ap lit & comp

Divya Ramanathan

[fyp-psychology]

Study Shows That “Male” And “Female” Brains Are A Myth

Originally posted by camicosmos

A recent study proves that “all male” and “all female” brains are rare and that most people are in the middle.

Awareness about gender fluidity has been increasing in recent years as sexuality and identity are being questioned and the current wave of feminism challenges traditional gender roles and the supposed abilities of each sex.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences further challenged the assumed differences between the sexes by studying the brains of 1,400 males and females to determine if there really are distinct differences. Find out what we discovered below:

Keep reading

[divyaramanathan]

This reminds me of Gould’s “Women’s Brains”

[leslieseuffert]

Romina Ressia - Renaissance Brushstrokes

[divyaramanathan]

Binder ✔️

I’m so happy that I’m finally done! I got my whole project checked by Mr. Kreinbring on Monday and I did it right, yay! Reflecting back on this project, I’m glad that we were forced to go to a college library, find criticisms, and write abstracts. This is probably going to be one of the most useful projects I’ve done in four years of high school. It really was not that bad to complete; it only sucks if you have writer’s block (especially on the general introduction part). I’m definitely not as stressed as I was after spring break, and I’m relieved that this is out of the way! Ready for my victory lap tomorrow🎉🎉🎉

[divyaramanathan]

Done ✔️

I finished my general introduction, and therefore, I finished the entire Lit project! I found the general introduction to be a little hard when writing it, just because I felt myself repeating a lot. However, I think that’s how it’s supposed to be because it is an introduction to the entire project (criticisms, annotations, background sources, etc.) I loved discussing the history of my author, Zamyatin, just because he has such a fascinating backstory. We was written as he experienced the October (Bolshevik) Revolution, and he wrote about how he felt using the character D-503. I had the most issues when discussing the critical concerns about my novel, so I think if I went wrong anywhere, that’s where all my mistakes would be. I plan to get my annotations and general introduction checked tomorrow by Mr. Kreinbring, and I really hope I did it correctly! If I didn’t, I have a week to revise and edit the annotations and general introduction!!

[divyaramanathan]

Research & Writing 2

I’m so excited that I’m almost done! I’ve completed my annotations and introduction to the annotations, which leaves only the general introduction left. I’m actually looking forward to write the general introduction just because it means that I get to explore and discuss Zamyatin’s history as he wrote We even more. I’ve already finished my three background sources, and it was very easy to write because of my author’s history growing up in the Soviet Union. This novel is written based on personal connections of Zamyatin’s early life under a totalitarian regime. 

What makes this project really interesting for me is all because of the novel I chose. We is unlike any dystopian/utopian novel that I’ve ever read, and it’s unique primarily due to Zamyatin’s mathematical diction, extended metaphors, and overarching themes that all work to depict the transformation in character D-503. These were some of the ideas presented in my annotations. For me, the annotations were difficult to write because I analyzed way more than I needed to. Since I cut out all the fluff and focused on only one writing technique with one theme, I think I’m on the right track. I hope that I’ve done the annotations correctly, but I’ll see tomorrow if I get a check on them!

[divyaramanathan]

Abstracts Done

So far, I’ve finished reading all of my criticisms and writing my abstracts. I should have completed this earlier because writing the abstracts weren’t that hard. The only part that took time was reading the critical pieces because they are lengthy 15-20 page criticisms. At times I had to stop and think what the author is conveying, and since I did this, I realized the abstracts were even easier to write. Summarizing every page or two of your criticism really helps in the end when writing!

Right now I’m working on my annotations for Zamyatin’s We. Since the main character D-503 has such a drastic character development, I’m looking for passages which focus on his characteristics and thoughts. Using my three criticisms, I will annotate each passage with a focus on surveillance and totalitarian qualities of One State. I also plan to use the psychoanalytic criticism to explore my character’s emotions, and this will help to understand Zamyatin’s themes. After I finish my three annotations, it will be very clear to see how D-503 transformed throughout the novel! I’ll be able to understand his character better by annotating each passage, looking for literary techniques, symbolism, and prominent themes. I’m excited to move to the next part of this project because it means I’m one step closer to finishing!

[glassbonespaperskin]

Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.

[divyaramanathan]

...

Reading the Work 7 | Zamyatin’s Writing Style

Throughout my novel, D-503 always ends sentences in the middle of a thought with “...” While this did get annoying, it allowed me to understand how the main character was feeling even more. I was able to think what the characters would’ve said instead of the three dots. This has made me put myself in the character’s shoes and think about what I would do in their situation as well. Since Zamyatin’s book is set up as D-503′s journal, the hardest things which he doesn’t want to write is replaced with three periods. 

