'The Whole Story' about Candles !!!

Fire as you may know has been around for thousands of years since the beginning of everything. From the fiery pits of hell to the centre of our Sun, fire has always fascinated the society who has been able to experience it. It wasn't until the late 100 A.D’s that society desired to be able to control fire in some other way than torches. In the days before the invention of the candle, people known as ‘lighters’ were responsible for lighting various torches throughout the big cities. Of course this was no easy job since many torches were in some odd places far off reach. Lighters started to complain that their job was much more tiring than any other in the whole city and so the professions started to degrade and disappear.

It wasn't until Apollo Vulcan, a young apprentice of a blacksmith decided that his job prospect was not going to be a lighter like his father, so he invented an earlier model of a candle. Basically he took a sheep’s stomach and filled it with wool which he then lit. This weird mix of substances actually caused the fat within the sheep's stomach to ignite and to keep the wool lit for up to 3 days without exhaustion. This was a messy invention to say the least. Apollo tried to introduce this method to various cities in the Roman Empire, however lords and ladies did not want to have a sheep’s stomach serving as a chandelier in the middle of their dining room. Not to talk about the smell! Let’s just say that this wasn't the best way to tame fire. Torches were continued to use through the ages until the 15^th century.

Humphrey Blackwell, an experienced doctor who had fame for being able to cure anything in the 15^th century London city was inspired by one of the many mentally ill patients which he tried to help. Of course in these ages, the causes behind mental illnesses were not entirely known to man, but he thought that by talking and trying to interact with them and ‘treat’ them in some way he could alleviate some of their illness. John Fleetwood, a patient of Dr. Blackwell once had a dream where he could take some berries, crush them together with rum and create a liquid which would serve as a light. Dr. Blackwell unsure of the patients’ sanity decided to test this theory. He and his close friend Robert Seymour, a young scientist apprentice decided to try all of the possible berry combinations with this. It was unfortunately in vain, as all of the ingredients that were mixed together seemed to be unable to create or even attempt to combust.  Seeing that there was no possible mixture that could work both men gave up on this ‘ridiculous and absurd dream’.  Later on that same year, John Fleetwood was found dead in his room. By his side a liquid was burning and a note was next to it.

When Dr. Blackwell found this it simply read “I did it.” This strange liquid contained little berries which were still intact inside of the rum which seemed to stick together and create a layer of wax that was able to ignite. These berries had come from the deep jungles of Asia where they were known as fire eating berries due to their ability of making one’s tongue seem on fire. This was certainly the discovery of the century.

Along the years, this fire eating berry candle was introduced to the rest of the world, taking on a lot of fame amongst both peasants since it was easy to make, and kings and queens. In the 16^Th century, Galileo found out that by adding to this mixture other berries such as strawberries and flowers, such as lavender and camomile's, he could make an essence candle. From then on, scientists and many other people began to realise how easy candle making could be, and the profession was born.

It wasn’t only after Leonardo Da Vinci found out how to make somewhat a waxy substance, much like the one still used today that candle making took on full force. Candles were everywhere during the 16^Th and the 17^Th century. Somehow though, candles seemed to become unpopular between the highest classes since most peasants also owned them and obviously the higher class wasn't going to tolerate such thing so they invented rumours about candle makers and myths about candles serving a darker purpose and soon enough they were buried beneath lies.

Up and mostly through the 19^Th century they were eventually re-born again and through all of the 20^Th century they regained their fame and now came in all shapes and forms. So here it is, from the lighters in the early Roman days, to the famous Leonardo Da Vinci who actually painted Mona Lisa by ‘candle light’, the true story of how candles were created. Well, at least that’s what I believe in. So next time you think you know everything about anything, don’t go and watch ‘The Whole Story’ videos, just ask me!! 

Reading, reading, reading....

Currently, I've been trying to carry on reading 'The Righteous Men' by Sam Bourne.
 It tells the story of a series of murders that take place in various backstreet's of New York. A New York Time's reporter, William Monroe is investigating one of these murders when he suddenly finds himself caught up in these mysterious events. His wife, Beth, is kidnapped by the men behind these murder's and his job is to decipher the various clues they leave behind, which curiously lead him to a mysterious cult. He must now decipher riddles and prophecies in order to discover a secret which many men would kill for as well as trying to find a way to save Beth. 

In other words, it's very much the same style as 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown; unfortunately however I'm currently only half way through so I won't be able to say if it's better than Dan Brown's gold relic or not. Though in my opinion, it would be hard for that to happen. 

