I really sympathised with the character of Blanche after reading the play "A Street Car Named Desire". Blanche is really the victim of her fate and the victim of brutal realism represented by Stanley. Her inability to let go of her past makes her suffers a lot.
Blanche has the illusions towards almost everything in life, for example, she hides her real age from Mitch and does not admit that she has a drinking problem. She pretends that she is an old schoolmate who never married. She consistently pushes everything that is the "ugly and not beautiful truth" under the carpet. Yet, these illusions towards life and the inability to see the truth only shows that she is a weak character, who does not have the courage to accept fate and life as it is. She is a pitiful character in some ways or another.
We should not take advantages on people's weaknesses, but people around Blanche such as Stanley always take advantages on her. It is partly her undeniable fault that she is willing to have free sex with strangers, yet, all these men are not willing to take up the responsibilities to take care of her after having sex with her. They treat her as an object which do not worth thier respect and love. All these men only want her body to satisfy their animal desires. They take her for granted. She is merely a victim of men's sexual desire.
In fact, Stanley is the most typical example who takes advantages on Blanche. Though Blanche is not as good as the way she tries to present herself, this does not mean that Stanley can rape her and uses her body to satisfy his animal desires. In fact, Stanley should give Blanche much more respect compared to other men, since Stanley is Blanche's brother-in-law. It is an act of infidelity towards Stella in raping Blanche. Blanche is mistreated by Stanley.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Monday, April 2, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Simulated Teaching
Eventhough I was nervous and made some mistakes during my simulated teaching, I still learnt rather a lot from this teaching activity. I learnt about the importance of paying more attention towards the students' needs and interests in order to have more efective and pleasant classroom teaching and learning experiences.
For example, I learnt that it was not appropriate for the teacher to reject a student's response immediately eventhough he or she might not give the most suitable or the correct anwers. This awareness was important because it was particularly true that there was no right or wrong anwers for literature lessons. I should ask the student to justify his or her answers, instead of just saying that he or she had given the wrong answers. In fact, when the teacher rejected a student's answer immediately, it would affect the student's self-esteem and self-confidence. It might cause the student being reluctant to participate and contribute his or her ideas in the next lessons.
Then, I learnt how to come out with a good set induction so that I would initiate studens' interest towards my teaching. At the same time, a good set induction would help to activate students' correct cantent schemata or students' prior knowledge, and thus, facilitates the students' understanding.
Besides that, I learnt to examine my choice of topic. I just realised that it is very important to choose the topics that the students are interested in. The topics chosen must be appropriate for the cognitive development of the students. Students' maturity of thoughts needed to be considered during the materials selection.
Then, the teaching and learning experience would be much more enjoyable and effective if the texts chosen are culturally similar to the students' cultural background. If the texts of different cultures are chosen, then the teacher needs to provide sufficient information or input regarding that particular foreign culture so that the students can understand the texts without too much difficulties.
In conclusion, this simulated teaching opens my eyes to some aspects that I need to pay attention to if I want to carry out a good lesson.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B.Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
For example, I learnt that it was not appropriate for the teacher to reject a student's response immediately eventhough he or she might not give the most suitable or the correct anwers. This awareness was important because it was particularly true that there was no right or wrong anwers for literature lessons. I should ask the student to justify his or her answers, instead of just saying that he or she had given the wrong answers. In fact, when the teacher rejected a student's answer immediately, it would affect the student's self-esteem and self-confidence. It might cause the student being reluctant to participate and contribute his or her ideas in the next lessons.
Then, I learnt how to come out with a good set induction so that I would initiate studens' interest towards my teaching. At the same time, a good set induction would help to activate students' correct cantent schemata or students' prior knowledge, and thus, facilitates the students' understanding.
Besides that, I learnt to examine my choice of topic. I just realised that it is very important to choose the topics that the students are interested in. The topics chosen must be appropriate for the cognitive development of the students. Students' maturity of thoughts needed to be considered during the materials selection.
Then, the teaching and learning experience would be much more enjoyable and effective if the texts chosen are culturally similar to the students' cultural background. If the texts of different cultures are chosen, then the teacher needs to provide sufficient information or input regarding that particular foreign culture so that the students can understand the texts without too much difficulties.
In conclusion, this simulated teaching opens my eyes to some aspects that I need to pay attention to if I want to carry out a good lesson.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B.Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
"Speak the truth but not flatter!"
