A Person Dissatisfied With His Looks
Paul shot a menacing glare at the mirror and seemed ready to spit venom. He clenched his fists as his face turned crimson with anger and frustration. He swept the dandruff off his scalp and stared at the obese youth with a face full of acne in the mirror. Paul looked down at his checkered shirt which had so many stitches which concealed its scars. He sighed. He loathed his gait, his pockmarked face, and the fact that he was ostracised in school due to his size. His gaze transfixed on the mirror, in vain. He detested those who were better than him in academics, in sports, in aesthetics, in everything. Why couldn't he slim down after so many futile attempts? Why couldn't he walk properly instead of hobbling? Why couldn't he excel in a single aspect? His efforts had gone down the drain. Indignant, he let out a thunderous roar, mixed with emotions, and his voice threatened to tear down his house. He wanted to weep, hoped to get out of his miseries and longed to change, but he just couldn't. His lips trembled and the veins on his fists protruded. Hatred eventually proved to be too overwhelming, and he threw a punch at the reflection, determining to knock it down, into smithereens that could never be glued back again. The mirror did shatter into a myriad of minute fragments, but his miseries did not come to an end. There was no change, and sadly, he remained as what he had always been...
University of Cambridge
Monday, January 31, 2011
ACE Activity - Describing People
The Diary of a Prisoner
Dear Diary,
It had been a rather long and hectic day for me today. We were ordered by the guards to get off our beds by 6, and had a simple but healthy breakfast, which consisted of milk and a slice of dehydrated bread, which I forced through my oesophagus. After breakfast, we were led out of the cells, and that was the thing which I looked forward to every morning. No one could endure the lengthy duration which we inmates had to be confined in dark cells, completed with four concrete walls which emanated gloom and dampened our spirits. Today, we were delegated the jobs of cleaning the toilets and gathering fallen leaves into piles. We had to attach hoses to taps, and needed to do it ourselves. We had to carry out the orders issued by the guards. No question, just obey their orders, or else we would have no chance of being paroled. The repulsive stench which emitted from the cisterns forced me to pinch my nose in disgust, but there was no room for rebuttance. Afterwards, we had to rake the leaves and transform them into mountainous piles. That was hard work as the leaves were scattered everywhere. Besides, the wind established itself as our greatest enemy that say, thus we had to rake again and again. However, I tried to concentrate on carrying out my task as much as I could, as the lunch hour approached. Lunch comprised of a small packet of milo and a sandwich, which was barely enough to suppress my hunger pangs. I continued raking till darkness loomed, and we were ordered to shower, eat our dinner and return to our respective cells. I managed to complete another chapter of Closer, a book from the Tunnels series! At 10, I meditated in my cell and thought about my family. How I longed to see them soon. I shrugged off that notion as the guards ordered us to bed.
Bye, Diary, my sole companion!
Love,
Thomas
Dear Diary,
It had been a rather long and hectic day for me today. We were ordered by the guards to get off our beds by 6, and had a simple but healthy breakfast, which consisted of milk and a slice of dehydrated bread, which I forced through my oesophagus. After breakfast, we were led out of the cells, and that was the thing which I looked forward to every morning. No one could endure the lengthy duration which we inmates had to be confined in dark cells, completed with four concrete walls which emanated gloom and dampened our spirits. Today, we were delegated the jobs of cleaning the toilets and gathering fallen leaves into piles. We had to attach hoses to taps, and needed to do it ourselves. We had to carry out the orders issued by the guards. No question, just obey their orders, or else we would have no chance of being paroled. The repulsive stench which emitted from the cisterns forced me to pinch my nose in disgust, but there was no room for rebuttance. Afterwards, we had to rake the leaves and transform them into mountainous piles. That was hard work as the leaves were scattered everywhere. Besides, the wind established itself as our greatest enemy that say, thus we had to rake again and again. However, I tried to concentrate on carrying out my task as much as I could, as the lunch hour approached. Lunch comprised of a small packet of milo and a sandwich, which was barely enough to suppress my hunger pangs. I continued raking till darkness loomed, and we were ordered to shower, eat our dinner and return to our respective cells. I managed to complete another chapter of Closer, a book from the Tunnels series! At 10, I meditated in my cell and thought about my family. How I longed to see them soon. I shrugged off that notion as the guards ordered us to bed.
