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At 10:15 PM,  AntoH said...

First Impressions

I had to go to the hostel on Sunday at seven-thirty in the evening. I was excited knowing that when I arrived I was going to be a senior, giving me much more privileges. I was also looking forward to seeing everyone and finding out what they had all got up to during the holiday. In the back of my mind I was thinking about the new school and how I'd cope finding my way around.
Once I arrived at the hostel, I was soon welcomed back by all the house-parents and was told by Mr Chambers ( Head of the Hostel) what room I was staying in. I was a bit disappointed that I had to stay in the fifth year corridor instead of the fourth as I had stayed in the fifth before the holidays. Once I got to the corridor it still looked and smelt the same as before I left it. Noise soon built up in the hostel with a constant chatter throughout all the rooms.
I woke up by a knock on the door from Mr Chambers. “Wakey wakey Anthony” he called through the door. I was shattered because last night I kept waking up because of the heat, it was like sleeping in Spain with a full duvet instead of those little sheets. It doesn't help when you have been used to getting up in the afternoon everyday as well. I managed to drag myself in to have a shower. After my shower I was not looking forward to putting on the new school uniform. Once I got it on, it was not that bad. It was five to eight so I headed downstairs for breakfast. I felt like I was drugged heading down the stairs to breakfast because I was so tired. For breakfast I just grabbed a bowl of cereal, I didn't feel up for some of the brick hard bacon or blackened sausages.
After breakfast when we got upstairs, we didn't want to muck about, we were to busy trying to put on our ties instead. Funnily a few people had their mum make their tie the night before ready for the morning.
Once we arrived at school I remember looking on to the new school, I felt a sense of a new beginning, a new school and a new year. The huge glass windows gleamed as the sun shone upon it, almost like a giant greenhouse. The school looked so much better the the old one; no chewing gum engraved into the floor, no graffiti spread on the walls or litter lying around. As we walked through the double doors where Mr Rhodes the head teacher was there to welcome us back to school and check our uniforms. Inside the forum was so big, it was so bright and clean. In the forum there was a stage, a lunch area and literally hundreds of chairs and tables. I felt a sense of mystery: what new things are there in this massive shell?
The never ending whiteness of the school runs along the corridors and in the rooms. The school felt like a hospital as it was very bland looking.
After we had found our way to form we were told all the rules of the school and where things are. It was second period once we got out of form. We headed to geography, the way the stairs worked was very confusing. You can only go up or down specific stairs but we made it eventually.
Lunch felt like it came fast because we did not do much work in our classes if any. The new system was good as the first and second years went up first, then third and fourth. It meant that we were not standing in the queue for ages instead we could just sit down.
Looking back at the old school, I can remember lots of good memories and some bad: the school looked empty and neglected. It felt like it was sad knowing that it was just waiting for the final crunch to be replaced by a new pitch. While the new school stands proud unlike the old school feeling jealous of the new school.
Overall I have enjoyed the new school and the new school uniform isn't really that bad as I thought. I think we should have had another week off because a lot of the classes were not ready for us, but I learnt my way around the school so it wasn't too bad after all.

 

At 7:45 PM,  AntoH said...

Here is my w1 I haven't done a conclusion as I was not sure what to write in it.

