IB English A Literature

Some thoughts on the common toad

Venus Cheung — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:32:28 +0000

In this essay, Orwell starts by talking about the returning of Spring, and how the spawning of toad is a perfect example. Orwell’s enthusiasm of nature is shown in this essay. The detailed description of the toad implies that Orwell is very a good observer and has a strong interest in nature as well as things around him.

In this short essay, Orwell emphasizes the power of nature and Spring. “It comes seeping in everywhere, like one of those new poison gases which pass through all filters.” This description of nature shows everyone is equal in front of nature, and that no one can avoids this.

“The atom bombs are piling up in the factories, the police are prowling through the cities, the lies are streaming from the loudspeakers, but the earth is still going round the sun, and neither the dictators nor the bureaucrats, deeply as they disapprove of the process, are able to prevent it.”

This is the conclusion of this essay, I think what Orwell trying to say is that some human beings are foolish as they only care about things that do not really matter, or things that are not real such as factories, lies. What people should try to do is to relate to the obvious thing – nature.

Politics and the English Language – Geroge Orwell

Jarand — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:13:07 +0000

Politics and the English Language was more or less about Orwell telling the reader about people who use dead metaphors, since everyone knew what they meant at that time. Some examples of the ‘dead’ metaphors are ring the changes on, take up the cudgels for, toe the line, ride roughshod over, no axe to grind, etc.” These were some of the many examples Orwell uses to tell the reader that they should never use metaphors that are being used by other people, since people who do not understand the metaphor might read them in a piece of literature and wonder what it might mean.

Decline of the English Murder

Venus Cheung — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:23:21 +0000

In this essay, Orwell comments on the some of the murders and also analyses the causes of most of these murders. One think that is particularly interesting is that Orwell generalizes these ‘common’ murder cases and put them into categories.

“The desire to gain a secure position in life, or not to forfeit one’s social position by some scandal such as a divorce – was one of the main reasons for committing murder.” Here, Orwell concludes the main causes of murder, which is usually true. He considers these types of common murders with “no dept of feeling in it.” Later in the essay, Orwell talks about what he thinks is a ‘perfect murder’. This murder does not follow the usual routes of the other common ones. Orwell makes a strong relationship between murders and war. He believes that the public’s reaction to murders is strongly related to the war period, and society.

Some Thoughts On The Common Toad – George Orwell

Jarand — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:08:00 +0000

I found “Some Thoughts On The Common Toad” was full of nonsense, since Orwell spends 1-2 pages talking about a toad. Why would he spend time on talking about how the toads wake up after they hibernate, when he could talk about something else if the theme was about spring? There are a lot of other examples of what is happening, when spring comes. “If man cannot enjoy the return of spring, why should he be happy in a labor-saving Utopia?” Even though the toad was in the begging of the excerpt does not mean that I did not enjoy the rest of the excerpt. This is quite an interesting quotation, since Orwell asks why shouldn’t we be enjoying life? Orwell is enjoying the spring, since it sort of gives the hope of a new life begins after the long winter.

Reflections on Gandhi

Venus Cheung — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:08:37 +0000

This is one of the most interesting essays I have read. Orwell had very thought provoking views about Gandhi. First of all, it is obvious that Orwell does not particularly like Gandhi, but it is true that Orwell has certain respects for Gandhi. “For his whole life was a sort of pilgrimage in which every act was significant” This implies that although Orwell might not agree with Gandhi about certain ideas, Gandhi is undeniably an interesting man with unique thoughts. In this essay, Orwell comments on a lot some of the beliefs of Gandhi. Gandhi was willing to let people die instead of giving animal food. “This attitude is perhaps a noble one, but, in the sense which – I think- most people would give to the word, it is inhuman.” This is an example of Orwell disagreeing with Gandhi, he thinks that Gandhi’s belief is sometimes too extreme and irrational. “Close friendships, Gandhi says, are dangerous, because”friends react on one another” and through loyal to a friend can be led into wrong being.” This is a very interesting quote I think, “this is unquestionably true”. We can see that although Orwell does not like some of Gandhi’s other theories, in some occasions Orwell absolutely agrees with him.

Some thoughts on the common toad

linuss — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:53:54 +0000

I found this essay especially interesting. Orwell allows readers to catch another glimpse into his personel psychology by expressing his appreciation for spring. Orwell’s reasoning behind his talk of toads was a mystery to me at first. But i think as one continues to read further along in the essay it becomes more clear. Orwell mentioned in the text that toads have never had much of an influence on poets. I think that this really depicts Orwell’s open mindedness compared to other poets and writers. It seems to me that Orwell had the ability to be more creative with his writing compared to other writers, who are narrow minded and are therefore limited in what they write about. I believe that there is a strong correlation between this and Orwell’s observational skills.

Some Thoughts On The Common Toad

Michelle — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:38:52 +0000

Last week we were reading ‘Some Thoughts On The Common Toad’ by Orwell. This is a short essay talking about how toads are mating in spring and how Orwell favours spring out of all the season. “The point is that the pleasures of spring are available to everybody, and cost nothing. ” Orwell implies to us that spring is the best season of all and is trying to persuade the reading to think that too. Orwell uses word choice such as narrow, gloomy and brighter to make us agree with his opinion. All the words mention are descriptive words used to describe spring. Orwell uses imagery of birds to convey the joy and pleasure during spring. I did not really like this essay because it was boring at parts for instance the description of the toad.

Decline of the English Murder – Personal Response

Michelle — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:27:39 +0000

‘Decline of the English Murder’ by Orwell was a interesting essay, it talks about murder novels and how they are similar. Most of this essay is composed of descriptions of different murder novels. ‘Of the above-mentioned nine cases, at least four have had successful novels based on them’ Orwell suggest that murder novels have the same template in the form of writing. There are also general patterns and links between murder novels stated in this essay. I personally enjoyed reading this short essay because it was quite fascinating to read about murder cases and Orwells ideal ‘perfect’ murder story.

Decline Of The English Murder – Geroge Orwell

Jarand — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:06:15 +0000

“Our great period in murder, our Elizabeth period, so to speak, seems to have been between roughly 1850 and 1925, and the murderers whose reputation has stood the test of time are the following: Dr. Palmer of Rugely, Jack the Ripper, Neill Cream, Mrs. Maybrick, Dr. Crippen, Sedon, Joseph Smith, Armstrong and Bywaters and Thompson.”

It is interesting, how these murders are not been solved. With this quotation, Orwell ponders what was the reason for these murders. He also tells the reader that some of these murders have been written into literature, which means that some were written into plays, novels, etc.

I found it interesting how Orwell, an author is so tied up with murderers. What could be the purpose of him being tied up with murders? Could it be that he gets inspiration?

Reflections on Gandhi – Personal Response

Michelle — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:30:09 +0000

Last week we read ‘Reflections on Gandhi’ by Orwell, I quite like this essay because its about human rights and how one person can make a huge difference on the world. It makes me think that if someone is determined to do something then (s)he can or might be able to achieve it if they tried. I personally admire Gandhi for what he did for society. Through Orwells writing style in ’Reflections on Gandhi’ it shows that he slightly dislikes or disapproves of Gandhi. “I have never been able to feel much liking for Gandhi” this sentence is another honest and direct personal feeling from Orwell. The last sentence of this essay is quite powerful “how clean a smell he has managed to leave behind”. This sentence is slightly ironic, how Orwell might be stating the opposite. This is a strong way to end an essay, letting the readers not have a definite answer.