What conditions are needed for a revolution to occur? Based on your reading so far, what is the most significant factor leading the animals to revolution?

In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the most significant factor that lead the animals to revolt is how poorly the humans were taking care of the animals. As a result of this, Mayor, a wise old pig whom all animals respect, gives a speech that spurs the animals to revolt. He says that humans are “the only creature that consumes without producing […] [yet] [they are] the lord of all animals,” revealing to the other animals that humans are the problem and the animals need to step up (2). He gives examples such as, “gallons of milk […] [going] down the throat of [their] enemies” and “young porkers [who] will scream [their] lives out at the block within a year” (2-3). Major also calls attention to the fact that not only are their enemies consuming what the animals rightfully  produced, but they also give less reward and appreciation to those very animals. The animals ” are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies,” which means the humans don’t feed them to fulfill their stomachs after doing work. Eventually after a profound and convincing speech, he is met with a “tremendous uproar” (3). This speech also highlight certain conditions in order for a revolution to occur. After the speech, nearly everyone realizes they have been treated like slaves and decides to side with Major. Besides numbers siding with the idea of revolution, another condition is that a lack of fairness has to be dealt to the minority, which in this case are the animals. In conclusion, the inequality between the humans and the animals and Major’s speech, which pushed this idea, is the most significant factor as to why the animals revolted.

 

Inquiry Question

What is the story of my Nintendo 3DS?

Source

My 3DS is a primary source that shows my experiences and what I was like when I was younger through the item itself. Nintendo created it in 2011. It was manufactured in China.

Context

Nintendo was going through a major decline in sales at the time but that didn’t stop them from still making products. However, the drop in sales could’ve meant that employees would have been fired which would slow down the process of making new products. An earthquake also hit Japan in the spring of 2011 which might have impacted the rate at which they work. Also, more powerful home consoles were on the rise and giving major competition to Nintendo.

Description

The device has quite a lot of hours on it which can tell you how long the user has been using it for. A piece of edge is broken off and missing which tells you it has probably been damaged by dropping, falling, or by some other accident. I cannot explain how it works even though one side connecting the top and bottom can unhinge.

Inferences About Perspective

The creator belongs to Nintendo which is a titan in the video game industry. They made this source for kids who want to play video games who want to play wherever and not just at home. Although it was aimed at kids, it could be used by anyone as the device can run games for all ages. The cut in sales really didn’t affect Nintendo’s quality of work which shows that they value the quality of their product more than money.

Inferences About Inquiry Question

From examining this source, I learned the story of the source and the story of those who made the source. It extended my knowledge about what I knew and how they made it so that the source would somehow get into my hands. I have further questions about what the creator are planning to do with the 3DS after some time because they are going to eventually stop selling them. What’s next?

Imagine reaching out to someone. Imagine longing for their help, company, love, but every time you extend your hand, they slap it away, spit on you and call you scum. Now imagine the same situation but instead of neglecting and abusing you, they love and accept you. Which situation would you prefer? Similarly, in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we see two pairs of lovers, one with passionate mutual love and another with only one partner yearning for the other. Both pairs run off into the forest, each one desiring of loving who they want, while magical beings alter their wants and fears, distorting their views of reality. By examining the relationship between Lysander and Hermia, and of Demetrius and Helena, we can see that mutual love is key in order to have a good relationship.

 

Lysander and Hermia’s relationship emphasizes strong love from both sides, and without it, the relationship would fall apart as seen as when they were broken apart themselves. When Hermia says, “So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Ere I will yield my virgin patent up Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke My soul consents not to give sovereignty,” she is saying that she would rather die than be with one who she doesn’t love. This not only highlights her beliefs and views of common society, but also that of her version of ‘true love’ (1.1.79-82). She, as well as Lysander, believe in lovers loving each other, and being with each other, no matter the hardships they face. “O hell, to choose love by another’s eyes! […] Or, if there were a sympathy in choice, War, death, or sickness did lay siege to it, Making it momentary as a sound,” (1.1.140-143). They see having someone else choose their love for them as hell, and now that they realize that they do live in this hell, they seek to flee. They reject the cruel world they live in, and abscond, thinking that as long as they have each other, they are willing to face whatever comes ahead. One is another’s heaven and if one were to magically love someone else for example, the other would likely be confused and likely kill themselves, realizing that they are not complete without the other.

