- Disseminate (v)- to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse.
- Eloquence (n)- the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness.
- Austere (adj)- severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding.
- Baleful (adj)- full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious.
- Bigot (n)- a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.
- Relapse (n) and (v)- to fall or slip back into a former state, practice, etc.
- Repudiate (v)- to reject as having no authority or binding force
- Resilience (n)- the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
- Sanguine (adj)- cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident.
- Renovate (v)- to restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Vocab Week 3
Current Event- Shooter
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Police continue to search for a gunman who shot and killed five women Saturday morning at a suburban Chicago strip mall, a Tinley Park police spokesman said.
Greg Zanis puts up five crosses and leaves flowers as police search for the alleged killer of five women.
Police are saying the man's motive was robbery.
About 50 area police officers are involved in the search for the man and the weapon, Sgt. T.J. Grady said Sunday.
The town that had only one reported murder between 1999 and 2006 is taking the horrific incident particularly hard, The Associated Press reported.
Calling the killings a "sad commentary on our society," Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki announced that flags at the city's east property would remain lowered for the next five days -- one for each victim.
The women were found shot in a back room of a Lane Bryant store. Police identified them Sunday as: Connie R. Woolfolk, 37, of Flossmoor, Illinois; Sarah T. Szafranski, 22, of Oak Forest, Illinois; Carrie H. Chiuso, 33, of Frankfort, Illinois; Rhoda McFarland, 42, of Joliet, Illinois; and Jennifer L. Bishop, 34, of South Bend, Indiana.
The Will County coroner determined each died from gunshot wounds, Tinley Park Police Chief Mike O'Connell said.
"Our emotions are raw. And we are still in shock," Szafranski's family said in a statement, according to AP. "Sarah was loved by all who knew her and we are counting on that love to sustain us while we mourn."
Chiuso was a social worker at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, where she graduated in 1993, the AP reported.
"Carrie was deeply loved by faculty and staff," school spokesman Dave Thieman said in a statement. "She had a real touch with students. The entire H-F family is deeply saddened."
Cindy Sorenson brought red roses to Lane Bryant on Sunday. She didn't know the victims but is a store manager at a nearby mall in Tinley Park. She said she couldn't stop thinking about the women who lost their lives, the AP reported.
"Your job is your home," 34-year-old Sorenson said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "You spend so much time in a store and you never think anything like this will happen."
The parent company of Lane Bryant, Charming Shoppes, Inc., said in a statement that the five women were the store manager and four customers.
The company said its Chicago-area Lane Bryant stores would remain closed Sunday, "in mourning of lives lost."
O'Connell said the company was offering a $50,000 reward for information "leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons responsible."
Cook County Crimestoppers is also offering a $1,000 reward, he said.
Grady said Saturday it was unclear whether the gunman took any money. He also said the 911 call reporting the shooting came in at 10:44 a.m.
Police have not said what type of gun was used, and Grady said Sunday he did not know how many shots were fired.
A witness who saw the gunman leave the front of the store described him as an African-American man, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing between 230 and 260 pounds, Grady said. He was wearing a waist-length black winter coat, a black cap and dark jeans.
Authorities believe there was only one offender, Grady said.
Police appealed to the public for help, saying anyone with information could contact police at (708) 444-5394.
Authorities were downloading surveillance video from businesses within a mile and a half of the Lane Bryant store, Grady said. O'Connell said the Lane Bryant store did not have surveillance cameras.
Tinley Park is about 28 miles southwest of Chicago and has about 57,000 residents, according to the city's Web site.---------------------------------------------------
These small town random shooting continues to keep citizens scared and worried. Not only is it concerning that innocent people are suffering in situations like this, either directly and indirectly but for no reason other than a selfish robbery. The man shooting didnt take mercy on the fact that these were five young women. It's a horrible idea to think about but i think it is important for situations like this to be brought to people's attention so they are aware of what is happening in our country and do whatever, if anything, is possible to stop it.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Vocab
The presidential candidate equivocated from the debate topic when he realized he hadn't thought through his response.
equivocate (verb)- to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge
I had to map out a plan to eradicate the evidence so as not to be convicted of my crime. eradicate (verb)- to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate.
