“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, a dystopian narrative set in the totalitarian state of Gilead, was definitely one of the most fascinating yet appalling novels I have ever read. The drastically different system of living that was described within it shocked me greatly, compelling me as a reader to continue reading about this very startlingly divergent society Offred was forced to put up with. One of the key themes I found highly engaging in Atwood’s novel was that of control.
Almost every facet of Offred’s life had been controlled, event to the extent of what she wore and what she could and couldn’t say. Laws prevented women from possessing properties and jobs, and technology enabled officials to freeze the bank accounts of women. There was no education system and all the universities had been shut down. Women were “colour coded” according to their class as well as roles in order to set them apart from each other in their unspoken hierarchy. Strict regulation was implemented through the eyes, guards, and even silent perpetrators amongst her acquaintances. Abortion was made illegal and women were revoked of even their own bodies.
Atwood’s insight into an unpleasant but not unlikely future motivated me to want to avoid the possibility of living in such a society by changing my view on what I had previously always presumed I would always have. The main message I took away with me from the novel was that the things we take for granted; that we think littlest of; that we presume we will never lose, those are (ironically) the kinds of things that taken away from us most easily.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thoughts on Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine”
In spite of the fact that is not exactly the most unbiased filmmaker, Michael Moore’s documentary “Bowling for Columbine” has been one of the most eye-opening documentaries I have seen to date. We were made to watch this at my old school two years ago in year ten and still remember its certain scenes quite vividly, for instance the interview with the blind man who had been allowed to own a gun and the killer Halloween candy. Many against Michael Moore often dispute the reliability of his “evidence” included in his films, such as the fact that the two boys involved in the columbine shooting never went to bowling class that day or even attended school, but whether you agree or oppose his views, one would find it hard to disagree with the efficiency of his techniques at persuading viewers to accept his central line of argument.
Moore tackles the issue of gun violence and fear in America through various techniques, such as his memorable interview with Marilyn Manson, which sets him up as a calm, sensible, intelligent person, contradicting the media’s portrayal of him as a bad influence to the boys who staged the columbine shootings, leading Moore to putting the blame on loose gun laws in America and the National Rifle Association. Also unforgettable was the cartoon parody of America’s history, which was highly effective in illustrating that America was a civilization run by fear by highlighting appalling events in its history, such as the mass killing of Native American Indians and formation of the Ku Klux Klan. Other techniques used include juxtaposition, montages and statistics, all of which contributed to Moore being able to raise serious, questions with engaging wit.
While he doesn’t provide precise answers to the issue of gun violence in America, he presents much food for thought to his viewers. Through his entertaining sense of humour and effective methods of presentation, Moore successfully accomplishes what he has set out to do, that is, to make the viewer earnestly reflect on the issues he addresses, which is exactly what his film did to me.
Moore tackles the issue of gun violence and fear in America through various techniques, such as his memorable interview with Marilyn Manson, which sets him up as a calm, sensible, intelligent person, contradicting the media’s portrayal of him as a bad influence to the boys who staged the columbine shootings, leading Moore to putting the blame on loose gun laws in America and the National Rifle Association. Also unforgettable was the cartoon parody of America’s history, which was highly effective in illustrating that America was a civilization run by fear by highlighting appalling events in its history, such as the mass killing of Native American Indians and formation of the Ku Klux Klan. Other techniques used include juxtaposition, montages and statistics, all of which contributed to Moore being able to raise serious, questions with engaging wit.
While he doesn’t provide precise answers to the issue of gun violence in America, he presents much food for thought to his viewers. Through his entertaining sense of humour and effective methods of presentation, Moore successfully accomplishes what he has set out to do, that is, to make the viewer earnestly reflect on the issues he addresses, which is exactly what his film did to me.
Blogging Assignment Details
Topics to consider:
• Power and Control in The Handmaid’s Tale
• An ‘extract’ from Serena-Joy’s diary (or another character)
• Effectiveness of the techniques used in Capitalism: A Love Story
• Other thoughts on previous documentaries directed by Michael Moore
• Your own short expository article on a topic of your choice
• Your feelings about what you read in Freedom Next Time
• Comments on the Images presented to you by students in your class
• Current Affairs topics of interest/relevance to the unit
• Power and Control in The Handmaid’s Tale
• An ‘extract’ from Serena-Joy’s diary (or another character)
• Effectiveness of the techniques used in Capitalism: A Love Story
• Other thoughts on previous documentaries directed by Michael Moore
• Your own short expository article on a topic of your choice
• Your feelings about what you read in Freedom Next Time
• Comments on the Images presented to you by students in your class
• Current Affairs topics of interest/relevance to the unit
Friday, September 10, 2010
And an afterthough
To view the image mentioned in, Censorification I know it is not a word, but it is problem please go to http://web.orange.co.uk/images/ice/film/tinker_bell_and_the_great_fairy_rescue_a160c8e5348b6ebc5d0ce266beedfe01.jpg
Censorifiaction of our children, it may not be a word, but it is a problem!
