English

[mikaelafraserr]

Can someone pleaseeee read my english speech on 1984? I havent done the conclusion yet. The speech has a 5 minute time limit
Please give advice! There is also a related text of Caged Bird.

How does your prescribed text 1984 explore the impact of the external world on an individual’s inner consciousness?

“The totalitarian is the enemy. The one that wants control over the inside of your head, not just your actions (Christopher Hitchens).” We live in a time when our understanding of what is true is constantly being influenced and manipulated by our external world and external powers; the government and our society. The indoctrination of humanity through an abuse of this external power deprives people of the very things that define them as human - individuality, freedom, thoughts and expressions, thus presenting a dichotomy between our inner consciousness and the world around us. However, can this powerful ‘external world’ of control and manipulation truly change and indoctrinate humanity permanently? George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’ and the poem ‘Caged Bird’ by Maya Angelou, reflect a true narrative of the human experience; that the human consciousness can be permanently subjugated when faced with a powerful oppressive force. The texts explore the idea that as much as an individual wishes to express their individuality and natural human facets, their inner consciousness will eventually succumb to governmental power, resulting in a complete subjugation of humanity.

Through 1984, Orwell explores the impact of oppressive power on humanity, inevitably resulting in the complete subjugation of the human psyche. Inspired by totalitarian regimes including Nazism and Communism, Orwell forewarns how the abuse of power leads to the destruction of individual consciousness and human expression. The characterisation of Winston Smith depicts an eradication of individuality, freedom and independent thoughts as a result Party control. INGSOC’s notion of instilling a ‘hideous ecstasy of fear’ among society reinforces the frightening collective control over humanity. Ecstasy, therefore, becomes a symbol of the indoctrination of the human psyche, catalysing further loss of individuality. Winston reflects that “your worst enemy was your own nervous system”; personification demonstrates the eradication of individuality and the loss of the ability to express oneself. The symbol of “Big Brother” and notions of propaganda including Ministry of Truth and DoubleThink portray the ensured complete and utter control over human thought itself. Further, the Party’s erasure of any “erroneous thought” explicates the subduing of humanity to the point where one cannot even control their own inner consciousness. The restructuring of truth is evidenced by the repetition of “2 and 2 = 5”. Winston states that the Party “announced that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it.”, portraying complete suppression of the human consciousness to the point where all truths are erased permanently. The abuse of language as shown through Newspeak successfully “narrows the range of thought”, further resulting in the Party’s absolute control over society. Moreover, the Par

Orwell presents the notion that regardless of an individual’s conscious insurrection against the government, the forcefulness of these powers will result in their ultimate cognitive subjugation. In effect, Orwell presents this dystopia as a comment on society’s submissive tendencies towards government false-truths. Winston’s intrigue into society purged of “Big Brother” causes him to realise the corruption and oppression of the party, resulting in his rekindling of consciousness amongst a world of “unconsciousness”. Orwell’s implementation of emotional vulnerability within Winston demonstrates the fundamental human nature of expressing emotions and feelings. The natural human desire for connection is not eliminated by Orwell throughout the novel; the allegorical “coral paperweight” and the “yellow ray of sinking sun” demonstrate that the essence of the human experience surrounds individuality and the expression of emotions. Winston’s notion of “expressing himself through diary writing” portrays notions of individuality and humanity’s natural desire of expression. Yet, this crucial aspect of humanity cannot overcome the power of the party, as they “tear human minds to pieces.” Winston is described as “a flaw in the pattern” and “a stain to be wiped out”. Indeed, his anomalous behaviour is a threat to the party’s complete oppression of individuality. Further, the Party wishes to “convert him, capture his inner mind, and shape him”, explicating how Winston’s withstanding against his external world could not defeat the manipulative forces vying for control over his cognition. Moreover, the simile Winston’s “soul was as white as snow” towards the end of the novel, portrays the eventual and inevitable subjugation of the human psyche despite an individual’s powerful rebellious tendencies against oppression. By the end of the novel, Winston paradoxically “loved Big Brother”, further encapsulating the inexorable succumbing of an individual’s inner consciousness to the suffocation of external powers. Unequivocally, Orwell depicts a hopeless image where even the most valiant and defiant minds can succumb to government manipulation.

Through ‘Caged Bird’, Angelou depicts emotional suppression and an individual’s indoctrination due to oppressive powers, likewise to 1984. Exploring African-American oppression, Angelou powerfully contrasts freedom and captivity; the notion of freely expressing emotions versus the complete subjugation of the inner consciousness, thus withstanding the ability of expression. The idea of freedom is demonstrated when “a free bird leaps on the back of the wind” and “dips his wings in the orange sun rays”. The natural human desire for the freedom to express their individuality is evident through this extended metaphor of the free bird, with freedom being demonstrated as something that should be subconscious. However, paradoxically the caged bird demonstrates the idea of external captivity and oppression, commenting on the submission of one’s inner consciousness due to the power of captivity. It is stated that “his wings are clipped and his feet are tied”, with the notion of being tied symbolising the power of oppressive external forces to limit one’s freedom; particularly freedom of expression. This substantially connects with ideas of oppressive external powers presented in 1984, thus making a general comment about the power of the external world on one’s inner consciousness. The caged bird “sings with a fearful trill”; and “sings of freedom” with singing representing one’s desire to express their individuality and emotions, further linking with the main themes of 1984. Furthermore, Caged Bird depicts societal issues of the power of the external world to subjugate one’s psyche and thus their individual consciousness. It further comments on the natural human desire to be free to express feelings, emotions and individuality, thus strongly connecting with Orwell’s warning of 1984.

[therese07]

Hi there!

I read over speech and overall, I really do like the speech! This is a great start! Attached is my own feedback and some suggestions that will hopefully benefit you! Also, since this is a speech, try to employ more speech devices, such as rhetorical questions, incorporate ethos, pathos, logos language to fully engage the audience! If you don't know how to do so, simply look at some of the TEDtalks on youtube! See how they express their presentation, and what captivates their audience! Below are the difference between ethos, pathos, logos to help your understanding

pathos (passion):
- heart warming stories, personal experiences, humorous jokes
- be emotive
- appealing through emotions
- passion, sympathy, empathy, emotions and feelings
- convincing and audience of an argument by creating an emotional response   
- we use text integrity, for themes to withstand in modern society   

logos (logic):
- appeals to reason, tied to action
- how we end the response is important
- leave reader feeling there is inaction that logically progress from what you have written about
- send of reason to the action

ethos (ethics):
- use of credibility, trust = ethical appeal, establish a sense of authenticity
- need enough quotes to sustain ethos
- balanced volume of technical appeal - make sure you don’t lapse in an explanation but forget the technical explanation, examine relevance of literature
- ethos relies on the reputation of the character involved
- use rhetorical questions (how would you think Prufrock would be in this world? his depression, notions of social paralysis? lost in his own world, inaccessible?)
- choosing language that is appropriate for the audience and topic, making yourself sound fair or unbiased, introducing expertise and accomplishments and by using syntax grammar and syntax
- THINK ABOUT PURPOSE 

Feel free to ask more feedback!