Unfamiliar Texts

We are the tenants

With close reference to the text discuss the poets use of imagery to describe the north.

In the poem "We are the tenants" Kapka Kassabova describes her experience of immigrating to New Zealand. Throughout the poem Kassabova uses imagery to describe the North, allowing the reader to visualise the authors point of view. 

In the first stanza Kassabova writes "The seagulls glide, inordinately large and slow, over the vigilant stone, hungry for lost souls." These lines are a metaphor. The seagulls are the residents of New Zealand. New Zealanders are like seagulls in the way we group together around a person in need. We have this sense of duty that other peoples problems are our own. Describing the seagulls as large is a reflection on how an immigrant eats. They do not have the wealth to eat a sufficient amount of food, where as New Zealand has an obesity problem. We are well fed. The Norths lifestyle is relaxed, it is much slower than other countries, Kassabova is exclaiming her surprise of how relaxed a lifestyle can be. As well as reflecting on the people around her, Kassabova reflects on herself. Her soul is lost, she doesn't have a home and is unsettled wherever she goes. She states that the residents of the North are hungry for her lost soul. They want to repair her life, but Kassabova knows all to well it is not that simple. Lost souls is an allusion to the devil, immigrants see people as their enemies, they feel neglected by everyone.

After these lines in the first stanza Kassabova continues to create a painting in the readers mind by writing "The hills are packed like cement, the cemeteries lush with centuries of flesh." Kassabova longs for what the hills have. It is odd to wish for a lifestyle like that of something natural. The hills are packed tightly together, forever. They have a home that is not disrupted, that can't change, this is all Kassabova wishes for. The reader envisions a group huddled together, this makes us feel warm yet sympathetic as we know Kassabova doesn't have this. Using cemeteries and lush within the same sentence is an odd diction. The two words have opposing connotations. When thinking of cemeteries we think of sadness, grief and death, when thinking of something that is lush we picture glamorous extravagant things. The two juxtapose each other, it seems as though Kassabova admires the fact that we have a vast population of elderly and generations of deceased.  New Zealand is able to tell the history of their people, of their family. We are very in touch with our Maori roots and embrace our ethnic heritage. Immigrant are not really able to appreciate their history as mos often their people don't have a home, they are just generations of travellers.

In the third stanza Kassabova brings back the imagery of the hills and seagulls. "and the hills answer back with seagull cries, and the chimneys prop up the sky like exclamation marks in sentences that we must write in order to be real." The hills answering back with seagull cries puts in the readers mind that the hills are occupied by residents. There are so many people calling New Zealand home that houses have been built on the hills to provide shelter for all residents. Kassabova feels ripped off, whilst she constantly walks on "imaginary floors" people are living on every possible inch of the country. Exclamation points have an intense, strong connotation. Chimneys puff out smoke from fires, fire is the sign of life. The residents of New Zealand build up as well as out, our lives occupy so much of this land leaving little space for people like Kassabova. This makes me feel negatively towards the author, why should we provide homes from foreigners before homes of our own. The North Island has a large homeless population, the governments focus should be this population before the immigrant population. The ending of this poem screams self pity. The author seems to be wallowing in self-sorrow. They should be thankful they have somewhere to stay. Other people don't have anywhere to stay after they have been forced from their country.

Limestone

Explain how contrast of ideas are important in the passage. Give details from the text to support your answer.

Fiona Farrell writes about her experience travelling home to New Zealand from Belfast, where she lives now. Throughout the text Farrell describes the contrast in lifestyle between New Zealand and Ireland, as well as the contrast in New Zealand before she left and what it is now. 

In the second paragraph her longing to return home becomes apparent due to her frustration of her non-stop business lifestyle. She describes the commuters by writing "vigour and dash, with their blackberries and little pull on cases and polished shoes." We envision a group of smartly dressed business people, all on their phones with only business on their minds. If this is the non-stop lifestyle we as New Zealand readers share Farrell's annoyance with the European lifestyle. In New Zealand life is more relaxed than other places, we are not a major business hub in the world so do not have much of this lifestyle.

In the third paragraph Farrell writes a home hitting contrast in ideas. "that dream of primeval beaches scattered with driftwood, and dark forests, and plains burned to a tawny hide in late summer." Every kiwi knows of those summer walks along beautiful beaches and the view of sun kissed hills. This imagery makes us feel at home, and feel that love of the beauty our country has. Farrell then writes "reality: the beach is already threatened with subdivision and the trees with clear-felling, and the tawny plains are bordered by the dry beds of intricate vanished trees." The readers beautiful images they have created in their minds have been squandered into oblivion. We now envision our beautiful childhood memories as current nightmares. The immediate switch from positive connotation to negative connotation has a long lasting effect on the reader. The juxtaposition makes the reader realise that our country's environment is changing, and not for the better. New Zealand builds its pride on its gorgeous scenery and incredible nature, yet we are destroying what we once were.

