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Pairing

Global Issue Focus: Promiscuity and gender roles in contemporary society

Literary Work: Frau Freud

Non Literary Work: “I’d like a Chardonnay and I’m fairly certain he’d like sex”

Overview of each collection: The World Wife is a collection of poem that reviews male figures and traditional myths from a female perspective. Duffy’s cartoons presents different societal values and conceptions in a satirical manner.

Summary paragraphs of each extract

Donnelly – Describes modern day dating in a very blunt manner, that romance no longer exists and the main objective is sex. The juxtaposition of  the woman asking for white wine, a relatively slow drink associated with dating/romance and the man being exposed for his primal and aggressive want of sex. Satirical. The cartoon shows the woman saying this in a humorous manner, poking fun at the illusion of romance that no longer exist in contemporary society.

Duffy – Describes Frau Freud supposedly the wife of Sigmund Freud most famous for his psychosexual theories. The theories suggest human actions derived from their sexual desires. With background context and constant defamiliarization of the male genitalia reviews male promiscuity in a female perspective. Also mentions the transforming values towards female promiscuity. “I’ve seen my fair share”. 

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Post Paper 1 Grade 11 Internal Exam

What are your key take aways?

My key takeaways are the understanding of the criterions.

Criterion A – convincing literal and abstract interpretation of the advert, references are well chosen.

Criterion B – Strong evaluation of the techniques(what is it, what effect does it have, how is it reinforced, how does it relate to the abstract idea?)

Criterion C – paragraphed in a way that presents idea in a clear and moderately concise manner. Opening and conclusion.

Criterion D – fluid articulation of thoughts, correct reference to linguistic terminology. Formal writing (avoid contractions)

What will you feed forward to your next piece of analytical writing?

The main feedback I am carrying towards my next piece of analytical writing is to unpack all the aspects of my analysis. I tend to get tunnel visioned and write only about one or two aspects which causes me to lose marks in Criterions A and B. Improving my organisational structure in presenting ideas and as usual increase my familiarity with linguistic techniques and terminology.

 

 

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In what ways can Thetis be understood about as a poem about transformation and power?

In Thetis by Carol Ann Duffy, the shapeshifting goddess is pursued by a mortal much like the original tale it is readapted from. The poem imposes a binary oppositional idea of  power with liberation and confinement. At the start of the poem we can see the shapeshifting goddess transforming to please its pursuer. A song bird with a sweet melody , a size 8 snake for the snake charmer and an albatross to befriend the sailor. However due to different unfortunate deaths, the goddess started trying to evade the pursuer. The goddess first tried to transform into a lion, king of the jungle, a definite symbol of power but was hunt down. Then she was different sea creatures hidden away in the great depths of the ocean only to be caught by a fishing rod. Next it was different small urban dwelling mammals hidden in dark corners of the city which did not work as they were brutally skinned. Followed by elements such as wind, gas and even a hurricane only to be defeated by a fighter jet and lastly was a form that breathes flame with burning kisses but was utterly useless against an asbestos suit. Finally, the goddess gives in to its pursuer. The idea of liberation and confinement here is ironic. When the goddess tries to transform into forms of power the less power she has. The goddess was only liberated when she gives in to its pursuer and only confined when she tries to run away.

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Liza Donnelly analysis

 

