Gallipoli Practice Introduction

Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure

To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”?

In response you must discuss the way the film positions views to understand its message.

Brainstorm
+ They do go to war because they believe it is an adventure
+ Some soldiers feel pressured
+ The confrontation of war was much devisating then they expected. 

Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli” portrays the idea that many young men go to war because they believe it is an opportunity for adventure; however, the film continues to suggest that there are other reasons they decide to go to war, and that the confrontation of war is much more devastating than they expected. Many of the young soldiers join the army because they are naieve in believing that war is an adventure. However, one of the main characters, Frank, contrasts the views from many of the other soldiers, and joins the war because he feels pressured into by Archie the other men. Throughout the film, the idea is expressed that war is far more devastating than the young men expected, and this is shown through different stages of the arrival in Gallipoli. Through these elements, Peter Weir displays a film where young men go to war for different reasons however, once confronted with the real devastation of war the begin to rethink their lives back at home. 

Week 2/3 Homework

The author claims of “Suicide in the Trenches” that Siegfried Sassoon “makes his point clear with tremendous force and effectiveness”. What is the poet’s message and how effectively (in your opinion) is the message conveyed?

From my perspective on war, I agree with the author in saying that he delivers his point clear "with tremendous force and effectiveness" because of the use of language used in the the poem. Words such as "empty joy", "cowed and glum" and how he describes his audience as "smug-faced crowds with kindling eye", it shows that he is very direct and straight to the point. Also with Sasson plainly stating "He put a bullet through his brain" with no trick language that one would of had to think hard about to understand it emphasizes the point and brings the "tremendous effectiveness" to the poem. 

The way Sasson is very direct and straight to the point allows me to agree with the author, because this makes the poem's point very clear and delivered with tremendous force and effectiveness.

Suicide in the Trenches

I knew a simple soldier boy

who grinned at life in empty joy

Slept soundly through the lonesome dark

And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,

With crumps and lice and lack of rum,

He put a bullet through his brain,

No one spoke of him again.

You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye,

Who cheer when soldier lads walk by,

Sneak home and pray you’ll never know,

The hell where youth and laughter go.

                           by Siegfried Sassoon

Week 5 homework

Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 

1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 
The mocking bird is a symbol of a person/thing that inflicts no harm onto anyone. The mockingbird has only done good, and therefore, it should be protected and not prosecuted. "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird" [pg 100.]


2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 
In the novel, there are two dominant characters that represent the "mocking bird". 
a) Tom Robinson. Like the mocking bird, Robinson only ever did good, he would help Mayella with whatever she called need for when he passed, as stated in his questioning, "She'd call me in, suh. Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she'd have some little something' for me to do.. I was glad to do it" [pg 211]. However, Tom is killed when he tries to escape his inevitable death via the court. By relating the character of Tom Robinson to the symbol of the mockingbird it shows to the audience that Robinsons death was a sin. 

b) Arthur, aka. "Boo" Radley. Like the mockingbird, Boo had never done any harm to anybody, and, as the mockingbird does only good, Boo has only ever cared for, and looked after the Finch children. Amougst giving them gifts, he cared for them by putting the blanket around Scout in the night of Mrs Maudines fire and he also protected them when they were being Attacked by Mr Ewell. Boo's relevance to the mockingbird is made clear when Atticus asks Scout to say that Mr Ewell fell on the knife, and she replies "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird..." pg 304

3.Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee, uses the symbol of the mockingbird to fully develop the ideas of racial prejudice in the southern United States. Lee positions the reader to think the mockingbird as a symbol for a person who does nothing wrong, but is only there to help, by Miss Maudie explaining to the Finch children "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird" [pg 100.]. With the mockingbird symbolising an innocene that should not be harmed, Lee is then able to realate that symbol to the character of Tom Robinson, a negro who is wrongfully charged with the rape of Mayella Ewell, a white girl. Through Robinson's trial, the reader learns that Robinson would often pass the Ewell's residence and help Mayella with whatever she asked for because Robinson "felt right sorry for her" [pg217]. Robinson's pure and un-harming motives, reflect what Lee was describing as the mockingbird and thus highlights the idea of racial prejudice within the context of the text. Robinson was the mockingbird, he did no harm to anyone, but only helped whenever he could, thus according to Atticus's advice to his children, Robinson should not be prosecuted to any extent. However because of the racial prejudice against the negroes within the white society, Robinson is trailed and convicted by only the word of a white family. By exploring the idea of racial prejudice by the use of the mockingbird symbol, Lee is able to describe to the audience that the negroes should never have been prosecuted because they had done nothing wrong. 