The situation of change happens to everyone, you cannot expect things to not change especially when travelling through different "centuries". I feel as though I am nodding in agreeance with the author whilst reading this prose. I too see the negative changes on the country's environment. Looking at past photos of my family I am able to see how rich New Zealand's nature was before technology and overpopulation. If the country continues down this drastic path then I too would not be overly excited to return home after a trip away.

Compare & Contrast

Both authors have a negative attitude towards their movements. In the poem Kassabova feels like she is unwanted by all, "being nowhere forever" has really had a heartbreaking impact on Kassabova's mentality. Kassabova doesn't see her lifestyle changing any time soon, not settlement just constant departure and arrival. She has gone as far as to describe herself and other immigrants being controlled by  "some pied piper who will sound, one day, the horn of departure".  Kassabova referring to herself as an unwanted rat being flushed out by country natives. This isn't very fair on country natives or on immigrants. Most New Zealanders do not see immigrants as a group infesting our country. Yes these people may move a lot but Kassabova is wallowing in self pity trying to shove the blame onto someone. 

Farrell feels excited of leaving a business hub to return to a more relaxed lifestyle in her home New Zealand. However she is not feeling overly excited of returning to a home that has changed since the last time she was there. Farrell feels opposite to Kassabova in the way that she is not blaming anyone. The constant change of the country is no ones fault in Farrell's eyes. She feels as though every idea of "perfection" has been jumbled together to create a big mess. However she understand that everyone is "just trying for happiness". 

Compare/Contrast - Lament & Dreamers

Both Colquhoun and Turner convey ideas of grief and loss in their texts. They use similes to allow the reader to visualise the depressed state that both writers are in, and feel the ongoing melancholic emotions they are feeling. However Colquhouns melancholic tone towards his loss lasts throughout his piece, whereas Turners melancholic mood develops into acceptance by the end of his piece.
n Lament Colquhoun uses similes in the beginning of his poem like "the front door trembles like a lip" and "run off from my roof looks like hair blown wild against the wind". These to similes are also an extended metaphor, the house parts he is describing are actually his reaction to Bucks death. Colquhoun feels trapped, he feels as if there is no way out of his depressed mournful state. At the end of the poem Colquhoun includes the simile "seagulls flock like angels in the distance". This showcases Colquhoun is still waiting for Buck to return one day, wishing to him once more.
Turner uses the simile "and like the sea mist, the memory of her dream passed from her mind." This dream was her fantasy of being reunited with her father, something she has longed to happen. In the final lines of the prose Turner writes  the metaphor "Her tears had come from the salt ocean. It could have them back. It could swallow them up, for she needed them no more." The character has accepted her fathers disappearance, she has cried for long enough now its time to move on.
I feel that I resonate with Turner more. The prose develops from grief  to acceptance, this shows the character wants to move on rather than stay stuck in a rut. The poem seems like the character doesn't want to change.  Dreamer plots the story of an emotional change stirring inspiration within the reader.

Unfamiliar Texts - Lament

Glenn Colquhoun uses multiple techniques to convey a sad mood in the non-italicised in his poem “Lament”. Colquhoun effectively uses the language technique repetition to showcase his lack of care for the world now that Buck has passed. The repetition of “It does not matter” is used in all five non-italicised stanzas of the poem. Repeating this phrase allows the audience to see that Bucks death has had an extreme effect on Colquhoun. It tells us that Colquhoun cared for Buck so much that now he's gone there's nothing else to care for. He spent a long time becoming invested in Buck just for him to be taken away from him, he doesn’t want to care for anything else just for it to be ripped from him. The most effective repetition of this phrase is “It does not matter if I am happy”. This is Colquhouns cry for help, he is admitting that his happiness is not worthy. He is asking for someone to help him be okay with the world again. The repetition of “It does not matter” is very effective, having it said over and over again allows the audience to see that he really does not care for anyone or anything and is just upset with his life at the moment. We feel empathetic and sad for Colquhoun.

Personification and metaphor are aspects skillfully used to create a sad mood within the non-italicised part of his poem. Colquhoun uses personification to express his reactions during his time of mourning. In the first stanza we read lines like “the front door trembles like a lip” and “windows poke out their tongues for a drop of water”. The front door is a metaphor for his lip and the windows are a metaphor for his eyes. In both metaphors the verbs are what he is doing, crying. He is crying. Referring to his body parts as building parts and not what they showcase that Colquhoun is feeling trapped. He feels as if he is trapped inside a building unable to escape. The personification of the metaphors is effective as we wonder why he is referring to himself as a building. Buck's death has taken the floor out from under him, making him feel vulnerable and confided into a little place. In the seventh stanza these metaphors are brought back. “My eyes are grey rocks in a stream” is showcasing that his eyes are an object being flooded by water, his tears. He is stating he's crying without using the actual words, he doesn’t want to admit to his vulnerability in the exact words.

