Reflections

Last blog! Wow....

At the beginning of this semester, I didn't even understand what rhetoric really was. And I most certainly didn't know how to write a rhetorical analysis paper... I thought I sucked at writing in general, and avoided it as much as possible. Hence, why all my writing components were left for my senior year here at UT... Not a good idea btw. I'm glad I learned about some of the major theories of rhetoric and the proper formula for rhetorical analysis papers for future reference. I wish I could say that I'm an expert at applying this knowledge when it really comes time to write my papers, but I can't. I still have trouble finding the right evidence for my claims, and my introductions definitely still need work. But at least I've improved. (The finding evidence thing really sucks when it comes time for the LRO, though. I never know what to put as proof of my improvement throughout the course. Oh well... moving on.) And I loved observing the discussions/debates in class. It's a great learning experience, even if I don't ever join in. (I don't particularly like the sound of my own voice and public speaking is honestly kind of terrifying.) But listen to others debate about the novels we read or the theories we learned was a great way to get multiple perspectives on the same topic. This blog actually does the same thing as well, which is cool. The most important thing I learned this month, however, is that almost everything I was taught in elementary through high school about writing was a bunch of crap. It helped me none in this course... What a wonderful feeling to know 12 years of taking Language Arts was a waste...

In closing, I would just like to say that everyone in this class was awesome... very fine people. I hope you guys have a wonderful 2 1/2 week break before we have to get back for the Fall.

Ma Ma Main claims for Prompt 1b

This is the second time I have to type this cause Blogger erased EVERYTHING when I hit spell check cause the computer blocked the pop-up!!! Ahhhh!!!

Hola, Ash and Simon. Here are some of my arguments for my paper. I'll elaborate more when I write the actual paper, and of course, provide the support then as well. Here's what I got so far... Though it's a crappier version since my original was DELETED! Grrrrrrrrrr.

-Set up my pentad for D-503's "illness"... Which is going to be what I read to you guys in class yesterday.

-The One State treats imagination and soul as sicknesses because they affect how a person thinks and feels and the actions they take; Therefore, if you possess either of these, you will not be exactly like everyone else. And as we know, individuality is not an acceptable characteristic in the One State. (I think I'm going to take you advice here and incorporate the bulletin into this argument... more details later.)

-D-503 thinks his new personality and feelings are illnesses because he wants to use that as an excuse for why he broke the One State's rules. He convinces himself that he is not well and he is not in full control of his actions. This way, in his mind, he is still very loyal to the One State, because the "real" D-503 would never do anything that's not allowed. (I want to show that the nature of his sickness is a social construction moreso than a physical or mental ailment... again, details later.)

-Zamyatin created this element of the story to warn people of what could happen in Russia if totalitarianism reigned on: People would lose their freedom and feel bad for thinking and doing things they know are not bad but are not accepted in the eyes of their society. I'll read the intro and do a little more research to try and show that Zamyatin wrote this story as a reaction to the events that were taking place in Russia during that time.

-Zamyatin's argument would be effective on an audience of free-thinkers, non-communists, artists, etc. such as himself.

Sorry guys, no spell check this time... Not risking it. I'm not going to click any button other than "Publish"!! Hope you two have a grand "8 day" weekend!

D-503 and I-330's Ideologies

D-503 and I-303's ideologies are the same in the sense that they both have certain beliefs about the One State. But, while D-503 believes that the One State is the perfect place to live, I-330 thinks the exact opposite of the One State. D-503's confusion and love for I-330 led him to stray from his original beliefs a bit; but in the end, his loyalty for the One State remained true and he was able to finish his entries for the launching of the Integral in order to let others outside of the Green Wall know how "great" the One State is. D-303 is a conformist and I-330 is a rebel. He tries to repress his emotions, she lets them flow free. He believes imagination and freedom is bad, she thinks they're good. Their loyalties lie in different places, but at least they have a common goal: happiness (even though their methods to achieve this goal may be radically different).