Classics

HERACLES
Also known as the first and greatest god
Heracles was born in Thebes, as a son of Zeus who seduced Alcmene by disguising himself as her beloved husband Amphitryon, resulting in conceiving Heracles.
With Zeus's wife, Hera, being mad that Zeus named his son after Hera yet its not her child, she felt hatred towards the child and sent snakes to kill the infant in his sleep. However, Heracles strangled both of the snakes and continued to dodge the death threats.
When breastfeeding Heracles, he was too strong on Hera's breast that when she plucked him from her breasts the Milky Way came to place from her breast milk.
Heracles took his father's traits, he grew up without appreciating the things he had, he killed his teacher and impregnated the 50 daughters of King Thespius in one night.
Heracles trained the Theban army to victory against Orchomenus, the King Creon was so thankful, he gave his daughter, Megara, for his wife, and they conceived several children.
Hera was disgusted by the happiness Heracles was receiving that she inflicted a temporary madness upon him which led him to killing his wife and children.
Once he regained his sanity he went to Tiryns which where he served Eurystheus for twelve years in return he would receive the compensation of immortality.

Formal Writing English

Do women only belong in the kitchen? Do women deserve abuse? Do women matter less than men?

For many centuries women have been treated as dolls and seen as only people who wear aprons and carry around feather dusters with them.

I believe women are mistreated, stereotyped wrongly and deserve to be treated as equal to men.

One gender stereotype relates to women in the work force. Many people would say women should stay home as they are not capable of paying the bills, unlike men who are supposed to have a paying job and are in charge of providing for the family. Ironically a statistic on the New Zealand Government site shows there are more unemployed men than women from the years 1988 to 2001 in New Zealand. The highest rate for men being 11.4 in the year 1992, while for women the highest rate was 9.8 in the year 1991. This shows that not only there were more women employed than men, but also the rate of unemployment for men increased between the years 1988 to 2001. This corrects the stereotype of women not being capable of having a job.

In addition to the issue of stereotyping, domestic violence in New Zealand is another major problem for women. A New Zealand Government organisation that fights against domestic violence in New Zealand reports 76% of family violence incidents are not reported to the Police. From years 2009 to 2012, an average of 10 men, 9 children and 13 women were killed each year as a result of family violence. In addition 24% women have experienced sexual assault in their lifetime. The organisation also states 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, disabled women are about twice as likely to be victims of violence or abuse compared to other women. This shows the widespread mistreatment of women in New Zealand and how many women it affects.

UN Women is a national committee in New Zealand that helps areas that are fundamental to women's equality. The committee's primary focus is violence against women, leadership and participation and economic empowerment. UN Women works with countries to formulate laws and policies to eliminate gender discrimination and promote gender equality. This organisation works in areas such as land and inheritance rights, decent work for women and ending violence against women. It also aims to strengthen the voice of women's rights advocates and to change harmful discriminatory practices in society. This helps women for those who cannot make a stand by themselves. The academy award winning actress, Emma Watson, was appointed the Women UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2014. She dedicates her efforts towards the empowerment of young women and will serve as an advocate for the campaign ‘HeForShe’ promoting gender equality. The committee does not just fight for one woman’s right to work, but for a global revolution in terms of women’s rights.

There are many ways to support the UN Women’s committee such as donating to one of the many fundraisers, volunteering to help with the events or fundraising, supporting or attending an event held or becoming a member and standing for equal gender rights in New Zealand. Do you want to continue in a world where only men are praised while women are looked down upon? Do you want your future generation following a path where only one gender has power?

Women do not deserve to be mistreated and continuously stereotyped wrongly, and women deserve to be treated equal to men.

Reading Log #5. 'Flowers In The Attic'

One of the internationals bestsellers novels, Flowers In The Attic written by Virginia Andrews, is a compelling story of a family's betrayal and heartbreak, love and revenge. The story grips onto the reader's attention, wanting to continue to read the family's story of betrayal.

