Term 4 Week 2 Homework

Write an introductory paragraph in response to the question we have been working on in class. “Young men go to war because it provides them with the opportunity for adventure.” To what extent is this borne out by Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”? In your response you must discuss the way the film positions viewers to understand its message. Post to your blog before Tuesday's lesson.

Peter Weir’s film, “Gallipoli”, portrays a sense of adventure that motivates several young men to go to war in a large extent. However, the audience are also positioned to understand that not all men perceive war as a resplendent journey but are instead influenced by other reasons. The way Weir positions the reader to convey the sense of adventure in the film is through the characterisation of a free spirited boy called Archie. Whilst Archie's role and the message he portrays is significant in the film, other characters such as Frank is also important as he brings out the contrast between him and Archie. Frank's idea of war differentiates from Archie's as he is more aware that war takes away countless precious lives from young men. In addition, the audience are led to acknowledge how war can cause a massive impact hence change a man's life through the last few scenes of the film. 

Term 3 Week 6

Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 3.Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader.

The mockingbird is a symbol of Tom Robinson and Arthur Radley. They represent the mockingbird because they are both characters of pure innocence and goodness yet are attacked by others' prejudice. Tom Robinson is an example and victim of both prejudice and racism as his intention to help Mayella Ewell causes him to end up in a trial due to the accusation of him raping the woman. Like the mockingbird, their good intentions ends up in harm.

Term 3 Week 4 Homework

A reflective response to chapters 9- 11 A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean. Post to your blog by Thursday 4 pm.

Mrs Dubose died tonight. We heard from Atticus. After spending my daily afternoons with her for a month and a bit I still don't feel any different towards her as I felt before I cut her camellias. How I hated that nasty old cow. But just then Atticus told me something different. Told me how her intentions aren't what I was thinking. Maybe he's right. Maybe Mrs Dubose wasn't really as evil as I thought. After all, I'm still alive and breathing, aren't I? Atticus says Mrs Dubose was the bravest person he ever knew, that it's when you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. I suppose it's true. Apparently she promised herself to rid of her addiction to pain-killers before she was leaving this world, so that's why she asked Scout and I to read to her. And that was what that alarm clock was all about. She got us to help her break the morphine addiction unknowingly. Now that I think about it, I really do suppose Mrs Dubose is quite a brave one. The camellia she gave me drove me absolutely mad at first but Atticus told me Mrs Dubose is telling me everything's okay now. I guess I forgive her. May that old woman rest in peace. 

Term 3 Week 3 Homework

The first eight chapters of to "Kill a Mockingbird" focus largely on the story of the children trying to make Boo Radley come out. List all of the events in this story including those which show the reader that Boo actually has come out. Now write a section in Atticus’s journal on the night after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house. How would Atticus reflect on the events that have happened? Post to your blog by 8.20 am Friday.

1.     In order to prove that Jem wasn’t scared of anything to Dill, they decide to make Jem run up and touch Boo Radley’s house in attempt to make him come out. They believe they must have seen a flicker of a figure. (p15)

2.     Scout finds a knothole in a tree at the edge of the Radley lot. She tells Jem about it and they begin to find all sort of luxurious items placed inside the knothole on different days. In the end, they suspect it had some in relation to the Radleys.

3.     Scout rolls in a tyre and hits the Radley’s front porch. After she gets up, she thought she heard someone from inside the house laughing. (p37)

4.     Jem proposes a new game called “Boo Radley” where the kids perform their own play depicting the assumed lives of the Radleys.   

5.     Jem and Dill tries to give a note to Boo Radley by using a fishing pole to place it near a window.

6.     Jem and Dill wants to see if they can peep in a window with the loose shutter to see if they can get a look of Boo Radley. Scout decides to tag a long because she does not want to feel left out. When Jem manages to crawl to the window by himself, a shadow of a man with a hat on appears and frightens the children but the shadow then turns and moves back across Jem and disappears into the house.

7.     Jem returns to the Radley’s house after Dill, Scout and himself escapes to collect his pants and returns to Scout safely with his pants successfully retrieved.

