Final Copy Critical Essay Number 1 The Power of Stories in Animal Farm

Brian Rose

Ms. Melville

English 1

October 29, 2008

 

         In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the saying “only the strong survive” prevails. The difference is, it’s not the physically strong, but the mentally strong that survive. By mentally strong, I mean people who master the story, not people who let the story master them. In Animal Farm, you have to assert yourself. You can never question the pigs, and you need to get along with them. It is conducive of your survival to not let all the stories master you. The people who told stories and the people who didn’t believe them survived. In Animal Farm, the way you respond to the stories has a strong connection to your ability to survive.

         One way to be portrayed in Animal Farm is to be to master the story. One example of a character that masters the story is Squealer. He can add spin to any story to trick the animals. Squealer can change a story to make Napoleon look great. A perfect example from the story is when the other animals found out that the pigs were sleeping in the farmhouse beds. “You heard then, comrades, that we pigs are sleeping in beds. A bed is mealy a place to sleep. A bail of hay is a bed.” If you remember, the 4th commandment says, “No animals shall sleep in beds”. So if no animals shall sleep in beds, the pigs shouldn’t sleep I beds either. Because Squealer masters the story, he survives. 

         On the contrary, George Orwell portrays Boxer in a totally different way. One-way, Boxer is portrayed as the animal that lets the story master him.  Boxer was a pushover who did whatever he was told. Another way George Orwell portrays Boxer is, he always believed that Napoleon is God. Boxer worked himself until he couldn’t work anymore. He always thought, "I will work harder, I will work harder".   Finally, He worked way past Napoleons retirement age. So when he was so old that he couldn’t work any more, he went to Napoleon. Napoleon lied and was so greedy and he was so selfish for the only person who really obeyed him, Napoleon instead of granting Boxer retirement, he sold him to the slaughterer that would parts of Boxer to make glue. 

         Another example of George Orwell portraying a character of mastering the story is Frederick and Pilkington. They master the story by adding spin to the whole story of the rebellion. They said that the rebellion would not last. They said that the animals are stupid." They animals will need humans". Another example of them adding spin to the story of the rebellion is when they said that the animals are not going to survive. "Who will feed them"," Who will clean their stalls".  Another example of them adding spin to the story is when they say that they will kill each other. They said that the "terrible wickedness will get to them". They said that the animals would practice cannibalism. For mastering the story, Fredrick and Pilkington  survive. 

         The way you decide to respond to the rebellion decides your fait. The point is that Squealer masters the story, and he survived. Boxer lets the story master him and he dies. Frederick and Pilkington master the story, and they survive. Animal Farm has a strong connection to the crisis in Russia during the 1940’s. The Russian people let Stalin’s stories master them. The people who did not petition Stalin died. The Russian people and Boxer made the mistake of letting the story master them.   

5th Annotation

For this Annotation I went to http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ge-La/Kamen-Dean.html. This Biography explains Dean home life and who influenced him to become the inventor we know today. This biography is a secondary source because it does not use I or Me. This article was helpful because it included major elements of my NHD project. It showed me his life, His influences, and why he is the kind of inventor he is today.  

NHD Topic Selection Essay

 

Brian Rose

Mr. Brasof, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Klose, and Ms. Melville.

The United States Constitution, Technology, Art History, and English1

October 23, 2008   

 

This year, the National History Day Topic is “An Individual in History”.  The individual I chose was Dean Kamen. Dean Kamen is an inventor who has tried to tackle many of the American peoples problems. Dean Kamen has invented several inventions to help people with disabilities. Some of the inventions he has invented are the the automatic infusion pump, and the iBot wheel chair.  Dean Kamen has also dedicated part of his life to educating students about science and technology. He founded the FIRST organization to interest kids in science and technology. I chose Dean Kamen because my mom has an insulin pump that Dean invented.

 Dean Kamen was born in 1951, in Rockville Center, Long Island, New York. His parents were perfect role models for an inventor to be. Deans father, Jack Kamen, was an illustrator for the “Weird Science” and “Mad” series of comic books. As an illustrator for comic book series about science, Dean had a positive role model to become instructed in the sciences through a way that is appealing to the young audience. His Mother was a teacher. That is where he probably got interested in teaching young adults about science and technology. He started inventing at a very young age. He went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he became interested in medical inventions. He was not interested in attending class, but he wanted to tinker with his inventions. He wanted to help people with disabilities.

