1984 Socratic Seminar Prep #4

Summary:
Winston is experiencing what it's like to be in prison. He experiences himself interacting and observing other criminals and putting into thought why political criminals get more punishment rather than regular criminals. He gets to analyze his experience in the jail cell and analyze his visit of jail.

Questions: (6 level twos)
1. Do you think that the description of the prison corresponds with the mental state of the society?
-Yes I do believe that the description of the prison, as it's described as being white walls with no windows and a high ceiling, just as the society is very closed in as well. It is also significant that the place he is in is called the ministry of love when no love is actually living in it. (Logos)
2. Why do you think that the worst punishments were given to political prisoners rather than regular criminals?
- I personally believe that worst punishments were given to policies prisoners rather than regular criminals because the government assumes that the policies people are indefinitely on their side, so when the political people betray them, they are more likely to give them worse punishments because they know the law and expectations better than anyone in their society. (Logos)
3. Why do you think that Parsons is proud of their daughter snitching on him, even though the daughter just turned her own parent in?
- Because society is so brainwashed, even your own child can turn you in in this society and you'll be proud of them doing their duty to the party. Even though Parsons child turned them in, it is their duty to do so, so it was a proud moment for him, for that his daughter displayed loyalty to the party, which mattered to them.(Ethos)
4. Do you also believe that nothing is worse than physical pain?
- No, I definitely don't believe that. The worse pain is somebody or something getting inside of your head and manipulating you and changing your thought process. When Winston stated that physical pain was worse than any other pain, he is blind to his life because his painful life is more mental pain than anything. Constant reminders of control, and the telescreens to watch you, it's mentally draining and mentally restraining and he doesn't even know it's own effect on him. (Ethos)
5. Do you think that the people who tortured that man with him in the cell, which of whom would be nice to him and treat him as an equal, and then he would switch up real quick and torture him, symbolize the man that owned the antique shop?
- In a way, it does. The way it does symbolize the man at the antique shop is that he and Winston were cool and he thought he could trust him and treat him as an equal, but he turned around and was the thought police. This society they live in is sleazy, and there are a lot of fake friends so just as Winston  presumed in the beginning, you can't trust anyone. Winston in a way is the man that is tortured, in the way of his mind and that he is different from many, and the person who is torturing him who he thought was his equal friend, betrayed him in that he gave him a room with a telescreen when he claimed there wasn't one at all. (Logos)

Level (3) Questions:

1. If you already grew up in a society of Dystopia, would you be equally affected of the changes if you hadn’t ever experienced life now-a-days?

- I believe that if I didn’t experience modern times and if I just grew up in Dystopia, I wouldn’t think much of it, I would just perceive it as normal life, just  as you would. Coming from a rational point of view, if you grew up in a certain time period then you wouldn’t question it because that is all you have ever known life to be, so why would you think of it any differently? It all depends on what you are used to and what environment you were raised in. (Ethos)

2. If someone were monitoring your thoughts do you believe that you would be able to keep them under control?

- Personally, no. Growing up in America, a society that lets you speak your mind, to an extent, has created this being that doesn't have a filter on my mouth when I have an opinion or idea. How would I be able to communicate my ideas, changes, to help people? I wouldn’t, thats the whole point of Dystopia, that you can't express those beliefs, I would not be able to live in a Dystopian society, but if it was all I have ever known I would probably to able to. (Ethos)

3. Imagine that Dystopian societies were unheard of. Imagine you have a cousin that claims that they live in one, would you believe them if they told you all about it?

- If I had a cousin that lived in a Dystopian society I would not believe him/her if they told me about day to day life in one. Once again, growing up in America allows me to express myself whether its through words, visuals, or maybe even clothes, so hearing of a Dystopian society would be unimaginable. (Ethos)

Part III: Quotes:

"Do anything to me!" he yelled. "You've been starving me for weeks. Finish it off and let me die. Shoot me. Hang me. Sentence me to twenty-five years. Is there somebody else you want me to give away? Just say who it is and I’ll tell you anything you want. I don't care who it is or what you do to them. I've got a wife and three children. The biggest of them isn't six years old. You can take the whole lot of them and cut their throats in front of my eyes, and I'll stand by and watch it. But not Room 101!" (3.1.71, the old tortured man at the Ministry of Love)

"It was my little daughter," said Parsons with a sort of doleful pride. "She listened at the keyhole. Heard what I was saying, and nipped off to the patrols the very next day. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? I don't bear her any grudge for it. In fact I'm proud of her. It shows I brought her up in the right spirit, anyway." (3.1.48-50)

