E-learning Task 2: Children in the Darnkess

Complete the template provided in Annex A, focusing on (1) Point of View; (2) Situation and Setting; (3) Language/Diction; and (4) Personal Response, and post your response to Task 2 on your blog. This template is based on John Lye’s ‘Critical Analysis of Poetry’, and you can make reference to this in Annex B when in doubt.

Steps in Analysis
	Point	Evidence	Elaboration
1.	Point of View	- 3rd Person POV - Hopeful tone: repetition of “could”	- Shows that the speaker is not directly involved in the situation but rather is reporting about the matter - As if he is trying to help them, hoping that they have a better future
2.	Situation and Setting	- Children fighting in wars as child soldiers: “would someone teach them to fight” - These children have no choice and are forced into it as they “are not free” - Some of them are killed in wars: “Will a war consume them” - Children living in a bleak world: “there shines no light” - Speaker feels compassionate toward them and wants to give them a chance	- These children are forced into fighting wars against their will - They cannot escape this life of theirs - Some of them are killed in wars - Children are indeed in a hopeless situation with no hope of freedom - Speaker hopes that we could educate them and give them a chance
3.	Language/Diction	Figurative language used - “darkness” and “light”: metaphors used to contrast their lives with other free children - “darkness” : the bleak lives of the children where there is no hope of escape - “chalk and blackboards”: metaphor for education - “door”: symbolises the children’s freedom - “key”: the struggle for freedom - “light a candle”: brighten up their lives, give them a new chance and education - “no flight”, “no light”: children cannot escape; light represents hope, shows that there is no hope	- Use of metaphors helps reader sympathise with these children who are less fortunate than them and are going through suffering - Lets readers empathise with these children in their struggle for freedom - “simply light a candle” - Poet wants us to help brighten up their lives
4.	Personal Response	This poem evokes a sense of bitterness and hardship through its good use of figurative language. It helps the reader to understand in clear detail the suffering of the child soldiers. It also reaches out to the readers for them to take action to help these children. This poem has enlightened me on the suffering of child soldiers and helped raised my awareness for them. This poem also evokes my sympathy through its bleak descriptions of hardships faced. I feel that these children are treated brutally as they are forced to become child soldiers, much against their will. They evoke my sympathy as they are not given a chance and have no childhood. They do not even receive education and some even die in wars. I think that humanity has to do something about this to stop forcing children into child soldiers as every child has his own right and dignity to live the life that he wants. This poem touches on the brutality of mankind in this world. We dominate over our weaker ones and force them to do things at our command. The ugliness of mankind is also portrayed as innocent children are sent to fight in wars, in which many of them perish brutally.

E-learning: Task 1 Children in the Darkness

Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice. Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2.

The poet was in Vietnam in 1967 - 68 and again in 1969. He had witnessed part of the Vietnam War. He goes back often because he feels that his soul lives in Vietnam and he goes back to visit it from time to time.

He was sitting in his hotel room in Saigon just before Christmas 2009. At that time, he looked at the TV and the news was on. He could not understand what the news reader was saying but in the background there was a photo of a small boy with a helmet and an automatic rifle. This poem flowed out of him in an instant and he typed it down.

This poem shows the plight of child soldiers who are forced into fighting a war. These child soldiers have no freedom and they have no childhood. Their life is bleak and many lose their lives fighting in wars. The poem shows how cruelly these children are treated. They are not given education but instead are used as weapons of war. These children hate their lives, but there is no escape for them.

The second "Black Thursday"?

Well, it has been a horrible week for investors. The US markets plunged and ended the week horribly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid over 5.5% for the week. This huge plunge sheds all the gains so far this year.

Especially on Thursday, where the Dow lost over 900 points in a matter of minutes. This is the largest drop in the history of the Dow in a single day. The reason(s) for the huge fall are still being debated. The Greek crisis? A trader's mistake? Or a computer glitch? The market slide then caused investors to lose confidence and this sparked a huge sell-off in the markets.

I do indeed feel rather shocked by this sudden event. Although it is probably not a single person's fault or the fault of anyone, many people have been severely affected by this. Investors and traders would have lost a lot of money in the sell-off and this would affect them greatly financially. Therefore, I sympathize with them and I hope that the markets would recover soon.

2nd Insight Series 2010

Democracy in a brave new world

A summary of the event:

I attended the seminar entitled “Democracy in a brave new world” some time ago. It was a seminar about democracy in our world and how different political parties campaign for support to govern a country. Mr Baey, the MP for Tanjong Pagar gave his speech first, followed by Dr Cherian George. Both talked about their views and perspectives about politics and democracy in governing a country. Mr Baey stated that a government should be fair to all citizens and treat everyone equally. Minorities should also be represented in parliament so as for them to have a say in a country. A government should also promote racial harmony in a country so as to avoid social segregation but instead forge unity between peoples of different races. Dr George stated that politics is not as simple as it seems, but rather the government has to do a lot to govern a people well. One of these ways would be to have a revolution. Another would be justice and democracy. The event was interesting and it finally came to a close when the guests of -honors left.