         In 1976, Dean Kamen realized that he doesn’t need school to help people with disabilities, so he dropped out of WPI. His brother, who was attending medical school at the time, told him that patients who require around the clock medication needed to come to the hospital for treatment. Dean decided to fix this problem. He formed his own company called Auto Syringe. He invented this portable device that administers medicine 24/7. This device can last for four days without needing to put any more medicine in. He solved the problem of going to the hospital for around the clock medication. He made the lives better of people who require around the clock medication.

         Dean has solved another historical problem. In 1999, Dean invented the iBOT 3000 mobility system. This device resembles the normal electric wheelchair, but it does more. It climbs stairs. It puts you at eye level with the person you are talking to. You can also use it on two wheels. It looks like you are walking again. You can get around a whole lot better. It gives people with disabilities a new lease on life.

         Dean has done a lot more than inventing. In 1989, Dean founded the F.I.R.S.T. organization. This organization’s purpose is to make young adults interested in the field of science and technology. He thought about ways to make science and technology appealing. He thought that a science competition was a good idea. He didn’t want just want any science fair, so he developed a robotics competition. This is an engaging way to instill the values of science and technology.

         This year the topic is “An Individual in History, Action and Legacies”. Dean Kamen fits into this category because he solved many historical problems that people with disabilities face. He is a famous inventor that should be recognized. Evidence of his legacy today are the many people who his inventions have improved their lives. He has made science and technology appealing to young adults. The inventor, Dean Kamen, has affected many peoples lives.   

Bibliogarphy

1.     http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/kamen.htm.

2.      http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/222.html

3.     Rather, Dan. "Dean Kamen' s Amazing Machines." 60 Minutes.November 13, 2002. CBS. 10/15/08.http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4501760n%3fsource=search_video

4.     Rather, Dan. "Dean Kamen' s Amazing Machines." 60 Minutes.November 13, 2002. CBS. 10/15/08.http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4501760n%3fsource=search_video

5.     http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ge-La/Kamen-Dean.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                   

Animal Farm Paragraph

Brian Rose
Ms. Melville
English1
10/22/08

Animal Farm Paragraph

In the story, "Animal Farm", Napoleans lies are accepted because the animals are afraid of him, the animals are stupid, and Napolean is persuasive. The first reason why Napoleans lies are accepted is that if the animals speak out about Napolean, there will be consequences. Animals in the story have spoken out against Napolean, and they were killed. Snowball rebelled against Napolean, and he made Snowball look like a traitor. Next, the animals are dumb. They can't even speak for themselves. They believe everything Napolean says. Finally, Napolean is persuasive. He has the animals so brainwashed that they say things like, " if comerade Napolean says it, it must be true." When the windmill broke, Napolean capitalized against Snowball and said " it's all a scam, Snowball is a secret agent for Mr. Jones." In conclusion, no matter what goes down in Animal Farm, Napolean is God.

4th Ammotation

For this annotation I went to "Breakout Artists" http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.09/kamen.html?pg=1&topic=&topic_set=. This Article was written by Scott Kirsner.

In the article, I learned that Dean kamen has broadened his work beyond health care. He believes technology and ingenuity can solve all kinds of social ills - like pollution, limited access to electricity, and contaminated water in many third-world countries, where bacteria from human feces in drinking water is a leading cause of cholera. To help ameliorate the water problem, Deka's team of 170 engineers is working on a nonpolluting engine - funded by several million dollars of Kamen's own money - based on a concept first floated in the early 1800s but never realized. The device is called the Stirling engine; Kamen hopes it can be developed into an affordable, portable machine that will run a water purifier/power generator that could zap contaminated H₂0 with a UV laser to make it safe for drinking. "It can burn any fuel, and you can do all kinds of things with it," he says. "It might be very valuable in emerging economies, giving them access to electricity, even the Net. "Another project, to be unveiled in the next year, will necessitate building "the largest company in New Hampshire," Kamen says with characteristic bravura. He's shy about details, except to say it involves a consumer device unrelated to health care and will require $100 million in financing. Among the investors: Kleiner Perkins.

This article was helpful for my research because I found out about more inventions that have to do other things except health care.

IRB Log

Title - You can run but you cant hide
Author - Dog The Bounty Hunter
Page # - 65
Summary - Dog the bounty hunter was arrested at a young age for a murder  that he was framed for.