After reading "King Lear", I start to agree even more with this saying "actions speak louder than words"! When you want to show that you care about the other person or how deeply you love someone, you should show it through real actions but not flattery or flowery words. All the sweet talks cannot be the proof of how deep of someone's love towards you. Most of the times, those people are not being sincere when they speak out those flattery words. They are just making fun of you, by telling you lies and making all kinds of promises that they are not meant to keep it. Those who fall for flattery and do not judge a character wisely will receive bad consequences in the end, just like the chacter of Lear in "King Lear".
For example, Lear believes in Goneril and Regan's sweet words and empty promises; he even gives away Cordelia's share of kingdom to these two elder daughters, believing that these two elder daughters are being more sincere towards the father rather than Cordelia. However, things happen the other way round. In the end, these two ungrateful elder daughters plot against and plan to kill this old father. In fact, it is Cordelia, who does not speak flatterly about her love, cares more about Lear's health and happiness than Goneril and Regan.
Thus, the experiences of Lear with his daughters show us that -- in most cases, persons who speak flatterly will probably turn out to be untrustworthy and unreliable in our difficult moments. Therefore, only those who stay besides you when you are in your worst situations are those who really care about you.
In conclusion, it is important for us to tell the truth and to show our love and care through actions but not words. In fact, we should learn how to listen wisely, to prevent us from falling in for flattery and misjudging the good characters for the evil villains.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
For example, Lear believes in Goneril and Regan's sweet words and empty promises; he even gives away Cordelia's share of kingdom to these two elder daughters, believing that these two elder daughters are being more sincere towards the father rather than Cordelia. However, things happen the other way round. In the end, these two ungrateful elder daughters plot against and plan to kill this old father. In fact, it is Cordelia, who does not speak flatterly about her love, cares more about Lear's health and happiness than Goneril and Regan.
Thus, the experiences of Lear with his daughters show us that -- in most cases, persons who speak flatterly will probably turn out to be untrustworthy and unreliable in our difficult moments. Therefore, only those who stay besides you when you are in your worst situations are those who really care about you.
In conclusion, it is important for us to tell the truth and to show our love and care through actions but not words. In fact, we should learn how to listen wisely, to prevent us from falling in for flattery and misjudging the good characters for the evil villains.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
"Creon that being too stubborn"
After reading "Antigone", I realise that it is important for the readers to differentiate what is meant by "being firm with your own decisions and beliefs" and what is meant by "stubbornness". There is only a rather thin line between these two qualities. However, it is a praise-above quality of being firm with your beliefs but you will receive bad consequences if you have stubbborness as your character flaw.
In fact, the reversal of fortune that happens on Creon is due to his own stubbornness with his beliefs. Creon is being too rigid and inflexible with his own view until he neglects the advices and opinions of others. He is too egoistic. Creon thinks that he is the only one person who is powerful and is always on the right side of the law. He fails to realise that, as a human being, he homself might as well make a mistake just like any other person. Creon's stubbornness causes his refusal in believing that he has offended the laws of gods.
Even though Creon does try out some remedies to improve the situations, but the remedies has come too late. Therefore, his son and his wife have to pay for the price of Creon's stubbornness with their tragic deaths.
In conclusion, we as students must learn how to be firm but not being stubborn when come to our decision-making process. In fact, we sometimes should take in the advices of others if they are for our own good.
Prepared by: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
In fact, the reversal of fortune that happens on Creon is due to his own stubbornness with his beliefs. Creon is being too rigid and inflexible with his own view until he neglects the advices and opinions of others. He is too egoistic. Creon thinks that he is the only one person who is powerful and is always on the right side of the law. He fails to realise that, as a human being, he homself might as well make a mistake just like any other person. Creon's stubbornness causes his refusal in believing that he has offended the laws of gods.
Even though Creon does try out some remedies to improve the situations, but the remedies has come too late. Therefore, his son and his wife have to pay for the price of Creon's stubbornness with their tragic deaths.
In conclusion, we as students must learn how to be firm but not being stubborn when come to our decision-making process. In fact, we sometimes should take in the advices of others if they are for our own good.
