In D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers we find a myriad of social issues intertwined with in-depth psychology and beautiful imagery.
Perhaps one of the more striking aspects of this novel is the possibly incestuous relationship between Mrs. Morel and her sons, William and Paul. The reliance that this mother has on her children for social and personal fulfilment can still be seen in the tendency of many parents to project goals on their offspring today. While it is not prudent to attach a certain school of psychological theory to Lawrence, his discussion of humanity in this and other manners is certainly insightful.
The working class situation of the Morel's is very expertly addressed by Lawrence. Unlike Dickens or Burney, description of the toil that Morel undergoes to provide for his family is given. This ordinary and to an extent, universal discussion, coupled with an intricate depiction of urban England creates a strikingly innovative novel for the early twentieth century.
However, these new and interesting areas of discourse are, as with all aspects of the narrative, tainted with remorse, regret and pain. All instances of love are coupled with examples of extreme and sudden hatred. While Miriam and Paul obviously enjoy each other's company while on holiday, there is a constant undercurrent of resentment. Paul even considers himself incapable of love and consequently sabotages his relationships. We are not presented with a cloud containing a silver lining so much as an overcast sky!
D.H. Lawrence has written an undeniably brilliant book, but its inescapable pessimism means that it is not one I enjoy.
-The English Student
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Jack Peñate: Concert Review
Music does not always need to be political, dogmatic or depressing. Jack Peñate seems well up to championing the cause of merry music.
The newly crowned king of alternative indie, vaguely ska-esque new rock seemed delighted to be playing a small venue of our illustrious capital city last Saturday. Of course, with such a ridiculous concept of genre that goes with Peñate's music, the place was packed with fans from all sorts of musical backgrounds. Unfortunately, the under-age drunken teenage girl was the predominant social group to be found.
This strong following makes a direct comment on Peñate's music. By attracting such a large crowd of seemingly musically ignorant children, we could easily perceive that Peñate has had a repertoire of shallow music. His debut album "Matinee" is short and while it does not advance the realms of song writing, it is fun, fresh and highly entertaining. Jack epitomises this attitude in his live act.
While jauntily pouring through his back catalogue of songs, Peñate skips around stage, pulls insane faces and generally, has a lot of fun on stage. Backed up by a competent band, songs like "Torn on the Platform", "Learning Lines" and "Spit at Stars" come to life and entrance the audience with their brisk melodies. The encore of "Second, Minute or Hour" was a wonderfully jovial conclusion to the set.
No boundaries are pushed by Peñate, in his studio work or live act. However, he was highly entertaining and how could I ask for more?
-The English Student
The newly crowned king of alternative indie, vaguely ska-esque new rock seemed delighted to be playing a small venue of our illustrious capital city last Saturday. Of course, with such a ridiculous concept of genre that goes with Peñate's music, the place was packed with fans from all sorts of musical backgrounds. Unfortunately, the under-age drunken teenage girl was the predominant social group to be found.
This strong following makes a direct comment on Peñate's music. By attracting such a large crowd of seemingly musically ignorant children, we could easily perceive that Peñate has had a repertoire of shallow music. His debut album "Matinee" is short and while it does not advance the realms of song writing, it is fun, fresh and highly entertaining. Jack epitomises this attitude in his live act.
While jauntily pouring through his back catalogue of songs, Peñate skips around stage, pulls insane faces and generally, has a lot of fun on stage. Backed up by a competent band, songs like "Torn on the Platform", "Learning Lines" and "Spit at Stars" come to life and entrance the audience with their brisk melodies. The encore of "Second, Minute or Hour" was a wonderfully jovial conclusion to the set.
No boundaries are pushed by Peñate, in his studio work or live act. However, he was highly entertaining and how could I ask for more?
-The English Student
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Aeon Flux: A Last Time for Everything
The scientific investigations of Trevor Goodchild provoke strong reaction from Aeon. This persecution of researchers is nothing new.
Trevor's regime holds scientific advancement to be of the utmost importance. His cloning program is relentless and this development has resulted in a greater understanding of identity and the role of personality in human endeavours.
Our own centres of research are more subjugated by comparison. Scientists have always been oppressed for their ability to discover truths that we may not like, or disprove beliefs that we hold dear. From Galileo to Ernest Armstrong McCulloch, the worth of scientists has been under valued.
Researchers and scientists should use all resources that are possibly available to them in order to improve the quality of our physical and spiritual lives. To deprive them of these means is to halt our quest for truth.
"The issue isn't excess, its access" and with free reign to investigate mankind we may access the very secrets of our existence.