My personal views and reflections:

I feel that democracy is very important in today’s modern and fast-changing world. In order for a nation to progress, change must take place. And in order for change to take place, there must be democracy. In a capitalist and materialistic world today, we constantly seek to improve and progress forward. In order for a country to progress, new people must have new ideas on how to lead it. Democracy is something rather new to the 21^st century. In the past, there were monarchies and dictators who wielded absolute power in a country. Although they were not entirely bad, an autocratic ruler would not let as country progress like a democracy would. For new initiatives to be passed, the ruler must first accept it. This means that the country would only improve if the ruler puts plans into actions. Everyone relies on a single person or a small group of people to make decisions for the country. In contrary, democracy offers an equal chance for all to suggest their ideas to improve a country. The country would not only be ruled by a single person or a royal family, but by a parliament of people elected by the common people. This therefore gives a chance for the common citizens to express their views by supporting a political party. If a particular party is ineffective, it would most probably be out-voted in the next elections and therefore change in a country will occur. In conclusion, democracy is important for change to take place.

I felt that it was a meaningful experience for me to attend the seminar. I have indeed gained a lot more knowledge about politics and the idea of democracy from this experience. This seminar has also broadened by views on politics and the importance of democracy in order for a country to progress. Overall, I feel that it was indeed an eye-opening experience.

Casinos - Boon or bane?

2 casinos, namely Resorts World Sentosa and Las Vegas Sands have recently opened their doors for business in Singapore. This is the first time that Casinos have opened in Singapore. Many were excited by the openings and flocked to the casinos, others were skeptical. Overall, theses casinos have a great impact on Singapore. But the question is - are they boon or bane?

The biggest effect the casinos have on Singapore is undoubtedly its economic effects. The prime reasons for the building of these casinos were intended as a source of income as well as to create more jobs for the economy. However, these effects are not 100% pro, there are its flipsides.

Let me start with the positive factors first. These casinos are going to be a good source of income for the economy. The opening of the casinos here would attract more tourists to Singapore. This would help to boost the tourism industry. The casinos would also be a source of income for Singapore's economy. This could help boost the economy and spur more growth. The creation of jobs would also benefit the population.

Now to the negative factors. Though this would boost the economy, there are certain drawbacks. People could become addicted to gambling and hence incur huge losses from it. This would drive them into debt and perhaps even crime. They would use up their hard-earned savings on gambling. This could lead to problems with their family members and also have a great effect on their jobs.

In conclusion, considering the economic gains and social problems that the casinos would bring, my judgement on the casinos is that they have both pros and cons. I think that the casinos would be a good thing for Singapore if people can control themselves and gamble in moderation. Despite the social problems, these casinos would greatly benefit Singapore economically.

Reflection on Term 1

At last, the first term of year 2010 is drawing to a close. Tests completed. Homework mostly completed. Eventful? Certainly.

Term one started with a bang. The first day of school signalled the end of the nearly-10-week-long year end holidays, as well as the start of the new school year. And of course, the frantic day of school where people were rushing to find their new classrooms, adapting to new timetables, as well as catch up with friends.

And then, basically, the weeks following sped by unknowingly. Lessons attended, homework done, as well as some fun. Right till the test weeks, then time slowed to a halt. Stress mounting, pressure rising. Right till the last test, then everyone took a deep breadth.

Reflecting and looking back, I realise the fun we had, as well as how much we have learnt. How we have benefitted, and how we have grown (intellectually). What lessons we learnt. The mood of term 1 fluctuates, just like the stock market. Rainy days come and go, sunny days don't stay long. But it was all part of term 1, happy or sad, good or bad, the past cannot be changed. The first term was meaningful in its own way- in a way that words cannot describe. The first term of Sec 2 has left its mark, an impression on us all. No term is perfect, but every term is unique. So I believe that we treasued our time, and hopefully made the best use of it.

As for the next term ahead, we hope for the best. Hopefully, it will be a meaningful and enriching term. And I think we'll make thy best of it we can.

E-learning - Task B - Musical

b. Write a poem on the Tom Robinson Trial / life in Maycomb/ any other incident.

Maycomb, Maycomb
The tired old town
Struck by Depression
Stuck with racism
Some people nice
Some people bad
Majority with racism
Few with equallity
Life in Maycomb
is full of discrimination
and inequality
Racial segregation
Racial discrimination
The Blacks with no rights
The Whites who dominate
Follow convention
Be racist
and you are safe
Differ convention
Be the miniority
and get mocked
But the courageous miniority
Are always brave
Stick to their virtues
and moral values
Believe in equality for all
And hence
Maycomb is in this state today
Town torn with racial segregation
Society divided by Whites and Blacks
People seperated by skin colour
Morals ripped apart by discrimination
This must end
Mindsets must change
People must change
Untill this happens
Maycomb will stay the same
The tired old town