Week 4 homework

A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean

Huff, what to think. It has been all so confusing over the past months. It started off simple, Mrs Dubose insulted my father and I reacted - how bad was that really?! I was only doing what I sought to be right and she had no right to be calling my father names like that. Reflecting on the situation, like Atticus would want me to do, I know that I reacted harshly and I should have been the better man and not let the old woman get to me. But she is a creep, she may have "true courage" as Atticus says, and I agree (but let me get to that) but I still think that she didn't have to be so... cruel. But no, I must be like Atticus for he is the greatest gentleman in the US!
I guess the times I spent reading to Mrs Dubose did, in fact serve a purpose and I now know that she didn't make me read to her just to punish me beyond necessary, but gee it did feel like it at the time. To be honest - reading to her, was like reading to a mole rat that never showered. I didn't like one moment of it. But you know what they say, "you don't know what ya got till it's gone", I do in fact regret feeling that way. But in no way am I sayin' that I would do it for longer, just.... I wish I knew. I wish I knew that she was sufferin' and then that way, I guess, It wouldn't have been so bad. It's not my fault is it? To believe someone is how they appear to be in every encounter that you would ever have with that person??? Am I not right? But Mrs Dubose fought, she fought to not be reliant on the morphine when she died, even though Mrs Dubose knew that she was going to die either way. She still thought.

I think that's what Atticus is gettin' at when he says that Mrs Dubose was a brave woman. I think that he means that a person is not all defined by their beliefs - but by their courage, cause that's the best thing to have in one's self. Real courage is better than any good shot, and I know that now.

Paragraph on structure (chapters nine-11)

In chapters nine to eleven in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the way in which these chapters are structured, allows author, Harper Lee to interweave the ideas of “real courage” and to develop them through the course of the chapters. Through the novel, “real courage’ is described, not a physical courage but it is being able to stand up and fight for something, even if the person believes that they will not succeed. This form of courage is highly regarded in relation to the character of Atticus, therefore it gives importance to the underlying ideas of the novel. Beginning in chapter nine, it describes how the ‘Tom Robinson Case’ that Atticus has taken up, is taking a toll on his life and family. “I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover, besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family-” (page 92) This is what cousin Francis tells Scout, illustrating the idea that even Atticus’ family does not approve that he is willing to defending a black man. Stating that it would bring disgrace to the family for he has no change of winning the case and it wasn’t right to be seen to defend a negro with such compassion. However, Atticus is unchanged and is willing to take the case and fight for Robinson, for as he explains to Scout, “Just because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (page 84). In chapter 10 it moves onto the realization that Atticus, to his children’s surprise has a skill, but one he is not proud of. When the children discover that Atticus is a ‘great shot’ they question why he is not proud of his talent. It is when Miss Maudine explains to the children that “if your father’s anything, he’s civilized in his heart.. I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things” (page 109). This is continuing on from the ideas expressed in chapter nine, in which, It depicts Atticus’s civilized, respectful and determined personality, but it is not yet that the reader fully understands the idea of “real courage”. Therefore, chapter eleven works as a conclusion for these three chapters, in which it makes clear what the ideas from the previous two chapters were leading up to. When Atticus reflects on Miss Dubose’s death, he describes her as a great lady and tells his children, “I wanted you to see what real courage is…it is when you know that you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what…. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.” (page 124). This idea of having no chance of ‘winning’ before you start, but trying anyway, is linked together by the structure of the three chapters which allows Lee to show Atticus’s view of “real courage” in three different circumstances, making the idea clear and understandable to the audience. 

