Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Literature Analysis

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

1)     Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is a novel depicting the lives of two men during the hardships and trials that stuck the nation during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Although mixtures of characters are introduced later in the novel, the story focuses on George Milton and Lennie Small, two men who are on the run and in search of a job after a little misunderstanding that involved Lennie and a woman in their previous town. These two mean encounter many new and interesting faces once they reach their new place of work. As they are working, many interferences occur, such as distractions from the wife of the employer’s son, Lennie getting attacked, and the accidental murder of the wife. Both George and Lennie share the bond that brothers in arms, and George is very protective of Lennie because of his mental disability. Due to the accident with the wife, Lennie is shot by George out of love and protection for his dear friend.

2)     The theme overall for Of Mice and Men, would have to be dreams. George dreams of independence, Lennie dreams of being with George in his independence, and to quench his obsession for soft objects. Throughout the novel, George is always telling Lennie of their dream of one day owning their own piece of land.

3)     The tone of the novel appears to be somewhat relaxed. Given the fact that there were violent ripples of this calm sea, the overall tone of the story was relaxed up to the end, where Lennie was shot in the back of the head by George.

4)     Theme, motif, symbols, diction and syntax played the roles of the big five literary elements in the story. Since this all takes place during the 1930s California, the diction and syntax go hand-in-hand with the time setting. Most were cocky, illiterate, racial and ill-tempered. There are multiple themes occurring throughout the novel, and many do play an important part. Another thing is that the symbolism of Lennie’s puppy and Candy’s dog represent the sad way of life. For Candy’s dog, it’s a reminder that the strong will dominate the weak, and Lennie with his puppy prove it.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Tools That Change the Way We Think

"Back in 2004, I asked [Google founders] Page and Brin what they saw as the future of Google search. 'It will be included in people's brains,' said Page. 'When you think about something and don't really know much about it, you will automatically get information.'



'That's true,' said Brin. 'Ultimately I view Google as a way to augment your brain with the knowledge of the world. Right now you go into your computer and type a phrase, but you can imagine that it could be easier in the future, that you can have just devices you talk into, or you can have computers that pay attention to what's going on around them and suggest useful information.'



'Somebody introduces themselves to you, and your watch goes to your web page,' said Page. 'Or if you met this person two years ago, this is what they said to you... Eventually you'll have the implant, where if you think about a fact, it will just tell you the answer."

-From In the Plex by Steven Levy (p.67)


In most cases, technology has made me quite distracted, but nothing distracts me more than not being able to focus when I would like to. Which is odd for the fact that I don't do much anyway! Well, when being distracted, I don't do much. I just sit there, so I suppose it has made me lazy to some degree. Ah, yes. The media portion. Everyone I know will tend to get distracted when listening to music, but I beg to differ. I don't get distracted by the music, but it will help me concentrate even more. Keeping the awkward silence at bay, it's nice to have playing since it is my field. It is my life. Not to sound selfish about it, but I cannot stand the silence of anything. Maybe at times, but with iTunes playing, I'm pretty much sane. The media doesn't change how I think. As much of a tech-guy I am, none of this stuff poke around in my thoughts. It'll make us taking shorter routes, but it is time saving to have around. What I would like is that we all slow down. That's one thing I would like to do. My thoughts are my thoughts. Nothing technological with this generation can tell me what to think.
I can consider myself as a lost puppy, but I stand my own.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

To Facebook or Not to Facebook?

Ah, Facebook. The social network that seems to have dominated the web, and even knocking MySpace out of the way. Needless to say, Facebook is an alright site by my standards. Only saying that because of how my parental unit pretty much does what Facebook doesn't. Well, not necessarily, but let's just say that is the case. Aside from that, the website has no ups nor downs on my individual at a personal level.


The one great thing I like about the website is that I can stay in touch with friends and family all over the world! Although... at the moment, I only use it to communicate with my aunt in the Far East. Facebook is great for using it as a place to talk about certain subjects, as long as it is within a group. Some groups can be specialized for, say, a sports team and you want to be able to easily communicate with the team without outsiders knowing or that you have reminders, etc. Facebook is a nice way of getting information to others or staying in contact with those you normally don't have the ease to do so.


The downside (aye nako!) The downside for facebook is that EVERYONE CAN SEE YOUR STUFF!! No matter who you are, it's seen by everyone. Where is the privacy that the website promised? I have read other posts about this, and I know some of those people as well. The tagging thing is a little makulit, meaning "annoying", and there are some things I don't want to be apart of. I don't really like showing my face. Contrary to popular belief about myself, I am a somewhat shy guy. If you are not careful, you may end up posting something very foolish. There have been some cases where an employee was dishonorably discharged from their job (Oh, let's say Wal-Mart for all we care) just because this employee was sassing their employer on Facebook. Are you really safe? Che, does it really seem like you're as safe as Facebook claims you are? Nope.


Generally, I'm a little bothered by some of the youth on facebook. Sadly, I have the... misfortune to know such youth in real life. I say this because of their attitude. In person, they are sweet, nice, fun children that are really great once you get to know them. On Facebook, they are swearing... With a disappointed sigh, there is nothing from stopping these children from actually backing off. They are practically leading a double life! One being the gentle face in person and another being some foul-mouth brat you want to potentially smack! **Please do note I do not condone violence to any person of any age group. Surely we all have been frustrated to the point where it feels as if you are.**


I could care less about Facebook. Honestly, I'm only on here if I need to give out reminders or updates to certain people, talk to someone so they don't have to use their phone, or to talk to my aunt in Japan. I like having Facebook, but at times I'm disappointed. The website is being way too public with the way they are doing the new layouts and I really dislike this "creeper" bar off to the side of the page that shows all of your friends' doings. That's why I rarely post or do anything on Facebook aside from communications.

Monday, October 10, 2011

(Don't) Be Hamlet

Now that you've mastered the text of "To be, or not to be..." reflect on Hamlet's dilemma and help him make up his mind. Use the text of the play and your own logic to support your opinion.



            Given the many problems and trials that young Hamlet is having the misfortune to endure, the emotional anarchy, and the case of possible insanity, he should not commit suicide. Hamlet may be in turmoil at the moment, but he should stand strong. The fact that he cannot open his mouth to utter but one word is only a mere test of how long Hamlet can tough out the situation.

            If Hamlet were to give into the suicide, he’d not only be “fixing” his problems, but he’ll only harm others around him. Suicide doesn’t only affect the victim. Already, the boy is having confliction of what may wait for him down the road. This is where everyone can make a mistake and act on an impulse that is easily ready to strike when the individual is vulnerable enough. If his conscious is what is preventing him from blindly rushing in, then Hamlet still has an opportunity of avoiding a huge mistake.
            According to some religious beliefs, suicide is a sin and is punishable by eternal damnation. Hamlet is already stopped in his tracks by the thought of this, the uncertainty of may come after he does the dirty deed. “For in that sleep of death what dreams may come…” That line alone is Hamlet questioning the results of if he were to commit suicide. Obviously and understandably, the poor man is tired of all of this, all of this despair, this uneasiness, this agony in which is eating him from the inside.
            Hamlet must continue on, he must stay strong even though all of this is too much for him. It’s known that he wants to give up with the swift choice of ending his life, but he shouldn’t. Times get hard; trials will come and test everyone’s strength, so Hamlet must continue on. It will be tough, but on the other side waits a fortune not even Hamlet nor anyone else could obtain.