8.     Mr Radley’s shotgun has been fired.

9.     Scout and Jem find their knothole filled with cement. Jem suspects Mr Nathan had filled it with cement because he doesn’t want them to find things in there anymore.

10.   Boo Radley comes out and puts a blanket around Scout’s shoulders whilst she was watching the fire hazard occurring at Miss Maudie’s house, unaware of Boo Radley’s presence.

There's been a fire at Miss Maudie's house. Poor missus. Everything precious to her got burned down in flames. We tried though, the men and I. Together we tried to retrieve as many belongings of Miss Maudie’s from the house before it crumbled to ground in ashes. She looked a bit out of it for a while…but then of course, who wouldn’t enter a state of shock after witnessing your own home catch on fire and destroy itself? Whilst I’m on the topic of strange behaviour, I noticed Scout been acting quite odd lately as well. Especially right after I mentioned Boo Radley. Jem burst into a babble about Nathan Radley and how he would never harm them and something about pants. I’m just glad he knows Mr Nathan isn’t a troublesome man so the children would stop pestering about at the Radleys. Radley Radley Radley. That’s all I’ve been hearing from those two kids. I just hope they aren’t up to anything ‘fancy’ and causing trouble all around the neighbourhood. But then what else are Jem and Scout up to? Little devils they are. Two little devils that I cherish from the bottom of my heart. Though I really should stop Jeremy from becoming such a nosy man. Scout learns and copies Jem’s behaviour all the time so this has to stop for Scout’s sake as well. What a handful, looking after these kids by myself! I miss their mother dearly but as long as I still have Jem and Scout, I can cope. Ahh what an exhausting day. I think I’ll head off to sleep now.

Term 2 Week 8 Homework

Look up the meaning of the word which constitutes the title of the play, "crucible", and give a dictionary definition. How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Write a paragraph in answer, referring to one of the play's themes to justify your response. Post on your blog before 8.20 Tuesday.  

 Definition of 'Crucible'

1. A severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial.

2. A place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces.

Synonyms: trial. 

I consider the title, 'The Crucible', to be very appropriate because the definition of 'crucible' is based heavily on what the play is purely about. The play revolves around the very idea of the definition, 'a severe test, as of patience or belief; a trial'. The 'severe test of belief' and 'trial' is what defines the connection between the the title and the play the most as belief could be considered as one of the most important themes portrayed. The town of Salem were so convinced in the belief of witches that it caused the lives of many innocent people. This links to the character and 'ultimate' trial of John Proctor, hence connecting to the significance of the title. The play is all about whether to believe if people were connected to witchcraft or not. In addition to Proctor, his trial was put in the spotlight because his death influenced more people who were accused of witchery to stand up for the truth. Furthermore, Proctor is the only individual that showed the most courage in defending himself against the false accusations throughout the majority of the play, even if it meant losing his life. Hence, his final trial, built with suspense for the audience, proves it the ultimate trial as it brings down to Proctor's decision of whether he was going to give up his life for the truth or his morals for his life. The title, 'The Crucible', would therefore become significantly relevant as the title of the play as it thoroughly conveys its meaning.

Term 2 Week 7 Homework

Go to the discussion board and add a question which clearly articulates a theme from The Crucible.      

Honesty

Is honesty the resolution to everything?
Would an individual being honest affect others? If so, how does this affect them?

Term 2 Week 6 Homework 2

Write a paragraph explaining the connection between the McCarthy era and the play. Be concise and prioritise your ideas. Think and plan before you write! Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.

The connection between the McCarthy era and the play is evidently strong. One of the most obvious link between the McCarthy era and The Crucible is the House Un-American Activities Committee (o known as HUAC) and the girls. Both the HUAC and the girls in the play have the same intention of wiping a certain group of people out, in HUAC's case, they accused people of communists and the girls of witches. Consequently, this, in both scenarios, destroyed the lives of innocent people. In addition, like Reverend Parris and Judge Danforth, McCarthy accused the innocent people based on unreliable evidence rather than factual proof. This is shown in the play when Abigail convinces Parris and Danforth through deceit, not evidence. The connection between the McCarthy era and 'The Crucible' can be clearly comprehended with the analysis of comparison between the people involved and tragic events that occurred.

