Let me introduce one of my favorite movies. "Dead Poets Society" was released in 1989 which was the time when I was a high school student. What I met this movie led me into knowing Robin Williams. He was playing well as a passionate English teacher, John Keating. One day, Keating was sent to Welton which was a private boy's boding school with a reputation for high enrollment rate in Ivy League. However, he was unlike in previous teachers in many ways. His way of teaching was so unique that his students were puzzled for the first time, but they became interested in his lessons and himself as well. Through his lessons, he tried not to teach Wilton standards, but would rather teach more extraordinary than that. "Carpe Diem" in Latin and "Seize the Day" in English were in the habit of his saying. Some of the boys began to look for something they could get really carried away. They made a circle in which they read classic poetry together. The circle was named "Dead Poets Society" because they liked to read dead men's poetry which inspired the passion they hided inside themselves. In the society, they talked about what they felt and thought. There was a boy who would like to be an actor and there was another boy who dared to ask a girl who had a fiancee for a date. The boy who would like to be an actor was Neil and he couldn't tell his father about his dream. Neal knew he had no choice to meet his father's expectations in which he would keep enough scores to become a doctor. On the other hand, Keating understood how Neil though and encouraged him to live his own life. However, his father tried not to let Neil go and finally lost him by suicide. Keating was blamed for the death of Neil and had to leave Wilton. Some students understood what really happened to Neal and that it was not Keating's fault... In this movie, Ethan Hawke was playing one of the students,Tod Anderson. Actually, I'm a fan of him. In his another movie "Taking Lives," I have never him playing such a bad man! I could find new Ethan in that movie and liked him better as an actor.2008年12月9日火曜日
DEAT POET SOCIETY
Let me introduce one of my favorite movies. "Dead Poets Society" was released in 1989 which was the time when I was a high school student. What I met this movie led me into knowing Robin Williams. He was playing well as a passionate English teacher, John Keating. One day, Keating was sent to Welton which was a private boy's boding school with a reputation for high enrollment rate in Ivy League. However, he was unlike in previous teachers in many ways. His way of teaching was so unique that his students were puzzled for the first time, but they became interested in his lessons and himself as well. Through his lessons, he tried not to teach Wilton standards, but would rather teach more extraordinary than that. "Carpe Diem" in Latin and "Seize the Day" in English were in the habit of his saying. Some of the boys began to look for something they could get really carried away. They made a circle in which they read classic poetry together. The circle was named "Dead Poets Society" because they liked to read dead men's poetry which inspired the passion they hided inside themselves. In the society, they talked about what they felt and thought. There was a boy who would like to be an actor and there was another boy who dared to ask a girl who had a fiancee for a date. The boy who would like to be an actor was Neil and he couldn't tell his father about his dream. Neal knew he had no choice to meet his father's expectations in which he would keep enough scores to become a doctor. On the other hand, Keating understood how Neil though and encouraged him to live his own life. However, his father tried not to let Neil go and finally lost him by suicide. Keating was blamed for the death of Neil and had to leave Wilton. Some students understood what really happened to Neal and that it was not Keating's fault... In this movie, Ethan Hawke was playing one of the students,Tod Anderson. Actually, I'm a fan of him. In his another movie "Taking Lives," I have never him playing such a bad man! I could find new Ethan in that movie and liked him better as an actor.
2008年12月8日月曜日
IE3 Writing Assignment # 1
Should Euthanasia be Legalized?
Euthanasia has been a controversial issue for many years. For the past few decades, euthanasia has been legalized in several countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Australia. On the other hand, Japan still maintains a cautious attitude toward euthanasia for ethical reasons. Even though euthanasia is not ethically justified, it should be legalized under certain conditions from a humanitarian point of view.
Why is euthanasia unacceptable? In general, it is unethical to take lives intentionally for any reason. Once “voluntary euthanasia” is allowed, suicide and murder, in a broad sense, can be accepted. In addition, suicide and murder are considered sins for religious reasons. According to Religion Facts, “Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God and that human beings are made in God’s image. Some churches also emphasize the importance of not interfering with the natural process of death.”