The hill was covered in small brush to prevent erosion. erode (verb)- to eat into or away; destroy by slow consumption or disintegration.
Her erratic actions made her the laughing stock of her affluent classmates.erratic (adjective)- deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion
The anger in the tension in the room escalated as the two sisters began dishing out all of the black mail on each other. escalate (verb)- to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Vocab week 2
Pick 5. Quiz Thursday.
1) equivocate (verb)- to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge
2) eradicate (verb)- to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate
3) erode (verb)- to eat into or away; destroy by slow consumption or disintegration
4) erratic (adjective)- deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion
5) escalate (verb)- to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.
6) esoteric (adjective)- understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite
7) espouse (verb)- to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
8) eulogy (noun)- a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, esp. a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
9) euphoria (noun)- a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania.
10) euthanasia (noun)- the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, esp. a painful, disease or condition.
11) epitome- a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class
1) equivocate (verb)- to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge
2) eradicate (verb)- to remove or destroy utterly; extirpate
3) erode (verb)- to eat into or away; destroy by slow consumption or disintegration
4) erratic (adjective)- deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion
5) escalate (verb)- to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.
6) esoteric (adjective)- understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite
7) espouse (verb)- to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
8) eulogy (noun)- a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, esp. a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
9) euphoria (noun)- a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania.
10) euthanasia (noun)- the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, esp. a painful, disease or condition.
11) epitome- a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class
Monday, January 28, 2008
Current Event- TSA issues
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/28/tsa.bombtest/index.html
TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- Jason -- that's the name CNN was asked to call him -- slides a simulated explosive into an elastic back support. The mock bomb is as slim as a wallet; its fuse, the size of a cigarette. He wraps the support around his torso, and the bomb fits comfortably into the small of his back.
It's hard to tell he's concealing anything; harder still when he dons a black T-shirt and a maroon golf shirt.
Then, with CNN's cameras in tow, Jason heads to Tampa International Airport, where he'll try to sneak the fake explosive past security screeners.
Jason, a covert tester for the Transportation Security Administration, has been probing airport weaknesses for five years, beginning with big mock bombs before switching to ever smaller devices as the TSA adapts to evolving terrorist threats. Watch the tester slip past security »
As jobs go, this one comes with its own unique set of satisfactions and tribulations. Jason wants to succeed at his task -- and he wants to fail. Success is a measure of his stealth, hewn by 40 years in law enforcement. But failure is satisfying too, because it means airport screeners are growing more adept at detecting threats.
So Jason -- looking every bit the middle-aged man on an uneventful trip to anywhere -- shows a boarding pass and an ID to a TSA document checker, and he is directed to a checkpoint where, unbeknown to the security officer on site, the real test begins.
Don't Miss
TSA's Covert Testing
Report: Extremists plotted attacks across Europe
Loaded gun gets through airport security
Student points out another TSA flaw
He gets through, which in real life would mean a terrorist was headed toward a plane with a bomb.
To be clear, the TSA allowed CNN to see and record this test, and the agency is not concerned with CNN showing it. The TSA says techniques such as the one used in Tampa are known to terrorists and openly discussed on known terror Web sites.
Even before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, government agencies deployed "red teams" such as this one to look for holes in airport security. The tests have resulted in a torrent of reports criticizing the government for failing to staff, train, manage and equip properly the screener work force, which numbers 43,000.
While test results are classified and rarely leak out, those that have been disclosed typically don't inspire confidence. In tests conducted in 2006 and disclosed to USA Today last year, investigators successfully smuggled 75 percent of fake bombs through checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport, 60 percent through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and 20 percent at San Francisco International Airport.