Casuals

I am going to be writing a W1 on casuals hopefully helping you understand what they are and what they do. Football hooliganism started before casuals starting back in 1314 which was banned because it was a vicious free for all. Casuals arose from the Teddy Boys in the mid fifty's young men would wear clothes styles from the Edwardian period. The Teddy Boys were one of the first youth groups in England but some groups would fight the other gangs which could escalate in to massive riots. The casual subculture really started when the mod subculture came up in the early sixty's. Youths who supporters of football started to bring their fashion into football and certain clubs began to be known for this like Chelsea F.C and West Ham United, this continued into another subculture spin-off the skinheads. Casuals started to grow in the late seventy's when Liverpool fans followed there team to France introducing the rest of Europe to the casual fashions.
Since the police were still looking for skinheads in Dr. marten's boots the casuals were not payed much attention because they wore expensive designer clothes. Most casuals wore the clothes as not to be noticed by rival supporters or to get into rival pubs. These clothes labels in the eighty's were: Fila, Stone Island, Fiorucci, Pepe, Benetton, Sergio Tacchini, Ralph Lauren, Lyle & Scott, Adidas, CP Company, Le Coq Sportif, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Lacoste, Kappa, Pringle, Burberry and Slazenger. In the late eighty's casuals deadened down but came back again in the mid ninety's. The style had slightly changed though a lot of football fans used the casual look as a sort of uniform making them different than ordinary fans. Clothing makes like Stone Island, Aquascutum, Burberry and CP Company were seen at practically every football club.
Casuals didn't really have a set type of music but were in to the acid house, rave and Madchester scenes which slightly made the violence subside. Some modern music has shown increase in popularity with music groups like The Streets and The Mitchell Brothers wearing casual clothing in their music videos.
The casuals form of transport consisted of trains and buses to get around. Casuals would use buses and trains to get to a football match or maybe an arranged fight this usually was with lots of alcohol on a very loud journey.
There have been massive riots, vandalism and looting because of casuals abroad. This mainly happens when there team have lost a match and mixed with the drink they take to the street and start smashing things in or starting fights with rival teams. If it all kicks off it can turn it huge riots and looting resorting to police Riot teams to be sent out holding big shields to protect themselves from the violence of the crowd. The Riot teams would sometimes use tear gas to deter the angry mobs. This has given casuals massive negative publicity because of rioting, vandalism and looting being spread all over news. These people would have to get police escorts to make sure they didn't do anything and people had fear of these people, going home when they knew casuals would be about. During the acid house, rave and Madchester scenes casuals were into lots of alcohol and amphetamines to keep them dancing all night. Casuals would take a spare change of clothes with them to get out of there sweaty clothes when they headed home. Later on casuals moved on to taking ecstasy, LSD's and emphatines while dancing through the night on the Madchester, rave and acid house scenes. I was starting to become really worrying in the late eighty's on the amount of drugs that were being taken.
There was a huge effect on sales of casual clothing due to everyone wanting to wear the fashion at the time. Many movies and programmes have been created inspired by the casual lifestyle like: ID, The Firm, The Football Factory and Green Street.

 

At 10:54 PM,  AntoH said...

Othello Critical Essay

I will be writing a critical essay on Othello by William Shakespeare a play about a black man who is twisted to believe that his wife is cheating on him. He ends up killing her and then finds the truth that she was true. So he then goes on to murdering his self because of his lost. I will show how Shakespeare is responsible for creating a memorable character in Iago and Iago's use of language bringing Othello's downfall.
In Othello Iago is two faced to nearly all the other characters. On Act one scene one where Iago is talking to Roderigo outside Brabantio's house.
“I am not what I am.”
This quote is showing that Iago is basically admitting he is two-faced saying that he is not what he appears to be.
Iago uses a good use of language to get people to do things. He uses polite language and vulgar racist language to get what he wants from people. In act one scene one when Iago and Roderigo are talking to Brabantio.
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe.”
Iago uses good figurative language to get Brabantio to go for Othello. The language is very racist and vulgar which is also contributing to the theme of racism in the play as well.
In the play there is a very obvious theme of racism towards Othello. When Brabantio is calling Othello a thief for marrying his daughter in Act one scene two.
“Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her.”
Here Brabantio can not believe that a Moor has made his daughter fall in love with him. He thought because he was black he must have used magic or spells to make her love him.
Iago deceives many people in the play, one of these people is Roderigo. On act one scene three when Iago and Roderigo are talking about Desdemona.
“Put money in thy purse... put money in thy purse.”
Iago is simply using Roderigo for his money. Roderigo thinks the money he is giving Iago is going to gifts for Desdemona. Iago uses the phrase over and over making Roderigo think that the money is going to Desdemona. After Roderigo leaves, Iago goes into a soliloquy in act one scene three:
“Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.”
Here Iago is saying that Roderigo, being a fool is paying Iago, filling his purse revealing that Roderigo is a bit stupid not to realise.
Another character Iago tricks is Othello. Making him eventually think Cassio is cheating with his wife and that he is not a good lieutenant. On act three scene three.
“I cannot think it that he would sneak away so guilty. Like seeing you coming.”
Iago is twisting the fact that Cassio had t Iago away immediately as if there was something serious behind it to do with Othello. In act three scene three when Iago and Othello are speaking of Cassio.
“She did deceive her father, marrying you”
Iago tells Othello that Desdemona deceived her own father marrying him. He is implying that she could deceive Othello as well with Cassio.
In Othello Iago manipulates events well to go how he wants. He uses a handkerchief to make Othello think Desdemona is cheating on him. On act three scene three when Emilia finds Desdemona's napkin.
“My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it; but she loves the token – for he conjured her she should ever keep it.”
Iago has been trying to persuade Emilia to steal it but she knows it means so much to Desdemona and Othello it is practically a token of there love. Act three scene three once Emilia has the handkerchief.
What he will do with it, heaven knows, not I: I nothing, but to please his fantasy.”
Emilia takes the handkerchief because all she wants to do is please her husband and doesn't think much about what he will do with it.