Socratic Seminar Reflection #3

     The seminar never fails to bring something new to the table, but overall people in the seminar had similar, if not the same, ideas about the book that I also have. About Winston and Julia having a relationship built off of a common interest (rebellion), is one idea that really stuck through throughout the whole seminar as a whole that he only fell for her so hard because he felt a sense of rebellion from her, which the whole group I was in agreed on as well. Nothing in particular was really said to have me think in more depth about the book. Of course there were a few "ooh" and "aaah" moments, but nothing in particular stuck to my mind and really left me pondering.
     One statement that I agreed with the most among my peers was, as said above, that Julia and Winstons "love" is based solely off of rebellion and lust rather than truly falling for someone, they only fell for each other because they were the only people they could fall for. There wasn't a statement that I disagreed with the least, everyone is entitled to their own opinion so if there was reasoning behind whatever my peers said, it was considered a far opinion.
     What really worked for the seminar is the fact that everyone worked together to consider other peoples opinions and also adding on to what other people said. What also worked well for the seminar is that there was also disagreements that caused debates and tension and also made the seminar interesting.
      What needs improvement is not being redundant, and for it to flow better. Even though we can listen, we lack fluidity. Sometimes we have fluidity and sometimes we don't, its not as consistent as it needs to be. I expect the seminars to improve every time we have one, as it always does.

Socratic Seminar Reflection #2

    In the second Socratic Seminar, as always it influences me to think of certain aspects in a different way. But honestly, the Socratic seminar was redundant throughout the whole second part with my group so the ideas that were being tossed out I was already aware of before hand. I honestly don't have anything that stuck out to me that would have me think so much in depth about.
    A statement with my peers that I agree with the most is that Windton is forming a rebellion internally and he is becoming more aware of his thoughts and the power behind them. A statement that I agree with the least is the one that there is no telescreen in the room in the antique shop. I honestly believe there is because why wouldn't there be? Maybe The guy at the antique shop is purposely there to lure in people, maybe he is the thought police in disguise as an ordinary man. If I had the opportunity to say anything I would say that I believe that there is a telescreen somewhere in the room in the antique shop.
      What worked well for the seminar is how nobody really overpowered anyone and among our peers we gave respectful opinions and it flowed well. I personally appreciated my partner that I observed because even though she didn't have her prep sheet she still participated in it, which shows that the seminar talked about things that had reasoning and lured you in with logical,ethical, and emotional appeals.
      What needs improvement is keeping on track because we tend to get off subject or go too in depth which causes us to lose focus and not really ask the cumulating question that is being asked.

Othello Dramatic Reading Video

    The silioloquy I chose to do my dramatic reading on is one where Iago is talking to the audience explaining hi a potential plan toward Othello. In the video, I chose to pause and then project my voice at the part "I hate the Moor" to strategically show that Iago is showing emotion or passion toward his hatred for the Moor, which shows intensity and is evidence of how genuine his feelings are. Another part that I slowed down on and made my voice a little bit higher is the part "How? How?" To show that Iago is pondering aloud, and is telling his plan so he's also thinking out loud. At the end I slowed down to show that the plan is being accepted and consumed into the audience and Iagos mind.
     By becoming the character for a short period of time I have been put into his shoes. By him being the antagonist I felt a sense of malevolence, feeling as though I was actually bout to complete the plan myself. His character is very expressive and manipulative in the way he does things so I learned that while reciting his lines in the play to get in the jist of how the character would actually feel. I understood the play as a whole because Iagos part plays such a big role I felt as though I had significance and that I was powerful while completing the silioloquy.
      The impact of this particular silioloquy was significant because it revealed the antagonists plan toward the main character, Othello. Since Iago drives the plot, this portion of the play drives it also by revealing his plan that actually drives the plot. My soliloquy definitely further complicated the conflict because it was the actual plan that would drive the plot forward. It also reveals characterization to show that Iago is indeed manipulative and has bad motives, and in this excerpt he is surely aware of his intentions and what he is going to do.

Socratic Seminar Final Reflection 1984 #1

     The Socratic Seminar that was based off of book one of 1984, influenced me to think of 1984 in a more futuristic perspective of someone who thought of the future as a controlling place with no choices. One thing that was said that had me thinking more in depth about it is the fact that children were basically brainwashed to rebel against their parents, which also correlate to technology because we choose technology instead of communication with our parents sometimes. But also, it is offensive that people in the old days projected the years of 1984 to be controlling and monitored.
      The opinion that I agreed with the most among my peers is that the diary is a form of rebellion even though the main character isn't even aware of it yet. The whole concept of the the diary is a representation of Winston's thoughts and when he realizes that others have ideas too they'll eventually rebel against the government. So in a way, this is power and individuality in itself. I said everything that I wanted to say in the seminar.
       What really worked well for the seminar is the fact that everyone built off of everyone's ideas and it flowed very well. Also, everyone made relevant contributions and no one was overpowering over anyone else, so it was a seminar of mutual respect and mutual contribution to the seminar.
        What needs improvement is nothing really, I thought the questions and the answers and the concepts contributed we're pretty good and relevant, so nothing was bad enough that was noticeable to be drastically improved.

