Odour of Chrysanthemums

Comment on setting. How does the author depict the people’s surroundings?

The setting in the story is not very beautiful and splendid, and it as actually the opposite. The town is very lifeless and there is a dangerous amount of damage to the environment. The author depicts the town as one that would not very pleasant to live in. The author wishes for his audience to dislike the town, by his of well sort out use of adjectives. The author wishes for the audience to dislike the train coming through town as he describes it as “clanking, stumbling” by, causing much disturbance to the town. The author describes the goodness of nature as one that is dyeing and has no life left in it. The author writes that the “withered oak leaves dropped noiselessly,” which implies that the nature which is supposed to be beautiful is shrivelled and lifeless. The author describes the fields as “dreary and forsaken,” which doesn’t give a healthy atmosphere to the environment.  The author writes that there were “twiggy apple trees, winter-crack trees and ragged cabbages.”  This reconfirms the fact that the environment is suffering and the food that grows in the area is not receiving the care they deserve, due to the state of the environment. Lastly the Chrysanthemums flowers which are meant to be beautiful and have a lovely smell to them, “hung dishevelled.”  Also, just like the title they brought a dreadful odour to the flowers, and throughout the whole town.

What are the people like in the extract?

How the people in the town act and feel is a direct result of the insufferable nature in which they live in. Their frustrated and disappointed emotions they feel on a day to day basis are caused by the fact that they are not happy with the environment they live in. Their environment is not a blissful one; therefore their lives are not blissful. Firstly, when the writer introduces the reader to the first sign of human life, it is a woman who is startled by the forceful train coming through town. The woman “stood insignificantly trapped between the jolting black wagons and the hedge.” This implies that the woman is feeling very small irrelevant compared to the train. It is almost like the people in the town are unworthy of being shown.

Next, the writer introduces the readers to the minors. He writes the “minors, single, trailing and in groups passed like shadows diverging home.” This statement about the minors says that they are just a mass of identical people. They are not individuals, like the idea in the film called Walkabout. This statement also suggests that because they are so dirty from working a long day in the Brinsley Colliery, they are black, just like the shadows. This highlights the unhappiness of the town to have to work in such a place, and come home in such a gruesome state.

Lastly, and most importantly, the writer gives the reader’s an insight of a family’s life, which appears to be a very a very unhappy and depressing one.  The writer describes the mother’s mouth as “closed with disillusionment.” This is due to the fact that the mother is unhappy about her life due to the environment she lives in. She is unhappy with the fact that she has to raise a son in such an awful environment. She also regrets living in such a place, as she has not only ruined her life, but her sons also. Her son senses her depression, which makes him disappointed and frustrated. He is not happy where he lives, and wishes he could live somewhere else, and be a happy, normal child. The writer states that the boy “advanced slowly, with resentful, taciturn movement.” He resents his other for raising him in such an awful place, and he is unhappy with his life. Lastly, the father of the family works at the mines and is not around his family, and isn’t there to support them through their hardship. He comes home from work all dirty and tired and probably does not feel like doing much with his family which creates a unhappy environment.

What is the overall theme or Message of the extract?

The overall theme to the story is appreciate the environment and place you live in, because there is always someone out there who is worse off than you.  The town the people live in is a very unhappy and lifeless town. There is no sense of belonging or happiness. The writer wants the reader to get a feel of the unhealthy environment, and to appreciate what they have. The relationship between the mother and the son is very bitter and there is not much love between them. This is due to their unhappy environment. The father works long hours in the mines and doesn’t get to see his family much which also adds to the unhappiness of the family. In addition to this the story explores the theme of poverty, and not having enough money to support your family. The boy wears old second hand clothes that “were evidently cut down from a man’s clothes,” as the mother cannot afford to buy him many clothes. This adds to their predicament and causes them to be unhappy and bitter towards each other.

Place this story in its context.  What was happening in the world at this time? (1911)

In the year 1911, when the story was set, there were particular events going on throughout the world that may have added to the lifeless and poor environment of the town. This included the Great Unrest. Around the time of the year 1911, the world’s coal industry was reliant on the Walsh to maintain and produce it. The Great Unrest was a time when workers, especially minors, were being abused. This occurred from the early 1800’s right up until 1911. The minors worked in poor conditions and they had low wages. In addition to this, Liberal leader Lloyd brought in an eight hour work day for minors.