The three words ‘Youth’ and ‘Over Sexualisation’ are used together a lot in today’s news and media. Journalists and columnists are constantly having fits in which they claim we are over sexualising our youth. They claim that this early sexualisation can result in a large list of self esteem and self image issues in our children during their tumultuous child and teenage years. Personally I whole heartedly agree with them, however I also believe that the level at which our youth are being censored from normal bodily issues is also becoming an issue as our youth grow older. The latest JB-HI-FI catalogue recently found its way into my possession and as I flicked through the glossy pages in search of any new movies I wanted to watch my search was cut short when I reached the second last page and I entered the TV advertisement section. However when I looked at the TV’s they, like most other TV’s advertised in catalogues had a picture inside them! After some rereading of the catalogue I discovered that the scene depicted was from the new Disney movie Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue, rated PG. The picture was a digital animation and depicted the side of a little girls face as the she stared at Tinkerbell who was hovering at her nose level. Gazing at this photograph I wondered why I’d never made the connection between body image and children’s films before. I may not be an expert however the full, rosy cheeks, big eyes, thin unlined mouth and golden, unblemished face seemed like a far cry from my childhood. I was always covered in bruises with chapped lips and covered in tiny freckles and chicken pox scars. When I saw this image, the entertainment lifeblood of our children I couldn’t help but be shocked by how unreal it was. The picture is the ultimate stereotype of a young child and like all stereotypes is not even remotely an accurate description of a real child. After witnessing this image I can understand why we have anorexic twelve year olds and eight year olds putting on disturbing amounts of makeup and boys, who are usually the antagonist in these animated films beating each other up before they master toilet training. I wonder what will happen to the twentieth century child who constantly watches these perfect representations of children their own age; I wonder if they will grow up with development problems and body issues? The over sexualisation of children is a major problem, however body image and how it is portrayed, especially in digital media is also negatively affecting our children.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Film Techniques and Documentaries, an Opinionative Balance
I believe unregulated capitalism is “evil” and must be “eliminated”. I believe it allows, “Corporate America and Wall Street” to take control of America. I believe it preys on the, ‘little people’ like those at the, “Republican Windows and Doors Factory”, pilots and home owners like the Hackers. I believe it allows people like Peter Zelewiski to make money from other peoples misfortune. I believe that it thrives on war like the one America waged in Iraq.
However, I also believe that the black and white montage of file footage depicting hypnosis and hypnotists encourages viewers to agree with the version of reality presented in Capitalism: A Love Story, a documentary made and directed by Michael Moore. Documentaries present a version of reality through a variety of unique film techniques to portray a particular issue to viewers. These techniques are used very successfully in Moore’s presentation of “derivatives”. He presents this financial term as nothing short of rocket science too complicated for the average American to understand. He insinuates that viewers “might as well quit” it they attempt to understand the term. His unhelpful interviews with a former member of Wall Street and file footage of a university professor who both attempt to describe the term only provide viewers with entertainment, as the men on the silver screen loop back upon themselves and say, “umm” more times than they do any other word. This selection of visual footage encourages viewers to be bemused by this term and see it as a joke in the financial world.
Moore also positions viewers to feel empathy for the Hacker family who have been evicted from their dream home on the family property due to bank foreclosures. Viewers see the family emptying their home of all their possessions and either dumping them at the local tip or burning them. He uses close up camera shots of the family members as they receive further bad news and tears to move viewers towards an emotional response towards the family. Although Moore provides some explanation towards the loss of the family home, Mr Hacker being on disability after an accident, he does not present the actual facts and figures towards the loss of their home, leaving readers in the dark. This use of selective detail, montages, interviews, file footage, real footage and camera angles are just a few examples of the techniques used in the documentary to present unregulated capitalism as the cause of America’s “eventual decline”. Documentaries present a version of reality and this is evident in Moore’s presentation of capitalism in Capitalism: A Love Story.
However, I also believe that the black and white montage of file footage depicting hypnosis and hypnotists encourages viewers to agree with the version of reality presented in Capitalism: A Love Story, a documentary made and directed by Michael Moore. Documentaries present a version of reality through a variety of unique film techniques to portray a particular issue to viewers. These techniques are used very successfully in Moore’s presentation of “derivatives”. He presents this financial term as nothing short of rocket science too complicated for the average American to understand. He insinuates that viewers “might as well quit” it they attempt to understand the term. His unhelpful interviews with a former member of Wall Street and file footage of a university professor who both attempt to describe the term only provide viewers with entertainment, as the men on the silver screen loop back upon themselves and say, “umm” more times than they do any other word. This selection of visual footage encourages viewers to be bemused by this term and see it as a joke in the financial world.