For instance, here’s an excerpt from We: “’Because I...I was afraid, that if she was...that they would have...you would have...you would stop lov...Oh, I can’t--I couldn’t have”’ (185)!

I believe Zamyatin did this on purpose in order to display the unfinished ideas of each character, particularly D-503. This character’s life is based on logic, precision, and mathematical ways. He makes endless analogies comparing happiness to imaginary numbers or geometric shapes. Whenever D-503 is faced with something unknown to One State, his thinking is always unfinished. After he had his first dream, found out he had a soul, and realized he was in love, there were lots and lots of periods. This way of writing is absolutely incredible and smart on Zamyatin’s part because it brings D-503′s character to life. These unclear thoughts and unfinished sentences portrays the confusion in his characters. Additionally, since D-503 is living in a censored, strict community with Guardians flying around everywhere, he can not say the wrong things. If D-503 goes against the Benefactor, he will be killed. The usage of three periods could also be to protect himself from saying illegal concepts/ideas such as love, hate, jealousy, or having a soul. This book has been so interesting to read and a lot different from most of the dystopian novels I’ve read!

[divyaramanathan]

Reading the Work 6 | The Walls in Dystopian Literature

“...we will destroy this Wall-- every wall-- so that the green wind can blow from pole to pole-- the whole Earth over” (Zamyatin 137).

This quote from We summarizes what Mephi, the rebel group in One State, wanted to do with the Green Wall. This wall was made after the Two Hundred Year’s War in order to separate D-503′s futuristic world from the “ruined” Ancient land. The Mephi have been beyond the wall through secret tunnels found below the Ancient House. They have been able to sneak in and out of One State because the Ancient House is the only opaque building in their society. The plans of the rebel group is to rejoin the natural world and normal people (who have individualistic qualities and are not brainwashed) with One State. 

After reading this quote, I immediately thought of Veronica Roth’s Allegiant. Her entire dystopian trilogy focuses on a faction system where people are split up into five groups so that everyone knows their place and never rebels. However, this society does not last long at all; it creates civilians to wonder what’s beyond the wall (see video above) and soon venture outside of it. 

This isn’t the only futuristic novel that involves a wall, too. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins also had walls and numerous barriers between each of their districts. 

But wait-- there’s more! James Dashner’s The Maze Runner was all about not going past the [green] walls! The walls/maze kept everyone isolated and scared of what’s to come.

The Handmaid’s Tale even had a wall which was used to inflict fear in Gilead citizens. As the Handmaid’s went on their daily walks past the wall, they knew that they should never act out or they would be next.

So, what’s with dystopian fiction and walls? The governments of all these societies, including One State, need power over their people and isolation is key to keep their power. If rulers inflict fear and isolate an individual, they will most probably comply with those in power because have already lost contact with the natural world. Zamyatin’s goal with the Green Wall was to show the separation and destruction an equal world can bring. If people have no freedom, individuality, and are contained in a little bubble, there will be no happiness. Life in these isolated societies is always predictable until a rebel group comes along and tries going beyond the wall, working against powerful rulers. In the final chapter of We, the Green Wall has been torn down, but no one will escape because they have all been brainwashed! Just to be sure, One State built an electric fence to protect their brainwashed ciphers. Who needs a wall, right?

[divyaramanathan]

Евге́ний Ива́нович Замя́тин

Reading the Work 5 | Background Source #1

Last year in AP Lang, we spent a lot of time discussing how everything's a remix. Producers and writers don’t develop their own ideas anymore; they simply work off of past innovations to create their own remix. However, when reading We, I did lots of research on Russian author (real name above) Zamyatin. I’ve come to the conclusion that the dystopian literature I’m reading is indeed the original work because of personal connections to Zamyatin’s life.

Evidence of We’s originality (directly from Wikipedia):

Zamyatin “studied naval engineering in Saint Petersburg from 1902 until 1908, during which time he joined the Bolsheviks. He was arrested during the Russian Revolution of 1905 and sent into internal exile in Siberia. However, he escaped and returned to Saint Petersburg where he lived illegally before moving to the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1906 to finish his studies. After returning to Russia, he began to write fiction as a hobby. He was arrested and exiled a second time in 1911, but amnestied in 1913.” 

“Zamyatin originally supported the October Revolution, but opposed the increasing use of censorship which followed. His works became increasingly satirical and critical toward the CPSU. Although he supported them before they came to power he slowly came to disagree more and more with their policies, particularly those regarding censorship of the arts.”