The TSA has disputed some test methodologies and test results. But instead of running from tests, the agency has embraced the idea that testing has a value that goes beyond measuring the performance of individual screeners.
Tests, the TSA says, can show systemwide security vulnerabilities. When used frequently -- as was the case with San Francisco in 2006 -- they can heighten screener awareness. Tests can show areas that need increased attention. And tests can be used to determine whether terrorist plots uncovered by intelligence agencies or being discussed on terrorist Web sites are lunatic rants, or are plausible.
As a result, the TSA says it believes its work force is the most tested in the federal government, with checkpoint drills of various sophistication occurring in every checkpoint at every airport daily.
Almost an hour before Jason approached the checkpoint, a fellow red team member had gone through the checkpoint. It's this member's job to make sure the test is conducted safely.
Five minutes before the test begins, he uses a cell phone to call Tampa's federal security director, the airport's top security official.
"Sir, the reason we're calling today is to tell you that we will be conducting covert testing at your airport," the red team leader says. "But I would ask that you not speak to anyone on your staff to alert them of this test."
The message is clear: Don't tell anyone. Testers say they will scratch a test if they believe anyone has been alerted. The TSA was embarrassed several years ago when word of one test leaked out, and an internal auditor is investigating other possible leaks.
But in Tampa, everything goes smoothly as Jason steps through the metal detector portal. The detector alarm goes off, as Jason expects it to, not because of the nonmetallic device strapped to his back but due to his metal knee.
It's the perfect tool for ensuring he gets to "secondary," where more extensive searches are conducted.
Soon Jason is in a posture familiar to air travelers. He is standing, legs apart, with his arms extended. A screener "wands" him with a hand-held metal detector, and it beeps as it passes his metal knee, his necklace and the rivets on his bluejeans.
The screener then pats him down, running latex-gloved hands over Jason's legs, arms and torso. And he pats down Jason's back, including the lower part where the device is concealed.
But Jason explains away the back support. He tells the screener that he has a bum back in addition to having a metal knee.
With the patdown over, the screener releases Jason. He picks up his belongings and walks freely into the airport, the fake bomb still fastened to his back.
TSA officials say the Tampa test demonstrates the type of systemic vulnerability that the agency is working to expose and address.
Screeners have cultural sensitivities toward travelers' handicaps, and they are sometimes hesitant to perform intrusive searches, officials said. Terrorists could exploit that reluctance, they said.
The TSA screener could have used other relatively unobtrusive means to check Jason's back brace. But he didn't.
After leaving the screening checkpoint, Jason returns with other members of his red team and informs the screener he has failed a test. A fake bomb has just entered their airport.
The screener appears devastated.
The reaction is common, says Jason, adding that notifying screeners of failed tests can be the toughest part of his job.
On occasions, he says, testers have appeared indifferent. In those rare instances, Jason says, he gets "nasty," stressing the importance of the tests. The stakes are too high to tolerate indifference.
Regardless of their reactions, screeners who fail to detect contraband are "pulled off the line" and retrained before being allowed back.
The test CNN witnessed was conducted by the TSA's Office of Inspection, which the agency calls the most sophisticated of its covert tests. But there are others.
For starters, every TSA X-ray machine has a Threat Image Projection system, which digitally inserts images of guns, knives and bombs into the X-rays of luggage, to keep screeners alert. This system library contains "tens of thousands" of images, said TSA spokesman Christopher White.
If screeners observe a suspicious object, they can check with the simple click of a computer mouse. If they detect a threat object, the computer congratulates them. Successes and failures are recorded for use in a screener's performance evaluation and are factors in determining pay.
Some 69,929 threat image tests are conducted on an average day, or more than 25 million tests per year. An array of other tests also are conducted to assess screeners, including the red team ones.
The TSA declines to give test results, which are classified. But it says the agency is getting better at finding bomb parts. And test scores won't demonstrate that, it says, because as success rates improve, tests are made more difficult.
