time), Catbug is a random and soul-enthralling bundle of humor and joy. Aesthetically, Catbug is a chubby light blue kitten with the shell and wings of a ladybug on his back; a random and fantastical mixture that’s reminiscent of his character. Voiced by Sam Lavagnino, age 6, Catbug’s voice and phrases are childlike and utterly random, always launching the audience’s mouths into a battle between giggles and “aww”s. This character is the epitome of refreshing. If I had my way, I’d love to come home to my own little pet Catbug every night. This character will effortlessly melt the hearts of the icy and cruel, forever implanting his signature giggles in their ears, coating everything they hear in sugar and love. I think Catbug could be the mascot of world peace, really. I’d say Catbug has stolen our hearts, but I think he’s too sweet to steal. We surrender them graciously.
“You’re my friends now. We’re having soft tacos later!” – Catbug
Watch a 2 minute montage of Catbug here if you want to feel joy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnZdiR7YbN4
Human Nature Essay
Views of Human Nature in Shawshank Redemption
In class we had the opportunity to watch the film Shawshank Redemption. From a philosophical point of view, this movie is diverse in characters. Each character can represent a school of thought or view of human nature. Andy Dufresne represents the view of human nature “altruism.” Red’s character follows the view “egoism.” Then, the Sisters can be said to follow the views of “hedonism.” Each character teaches the viewer, through their actions, what each of these views of human nature are truly about. I’ll speak about each view in order of what I personally believe is the most “positive” or “correct” way of living, descending to the one I most disagree with.
Andy Dufresne portrays the view of human nature, “altruism”. Altruism is a view of human nature that is concerned for the wellness of other’s above oneself. Some consider altruism a moral duty or obligation towards their fellow man. It is also considered a virtuous and selfless. This is an attribute of many heroes, and the same can be said for Shawshank’s Andy Dufresne. Andy and a few of his fellow prison mates were tarring a roof when they overheard Captain Hadley expressing his frustration to the guards over his financial issues. Andy immediately devised a plan. He bravely walked up to the Captain, fully knowing he could be killed, and offers to help him with finances in exchange for a few beers for himself and his friends. After Andy is nearly thrown from the roof to his asphalt death, Hadley agrees to accept his help. Later, when all is said and done, Hadley maintains his side of the bargain and presents the select men with beer. They all sit in the summer sun and drink. However, when they offer Andy a bottle, he refuses, saying he doesn’t drink. The group of men are taken aback by Andy’s altruistic gesture. He had risked his own life and safety merely to bestow his friends with a gift. Therefore, Andy Dufresne portrays the selfless view of human nature, “altruism.”
Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding portrays the view of human nature, “egoism”. Egoism is a view of human nature that withholds humans are only interested in themselves and their own personal benefits. It also maintains any good deed unto others always contains and underlying selfish motive. This view of human nature can be exemplified in Red. Around Shawshank prison, Red is known for his ability to supply the prisoners, and even some guards, with things from the “outside.” He uses his connections to the outside world in order to help others with their needs, but at a cost. He refuses to work for free, and normally asks for the prison equivalent of money; cigarettes. On top of his payment of cigarettes, he also gains ranking and importance in the prison, which in turn equals safety. Prisoners tend not to cross him or treat him badly in case they are ever in need of a favour. When Andy comes to Red and asks if he can provide him with a rock hammer, Red says it will cost him extra on account of it being a “specialty” item. He also says that if he is ever caught with this rock hammer, that Andy is to pretend he does not know Red. This shows the self-interested nature of Red. He is willing to help others, but only if it also helps himself and his own safety is ensured. Therefore, Red is a portrayal of the view of human nature, “egoism.”