Week 6 Term 2 Homework

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation. Post to your blog for tomorrow’s lesson.

I believe John Proctor is a tragic hero because he meets the principle expectations of what a typical hero should require. A typical hero is one who is admired for courage or noble qualities. Courage is one of the main qualities that makes Proctor's character unique. An example of this is when he stands in front of the entire court, trying to prove Abigail Williams a 'whore' and a liar by confessing his sin of adultery with Abigail to Judge Danforth, "I have known her, sir. I have known her." In order to validity his point, he says to Danforth, "A man will not cast away his good name. You surely know that." However, Proctor specifically makes a tragic hero. A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, must have two main qualities: First, he must be noble, above the norm in intelligence, bravery, charisma, or success; secondly, however, he must also possess a tragic flaw which causes his ultimate downfall. Proctor is all of the qualities above; He is noble, beyond brave and successful in is own way. He also possesses a tragic flaw. Another definition of a tragic hero that matches Proctor's character is that the inner struggle of hiss flaw eventually ends in the defeat of the hero, hence his death. Proctor is noble throughout the whole play because behind his every action were meaningful reasons. Although he committed adultery with Abigail, he realises this was wrong and chose to change, never daring to repeat the mistake. When the whole town believes in witchcraft and is suspicious of Proctor, his morals and beliefs does not falter, even if it meant death. At first, Proctor wanted to confess to a lie in order to survive. However, he only considered this because he felt as though he did not deserve to sacrifice his life for the truth, "I cannot mount the gibbet like a saint. It is a fraud. I am not that man." He feels as though he owes his life to God for committing such a crime and is certain that he can no longer be a honest man, "I'd have you see some honesty in it. Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is pretence for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind." Proctor's decision to choose self-sacrifice shines through the characteristics of a hero by allowing him to keep his soul and goodness in him and at the same time, serve justice to his community, inspiring others to stand up for what they truly believe in. John Proctor becomes a tragic hero because despite his flawed character, deep down Proctor is a righteous man of courage who sacrificed his life for ethics and justice.

Term 2 Week 5 Homework

Term 2 Week 5 Homework

Why do you think John Proctor decides to confess? Why does he change his mind? Give evidence for both your answers. Post on your blog before Friday's lesson. 

 

I think John Proctor decides to confess because he feels that he is not worthy to stand up for the truth after what he has been through with Abigail, "I'd have you seem some honesty in it. Let them that never lied die now to keep their souls. It is pretence for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor keep my children out of the wind." He strongly believes that his sin was so sinister that he will never be able to forgive himself and doesn't deserve in having the right to die for something virtuous. John thinks he should live his life with the sin and be punished from it, even if it meant lying a confession to God.

However, Proctor decides to change his mind and eventually speaks his truth because he realises that he will not be able to endure the pain of another heavy lie, especially in front of God for his entire life. Proctor also values his morals, his soul and his name over his life, "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!" He also says, "God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!"

The Crucible: Term 2 Week 4 Homework 2

Re-read the final scene between John and Elizabeth. Elizabeth refuses to advise her husband but she clearly has a point of view on his situation. In her heart, what does want him to do? What would she say to him if she could? Post to your blog before Monday's lesson. 

Deep down in Elizabeth's heart, she wants John to confess that he has seen the Devil in order to prevent him from getting hanged. However, she knows that if her husband were to confess, he would be confessing to lies. Elizabeth undoubtedly wants her husband to live but if it meant that it would scar his entire life, his name and self morals for confessing such a lie, she understands and respects John's final decision if he ends up choosing dying for the truth. This is proven in the final scene with Elizabeth and John together, she says, "Do what you will. But let none be your judge. There be no higher judge under Heaven than Proctor is! Forgive me, forgive me, John - I never knew such goodness in the world!"

If Elizabeth could talk to John right before his execution, she would say, "John, my dear. God knows you are a righteous man. I will let the children know you died for justice. They will respect you as a loving father forever. You listen to me, John, I have always known you are a good man. I have always loved you. I know you will be always be with us, I will pray for you! John, you listen to me, I will see you soon in Heaven, dearest. You wait for me. God bless you!" 

