The Clod and The Pebble

The Clod and the Pebble

By William Blake

“Love seeketh not itself to please,

Nor for itself hath any care,

But for another gives its ease,

And builds a Heaven in Hell's despair."

So sung a little Clod of Clay

Trodden with the cattle's feet,

But a Pebble of the brook

Warbled out these metres meet:

"Love seeketh only self to please,

To bind another to its delight,

Joys in another's loss of ease,

And builds a Hell in Heaven's despite"

1.    What does “The clod and the pebble” symbolize?

    This poem shows the two contrasting views of love from different person. From this poem, we can assume that there are two participants and maybe we can say that the Clod is a female and the Pebble is a male. If we see this poem from a context of sexual love, we see that the Clod shows love with the concept of giving that belongs to women but Pebble shows a selfish love which related with the concept of receiving mostly belongs to men.These points of views are true indeed as both of them can be experienced in the real life. When we fall in love, our relationship can be good (giving) or bad (selfish love). It is us who determines which relationship we are in.

2.    Identify 3 literary devices and how the enhances to the poem.

Contrast – The clod and the pebble. The clod is soft while the pebble is hard.

Metaphor – The clod and the pebble are used to describe different views of love. He uses a clod and a pebble as his metaphors for love. The clod signifies a selfless kind of heavenly love, while the pebble represents a stubborn and selfish kind of love. 

    Personification - Personification used in the poem to give us the idea between an innocent    love and a selfish love. Blake has given the clod and the pebble human traits such as ability to love.

3.    Are you the clod or the pebble? Substantiate your answer.

Angela

Personally, I think I am the clod. For me, love is a matter of giving. Even though we may face certain situation where demand us to be selfish, for me love is still a matter of giving. When we love someone, we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of love.

Kelly

      I think I am a cold because when I love someone, I will love truly and willing to sacrifice for the   one I love.

The Open Window

d) What the lesson that you can learn from the short story?

- I learnt not to making up story and cause misunderstanding to someone that I meet for the first time.

e) In the short story, does Vera Sappleton show hospitality to Frampton Nuttel? If she were a Malaysian, would she have responded in like manner?

- Vera Sappleton does show hospitality to Frampton Nuttel because she keeps accompany him while he waits for Mrs. Sappleton to appear even though she is manipulating her uncle with her fake ghost story. If she were a Malaysian, she would not respond in that way because a Malaysian should not telling lies to their guests and someone they first meet.

f) If you were Nuttle, would you trust every words Vera said? Why?

- Maybe at first I would trust every words Vera said because for me a young girl will not making up story to the first person that she meet.

The best chapter in Things Fall Apart

     The chapter that I like the most in the novel “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe is chapter eleven. I like this chapter the most because it is very interesting if it is compared to the other chapters of this novel. The chapter eleven starts with the story of a cunning tortoise by Ekwefi. I like the story as it gives a lot of moral values to the readers such as never be greedy and never trust a stranger. In this chapter, we can see Ekwefi’s love towards her daughter Enzinma. When Chielo brought Enzinma to see the Agbala, she follows her although she knows that action is very dangerous for her. However she still insists to follow Chielo. We can see the how big is mother’s love towards us. This particular situation touches my heart. In this chapter we can also see Okwonko’s soft side. He cares for his daughter Enzinma and also his wife as he follows Ekwefi as well. From the beginning of the story, we see the manly side of Okwonko, however in this chapter, we can see that Okwonko is a very caring father and husband. 


Elfera Achin
TESL (R1)

Elfera Achin

TESL (R1)

Research in library

 4 July 2012

-     " I won't be able to make it for class. Inform the rest to do the following during the 2 hours: find gothic elements in the novel; find instances of irony in the novel; literary elements used and their impact on the novel. From Mr. Camillus Ong "

1. A gothic element is defined as the gloom and mystery and the grotesque in a story from my own understanding. From my reading, I found out that gothic element was shown in the novel “Things Fall Apart” by the Igbo beliefs. They believe in sacrificial of human. They believe this action will give them good fortune. In addition, the Igbo believes that the wooden statuary is an active representation of spirits, and are used as a medium of communication with the spirit world. They also worship Ikenga figures. It is kept in personal shrine by successful men and women. The word shrine was stated in the novel. The other ritual was also mentioned in the novel.

2.   Literary devices in Things Fall Apart :

Symbolism – The kola nut represents the unity of Umofia people.

Contrast – Unoka and his son, Okwonko are very different in personalities.


3.  After I read the novel Things Fall Apart, I found out that the story is very ironic in terms of its main character’s life. At the beginning of the novel, he was seen as a very strong man, hardworking and brave but at the end of the story, he hung himself to death. I do not know that this is going to happen at last, that is why I see it as very ironic.

