Pynchons Preface to 1984

I agree with Pynchon's idea that Orwell is trying to criticize socialism and that he is annoyed and rejecting it. I believe this is quite obvious throughout the novel since each character and situation is really part of a well hidden symbolism. The fact that people are conditioned into believing one thing or another and that the government is able to control and manipulate its people so well will make the reader think. It will lead the reader to question his life and to compare it to the society he is reading about in 1984. One thing that has a very obvious connection is the way in which the ministries are actually the opposite of their names. "Doublethink also lies behind the names of the superministries which run things in Oceania—the Ministry of Peace wages war, the Ministry of Truth tells lies, the Ministry of Love tortures and eventually kills anybody whom it deems a threat." This shows how the world can be very ironic sometimes and that even now we find ourselves thinking that the government is honest with us when this is a very naive thought. It makes us realize that even our current government is tricking us and lying to us, that what they tell us is not based for our good but on the success of their power, that yes they have to keep people happy, but only because this is a side effect of what they need to accomplishing their position and power. Just like in the book, there are revolutionaries today, and just like in the book, the government does all it can to get rid of them. There are cases when they reach the same drastic consequences and there are other cases in which they are less or even more drastic.

However, referring back to the maxim, I find it interesting Pynchon commented on this topic because it is something that many authors write about: the hypocrisy of our country and our society. One topic I was surprised he didn't comment on was the relationship between parents and their kids, the fact that they would turn them in for the crime of thinking. I guess that this is a topic that refers to the lost bond between many generations nowadays in their families. Kids and parents don't share as much bonds and the communication they have is more and more restricted. It also shows how the government is very successful with their brain washing and how important it is to start conditioning kids as they are young. This way their passion is much more honest and the effects will be much better for the government.

Pynchon also discussed the fact that Orwell left his "The Principles of Newspeak" part and I think that is great, it was his work and if he wants it that way then there is no reason why he should change it to make some producers happy. I also think he might have gone deeper on some topics. However, I must contradict myself because I think his essay was of a well managed length and that he covered the most important parts with success and giving his opinion and critique.

Freedom: Subjective

When Gulliver signed his contract to become free he didn't realize that his freedom had now become dependant. He wasn't really free, he was a servant now, still he says that he was at "full liberty". After being chained such a long time, the new liberties he has seem as all he could need, but the truth is he is still dependant on the Lilliputants. To be able to acquire these freedoms he had to accept some conditions. The Lilliputants obviously took advantage of the situation and forced him to do things that would benefit them. For example, they got him to find their perimiter and to make reports on things that would have taken them much more time to accomplish. They also took advantage of their "man-mountain" by using him as a weapon. "6th, He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of Blefuscu, and do his outmost to destroy their fleet, which is now preparing to invade us." (p.29) This, in my opinion is a very good strategy because they are making Gulliver as if he were free but they are actually manipulating him. He now owes them his alliance and help and he will have to keep his side of the treaty.

If you think about it, it is ridiculous that Gulliver is accepting that treaty since he experienced much more liberty before . He used to live in England, where he could do whatever he wanted. Yes, he had to respond to the government and follow the law, but he could practically do whatever he wants. Actually as I think about it, he actually was kind of restricted in the same way. We all are, we have to get passports to leave the country, Gulliver needed permission to be granted. We also have to protect others and support our country during war, we have to be careful with the things that belong to others and must, in every way we can help our country. Still, I believe that we are brainwashed into believing that this is what a good citizen is and this is what we have to do to help our country, so we do it out of our own merit. Gulliver, instead has to do it to be able to avoid getting chained.

A World Of Fantasy

After reading the first two chapters of Gulliver's Travel I realized how much I enjoy fantasy. I really liked reading this story and having the images come alive in my mind. I didn't look for pictures but until after I was reading because I enjoyed having everything come real in my imagination without having to see somebody else's creation. Since I was little I have enjoyed reading these fantasies and I really get involved with the character and I like imagining things that don't exist. I really liked the description the author uses as he describes what he felt, thought and saw. I actually admired his actions and I began to even like the Lilliput people.
I tried to get inside of Gulliver's mind and imagine what he must be feeling. What it would be like to just arrive at a place, after experiencing his ship wreck and probably feeling as a failure for having spent his money in a project that didn't survive, and find all these miniature humans. It must be weird to be the monster, as we have always imagined that someday someone (aliens, machines, animals, monsters) will come and try to fight us. He must have felt very lonely and constantly thought of his family but really had nothing to do. I don't really understand why he just stayed there and let all these mini people boss and order him around. If it would have been me, I think I would have probable reacted violently to such creatures and even more due to the fact that they tied him and kept him as a captive. However, considering all that Gulliver had just gone through, I guess I wouldn't have had the spirit or strength to fight them and then go back to see, because where else could he go. Now Gulliver is having a passive relationship with these new creatures and he is going to be able to learn about them and get to know them.
This is like a dream to me, I don't believe this possible but I still enjoy reading it and at moments I do kind of wish that this would've happened to me. Its an experience that I would enjoy, like the Harry Potter world, or Narnia, or even Twilight. Its things I know are childish but I still appreciate. I like watching these movies, I devour these books when I get to them and even though I am completely aware that those are fake worlds, I like imagining myself sometimes inside of them and I like establishing feelings towards the characters and they really get me happy and make me enjoy my time.