Post Viewing

Blaxploitation is showcasing the stereotypes of black people. In films black people are shown as the bad guy, or criminals. This stereotypes all black people to be looked at with dark insights. This causes backlash on the films. I feel like Django didn't showcase blaxploitation, Django was always going to act like that because of the storyline, it was more facts rather than stereotypes.

Kubrick vs Luhrmann

Stanley Kubrick creates a similar tone throughout his films, he enraptures his viewers by using a cold and dark mood that leaves the viewing glued to his stories. He can create such a tone that a viewer feels as if they shouldn't have any positive feelings towards any of the characters. Viewers tend to not grow feelings for the characters but the story. Because of the heavy mood created viewers can't forget the story and the darkness of everything
Across his films Kubrick has one or more insane characters. He showcases a characters insanity the same way across his films; he would position the camera beside the actor or slightly above them. The actor glares at the camera and expresses a sinister grin. Kubrick is also known for using long and slow dragged out scenes. Kubrick skilfully uses a dragged out scene to make his audience watch the process of the characters actions and to pay attention to them. Another camera technique contributing to his style is extreme wide angle camera shots. He particularly uses them in the key scenes of his films. The angles caused a barrel distortion which added to the tone of his films.

All of Baz Luhramanns movies fall under the romance genre, he himself saying he is drawn to tragic romance stories. His narratives are a lot happier than those of Kubrick's. He expresses his positivism through the use of bright artificial colours, highly saturated colours are used on purpose to make the films seem fake. Kubrick uses a darker colour palette that doesn't show many variation. Luhramann has a very theatrical dramatic scenes, they are incredibly over the top. Loud music is played throughout the scenes, colours explode out of the screen, the costumes are very extravagant. Where as Kubrick creates a less intensive scene. However Kubrick still uses a high range of music.


Reference
- The Kubrick shot - dissecting his techniques. (2009). https://newdawnfilm.com/the-kubrick-shot-             dissecting-his-techniques/
- Gamboa, A. K. (2016). The auterism of Baz Luhramm.
     Retrieved from https://tamiu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2152.4/93/GAMBOA-THESIS-2016.pdf?s         equence=1&isAllowed=y

Character Strengths

Leadership

What is the difference between how effective you have been as a leader and how much you enjoy being a leader? How can you bring them into better agreement?

I enjoy being a leader as it means I can help the people I am leading. I am able to help them through an issue or give guidance. I feel like I am an effective leader as the times I have been a leader people have listened to what I have said and my group has reached the goals we set. 

How do you decide when to lead and when to allow others to lead?

If someone has a stronger idea that I feel is better for the group then I will let them take charge. I would also follow someone else if I realise that the majority of the group is following someone else and its better for the team.

How do you keep the two key tasks of leadership — getting things done and helping people get along — in mind while you are leading?

I like to keep the mood light-hearted so everyone feels happy and has a positive attitude. Once I see that certain things are not getting done or there is too much mucking around then I would get a bit more strict.

Teamwork

What is most gratifying to you about being part of a team?

Being able to help multiple achieve a goal instead of just yourself. Experiencing highs and lows with a group of people is really nice instead of being alone. Forming bonds with a variety of people is really fun to do.

How do you feel and act when you carry more than your fair share of the weight for a team?

I feel really annoyed because people joyride on the success of a group even if they did nothing to contribute, or they would complain about the failure of the group even though they did nothing to alter the outcome. Sometimes I don't mind if I am the best person for the job or if someone has a real excuse.

How does teamwork extend into your personal life; for example, parenting, family, partner, friendship?

Teamwork is about compromising so you are not the boss, so I guess in every relationship this is worthwhile to have. Being able to listen and talk to others is also good skills to have.

Zest

What conditions (people, places, or activities) bring out your zest?

I am generally a zesty person, if you are going to do something half-asked then whats the point of doing it. Life is too short to spend time on things to unimportant.

How does zest lead you, if at all, in directions that you later regret?

I don't regret anything in my life. I choose what I do and where I go very carefully to avoid regret. Even if I can't find myself out of a bad situation I still try to make the best of the situation so I don't regret my actions. 

Zest is well described as a value-added strength, meaning that its moral nature is best revealed when it is combined with other character strengths. Which of your character strengths might combine best with zest?

I feel like zest works well with leadership as I want to lead the group. I go into it with enthusiasm which makes the members of the group look forward to the tasks in front of them and want to complete them. It also makes me not come off as bossy and have a positive attitude in all members.