The Crucible: Term 2 Week 4 Homework

Read Danforth's speech to Elizabeth at the top of page 116. It begins "Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation." Danforth has asked Elizabeth to speak to John to try to get him to admit his guilt. Elizabeth does speak to John but she does not reply to Danforth. Construct a response to Danforth. What do you think she might have wanted to say to him in response to his accusation that she is "stone"? Make your response as long as Danforth's speech. Due Friday. Post on your blog.

 
DANFORTH: (going to her) Goody Proctor, you are not summoned here for disputation. Be there no wifely tenderness within you? He will die with the sunrise. Your husband. Do you understand it? She only looks at him. What say you? Will you contend with him? She is silent. Are you stone? I tell you true, woman, had I no other proof of your unnatural life, your dry eyes now would be sufficient evidence that you delivered up your soul to
Hell! A very ape would weep at such calamity! Have the devil dried up any tear of pity in you? She is silent. Take her out. It profit nothing she should speak to him!

ELIZABETH: Of course I understand it! I am offended that you called me stone, your Excellency. I love my husband completely and I am terrified that he is to be hanged. I am only silent because I feel there is no hope in this cold, heartless world anymore. No mater how much I try to prove the innocence of my man, I dare say, your Excellency, that there is no point. I am trying to be brave for my husband. I do not want to worry him even further than he already he is. There is no Devil connected to John, your Excellency. I plead you to spare his life this one time. As his dear wife, I swear to my own life and God that this man has nothing to do with the Devil. I love him completely and utterly and I trust he has no deed with the Devil. Please, your Excellency! Please spare his dear soul!

The Crucible Act 1 Homework 2

What attitude does Arthur Miller take to the belief in the devil/evil spirits? Write a paragraph response using quotations in support of your explanation.

The attitude Arthur Miller takes to the belief in the devil/evil spirits is that having society being led to recognise the existence of the devil/evil spirits is not absolute nonsense. Miller uses Reverend Hale to portray this in The Crucible by stating, "The Devil is a wily one, and, until an hour before he fell, even God thought him beautiful in Heaven." As religion and God was a highly respected matter in the times of The Crucible, it takes upon a powerful affect when Reverend Hale tells John Proctor, who was in no doubt against the belief of the Devil, that even the almighty whom their entire society had faith in had fallen for the trap of the Devil. Furthermore, Miller also believes that, "the necessity of the Devil may become evident as a weapon, a weapon designed and used time and time again in every age to whip men into a surrender to a particular church or a church-state." Abigail Williams is a character who conveys this message heavily in the play. Abigail uses the Devil as a weapon against any person that she despises even if she, herself, knows that she did not interact with the Devil. She uses her power and the society's trust in her to abuse innocent people such as John Proctor's wife, Elizabeth. Miller's attitude towards the devil is that it is easy to believe in it due to tempting and seemingly reasonable perspectives that is imprinted in the society's morals.

The Crucible: Homework

 For homework complete responses to the following:

What things have contributed to the situations we find at the end of Act 1 where people are being arrested for witchcraft? Make a list of all of these things including the more indirect things. For example, why does this Act include a seemingly irrelevant discussion of Parris’s firewood?

· The fact that the girls were all in the forest chanting and dancing with Tituba because they were doing something that was forbidden and they were caught. Dancing is seen as a devils practise and they fear that they will be declared witches so they accuse others.

· Mr. Hale’s attitude which is that the devil exists and that this is not superstition tips the community over the edge as to blame the devil and witches for the situation. Mr. Hale’s reputation as a knowledgeable man adds authority to his claims.

· Abigail and John Proctors secret relationship means that Abigail wants John Proctors wife dead so that she can replace her. There has been talk in the town as to why Abigail was sacked by the Proctors as a domestic servant.

· Parris is feeling insecure about his position and authority and sees the situation with the girls as a threat to his power and in order to save his position he feels he has to deal with the threat provided by the claims of witchcraft.

o There are some individuals in the community who are not wholly committed to the authority of the church. John Proctor stands out as an individual who will go his own way if necessary.

