1. The purpose of the poem was to display in short the dark, twisted, and violent fantasies that rivet the madness that is the inner thoughts of a serial killer. The book being about an innocent eighteen year old being showered in this madness, I wanted to portray a darker, sinister feel through the poem.
2. I accomplished this with a black background representing the darkness on the inner mechanics of the mind of a serial killer, and darker, warmer colours for the words commonly associated with the mayhem that follows these men such as pain, suffering, target, victim, and killer. The larger words are those of the names of these men who have been written in history for their brutal body counts associated with them. Such as Dahmer, Gacy, Ramierez, and Manson.
3. I think that wordle is a useful tool for those who use poetry a lot in their English work, for it is an easy way to represent key points and concepts and associate feeling through it due to its poetic structure. I enjoyed using this because it was very easy and straight forward. But I feel outside of English class, there wouldn't be much variety in terms of how to use it in different situations. It could possibly be used to create a cover for a book, album or some media related piece of work.
Monday, 30 April 2012
Wordle - Killer
<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5218466/Killer"
title="Wordle: Killer"><img
src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/5218466/Killer"
alt="Wordle: Killer"
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd"></a>
Friday, 13 April 2012
Blog #7 Significant Characteristic
As I read The Road there are many significant characteristics that really form the plotline and setting for the story that really dwarf all others in terms of importance.
The first would be the setting, with the entire world plunged into utter chaos and hostility and fear around every corner, it really molds the story that plays out and the way that the characters act. The environment is an oblivion of dust and gloom, death and fear, and there aren't many glimpses for hope. Without this massive characteristic, the entire concept of the story is absolutely discarded, and the story would be void. But even if there was a way to work around that, this horrifying surrounding to the character is really what hooks the reader's attention, and the visual that the book emits will vary greatly from person to person, and that is the wonder of this book, to be able to visualize the way the story plays out in your own was using your imagination.
A second very significant characteristic to the story is relationship between the man and the boy. It is not one you would think stereotypically between a father and son (Although you have to decide on your own whether you think they are actually related or not) but it resembles it for sure. You do get that feeling of intense caring both ways for eachother, but when they talk to eachother about serious matters, or when the boys curiosity peaks in the midst of everything, the seem very distant. With all responses being short and sweet, usually no more than 4 words, and they include lots of "Okay's" and there is a certain independency barrier between them that is rather evident as the story progresses.
The first would be the setting, with the entire world plunged into utter chaos and hostility and fear around every corner, it really molds the story that plays out and the way that the characters act. The environment is an oblivion of dust and gloom, death and fear, and there aren't many glimpses for hope. Without this massive characteristic, the entire concept of the story is absolutely discarded, and the story would be void. But even if there was a way to work around that, this horrifying surrounding to the character is really what hooks the reader's attention, and the visual that the book emits will vary greatly from person to person, and that is the wonder of this book, to be able to visualize the way the story plays out in your own was using your imagination.
A second very significant characteristic to the story is relationship between the man and the boy. It is not one you would think stereotypically between a father and son (Although you have to decide on your own whether you think they are actually related or not) but it resembles it for sure. You do get that feeling of intense caring both ways for eachother, but when they talk to eachother about serious matters, or when the boys curiosity peaks in the midst of everything, the seem very distant. With all responses being short and sweet, usually no more than 4 words, and they include lots of "Okay's" and there is a certain independency barrier between them that is rather evident as the story progresses.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Blog #6 Film Adaptation
I am reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road, which has been adapted into a movie, but I have not seen it. If I was hired to write a screen play for this movie, I would have to cut out a lot of the sub plot to keep the plot line of the movie moving and to keep the viewers eentertained. Through out the book (That I've read thus far) there are many scenes that involve walking and resting, dying of starvation and thirst. Though they would make good scenes for the movie, I wouldn't be able to use them excessivley, for the viewers would get bored of the same setting over and over again. I would have to place one or two scenes of walking and rest in between each scene of major signifigance to the storyline, to keep the plot rolling and keep the viewers entertained, but the majority of in between scenes would have to be removed due to time restriction.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Blog #5 Suspense or Pathos
About half way through the book Fight Club there is a point where there is conflict, between Tyler Durden and the Narrator, and their bosses. Tyler goes on about pissing in the creme brulee, sneazing on food and how he's been a food industry terrorist. He threatens to go public about this unless he gets paid his normal wage plus tips. He provokes his boss to beat him, and provokes him even further by saying things like "Go ahead, you cant kill me. You stupid fuck, beat the crap out of me. But you can't kill me." And makes it evident that he has everything to loose, where Tyler has nothing to loose. A similar tention occurs between the Narrator and his boss, where he demands that he gets paid, in return for never setting foot in his company again. When the boss refuses his demands, the narrator proceeds to beat himself senseless, he continues on with his insanity until he's at the bosses feet, and just as the chapter closes, security walks in. That is the climax for suspense in this section of the book, and its done very well, using the insanity and cleverness of both the narrator and Tyler to help add to the intensity.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Blog #2 Stock characters
I recently watched the film Fight Club, not for the first time, but again because I plan on reading the book soon. In the film, there was a stock character named Lou, who owned the place "Lou's" in which Tyler Durden held his Fight Club. He has a very small role in the film, but when he is introduced, you immediatley get a sense of a mobster, or someone to that tone. He is a burly man wearing a suit, and has a guard with him at all times of the film. He is very agressive, and has a very intimidating voice. He seems to be the dominant figure, and he shows this but attacking Tyler when he refuses to leave the basement of "Lou's". You don't get much on his personal, or background life, but you don't need it because the film makes him out to be the dominant agressive type of person, and his appearance is in sync with the personality feel.
