Folklore

Journal 7: "The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it"--George Orwell If two countries are fighting a war, they are not going to stop easily. Because once the war begins, their relationship is only going to deteriorate. Consequently, it is often hard to negotiate an Armistice or peace treaty. Therefore, losing the war is probably the most effective way to end it since only in this way one side will prevail. Otherwise, the war will never end unless both countries simultaneously decide to ceasefire, which is extremely unlikely given the hostility that often comes with a war.

Journal 11: Get in the mindset of Winston Smith. Make a list of the strangest things you have seen since The Party came into power 1. The Paroles seem to have more freedom than Party members, with much less supervision in their daily life. For example, they are allowed to love whereas Party members are prohibited from doing so. 2. Although Big Brother always announces that Oceania is developing and quality of life is improving, but more people fall into poverty. 3. Big Brother proclaims that chocolate rations have increased but in reality people hardly find enough. 4. Even the children works for the Inner Party and can report their PARENTS of thoughtcrime, 5. No word in the dictionary can be used to criticize the government. 6. Although life was oppressive and miserable, people still listen to the Big Brother and rarely think about rebellion.

Journal 6: "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."--George Orwell To simplify this quote, basically, Orwell means that the man who controls the present controls everything--the past and the future. This quote makes sense as proven in his novel "1984". The Big Brother, which holds absolute power in the present, could easily rewrite the past. In the novel, party members erase all the histories and create fake news to brainwash residents in Oceania. Consequently, people had to believe what the Big Brother told them to believe. As the totalitarian government gained control of people's mind, they can be easily manipulated, and the Big Brother would continue to control them in the future.

1.  1.  "The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain has left an indelible impression on me. This book not only exposes the hypocrisy of white-dominant society at the time, but does it also overturn the stereotypes about black people through delicate depiction of the friendship between Huck and Jim. During his time on the boat being around Jim (a man of integrity), Huck grows from a childish, immature teenager to a responsible man. Jim seems like a father figure, taking care of and teaching Huck meaningful lessons. By contrast, Huck's "real" father is an irresponsible drunkard. Throughout the novel, Mark Twain, through depicting Jim as an honest, responsible man, ridicules the stereotypes and prejudice on black people and also makes me think about how can I eliminate some stereotypes in contemporary society. 2. I am Alan, a senior. I come from China. I have been in this Webb Community for four years, and this place feels like a home to me. Being in t