"We're designing our tests not so much to indicate or to show or highlight performance," says Dave Holmes, who runs the Office of Inspection, "but we're highlighting where the vulnerabilities exist."
The elaborate test at the Tampa airport, Holmes says, is not to identify individuals performing below par. It's intended to provide data that, together with other information, will reveal the whole system's performance.
Back at the Tampa checkpoint, a member of Jason's red team is holding court with a group of screeners, including the one who missed the fake bomb.
"Today ... was a scrimmage," the red team leader says. "Every day, every time a passenger is coming through -- that is game day."
------------------------------------------------------
It is important for our citizens to understand that our system needs improvement. Although, it is scary that any tester bombs can get through our airport security, it is more frightening to think that a terrorist could do the same. We need to try to keep terrorists unaware of the vulnerability of our system and ideally we need to have no vulnerability at all. There are millions of these tests constantly in progress or previously conducted. These tests are not all presented to the public so the TSA can continue to improve our national security. I believe that is a good way to prevent terrorists attacks by keeping our weaknesses out of public eye. Our country always needs to stay one step ahead of terrorism.
TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- Jason -- that's the name CNN was asked to call him -- slides a simulated explosive into an elastic back support. The mock bomb is as slim as a wallet; its fuse, the size of a cigarette. He wraps the support around his torso, and the bomb fits comfortably into the small of his back.
It's hard to tell he's concealing anything; harder still when he dons a black T-shirt and a maroon golf shirt.
Then, with CNN's cameras in tow, Jason heads to Tampa International Airport, where he'll try to sneak the fake explosive past security screeners.
Jason, a covert tester for the Transportation Security Administration, has been probing airport weaknesses for five years, beginning with big mock bombs before switching to ever smaller devices as the TSA adapts to evolving terrorist threats. Watch the tester slip past security »
As jobs go, this one comes with its own unique set of satisfactions and tribulations. Jason wants to succeed at his task -- and he wants to fail. Success is a measure of his stealth, hewn by 40 years in law enforcement. But failure is satisfying too, because it means airport screeners are growing more adept at detecting threats.
So Jason -- looking every bit the middle-aged man on an uneventful trip to anywhere -- shows a boarding pass and an ID to a TSA document checker, and he is directed to a checkpoint where, unbeknown to the security officer on site, the real test begins.
Don't Miss
TSA's Covert Testing
Report: Extremists plotted attacks across Europe
Loaded gun gets through airport security
Student points out another TSA flaw
He gets through, which in real life would mean a terrorist was headed toward a plane with a bomb.
To be clear, the TSA allowed CNN to see and record this test, and the agency is not concerned with CNN showing it. The TSA says techniques such as the one used in Tampa are known to terrorists and openly discussed on known terror Web sites.
Even before the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, government agencies deployed "red teams" such as this one to look for holes in airport security. The tests have resulted in a torrent of reports criticizing the government for failing to staff, train, manage and equip properly the screener work force, which numbers 43,000.
While test results are classified and rarely leak out, those that have been disclosed typically don't inspire confidence. In tests conducted in 2006 and disclosed to USA Today last year, investigators successfully smuggled 75 percent of fake bombs through checkpoints at Los Angeles International Airport, 60 percent through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and 20 percent at San Francisco International Airport.
The TSA has disputed some test methodologies and test results. But instead of running from tests, the agency has embraced the idea that testing has a value that goes beyond measuring the performance of individual screeners.
Tests, the TSA says, can show systemwide security vulnerabilities. When used frequently -- as was the case with San Francisco in 2006 -- they can heighten screener awareness. Tests can show areas that need increased attention. And tests can be used to determine whether terrorist plots uncovered by intelligence agencies or being discussed on terrorist Web sites are lunatic rants, or are plausible.
As a result, the TSA says it believes its work force is the most tested in the federal government, with checkpoint drills of various sophistication occurring in every checkpoint at every airport daily.
Almost an hour before Jason approached the checkpoint, a fellow red team member had gone through the checkpoint. It's this member's job to make sure the test is conducted safely.