-The English Student
Trevor's regime holds scientific advancement to be of the utmost importance. His cloning program is relentless and this development has resulted in a greater understanding of identity and the role of personality in human endeavours.
Our own centres of research are more subjugated by comparison. Scientists have always been oppressed for their ability to discover truths that we may not like, or disprove beliefs that we hold dear. From Galileo to Ernest Armstrong McCulloch, the worth of scientists has been under valued.
Researchers and scientists should use all resources that are possibly available to them in order to improve the quality of our physical and spiritual lives. To deprive them of these means is to halt our quest for truth.
"The issue isn't excess, its access" and with free reign to investigate mankind we may access the very secrets of our existence.
-The English Student
Saturday, March 8, 2008
U.S. Presidential Nominations
After clinching the Republican nomination, John McCain commended his running mates for an honourable and fair process. Unfortunately for him, the "honour" of this contest may be the undoing of his party this year.
Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have fought a long and protracted competition, moving from coast to coast in a bid to clinch the Democratic nomination for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At times, this battle has been anything but honourable, with both sides trading blows on a personal level.
The global attention garnered from these often petty attacks has created a worrying situation for any detractor of the Democratic Party. By firmly grasping the majority of media coverage, Obama and Clinton have become the main focal points of this election. The seemingly underhanded techniques of each campaign have ensured that this nomination has basically become the actual presidential election.
But this is not the only advantage gained from the high level of awareness the Democratic candidates have reaped. By drawing attention to their campaigns, the policies and ideals that Obama and Clinton stand for have become accountable and intensely debated. This creates a more transparent version of the political competition and in doing so, the Democrats are assured to emerge with a candidate that has well developed and defensible opinions.
In what is essentially a broken democratic system, it is something of a relief to find at least some accountability.
-The English Student
Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have fought a long and protracted competition, moving from coast to coast in a bid to clinch the Democratic nomination for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At times, this battle has been anything but honourable, with both sides trading blows on a personal level.
The global attention garnered from these often petty attacks has created a worrying situation for any detractor of the Democratic Party. By firmly grasping the majority of media coverage, Obama and Clinton have become the main focal points of this election. The seemingly underhanded techniques of each campaign have ensured that this nomination has basically become the actual presidential election.
But this is not the only advantage gained from the high level of awareness the Democratic candidates have reaped. By drawing attention to their campaigns, the policies and ideals that Obama and Clinton stand for have become accountable and intensely debated. This creates a more transparent version of the political competition and in doing so, the Democrats are assured to emerge with a candidate that has well developed and defensible opinions.
In what is essentially a broken democratic system, it is something of a relief to find at least some accountability.
-The English Student
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Console Fanaticism
Competition is encouraged in almost every area of business. However, it seems that many people would be content to see this end in the gaming industry.
The war between Playstation, Xbox and Wii "Fanboys" has been a bitter one, waged constantly throughout countless forums and blogsites across the internet. Any positive news regarding one of the systems is assured to provoke the embittered cries of opposing devotees and the fanatical defence of supporters.
This does not simply stop at the quality of software and hardware of the actual console, but also the companies represented by the products. Some sort of idealistic worship emerges from those championing the cause of Microsoft and Sony, while Nintendo is viewed as a saviour of humankind and friend of the consumer.
Of course, these attitudes are ridiculous when the cold hard facts of game business are identified. Microsoft is infamous for destroying competition, Sony has used racially charged marketing ploys and Nintendo has the worst environmental record of the three. This fervour for individual video game consoles reveals nothing but a pathetic misplacement of affection on the part of these deluded supporters. The fact is, competition between the consoles benefits the consumer.
It is a shame that these "fanboys" cannot realise the fruitlessness of their attacks and just enjoy the product that they so fervently defend.
-The English Student
The war between Playstation, Xbox and Wii "Fanboys" has been a bitter one, waged constantly throughout countless forums and blogsites across the internet. Any positive news regarding one of the systems is assured to provoke the embittered cries of opposing devotees and the fanatical defence of supporters.
This does not simply stop at the quality of software and hardware of the actual console, but also the companies represented by the products. Some sort of idealistic worship emerges from those championing the cause of Microsoft and Sony, while Nintendo is viewed as a saviour of humankind and friend of the consumer.
Of course, these attitudes are ridiculous when the cold hard facts of game business are identified. Microsoft is infamous for destroying competition, Sony has used racially charged marketing ploys and Nintendo has the worst environmental record of the three. This fervour for individual video game consoles reveals nothing but a pathetic misplacement of affection on the part of these deluded supporters. The fact is, competition between the consoles benefits the consumer.
It is a shame that these "fanboys" cannot realise the fruitlessness of their attacks and just enjoy the product that they so fervently defend.
-The English Student
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