Moreover, some are against euthanasia because they consider a person a social creature who has a duty to live as a member of the community, so he/she cannot treat his/her life selfishly. Others are against “involuntary euthanasia,” in which a patient’s family makes a decision to discontinue life-prolonging treatment, because they believe that no one can treat someone’s life freely.
However, if a patient who is in a terminal condition suffers from an unbearable pain or treatment, euthanasia, so called mercy killing, is emotionally understandable so as to remove not only physical but also mental pain. Some people say that quality of life is more important than living longer. In this sense, euthanasia is regarded as death with dignity.
Some possible cases of euthanasia have taken place in Japan before and the doctors in question have been charged with the commission of murder. However, according to Wikipedia, the latest judgment says that euthanasia can be taken into consideration under the following conditions:
1. “Death is getting near”
2. “Accompanied by unbearable physical pain”
3. “To remove and relive pain”
4. “Company with patient’s request”
In the fourth point, there is another question of whether only a patient has the right to take control his/her own life. If so, “involuntary euthanasia” could be unacceptable. However, when a patient is too young or in a vegetated state, how should the reality be handled in which some families suffer from anxiety, economic problems and fatigue from nursing.
Taking these circumstances into consideration, euthanasia should be legalized under the right conditions. First of all, “the above four conditions” should be clarified by law and “involuntary euthanasia” should be allowed in some cases. However, any further exceptions should not be allowed because this must be clearly distinguished from the encouragement of suicide or murder. It is desirable that a person fulfills his/her own life for ethical and moral reasons, but euthanasia is emotionally understandable form a humanitarian point of view.
Work Cited:
“安楽死の法的扱い” Wikipedia／ 安楽死：
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%89%E6%A5%BD%E6%AD%BB
“安楽死と尊厳死” 生命倫理 倫理の公民館：
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/village/good/ethics.html
Christian Views of Euthanasia and Suicide/ Modern Christian Views on Suicide- Euthanasia and Christianity: Religion Facts：
http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/christianity.htm
Euthanasia has been a controversial issue for many years. For the past few decades, euthanasia has been legalized in several countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Australia. On the other hand, Japan still maintains a cautious attitude toward euthanasia for ethical reasons. Even though euthanasia is not ethically justified, it should be legalized under certain conditions from a humanitarian point of view.
Why is euthanasia unacceptable? In general, it is unethical to take lives intentionally for any reason. Once “voluntary euthanasia” is allowed, suicide and murder, in a broad sense, can be accepted. In addition, suicide and murder are considered sins for religious reasons. According to Religion Facts, “Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God and that human beings are made in God’s image. Some churches also emphasize the importance of not interfering with the natural process of death.”
Moreover, some are against euthanasia because they consider a person a social creature who has a duty to live as a member of the community, so he/she cannot treat his/her life selfishly. Others are against “involuntary euthanasia,” in which a patient’s family makes a decision to discontinue life-prolonging treatment, because they believe that no one can treat someone’s life freely.
However, if a patient who is in a terminal condition suffers from an unbearable pain or treatment, euthanasia, so called mercy killing, is emotionally understandable so as to remove not only physical but also mental pain. Some people say that quality of life is more important than living longer. In this sense, euthanasia is regarded as death with dignity.
Some possible cases of euthanasia have taken place in Japan before and the doctors in question have been charged with the commission of murder. However, according to Wikipedia, the latest judgment says that euthanasia can be taken into consideration under the following conditions:
1. “Death is getting near”
2. “Accompanied by unbearable physical pain”
3. “To remove and relive pain”
4. “Company with patient’s request”
In the fourth point, there is another question of whether only a patient has the right to take control his/her own life. If so, “involuntary euthanasia” could be unacceptable. However, when a patient is too young or in a vegetated state, how should the reality be handled in which some families suffer from anxiety, economic problems and fatigue from nursing.
