Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell

In 1949, a year before his death, George Orwell released the dystopian novel ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’- only to have an Irish Transition Year student read, enjoy and critique it sixty two years later. In the following posts I will discuss this novel’s cultural context, theme, literary genre and my personal response to it.
The world in which ‘Nineteen Eighty-four’ is set in can be described (and is by many) as an “Orwellian Nightmare”. From the constant surveillance by the thought police, the passages describing deadening life in Oceana, the punishments implicated for actions as natural as thinking or sex- make me realise how lucky I am to live in the society that I do; even with the recession! Perhaps it’s just against my nature, but the idea of not being allowed to question anything or even think for me sends shivers down my spine. In the world of Inglot, Big Brother and the rest of the inner party have control over not only everything but everyone. From the time and date to which state they’re at war with, the party have the power to say that “two plus two is five” and anyone who says, or is even suspected of thinking differently is sent to a mysterious quarter in the Ministry of Love “to become sane again”.
The sense of paranoia and isolation in this society stems from the repression of human emotions and the enforcement of ones desired by the party; such as love for Big Brother and Inglot, hatred for Goldstein and either Eastasia or Eurasia (depending on which they’re at war with). Human emotions and characteristics is a strong theme in this novel. The power of the Human mind is highlighted in both good and bad light. In room 101, I saw how our minds are so powerful that they can become almost self-destructive. The party realise how strong the human mind can be, so instead of trying to penetrate; they manipulate and plant ideas in it, allowing it to spread like a virus. The most unnerving thing about this aspect of the novel is that this method of brain-washing actually works.
During the first part of this novel, Orwell introduces a relationship between the protagonist (Winston) and one of his "comrades" Julia. This relationship is described throughout the novel as that of undying love, however, it is my opinion that this relationship does not symbolise love but rather Winston's overwhelming desire to rebel against Inglot in the most human way possible and Julia's longing to feel any kind of emotion that isn't hate. For the romantic reader, this relationship may be the shining beacon of hope which will triumph over Big Brother. Perhaps this was Orwell's intention, as all that flicker of hope is quenched in the Ministry of Love. The ideas of Winston and the Brotherhood is in contrast with the actual reality of the novel- this contrast makes the ideas seem even better and the reality all the more dismal. It's one of those scenarios where you may know what's in store for the protagonist and indeed the rest of the society but you hope it will take a turn for the better- the end comes anyway.
In conclusion, I found this novel to be an enjoyable read. The cultural context is not like anything that I've ever seen before, Orwell's writing is nothing short of brilliant. I would highly recommend studying this novel for the Leaving Certificate as I feel that it will provoke some interesting thoughts and maybe even a debate or two.

The TY Experience :)

Looking back on the year, I've had a lot of great opportunities and experiences that I wouldn't have had if not for TY. When I think back to this time last year; I was preparing for my Junior Certificate- my impression of school was that it's all about the academics. I'm glad that I did TY because it's given me a chance to mature and learn about myself. I now feel that I am ready for the Leaving Certificate, I'll miss TY but at least I have the memories to look back on and the experience to carry me forward :)

English novel review

My chosen novel is Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell (his real name's Eric Arthur Blair). It's on the list of prescribed texts for 2013; I really hope my English class study it for the Leaving Cert. I've read this novel before and really, really enjoyed it. Some people may say that they don't like to read books a second, third, fourth time but I think that when you re-read a book (especially ones with a complex plot) you pick up on minor details that slipped through your radar the last time you read it. I'm half-way through Part II at the moment and I'm really enjoying it. I don't want to ruin the plot for anyone else who's reading it, so I won't say too much. I love how Orwell hurls the reader into a completely different world which is so different from the world we would like to live in that it's frightening, but at the same time is not so unrealistic that it's believable. I can tell you one thing, on reading this book, your gullible levels drop as quickly as your cynicism rises!

Cultural Trip to Town

Yesterday we went on a cultural trip into town; the National Museum of Ireland (bog bodies), National Library of Ireland (WB Yeats) and the National Gallery (JackB Yeats), to be more specific! I'd seen the bog bodies before (and I was hungry for my lunch..) so that was my least favourite.

I really enjoyed both of the Yeats exhibitions, even though WB had some unexpected truths: he didn't believe that women should be involved in politics, he was a member a cult which explored the supernatural world through the use of automatic writing and ouji boards, they used women as mediums to speak with the spirits. All very creepy if you ask me; I don't know anything about the after-life and I'd like to keep it that way!

Drama Competition Update

Our play ('Noughts & Crosses') has gotten through to the final of the Briery Gap Drama Competition, which we entered a few weeks ago. We presumed we hadn't gotten through because we hadn't heard anything from them, but a few days ago Ms. Guilfoyle came to tell us that we're in the final. Unfortunately, we're the only play that has gotten through, so it'll just be us heading down to Cork on the 5th March. I'm as nervous as I am excited about the competition, I've never really preformed in front of an audience before. But I suppose that's what TY's all about :)
We've begun changed minor details in our play (movement, pauses, stuff like that) it's strange because things that are so simple and natural in everyday life are things you seem to forget once you walk on stage. Suddenly you have to think about where to out your arm so that you look frustrated, or to pause so that the audience think that you're thinking. It's all very technical.
I'm glad that it's all worked out so well, I really hope we win some sort of prize after coming this far :)

Geography Project

We're doing another geography project- this one's on world deseases. We had to choose a third world country which our group travelled to, found a desease in that area and from that researched what the symptoms of the desease are, where it can be contractred, how it is treated and how to prevent it. It was all made into a brochure. This is what I've learned;

1. Country: South Africa
2. Desease: Meningococcal Meningitis (Bacterial Meningitis)
3. What is it?: An infection of the brain and spinal cord, the desease travels through your bloodstream, hence making its appearance as a rash on the surface of the skin.
4. Symptoms: Stiff neck, headaches, rash which does not disappear when a glass is rolled over it, sensitivity to bright lights and confusion.
5. How it is treated: The patient must be brought immediately to the hospital so that antibiotic treatment can begin. Lumbar puncture follows and the treatment continues for 7-10 days following. this is to ensure the infection is completely cleared.
6. How to prevent it: There is a vaccine against Bacterial Meningitis.

It was an interesting project to do :)

Photoshoot for Minco :D

Yesterday, myself and the rest of the girls from Real mini company went for a photoshoot in NCAD. Niamh C was great and used her contacts to ask a photography student to take our 'step-by-step' for us. Thankfully and luckily the student (Katie) was really helpful and kind and agreed to give us a hand :)
It went really well, the photos looked really professional and all of our hard work paid off. We used ourselves as models (because we're vainers LOL JK)
I really enjoyed the whole experience, but I must admit I wouldn't fancy modeling as a career! I prefer the photography side, so I might read into that :)
I'm really happy that we stuck with our company idea and followed through on this. Hopefully all our hard work will be shown through our product and it'll all pay off.