Week 3 Homework

Events that have shown that Boo has come out (chronological order)

1. When Dill dares Jem to touch the outside of the house. No evidence of any response. (pg15-16)
2. When scout finds 2 pieces of chewing gum in the tree at the edge of the Radley's house. (pg 37). However they don't make the connection to start with. She and Jem later see that there is another box with wrappers of chewing gum and other "treasures" pennies, pocket watch, aluminum knife, carvings in soap that look like them.
3. When scout is in the tire and the tyre hits the front door - she hears laughing. It means that they can see and he is amused with what happens to Scout.
4. They attempt to give the note to Boo Radley by attaching to the end of a fishing line and tapping it on the window.
5. When Jem left his trousers at the Radley house and when he went back to get them they were folded up and stitched up. It shows that he cares for the children (Jem is kept out of trouble). 
6. When Boo gives Scout the blanket after the fire. This proves the mythology about Boo is wrong, and is the most definite clue that he cares for them. (pg.79)

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Journal Entry of Attacus - the night of the fire

It has been some what of an eventful day and I am still trying to decide what I make out of it. Children are curious by nature, but this time, it seemed to fit. I can now see that my son is indeed ready to become a man. And, surprisingly, I have Arthur Radley to thank.


I was woken around 1am this morning to the sounds of shouting and cracking. I huffed out of bed to take a look at what was causing the commotion, well what I saw still haunts me slightly. From across the street i saw Miss Maudine's house was alight in flames. Without properly evaluating the situation I grabbed my overcoat and shoes and went to wake the children. I reached Jem first and shook him up, as soon as his eye's opened I told him to go and get himself a robe and shoes on. He got up without much of a second thought but when he stood and could see the fire from outside the window, his eyes went wide. I told him that I was going to wake Scout and for him to hurry up. I grabbed Scouts bathrobe and shoes and went to wake her. At first she was daised by the matter but she was quick in picking up something was wrong. 
I told the both of them to wait outside the Radley's house, to ensure they were safe and out of the commotion. Jem was looking concerned and asked if he should help clear the furniture out of the house, but I couldn't allow that. He and Scout needed to remain safe. I told him to not let Scout out of his sight - partly so Jem could have an aid to do for I knew he wanted to help, but I needed to be sure they were both safe. 


I gave them a bit of a push to ensure they started moving, I couldn't have them caught up in all of this commotion. And commotion it was. I went into the house to help and get some of her belongings out. The heat inside her house was increasing and I was already forming a sweat. Turning, I saw Miss Maudine's great old rocking chair, knowing that she valued the thing highly and took it out with me as the building began to collapse in on itself. I went to go back in, but the house was so far in flames - I shouted at the other men to get out, the place was going to fall any second. I looked up to the stairs and saw Dick Avery at the top of the stair. "Come down for there!" we all shouted, but it was too late, the stairs fell down and we all ran out. We went around to the side of the building and saw Mr Avery trying to wedge himself out of the window. It took a while but he got out, falling onto Miss Maudine's shrubbery bush. 
I went back around and tried to find Miss Maudine, to be there for comfort. I saw her standing in front of her house, I went to stand beside her and looked also at the house. It was melting in the flames and I just stood there for a while. It was so mesmerizing, the flames licking at the house as if it was dragging it to the pits of hell in its great blazing heat. The firemen's aid was useless against the flames and soon the house fell in on itself and crumbled to the ground. I went and started beating out the embers with a blanket to ensure that it would not relight. 
I stayed there for a while and went back to Miss Maudine, hardly speaking but making sure that she knew someone was there for her. 


Dawn was breaking and out of the corner of my eye I saw Jem and Scout find my way to me. I shook my head at them, well mainly Jem, telling him that I didn't think Miss Maudine was in any mood to speak to anyone at that stage. I placed my hands on their shoulders, feeling a relief to know that they were safe and we went home. I decided that they should have some coco, for a comfort drink and we all drank as I lit the fire.


When I sat back down, I noticed Scout had a blanket on her shoulders. Where could she have gotten it from? - I though to myself, had they moved when I was helping with the fire? I thought I had told them to stay put! I was budfulled, I could not understand where she got it from. Eventually I asked.
Scout looked confused at my question, she looked to Jem who looked just as shocked and confused as her. He told me that he hadn't left the Radley's house, as I asked and this I calmed. Someone must have given it to Scout in the confusion and neither of them must have noticed. I noticed that Jem was still talking, so I told him that it was fine - I wasn't really listening.               
But he continued, he began to tell me how they have been trying to, I don't even know, talk to? or just to see Boo Radley. Trying to spy on him, finding odd-and-ends in the tree, leaving notes, having pants stitched up. Then somewhat of how Mr Nathan being mad, but Boo not hurting them?