Taking these circumstances into consideration, euthanasia should be legalized under the right conditions. First of all, “the above four conditions” should be clarified by law and “involuntary euthanasia” should be allowed in some cases. However, any further exceptions should not be allowed because this must be clearly distinguished from the encouragement of suicide or murder. It is desirable that a person fulfills his/her own life for ethical and moral reasons, but euthanasia is emotionally understandable form a humanitarian point of view.
Work Cited:
“安楽死の法的扱い” Wikipedia／ 安楽死：
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%89%E6%A5%BD%E6%AD%BB
“安楽死と尊厳死” 生命倫理 倫理の公民館：
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/village/good/ethics.html
Christian Views of Euthanasia and Suicide/ Modern Christian Views on Suicide- Euthanasia and Christianity: Religion Facts：
http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/christianity.htm
2008年12月7日日曜日
IE3 BOOK REPORT #1
BOOK REPORT NO.1
1) MLA CITATION:
Author: Golding, William
Book Title: Lord of the Flies
City of Publication: Faber and Faber Ltd.
Date: First Published in 1954
Pages: 225
2) RESPONDING TO THE PLOT:
If I were Ralph who is a main character in this story, I am not sure that I would have kept a rational way of thinking and behaving as a leader in such as chaotic situation. Even if I disagreed with Jack, I might have given in to pressure and become a member of his hunters. However, the existence of Piggy and Simon would have encouraged Ralph to maintain a sense of justice and persist in his belief. If I were the author, I would not change anything in the story, but I would describe more details about how the choir members such as Jack and Roger became savages.
Quotation 1: “What can he do more than he has? I’ll tell him what’s what. You let me carry the conch, Ralph. I’ll show him the one thing he hasn’t got.” (page.189)
This is a quotation from one of Piggy’s statements. Piggy is the most sensible boy in the group but his existence is mostly ignored only because he looks clumsy. One day, his glasses were stolen by Jack and his hunters to make fires for game. Then, Piggy decided to fight against Jack who was much stronger than him. For Piggy, a conch was a symbol of rule and order. Piggy would like to show the importance of order which Jack didn’t have any more. I found this scene the most impressive because Piggy who was wimp seemed brave to stand up for justice.
Quotation 2: “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill. You knew, didn’t you? Close, close, close! I’m part of you! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” (page. 158)
This was quoted from the word that the head of the dead pig called “Lord of the Flies” said to Simon. I could learn that the beast existed not as a real enemy but as a symbol of international human evil. In addition, I could also learn that Simon was the only boy that could realize the dark side of human nature.
3) ANALYZING 7 LITERARY TERMS
Setting: It is the time when World War Ⅲtook place. A group of schoolboys trying to evacuate from England meets with a plane crash on an uninhabited island.
Point of View: Omniscient
Conflict: Ralph (a democratic leader) vs. Jack (a dictator.) There are always conflicts between these two different types of leaders because Ralph has respect for discipline while Jack is obsessed with the lust for domination and barbarism.
Climax: After Simon and Piggy were killed by the savage, Ralph barely escaped from them and was finally rescued.
Symbol: A conch means a rule, order and discipline because it was used to signal an assembly
and the boys had the right to speak when they got it. In addition, the beast was a symbol of internal human evil as mentioned above.
Irony: British boys who were accustomed to living by rules turned into savages who could kill people.
Theme: People are inclined to go wrong in nature under the closed ircumstances. Therefore, we need rules. However, human morality is so fragile that it can be destroyed easily, so we need to have self-awareness as Simon did.
4) REFLECTING ON THE STORY
What I found shocking was that such young boys became savages and killed people. However, I thought they might have been too innocent to make right decisions. If some adults were included in the party, I thought what would have happened. I doubt if things would have changed. I also found some appealing characters in this book. Especially, Piggy was described vividly, so I could imagine who he really was. Simon was described as a god-like boy who fought with human evil. The environment in the story is very different from that in my own country because it is an uninhabited island without any civilization, so they couldn’t help living a primitive life. In my country, we are surrounded by convenient technologies. The most apparent difference between the book and the film is that the boys are not English but American in the film. Moreover, the situation was little different between the book and the film because the author did not mention the derail about World War Ⅲ, but the war was referred to as a battle between America and Russia in the film. However, I could find no gap between the book and film about how Piggy was described.
