Blog #52- Sonia Lyakhovich- Period 2 - 6/5/20 Sophomores 2020
Aim: How is connotation, denotation, and paradox explicated through Orwell’s “doublethink”?
Do Now: Analyze the images below. Record the feelings you have/
❖ connotation - something suggested by a word or thing; associative meaning.
❖ denotation - a direct specific meaning as distinct from an implied or associated idea; the literal meaning.
Words with different connotations are used all the time in language, either as a metaphor or in slang. As well as assumptions are made, such as in the above photos, it was easy to associate meanings with the pictures because they are already set in your mind.
Paradox:
“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
(George Orwell, Animal Farm)
“Fair is foul and fouls is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
(Macbeth, Act I- Scene I, 12-13)
“What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.”
–George Bernard Shaw
Sarah’s Certain Death Riddle: Labyrinth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dgmgub8mHw&feature=youtu.be
❖ paradox - a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
The quotes above, as well as the video show examples of a paradox, a statement that contradicts itself. In 1984, George Orwell used Doublethink, which is quite literally a paradox, in the slogans of the Party. The slogans are the following: “War is Peace”; “Freedom is Slavery”; “Ignorance is Strength”. The point of this was to convince the residents of Oceania, that both were good, and therefore promoting the government as great.
Reflection:
I have learned about the use of connotation and denotation, as well as paradox in writing. George Orwell uses this in his writing in order to show how the government of Oceania brainwashes their people into believing the statements of the Party and doublethink. This is important to understand in order to be able to interpret the book and understand it’s message of how important it is to be educated and seek the full truth.
External Links:
Definitions from: Merriam Webster Dictionary, Google Dictionary
Around the country as well as around the world, protests are started, to support the Black Lives Matter Movement. They are centered around the police brutality that tends to target the black community and people of color. During these protests, police have been known to show up in riot gear, use pepper spray and tear gas on crowds, as well as shoot rubber bullets at protesters. In addition to these protests, there are riots during which people have broken into stores, stole, and set stores on fire. There are many different ways to look at this as well as many opinions, making it a controversial issue to many. The Mayor had announced a curfew, for one day it was at 11 pm, but later got changed to 8 pm. During this time, you are not allowed to be outside. While this curfew was lifted after less than a week, protests continue to happen across not only the country, but outside of the United States as well. These protests have created a need to set up COVID-19 testing sites for protesters, because they are at a higher risk of catching the virus, being in a large crowd.
Outside of the news, I think the most important thing for myself and many others is to focus on your personal well being and safety. That is why I will give you a couple of reminders.
- Make sure to check in with yourself. Ask yourself these questions: How are you feeling? What is and what is not working well for you? What do you need?
- Try to look on the brighter side of things. Yes, this is a very difficult and stressful time, but focus on what you are doing well and how you are improving on what is hard.
- Most importantly, strive to find happiness.
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