Harrison Ford. Not just Indy Jones and Han Solo, but mega Spunkrat for those of us of a more advanced age, in a Gen-X kind of way.....
What is it about Rick Deckard in Blade Runner? With his dishevelled, disinterested, uneasily noirish approach to his murderous profession? Classic anti-hero in a Phillip Marlowe sense, doing what he hates, but what needs to be done. TCB.
And now for the $50 000 question. Replicant, or not? The director's cut muddies the android waters somewhat.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Read this!!!
Go to: http://www.truly-free.org/ and download Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
Similarities? Differences??
I will give you a couple of days to read this novella, then give you some of my bloggy ideas!
Similarities? Differences??
I will give you a couple of days to read this novella, then give you some of my bloggy ideas!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Do Teachers dream of cosmic sleep?
I certainly do.
Dreams. What are they all about? Are they real, lucid or fantastical, mind meanderings which we tuck furtively away into those nether regions of our sub-consciousness?
For me, very occasionally, art gives hope, a type of wish-fulfillment that the world could be a different place. Things like the simple yet blindingly poignant death speech of Roy Batty, who, in a few words, reveals his understanding of the world and empathy for man through the ages. At that moment, he is indeed more human than human.
If only human empathy were that simple.
All those moments will be lost in time like tears in rain.
Time to die.
I hope you come to love Blade Runner as much as I do. :-) Tell me what you really think of it.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Caught in the Net
You may have noticed that I love a cheesy pun. Also that it's time for the return of some bloggedy goodness into the lives of Literature loving folks everywhere....well, perhaps in a certain North Eastern 'burb.
I am zinging with excitement at the thought of beginning our next adventure: The Shark Net. This novel certainly resonates with me in some weirdly personal way.
Almost exactly 5 years ago, my geologist husband scooped me out of my snug, lifetime-membership to a cosy, Melbourne existence and dragged me 3000kms westward to the land of Wait Awhile. This place can certainly be a shock to the system to a gal from what passes for the big (cultural) smoke in our little but large, brown land.
I can imagine Robert Drewe, although a child in a quieter, more traditional time, would have felt some similar sense of culture-shock to begin with.
Perth has, without a doubt, the absolute best weather in this country and from my limited travel abroad, I might be quietly confident in proclaiming it the best weather in the world. Everything moves at this relaxed, languid, chilled level. I took my collection of ten or so Melbourne winter coats, which we wear pretty much from April to November, and left them in the back of the closet; short-sleeves were still de rigueur till about July, when the longer sleeved tops would come out.
My first reading of The Shark Net was in Freo earlier this year, eerily close to so many landmarks from the novel, including the gaol where Cooke was hanged. I've just re-read it on the plane, returning yet again from this city one struggles to live in but which seems somehow to slither furtively into one's consciousness.
Well, enough about me. We will be beginning this Wednesday with some historical context, then moving onto....wait for it....Oral presentations! I can hear the groans from here.
See you soon!
I am zinging with excitement at the thought of beginning our next adventure: The Shark Net. This novel certainly resonates with me in some weirdly personal way.
Almost exactly 5 years ago, my geologist husband scooped me out of my snug, lifetime-membership to a cosy, Melbourne existence and dragged me 3000kms westward to the land of Wait Awhile. This place can certainly be a shock to the system to a gal from what passes for the big (cultural) smoke in our little but large, brown land.
I can imagine Robert Drewe, although a child in a quieter, more traditional time, would have felt some similar sense of culture-shock to begin with.
Perth has, without a doubt, the absolute best weather in this country and from my limited travel abroad, I might be quietly confident in proclaiming it the best weather in the world. Everything moves at this relaxed, languid, chilled level. I took my collection of ten or so Melbourne winter coats, which we wear pretty much from April to November, and left them in the back of the closet; short-sleeves were still de rigueur till about July, when the longer sleeved tops would come out.
My first reading of The Shark Net was in Freo earlier this year, eerily close to so many landmarks from the novel, including the gaol where Cooke was hanged. I've just re-read it on the plane, returning yet again from this city one struggles to live in but which seems somehow to slither furtively into one's consciousness.
Well, enough about me. We will be beginning this Wednesday with some historical context, then moving onto....wait for it....Oral presentations! I can hear the groans from here.
See you soon!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Feedback Widget.
Hello!!! Long time, no type.
I am unwinding in front of the 1979 version of Pride and Prejudice, written by Fay Weldon. Quite a bizarre idea to put Austen's words into the mouths of her erstwhile characters (not quite relevant, but I do like the word erstwhile), but it kind of works, despite the wooden, 1970s-BBC production values.