“The Sisters” (a small group of prisoners at Shawshank) portray the view of human nature, “hedonism.” Hedonism is a school of thought that argues pleasure being of the upmost most importance in life. A hedonist will try to do everything for their own pleasure, and minimize their own pain as much as possible, even if it means putting others in pain. This being said, it can be assumed the Sisters are hedonists. The Sisters are considered “bull queers”, which means they enjoy raping other men, and in this case, other prisoners. The Sisters constantly find new victims to torment in order to further pleasure themselves. Andy, unfortunately, was one of their victims. When the Sisters first approached him, he expressed his disinterest in what they wanted with him. Regrettably, this had the reverse affect and the Sisters only pursued him more fervently. Andy tried to fight them off on every occasion, but was normally defeated. The Sisters only gained more pleasure in his displeasure. This shows that the Sisters characterize the view of human nature, “hedonism.”
Through their actions, each character distinctly represents a view of human nature. Andy is altruistic. This is shown when he puts himself in danger in order to help his friends. Red is egoistic. He only helps others if it helps him. The Sisters are hedonistic. They gain pleasure from other’s displeasure and care most about themselves. I personally believe living altruistically is the most wholesome way a person can live. If everyone were to care more towards towards each other than themselves, then we need not even care for ourselves. Living beyond yourself is the best way to live in peace. This being said, the opposite is true if you live hedonistically. If you only care for yourself and your own pleasure, it will cause those around you to adapt accordingly, and they will care only for themselves as well. I would consider those who live egoistically to be the “middle ground.” I think most egoists want to live altruistically, but are persuaded by the hedonistic nature of some people. They are afraid to give their all to others because others may not return the favour, or even hurt them in return. Therefore, they feel the need to look out for themselves and only help others when they are sure they will be helped in return. It’s definitely understandable, but not necessarily the best way to live. I still maintain that living altruistically, even in the face of hedonists, is the best way to live. Although I’m unsure of what human’s true nature is, just as everyone else is, I do believe we can choose to overpower whatever it may be. This being said, I will leave you with this quote. Denis Diderot once said, “It is not human nature we should accuse, but the despicable conventions that pervert it.”
Suffering for Art
I’m happier lately. Not quite happy enough to be content, but I’m beginning to find balance at the bottom of this deep valley I’ve fallen into. I can even see a few rocks to grab onto, to help myself out of this ditch. There’s going to be another hilltop, I’m determined of it. I’ll make my own if I need to!
This all sounds fine and dandy, but with my increasing happiness, I’m finding a simultaneous decrease in creativity… Which is bad, because I take predominantly creation based courses and have creative interests. I can’t get anything out! I’m at a loss as to how I express “meh I’m alright and getting better sorta” creatively and artistically. I’m not saying I’d like to revisit the places I’ve been over the past year, but boy. At least it gave me something interesting to write about.
MUST WE SUFFER FOR OUR ART? MUST THE GOOD DIE YOUNG? DID THE CHICKEN COME BEFORE THE EGG? IF A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST AND NOBODY IS AROUND TO HEAR IT, DOES IT MAKE A SOUND? MUST I ASK EVERY CLICHÉ QUESTION I CAN THINK OF?
Surrealism: René Magritte
Surrealism
Surrealism is an art style that began in the late 1910s and early 1920s that specializes in singular art pieces containing juxtapositional subject matter that is often nonsensical, humorous or disturbing. This technique evokes thought and controversy within viewers, possibly raising philosophical, social and moral issues. It comes from a practise called automatism, which means performing actions without conscious thought or intention. Surrealist automatism is present in most major art forms, such as writing, drawing and music. Surrealism is less about style, specifically, as it can be realistic or abstract, and more about the content of the piece. Pairing or morphing unconventional items is a sure sign of a surrealist piece.