Five minutes before the test begins, he uses a cell phone to call Tampa's federal security director, the airport's top security official.
"Sir, the reason we're calling today is to tell you that we will be conducting covert testing at your airport," the red team leader says. "But I would ask that you not speak to anyone on your staff to alert them of this test."
The message is clear: Don't tell anyone. Testers say they will scratch a test if they believe anyone has been alerted. The TSA was embarrassed several years ago when word of one test leaked out, and an internal auditor is investigating other possible leaks.
But in Tampa, everything goes smoothly as Jason steps through the metal detector portal. The detector alarm goes off, as Jason expects it to, not because of the nonmetallic device strapped to his back but due to his metal knee.
It's the perfect tool for ensuring he gets to "secondary," where more extensive searches are conducted.
Soon Jason is in a posture familiar to air travelers. He is standing, legs apart, with his arms extended. A screener "wands" him with a hand-held metal detector, and it beeps as it passes his metal knee, his necklace and the rivets on his bluejeans.
The screener then pats him down, running latex-gloved hands over Jason's legs, arms and torso. And he pats down Jason's back, including the lower part where the device is concealed.
But Jason explains away the back support. He tells the screener that he has a bum back in addition to having a metal knee.
With the patdown over, the screener releases Jason. He picks up his belongings and walks freely into the airport, the fake bomb still fastened to his back.
TSA officials say the Tampa test demonstrates the type of systemic vulnerability that the agency is working to expose and address.
Screeners have cultural sensitivities toward travelers' handicaps, and they are sometimes hesitant to perform intrusive searches, officials said. Terrorists could exploit that reluctance, they said.
The TSA screener could have used other relatively unobtrusive means to check Jason's back brace. But he didn't.
After leaving the screening checkpoint, Jason returns with other members of his red team and informs the screener he has failed a test. A fake bomb has just entered their airport.
The screener appears devastated.
The reaction is common, says Jason, adding that notifying screeners of failed tests can be the toughest part of his job.
On occasions, he says, testers have appeared indifferent. In those rare instances, Jason says, he gets "nasty," stressing the importance of the tests. The stakes are too high to tolerate indifference.
Regardless of their reactions, screeners who fail to detect contraband are "pulled off the line" and retrained before being allowed back.
The test CNN witnessed was conducted by the TSA's Office of Inspection, which the agency calls the most sophisticated of its covert tests. But there are others.
For starters, every TSA X-ray machine has a Threat Image Projection system, which digitally inserts images of guns, knives and bombs into the X-rays of luggage, to keep screeners alert. This system library contains "tens of thousands" of images, said TSA spokesman Christopher White.
If screeners observe a suspicious object, they can check with the simple click of a computer mouse. If they detect a threat object, the computer congratulates them. Successes and failures are recorded for use in a screener's performance evaluation and are factors in determining pay.
Some 69,929 threat image tests are conducted on an average day, or more than 25 million tests per year. An array of other tests also are conducted to assess screeners, including the red team ones.
The TSA declines to give test results, which are classified. But it says the agency is getting better at finding bomb parts. And test scores won't demonstrate that, it says, because as success rates improve, tests are made more difficult.
"We're designing our tests not so much to indicate or to show or highlight performance," says Dave Holmes, who runs the Office of Inspection, "but we're highlighting where the vulnerabilities exist."
The elaborate test at the Tampa airport, Holmes says, is not to identify individuals performing below par. It's intended to provide data that, together with other information, will reveal the whole system's performance.
Back at the Tampa checkpoint, a member of Jason's red team is holding court with a group of screeners, including the one who missed the fake bomb.
"Today ... was a scrimmage," the red team leader says. "Every day, every time a passenger is coming through -- that is game day."