Blog #3 Character Traits
In my novel Mockingjay, there isn't really a main protagonist because the conflict is against an entire group/force being the Capitol. Although the leader of the Capitol, President Snow, would be the only singular protagonist represented for the Capitol's side, so I'll try and choose four key character traits to represent him as a main protagonist.
The first key character trait I would give him is very intellegent. He seems to have a very strong grasp on the reality of his situation, for example at the beggining of the previous book Catching Fire he explains to Katniss about how delicate the Capitol is, and how something as small as this can cause uprisings and conflict. This book makes reference to that conversation. It also shows his cunning when he methodically places roses during certain times and in certain places to shatter Katniss's morale (As a sign that Snow still has control over her life and everything she does)
The second character trait I would give him is ruthless. He will stop at nothing to keep in control of everything involving both the Capitol and the 12 districts (13 districts now). It shows this when Finnick had made the propo about the secrets he had aquired over his years of being a sex slave for the Capitol after winning his Hunger Games. He makes reference to the competitors and threats to Snow's power being killed off or slowly disappearing from center stage. They make the connection in the book that Snow had been poisoning his competitors. He had drank out of the same cups with the poison in it so it wouldn't draw attention or suspicion, saying "But antidotes only go so far." Explaining the poison being the cause of the smell of blood on his breath, due to damage done to it.
The third would be both very influential and manipulative. He has the ability to really get into the heads of surrounding characters of all sorts to influence them or destroy them. I think his position of power has a little bit to do with this, but his personality is definatley the main source of this very useful tool in his arsenal of keeping power and control over the districts.
Despite him being the main protagonist, he doesn't have much appearance in the story, although he has a massive role. So I can't really pull out a fourth trait to give him, without fabricating it. Im sure nearing the end of the book, true colours will be shown and I would get a better sense of his thought process and personality.
The first key character trait I would give him is very intellegent. He seems to have a very strong grasp on the reality of his situation, for example at the beggining of the previous book Catching Fire he explains to Katniss about how delicate the Capitol is, and how something as small as this can cause uprisings and conflict. This book makes reference to that conversation. It also shows his cunning when he methodically places roses during certain times and in certain places to shatter Katniss's morale (As a sign that Snow still has control over her life and everything she does)
The second character trait I would give him is ruthless. He will stop at nothing to keep in control of everything involving both the Capitol and the 12 districts (13 districts now). It shows this when Finnick had made the propo about the secrets he had aquired over his years of being a sex slave for the Capitol after winning his Hunger Games. He makes reference to the competitors and threats to Snow's power being killed off or slowly disappearing from center stage. They make the connection in the book that Snow had been poisoning his competitors. He had drank out of the same cups with the poison in it so it wouldn't draw attention or suspicion, saying "But antidotes only go so far." Explaining the poison being the cause of the smell of blood on his breath, due to damage done to it.
The third would be both very influential and manipulative. He has the ability to really get into the heads of surrounding characters of all sorts to influence them or destroy them. I think his position of power has a little bit to do with this, but his personality is definatley the main source of this very useful tool in his arsenal of keeping power and control over the districts.
Despite him being the main protagonist, he doesn't have much appearance in the story, although he has a massive role. So I can't really pull out a fourth trait to give him, without fabricating it. Im sure nearing the end of the book, true colours will be shown and I would get a better sense of his thought process and personality.
Blog #4 Point of view
In the book Fight Club, the story is told in a first person point of view, the narrator (Whoms name we are not told). The authors style of speech for the main character is very unique, making his speech seem more like thought than communication. I think the author chose this point of view so he could achieve this without confusing the reader to a higher extent than it already does. But the extent of confusion it has now is not to the point where it makes the book difficult or frustrating to read, but to the point where it makes you think "Why is his speech being portrayed like this?".
