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Anne Frank Project

January 23rd, 2007 by alexh

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Writing Part of English Final Assessment Project

1. How are symbols, images, and sounds and other conventions used in visual media?
2. What are the ways in which image-makers carefully construct meaning?
3. How are techniques used in visual media to influence or appeal to a particular audience?

1. Symbols are everywhere. Our world, infused with media, advertisements, electronics, and shops, is practically bursting with symbols. In visual media, practically everything could be assigned a symbolic meaning—whether intended or not. For example, in the film ‘Stormbreaker’, inside the facility, there were large signs with a black number on them, and a red and white background. Almost imperceptibly, it reminds us of the Nazis, and the swastika.
2. Image makers carefully construct meaning using the physiology of man. Being very reflexive and intuitive, humans are easily influenced. For example, if you see a small wooden hut, with a smoking chimney, and a warm fire inside, you will immediately start feeling warmer and better inside. This has been proved by scientific experiments. So, all the advertisers have to do is add a person drinking hot chocolate, and there you go: a perfect enticement.
3. Appealing a particular audience, using certain techniques, can have even better results. For example, an advert for Barbie’s is probably going to be with little writing, next to toy shops were children are sure to see it, and probably 90% pink. Many small children would easily fall for this advertisement, whether their parents are disgusted by it or not

1. Knowledge-Describe the symbols, images, and sounds you used to complete your project
2. Comprehension- Discuss how these symbols, images, and sounds carefully construct meaning
3. Application- Explain how these symbols, images, and sounds will influence or appeal to your audience. Illustrate the symbols, images, and sounds (This will be done when you actually do the project)
4. Analysis- compare the symbols, images, and sounds you chose. Which are the most powerful? Why?
5. Synthesis- Create or design a memorial to Anne Frank and the victims of the Holocaust, or Design and create a commercial or short film spreading Anne’s hopeful message of peace. (Doing the project will accomplish this aspect of Bloom’s Taxonomy)
6. Evaluation- summarize and grade the final product and the process to accomplish this task

1. The symbols we used were: the barbed wire fence, the rails, Anne frank’s diary, the star of David, the grass and its progression, a caged hawk on a golden plaque, the colors used to paint all of the above, and the music
2. The barbed wire on either side represents oppression, and captivity. In the center of the memorial, there is a small area that is open. This symbolizes that even under oppression, with but greed, hate and anger all round, good qualities can and do develop, and that even during such times, there is a way out. Anne Frank’s diary hint at the fact that Anne was one of these people, and it also attempts to show that human nature is, contrary to Golding’s gloomy thoughts, good rather than evil. As a person walks from one side of the memorial, the barbed wire gradually opens, and the grass that was at the beginning brown and dead becomes more lively. This represents the progression, and how near the end of the war, for not all but many people, things were getting. The rail tracks under one’s feet are a hidden allusion to those that carried millions of Jews to their deaths. The fact that they are unbroken, even at the end, could be taken for granted but when examined deeply can also be considered as a hint to the stunning fact that even near the end of the war, Allied powers did not make an effort to stop the genocide, though the bombing of train tracks would have done much to achieve it. The caged bird represents the freedom and the spirit of Anne, but it is caged and cannot fly free. The song we chose to accompany our monument is Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis. The beginning of the music with the deep drumming represents the oppression, and how Germany began to conquer other countries, methodically exterminating innocent Jews. The sad murmuring that follows with the instrumental accompanying symbolizes the lamentations for the dead, and as it accelerates and reaches its climax, it symbolizes the pain of those that survived to live without their families, friends or relatives. After that, some more instruments join to form the chorus, representing hope, effort and spirit in spite of the events that occurred. Once again, the drumming and the murmurs return, symbolizing the eternal struggle between the hopeful, the spirit, and the oppressing, the blinded. What follows is an alternation between the two, and it does not end in the victory of either side but rather the fact that this struggle will continue until eternity.
3. The symbols will influence people by making them re-think their own perspectives on human behavior during wars, some might come to find that these new perspectives suit them better while others will find that their own thoughts more correct in their opinion. They will appeal to my audience because we made our symbols interesting and colorfully coordinated. The sounds will influence them because there is no singing, only instruments, and the atmosphere is largely calming and restful. It offers a place where people can go to think through their own problems and find their strength in Anne.
4. The most powerful symbols that I think we used were the barbed wire and the grass and flowers. The barbed wire is a very obvious symbol for oppression, hate, and captivity. And as it opens up in the centre, it powerfully gets across that even under oppression, hate, fear and captivity, great qualities can develop. Also, the way it takes you on a journey, as it widens near the end, and as the first blackish, brown-red grass progresses towards a green, creates this really amazing effect. For though war is not always like that, and people were still being killed even at the end, gradually, camps were being liberated, people were freed, and families were re-united.
5. Our memorial can be seen. Right over there. Yeah, that’s the one.
6. In conclusion, I believe that we have completed this task to the best of our abilities as they are in such a short time frame. Though we essentially mismanaged our time, the final product appears to be excellent, and with every glance it yields another allusion to the war, to those that have died and those that are still alive. We all worked together in an effort to first design and then create a memorial that will strike emotion into every heart, be it that of an eight year old child or a 70 year old soldier. We also went through a very varied process: designing the monument, choosing the music, discussing some of the symbols, and then actually creating a scale model out of clay and wire. Unfortunately, out first monument fell apart just hours (about twenty four, actually) before the date it was due. We were then forced to change our plans, and Daniel Bae having been the only one with the required materials, we left it to him to recreate the monument, and only did some of the painting. In return, I (Aron) did much of the writing, and Alex also contributed to it. However, if required to complete another project, I believe that we should be better organized to avoid such problems, especially with a meager time budget. As our final self-evaluation, we believe that the grade we have earned is: 96%. Though we spent a lot of time, both in and out of school, working on it, and the final project we believe is pretty good, that is the highest grade the we can give ourselves.