 

Unlike Lysander and Hermia’ relationship, the early part of Demetrius and Helena’s relationship teaches us how one-sided love only brings more hate and can hurt us in more ways than one. “And even for that do I love you the more. I am your spaniel. And, Demetrius, The more you beat me, I will fawn on you,” (2.1.202-204). Words of affection said by Helena are only rebuffed and returned with words of hate by Demetrius. Helena even goes as far as to call herself Demetrius’ “dog” just to be his lover (2.1.210). Helena loves Demetrius beyond reason, however, Demetrius cannot return the love. He loves someone else, a wish fueled by greed, which has made him almost subconsciously hurt others in the way of getting what he wants. She is risking getting abused, verbally and physically, other explicit things, and even killed by being close to Demetrius. Nevertheless, she loves him so much, she is willing to risk her life by going into the woods, where she would be all alone if Demetrius would leave her, as he is threatening to do. However, to Helena,” It is not night when [she does] see [his] face,” so she thinks that she is safe when near him (2.1.221). Everything seems to disappear when he is around that she seeks nothing but his love and embrace. Being blinded by love, Helena does not perceive the dangers that come with a one-sided relationship and puts herself in great risk.

 

After analyzing contrasting relationships in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we see that passionate mutual love can greatly improve a relationship while a one-sided relationship can significantly damage a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Reading from these types of other lives can improve our own. In the play, Helena is oblivious to red flags around her because she loves Demetrius so much. We can apply this to our own lives. If we see that the relationship we are in is one-sided, it’s important to let go sometimes. At the end of the day, we have to help ourselves first, in order to help others. So, it’s important that when you are reaching your hand out, you find someone who is willing to hang on just like you are.

The amount of progress I have made since the last post has surprised even me. I have a new set of brushes, ones that don’t leave hairs lying on my paper after use, unlike my old ones. These new brushes are exactly what I was looking for before and now I have them. I had my set of paints for some time now; they are vibrant and work brilliantly. Now that I have all may materials, I can work without hassles.

I attended a walk-in art class in Port Moody which I am very appreciative for as, sadly, I still do not have a mentor. I have sent out four emails since the beginning to acquire a mentor. Two declined and two haven’t responded yet and I don’t think they ever will. My latest one has been to the Port Moody Art Centre, asking if one of their instructors could be the one. I think my emails informative and intriguing, but they certainly didn’t seem to think so. This has actually been quite upsetting but I do not plan to stop. I plan to go to two different Art Centres in person this week asking for a mentor.

Nevertheless, I still managed to have small conversations with the instructor during the art class that I attended. Whenever I asked a question to engage in conversation, the instructor answered in detail and was very passionate. She was interesting because she was “speculative”(46). Instead of giving me answers she suggested I try different things. As de Bono says, “It is always important to get to the truth but being interesting is more important than winning an argument”(52). Instead of telling me a specific way to do it or showing me how, she showed me that “possibilities can then be explored – even if they are finally rejected”(44).

During the class, I learned different effects of warm and cool colours and how they affect background and foreground. Here is an example of something similar I did:

I also learned some essential techniques which I definitely will use in the future. I will start taping the canvas of paper down before I start. Sometimes when I paint, the paper moves and it has obstructed some of my paintings. The art class I attended had the paper taped to the desks when we walked in and it proved invaluable. The tape was also like a focusing tool as it drew my eyes in and encouraged me to focus. Another big tip I learned is wetting the paper before I start. A little bit of moisture allowed the paint to flow easier. I felt a little bit more in control as I didn’t add all the water later either. I would do this before and I made a mess because of how water was in the paper instead of on.

Dear Your Highness and Grace, my beloved King Theseus,

I am writing you this letter to persuade you in the hopes of letting the course of destiny and true love run smooth. Demetrius and I were destined to be together. He loved me once, and I have always loved him. But the problem is that he has stopped loving me and started going after my best friend! My best friend, however, loves some other man whom I have no business with. And the man loves her back! How adorable that is. So, why not let them be a happy couple and let us also be a happy couple. If he has loved me before, why cannot he love me again? True, there is a law stating that one must listen to parent and wed whom the parent sees fit; but please try to show some empathy, my lord. What if you could not love Hippolyta because of some foolish law forbade you? Defiant and strong, I am sure your love knows no bounds. The law of love overpowers any law, even that of the gods. Our love, and everyone’s love is the same. Another reason why Demetrius is not suitable for Hermia is because he is not loyal. His love for me was like lightning; it was very strong, but within an instant it was gone. I am afraid he might leave Hermia as he left me. I do not want my best friend to suffer such a fate. Do not let her die, at the very least, her her alive. Your Grace, I promise you, a little jolliness in a kingdom never did any king any harm. So keep everyone happy as you have always done and always will, by letting the course of love run smooth.

With Love,

Helena