'A Sound of Thunder'- Ray Bradbury

The short story 'A Sound of Thunder' written by Ray Bradbury, tells the tale of a hunter who wishes to hunt the most dangerous animal that has ever walked the planet. The tyrannosaurus Rex. In order to do this, he, 2 other hunters and 2 safari guides travel on a time machine to the prehistoric era where the dinosaurs once ruled. When the beast is just a hundred yards away from their current location, Eckels starts to panic as he takes in the hugeness and dangerousness of the situation which he has put himself into. As he stands in blind panic, he steps off the carefully made Path into the forbidden area. After having killed the T-Rex and returning back home, Eckels realises that he had killed a butterfly when he stepped off the Path and notices that by having killed that little butterfly he has changed, rather drastically to say the least, the present. 

The title itself doesn't particularly give anything about the story away. It may even misguide its readers into believing that this story is somewhat to do with a thunderstorm. However, if we scrutinise the title and separate it into different sections, even before reading the story we may be able to have some general ideas of what the story is about. For example, the word 'sound' may indicate that the story may use a lot of that particular sense, which later on we realise is true.
 The same can be said about the use of 'thunder' in the title. This particular word can be taken in various ways; we could suppose that the story is about a thunderstorm, or we could look at the word in not its actual definition, but rather the feeling which it conveys onto us. For example, when there is a thunderstorm, many people feel frightened, scared and terrified because of it; plus, if you're walking outside during a thunderstorm it may eventually be categorised as dangerous. This is exactly what the story is about. If the title is looked at all together, then we can also get this same feel of danger and some kind of warning, since that is normally what we feel when we hear the 'sound of thunder'. 

The word thunder actually only appears in the story 6 times (including the title). All of the times in which its mentioned it either describes the dangerousness of a present situation, the actual dinosaur itself or as in the end of the story, the killing of one of the characters. This 'sound of thunder' in every way gives a sense of finality to every single event which it describes. 

At the very end of the story, the reader understands Eckels mistake of having stepped on to the grass whilst in the prehistoric era. The reader comes to know that something has changed by the difference in the language on the sign on the wall. It now reads:
"TYME SEFARI INC. 
 YU NAIM THE ANIMALL.
 WEE TAEK YU THAIR. 


 SEFARIS TU ANY YEER EN THE PAST. "

This obvious change in the language shows that there has been definitely a change in today's world by the use of a very informal type of writing. Bradbury also demonstrates how the world has changed as a consequence of Eckels recklessness by dictating that Deutscher has won instead of Keith. The fact that the name 'Deutscher' is originally German, could link back to the Nazi Germany time creating a feeling that Deutscher symbolises war and in this case the ending of the world as Eckels knew it. This irony used to make this war VS. peace election (Deutscher VS. Keith)  actually ends up creating many conflicts between Eckels and other characters (his actions also affect the conflicts in the story) . 
First there is a man VS. nature conflict right when Eckels accidentally kills the little butterfly- obviously in this case Eckels wins. Second, there is a man VS. man conflict with Travis- he looses this as we are lead to believe that Eckels is killed at the end (however, this conflict seems to be present throughout most of the story).
Last but not least, Eckels seems to ensure that Deutscher wins on his man VS. man conflict with Keith. 

The world itself is also described differently after the hunting party has returned to the present. This is shown when Eckels describes that "there was a thing to the air, a chemical taint so subtle..." This phrase seems to subdue the reader into thinking that this world has really changes drastically. It seems that Eckels describes a world which seems to be somehow more polluted, although he doesn't know really know how to put it. It can also be seen as creating in a sense, a world which is also harsher- this could be linked back to the 'Nazi Germany' sense and to Deutscher's way of ruling. 

It's not only the world in the present that changes in this story, but also Eckels character. 
At the beginning of this story, we could portray Eckels as being a very competitive, proud, irresponsible and shallow character. He is keen on going to the prehistoric times to kill a T-Rex, and that seems to be the only thing that he has considered. At the start, he seems to only be thinking about how great it will be to be able to add 'T-Rex' to the list of animals which he has already hunted. Eckels symbolises and represents thrill and drive to do something, but gives little thought to the consequences of his acts. 
As the story progresses, Eckels character takes a drastic blow and becomes weak, anxious, scared and maybe even a little paranoid. He seems to want to just get out of that time and place, not caring about how he's actions are affecting the other characters. Again, he seems to be extremely selfish as he is overtaken by his own terror, forgetting all about the 'Stay in the Path' rule.
 