I think the author chose the correct approach in point of view for the narrator of the story, but I also think it could have very easily be done in a third person point of view. But reading the book at the moment, I wouldn't change this point of view, because without it, the portrayal of his speech wouldn't peek the readers curiosity, as well as this current point of view giving the reader a very strong sense of distress, confusion, and struggle against his own emotions and thoughts.
With that being said, it is a very interesting read. The unique stlye of writing is one I have not seen before, and trying to grasp this style while the story unfolds is far beyond entertaining. The point of view is perfect to represent everything from the Narrator's internal and external struggles, to the influence and emotion being created by characters like Tyler Durden and Marla Singer.
I think the author chose the correct approach in point of view for the narrator of the story, but I also think it could have very easily be done in a third person point of view. But reading the book at the moment, I wouldn't change this point of view, because without it, the portrayal of his speech wouldn't peek the readers curiosity, as well as this current point of view giving the reader a very strong sense of distress, confusion, and struggle against his own emotions and thoughts.
With that being said, it is a very interesting read. The unique stlye of writing is one I have not seen before, and trying to grasp this style while the story unfolds is far beyond entertaining. The point of view is perfect to represent everything from the Narrator's internal and external struggles, to the influence and emotion being created by characters like Tyler Durden and Marla Singer.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Blog #1 - Mood
I am reading the book Mokingjay, the third book in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Colins. The book starts off as an immediate continuation of the second book in the series "Catching Fire" when the main character, Katniss, is rescued from the Quarter Quell (75th Hunger Games) by District 13, what was supposed to be only a legend, and Haymitch. The book starts as Katniss is recovering from the Quell, going in and out of conciousness. When she finally regains her composure, she is confused, and irrational. She doesn't know who else has, or hasn't been rescued. She later finds out that Haymitch, who she thought to be a very close ally to her, had been in on the plan to rescue Katniss with District 13 and make her the Mockingjay, the symbol of the revolution and rebellion of all the other districts, and hadn't told her. She becomes furious and hostile, attacking Haymitch and already causing problems. When she had simmered down, she is informed of who has been brought to District 13, such as her mother, sister, and fellow competitors in the Quell. She finds out that Peeta, her ally since the begining and "lover" had been captured by the capital, ordered by president Snow. If this wasn't enough to distraught her, she is also informed about the uprising in the majority of the districts, and the fire bombing attacks on other districts and her own home alike.
So right off the bat, the author creates a mood of distress, anger, confusion and chaos throughout all settings and characters involved in the story. The tragety of the death of so many people, all around her world, and the fact that Peeta is now in Capitol hands, possibly being tortured, or worse, causes an overwhelming sense of sadness and distress in the character, and this reflects on the readers feelings, making you feel sympathetic for Katniss. You can tell it has a very strong effect on her sense of judgement, because she mentions while she wakes up for the last time, fully recovered (physically at least) that it would be sensible to kill Peeta for his own protection. Her state of mental health shows again when she tells the reader that she is given a process to keep her thoughts together. Increasing in difficulty as the procedure goes on: "My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The capitol hates me..." (Colins, 37-38 , MockingJay) Although it gives a slight glimmer of humor, it doesn't take away from the obvious severity of her condition. I am interested to see how Katniss evolves to carry the added weight that has been placed on her shoulders, and what other unfortunate things happen to her. But thusfar, there isn't much one could think that could happen next other than the inevidable conflict that will slowly unfold between the Capitol and District 13 *Man vs Man*
So right off the bat, the author creates a mood of distress, anger, confusion and chaos throughout all settings and characters involved in the story. The tragety of the death of so many people, all around her world, and the fact that Peeta is now in Capitol hands, possibly being tortured, or worse, causes an overwhelming sense of sadness and distress in the character, and this reflects on the readers feelings, making you feel sympathetic for Katniss. You can tell it has a very strong effect on her sense of judgement, because she mentions while she wakes up for the last time, fully recovered (physically at least) that it would be sensible to kill Peeta for his own protection. Her state of mental health shows again when she tells the reader that she is given a process to keep her thoughts together. Increasing in difficulty as the procedure goes on: "My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The capitol hates me..." (Colins, 37-38 , MockingJay) Although it gives a slight glimmer of humor, it doesn't take away from the obvious severity of her condition. I am interested to see how Katniss evolves to carry the added weight that has been placed on her shoulders, and what other unfortunate things happen to her. But thusfar, there isn't much one could think that could happen next other than the inevidable conflict that will slowly unfold between the Capitol and District 13 *Man vs Man*
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