 “This Rock On My Finger” a line drawing cartoon minimally shaded and paired with a thought provoking sentence which is remarkably the hallmark style of its artist Liza Donnelly challenges the overvalued societal attitudes towards marriage by ironically humouring marital rituals. The cartoon presents two prehistoric women in a cave having a conversation with a drink in their hands, alluding to the popular media image of two modern women sharing a bottle of wine and chatting about their relationships possibly in a bar or their homes. The statement “It was weird. He got on his knees and put this rock on my finger and asked me to spend the rest of my life with just him!” is the dialogue of the newly engaged but troubled woman. The unsettling and confused expressions suggests that it was a time before marital rituals or even when the actual concept of marriages existed. Marriage in the present day is regarded as a social good. It is socially accepted as the final destination of a person, that lives are better when people get married and being unable to do so is a failure of belonging. With recent downspiral of marriage statistics however, critics like Liza Donnelly and many others start to question the importance of the whole concept. Questions ranging from “do I really need to get married to prove that I am in love with the other person?” to “are marriages just discriminatory and useless?”. Donnelly sums up the perspective of marriage critics through the ironic significance of the cartoon, a prehistoric woman set in a modern image distressed for being engaged even though it is the present day societal holy grail and a concept which she does not fully understand. The fact that the prehistoric woman does not fully understand the purpose of the ring raises the question of how unimportant and needless marital rituals are. Ultimately, the statement here is that you do not have to literally legally bind yourself to your significant other just because you love them let alone a ring. 

 

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Reflection before signup ( Traffick Light)

During my FIB critical challenge project last year, my teammates and I looked at the issue of Human trafficking deeply through multiple perspectives using different techniques and procedures. We were able to get in touch with different organisations (Hagar, Emancipasia, Aware Singapore) tackling the issue and gain a critical understanding on solving the problem. At the end of the project as a continuation, we decided to create a Focus Group that is available to every high school student to join working in hands with Ms. Sylvia from Emancipasia. As this Focus Group was one I contributed in creating signing up to it was a no brainer.

Through the critical challenge project, I gained a deep understanding of the topic of Human trafficking and grew more and more passionate about it. I hope to continue contributing to the prevention of the issue in partnership with Ms. Sylvia and educate fellow group members on the topic. I wish to leave my own footprint on the prevention of the issue no matter how big or small.

A couple ideas I have now is to hold a documentary screening with a question panel with none other than Ms. Sylvia herself. I also am thinking of fundraising events within the school to raise funds for Emancipasia or other legitimate organisations focused towards the issue. One thing I must make sure is to raise awareness in the correct way, making sure that false or biased information is not spread.

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How CAS impacts or enhances your well being

In terms of my well being CAS has undeniably had a big impact. On a good week where I am striving to improve and be the best version of myself, CAS has been a great opportunity. Sports fixtures, Service events and Club events, all of it brings me out of my comfort zone making room for improvement. On a bad week, CAS activities become a place of sanctuary. Service discussions, playing sports and just doing what I like to do in club activities brings an hour and 30 minutes of peace for me to rest up and take on the week again. On a busy week however CAS becomes a burden. Motivation to go to an activity drops if there are a bunch of assignments needed to be done. All in all I’d say CAS has become a building block of my identity especially due to it being in the last years of my teenage hood and has definitely impacted and enhanced my well being mentally and physically.

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PSE reflection

  • What are you most proud of this year?

I’m most proud of all the challenges I have over come which translated into emotional growth. I am now in a better place mentally and striving to improve every single day,

  • What unexpected challenges have you faced?

My sleep schedule. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I get it totally wrong. There is no in between.

  • Give an example of something you have found challenging but have been able to overcome or find strategies to help you beat the challenge

Being engaged in class. I was able to overcome this by removing distractions, practice active listening and actually doing class work in class.

  • What subjects would you like to focus on more? Why?

Math. I have never been a great mathematician which is a motivation problem because I simply do not enjoy the subject. Math as told by my UAC advisor is crucial for my university application which is why I signed up for external Math tutoring.

  • What are you most proud of outside your academic subjects? (Think about your attitude, activities/service, friendships etc)

Meeting new people. Having fun. Enjoying my last teenage years.

  • Given your experience so far, what advice would you give yourself for the rest of the year?

The advice I would give to myself is stop stressing so much for everything. Mood dips and anxiety is unnecessary. These are two of the best years of my life, I need to learn to enjoy every bit of it. See the silvering lining in everything, good or bad.

  • What one goal would you set yourself for next year?

Get the math grade up.