Eckels does represent a child in this since his behaviour throughout the whole novel is indeed very childlike, and only at the end does he understand the moral of what he had been clearly asked to do (or in this case, not to do). Eckels character seems to grow in a sense of both maturity and responsibility; he understands that what Travis had told him earlier was the truth, and that he shouldn't have let panic take over his actions. In this weird way, we could link these two characters as having a parent- child relationship since Travis tells Eckels exactly what not to do, and Eckels ends up breaking this rule, thus representing a defying response, just as a child would respond to his parents warning. 
I believe that Eckels by the end of the story does understand what Travis had told him- the most insignificant little thing could change the whole world. 

Use of satire in 'Harrison Bergeron'- Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Kurt Vonnegut's story 'Harrison Bergeron' is a typical science fiction tale which depicts the equality in society in the year 2081. In this story, there are many examples of satire to create dark humour comments and opinions about this view of finally reaching equality. 
One of the first ways in which Vonnegut uses satire is by informing the reader about the "211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution..." Here, Vonnegut informs the reader of how idiotic the 'quest' for equality has been up until the year 2081 where the story is set. The fact that he says that there are at least 213 Amendments in the United States, makes them seem like a 'joke' by the fact that they are depicted as being extremely easy to change. Overall, in the Constitution there are only 10 Amendments, but in this futuristic world which Vonnegut has created there is an exaggerated amount which only comes to show how much the American system has changed by finally reaching equality. 

Another example is indicated by serious exaggeration. This is achieved by the description of Harrison Bergeron himself; described as being "a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous." By exaggerating the description of Harrison making him seem like a young, perfect and strong character, Vonnegut is not only showing the reader how unfair to Harrison this equality business must be, but also by using him as a symbol; this showing that there will always be a person or an opposing force in the world, trying to somehow 'save' the world and humanity. However, with this opposing force, Vonnegut also attributes a counter force which in this story is represented by "Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General." who had succeeded in making everybody equal.

There is also some irony behind this story. The fact that everyone is supposed to be equal, is a little unbalanced when Harrison is mentioned. I say this because when they are describing him, he is categorised as being extremely dangerous. Surely, this would make him different from others who have long been restrained by this and have accepted the world in which they live in.
 Ironical is also the fact that these handicaps that Harrison had been forced to use which are supposed to make him weaker, have actually the opposite effect on him. I believe that it was these handicaps that made Harrison stand up to the government so publicly and to try to save somehow the little humanity which still existed. 


{PS: I have just recently stumbled upon this blog again after 6 years of its conception. Please be aware that this was written by a 16 year old who had just started her English Literature journey. Having said this, I hope that this post might still be useful to some of you who are still accessing it today. I wish you all the best of luck with your academic journey. xoxo} 

'Harrison Bergeron'- Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

A review of 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

This story depicts society in the year 2081, where everybody is equal in every single way. The government, in order to avoid the competitiveness between being better at a certain aspect between people, created mechanisms to limit these 'better qualities'. Potentially beautiful people are forced to wear grotesque masks; strong people are made to carry on huge loads of scrap metal to weaken them; intelligent individuals wore ear radios which produced sounds roughly every twenty seconds to disable them to think too much. 

Overall, the story is told from Harrison's parents whilst they're watching television. The plot and characters are not well developed in this, but again, I believe that it wasn't for that purpose which it was written. The whole story (as short as it is) is merely produced to put across it's main idea and moral. The idea being that if society did eventually become equal, everything would be controlled; everything that we think of as beautiful or peaceful in our world would be limited to us and in a way, taken away from us.
The moral of this story, is to show that if someone is better than someone, either it be because of their beauty, intelligence, strength or other ability, that that someone shouldn't be ashamed to show it to others. We should not hide our qualities and abilities in fear that we might cause other people around us to be envious or sad of not having those same qualities. Everyone has a quality and ability that is different from everyone else around them, and just because of this, they shouldn't feel like they need to hide it to keep people from feeling like everything is a competition.
 Could you imagine how unfair and strange it would be to have society finally reach equality? Yes, it would solve many problems in today's society, but it would only arise new problems to come. 

Continuation of ‘The Most Dangerous Game’

So, I was asked by my teacher to do somewhat a continuation of the short story called 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell. Here it is !!!

Whitney's Account
It was blindly light when I stepped outside the threshold into the morning air of the rich, salty Caribbean Sea. I had left Rainsford on the yachts deck before retiring from the cold, dark and musky night yesterday, and was still to hear from him yet. He wasn't a late riser either, but I decided to leave him be to rest for a while more. Long trips always did tire out the strongest of men.