William Golding, the author of this book, participated in Normandy Landings during World War Ⅱ. This experience has inspired him to write this book appealing interior human evil which would cause cruel wars and a breach of peace. I agree with the author’s view of people and life because the Holocaust was a reality in our history. Through this story, I can learn that we have to take control of ourselves so as not to lose moral and reason in any situations. I have never experienced such chaotic situations such as wars, but I would like to keep the lesson in my mind. Ralph was finally rescued but Simon wasn’t as I expected. I had an uneasy feeling that Simon would die when I found the word he said to Ralph, “All the same. You’ll get back all right, I think so, anyway.” I thought that what he said not “We’ll” but “You’ll” would imply that Simon would die.
1) MLA CITATION:
Author: Golding, William
Book Title: Lord of the Flies
City of Publication: Faber and Faber Ltd.
Date: First Published in 1954
Pages: 225
2) RESPONDING TO THE PLOT:
If I were Ralph who is a main character in this story, I am not sure that I would have kept a rational way of thinking and behaving as a leader in such as chaotic situation. Even if I disagreed with Jack, I might have given in to pressure and become a member of his hunters. However, the existence of Piggy and Simon would have encouraged Ralph to maintain a sense of justice and persist in his belief. If I were the author, I would not change anything in the story, but I would describe more details about how the choir members such as Jack and Roger became savages.
Quotation 1: “What can he do more than he has? I’ll tell him what’s what. You let me carry the conch, Ralph. I’ll show him the one thing he hasn’t got.” (page.189)
This is a quotation from one of Piggy’s statements. Piggy is the most sensible boy in the group but his existence is mostly ignored only because he looks clumsy. One day, his glasses were stolen by Jack and his hunters to make fires for game. Then, Piggy decided to fight against Jack who was much stronger than him. For Piggy, a conch was a symbol of rule and order. Piggy would like to show the importance of order which Jack didn’t have any more. I found this scene the most impressive because Piggy who was wimp seemed brave to stand up for justice.
Quotation 2: “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill. You knew, didn’t you? Close, close, close! I’m part of you! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” (page. 158)
This was quoted from the word that the head of the dead pig called “Lord of the Flies” said to Simon. I could learn that the beast existed not as a real enemy but as a symbol of international human evil. In addition, I could also learn that Simon was the only boy that could realize the dark side of human nature.
3) ANALYZING 7 LITERARY TERMS
Setting: It is the time when World War Ⅲtook place. A group of schoolboys trying to evacuate from England meets with a plane crash on an uninhabited island.
Point of View: Omniscient
Conflict: Ralph (a democratic leader) vs. Jack (a dictator.) There are always conflicts between these two different types of leaders because Ralph has respect for discipline while Jack is obsessed with the lust for domination and barbarism.
Climax: After Simon and Piggy were killed by the savage, Ralph barely escaped from them and was finally rescued.
Symbol: A conch means a rule, order and discipline because it was used to signal an assembly
and the boys had the right to speak when they got it. In addition, the beast was a symbol of internal human evil as mentioned above.
Irony: British boys who were accustomed to living by rules turned into savages who could kill people.
Theme: People are inclined to go wrong in nature under the closed ircumstances. Therefore, we need rules. However, human morality is so fragile that it can be destroyed easily, so we need to have self-awareness as Simon did.
4) REFLECTING ON THE STORY
What I found shocking was that such young boys became savages and killed people. However, I thought they might have been too innocent to make right decisions. If some adults were included in the party, I thought what would have happened. I doubt if things would have changed. I also found some appealing characters in this book. Especially, Piggy was described vividly, so I could imagine who he really was. Simon was described as a god-like boy who fought with human evil. The environment in the story is very different from that in my own country because it is an uninhabited island without any civilization, so they couldn’t help living a primitive life. In my country, we are surrounded by convenient technologies. The most apparent difference between the book and the film is that the boys are not English but American in the film. Moreover, the situation was little different between the book and the film because the author did not mention the derail about World War Ⅲ, but the war was referred to as a battle between America and Russia in the film. However, I could find no gap between the book and film about how Piggy was described.