· Mrs. Putnam has lost 7 babies out of 8 and is looking for someone or something to blame and so witchcraft seems to be a good place to look especially when her last child is acting strangely. She encouraged her last child, Ruth, to conjure up the baby spirits to ask what happened to them.

· The midwives were already on the outside of the community and into herbal medicine making them look as if they are witches.

· The situation gives people the opportunity to bring out the small issues with others for example, Giles brings out his issue with his wife’s reading and the issue of Parris’s firewood comes to the fore.

· There is a lot of animosity in the community especially over land. Accusing somebody of witchcraft was a way to express this animosity but also a way to get rid of the individual so you can claim their land.

· A level of hysteria creeps in and people begin to accuse others just because they can and because others are doing it.

Choose two characters – one to whom you respond positively and one to whom you respond negatively. What aspects of the text have positioned you to respond this way? You may want to consider representations, characterization and voice. Quote in support

I respond positively to John Proctor, who is a character of purity and innocence, trying to change his wrong actions of adultery by restricting himself from interacting with a young girl whom he had fallen in love with called Abigail Williams. He knows it is wrong and is at the very least attempting to make things better, “Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before I’ll ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby.”

Abigail Williams, however, is a character that I respond negatively to as she is portrayed as a selfish, arrogant and deceiving girl. She knows Proctor is trying to rid of his sin and knows that he is married, yet demands him to continue the secrecy of their relationship and influences his decision for her own benefit, “I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I come near! Or did I dream that? It’s she put me out, you cannot pretend it were you. I saw your face when she put me out, and you loved me then and you do now!” She does not consider the consequences that may follow or Proctor’s feelings and what may happen to him if this secret relationship was to be discovered. Abigail is not only selfish but deceiving, as she forces others to help her cover a lie, “Now look you. All of you. We danced. And Tituba conjured Ruth Putnam’s dead sisters. That is all. And mark this. Let either of you breathe a word, or the edge of a word, about the other things, and I will come to you in the black of some terrible night and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.”

Silkworms

Appearance

Newly hatched silkworms look like thin pencil lines drawn on paper. Over the next four to five weeks they quickly grow into smooth, creamy white worms about six to eight centimetres long with shiny noses and yellow blood. On larger silkworms it is possible to see eight pairs of legs, claspers and a beating heart. Silkworms, like all insects, do not have lungs and breath through small holes in the sides of their body.

Food
Silkworms natural food plant is the mulberry tree. An artificial diet has been developed to facilitate cultivation of silkworms. If you do not have a mulberry tree available, you must purchase the artificial diet.

Habitat
Today, the silkworm moth lives only in captivity. Silkworms have been domesticated so that they can no longer survive independently in nature, particularly since they have lost the ability to fly. All wild populations are extinct, although presumably old relatives exist in Asia.

Interesting Behaviors
Silkworms have been used by researchers to study pheromones or sexual attractant substances. The pheromones are released by female moths and the males detect the chemicals with olfactory hairs on their antennae. This allows the male to find the female for mating. The male antennae are made of many small hairs to increase the chances of picking up small amounts of the pheromones over long distances.

Lifespan

2 months.

Sources:

http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Others/Silkworms/2185
http://insected.arizona.edu/silkinfo.htm

Mulberry Trees

Types of mulberry trees:
Black Mulberry Trees
Fruitless Mulberry Trees
Red Mulberry Trees
White Mulberry Trees

Facts:
-Fastest growing shade trees in America
-Grows 10 feet at the most per year
-Has huge sized leaves
-Vigorous system
-Leaves turn yellow in fall
-Fruitless Mulberry Trees only contain green leaves and stem
-Adapted to cold temperatures (can withstand minus twenty degrees)
-Grows in any type of soil