Rating - 9

Explaination - I really like this book because you can see Dog the Bounty Hunter from his point of view. You can learn more about him than you can on a T.V Show. 

Thesis Statement and Introduction

Dean Kamen is a inventor who has tried to tackle many of the American peoples problems. Dean Kamen has invented several inventions to help people with disabilities. Some of the inventons he has invented are the Segway transportation system, the automatic infusion pump,  and the iBot wheel chair.  Dean Kamen has also dedicated part of his life to educating students about science and technology. He founded the FIRST organization to interest kids in science and technology.

3rd Annotation

Rather, Dan. "Dean Kamen' s Amazing Machines." 60 Minutes.

November 13, 2002. CBS. 10/15/08.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4501760n%3fsource=search_video

The CBS network gives him the credit of changing the world one invention at a time. This News Report gives a brief history and explanation of the Segway. Dean Kamen quotes " 3.2 Billion americans live in cities, the average speed of a city cab is 12 mph. If the Segway can go 12 miles per hour, if the Segway can be an attractive compromise to a large automobile, we can solve the energy shortage and stop pollution. 

This video uses very good footage of Dean Kamen's Segway plant and an interview with the man himself. This video also tells about our nations problems (the energy shortage/pollution), and Dean Kamen's solutions to this problem. This video was very helpful to my research because it tells me why Dean Kamen has invented a lot of inventions that are environmentally friendly. It is nice to know that someone cares about the environment. 

NHD Annotation

I went to http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/222.html to learn even more about Dean Kamen. This was an inventor profile about Dean Kamen. He invented the AutoSyringe®, a type of automatic, self contained infusion pump. He has taken people off six shots a day for diabetics, and he takes people on diaylassis machines, taking them out of a hospital bed. He has given people a new lease on life. He has also saved peoples lives because he has invented things that alert people to give their self their medicine. Dean Kamen was born in Rockville Center, New York. He wanted to invent since he was a kid. He has started the FIRST organization. This organization encourages student to get involved in science and technology.

This is a secondary source because it does not use I or me.   

IRB Log

Brian Rose 

Ms. Melville

English 1 

October 3, 2008

Title - You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Author - Duane "Dog" Chapman

Page # - 51

Summary -The critical acclaimed bounty hunter has talked about his horrible upbringing and  his run ins with the law. He was a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, the disciples. He pretty much talks about his activities when he was a member of the disciples. 

 

Rating - 9 (I love this book. He is a good example for convicts because he is a convicted felon who turns his life around. )

Liberty or Equality, what does Connel value

Brian Rose

Ms. Melville

English 1 

October 3, 2008

 Connel values liberty and equality. In this paragraph I will explain how I came to this conclusion. I will also support conclusion with relevant details from the Most Dangerous Game. Connel uses quotes in the story that support positions on both values, liberty and equality. In the beginning of the story, Rainsford and Whitney have an argument. Rainsford started the arguement with "this is the best sport in the world". This statement says that Connel values liberty. Whitney responded with  "for the hunter". This statement says that Connel values equality. After that comment, Rainsford shot back with "they don't understand anything". This statement shows that Connel values liberty. Whitney responds with "even so, I think they value one thing fear.- The fear of pain and the fear of death." This shows that Connel values equality. Other than the quotes, there are two more reasons to support that Connel values both liberty and equality. These  statements support that  Connel values liberty. Connel values liberty because he made the main characters rich hunters. He gives Zaroff so much power, so he must value liberty. These statements support that Connel values equality. He values equality because he writes a story that the hunters tables have turned. The hunter becomes the hunted. He shows through Rainsford how animals must feel when hunters want to kill them. In this essay I stated why Connel values both liberty and equality.  

 

NHD Annotation

For this annotation I went to http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/kamen.htm. In this site I found out that Dean Kamen founded an organization called FIRST,(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). This organization has helped students be interested in science and technology. They also created the FIRST Lego League, a league to give young adults from the ages of 9 to 14 a hands on experience in robotics. The league is to compete with their custom robots. He has also invented the iBot personal transportation veichle. This invention has had an impact on the lives of countless people with disabilties. He also invented the first insulin pump. This invention has made countless diabetics' lives better. This inventor has had an impact in my life. My mom has had an insulin pump for ten years. This has made my moms disease more managable. Dean Kamen has saved my mom's life.