Week 19
1984 by George Orwell
Language as the “Ultimate Weapon” in 1984
George Orwell is interested in the modern use of the English language and, in particular, the abuse and misuse of English. He realizes that language has the power in politics to mask the truth and mislead the public, and he wishes to increase public awareness of this power. He accomplishes this by placing a great focus on Newspeak and the media in his novel 1984. Demonstrating the repeated abuse of language by the government and by the media in his novel, Orwell shows how language can be used politically to deceive and manipulate people, leading to a society in which the people unquestioningly obey their government and mindlessly accept all propaganda as reality. Language becomes a mind-control tool, with the ultimate goal being the destruction of will and imagination.
This week please keep pace with the readings and the in-class discussions. Your insight to those discussions and the timed writings will determine your success...do not be parasitic in the classroom...you owe it to your peers to contribute...take a RISK!
Have a great week and remember, be empathetic to each other and work diligently...I always notice!! Smile, too!
READING SCHEDULE FOR 1984 and OTHER DATES:
Finish Part I for Tues., Jan 15
Finish BOOK 2 (105-225) during Regents Week, due Monday, Jan 28.
Independent Reading Assessment is scheduled for Friday, Jan 18.
Poetry Professor is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 17.
Here are your assignments/Agenda for Week 19:
If you have questions about these assignments, please leave a comment or email me directly. Remember, I will check the blog until 9:59 pm. You know I need my Seinfeld fix.
posted by fdileo @ 7:15 PM
5 Comments:
Hi Mr. DiLeo,
Just wanted to let you know that I will have my Othello rewrite paper to you by Monday. Thanks!
~Sarah
This comment has been removed by the author.
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yeah just ignore this my printers messed up badly so i have to copy and paste this essay right here so i can print it out for school tomorrow, i'll delete this tomorrow morning
Liam Phelan 1/17/08
Draft Per. 4
The Han and Roman Empires both adapted and developed new technologies. Both empires suffered criticism from their own citizens, and both also received positive views. The Romans criticized the new technology because of their strong beliefs towards skill and the artistic value behind producing well, unlike the Han who are more technology influenced and don’t mind where the tools come from or how artistic it is.
One of the earliest developments implementing new technology was in the early second century B.C.E. This development was the use of an irrigation system to help provide water to all around the region. A Han government official wrote to local officials about how establishing water conservation offices in each district would help the irrigation systems keep in shape and it would also provide jobs (Document 1). One of the later developments in technology however was not received as well. The dynasty was forcing convicts to sculpt the iron tools. This was criticized from Huan Guan; a government official who tells the state how the quality of products made by inmates was not well made (Document 2). Since the state was monopolized salt and iron trades, the tools provided to the inmates were hard and brittle. Also in result, the poor peasants could not afford salt because of the monopoly and cannot buy it because of the high prices, and cannot grow much because of the lack of quality of tools. In about 20 C.E, Huan Tan, a Han philosopher wrote about the new developments of the mortar and pestle and it’s new uses. Fuxi, a mythological wise emperor was said to have invented the mortar and pestle (Document 3). Later on, the Han dynasty improved it by adding animals to power it and making the whole weight of the body used. It was even more improved by adding the power of water; the mold could now be used for creating foundation for structures and many other uses, which was a huge leap in technology. In 200 C.E a government- sponsored history called History of the Early Hun Dynasty talked about Tu Shih, the governor of Nanyeng, and how he invented a water- powered blowing engine for the casting of iron agriculture implements that allowed people to enjoy great benefit for little labor (Document 4). This new technology also supported the mandate of heaven as it helped the peasant farmers by lessening their labor.
The Roman Empire however has a slightly different outlook on the new developments and technologies. They lived by the Mandate of Heaven so they valued the artistic style and values more than the technological viewpoints. In the first century B.C.E., an upper class Roman political leader named Cicero wrote On Duty, which criticized the new technology. He believed that with the new technologies work did not involve skill but vulgar occupations (Document 5). He also believed that the workplaces were degrading, dirty, and did not have anything enlightening about it. In the first century C.E a new road system was developed that implemented new technologies and was received with positive feedback as proved by Putarch, a Greek-born Roman citizen and high official. Plutarch described the road as beautiful, and graceful, with solid tightly paced sand, and with equal and parallel height (Document 6). He also stated how it was also more helpful to travelers with stone columns as distance indicators, and stones placed on the sides so people who rode horses could mount them without assistance. A bit later in the first century C.E., Seneca, an upper class Roman philosopher writes how he strongly distastes the new technology. Seneca says the inventors were lazy because they were just looking for an easy way to get things done (Document 7). He believes in what most Romans thought that he wanted more skill and personalization. Frontinus, Roman general, who was also the water commissioner for Rome, reported on the beauty and technology behind the aqueducts of the city. He said it was a work of art but also delivered water to everyone, and even provided enough water for pleasure (Document 8). The technology was also intricate as when it lost sediment the volume was measured by means of calibrated scales.
Another document that would be helpful would have been a document, which would show both civilizations reactions to the same technology and how they differed. This would be easier to judge since the invention or technique would be the same so any differences would rely on the civilization itself. It would be interesting to see how Romans would react because of their strongly influence on art, and how it differed with the Chinese who were influenced by technology itself.
New ways of thinking and producing goods will always cause controversy all over the world because of personal views. China prefers more technological items and don’t mid where their tools come from as long as it supplies their needs. Romans prefer to have more skill and thought put into their goods, and appreciate the art more than they value technology.
actually i have to make a new account every time I make a comment so can you delete that for me because I cant
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