Prepared by: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Pygmalion
Well, personally I like this storyline very much. I have already watched this play twice, which are all performed by students. It tells about the story of how a girl from a poor family tries very hard to climb up the social ladder to achieve for herself greater social mobility. This play brings out the ideas that it is possible for you to become a better person as long as you are willing to take the first step. This notion is proven on the changes that happened on Eliza Doolittle.
Before Eliza first encountered Mr. Higgins, she was simply a dirty, yet caring girl in the gutter of London. During her time with both Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, Eliza did change. For the first few weeks on her stay in Wimplole Street, she questioned everything that Higgins asked her to do, and generally could not see how they would help her. Until today, I still remember vividly how Eliza resisted strongly from having a bath in Mr. Higgins' house.
Later, Eliza begins to understand that Mr. Higgins, as harsh as he is, is trying to do his best to teach her, and therefore, should be respected. Eliza did eventually become a loving and elegant "Duchess". People all love to be with her. However, after the ambassador's ball, we see more of the old Eliza resurfacing. She starts to worry again, and since she has grown attached to Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, so she is devastated to see their finding her so trivial. In fact, she is just a game and an experiment of Mr. Higgins! Her pride is being injured!
Basically, Eliza's basic character remains relatively unchanged through out the play. We can still observe the old Eliza, under the upper-class persona. The play,"Pygmalion" brings out the message that looks can be extremely deceiving, and therefore, we should never judges a book by its cover.
In short, "Pygmalion" touches on the issue that self-presentation really does change the way people look at you or treat you. Some people are just too superficial nowadays!
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
(134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Before Eliza first encountered Mr. Higgins, she was simply a dirty, yet caring girl in the gutter of London. During her time with both Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, Eliza did change. For the first few weeks on her stay in Wimplole Street, she questioned everything that Higgins asked her to do, and generally could not see how they would help her. Until today, I still remember vividly how Eliza resisted strongly from having a bath in Mr. Higgins' house.
Later, Eliza begins to understand that Mr. Higgins, as harsh as he is, is trying to do his best to teach her, and therefore, should be respected. Eliza did eventually become a loving and elegant "Duchess". People all love to be with her. However, after the ambassador's ball, we see more of the old Eliza resurfacing. She starts to worry again, and since she has grown attached to Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, so she is devastated to see their finding her so trivial. In fact, she is just a game and an experiment of Mr. Higgins! Her pride is being injured!
Basically, Eliza's basic character remains relatively unchanged through out the play. We can still observe the old Eliza, under the upper-class persona. The play,"Pygmalion" brings out the message that looks can be extremely deceiving, and therefore, we should never judges a book by its cover.
In short, "Pygmalion" touches on the issue that self-presentation really does change the way people look at you or treat you. Some people are just too superficial nowadays!
By: Chuah Kar Wooi
(134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Monday, January 29, 2007
"Macbeth"
I found this tragedy interesting although I relied on the sub-titles to understand the development of the storylines most of the time. The classical verses were just too difficult to catch-up. This tragedy had a lot of suspense and the plot moved at a brisk pace, which I felt that these two characteristics were the strength of "Macbeth". I was always full of anticipation to know how the storyline developed when Macbeth started to show his desire towards the throne. I wanted to know whether Macbeth would kill King Duncan or not eventually?
I found the elements of prophecy and violence appear frequently in "Macbeth". Macbeth is in particular a violent play. Interestingly, most of the killings take place offstage, but throughout the play the characters provide the audience with horrific descriptions of the killings, from the opening scene where the captain describes Macbeth and Banquo wading in blood on the battlefield, to the endless references to the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and his wife. There are two bloody battles: in the first, Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by Macduff. Throughout the play there are a series of murders: Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son all come to bloody ends. By the end of the action, Macbeth use the bloody deaths of others (those who seem to become threats to his throne) to satisfy his desires to be a king.
Besides that, prophecy from the three witches actually sets Macbeth’s plot in motion—namely, the witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will first become Thane of Cawdor and then the king of Scotland. The weird sisters make a number of other prophecies: they tell us that Banquo’s heirs will be kings for many generations after Macbeth, they warn that Macbeth should beware of Macduff, that Macbeth is safe till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Save for the prophecy about Banquo’s heirs, all of these predictions are fulfilled within the course of the play. Still, it is left deliberately ambiguous whether some of them are self-fulfilling—for example, whether it is only Macbeth’s wishes to be a king or is fated to be the king of Scotland. Is Macbeth being blessed by the gods to be a king?
