Márcio's blog

Chinese Revolution and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

Connect: How is the information presented in the video connected to what you have already read in Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.

The rules imposed by the Chinese government aim to set a new method of standardised living. There is a clear brainwashing of the people that initiates with the elimination of people’s pasts, as well as, the rewriting of the country’s history, including ancient history.

Extend: What new ideas did you get that pushed your thinking on the Cultural Revolution in new directions?

I knew a bit about the economic developments during the Chinese Revolution, however I was not aware of the cultural changes that were imposed during this era. This has made me reconsider my stance on the Revolution, questioning whether the economic benefits outweighed the cultural damage that was done.

Challenge: What question and wonderings do you now have about the Cultural Revolution?

How did Mao Zedong come into power?
Why were the Chinese people so open to the changes being imposed by the government?
Was there a desperate need to cultural reforms or was it solely part of Mao’s plan to turn into a different economic direction?

Edna Pontellier’s Suicide (The Awakening)

Edna’s suicide was perpetuated by her inability to feel complete. She thought that her disconnection from that which she believed was unhealthy and unlike herself would help her achieve emancipation. However, she needed something to replace that in her life. She still desired the attention of a man.

When she first began her adventures with Robert, on trips out to the lake for example, it was clear that feelings were being developed. This was a catalyst for her change in feelings towards Léonce. The affection and attention she got from Robert was incomparable to that of Mr. Pontellier’s and that helped open her mind to different things in life. This short romance was seen cut short because of Robert’s departure to Mexico, in an attempt to run away from Edna because she was married. At this stage we see Edna’s intrigue when she finds out Robert writes to Mademoiselle Reisz, as you think to herself “wrote to you?” (p. 99) as she repeated in amazement and then requesting “let me see the letter” (p.99). This shows her eagerness to see the content of the letter, even before knowing she would be mentioned in these, revealing her love for him, whether it be consciously or unconsciously. This infatuation continues to grow as time goes on.

Robert’s surprise arrival back to New Orleans sent Edna on a rollercoaster of emotions due to the unexpected way in which he treated her. “ “When did you come back?” asked Edna in an unsteady voice, wiping her face with her handkerchief” (p. 155). Edna’s attempt to suppress her feelings for Robert during the time he was away, influenced her reaction to his arrival. This shock of events put on hold Edna’s plan to detach herself from men and reignited what she wanted to believe were faded feelings. This was coupled with Robert’s unjustified departure back to Mexico. “Oh! you have made me so unhappy with your indifference. Oh! I have suffered, suffered” (p. 172). The use of onomatopoeias makes it clear how Edna is feeling at this moment. She is in despair. The outcome of this incredibly anticipated moment is all but what she expected. Robert’s indifference towards her and his attempt to escape reality leave Edna in a turmoil of emotions. The inability to cope with this influx of emotions leads Edna to end her life, in an attempt to terminate her suffering and mental unrest, caused by the absence of a dominant, present male figure in her life.

Letter from Robert to Mademoiselle Reisz

Dear Mademoiselle Reisz,

I hope you are well. I am too.

I have arrived in Mexico City. Although I left fairly abruptly there was a reason for this. I do not owe an explanation to anyone but I believe and trust that you should be one of the few who knows. Over the past few years I have developed a special affection for Mrs. Pontellier. I felt somewhat chained to my emotions. I realise she is married and even though I sense there is some disconnect between the two of them I feel as though I am in no place to get in the middle of the two of them. For this reason, I thought it would be better to leave, not only for their sake but also for the sake of my mental wellbeing.

I have spent the past days thinking of Mrs. Pontellier. When I wake up in the morning, during breakfast, lunch and dinner, when I go to sleep, while I’m out with friends. I often long for her presence. I feel the need for our candid conversations. I am aware that there is only so much I can do now. I can’t write to her in fear of Mr. Pontellier having access to it and creating an even bigger problem for their already troubled relationship. So I ask you: have you seen Mrs. Pontellier? How is she looking? Our day will come, as Mrs. Pontellier says.

I will leave it here for now but before I say farewell please promise me that if Mrs. Pontellier should call upon you, play for her that Impromptu of Chopin’s, my favourite. I heard it a day or two ago, but not às you play it. I should like to know how it affects her.

Best regards,

Robert

Edna Pontellier’s longing for Mademoiselle Reisz’s lifestyle

The description we get of Mademoiselle Reisz’s lifestyle goes against everything we have been exposed to in terms of how women go about their lives. Mademoiselle lives alone, has a small kitchen in the eventuality of eating something more homely but often goes to the restaurant under her apartment for meals. The big windows in her living room allow for a splendid view and a way to feel a little less lonely as one would being alone. Edna longs for this life. Her awakening has made clear the type of lifestyle she believes is right for her. The thought of being alone and enjoying life solo is appealing to her and contrasts with the life of a mother and wife she is currently living. The freedom to do as she pleases, not restricted by her duties in the home and to society in general is something she longs for. Being able to cook when she wants, clear when she wants and be emotionally and physically available for other when she wants is something she doesn’t have but would love to have. Her new sense of self is highly inclined to the lifestyle Mademoiselle Reisz has.