The Great unrest is linked to the story because one of the reasons of the family’s unhappiness is because they do not see their dad and husband enough. He is out working in the mines. Being a minor is a tough job, and requires a lot of energy and strength. When the man comes home from work he probably is tired and grumpy, which causes a bitter environment between the family. In addition to this, the coal in the air may cause pollution, causing plants and flowers to die, making the down lifeless and damaged. This is a direct result of the poor environment of the town, and the unhappiness of the family.

My opinion about the story:

Once again, this wasn’t the best story I have read, but the writing was very capturing and detailed. The writer has put much time and effort into the words chosen to describe the ghastly town so the reader get’s a feel of what the town is like. The reader has sure convinced me that I don’t want to live in a town like that. I really enjoyed reading the adjectives the writer has used to describe certain things. Some words I have never heard of before, but they were very captivating.

 

Walkabout 1971

Comment on what point/s you think the film makers are trying to make

The point the film makers are trying to convey, is the significant contrast between the city life and the outback life of the indigenous. 

The film makers use the brick walls as a way to symbolise the separation between the two kinds of people. One side is completely closed off and isolated from the other, by the walls. Everybody is oblivious as to what exactly is on the other side, as the walls clearly divide the two kinds of people. In addition to this, the walls surround the city, and represent the fact that nobody is open with one another. Everybody lives their own lives and everybody keeps to themselves. The city people do not live openly and freely like the indigenous in the outback do. The outback is a place where there are no walls or barriers blocking one another. Everybody is one, and everybody is family.

The film makers use the close up shot of the city people’s legs to indicate the fact that city people don’t show themselves fully. The viewer’s never get to see their real self. We only get to see a half person – just like we only got to see half of their body in the film. The legs also represent the fact that city people are just a mass of people, and not individuals. They are a mass of wonderers, heading in the same direction with no purpose. In addition to this, they are all robots who mimic each other. The way they walk and the way they dress is exactly the same. We can see this by the school environment, the marching soldiers and people heading off to work.

The many tall, large buildings in the film indicate that the buildings dominate the people. They play a big part in the city, and there isn’t any room for anything else. There is one image where the father of the family is sitting on a bench, and a massive building is surrounding him. He looks very insignificant and small, compared to the building. This indicates that the buildings are the main attractions in the city, and are extremely significant to city life. Beneath all of the buildings and walls we get a small glimpse of the botanical gardens, and the trees within it. Only the trees have labels on them, which take away their natural beauty, and make them unoriginal. We also get a glimpse of the mother of the family watering a few of her pot plants. There is not much nature reviled in their big house. This little indication of nature in the city is very different to the outback. The indigenous are surrounded by the beauty of nature. They appreciate the nature around them. Their habitat is very different to the city, but they still call it home.

The family of four consisting of the father, mother, teen daughter and young boy, represent the little communication the city people have amongst each other. The mother and father’s relationship is very cold, and there is no love and affection for one another. This is similar to the children and father’s relationship. The father does not talk to his children much, and pays little attention of them. This sought of ill communication is very different to that in the outback from the indigenous. They communicate quite openly with their friends, family and even strangers. They do not usually express their disappointment or anguish to one another, as the family tend to do.

My opinion about the movie
I didn't particularly like this movie either. From the ten minutes that we watched we didn't really get much. All we saw was a lot of legs, walls and buildings which didn't really interest me. I liked the idea however, of the meaning behind the walls, legs and buildings, I thought that was a very clever idea, but it was boring to watch. I'm sure if we continued the movie I would have enjoyed it, but the beginning of it was not very entertaining.

Superman and Paula Brown's New Snowsuit (1955)

Setting:

The language used to establish the setting in the following places was:

Bedroom:

The language used in the setting of the girl’s bedroom implies that her bedroom is the place she can always dream of Superman, and flying with him. It is where she can be part of her own world, flying with Superman, as nobody else would understand. The narrator has described one of her windows as a great place to “look over to the lights of Boston that blazed and blinked far across the darkening water.” The view of Boston from the window in her bedroom, gives her an insight as to what it would feel like flying outside with Superman. Her bedroom is very special to her, as it brings Superman into her world. In addition to this her room is a place where she can lie and think about past events, which were not pleasant. This is evident when she describes herself in her bedroom as feeling “alone in bed, feeing the black shadow creeping up the underside of the world like a flood title,” when no one would believe that she didn’t push Paula.