In conclusion, I feel that Macbeth is worth watching because it portrays how someone who is greedy towards power and wealth eventually will receive bad consequences and punishment.
I found the elements of prophecy and violence appear frequently in "Macbeth". Macbeth is in particular a violent play. Interestingly, most of the killings take place offstage, but throughout the play the characters provide the audience with horrific descriptions of the killings, from the opening scene where the captain describes Macbeth and Banquo wading in blood on the battlefield, to the endless references to the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and his wife. There are two bloody battles: in the first, Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by Macduff. Throughout the play there are a series of murders: Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son all come to bloody ends. By the end of the action, Macbeth use the bloody deaths of others (those who seem to become threats to his throne) to satisfy his desires to be a king.
Besides that, prophecy from the three witches actually sets Macbeth’s plot in motion—namely, the witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will first become Thane of Cawdor and then the king of Scotland. The weird sisters make a number of other prophecies: they tell us that Banquo’s heirs will be kings for many generations after Macbeth, they warn that Macbeth should beware of Macduff, that Macbeth is safe till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Save for the prophecy about Banquo’s heirs, all of these predictions are fulfilled within the course of the play. Still, it is left deliberately ambiguous whether some of them are self-fulfilling—for example, whether it is only Macbeth’s wishes to be a king or is fated to be the king of Scotland. Is Macbeth being blessed by the gods to be a king?
In conclusion, I feel that Macbeth is worth watching because it portrays how someone who is greedy towards power and wealth eventually will receive bad consequences and punishment.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Friday, January 26, 2007
"Mak Yong"
The Mak Yong is an ancient dance drama, an all-inclusive theatre performance combining dance, opera, drama, comedy, vocal and instrumental music, gestures and elaborate costumes. Their make-up is very distinct especially around the eyes.
Experts believe that Mak Yong appeared well before the Islamization of the country. The theatre is believed to have originated from Kelantan several centuries ago as a popular court entertainment. Mak Yong is also performed for ritual purposes related to healing practices.
A typical Mak Yong performance opens with an offering followed by dances, acting and music as well as spontaneous monologues and dialogues. A single story can be presented over several consecutive nights in a series of three-hour performances. In the traditional village setting, the performances are held on a temporary stage constructed of wood and palm leaves.
The dance in Mak Yong performance is divided into four sections: namely, sitting, kneeling, squatting, standing and walking. The lead dancer and the supporting dancers must be able to sing the haunting melody.
Except for three men, all the characters in a Mak Yong are played by women. It is the main dancer, called Mak Yong who develops the story, which is usually from ancient Malay folk tales with its royal characters, divinities and clowns.The Mak Yong is supported by a cast of 16 performers and backed by a traditional music ensemble consisting of gongs, drums and rebab. Music and melody add colour to the dance.
Mak Yong has been preserved until the present day thanks largely to oral transmission, which requires long years of training. However, in today’s society, few young people are willing to commit to such rigorous apprenticeships. As a result, this important tradition is undergoing steady decline.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
Experts believe that Mak Yong appeared well before the Islamization of the country. The theatre is believed to have originated from Kelantan several centuries ago as a popular court entertainment. Mak Yong is also performed for ritual purposes related to healing practices.
A typical Mak Yong performance opens with an offering followed by dances, acting and music as well as spontaneous monologues and dialogues. A single story can be presented over several consecutive nights in a series of three-hour performances. In the traditional village setting, the performances are held on a temporary stage constructed of wood and palm leaves.
The dance in Mak Yong performance is divided into four sections: namely, sitting, kneeling, squatting, standing and walking. The lead dancer and the supporting dancers must be able to sing the haunting melody.
Except for three men, all the characters in a Mak Yong are played by women. It is the main dancer, called Mak Yong who develops the story, which is usually from ancient Malay folk tales with its royal characters, divinities and clowns.The Mak Yong is supported by a cast of 16 performers and backed by a traditional music ensemble consisting of gongs, drums and rebab. Music and melody add colour to the dance.
Mak Yong has been preserved until the present day thanks largely to oral transmission, which requires long years of training. However, in today’s society, few young people are willing to commit to such rigorous apprenticeships. As a result, this important tradition is undergoing steady decline.
By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
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