Source:
http://www.tytyga.com/category/Mulberry+Trees

Novel Activities: The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke

1. Give a brief summary of the plot in about ½ to 1 page. Tell the story and describe what happens at the end.
‘The Winds of Heaven’ is about the lives of two contrasting girls, Clementine Southey and Francesca Lancie. It portrays their bond of friendship and sisterhood through love and faith and describes their life experiences starting from the beginning of their childhood to their adulthood. Although they have opposite personalities, they have wild imaginations and by having this simple similarity, it is this that keeps them standing firm and bonded. While Clementine envisage the taste of ambrosia at Griffiths Tea, a location that the train passed by, Fan dreams of magical countries in the Blue Hills. Together they promise each other that one day their dreams will come true. Whilst Clementine’s family background is privileged and stable, Fan’s family is unstable and separated. However, it is Clementine who is the shy, ordinary and typical girl and Fan who is confident, beautiful and unique. They are separated because they live in two very different societies; Clementine in the city whilst Fan in dusty Lake Conapaira. These circumstances leave them unbearable as they long to see each other again after each couple of years. As the story continues to the girls’ teenage lives, there are bigger decisions and responsibilities to take upon. When they become adults, things have changed dramatically; Fan ends up marrying a fellow just what her mother had dreaded for her to, carrying two children all by herself as her husband left her for no good reason. Clementine had grown more mature both physically and mentally, although she still has the same wild imaginations. She also got herself a boyfriend, Gary. In the end, when Clementine finally realises the fakeness in her relationship with Gary and what she really wanted to do all along was to visit her cousin, it was all too late because Fan had made her decision to enter Heaven, leaving her children with her neighbour and sister.

2. Explain the significance of the title (3 or 4 sentences). Authors do not choose a title randomly. Usually the title is symbolic in some way.
The significance of the title, ‘The Winds of Heaven’, means a sudden occurrence of blowing wind, according to Francesca’s descriptions in the book. I personally believe the author created this title from her own creativeness. For example, the sudden strong wind could be caused for the transformation of clouds into different shapes. Hence, the people below can feel the strong current and also see the amazing transformation of clouds.

3. Describe the setting and genre – time period, location, etc. (5-10 sentences)
The sceneries are set in Australia; one in the dusty outback, the other in the modern city. The time period starts from 1952 during the women’s childhood to 2009 when Clementine grows old and rephrases the story of Fan. The genre is realistic fiction as it portrays the five senses strongly; sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. It conveys the strong feelings of Clementine and Francesca by descriptive words and metaphorical phrases. In addition, Clarke made the novel relate to real life people and feelings in an extraordinary manner.

4. Write a few sentences about each of the main character(s). Answer what you like or dislike about them and why they are worthy of praise and/or criticism.
Both Clementine and Fan are extremely romantic dreamers. Although they contrast in their personalities and characteristics, they share the same caring values and unique interests. For example, Francesca is a young, confident, warm hearted girl while Clementine, on the other hand, has low self esteem and is influenced by mean girls at school. However, she is very thoughtful toward others and is a very determined girl who is willing to do anything for her loved ones. Although the two girls were determined that Francesca would always be confident of who she was and chase after her fascinating dreams, they realised, when they grew into young women, that no one is perfect and everyone has their weak spot. I dislike the fact that Francesca and Clementine had parted and she Fan wasn’t living a life she wanted.

5. Write a paragraph identifying what caused a major change in the main character and explain how the character changed. These changes may have been due to a choice, a conflict, a display of some outstanding trait like courage, or even a result of events that occur during the novel.
Francesca Lancie changed dramatically from the results of events that occurred as she grew into an adult. The girl who use to be confident, bright and beautiful became an ordinary tired, typical mum. One change was the golden plaited hair Fan always had and that Clementine always admired. A second change was that the bright spirit had vanished and left her just like any other typical woman. Thirdly, Fan no longer had hopes and dreams and without these two major obstacles, she was a different person. As the marriage ended up as a failure just like her mum’s, she was left loveless and had to carry their child alone.

7. Choose one sentence from the text and tell why this sentence embodies the theme of the story. Illustrate the theme/sentence using text images that you feel bring the theme to live.
On page 193, “…Sometimes I feel like I didn’t get through into the world properly, like other people. I left a bit behind, up there.” I really like this sentence because it explains Fan’s problem quite frankly.