Elfera Achin
TESL (R1)
2 July 2012
Writing Task

Draft 1

Questions

1.    Which character do I admire most in the novel “Things Fall Apart”? Why?

2.    What are the similarities and differences between the African culture and mine?

Answers

1.       The character that I admire the most in the novel “Things Fall Apart” is Okonkwo. I admire him for many of his positive attitudes. In the novel, Okwonko ia a very hardworking person. He rise from the bottom. At first he was only a poor and ordinary person. However, after he was given the yam seeds by Nwakibie, he worked hard and become a successful man in Umofia. He also shows responsibility. At the young age, he is the one who supported his mother and sister although it is his father’s duty. Okwonko also shows great strength when he successfully beat Amalinze The Cat in a wrestling match. Although Okwonko is seen as having more bad qualities than good qualities, it is still acceptable because he is just filling his culture expectations for a man.

2.       The similarities of the African culture between my culture is their do’s and don’t’s in the night time. The African culture forbid children to go out at night time because they believe that something bad will happen whereas my culture also believes that. Children are not allowed to wonder out at night because there might be a danger. The African culture also expects a man to be tough and strong like Okwonko. My culture also expects the same. Man are supposed to be strong and take care of the family. The differences between the African culture and mine is that in African culture they need to do sacrifition of human whereas in my culture, there is no such thing as human sacrifition. In my culture, a man cannot have more than one wife except he is already divorced. However in African culture, they can have more wife if they want to.

Draft 2

6 July 2012

Answers

1.    The character that I admire most in the novel “Things Fall Apart” is Okwonko. I admire him for many of his positive attitudes. In the novel, Okwonko is a very hardworking person. He rose from bottom to top. At first he was only a poor and ordinary person. However, after he was given the yam seeds by Nwakibie, he worked hard and became a successful man. Okwonko had three wives,many children and  a huge yam plantation. People respect him for the success of taking care of his family and for thehuge plantation which he worked so hard at until it becomes huge. This success earned Okonkwo the high status of representing his village as the second egwugwu, as well as the respect of all of Umuofia. He is also very responsible. He takes care of his mother and sister at the young age because his father was unable to do it. In chapter three there was mentioned that Okwonko supports his family by building a barn through share cropping. That managed to help the family however the mother and sister did not plant yams. The plant coconut, yam, beans and cassava. It can be seen here that Okwonko was the one who worked hard to make sure his family survived. He is therefore responsible towards his family. Okwonko also shows great strength whe he successfully beat Amalinze The Cat in a wrestling match in the age of eighteen. Although the qualities did not last until the end of the story it still does not change my opinion about Okwonko.

2.    The similarity of the African culture and my culture is that both culture forbid children to go out at night. This is to ensure that nothing bad happen to the children. In addition, the African culture and my culture expects a man to be tough and strong like what Okwonko portrayed in this novel at the beginning of the story. The difference between African culture and my culture is that In African culture; yam is their main plantation and was important to them just like Okwonko who worked hard for his yam plantation whereas my culture’s main plantation is rice. It is the largest carbohydrate source of food. All the other cultural activities such as sacrificial and worshipping of many spirits is just the same as my culture a long time ago. 

TASK 1 & 2 English Studies

TASK 1

Roles of directors

·         The first priority of the director is the welfare of the cooperative and its members.

·         Taking care of members confidential information

·         :hiring and evaluating the general manager, setting long

·         term goals and objectives for the association, determining the

·         best allocation of the companies resources, approving the hire

·         of key personnel, and overseeing the financial performance of

·         the association.

Roles of prop master

·         Make a complete list of required props; classify them into groups:

·     set props,

·      trim props,

·      hand props

·     food props.

·         CHECK WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING SUITABLE IN PROP STORAGE BEFORE PURCHASING ANY PROPS, OR MATERIALS FOR MAKING PROPS.   

·          Establish deadlines for obtaining and building properties

·         Make a list of expendable props like cigarettes and food.  MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THESE EXPENDITURES TO A MINIMUM.

·         Make a detailed budget for the purchase of props.  

Roles of stage manager

·         The Stage Manager is a key position in any successful theater production.  The position has a unique function because it serves the dual function of assistant to the director and production staff during the rehearsal period and then becomes the person in charge of the production during the actual performance. Each production will make different and unique demands of the Stage Manager. The role of Stage Manager is especially important and difficult in educational theater. The duties and responsibilities listed here are, by the nature of the position, incomplete; they serve as a guide to help create a successful experience.

·         The SM, stage manager, will be the key assistant to the director; however the SM is also serves as an assistant to the designers, technical director, costume shop supervisor, director of theater, conductor, and all other staff positions. Daily contact must be maintained with the entire production staff in order to communicate all of the various bits of information pertaining to the production.  The SM will be responsible for the creation and distribution of the Daily Rehearsal Report and the Performance Log. The report serves as a two-way communication between all members of the production staff. The SM should deliver the report in person in order to answer questions and gather information. The report should be delivered each day before the production shops open.