It was all making sense now, and I felt somewhat, very proud of my son. As he continued on, he explained that no, we shouldn't return the blanket ad i could tell it was so 'Boo' would get into trouble as boo had protected him on numerous accounts. 


 Looking at Scout, she was looking at him with horror, they must have been hiding it from me, but to be honest, I didn't really mind.
When I eventually got a word in, I reassured him that it would all be fine and that we should keep the blanket matter to ourselves. I couldn't even understand the full story so I figured not to bother anyone else with it and it stressed Jem far to much for my liking. I told him that we should thank Boo for covering Scout up, for it must have been Radley who gave her the blanket. Jem began to tease Scout about who Radly gave her the jacket and to be honest, I was unimpressed. I do not like how Arthur has been turned into a village story tale that scares everyone. I told Jem to be quiet about the matter and we all went to sleep till the afternoon.


Reflecting on the events of today, once haven a sleep, I believe I understand everything more clearly. Jem, Scout and their friend have been chasing around the stories of the "evil boo radley". It is just children investigating a mystery. But I fear that the story of Boo Radley has grown too big, I pity the poor man and just hope my children don't do anything radical. I hope todays events have shown them that Arthur is not a monster, but I think I will keep a closer eye on them from now on.

The crucible title

The Crucible

Dictionary Definition:

1) A ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures

2)                  A place or occasion of severe test or trial: the crucible of combat

3)                  A place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new: the crucible of the new Romatic movement.

Best Definition: “A place or occasion of severe test or trial”

The title of Arthur Millers play, The Crucible, is a clear representation of the themes within the play. The word crucible is best defined for the play as, “A place or occasion of severe test or trial.” [New Oxford American Dictionary] This closely relates to a major theme within the play, loyalty. Whether the  play is referring to the loyalty to God, family or ones inner morals; the salem witch-trials forced all the characters loyalty to be tested. Proctor is a key character in showing this struggle, for as the audience is shown, his struggle to stay loyal to his family and inner morals takes a toll on him, both mentally and physically. Though his loyalty to Elizabeth and God is thoroughly tested by the villagers and Abigail, his greatest trial takes place at the end of the play when he must decide wither to lie and survive or refuse to confess and be hanged. It is in the end when he must sign his name that he regains his morals and does not confess because his loyalty to his beliefs is so strong that he would rather die than break that loyalty. Once proctor refused to confess he felt relieved and stated; “I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor…” (pg 125). Proctors final test was that of his loyalty to himself and he believed and trusted in his morals, though he died, he felt like he had won. Within the play, the character of John Proctor demonstrates the title of the play as he struggles against the severe testing of his loyalty to Elizabeth, his religion and himself. 

Similarities between McCarthy Era and Play

The event similarities between Millers play; The Crucible and the historical 'McCarthy Era' are obvious. Along with the many other aspects of the play, key events from the McCarthy Era have been deliberately mirrored into a Salem setting. For instance, in the novel the witch-trails were a consequence of the girls not being willing to face the consequences from dancing in the wood. Instead, they blamed it on a superstition that the village feared greatly, witches. This is almost identical to the founding of the infamous McCarthy Era in the 1950s. The cold war had started between America and Russia and in 1949, America got news that Russia had successfully tested a RDS-1 nuclear weapon. Fear and hysteria spread through America that there was now a possibility of nuclear war. With the need of someone to blame, Joseph McCarthy, a sent in the United States declared that there was communist spies hiding in the government. This event, along with many others during the era are highlighted through Millers successful play.

Is proctor a hero?

John Proctor should not be classified a hero because his actions are done for pride, not heroic reasons. A hero is someone who has definite, unchanging morals and is willing to sacrifice himself for the benefit of others. Reverend Hale recognizes this John is not being heroic at the end of the play when he pleads with Elizabeth, “It is pride. It is vanity.” Proctor believes that telling one truth at the end of his life will save him from hell as he states, “Because I’m not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” John’s selfish reasoning in protecting himself for what is to come in the afterlife is masqueraded by the horrors of the witch trials so much that. This convinces the audience that just because he decides to die, that he is being heroic. In truth, Proctor holds too much pride that in the end leads to selfishness and an appearance of heroicness.