------------------------------------------------------
It is important for our citizens to understand that our system needs improvement. Although, it is scary that any tester bombs can get through our airport security, it is more frightening to think that a terrorist could do the same. We need to try to keep terrorists unaware of the vulnerability of our system and ideally we need to have no vulnerability at all. There are millions of these tests constantly in progress or previously conducted. These tests are not all presented to the public so the TSA can continue to improve our national security. I believe that is a good way to prevent terrorists attacks by keeping our weaknesses out of public eye. Our country always needs to stay one step ahead of terrorism.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Reflection
"Why We Fight"
this documentary was moving, interesting, and important. it was good to hear and see more about the different side of America's government and different opinions and views that aren't expressed by most speakers on the news. This documentary had moving and impressive footage, as well as influential guest speakers. Not only were there famous and well known speakers throughout the movie there were also regular civilians who we could relate to. It was interesting how the interviews were held and how the different perspectives change how people feel about the war in Iraq and wars in general. In order for any documentary to be successful the producer can't just express their own views by simply by forcing them on the viewer. i think the way they broke up the serious feeling against war with smaller clips of pro-war they are then able to make the viewer believe they came to a conclusion on their own and not through propaganda. they are also then able to refute the topics the opposite argument presents. It's important to keep documentaries moving and varying between text and pictures and interviews helps break up the information without leaving the viewer bored or distracted. using emotional pull is a very common way that directors make their movies more relateable and enjoyable.
this documentary was moving, interesting, and important. it was good to hear and see more about the different side of America's government and different opinions and views that aren't expressed by most speakers on the news. This documentary had moving and impressive footage, as well as influential guest speakers. Not only were there famous and well known speakers throughout the movie there were also regular civilians who we could relate to. It was interesting how the interviews were held and how the different perspectives change how people feel about the war in Iraq and wars in general. In order for any documentary to be successful the producer can't just express their own views by simply by forcing them on the viewer. i think the way they broke up the serious feeling against war with smaller clips of pro-war they are then able to make the viewer believe they came to a conclusion on their own and not through propaganda. they are also then able to refute the topics the opposite argument presents. It's important to keep documentaries moving and varying between text and pictures and interviews helps break up the information without leaving the viewer bored or distracted. using emotional pull is a very common way that directors make their movies more relateable and enjoyable.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Book Report- Animal Farm
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London. Harcourt Brace & Company: 1946.
Reason, Type and Setting: This book is a well known piece of literature that showed both literary mastery and satirical style. During the time when communism was a big fear in our world Orwell decided to tackle the issue from a different angle. Orwell's unique and surreal style really attracted me to the story line. The story takes place in a small country farm. Plot: As the domesticated livestock of Manor Farm witness all the misfortunes of having their owner Mr. Jones run their lives they all wish they could do something to change the system. Eventually the animals take over the farm, changing the name to Animal Farm. After they set up their own government and hierarchy their "fool proof" governing starts to turn into chaos as the pigs become power crazy. The farm eventually falls apart between the animals fighting between themselves and the humans who are frightened of them and trying to over throw Animal Farm so their own animals don’t do the same.
Character: Boxer was a huge draft horse who had the muscles and the motivation to keep the farm running through infallible labor and unquestioning trust of his leaders. Boxer represents everything good in a person, he was loyal, trusting, kind sympathetic and much more. Unfortunately Boxer was never very intelligent, forcing him to blindly follow who ever gave him direction. I like Boxer so much because of how manipulated he was and yet he continued to believe in the corrupt system. Although the reader has sympathy for Boxer, the reader must also realize that who Boxer is, is who powers the corrupt government because they feel like they are part of a greater good. Despite how much Boxer brought to the community, once the pigs no longer needed him they sent him off to the glue factory where he was killed.