8. Write a general review of the book. Would you recommend the book? Why or why not? Would you have changed any element of the story (plot, characters, setting, resolution, conflicts, point of view, etc)?
‘The Winds of Heaven’ is about Clementine Southey rephrasing the lives of Francesca Lancie and herself. It portrays a real life situation where stereotyping, bullying and depression occurs to a normal teenager. Both Clementine and Fan knows that Fan is seeking for something left out of her soul but they do not know what it is until she made a fatal decision at the end of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading sensible and mature stories. Part of me wants Clementine to save Fan just in time from suicide but part of me thinks that if she didn’t die, then the novel wouldn’t be as moving and stimulating.

Biography of Judith Clarke

Judith Clarke is an educator, librarian, lecturer and writer. She attended the University of New South Wales in 1964 and Australian National University in 1966, graduating both with honours. Clarke writes solemn novels relating to real life about conflicting crises, aiming her stories for young adults and teenagers.  She writes in an incisive poetic prose with great compassion, using mature themes.  

The talented author was born on August 24^th, 1943 in Sydney, Australia. When she was only four years old, she had not attended school yet but had attempted to ‘write’ a book by scribbling symbols like long wavy lines. She even created chapters about a tale of a doll’s adventure. During Clarke’s early life, she never saw herself as becoming a writer for her career. It was a hobby she started doing and as stated, “…All of the kids in my neighbourhood were boys, and though they let my sister and I play with them, they pinched our marbles and comics and bashed us up. Writing stories was less dangerous."

Clarke’s first successful, published novel was The Heroic Life of Al Capsella; which also turned out to be the first book of the Al Capsella series, set in Australia. Al Capsella, a teenage boy, is like any other typical fourteen year old kid who wants to be cool and fit in with the crowd. However, he finds his attempts worthless with his embarrassing parents blocking his way towards success. Al’s parents are loving and caring, but can be unusual and rather odd. All the boy wants is for them to be normal and ordinary like most of his friends’ parents but he soon realises that being normal may not be a completely positive thing after all. This novel shows how Judith can really relate to a teenager’s perspective and feelings. Night Train, yet another well written novel that proves Clarke’s ability to relate with young adults’ behaviour in depth, is about a depressed teenage boy, Luke. The intelligent teenager, who is somehow failing his studies at school, enters depression from the lack of love and acceptance he needs from his family; except his youngest sister, Naomi, who is the only person left that understands his situation. Luke begins to wonder if he has gone insane when he hears the sound of the night train passing by during midnight, because no one else seems to hear it. Clarke sets this story for young adults who can truly comprehend the protagonist’s teenage life issues, relating to depression and suicide. Another story, a more contrasting plot, is the haunting mystery novel, Starry Nights. It is about a teenage girl, Jess, whose family was happy and normal until they move to a new house. Jess’s sister, Vida has become excessively obsessed with the wide varieties of magic, and her brother, Clem has become unusually reserved. The children’s mum becomes sick and the now suspicious girl senses someone invisible stalking her. Jess is willing to solve the peculiar mystery on her own.

The inspired writer had earned many awards. A few of these included New South Wales Premier's Award shortlist, Editors' Choice designation, Booklist, Best Book for Young Adults designation and American Library Association for The Heroic Life of Al Capsella. For Night Train, she also earned the Victorian Premier's Award for Young-Adult Novel, and Honour Book designation, CBCA.

In conclusion, Clarke has written two series, 12 novels and 4 collections since 1981 and her latest book is ‘The Winds of Heaven’. She has an amazing ability to convey complex emotions, particularly relating with young adults and writes with great compassion. Judith imprints legacies mainly for teenagers behind her writings; as her novels really let the readers absorb in the enchanting stories. During the late life of the romantic writer, Clarke married an anthropologist and had a son, Yask, two years later after she received an advanced degree from the Australian National University. She is still alive, continuously being an award-winning, incisive, poetic author.

As One Who Having Wandered All Night Long

I have always been a romantic dreamer. I was two when I first fantasised about something memorable and realistic. Gigantic castles with armed guards, raining treats, fairy floss clouds, a never ending supply of toys and a huge bed made of millions of feathers floating just slightly above the soft clouds. When I was five, I found out the perfect title to my repetitive, yet ever still extraodinary mysterious dreams. It was also the name of the first picture book I read. Heaven. I was amazed and curious to find more about the magical world living right above us.