Moore also positions viewers to feel empathy for the Hacker family who have been evicted from their dream home on the family property due to bank foreclosures. Viewers see the family emptying their home of all their possessions and either dumping them at the local tip or burning them. He uses close up camera shots of the family members as they receive further bad news and tears to move viewers towards an emotional response towards the family. Although Moore provides some explanation towards the loss of the family home, Mr Hacker being on disability after an accident, he does not present the actual facts and figures towards the loss of their home, leaving readers in the dark. This use of selective detail, montages, interviews, file footage, real footage and camera angles are just a few examples of the techniques used in the documentary to present unregulated capitalism as the cause of America’s “eventual decline”. Documentaries present a version of reality and this is evident in Moore’s presentation of capitalism in Capitalism: A Love Story.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Hills Hoist Clothes Lines: A study in Contradiction
To see the advertisement discussed please visit:
http://www.digitallibrary.com.au/resource/bundle.1/illusionId=9102&c=published&f=image:jpeg/resource/enlarged.jpg%20%7D
Hills Hoist Rotary Clothes Lines may be useful for hanging out washing but sometimes I think they are hanging wool over our eyes. In today’s modern society women are moving further away from their stereotyped role as happy homemakers and men are pulling away from their role as breadwinners. Only the other day I read an article in Australian House and Garden magazine on men staying at home to look after their children while on the 24th June 2010, Australia got its first female Prime Minister. So when I saw an advertising campaign in Burke’s Backyard magazine for Hills Hoist Clothes Lines I took a moment to reflect on the image in the advertisement.
The advertisement depicts a mother and her four to six year old daughter happily hanging out the washing while the presumed husband and son dig in the emerald green grass in the background. The two females are both blonde Caucasians wearing clean and pressed clothes in pink shades and other bright tones. Despite the tedium that is washing, they both have cheerful smiles on their faces oddly reminiscent of someone who has just curled up in a corner with a blanket, a good book and a block of chocolate. Perhaps I am the exception to the rule of hanging out the washing but I have never had much patience with hanging out other people’s underwear and jumpers you know they have only worn once and weren’t even dirty when they went in the washing machine.
The men in the background are similarly portrayed. The man was middle aged, clean shaven, wearing tones of blue and brown and helpfully leaning over his son’s shoulder as the boy digs in the grass. Digging in the lawn struck me as odd. As a child, especially at school or at relatives where the grass was either overgrown in winter or dead in summer, nothing like the emerald green grass in the picture, I was never allowed to actually dig it up. Therefore I must conclude that the men are not involved in domestic tasks as they are not helping the two females. This advertisement insinuates that women, in today’s modern society perform the domestic tasks like washing and that men are not involved in any of these ‘chores’. This common stereotype is reinforced by the character, Offred’s Mother in the book The Handmaid’s Tale who protests for women’s rights with banners like “do you believe a women’s place is on the kitchen table?”.Julia Gillard obviously didn’t think so and now she is leading the country. My father spent fifteen years as a stay at home dad and I can still remember coming home on a Tuesday and going to bed in a made bed (for once) because he had washed all the sheets. I believe this advertisement is attempting to hang the wool over Australians eyes and make us believe that it is a women’s job to do the washing, no matter how old they are or whether men are nearby.
http://www.digitallibrary.com.au/resource/bundle.1/illusionId=9102&c=published&f=image:jpeg/resource/enlarged.jpg%20%7D
Hills Hoist Rotary Clothes Lines may be useful for hanging out washing but sometimes I think they are hanging wool over our eyes. In today’s modern society women are moving further away from their stereotyped role as happy homemakers and men are pulling away from their role as breadwinners. Only the other day I read an article in Australian House and Garden magazine on men staying at home to look after their children while on the 24th June 2010, Australia got its first female Prime Minister. So when I saw an advertising campaign in Burke’s Backyard magazine for Hills Hoist Clothes Lines I took a moment to reflect on the image in the advertisement.
The advertisement depicts a mother and her four to six year old daughter happily hanging out the washing while the presumed husband and son dig in the emerald green grass in the background. The two females are both blonde Caucasians wearing clean and pressed clothes in pink shades and other bright tones. Despite the tedium that is washing, they both have cheerful smiles on their faces oddly reminiscent of someone who has just curled up in a corner with a blanket, a good book and a block of chocolate. Perhaps I am the exception to the rule of hanging out the washing but I have never had much patience with hanging out other people’s underwear and jumpers you know they have only worn once and weren’t even dirty when they went in the washing machine.
The men in the background are similarly portrayed. The man was middle aged, clean shaven, wearing tones of blue and brown and helpfully leaning over his son’s shoulder as the boy digs in the grass. Digging in the lawn struck me as odd. As a child, especially at school or at relatives where the grass was either overgrown in winter or dead in summer, nothing like the emerald green grass in the picture, I was never allowed to actually dig it up. Therefore I must conclude that the men are not involved in domestic tasks as they are not helping the two females. This advertisement insinuates that women, in today’s modern society perform the domestic tasks like washing and that men are not involved in any of these ‘chores’. This common stereotype is reinforced by the character, Offred’s Mother in the book The Handmaid’s Tale who protests for women’s rights with banners like “do you believe a women’s place is on the kitchen table?”.Julia Gillard obviously didn’t think so and now she is leading the country. My father spent fifteen years as a stay at home dad and I can still remember coming home on a Tuesday and going to bed in a made bed (for once) because he had washed all the sheets. I believe this advertisement is attempting to hang the wool over Australians eyes and make us believe that it is a women’s job to do the washing, no matter how old they are or whether men are nearby.
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