'The pen is mightier than the sword.' Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1839


'NYC

- Who/what would humans be without conflict?
- How does conflict shape who we are?
- Freedom, peace, justice, equality, love. What do these ideals
mean? In what ways can they be achieved?

Encountering conflict can be difficult. However, it is ultimately worthwhile. Bearing witness, acknowledging conflict, is how humanity can work to grow and evolve in a positive way. This is why your Yr 12 English study of the Context 'Encountering Conflict' is so exciting. You have the opportunity to go on a journey where you can consider the world from many different viewpoints and through many different mediums. You can inspire and be inspired, you can have your say, you can affect change in the world - locally, nationally and globally.

This blog is intended to be a portal that will transport you into a place where you can consider the Context in a way that allows you to share your thinking and ideas. It is designed to let you:

- learn about the set texts; The Secret River by Kate Grenville and The Rugmaker of Mazar-E-Sharif by Najaf Mazari and Robert Hamilton

- go beyond the set texts to develop your thoughts about the Context

- study language features that occur in the set texts

- practise different forms of writing in a forum where you can recieve feedback from teachers, experts and peers.

There are a number of areas for you to access and contribute to in this blog. They are:

- Conflict Concerns: is the blogging space on this home page for general discusssion about the context and set texts. Exploration and challenging discussion about 'Encountering Conflict' is the aim. Also, questions about the course and what you are meant to be doing can be shared here.

- Music Matters: a space to share and comment on music that is relevant to the Context. You can also discuss how the songs might relate to the set context in ideas, themes, values and language features.

- Text Tremors: discuss how written texts have moved and shaped your ideas in regards to the Context.

- Film Flogging: inspire others by sharing your thoughts on how films, documentaries and t.v. shows you have viewed encounter conflict in their narratives. Comment on parallels that may arise between films and the set texts.

- Picture Panic: share images that make you think about the context and the world you live in. Explain how the pictures you encounter represent the idea of 'encountering conflict' and how they impact on your view of life and how it should be lived.

- Prompt Response: respond to prompts that you have been given and that appear in this space to practise writing 'Creating and Presenting' responses. Upload them here for conferencing that will help you hone your skills to meet the criteria for this area of study to the best of your ability in SACs and the exam.

Monday, May 24, 2010

CONFLICT IN THE SECRET RIVER

To begin your blogging journey for the Creating and Presenting Area of Study I want to you to write a post that discusses what you think is one of the predominant types of conflict presented in The Secret River. In your post, use an example from the text to demonstrate where you see this conflict being encountered in the novel. Some types of conflict you might like to choose from are:

- Class conflict
- Social conflict
- Cultural conflict
- Physical conflict
- Internal conflict
- Interpersonal conflict
- Avoiding conflict

Once you have identified the conflict occurring in the text, present some general thoughts you hold about that type of conflict. Explain why you think the way you do. Use a hyperlink to showcase an example of media that also addresses this type of conflict in some way, e.g.,

Racism has been an endemic part of social conflict over the centuries. In The Secret River racist attitudes some settlers held towards the native Aboriginal people are often highlighted. Tensions between these groups are described brutally in the text, 'The burden hanging there was ... the body of a black man. Puffy flesh bulged around the rope under his armpits, the head lolled. The face was unregognisable as a face, the only thing clear the yellow ear of corn stuck between the pink sponge that had been lips'.

Such a scene is reminiscent of the history of the American south where the Klu Klux Klan have perpetrated horrendous treatment towards people of other races. An interesting segment appeared on the Sunrise morning show this morning with links to this topic. Mel and Koshie interviewed the Klu Klux Klan's biggest enemy, a reformed member who now preaches tolerance to others. View the interview by clicking on the picture below.


When you have finished composing your post spend some time viewing and adding comments to others' perspectives.

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1 comment:

  1. katieb555May 24, 2010 at 7:47 PM

    Writing a persuasive essay that argues racist attitudes can be overcome might work for a SAC or exam response if such a discussion would be responding to the given prompt. The piece could refer to Johnny Lee Cleary's story, The Secret River and other sources of information.

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