Anyhoo.....
SAC time in 2 sleeps. You will be writing an essay on either class or gender. Remember that Austen uses the narrative techniques of characterisation, irony and dialogue to position the reader to see certain views and values. Try to start using these literary terms. Even if you don't quite pull it off, it's great practice.
(I interrupt this blog to report that Elizabeth Garvie is a delightful Lizzy Bennet!)
If you are writing about class, remember that the historical context of Pride and Prejudice was that the class system was all-pervasive and extremely pronounced. However, Austen shows through her characters, irony and dialogue that class is no replacement for good manners. Consider Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
If you are writing about gender roles and marriage, keep an eye to the complexities of this issue in Austen's time. Women had to get married for financial and social security and Austen reinforces this concept with Charlotte Lucas' pragmatic marriage to Collins, but she also expresses her views that marriage must be based on an equal love, incorporating intellectual and emotional compatibility. Also, keep in mind that Jane and Bingley's love is presented as a romantic ideal; a meeting of two perfectly lovely people, however Austen does not necessarily present them as a completely successful match.
Good luck!!
I am unwinding in front of the 1979 version of Pride and Prejudice, written by Fay Weldon. Quite a bizarre idea to put Austen's words into the mouths of her erstwhile characters (not quite relevant, but I do like the word erstwhile), but it kind of works, despite the wooden, 1970s-BBC production values.
Anyhoo.....
SAC time in 2 sleeps. You will be writing an essay on either class or gender. Remember that Austen uses the narrative techniques of characterisation, irony and dialogue to position the reader to see certain views and values. Try to start using these literary terms. Even if you don't quite pull it off, it's great practice.
(I interrupt this blog to report that Elizabeth Garvie is a delightful Lizzy Bennet!)
If you are writing about class, remember that the historical context of Pride and Prejudice was that the class system was all-pervasive and extremely pronounced. However, Austen shows through her characters, irony and dialogue that class is no replacement for good manners. Consider Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
If you are writing about gender roles and marriage, keep an eye to the complexities of this issue in Austen's time. Women had to get married for financial and social security and Austen reinforces this concept with Charlotte Lucas' pragmatic marriage to Collins, but she also expresses her views that marriage must be based on an equal love, incorporating intellectual and emotional compatibility. Also, keep in mind that Jane and Bingley's love is presented as a romantic ideal; a meeting of two perfectly lovely people, however Austen does not necessarily present them as a completely successful match.
Good luck!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Love and marriage....essays and marriage.........
So, what does Jane think about marriage? What are the features of a successful marriage, according to a woman who never entered into that hallowed state?
In your intro, I would certainly explain that marriage was a key concern of Jane Austen's day (and why), ie: putting this into historical context. (we will be discussing this tomorrow, so bring your textbook!) If you're a clever cookie, you will incorporate and explain the levels of meaning in the opening truism of the novel. (yes, we have discussed this!)
The body of your essay should include a detailed discussion, with evidence and quotes, of each of the 5 main marriages and whether JA considers them successful or not (and why). Remember, that some marriages we may not consider successful in the modern era (ie: Charlotte and Collins), served a very real purpose back in the Regency. Make sure you keep a sense of context, ie: what was appropriate to the author in her era.
Conclusions are for summing up, reiterating the topic and ending with a super-intelligent quote, to show me that you're the best literature student ever! No new points though!
In your intro, I would certainly explain that marriage was a key concern of Jane Austen's day (and why), ie: putting this into historical context. (we will be discussing this tomorrow, so bring your textbook!) If you're a clever cookie, you will incorporate and explain the levels of meaning in the opening truism of the novel. (yes, we have discussed this!)
The body of your essay should include a detailed discussion, with evidence and quotes, of each of the 5 main marriages and whether JA considers them successful or not (and why). Remember, that some marriages we may not consider successful in the modern era (ie: Charlotte and Collins), served a very real purpose back in the Regency. Make sure you keep a sense of context, ie: what was appropriate to the author in her era.
Conclusions are for summing up, reiterating the topic and ending with a super-intelligent quote, to show me that you're the best literature student ever! No new points though!
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Man's House is his.....Castle?
Well, if your name's Fitzwilliam Darcy, then it is kind of a, um, I guess a castle. What do you make of Elizabeth's trip to Pemberley? Lizzy jokes to Jane that she first began to have feelings for Darcy when she saw his home. Oh my sides, Lizzy, you're such a card! But how much of this do you think is true? Not necessarily the whole wealth bit, maybe what she learned, saw, experienced there?
WDYT?
WDYT?
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