School:

The language used to describe the school, implies that it is not very big or prestige, according to its explanation and location. The writer tells of the school as being “a red-brick building, set back from the main highway on a black tar street, surrounded by barren gravel playgrounds.” Despite the size and detailing of the school, that doesn’t stop the girl and David and Sheldon from playing Superman together. The school has open space where they can fly around and be just like superman.

Airport:

The language used to describe the airport, gives the reader the impression that, in a way, the planes represent Superman, shooting off into the sky from the runway. I believe the girl sees the airport as Superman’s home, where he sleeps and rests, and when she sees a plane take off in the night sky, she thinks of Superman doing the same. She describes the airport as “my Mecca, my Jerusalem.” ‘Mecca’ is a meeting site in Islam, just like the airport is like Superman’s meeting place, so once again, the airport is special to her as it symbolises Superman. After she watches the airport from her window, she goes to bed and dreams of superman and the vision of the airport helps her do so.

Narrator’s House:

The language used to establish the setting of the narrator’s house seems to imply that it is a small type of house, and nothing out of the ordinary. The house comes across as a very dark and icy with not much heating or lighting to make it homey. She describes the window-panes as “fringed with frost,” and her house comes across small, as when her Uncle Frank swung her in the air, her “head nearly grazed the ceiling.” The house does not come across as a very bright and comforting either, or a where you would feel safe in. The writer gives us the impression that the house wouldn’t be very appealing to live in, as she does not describe it as very comforting.

Paula Brown’s House:

The language used to establish the setting of Paula Brown’s place implies that it is a place where the children gather and have fun – and just be kids. There is much oppression and disappointment going on around them at the moment that they are not fully aware of a Paula’s house seems to be the place where the children have the most fun and escape from the harsh realities of the adult world. Firstly, Paula used her house to celebrate her “annual birthday party”. She invited all her friends and everybody had fun, escape the tragedies of war. Once again, the children played “Chinese Tag,” outside of Paula’s house. This was another way that the children could be together, and get away from the horrid images and broadcasts of the war.

My opinion about the story:
I did not particularly like the story. I found it to be quite boring and I wouldn't read it again. I much preferred the way Snowdrops went about incorporating the child in the adult world. I didn't like the way the story was written, I thought the choice of words was not all that great.  

Reading History

The Baby Sitters Club Series:

The  Little Sister series  is about a girl names Karen, who has a different adventure in every novel. Whether it getting a new pony or winning the spelling contest. I used to read them when I was between the ages 6-8.  There are many in the series and I have read most of them.I enjoyed reading them because Karen is a very family orientated person, like myself and I could relate to her.

Max Remy Superspy Series:

The Max Remy Superspy series is about a girl named Max Remy, who is a spy and completes missions around the world, destroying evil. Her and her friend Linden, who works with her, are always equipped with a new set of gadgets for every mission, and a thrown into the great big world, ready to fight evil.  I read them when I was 11 and 12 years old, and have read the series about four times except the last two.  I love them for the action, and how Linden and Max work so well as a team.

Alex Rider Series:

  The Alex Rider Series are similar to the Max Remy series, except it is a 14 year old boy who  eventually follows in his Uncle’s footsteps and becomes a spy also.  After his Uncle, who was a spy dies; Alex is determined to unlock the secret behind his death. From them onwards, he works for a spy agency and completes a new mission on every book.  I read the series when I was 11 and 12 years old and have read the series about five times. I love the series, because Anthony Horowitz, the author, keeps you in suspense the whole novel!

Looking for Alibrandi:

 Looking for Alibrandi is about the character Josie, trying to find who she is, buy breaking free from her family traditions and cultures, and becoming an individual. I read it for the first time in year nine when we studied it in English.  I enjoyed the novel , because I could relate to Josie and her Italian background, and the pressures she receives from her family to live up to her Italian traditions. This book made me appreciate my Italian heritage more than I ever have, and it made me think about who I am and where I come from. It made me feel proud about my Italian background.