An artist named René Magritte stands as one of the most recognized and talented surrealist artists in the world, widely and fondly known for his witty and captivating pieces. Born in Lessines, Belgium in 1898, Magritte produced many paintings; first impressionistic, then he dabbled in futurism and cubism. In 1926, he produced his first surrealism piece, only to be abused and misunderstood by critics. Devoted to his surrealist art, he left home and moved to Paris; the centre of the surrealist movement. Later, he lived in the home of a fellow surrealist in London, all the while gaining recognition for his surrealistic pieces. His fellow surrealist, Edward James, who became the model subject of his paintings Not to be Reproduced and The Pleasure Principle. During World War II, Magritte returned to Brussels, Belgium where he experimented with painting styles reminiscent of Renoir, then the Fauve style. With his vast range and talent, Magritte began to forge productions of faux Picassos, Braques, and Chiricos, which he sold. He returned to his surrealistic art at the end of 1948, quickly gaining popularity and spreading influence throughout the art world. His art travelled to the United States, where it was displayed in multiple exhibitions in New York. His work consisted of an agglomeration of mundane and everyday objects in atypical situations, provoking new ways of thought about the ordinary. This is what makes Magritte a successful surrealist artist; he strived to challenge his viewer’s preconceptions of reality. During the 1960s, Magritte’s art began to reach fame and recognition, but he passed away of pancreatic cancer on August 15th, 1967. His art continued to rise after he died, elevating him to a highly recognized surrealism artist.
To best recognize a surrealism piece, consider the subjects and the context. If the subject or subjects are ordinary, in an unordinary context, it could be surrealism. Surrealistic art is generally incongruous and odd, with much emphasis on a dreamlike world.
An example of a surrealism piece is The Son of Man. It is an 16cm × 89cm oil painting by René Magritte in 1964. The piece depicts a man in business like attire, a long grey coat and top hat with a red tie. He is standing in front of a low grey stone wall which is foreground to the pale blue water and grey sky behind. There is a single bright green apple curiously hovering in front of the man’s face, obscuring most of his features. Another surrealism piece by René Magritte is The Human Condition I. It is an 100cm x 81cm oil painting created in 1933. There is a beige wall with a brown floor, and a window. The window is flanked by brown curtains. Beyond the window there is a blue and cloudy sky and a green field, but most of the scene is obscured by a canvas and easel. The canvas has a painting which perfectly matches up to the landscape beyond the window, allowing the viewer the entire grassy scene.
McCarthyism
In my online literature studies class I am studying the playwright The Crucible, which was written during the birth of McCarthyism. Here’s the basics of what McCarthyism is.
Who is McCarthy?
Joseph Raymond McCarthy was born into a Roman Catholic farming family on November 14, 1908 in Wisconsin. He attended a small grade school, and began his own egg business after graduation. Then, he became a manager of a grocery store. At 21, he returned to high school, quickly finishing the curriculum in one year. He became a law student at the University of Milwaukee, then in 1940 he became a judge. He was described as a fair and compassionate judge. He became a Marine during WWII and obtained the Distinguished Flying Cross. McCarthy became a senate in 1946 until 1957. Within these ten years, McCarthy and his operatives became widely known for belligerent examinations and investigations of U.S. government workers supposedly in favour of Communism, being Communist sympathizers, or Soviet agents. His controversial tactics ushered in the “Red Scare”, a time in which suspected people were subject to hostile interrogations. Opposing forces often called his searches, “Witch Hunts.” He remained Senate until his death in 1957.
What is his claim to fame? (Or infamy, rather)
McCarthy was an active and violent anti-communist politician, his inquiring tactics considered intense and offensive. The manner of his attacks, accusations and tendency to sabotage any of his opposers became what is now known as McCarthyism.
Describe McCarthyism and its effects.
McCarthyism is a term which derived from Senator Joseph McCarthy’s actions; used synonymously with making unreasonable and audacious accusations for the purpose of suppressing political disloyalty. Often, people who did not cooperate with McCarthy (in other words, confess) would lose their jobs, be backlisted in any other jobs, and took a psychological toll. Many innocent people would be prosecuted or even falsely confess due to the pressure and fear of what would happen if they did not conform.
How does McCarthyism relate to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible?
The Crucible was released during the time of the Red Scare, something which Miller was exposed to. He allegedly wrote the play as a stand against McCarthy and his actions. The play revolves around a group of townspeople who are allegedly witches or practice witchcraft. Both honest and dishonest people are pulled into the trials (like the alleged communists), and in the end a non-witch confesses due to the grief it has caused himself and everyone. Many people during the Red Scare confessed to false allegations against them, as to “cooperate” with the unfair and unjust McCarthyism.
rachel kendra 