·         The SM will be issued any required key by the Technical Director.

·         The SM will maintain the Production Call Board, posting notices for cast and crews. The call board must be kept neat so that information is not lost in a clutter of useless postings.

·         The SM will help with the auditions as required by the director and director of theater.

·         The SM will create a Company Roster that will contain accurate information as to assignment, address, and phone number of each company member. This should be completed at the initial Company Meeting.                        

·         A primary duty of the SM is the creation of the Prompt Script. The SM will prepare a prompt script that will eventually contain all blocking notations, plus cues for lights, sound, shift, orchestra, and what ever is necessary for the production. This “bible” must be created with care so that anyone would be able to assume the position of SM and call a successful performance.

·         The SM will maintain a Production Book that will contain all information necessary for the production: Company Roster, production and rehearsal calendars, prop list, Daily Rehearsal Reports, Performance Logs .... any and everything pertaining to the production. This production book must be brought to every production meeting.

·         When rehearsals move into technical rehearsals, the SM will run the rehearsals.  The SM will schedule paper techs prior to the first tech rehearsal.  The SM will maintain the show throughout the run of the show, as rehearsed.

Roles of actor/actresses

·         Actors and actresses bring characters to life to entertaining an audience. In this career, you must memorize lines and actions from a script and perform them in the manner of the character you're portraying. This job requires you to research characters, study script dialogue and rehearse performances so you may give an accurate character portrayal. You may confer with other actors and directors as to the emotions, gestures and facial expressions your character might display. Depending upon what is called for in the script, you may deliver comedic performances or be required to act, sing and dance in a production.

 Task 2

Name of character			Traits					Remarks
			From the original play		The modified play
Lear			King of Great Britain		King of Great Britain			It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, King Lear uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
			He goes insane because of the treatment given to him by his two daughters (include textual evidence here)		He goes insane because of the treatment given to him by his two daughters (include textual evidence here)			The theme is still the same because we do not want to change the original mood of the play.
Goneril			Daughter of King Lear		Daughter of King Lear			It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, Goneril uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
		She betrays her father because she only wanted her father’s money. She compete with Regan on who will get Edmund. In the end, she died because she killed herself.		She betrays her father because she only wanted her father’s money. She compete with Regan on who will get Edmund. In the end, she died because she killed herself.				It does not change because we want to keep the character’s characteristic and the real story.
Cordelia		Daughter of King Lear		Daughter of King Lear		It does not change however the language used is a more easy English
		She is loyal to her father from the beginning until the ending of the story. In the end, she died because she was executed.		She is loyal to her father from the beginning until the ending of the story. In the end, she died because she was executed.		It does not change because we want to keep the character’s characteristic and the real story.
Edmund		Son of Gloucester		Son of Gloucester		It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, Edmund uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English. Still a bad person
		He pretends to have a fight with his brother, Edgar.		He pretends to have a fight with his brother, Edgar. Told lies to his brother and Gloucester.		The play is still the same because we want to show how bad and selfish Edmund is. Uses fence sword instead of normal sword.
Kent		King Lear’s servant		King Lear’s servant		It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, Kent uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
		He wants to have a fight with Oswald.		He wants to have a fight with Oswald.		The play is still the same because we do not want to change the original mood of the play and this scene is interesting for the audiences to watch.
Cornwall		Husband of Regan		Husband of Regan		It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, Cornwall uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
		He wants to put Kent in the stocks to give him a lesson.		He wants to put Kent in the stocks to give him a lesson.		The play is still the same because we do not want to change the original mood of the play.
Regan	Daughter of King Lear			Daughter of King Lear		It does not change however the language used is a more easy English
	She betrays her father and quarrel with Goneril about who deserved to get Edmund.			She betrays her father and quarrel with Goneril about who deserved to get Edmund.		It does not change because we want to keep the character’s characteristic and the real story.
Edgar			Son of Gloucester		Son of Gloucester			Uses new English, will wear modern costume.
			Deceived by his brother Edmund		Deceived by his brother Edmund			The theme is still the same because we do not want to change the original mood of the play.
Curan		A slave.		A messenger/ assistant.			It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
		Give information to Edmund		Give information to Edmund			It does not change because we want to keep the originality of the play. However, uses easy English instead of Shakespearean English.
Name of character			Traits					Remarks
			From the original play		The modified play
Oswald			The steward, or chief servant, in Goneril’s house.		Change into Goneril Bodyguards			This change is made because servant today are more to works such as working at home
			Oswald obeys his mistress’s commands and helps her in her conspiracies		Oswald will work on every evil work of Goneril and still obey her.			The change is the appearance and the way and his specific task