The Making of Me:

 The Making of Me is about a girl (Tegan Wagner) retelling the story of the time she was raped at a party, and the long and intensive trial that followed.   I read it last year as part of my research for my English oral, and it is different from any book I’ve ever read.    I found the novel to be quite disturbing and horrific at times, but it has made me aware that you can’t trust anyone and  should always be weary of the people around you

Snowdrops

Discuss the snowdrops a symbol or metaphor:

The snowdrops represent the boy and Miss Webster’s fragility throughout the story. Both characters are withered and can break easily, when faced with pain and despair, just like the snowdrops, as you can “see their fragility.” They both have been shoved into a world they are unfamiliar with and must learn to adapt, or else they will continue to fall, and fall until they have hit the ground rock solid, and won’t be able to get back on their feet. Despite this anguish, they are both waiting for the best out of life, and are waiting to blossom into something beautiful and amazing, just like the flowers.

The snowdrops also symbolise the harsh reality of death. Although the story doesn’t clearly outline the theme of death, the story is very much based on it, and how Miss Wester and the boy deal with death. For Miss Webster, despite her best efforts to stay strong for the children, she “continued to cry aloud in the midst of the frightened children,” and fall to her lowest point, just as the snowdrops. For the boy, it was just about understanding the pain of death. Despite all the misery that death brought, is a Rae of hope, that one day their pain and understanding of death will vanish and they will blossom like snowflakes.

The Boy:

The boy in the story is a very curious and imaginative child. He sees the world as this great, big amazing place, which has so much to offer him. He is oblivious to the pain, suffering and death that surround him every day. He is at the age where he thinks life is a happy adventure, and he spends each day waiting for something magical to occur in his life. The boy is naive, and believes what he is told. He doesn’t realise that the world isn’t a fairytale.

The boy get’s mesmerized at the simplest things, such as Bacon. He describes the taste as “new and marvellous.” He even found his mum’s knitting miraculous, as he believed “a row of knitting grew magically behind him.” What he doesn’t realise is he is less mature than some of the kids in his class, and things like bacon, aren’t so extraordinary to them.

Whilst the boy is drawing his robin, the reader’s get a sense of the boy’s maturity at the slightest degree. Just by watching a robin that came to his garden every day, “he knew just how low the bird’s head fitted on his round little body.” He now knew how to draw a complete robin, whereas at Christmas, when he drew his last robin, he didn’t draw it to the best of his ability. It seems as though the boy is coming out of his protective bubble and seeing the world from another light, and noticing the things around him.

It is not until the end of the story that the reader’s truly understand that the boy has matured, and is to a certain degree aware of the pain and death circulating him. He understands that everything isn’t perfect and beautiful, and that the world we live in is not a Utopian society. The boy “began to see their fragility,” meaning the flowers, and finally understood, at that moment that the world wasn’t perfect.

Edmund:

Edmund is far more mature than the boy in the story, and is less naive and sheltered like the boy. He understands that the world is not a perfect place, and people are faced with death at some point in their lives. That’s just how life is. At the end of the novel, when the boy is ecstatic about seeing the snowdrops, and is unaware of the misery around him Edmund notices “it’s a funeral.” He doesn’t see the world for some magical, made-up place where pain and anguish doesn’t exist. Not everything amazes him like it does for the boy, as evident when he told him “it’s only bacon.” To him it is nothing out of the ordinary. Furthermore, Edmund understands the world and what goes on around him, and knows it is not a fairytale.

Miss Webster:

Miss Webster is a lost and fragile woman, due to the death of the Meredith boy. The reader is given the impression that she was involved with the boy, on a personal note in some way. Miss Webster represents the flowers in the story, as she is very delicate and broken, just like them. She is waiting for hope and happiness to come her way, so she can blossom again.

She never wanted to see the flowers because she thought they were beautiful, or because she wanted to make the children happy. She took the children to see the snowdrops only to see the boy’s funeral. She could not be physically at the funeral, possibly because she did not want others knowing about her relationship with the boy, so watching from the gate was her way of being there. It was her way of saying goodbye. “Dressed in a black frock, without any jewellery,” it was like her own funeral by the gate. Even with the children around her, Miss Webster “continued to dry aloud in the midst of the frightened children,” while watching the funeral in her own world.

Opinion about the story:

Overall I quite like the story. I thought it was a great contrast between the child and adult world. I enjoyed the fact that it was like a child trapped inside his own little world, unaware of the sadness that surrounded him. It makes you wonder what children a really feeling and understand at a time like death. What they must be feeling? I think, like the boy they interpret it their own way, but deep inside they understand what is going on around them.