California- USA- The world: We Are All Living The Crisis

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/opinion/25krugman.html?ref=todayspaper

A common problem that is currently worrying the whole world it the economic crisis we are finding ourselves in. Many countries and companies have been greatly affected by it and even people lifestyles have been changing. It has been proved, through surveys, that people are no longer, traveling, shopping and spending as much as they used to. This is the "selfish gene" kicking in and having each person do the best they can to survive. So each person is now taking the measures they consider necessary to survive but they also depend on others, this is not a circumstance that is controlled by one but by all and what one does affects all. Because of this, people rest their trust in their leaders, in their presidents and governors and those who are supposed to help make things better. However, these leaders are, like us, humans and sometimes manage things wrongly. Paul Krugman, wrote an OP-ED in the New York Times where he criticizes Californians, and their way of reacting towards the whole situation.
He blames both the people and the governor for their current state and he expresses his concern on this significance. He is worried that the United States, as a nation will follow California's mistakes and just like them, find that they are incapable of escaping this problem. Due to old laws, California is unable to raise taxes and get the money they need in order to keep going in good conditions. He believes that by raising all taxes a bit, California, and even the United States would be able to avoid much of the crisis and get back on track.
Krugman is trying to warn the United States of a big mistake and he is complaining about the nations leaders and he is even insinuating they are cowards since he says they "fled" when the problem arouse and they haven't been able to fix what they have in their hands. So even though he based his article on just one state, he ends it by getting us to realize that California is undergoing what all of the United States are under going and that we shouldn't follow them, but instead learn from their mistakes and correct them.

A MACHO SOCIETY?

To look at the article I am responding to, please click on the link below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/opinion/21thu3.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Equal Pay for Women Denied, Again


Throughout many years women have been discriminated. However we haven't given up and we never will. Woman have been able to get everyone to look at them with the same eyes men deserve. It has taken lots of effort in behalf of some individuals, but they have fought and represented us and thanks to these people is that I am now able to have the life I live. However, it is sad to admit that our fight is not over yet. Our society has improved but it still has much to change. Women are sometimes rejected in regards to jobs and many opportunities are rejected due to their gender. It even happens that women receive a lower payment for doing the exact same job men do.
This is completely unfair. The job is still being done and with the same quality so why doesn't it deserve the same payment? The Supreme Court argued that one of the reaons for a lower payment in woman is that they have pregnancy leave but the truth is that this is only a few months of a womans work life and it doesnt compare to the large amount of money women are being denied by reducing the pay check.
I am glad to know that women are still fighting for what we deserve and it is time for society to change at a faster rate and recognize us as great as men. We can do everything they can do and it is very important that we fight for what we deserve, that we show people what we are capable of and that we get the recognition we deserve. This article is defending womens right to get the same paycheck as men do and woman will probably end up having the same paycheck because it is what we deserve and therefore we will win the trial and get what is fair.

Paul Klee- Red Ballloon

The main focus of this painting is definitely the red balloon that is rising between the two walls of blocks. The balloon is almost centered but not completely to maintain certain attraction and not bore the person that is watching. By keeping it a bit to the left he is following the "thirds" rule of design and he is keeping it also on the top third of the painting. The picture is full of geometric figures and they have several colors which make the painting have life. Also, the colors near the balloon contrast because it goes from dark shades to a light background and then the bright red pops out in front of the picture. The fact that at the bottom there are more blocks than on the top makes the eyes focus on the empty space. One of the most important compositions of this piece is the usage of lines. It uses blocks and lines and geometric figures to keep the composition and balance of the picture.
When I saw this picture I was reminded of those movies when you see like a fair or carnival in Paris or New York a long time ago and you see everybody dressed up all pretty and elegant but also hvaing fun end enjoying everything around. It made me feel kind of calm and it gave me tranquility because the balloon lookes as if it was floating happily in the air and as if it were having a calm ride.

Miró

May 12
This painting by Miro uses mostly colors and shapes to give life. When looking at it, I feel happy and actually like curious towards life. It takes some time realizing what the overall picture is but as you identify each individual figure, you get to admire the way in which shape are put together. The emphasis is mostly in the persons head and then goes towards the guitar. As you look closely you identify that the persons face is actually formed by a worm-eating bird. Other animals are also found. The deformed dog, horse and cat are present along with the ducks and other birds outside of the window that aren’t so important. I guess that the size of the animals affects on how important Miro considers them. According to this, the horses would be really important, and then would come the dogs and lastly the cats. The birds however I wonder how important they are for him. Some are outside the window which makes it seem they aren’t very important while he uses one to create the human face so it gains importance. There is also a squirrel and other shapes that help give the picture life and happiness. The guitar probably shows his spirit towards art and it shows that he likes art and agrees with its form of expression and life.
Another reason why the horse, person and dog are highlights is due to their color. Since these are the biggest spaces, other than the floor and wall, and these are the lightest areas because they are white. Also the lines of the walls, floor, and window lead the attention towards the face of the person. I really enjoy looking at this picture because it kind of has humor and makes you kind of smile when you look at it.