William Golding, the author of this book, participated in Normandy Landings during World War Ⅱ. This experience has inspired him to write this book appealing interior human evil which would cause cruel wars and a breach of peace. I agree with the author’s view of people and life because the Holocaust was a reality in our history. Through this story, I can learn that we have to take control of ourselves so as not to lose moral and reason in any situations. I have never experienced such chaotic situations such as wars, but I would like to keep the lesson in my mind. Ralph was finally rescued but Simon wasn’t as I expected. I had an uneasy feeling that Simon would die when I found the word he said to Ralph, “All the same. You’ll get back all right, I think so, anyway.” I thought that what he said not “We’ll” but “You’ll” would imply that Simon would die.
2008年12月5日金曜日
EBISU
Then, we drove to Ebisu to buy some groceries at Mitsukoshi department store. Mitsukoshi is located in Ebisu Garden Place with European style buildings and gardens. On our way to Mitsukoshi, suddenly, something big came into my sight. It was a chandelier made of thousands of baccarat. The chandelier named "baccarat eternal lights" was so beautiful that many visitors gathered around it. It is 5 meters high and about 3 meters width. 8472 pieces of baccarat were used for it, so it looks gorgeous, doesn't it!? If you have a chance, pls see the luxurious chandelier!!
2008年12月4日木曜日
PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS
After lunch, we drove to Daikanyama to look for something for Christmas. My sister took me to the store which was selling Christmas goods for a limited time. There were many lovely things including cards, paper napkins, and various kinds of decorations which entertain our eyes!! My sister bought some paper napkins as a present for her daughter's home tutor. They looked so beautiful. I would like to buy a fake Christmas tree for my place, but it cost me more than 10,000 yen, so I gave up buying it. However, I bought some cute Christmas stuffs, instead. The clear ones are made of glass, so I have to treat them carefully. The colorful one was made of felt and has already been displayed onto the curtain in my room. By the way, I 'm planning to make sweets for Christmas, but I haven't decided yet what to make, but maybe chocolate cake will be fine!! 
2008年12月3日水曜日
RUSSIAN CUISINE
Today, I went out for lunch with my sister at a Russian restaurant, Rogovski, in Shibuya. We usually go there at dinner time, so this was first time for us to try lunch time. Then, we ordered lunch set menu with cheaper price than usual. We totally enjoyed the lovely courses as you can see in the picture below!!! Try them if you have a chance to go around there. The restaurant is located on the ninth floor in Tokyu Plaza Building. The lunch menu we ordered includes borscht, two pieces of piroshki, salad, and Russian tea and cost 1,360 yen. We added Siberian dumplings available at 310 yen to them. I think this is not that expensive because it's worth it or more!!
2008年12月2日火曜日
HEALTHY DINNERS
I have prepared healthy dinners for a couple of days because I have been overeating recently.
Moreover, I plan to go out for lunch with my sister tomorrow and I know I'll eat too much then...
I chose chicken sasami instead of thigh meat because it is less fatty. I cut the chicken sasami and fried them with no-cal oil. Added some fried scallops seasined with salt and pepper and some piece of persimmons as a dessert. 
I baked a swordfish (mekajiki in Japanese) seasoned with miso and sake in advance. Added tamagoyaki and tomatos as side dishes. they look so simple and healthy, aren't they!?
Moreover, I plan to go out for lunch with my sister tomorrow and I know I'll eat too much then...
I chose chicken sasami instead of thigh meat because it is less fatty. I cut the chicken sasami and fried them with no-cal oil. Added some fried scallops seasined with salt and pepper and some piece of persimmons as a dessert. I baked a swordfish (mekajiki in Japanese) seasoned with miso and sake in advance. Added tamagoyaki and tomatos as side dishes. they look so simple and healthy, aren't they!?
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