In the text a very important section is when the children get given rules allocated by their grandmother. In this moment they are given 22 rules to obey as they live in the attic, rules including they are not to leave a sign of living in the room and to live as if they are not here, to not live as ghosts. This scene gave the readers a view that the grandmother does not think of them as her own grandchildren nor humans at all, quoting ‘So you see, children, … We will dole out food, drink, and shelter, but never kindness, sympathy or love. It’s impossible to feel anything but revulsion for what is not wholesome’. I relate to the text as my school teachers have many allocated rules, giving us limits on how we learn and behave, which leads us students to think they only care about our education not us as students. This is also linked to the film “Precious” when the abusive mother, verbally abuses her child, explaining to her she is nothing right after Precious fights back. Quoting “...I knew it when the doctor put you in my goddamn hand you wasn't a goddamn thing! You wear that smirk on your face, b***h? Get outta...!”. This shows that the mother never thought of her as a daughter, never cared for her, and never appreciated her as a human. Only letting her live for her father's abuse.

Another important section in the text is in Chapter 6: Momma’s Story. In the section the mother explains her backstory of the reason why her parents mistreat her. Explaining to her four children that their father is her own half-uncle. Chris being the supportive son he is comforts his dear mother as Cathy feels surprised and lied to, by her own mother. The mother feeling guilty as she just poured out a whole new story of their parents ‘sinful’ past, she quotes ‘Love doesn't always come when you want it to. Sometimes it just happens, despite your will’, trying to earn sympathy and the understanding of her children. Realising her actions were wrong, but trying to correct it after her husband is gone and the need for money to provide for her children. This section got me interested as it shows not everything you see or hear may be true. Behind everyone's smile has a story or a past, that everyone must understand and respect as it is their own perspective. Everyone has their own reasons, but people can look over them so easily. This also links to the television series “13 Reasons Why” as the male character, Clay quotes ‘..Everyone is just so nice until they drive you to kill yourself..’ when he refers to every student is school that they are doing nothing by putting up posters about ‘suicide’ after it just happened. Meaning everyone only opened their eyes after it happen, only making changes after Hannah died.

A very gripping and intense section was the chapter ‘Colour All Days Blue, But Save One For Black’, as the family slowly fell apart. As Cory slowly grew sicker and sicker, the siblings begged their mother to take him to the hospital or a doctor at least. However the mother was weighing the risks of Cory being discovered as her own son and risk losing the inheritance. Not thinking about her own son, only herself and money. Cathy being frustrated and furious confronted her mother, quoting ‘What's the matter with you, Momma? Are you just going to stand there and think about yourself, and that money while your youngest son lies there and dies? You have to help him! Don't you care what happens to him? Have you forgotten you are his mother? If you haven't, then, damn it, act like his mother! Stop hesitating! He needs attention now, not tomorrow!’. This moment not only shows the children, but also reader that the mother has forgotten about her own children whom once she loved more than anything, but has threw them away into hiding for money and the sympathy of others. This also links to the film “Slumdog Millionaire” when Salim betrays his brother for a job that offers him money and a gun. Salim kicking out his own brother, Jamal, to become a hitman for a lot of cash. Quoting “Shut up! The man with the Colt 45 says shut up!”, even willing to kill his own brother just for the job. This shows us that money is not only a problem but an obsession as people are willing to do anything for it, even killing someone or abandoning someone to die on their own.

Flowers In The Attic is one book of a series collection. I recommend this book as it is very gripping and connects with the world in many ways linking to madness.

Reading Log #6

The korean film “Miracle In Cell No.7” is a heart gripping story of a strong bond between a father and his daughter. As the father is falsely accused of assaulting and killing a young girl they are separated but it doesn't stop the daughter from seeing her dad.