Although everyone knew me as the "Space Cadet" who was only interested but in heaven all my life, no one supported my strong belief; not even my best friend. When we both turned sixteen, he would always say to me in that sarcastic tone, "you should get on with your life and be searching for a hot chick, not day dreaming about where you're going to end up after you die." I still wasn't convinced to give up. I guess most of my strong motivation comes from the past of my childhood memories. Both my parents were killed in a violent earthquake when I was only 3 months old. Luckily, I was protected under the most firm section of the roof in a corner where it held steady. My aunt had found me and raised me since then; I loved her like my own mother. As soon as I was able to comprehend, she told me the unfortunate story and said to me in her gentle voice, "don't worry, dear, your mum and dad is up there in a peaceful place called Heaven, watching over us, especially you. They are your guardian angels and they will always be there for you no matter what happens." I believed her as much as I believed myself.

Three years later on my Birthday, I found myself holding a piercing blade pointing towards my heart. It was the worst and most sickening New Year I've ever had. My best mate, and only friend, had suicide because of depression. As if this didn't drive me crazy enough, my aunt passed away the following week. On the very day I wanted to suicide, I discovered I had cancer from the coughing of blood, great loss of hair and my unusal over tired body every day. My tolerance lost the battle. I was alone. I was depressed with no one to look after me, no love, no money, no food...not even a warm smile anymore. And I was going to die. I wanted to die immediately. There wasn't any point in living anyway since I'd have to die sooner of later and my life was technically lifeless.

A week later

As I travelled up the last of the steep slopes up the majestic mountain, I thought about my decision carefully for the 19th time in the peaceful silence of the wildlife. I felt confident, proud and grateful. I was glad I didn't kill my unbelievably fast skipping heart on my Birthday. I was grateful as my tolerance eventually reutrned and I decided that I should give myself one last chance to enjoy the true meaning of life and find my way to my dream. Goal:Travel up a mountain that could reach the clouds. Die there. That was my goal. Dumb but worth it. I came to the conclusion that my parents must've had a serious and sensible reason to take away the most important people left in my life. And now they're taking me away too. No. They knew my time was up and wants to send me up there for some incredible good reason...well, it better be. No... I'm certain. it is. With this conclusion, I believed I could still spend my time wisely while I still have the chance to stay on Earth before I bid farewell. I wanted to see Heaven from this magnificant planet...and so I did. I remembered the painful days of my journey up to Earth's Heaven nearly made me give up...but I was determined and with the help of more and more breathtaking scenes coming into view as I climbed higher, my motivation grew stronger. The flora and fauna made my head spin 360 degrees. I was simply amazed by such beautiful nature and that made my legs keep on moving automatically. When I finally reached the mountain top, I couldn't breathe. No, it wasn't because of my illness. It was the World. No one could ever describe how stunning Earth's Heaven was. No...it was just like MY Heaven from the very first time I visited it in my dream 17 years ago. I could tell I was wide eyed for a very long time with my strainging eye muscles and without even reaslising, tears as large as golf balls ran down my cheeks uncontrollably. It was incredible. And I'll never forget that moment when my whole body froze on top of that mountain. I cherish it. I reached my goal, found my dream, died then entered a new world on that very day on that unique habitat filled with sparks of life...And here I am now...in Heaven.

The End

Ballad: SCARY TEACHER

You hear the footsteps of her heels,

The room is loud with screams and squeals,

Suddenly, the class is hushed,

A gush of wind is rapidly rushed,

Into the silent, eerie atmosphere,

Of faces showing great, shocking fear.

Finally the shark reacts,

And breaks the egg in a violent crack,

Get out your homework or I’ll whip you butts!

The shoal of fish is separated in a bold cut.

Now the lesson of doom has begun,

So will the torturing to be done,

For there is no place for you to run,

One daring try and the devil comes,

And you will never, ever experience a moment of fun.

The sound of yells, slaps and cracks of whips,

Can be heard even over the sound of an ongoing clip,

But thankfully the clock is there,

To save everyone from their despair,

And as a sharp, deafening buzz is announced,

No one fears their predator no more,

Ignoring the sound of her terrible roar,

Escaping from the horrifying creature,

Just that one and only, scary teacher.