Bye, Diary, my sole companion!
Love,
Thomas
Sunday, January 30, 2011
ACE Activity - Describing Scenes
An Evening By The Beach
Waves resembling sapphires roared and crashed against the rocks along the shores, retrieving barnacles before gradually ebbing away. Coconut palms lined the shore, their leaves swaying in the wind with delight. The white sand beneath my feet looked so pure, and felt so soft, so soothing. Digging my calloused feet into the sand, it seemed a remedy concocted specially to alleviate my troubles as they gradually vanished into thin air. I glanced at the sky, which was now turning violet. The sun was a pale orange disc suspended in the horizon and shrouded in the clouds, splashed with a stunning array of shades of magenta and orange. The salty smell of the evening breeze wafted through my nostrils as I took a deep breath. As I watched, the sun seemed to bade a farewell reluctantly as it faded slowly below the distinct horizon. Soon, the sun vanished completely, and the sky was replaced with shades of violet, signally darkness' loom. The tide seemed to crash against the rocks more violently as they could do nothing to prevent the departure of the sun. It subsided gently, mourning the setting of the sun as darkness lurked.
Waves resembling sapphires roared and crashed against the rocks along the shores, retrieving barnacles before gradually ebbing away. Coconut palms lined the shore, their leaves swaying in the wind with delight. The white sand beneath my feet looked so pure, and felt so soft, so soothing. Digging my calloused feet into the sand, it seemed a remedy concocted specially to alleviate my troubles as they gradually vanished into thin air. I glanced at the sky, which was now turning violet. The sun was a pale orange disc suspended in the horizon and shrouded in the clouds, splashed with a stunning array of shades of magenta and orange. The salty smell of the evening breeze wafted through my nostrils as I took a deep breath. As I watched, the sun seemed to bade a farewell reluctantly as it faded slowly below the distinct horizon. Soon, the sun vanished completely, and the sky was replaced with shades of violet, signally darkness' loom. The tide seemed to crash against the rocks more violently as they could do nothing to prevent the departure of the sun. It subsided gently, mourning the setting of the sun as darkness lurked.
ACE Activity - Describing Scenes
On Board A Crowded Train
Upon accomplishing the feat of boarding the MRT train, I found myself sandwiched helplessly between two youths. My sweat-stricken arms were tucked closely to my body as I gasped for breath. It was in the evening, and as I scanned the carriages, I realised that the train was packed with people from all walks of life, ranging from uniform-clad students who were busy wiping off beads of perspiration on their foreheads, to businessmen who were returning to their domiciles after a hectic day at work. As the train gradually garnered pace, ear-piercing screams engulfed the train as many were unable to maintain their balance. As a result, they fell on unfortunate commuters around them, who could not react in time, thus acted as cushions. This was followed by sincere apologetic mumbles and angry complaints, while the faces of some twisted in agony. Some stuffed fanciful earpieces into their ears and swayed their heads to the rhythm of the heavy metal music, gesticulating spontaneously. In contrast, some commuters closed their eyes and swayed lifelessly like drunkards, accompanied by their snores. Several passengers attempted to stay awake and rubbed their bloodshot eyes incessantly. In the corner, loud chatters among students emanated, and commuters shot glares of ire towards them, who seemed to be engrossed in their conversations, thus were in complete oblivion to the phenomenon. My eyelids now seemed to weigh a ton as I wondered when I would arrive home.