An important scene in the film is when Yeseung, the daughter, is refusing to eat, drink or sleep as she stands for the right for her to see her father, ending up in hospital with a cold. Chief Jang Min-hwan, visits, getting notified the child is out of control and only one orphanage in the countryside can take her. Yeseung, begs the chief to not send her further away from her father, quoting ‘Mister? I don't want to go far away. Can't you just arrest me, too? Please?’. This scene is important as it gave the Chief second thoughts on Yong-Gu being a bad person or not, being able to kill a girl or not. He gives permission for Yeseung to visit him in prison. This also links to the famous award-winning film, “The Green Mile”, as Paul Edgecomb doesn't believe himself that John Coffey could kill nor harm anyone, not a child after realising what he is truly like. Quoting, ‘I just can't see God putting a gift like that in the hands of a man who would kill a child’.

Another important scene in the film is when the father of the victim who is also a very high ranked commissioner, threatens Yong-Gu to confess he killed and raped his own daughter or he would do the same to Yeseung, abusing him to scare him more. Quoting, ‘Accept your punishment. If not I'll do the same to your daughter’. I think scene was important as Yong-gu changed his original statement in trial, to stating he did kill and rape the victim, giving him a death sentence just to save his very own daughter, Yeseung. This showed the audience that Yong-gu would sacrifice his own life just to save his own daughters. This is linked to the film “Harry Potter: The Half-Blood Prince” when Harry tells Professor Slughorn to be brave and help Harry. Also telling him how his mother was so brave that she sacrificed her life for his because of her strong love for her son. Quoting, ‘Be brave, Professor. Be brave like my mother... Otherwise, you disgrace her. Otherwise, she died for nothing. Otherwise, the bowl will remain empty... forever”.

An intense and important scene is placed year's later, when Yeseung is grown up and is in court prosecuting about the case of her own father, claiming it needs to be re-investigated and re-charged. Explaining to the court that the trial was unfair and bias as they took advantage of her father's disability. Quoting, ‘They abused the defendant's mental disability and the love for his daughter to force him to give up on everything’. This gives the audience an emotional scene as she displays her strong love for her father and frustration with the court's verdict as they overlooked the evidence and ruined the life of an innocent man and a father of a daughter.

The film “Miracle In Cell No.7” is a twist turning story that leaves you in tears. I recommended this film to show that people can not judge easily, without carefully looking.

Brother Bear Reading (B)Log #4

"Brother Bear" is an animated film released in 2003 directed by Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker and Bob Walker. The film is based around a boy who dreamed of becoming a man. When the eldest brother, Sitka dies while saving his younger brothers from a bear, the youngest brother Kenai, sets out on killing the 'monster' responsible for the death of his eldest brother. However his plan doesn't go as smooth as he hoped.

I think the most important scene in the film was in the beginning, when Kenai was responsible for hanging up the fish in the tree so no animal or vulture could reach it, but he failed as it fell from the tree releasing the fish onto the ground. Kenai being in a rush to his own ceremony, purposely left the fish not thinking leading the fish getting later on taken by a bear. This scene I thought led most of the story. With the anger and frustration given from his second older brother, Denahi, Kenai was left to go fix the problem by tracking down the bear responsible and getting back the fish, but mostly wanting to please his brothers for whom he had always angered, after hearing Denahi's words, "He's the one messing things up all the time, typical Kenai". This scene was important because later on in the film it is brought up again when Denahi blames Kenai for Sitka's death when his mistake led the bear to killing his own brother, quoting, "I don't blame the bear Kenai". The sibling rivalry connects to a film called 'A League of Their Own', when Dottie argues with her younger sister, Kit, blaming her for her own mistakes instead of Kit herself blaming it on her older sister, Dottie. Quoting, "Well, if you have any trouble, you know who to blame."