Evaluation: I enjoyed this novel because of the satire and the constant movement of the plot. There was never a moment that an issue wasn't presented and dealt with in an interesting way. Not only was the book entertaining, it also had a great educational value to it. Orwell expressed his feelings on communism and the U.S.S.R. through his novel. He showed that the concept of communism is a good one, that system of government by virtue is appealing to the public, especially the people who are not rich or doing well in life. Communism unfortunately will not work because of the few people who are in charge and who are the main leaders will soon become so power craved that they have no sympathy for the people below them. I definitely would recommend this book to others for its educational and entertainment value. This book was intended to relate to communism and the founders and major representatives of the idea (Marx, Lenin, and Stalin). Communist Russia became a major threat to the world and other countries. Many leaders were afraid their citizens wouldn’t realize the conflicts communism brought and would be too overwhelmed with the utopia like ideas it was based off of. Without understanding the repercussions of changing governments, people can make rash decisions.
The pigs in the book took advantage of their comrade’s trust and unintelligence and used them to put them selves ahead in the farm status quo. I would like to think I would not do that to the other animals but I know it is human nature to take any opportunity to advance ourselves.
Author, Context and Trivia: George Orwell is a very famous writer and has written other books such as; 1984, Down and Out in Paris and London, Coming up for Air. I haven't read other books by Orwell yet, but I hope to read 1984. I have read other satires by different authors and enjoyed those as well, they are very thought provoking. I would always be up to reading more satires like this one.
Reason, Type and Setting: This book is a well known piece of literature that showed both literary mastery and satirical style. During the time when communism was a big fear in our world Orwell decided to tackle the issue from a different angle. Orwell's unique and surreal style really attracted me to the story line. The story takes place in a small country farm. Plot: As the domesticated livestock of Manor Farm witness all the misfortunes of having their owner Mr. Jones run their lives they all wish they could do something to change the system. Eventually the animals take over the farm, changing the name to Animal Farm. After they set up their own government and hierarchy their "fool proof" governing starts to turn into chaos as the pigs become power crazy. The farm eventually falls apart between the animals fighting between themselves and the humans who are frightened of them and trying to over throw Animal Farm so their own animals don’t do the same.
Character: Boxer was a huge draft horse who had the muscles and the motivation to keep the farm running through infallible labor and unquestioning trust of his leaders. Boxer represents everything good in a person, he was loyal, trusting, kind sympathetic and much more. Unfortunately Boxer was never very intelligent, forcing him to blindly follow who ever gave him direction. I like Boxer so much because of how manipulated he was and yet he continued to believe in the corrupt system. Although the reader has sympathy for Boxer, the reader must also realize that who Boxer is, is who powers the corrupt government because they feel like they are part of a greater good. Despite how much Boxer brought to the community, once the pigs no longer needed him they sent him off to the glue factory where he was killed.
Evaluation: I enjoyed this novel because of the satire and the constant movement of the plot. There was never a moment that an issue wasn't presented and dealt with in an interesting way. Not only was the book entertaining, it also had a great educational value to it. Orwell expressed his feelings on communism and the U.S.S.R. through his novel. He showed that the concept of communism is a good one, that system of government by virtue is appealing to the public, especially the people who are not rich or doing well in life. Communism unfortunately will not work because of the few people who are in charge and who are the main leaders will soon become so power craved that they have no sympathy for the people below them. I definitely would recommend this book to others for its educational and entertainment value. This book was intended to relate to communism and the founders and major representatives of the idea (Marx, Lenin, and Stalin). Communist Russia became a major threat to the world and other countries. Many leaders were afraid their citizens wouldn’t realize the conflicts communism brought and would be too overwhelmed with the utopia like ideas it was based off of. Without understanding the repercussions of changing governments, people can make rash decisions.
The pigs in the book took advantage of their comrade’s trust and unintelligence and used them to put them selves ahead in the farm status quo. I would like to think I would not do that to the other animals but I know it is human nature to take any opportunity to advance ourselves.
Author, Context and Trivia: George Orwell is a very famous writer and has written other books such as; 1984, Down and Out in Paris and London, Coming up for Air. I haven't read other books by Orwell yet, but I hope to read 1984. I have read other satires by different authors and enjoyed those as well, they are very thought provoking. I would always be up to reading more satires like this one.
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