Just like character D-503 in Zamyatin’s We, he himself was an engineer who worked alongside the government. He faced several issues in his life, being arrested and exiled, but this did not stop him. As he returned to Russia, his beliefs changed and he did not support the CPSU/Soviet Union as he did before. The restrictions and increased censorship seen in his personal life living in the Soviet Union was accurately translated to text. There are several similarities between Zamyatin and the character he developed in his novel, D-503. Both of them trusted the government’s ways in the beginning, but later distrusted them immediately due to their strict ways of life. Since Zamyatin experienced a very controlled life and witnessed several rebellions against the government, these events inspired We.

Unlike well-known dystopian authors George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Kurt Vonnegut, Suzanne Collins, and Veronica Roth, Zamyatin authentically and originally wrote We based on his own life experiences. Although he was inspired by Jack London’s The Iron Heel and Jerome K. Jerome’s philosophies, We mainly consists of Zamyatin’s original ideas.

[wnq-anonymous]

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

Kahlil Gibran (via wnq-anonymous)

This relates to The Picture of Dorian Gray!!

[divyaramanathan]

Before Alissa and I went to Oakland University, I was nervous of what to look for or really, where to even look. We asked the front desk for help and I’m so glad we did. Emily was the librarian who helped us and she was incredible! I thanked her so much because she helped us for over an hour. First, she taught us how to use Kresge’s MLA Bibliography which is confusing, but sort of helpful? I didn’t really have to use it because Zamyatin’s We has so much criticism on it. I’m really happy that I chose an old book because there were several great books to choose from. Alissa, on the other hand, had to use the MLA bibliography and online library website more because her book is more recent.

Thanks to Emily, we didn’t have to do any work in finding the criticisms, but we had to scan A LOT. Since we can’t check out any of the books, we had to spend time skimming each book and then we scanned the most helpful ones. It was a little hard to determine which books were better, but it became easier. We spent about 45 minutes in just scanning which was not fun at all.

I don’t think I need to go back to Kresge because I have a lot of material to work with. Additionally, my sister used the University of Michigan’s online library database to find strong criticisms for me, too. So now I hope that Mr. Kreinbring approves my criticisms tomorrow!

[culturenlifestyle]

Intricate Geometric Animal Illustrations by Kerby Rosanes

Kerby Rosanes aka Sketchy Stories is an illustrator from Manila, Philippines. The young sketch artist specializing in amazingly detailed and elaborate doodles has been recognized by international and notable art communities after reverting to a part time professional career in design and has been featured in design blogs and magazines.

“Doodling” is looked down as a lesser refined art technique but Rosanes has brought the humble art to the forefront with his intricately detailed, creative and complex drawings. Taking a plain black fine marker to a sheet of paper, he explores a versatile range of themes such as  surrealism, abstract art, cartoons, and complex floral patterns. From precisely mimicked animal portraits with a face partially made from mechanical gears similar to clockwork, and many portraits and subjects trapped together in the middle of inseparable yet opposing elements, the artist depicts the struggle of contemporary with classic.

Kerby Rosanes has amassed a huge following on his Instagram profile where he showcases most of his work. The artist has come a long way from sketching doodles as a hobby to becoming a  professional artist whose works are recognized and appreciated by fans and critics alike. You can buy his work in his Society6 shop.

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING + 10% OFF EVERYTHING WITH CODE: LUCK 10

[divyaramanathan]

The Pen-Pal Tribe / Die Brieffreundschafts- Stamm

Lieber (Dear) Maja,

I’ve been thinking a lot about memory, recently. I wish that mine was better (much better); that one day I’ll instantly remember all memories we shared when we were young. On May 2013, I remember the Facebook message you sent me. Seeing a older, dim-lit Facebook photo of you wasn’t too helpful in sparking my memory of our childhood friendship. I opened the message and remember you sent me something along the lines of…

M: “hello, do you remember me?” / M: “Hallo, erinnern Sie mich?”

I can remember the awful feeling that I should’ve known who you were, but I just didn’t. I remember hesitating to respond, so I asked my mom if she knew you. Of course, she did, and my mom told me that you and I were close friends when we were four years old. She went on and on about our playdates, what we would do, and how close our families were before you moved to your hometown of Langquaid, Germany. Feeling even more ashamed that I wasn’t able to recollect our times together, I knew I had to message you. So, I replied.

D: “yes, of course! hello!!!” / D: “Ja, natürlich! Hallo!!!”

(when you don’t remember, at least pretend and try your best, right?) 