Another important scene in the film is the fight between Denahi and Kenai. After feeling lost and angered of their older brothers death, Kenai seeks revenge. Wanting to kill the 'monster' responsible for the death of his brother, wanting to prove his strength for the brother who he loved. However Denahi believes otherwise, "Killing that bear won't make you a man.", assuring his younger brother that killing is not the right option. yet Kenai still stands strong with his opinion, stating he'll go with or without him, "A MAN wouldn't just sit here and do nothing". I felt this was an important scene as it also gets repeated again by Denahi after feeling guilty for his younger brother's 'death', blaming himself for not supporting and protecting his brother when he should've. This connects with the extended text 'The Outsider' as Darrel, the oldest brother of three felt guilty for not supporting his younger brothers needs and decisions but wanting nothing but the best and safest for them. Quoting, "Listen, with your brains and grades, you could get a scholarship, and we could put you through college, ain't that right, Soda? But you're livin' in a vacuum, Pony, and you're gonna have to cut it out. You just don't stop living because you lose somebody. I thought you knew that. And anytime you don't like the way I'm running things around here, you can just get out, ALRIGHT?"

In my opinion 'Brother Bear' is a very relatable story for many, as for older sibling have many burden to carry around, not wanting their younger siblings to make mistakes or take the wrong path or make bad decisions. Especially without the guidance of parents, they build a strong character for their younger siblings to look and lean upon. 

I recommend this film for many young teenagers as growing up may not be as simple as you thought, but with the support, you can grow into something big and would have someone to lean on.

The Invisible Man & The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: Compare & Contrast

Similarities:
Griffin (the invisible man) and Dr Jekyll were both were set on making a difference with their well-being.
Both Griffin and Jekyll, were died in the end.
Both Griffin and Jekyll, had their secrets shared with their close friends and left with them.
Both Griffin and Jekyll, transformed
Both Griffin and Jekyll, experiments weren't in control and weren't able to reverse.
Both Mr Hyde and Griffin, stole.

Differences:
Jekyll transformed continuously back and forth while Griffin stayed invisible until the end when he was killed.
Griffin fled, but Jekyll stayed.
Jekyll committed suicide while Griffin was killed by a mob.
Griffin was poor but Jekyll was wealthy.
Griffin studied invisibility while Jekyll studied medical.
Griffin was a scientist, Jekyll was a doctor but did experiments in his own time.

Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter” Questions

Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter”

1.. What does Jekyll say in response to Utterson’s inquiry regarding Hyde’s whereabouts?

That he wants and has nothing to do with Mr Hyde anymore and has fled and left  a letter, he does not know where his whereabouts are

2. Why does Jekyll want Utterson to have the letter?

To show that Mr Hyde has fled and has nothing to do with Dr Jekyll anymore

3. Who is it from and what does it say?

Dr Jekyll, but written from Mr Hyde’s perspective

4.  How can Poole be so positive that no messenger delivered the letter?

Because no one visited and no letters were sent through to him to deliver to Dr Jekyll

5. Who is Mr. Guest?

Utterson’s Clerk

6. Utterson says, “There was no man from whom he kept fewer secrets than Mr. Guest; and he was not always sure that he kept as many as he meant.” What does this mean about the relationship between Guest and Utterson?

That he tells his clerk everything but not sure if he keeps it as a secret

7. What special ability does Guest have?

Critic of handwriting

8. How does Guest have an opportunity to compare the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde?

An invitation Mr Utterson had from Dr Jekyll and the letter from Mr Hyde given from Mr Utterson

Chapter 6 “Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon”

1. Utterson feels that the death of Sir Danvers was more than paid for by what?

Mr Hyde’s disappearance

2. How does Dr. Jekyll behave at the time of Hyde’s supposed disappearance?

Normal and regular to how he was earlier day’s

3. Between the days of January 8 and January 16 what change has occurred in Dr. Lanyon?

At first regular but later on distance and refused to see anyone.

4. What reason does Lanyon give for his current condition?

He is ill

5. What does Lanyon say in response to Utterson’s mention of Jekyll?

Dramatic and does not want to hear his name again

6. What type of document does Utterson receive the night of Lanyon’s funeral?

A letter from Dr Lanyon

7. What instructions are given on the second document?

‘Not to be opened till the death or disappearance of Dr Henry Jekyll’

8. What does Utterson do with the two documents?

Hide them in his private corner place.