Visualisation of Mademoiselle Reisz’s apartment- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/5277724533631384/

The Evolution of Mrs. Pontellier

At the beginning of the book Edna Pontellier feels stuck in a role that she beleives was imposed on her by society but that doesn’t reflect herself. It is hard for her to deal with this as she first realises what has come to be her reality. “She began to cry a little, and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her peignoir”. “The tears came so fast… that the damp sleeve of her peignoir no longer served to dry them”. It is clear that Mrs. Pontellier feels miserable in herself and at this point makes that exact realisation.

https://www.midcitytms.com/depression-in-women/

In the middle of the novel we witness a different Edna. One that is now more assured of herself. She has had her “awakening” and is now challenging social norms but deliberately going against them, physically or verbally. “Ravishing” said Victor, one of the characters. “Some way she doesn’t seem like the same woman”. This shows that even those around her have noticed her growth and increased sense of self. Despite the duties she must still attend to, she now feels liberated!

https://www.bolde.com/10-struggles-liberated-female/

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin- Summary

This short story by Kate Chopin recounts the reaction of a woman to the news of her husband’s passing. The story begins with a description of the protagonist and her heart condition which posed limitations to how the news could be delivered, it also set an atmosphere to the story by presenting the characters present. As the story progresses the reader realises that the protagonist was in fact busting with excitement at the news she had received and that when she found out her husband was still alive she died of heart attack.

HL ensaio- proposta

A pergunta que pretendo usar para direcionar o meu ensaio é a seguinte: de que forma as técnicas de comunicação de Malala incita ação por parte da sociedade civil, em particular das mulheres? Esta questão leva-me a focar na área de comunicação que faz sentido sendo que o texto é um discurso que pretende persuadir os ouvintes a tomar certas decisões e a agir de uma maneira diferente. Este tema vale a pena investigar porque a mensagem que se encontra no texto é muito relevante ao contexto actualmente vivido. Não é um texto escrito há décadas que se aplica ao momento atual mas sim um texto relativamente recente que continua relevante ainda hoje. A maneira como Malala comunica com a audiência torna possível que haja uma ação baseado em suas palavras.

Durante o ano fui adquirindo informações sobre o tipo de texto e as características mais comuns encontradas em discursos para tornar possível a concretização da sua intenção. Para esta pesquisa vou utilizar métodos diferentes de pesquisa. Inicialmente vou fazer uso do material escolar que usei durante a unidade, que serviram de fonte primária. Para aprofundar mais ainda o meu conhecimento sobre certos assuntos vou usar fontes secundárias, como por exemplo o The Speaker, uma página online.

Até a altura, já fiz alguma leitura em torno das técnicas de comunicação presentes do discurso, ainda não cheguei à conclusões sobre como isto influencia o público.

Oral Individual- Preparação

A preparação para a Oral Individual de português, para mim não foi um trabalho muito difícil. Já tinha alguma prática dos trabalhos semelhantes que fizemos na aula de inglês e por isso foi mais uma transferência de conhecimento do que um novo aprendizado. Sendo assim, existe algumas diferenças entre os dois, começando pela língua e as características distintas no que toca a análise de textos, assim como os tipos de texto em análise.

Eu decidi usar para o meu trabalho um extrato da obra “A casa da boneca” e um discurso de Malala. Ambos os extratos falam sobre a a igualdade e a emancipação da mulher na sociedade, embora com abordagens diferentes. Cada extrato tem as suas singularidades em termos de língua e recursos estilísticos. Todas estas diferenças ajudam a mesma mensagem a ser comunicada para audiências diferentes, expandindo o alcance da mesma.

USAR GUIÃO PARA RELEMBRAR DOS PASSOS NECESSÁRIOS PARA COMPLETAR O TRABALHO COM SUCESSO!

Blogue de Viagens

Este trabalho foi muito útil em termos prestar clarificações em termos do que é realmente um blogue de viagens e as suas características. Quando completamos este trabalhos tivemos que analisar com alguma profundidade um blogue de viagens e ler atentamente um artigo publicado em um blogue que nos dava conselhos e indicações para como criar um blogue bem sucedido. Este trabalho vai ser muito útil para futuros trabalhos que possam envolver uma análise a um blogue, como por exemplo, uma Oral. Ter este trabalho em mãos pode ajudar a alavancar o trabalho e a refrescar a memória numa altura em que algumas coisas já formam esquecidas.