Title Justification Paper #3

    The title for part three, which is "Paths Taken and Expectations Fulfilled", the author strategically uses this title to represent the happening in chapters 7 and 8.
     In these two chapters, both Wes Moores strive to create a better lifestyle for themselves. Wes Moore number one succeeds at his job in the military and by doing so, he excels in education and graduates at the top of his class, which in the title justifies the part of "expectations fulfilled", for that his expectations were high and he succeeded at doing so. On the other hand, the "paths taken" refer to the oaths taken by Wes Moore number two, which of whom chooses to rob a bank with his brother, and after getting his GED, goes back down the path of drug dealing rather than going into a more positive direction to improve himself. In conclusion, Wes Moore number ones path led him to make his best selling book, and Wes Moore number two is stuck in prison serving time for the choice he has made.
       With their stories leading up to this, Wes Moore has created a phenomenal book about life experiences and choices made that influence what we do, what were taught to do, and our motives as we go throughout our lives. Also, his book goes to show that people from the same background can have two different outcomes, which solely depends on the choices you make throughout this long and tedious journey.

Chapter 7

"..but my mother used it as a hook into a deeper lesson: that the written word isn't nessesarily a chore but can be a window into new worlds." (page 131)
- In this quote, which themes being tracked is the importance of education, Wes explains how reading isn't merely a punishment, it's a benefit because one is exposed to a new world. The author wants the reader to understand the impact that education had on Wes's life, because it led him to become successful and relate to other people's stories as well. People in A similar life situation as Wes, should have access to the benefit of education, for it will lead them to a better life and be more educated about the outside world. Reading can enhance a lifestyle, taking it back to the old days when slaves couldn't read but masters could it made them superior, that is still intact being that those who read are more well rounded and aware of the outside world and those who don't aren't as educated,  so reading is a also leading into a new world along with a new lifestyle.

"..but he didn't speak to my experience as well as Colin Powell did. Powell, in his pragmatic way, wanted what I wanted: A fair shot. A place to develop himself." (page 132)
- This quote is a good example of parallel biographies because Wes looks at Powells story as relating to himself and he takes into account his personal happenings to relate to his and get him through his own struggles and manage success as well. The author includes this biography to show that Wes had a successful figure to look up to, of which he also made it through his hard time which causes Wes to strive for success as well and relate to him. Most people that feel inferior would also want a fair shot, so this also relates to the minorities in this time, who only want a chance to be superior and show their strengths and abilities. It relates to a greater picture of life, of equality, and that this is all this young boy wants, is a chance.

"As I started to think seriously about how I could become the person I wanted to be, I looked around at some of the people who'd had the biggest impact on my life. Aside from family and friends, the men I most trusted all had something in common: they all wore the uniform of the United States of America." (page 132)
- As Wes goes through military school, he changes in a way that he is more reaponsible, disiplined, and shows signifigant qualities of a man. The Role Models he refer to are military officials which form him into what he is, which successfully makes him into the person he wants to be. The author wants us to conclude that he added this to show his formation of a man, and his own perspective of his changes and who he now looks up to.

"His love for her and their kids kept him from seeing the truth that now stared him in the face. Cheryl was an addict" (page 137-138) and "And it pained him to realize that the mother of his children was just like them.) (page 138)
- Drugs were always a prominent component in Wes's downfall in his life and him seeing drugs in what he loves most gives him the red flag to terminate it all, all of the drugs, the system, everything, for he desires a better life. The author wants the reader to take from this that because the drugs were effecting more than just Wes, but the mother of his kids, he realized there was a time for a change because it went too far. This is a driving force for him to Change and get his GED.

"They believed the secret to their second lives hid on the sleepy Howard County, Maryland, Campus of Job Corps."
- While Wes was looking for clarity and supervision on the streets, he realized the importance of education. Getting his education was really the answer to all of his problems in his life, for it opened doors for him and provided him with rational and steady jobs, unlike drug dealing. The author wants us to conclude in this quote that education is the key for success and not drugs, which Wes was doing all of his life.