Iago twists Cassio's words making Othello think he is talking about Desdemona. Act four scene one when Othello is hiding to listen to Cassio and Iago's conversation.
“Cassio: I marry her! A customer!... Ha, ha, ha! Othello:[Aside] So, so, so, s: they laugh that win.”
Othello thinks Cassio is laughing at the fact about marrying Desdemona as she is a whore. When he is actually talking about Bianca, Cassio's women, Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca, making Othello think it is Desdemona that they speak of. On act four scene one when Bianca starts shouting at Cassio because of his gift.
“Bianca:... There, give it your hobby horse, wheresoever you had it... Othello:[Aside] By Heaven, that should be my handkerchief!”
The handkerchief Cassio gave Bianca was Desdemona's which Iago had stolen and placed in Cassio's chamber. He done this so Othello would think Desdemona was cheating on him because the handkerchief was a token of their love. After Cassio leaves and Othello comes forward.
“How shall I murder him, Iago?”
Now Othello thinks he is certain that Cassio is cheating with Desdemona. He looks to Iago for advice thinking Iago is honest but behind it all Iago has truly tricked Othello.
In conclusion to Shakespeare's play “Othello” Shakespeare effectively created a memorable character. A character that could twist peoples thoughts, break their morals and use events all to his advantage.

 

At 9:19 PM,  AntoH said...

From The Domain Arnheim

From the Domain of Arnheim is a poem written by Edwin Morgan. The poem is about an advanced race of people who go back in time to maybe collect things but find much more. They come among a small group of primitive people enjoying themselves around a // fire. The joy stops when the people from the future are seen; one of the primitive men throws a brand from the fire at them. The people from the future leave the past taking more than just seeds or rocks. I am going to show how the poet has successfully conveyed the theme of mans instinct to survive in the poem From the Domain of Arnheim.
Edwin Morgan structures the poem to show a journey through time through the arrangement of stanza's.
We start in stanza one leaving the future to go back in time. Then in stanza two we are in the past and finally in stanza three we are back in the future. This structure lets you see the journey through time.
The writer uses many effective techniques to take us through the journey. In stanza one we first see this:
“like the some-clouds dragged back”
This simile is saying that the smoke-clouds are like time being left behind as the rocket leaves the future. Once again we see this at the end of stanza one as the rocket is leaving.
“rocket springs-”
Here this tells us how fast the rocket leaves and the dash at the end helps really emphasise the speed of the rocket.
Even in the harsh environment of Arnheim primitive man can still survive and enjoy life. We see this in stanza two when they are dancing around the fire.
“They sang naked, and kissed in the smoke.”
Here we see that they haven't a care in the world, they are just celebrating the birth of a new born. Even though they are on a freezing mountain with a tundra like environment they still manage to enjoy themselves. After the people from the future are seen.
“but joy?”
This quotation is showing us that the only thing the people from the future have stopped is pure joy and happiness. These people were enjoying the birth as a community there party had music, dancing and singing somewhat like modern day.
The people of Arnheim show great courage and willingness to survive. At the end of stanza two as the man reacts to the people from the future.
“took a brand from the fire... and threw it... we felt nothing but his courage.”
Throughout all of the fears the trumpeter had he had the courage to stand up and do something to ensure there survival. They never felt anything from it because they were, you could say ghost like but they did feel his courage.
The writer talks of gods or the lack of them in the domain of Arnheim. Maybe stating they are not needed in the writers personal view. He talks of this in the last line of stanza two.
“There are no gods in the domain of Arnheim”
These people don't have gods to look to for guidance or help them survive. They don't need them as they live together as a community striving for survival and showing great courage to face up to anything that comes in their way. The writer may be putting his opinion on religion, does the human race really need gods?
We are shown that memories leave a much bigger impact than any object. We can see this on the last stanza when the people from the future have returned home.
“haunted by deeper souveneirs than any rocks or seeds.”
This quotation shows us that what they seen in the Domain of Arnheim will stay with them. The courage of the man will not be forgotten unlike rocks or seeds. They are amazed how one man stood up against them to ensure the survival of himself and the rest of his community.