Upon accomplishing the feat of boarding the MRT train, I found myself sandwiched helplessly between two youths. My sweat-stricken arms were tucked closely to my body as I gasped for breath. It was in the evening, and as I scanned the carriages, I realised that the train was packed with people from all walks of life, ranging from uniform-clad students who were busy wiping off beads of perspiration on their foreheads, to businessmen who were returning to their domiciles after a hectic day at work. As the train gradually garnered pace, ear-piercing screams engulfed the train as many were unable to maintain their balance. As a result, they fell on unfortunate commuters around them, who could not react in time, thus acted as cushions. This was followed by sincere apologetic mumbles and angry complaints, while the faces of some twisted in agony. Some stuffed fanciful earpieces into their ears and swayed their heads to the rhythm of the heavy metal music, gesticulating spontaneously. In contrast, some commuters closed their eyes and swayed lifelessly like drunkards, accompanied by their snores. Several passengers attempted to stay awake and rubbed their bloodshot eyes incessantly. In the corner, loud chatters among students emanated, and commuters shot glares of ire towards them, who seemed to be engrossed in their conversations, thus were in complete oblivion to the phenomenon. My eyelids now seemed to weigh a ton as I wondered when I would arrive home.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Extract from To Kill a Mockingbird
Chapter XX
'But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal - there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honourable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal.
'I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system - that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.'
1) From Atticus' speech, what can you tell about the jurors in the jury? Quote the evidence from the extract to support your answer.
2) Why did Atticus stress the fact that all men are created equal? You may quote the evidence from other parts of the book to support your answer.
'But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal - there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honourable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal.
'I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system - that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.'
1) From Atticus' speech, what can you tell about the jurors in the jury? Quote the evidence from the extract to support your answer.
2) Why did Atticus stress the fact that all men are created equal? You may quote the evidence from other parts of the book to support your answer.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Reflection On Prejudice
For my composition on prejudice, I gained some inspiration from the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", using the topic of prejudice and discrimination against the dark-skinned (derogatory: Negroes). The main type of discrimination/prejudice in the story is the social one as the protagonist (I, a Bangladeshi) was prejudiced by pedestrians on the pavement. This shows that prejudice and discrimination are very common and they are detrimental to the victim's psychological being. I also conveyed the message that those who hold prejudices against others should put themselves in the latter's shoes and understand how it feels to be prejudiced.
The lesson which Mrs Raj conducted was quite fascinating and interesting for me as she helped us to differentiate and explain prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes.
I was confused with the terms at first, but after Mrs Raj explained them in detail using the powerpoint, I could understand them much better. Firstly, prejudice is the thought or opinion towards a group of people without having the facts straight, while discrimination is the act of ostracisation towards a group of people which was caused by prejudice. Lastly, stereotypes are generalisations applied on groups of people simply because of an example by one or few persons in the group. We also came up with examples of prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes in our daily lives and we were surprised that some of them are actually what we had done, without knowing that they belonged to them.
In my opinion, I think prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes should not be applied against a population or an individual as they could easily affect a person or group's psychological being. They may think that they do not belong to the society, thus leading to further isolation. It is also likely for them to be treated unfairly by others. The worst thing is that they were deprrived of chances to explain themselves most of the time, so their opinions and feelings will be bottled up. I hope that all of us can look from the perspectives of the targets of prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes, so that we will be able to better understand their detrimental effects, and then avoid carrying them out.
The lesson which Mrs Raj conducted was quite fascinating and interesting for me as she helped us to differentiate and explain prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes.
I was confused with the terms at first, but after Mrs Raj explained them in detail using the powerpoint, I could understand them much better. Firstly, prejudice is the thought or opinion towards a group of people without having the facts straight, while discrimination is the act of ostracisation towards a group of people which was caused by prejudice. Lastly, stereotypes are generalisations applied on groups of people simply because of an example by one or few persons in the group. We also came up with examples of prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes in our daily lives and we were surprised that some of them are actually what we had done, without knowing that they belonged to them.
In my opinion, I think prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes should not be applied against a population or an individual as they could easily affect a person or group's psychological being. They may think that they do not belong to the society, thus leading to further isolation. It is also likely for them to be treated unfairly by others. The worst thing is that they were deprrived of chances to explain themselves most of the time, so their opinions and feelings will be bottled up. I hope that all of us can look from the perspectives of the targets of prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes, so that we will be able to better understand their detrimental effects, and then avoid carrying them out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)