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.

Time flys when you're having fun

This year's third years (whether they're choosing to do it or not) are all talking about TY. It's hard to believe that this time last year, the mocks were fast approaching and we were all trying to keep on top of the decision for TY, subject choices and studying. It's already Feburary of '11 and the end of the best year in school is almost over.
The teachers are all giving us talks about different subjects, telling us what their structure is like for the LC. I must say that after doing TY, I'm a lot more calm about making my subject choices; because there's not as much stress as there was last year (not even finished one state exam and thinking about the next, not exactly pressure-free).
I'm still trying to decide which subjects to choose, but I have a fair idea. I've narrowed it all down to these five:

1. Economics
2. Geography
3. Art
4. Business
5. History

^ That's them, in order of what I'd most like to do. I'd never done art before this year, and you only barely tip off Economics in the JC. I suppose that's why TY's been so good- it gives you a year to find new talents and things you didn't know about yourself.

For anyone who wants to do art for the LC and didn't do it for the JC, you have to draw a self portrait and a shoe or a pepper (or "something like that") to prove your ability to the art teachers. I think this is good because it lets you know if you're able for LC art or not.

For anyone who wants to do TY, I say go for it (or not.. I wouldn't mind another year of this :P). TY has been such an amazing year- but it wouldn't have been if I didn't put in so much effort. Ty is a waste of a year if you're expecting a doss, trust me. It is hard work but it's kind of fun work.. There's no rule that says you have to do your work- you just have to do it. At the start of the year it's a little hard to get used to but after a while you get into the swing of meeting deadlines and keeping all your projects afloat at once.

TY IS AWESOME

Movement workshop for English

Ms. C organised a drama workshop for the two TY classes. Some people found it useless and boring; but I really enjoyed myself. The workshop was about movement on stage- indirectly. We did different movements, first we did them slowly (in the count of eight) then slightly faster (count of four) then faster than that (count of two) and then even faster than that (count down to 1).
There was a part about "filling space". I was partners Niamh C for this section. I made a shape using my body, then she had to fill in the sace around me. Then I had to make another shape by moving away and filling in the space around her shape. It was tricky to manage at first, but after a while we got the hang of it.
All-in-all, the workshop helped me a lot :)

Home-Ec International Foods Project

[http://img4.myrecipes.com/i/recipes/sl/00/02/enchiladas-sl-257868-l.jpg]

The enchaladas that myself and Bebhinn made for Home-ec, our country is Mexico :)

Briery Gap Drama Competition

As part of our English TY course, we had to take part in the Briery Gap Drama Competition. The first round was held in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Our class (Amina) was devided into two groups; one group preformed 'Knoughts & Crosses'(or 'Xs & Os', as some people have nick-named it!) by Malorie Blackman (which we adapted ourselves) and the other preformed 'But You Didn't' by Meryl Glass.
I took the lead male role in the play, Kaz took the lead female. I'm glad that I stepped up to play this role because it has taught me to keep on top of deadlines and work (learning lines is a very tough process!)
I hope that we get through to the next round, I've really enjoyed working on this project.
Trip to Mullingar: possibly one of the best days of TY so far!

Bowling Trip

Mrs. L has planned a Bowling Trip for the TYs next Wednesday. We have our teams sorted out, we're all set to go. It should be good fun; bowling always is!
We still have to do some Christmas tests (English, Irish, Maths, Science and Religion). I think this is a good idea. We don't have as many tests as other years but it keeps us in routine with having some tests. Next year we'll go back to having eleven!
Because we have less tests than everyone else, next Thursday we have the day off.
So far the pros are out-weighing the cons in TY.

Home-Ec fashion show

Tomorrow's the TY Home-Ec fashion show. Each class was devided into four groups, each group was given a colour to theme their outfit around, a pair of white trousers and a white t-shirt.
My group was given the colour scheme Black & White. We decided to make a black and grey leotard (inspired by the snow leopard) with white from the t-shirt underneath. The skirt was inspired by Carrie Bradshaw and is made out of 12 metres of net (that's a lot of net..)

English drama- Noughts & Crosses

For English we’ve been entered into a drama competition where we’ll compete against English classes in other schools.
Our class was divided into two groups. People who wanted to perform a play based on the poem ‘But You Didn’t’ are in one group, people who wanted to perform ‘Nought & Crosses’ are in the second. Luckily enough there’s a pretty even divide in our class with who wants what.

I’m in the group performing ‘Noughts & Crosses’, a play about love and racism. The play follows two people: Sephy Hadley (Karen) and Callum McGregor (me). Sephy is black, Callum is white. People who are black are seen as being higher up in society than people who are white. Sephy’s father is the Prime Minister and Callum’s mother got fired from being the Hadley’s maid. Their lives are very different but somehow they’re best friends and in love; with a dramatic twist thrown, the play keeps you on the edge of your seat!

The play is pretty long and I’m in almost every scene; a lot of lines to learn but also a lot of fun to be had :)

Colour me beautiful

http://www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk/

Two image consultants from Colour Me Beautiful came in to talk about:

1. Colours that suit our skin tone, eye and hair colour.
2. Our 'style personalities'
3. Different clothes that suit different body shapes.