To conclude From the Domain of Arnheim I would like to say the writer has effectively shown mans instinct to survive. He may have also put a good point out on religion as well. We don't need advanced technology to survive and enjoy life. The writers effective use of structure showing the journey and really shows us that if it wasn't for our courage, we wouldn't be where we are today.

 

At 4:36 PM,  PhillipS said...

From The Domain Of Arnheim

"From the Domain of Arnheim", written by Edwin Morgan is a poem about a group of time-travellers who have headed back in time to collect rocks and seeds. When they arrive, they find a group of people. The travellers are amazed by what they see and when they come back they understand more about these people.
In this essay I am going to write about how the poet conveyed, succesfully the theme of mans instinct to survive, in the poem, From the Domain of Arnheim.
In the very first stanza we hear about a rocket. The structure of the sentence tells us about how advanced the technology is in these times that we are reading about.
"Like smoke-clouds dragged back into vacancy when the rocket springs"
The structure of this sentence resembles that the smoke clouds are at the start and the rocket sprung of with ease. It is also showing us the speed of the rocket aswell. Man has had to adapt its technology as time has went on.
At the start of the second stanza we see some of the conditions that the people of Arnheim have had to live in,
"We saw a yellow light thrown on the icefield"
This tells us two things: the people here may be unorganised or rough as the yellow light was not placed but instead thrown onto the icefield. The word icefield explains to us that the times they have went back to were obviously freezing cold and these people are managing to survive without the technology and clothing that we have today. The people have somehow managed to survive these icey conditions by themselve and their enviroment that surrounds them.
Following on from the last point in line eight,
"Miles away, clearly"
This quote shows that Arnheim is unspoilt, by this it means that the people have not harmed their enviroment or polluted it and it may have ultimately helped keep them healthy.
In the middle of the second stanza we see that the people are celebrating an event,
"They sand naked, and kissed in the smoke"
From this we are able to see that the people are happy with who they live with and happy where they live. It tells us that the conditions that they live in are not affecting their mental or physical health in any way.
Today, to protect ourselves we do not always tackle an obstacle head on, many people will try to either to ignore the problem or cower away from it. In the second stanza we see how the people of Arnheim would tackle a threat,
"A sweating trumpeter took a brand from the fire with a shout and threw it"
This line shows how they dealt with the situation: they didn't run or hide from the threat, they attacked it. If people had not had that sorta of mental attitude in those days then we do not know what mankind could have been like today.
Also, near the end of the second stanza we hear more about about their attitude towards protecting themselves from a potential threat,
"And so they would deal with every imagined power see or unseen"
This shows us that no matter what the problem is they will deal with it anyway. Because the time travellers could not be seen, it didnt change the way that the people acted upon it.
In the stanza two we hear about religion,
"There are no gods in the Domain of Arnheim"
The poet in this line, can be suggesting two things. One suggestion could be that he is saying that these people do not need a god or a religion to survive. He also may be trying to say that he does believe in a god.
Finally in stanza three we arrive in the present time.
"We signalled the ship; got back;"
When we arrive in the present time, we see that the people are very accurate and precise. We notice that man must have survived to be here and see the drastic changes between then and now. Then, they were unorganised and messy. Now everything is very precise. Then, they did not have any technology to survive and nowadays to survive we revolve around technology to do it for us.
In conclusion to my essay, Edwin Morgan used many things to succesfully convey the theme of mans instinct to survive. Some of these things included the structure of line 8, his chosen form and use of enjambment, as well as his effective depiction of Arnheim through good wordchoice, the way that we were told how people tackled threats, his religious views and the changes that have taken place from then to now.

Phillip Stewart

 

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Name: Hugh O'Donnell

Location: Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, United Kingdom

Teacher @ Dunoon Grammar School.

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