I’m glad we rekindled our relationship through constant messaging (thanks Facebook - now WhatsApp), but also using snail-mail. As time went on, we grew closer and told eachother everything – from our likes/dislikes, future plans, and what we did each day. We kept dreaming that one day we’d get to visit each other, either in Michigan or Germany. It was always more of a dream for me because you had visited USA way more than I have Europe. Each letter you sent me from family vacations or school trips meant the world to me. It wasn’t a simple letter anymore; it was meaningful and sincere. It held an irreplaceable value. Even when you wrote simple words of, “I wish you could be here too!”, my heart glowed. I appreciate the letters we’ve sent to each other, but I value our friendship and continuous tribe of messaging even more. What makes me respect you more and more is that you work so hard, communicating with me in English. Whenever you ask me if your grammar is right, it's always a yes, so I just smile. Nothing can defeat our tribe! Wherever you went, you always carried our overseas relationship with you–sending me postcards from Italy, Berlin, and Langquaid. You made the first step to revive our childhood friendship and for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.

I clearly remember the first time we met after twelve years. It was August 21, 2014. After more than a year of messaging through handfuls of letters, postcards, and texts, you and your family showed up at my doorstep. Both nervous and elated at the same time, we finally were together again. I’m glad I can cherish a friendship like ours that no matter the distance, we still keep in touch every day. I really hope that one day I’ll be able to travel to Germany, but as for now, I hold on to all the memories that we’ve made, even if I can’t remember them all. We are the small, but everlasting tribe of penpals. Wir sind die kleinen , aber ewig Stamm Brieffreunde.

Bis bald (until soon),

Divya

[divyaramanathan]

Reading the Work 4 | Revolt

 Meet D-503. He's one of those people who has so much knowledge, creativity, and passion, but continues to conceal it so he remains hidden. His character sort of frustrates me because even though I know what he means, I wish he'd just rebel already. He reminds me of Moira from The Handmaid's Tale and even Johanna from The Hunger Games. These characters hold so much strength and bravery, yet they never truly show it until the end. That's what I'm hoping what happens to D-503. He's conforming now because he’s scared, but later on, I hope he works against this mindset. The Cummings quote above is what I predict about D-503′s character. I believe that he will fight One State, showing his true nature, even though it’s the “hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”

The following passage was eye opening to how D-503 feels in his society. Zamyatin wrote:

He’s been living such a restricted life, and since this is all he knows, it doesn’t seem weird to him. One State has created his mind to fully respect their ways of life so that no revolting will ever occur in their “perfect” community. I’ve connected this back to past events when citizens under totalitarian rule have acted similarly; they’re not shocked by strict rules and lack of individuality in their environment. It’s just the norm, and this is exactly what D-503 is conveying to readers about his life in One State. As I said before, I’m really hoping that he works against this mindset, becoming his true self later on.

[divyaramanathan]

Mackinac Island, home of the fudge and horses! In the summer of 2012, I was able to enjoy all the fudge I could eat and travel to each tourist location on this 3.8mi² island. Not only did I find the coolest shops and historical sites, but I was able to wander the island with my family, finding my querencia. I admire the peacefulness and serene environment that comes along with this island; it’s truly a wonderful place to think and clear your mind. Being surrounded by nature with no distractions is what makes Mackinac Island so special to me. 

I was initially going to write that my querencia is my grandparent’s home in India because there, I’m surrounded by those I love. However, I don’t necessarily feel like it’s “my home.” Maybe it should be, but I don’t feel like I belong in the environment. My personality sort of clashes with the environment because hearing car horns blare every two seconds isn’t very calming. The nonstop noises makes Bangalore the crowded city that it is, and I do appreciate it, but I feel anxious whenever I leave my grandparent’s house. I don’t feel at home, most probably because I’ve never lived in India, so this couldn’t be my querencia.

In Mackinac, I’m always able to leave content and at ease. If I ever feel like Tayo, having jumbled thoughts and worries, I know I’ll be okay after relaxing up north. Silko described his stress as, “he [tayo] could feel it inside his skull - the tension of little threads being pulled and how it was with tangled things, things tied together, and as he tried to pull them apart and rewind them into their places, they snagged and tangled even more (7).” The sounds of waves splashing against rocks and sand is what cures my stress, what brings me joy. Especially whenever I go to the Mackinac Public Library and sit in an Adirondack chair, staring out into Lake Huron, all of my worries lift from my shoulders. I feel extremely safe and at peace whenever I come to this spot. This location on the island provides me with a sense of reassurance that everything will be okay, it makes me feel stronger and more hopeful as a person. I genuinely feel united with myself and most at home here; I can’t really seem to identify this feeling with anywhere else. 

[sensordeimagen]

Nikon D810 Fine Art Landscapes Bryce Canyon Utah Winter Snowstorm: Elliot McGucken Fine Art Landscape Photography http://ift.tt/1pf0G61