The day was absolutely wonderful! I'm a warm (no surprise there..) because of my pale skin and red hair. I found out different colours that suit me including deep reds, salmon pinks, off-whites, camel, olive greens, etc. My style personality is Creative which basically means I could be seen in any type of clothing but I can pull it off :) it also means I have a quirky style sense and like to be different. Basically me in the shell of a nut I guess. Thankfully, they didn't go through everyones' body type one by one. They simply told us which clothes suit which body shapes and let us decide ourselves what type we are.

Niamh Mc, x

Geography project

For our geography project, we have to plan a gap year to two countries from either the first, second or third world. I found a website (http://gapyear365.com/) which had loads of unusual things to do in different countries. I have decided to travel from  Cairo to Capetown.

Capetown

Cairo

Work Experience? SORTED!

For those of you thinking of doing TY, I strongly advise you to get cracking on your work experience as quickly as you can. Of course there's the problem that you mightn't be able to get a placement but to be honest it's more stressful when you leave it to the last minute.
If, like me, you're interested in human rights then Amnesty International (http://amnesty.ie) is the way to go. To organise, I called their Irish office and then they sent me out an application form. Questions are asked about why you applied- so my guess is that interest in human rights is vital.
For the second week (in March), I decided to get looking for something to do with law. I went onto the Law Library website (http://lawlibrary.ie), quicksearched barristers and contacted as many as I could. I sent emails to some and called others. One barrister was unable to answer his phone so he called me back saying that he would be delighted to take me on for a week in March.

I'm very lucky that I got the two work experiences that I was looking for (I plan to study Law in TCD and then become a human rights barrister), stress on lucky. If you really want to do work experience somewhere, then use your contacts (and your head..) to get it :)

Niamh Mc, x

Mini Company

In it to win it? Not exactly. Although we've been advised not to do a book for mini company, we have decided to push ahead with our idea; expect we've added a twist. Our book will be available for download from our website (to be designed!) as well as being available for purchase normally.
We want to have fun with this project; we want to do something that we're passionate about and that will sell. Our company name is Real, our strap line is "..it's you" and our book name is 'Real Beauty, Real Girls'.
We decided that we wanted to be different to all the other make-up books, book which teach girls to look like models and celebraties who've been airbrushed and whatnot. We're keeping it natural, how to wear make-up and still look like yourself, not an Umpa-Luma.
There are six of us in the group: Niamh, Karen, Oriana, Niamh, Orlaigh and myself. We're still undecided on who's in each position because we're all pitching in at the moment- our project is in the early stages yet!
We wrote up our surveys fro market research, and plan to fire ahead as soon as possible as we got the go ahead from Mr.s B today.

I will post the link to our website as soon as it's up and running.

Niamh, x

First impressions are lasting…

…and my impression of TY so far is certainly a good one. Do we have to do subjects that we didn’t do for our Junior Cert? Yes. Do I mind doing these subjects? No, not really. TY is supposed to be a year to find new talents and things about yourself that you didn’t even know about. How can you do that without taking part in projects or tasks that you wouldn’t have even considered this time last year? No problems with my new class (Amina), I’m with most of my friends and there’re plenty more to make.

Carlingford Bonding Trip.

PAAA-DDLE, PAAA-DDLE! (Big toe..)*
Carlingford was really something different. Although we were only there for two days and one night, we did so much. High ropes, challenge courses, 3-in-ones and pier diving made the experience something completely different from any school trip we'd ever been on.

We met up at the petrol station near our school at seven o'clock (I was late because I thought it was half seven; whoops!*) The journey up to Louth seemed to last forever, perhaps because we were all so excited to get there and time could not move fast enough.
Once we got there we were broken into groups 1, 2 & 3; 4, 5 & 6. These were the groups we were to do our activities in. The group I was in (4, 5 & 6) started on the challenge course. From falling into the water and working together to "change the water pump", the challenge course was great fun. Chips, chicken nuggets and beans for lunch. From there we dived straight into the water sports. We were provided with helmets, buoyancy aids and wetsuits. Six canoes were taken from the stack, then three were joined together. We learned how to paddle together to make the boat go faster (the other team needed a tow back to the pier. Disgraceful..*) We then took turns in jumping off the pier (in gale-force winds, might I add.) I jumped off with Stephbob first, then by myself the second time. Stew for dinner, ice-cream for dessert. We were given two hours of free time before heading out on a hill walk, up a hill. Those of us who wanted to climbed through a tunnel under the town, no bigger than a small fireplace. I began with my knees bent and completely dry, I ended up crawling and completely soaked. It was scary but really fun!
After an interesting night's "sleep", we awoke to an announcement on the intercom. We were asked to tidy our rooms and strip our beds, pack up and come down to breakfast (all to be done in half an hour, which was almost impossible). From breakfast we ventured to the high ropes (http://www.carlingfordadventure.com/html/images/HighRopes.jpg) which were my favourite. I was the first one to climb up the massive pole (that shook, on purpose!) of four. Stephbob was afraid of the high ropes but I helped her up with me. Ellen and Niamh went up to the fifth step of Jacob's ladder while Katie was the first one to do the incline challenge.
All in all, Carlingford was amazing.

*joking, sarcasm, to be taken lightly