I soon found myself wondering about yesterday’s conversation with him, and how, now, looking out into the limpid and tranquil looking horizon, I found no existing proof of the hanging terror surrounding and wrapping the yacht yesterday.
It was really a silly superstition, the one of the ‘Ship-Trap Island’; merely told to scare anyone who dared wander too close to such an island. I, myself, had heard it whilst boarding to Rio, by an old beggar who spoke of prevalent doom to all those who did not believe in such story, more than to those who unfortunately stumbled across this mysterious island. I was not fazed by this. I was a born hunter. Nothing could faze me. 

As the sun started to rise above my head, I started to wonder if Rainsford was indeed alright. I decided to knock at his cabinet- in vain- nobody answered. I wandered the ship until late afternoon looking for any signs of him. It was then that I decided to recur to Captain Wilson.
“I'm afraid there have been no signs of Mr.Rainsford throughout the whole day. Are you sure he isn’t in his room?” Captain Wilson asked; he probably thought we were playing a trick on him. After seeing my reaction to this he nodded his head and a sudden flash of recognition struck his eyes. He looked at me intently and seemed to ponder whether to talk.

“Mr. Whitney, last night whilst on duty, one of my men said he heard a low pitched sound coming from out in the sea. He seemed to recall this event as being ‘the sound of a man drowning’.” He carefully composed his face and asked the ultimate question. “Was Mr. Rainsford out on deck alone after you retired?”
I didn't have to answer this; the answer was plain in my eyes. I stood there, looking at the Captain, speechless. The Captain seemed to understand this, and soon called on some of his men to take a boat out far into the west to look for any signs of, ‘struggle’. I was left on deck, with a sailor by my side to keep me under vigilance. It wasn't needed. I couldn't move even if I wanted to.

Night fell quickly that day and without realising it, 3 days had passed. I still hadn't moved from my deck position, apart from standing up to stretch my legs before sitting back down. I couldn't rest until I found Rainsford. It was then that the craziest idea sprang to my head. Had we not been passing near the ‘Ship-Trap Island’ when he apparently had fell off-ship? There was no way to speak this idea out to the crew. Their reaction was foreseen. I’d have to go there myself.
Sneaking off ship in the middle of the night in a little boat kept only for emergencies, I rowed as fast as I could in no certain direction at all. I was surprised when I hit land. A dense, green jungle sprang up from every inch of the island, and I knew I had found it. Was I not a hunter? Then I could surely try to look for any clues and tracks that might have been result of a human.

It took no longer than an hour to find it. I refer to this thing as ‘it’ because it sure wasn't a house. It was more of a mansion, who seemed to be hidden well from an intruders curious eyes. 
I knocked- no answer. I knocked again. To my deep surprise, there was a low sound coming from within the house. Footsteps. The sound of the doorknob turning- slowly- hesitatingly. I was terrorised at that moment, wondering what or who it could be. The door slowly opened, but no one was inside, so I ventured slowly in. I was inside the entrance hall when the door crashed close and a quick, painful blow was delivered to my head.

My knees gave over and I fell to the floor. Turning my head around to see who my attacker was, I detected a face of a man. This however, was not the face of any man. Standing above me with shocked wide eyes, was Rainsford. 

Review of 'Signalman' - Charles Dickens

So I had to choose a short story to study in my English as literature class and I ended up choosing 'The Signalman' by Charles Dickens.
I first read this in my English class in year 9, and I was so very captivated by the whole thriller side to it.

This short story describes the eerie encounter between the narrator and a signalman who works in a very remote place. The two characters, though weary of one another, begin a slight 'friendship' between each other. The signalman, confides the narrator that he sees a ghostly figure inside the train tunnel every time the bell rings. The use of the supernatural really adds tension, mystery and thriller to this story. This is only added to when the narrator, after speaking to the signalman, learns of his tragic death in the train tracks.
The whole story provokes various feelings, from curiosity all the way to fearfulness. 

In my opinion, this is a very good example of a short story. First of all, the settings are extraordinary and very well depicted to add that feeling of loneliness and eeriness to the story. Second, both the narrator and the signalman have very interesting personalities and traits. The fact that the signalman is taken aback to the narrator at the start, but gradually trusts him with these ghostly apparitions, just adds to the whole tension of the story and to the dramatic and drastic ending.
Dickens very carefully, and brilliantly may I add, wrote this story to make it's readers appreciate his better qualities. One of many being depicting horror without giving the conclusion straight away to the reader.
For me, one of the best short stories which I have read to this very day.