Blog #60: Harmeet Sandhu: Period 7: 6/13/20

Blog #60 - Harmeet Sandhu - Period 7 - 6/13/2020

Harmeet Sandhu PD 7

6/13/20

Sophomores 2020

Blogger #60

 

Aim: How is connotation, denotation, and paradox explicated through Orwell’s “doublethink”?

 

After the aim, we discussed the assignment that was to be completed for this lesson The assignment was to read chapters one and two.After this, we answered the do now: 

 

Do Now: Analyze the images below. Record the feelings you have/associate/identify with each of the “6” images.

 

In the images provided to us, the butterfly and moth are both flying insects, but the purple butterfly is seen as gentle and beautiful, while the moth is undesirable. The same can be said for the cars. The car on the bottom provides a sense of wealth, while the top does the opposite. The house on top is aligned with a sense of beauty and wealth, while the bottom is not.

 

Denotation is the “dictionary definition” of a word, that is to say, the literal meaning. Connotation is the things that are associated with the word.

After this we discussed the word: paradox. A paradox is a phrase that seems as if it is ridiculous and makes no sense, but it has a bit of “latent truth” to it. In 1984, two such statements are “war is peace,” and “freedom is slavery.”

 

After this we watched a video that was an example of a paradox:

 

Sarah’s Certain Death Riddle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dgmgub8mHw&feature=youtu.be

 

The class was given an assignment to complete individually. It was called the The Oceania Times Advertisement. We had to create an advertisement for an available ministry position of your choice.

 

We had a discussion as a class about Mr. Orwell’s opinion about us discussing the topic of “doublethink.” Many people believed that the novel was written to question ways government was run.

 

Reflection: In the novel of 1984, Winston is exposed to various techniques used by the government to subdue the people. Doublethink and words that have been used for their connotative meanings were used by the people in power. Winston starts revealing the intensity of his feelings, which the author wishes to help us understand what we wish to do and fix.

 

Thoughts on the world: Right now in the world, people are upset and horrified at the death of George Floyd. However, this is only one incident of the many due to racism. Many people believe they cannot make a change because they are currently social-distancing in quarantine. This is not true. Everyone can do their part in helping. Social media has been taken over with ways to help. Petitions are another great and efficient way to help. If we do not speak up now- the injustice that people of color face will continue. That is not what we wish for. We wish for equality.