Suicide in the trenches

The message portrayed in the poet's 'Suicide in the trenches' is that war is not how it is percieved, before you go you know nothing of the hardships and aft you are changed forever but those who dont go could never grasp the reality of war. This message is effectively conveyd with tremendous force through the poet's used of poetic language and to the point sentences. The message is brought to the audience the image of this simple soldier boy who 'grinned at life in empty joy' meaning he didnt know how good he had it until it was taken from him. The poet then went on to state 'he put a bullet through his brain', a simple and impactful sentence that leaves nothing to think over, nothing to the imagination. His finishing phrase 'sneak home and pray you'll never know, the hell where youth and laughter go.' by this the poet is telling the audience that the crowd who greets the soldiers is just like the simple soldier boy, looking at life with empty joy, not knowing anything, not a glimpse of what war truly is.

Gallipoli Practice Introduction

Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure.

To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir's film 'Gallipoli'?

Most soldiers in the movie 'Gallipoli' were predominately influenced to go to war because it provided them with the opportunity for adventure; however, soon every soldier realised that war, although an adventure, was not like they had previously envisaged. A majority of young soldiers joined war, even faking their ages like in Archie's case, because of the sense of adventure, to be able to travel and meet new people and fight for their country. Although, there are others who join out of pressure or patriotic duty, there are those who have half a clue of what to expect, but even those men were shocked at the harsh reality of what was to come. War is thrilling and exciting, spontaneous and unorganised but it is also brutal and lonely, grim and depressing - none of the soldiers new what to expect before they went, committed to take part in a living nightmare.

Homework Task 5

The Crucible A severe searching, test or trial. (dictionary.com) A situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new (oxforddictionary.com) How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Arthur Miller thought of the appropriate title of 'The Crucible' to reflect the trials and chaos unfolding in Salem in the time of the witch hunts. The word 'Crucible' refers to a situation of severe trial or the heating of metals in a pot to melt and purify them. The theme of the diversion of blame in Miller's play correctly represents the title and gives it meaning. The diversion of blame by Abigail, Marry Warren, Betty and many others majorly contributed to the situation of severe trials at the end of the play. Abigail's fight for authority and credibility ultimately results in the deaths of hundreds and imprisonment of even more, her actions of diverting the blame act a catalyst. Salem is very much related to the metaphor of heating metals in a pot as Salem is extremely heated with the havoc of the witch trials. It is efecting everyone and some are so heated they melt - they give up and crumble from their situations. The use of a crucible is to purify what is in it, the community in Salem was fighting to be purified but instead of being made pure by the execution of witches it was made pure by the stop to the idea that witches were the cause of the problems in Salem. The title is proven appropriate by the use of the theme of accusition and how the severity of the predicament continues to escalate resulting in numerous citezens melt under the pressure.

Homework task 4

Arthur Miller was inspired by the Red Terror caused by the Mccarthyism to write the Crucible. The play was Miller's way of subtly mirroring what was happening in the US at that time. Joseph McCarthy claimed that there were many communists and soviet spies within the government. He spread doubt over the United States and this resulted in many unnecessary executions and punishments. Miller related this situation to his play where the supposed 'witches' in Salem were forced to confess or hang. Both situations arose from hysteria and the blame was shifted by one person as self preservation when something went wrong. The conflict escalated both in the play and in the US, it could have been stopped early on but as time grew those who tried to stop it were most likely executed and this put even more people in danger of being involved in the crossfire and chaos of the communities. People in America who were suspected to be communists had no way to prove their innocence and were condemned with little or no evidence. This is exemplified by Miller's play and the girls screaming names of people who were witches, they had no way to stop them or prove otherwise. The Hollywood ten, those who refused to confess as communists, were much like the accused witches in 'The Crucible' such as Rebecca and John Proctor. Nobody was willing to stand up to McCarthy or Abigail until they took it too far by accusing somebody close to the legality of the community and that was when people had sneaking suspicions. Both instances, in Salem and in the United States, innocents have been falsely accused, families separated and communities thrown into turmoil all due to the starting hysteria and shifting of blame.

Homework task 3

I will speak to him, but you hear my words: I am no witch, I do not conside with the devil, I am not made with calamity and you will respect my word! You need something from me, you need me speak sense to John, to persuae him to confess, you will not speak to me in such a manner. Leave me - I will speak with him  now, I value his life and will try for him to confess but I make no guarantees, for both outcomes will leave him a good and worthy man in my eyes.

Homework Task 2

Arthur Miller rejects the idea and takes sceptical attitude toward the devil and spirits. This is shown predominately through a passage where he states, “…The necessity of the devil may become evident as a weapon, a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men in to a surrender to a particular church or church-state.” (38) This displays Miller’s attitude toward the devil and spirits as he admits to thinking the Devil is only used as a scaring device to lure people to surrender to certain churches. “Better minds than Hale’s were - and still are – convinced that there is a society of spirits beyond our ken.”(37). Miller talks in first person using certain words to suggest he is not including himself in the phrase that people are still convinced about a society of spirits outside our knowledge. Arthur also gives note that the Devil and other evil spirits are difficult to believe as true through political influences, “Our difficulty in believing the political inspiration of the devil is due in great part to the fact that he is called up and damned not only by our social antagonists but by our own side…” Therefore, sufficient evidence is provided to concur that Miller did not believe in the idea of a devil or evil spirits.

Homework Task 1

Negative: I respond negatively to Abigail, the aspects of the text that make me feel this way are that she is trying to seduce a man who is already married, lie to her father and community to protect her herself, send hundreds of innocent people to court for being bewitched and a partner of the devil including her love’s wife – Goody Proctor. In the text she acts calmly to a situation where people are imprisoned or dead because of her, she hides her true colours and what she really think - Abigail is a snake ready to bite anyone that does her wrong. “I want to open myself!... I want the light of God; I want the sweet love of Jesus! I danced for the Devil; I saw him, I wrote in his book; I go back to Jesus; I kiss His hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osborn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil!” This is an example where Abigail pretends to be holy and good to Jesus just to earn credibility when she accuses innocent people of being a witch. Positive: I respond positively with John Proctor, the texts positions me to feel this way due to the fact that he turned down Abigail after she asked for a kiss and a touch to be loyal to his wife, he raises his whip to Marry when he finds she has come back from Salem but lowers it for an explanation, he considers the possibilities of condemning Abigail and telling the law the truth before committing to it, he tells his true feelings about Mr Parris to the Reverend even if it means getting himself in trouble.. John Proctor is responsible and level headed, he considers his options before picking a side and is honest. ‘Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time, but I will cut off my hand before I reach for you again. We never touched.’ He is honest with Abigail but still stays loyal to his wife and morals.