ESLRS
During our project, we used many ESLRS effectively, but we still require work on other ones. The most important ESLR in this project we believe is Effective Communicator, because of our group roles, so here are some of them/
# Understand and convey written, oral and visual information using appropriate media
We made our model out of clay, and painted it. The model is of a good size, and is easily understandable. Upon asking some other students as to the clarity, they were able to name nearly all of the main features. We used a mobile phone to play the song ‘Conquest of Paradise’ by Vangelis, and typed up our writing on computer. I believe that we effectively achieved this ESLR.
# Demonstrate the skills of effective collaboration
This is one of the ESLRS that we really need to work on. Though in the end, we managed to do pretty well together, we had numerous arguments that hindered our ability to complete the project. I myself didn’t compromise too much, and was set on doing what I wanted. This is definitely an ESLR that we really need to work on for next time.
# Demonstrate their creative talents to convey ideas
Instead of simply making a 2D presentation on the computer, we actually made our model out of clay for all to see. In real life, it would be far larger, and this is not perfectly on scale, but it represents what we attempted to convey well. We also spent a lot of time after school working on our first model that broke apart. This is another ESLR that I believe we achieved
# Collaborate with others in appropriate learning situations to achieve group goals
Finally, this is an ESLR that depends entirely on the group members. Luckily, our group was pretty concentrated and we all wanted a good grade, so we spent a lot of time at home and after school working on our project and perfecting it. We think that we somewhat achieved this, because we were uncomfortable in letting other group members do work and so need to work on this ESLR, though we somewhat achieved it

Posted in Reflective Journal, Anne Frank | | | 0 Comments

I wonder whether you can tell me why it is important that people always try so hard to hide their real feelings?

December 5th, 2006 by alexh

I wonder whether you can tell me why it is important that people always try so hard to hide their real feelings? How is it that I always behave quite differently from what I should on other people’s company? Why do we trust on another so little? I know there must be a reason, but still I sometimes think it’s horrible that you find you can never really confide in people, even in those who are nearest to you. (Page 139)
Have you ever felt this way? That there is nobody in this world that you can really open up and tell everything to? That there is nobody to trust? Your own mind is your sanctuary, and you prefer to never let your thoughts be known. That there is a transparent wall hindering all others from going to deep.
This is the way most feel about their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They feel that they cannot and will not find happiness in confiding in others. This is not the way it should be. Why it is that people try their hardest to keep things from one another? Is it because they are sacred of what other people might think or is it just that they cannot bring themselves to be that vulnerable?
You spend your whole life surrounded by people who are going through similar things as you. You are not the only person in our giant universe with problems. What happens is you think that if you tell someone your dreams or ideas that you will be rejected or judged. There are people out there who understand. If you keep everything inside, if you don’t let someone in you will never get the satisfaction of having your opinions run free. If you could just tell someone about your desire to be a writer or a doctor, maybe they can help you. One small idea bud can change the world. Maybe that bud is yours. All you need to do is let your bud bloom.

Posted in Anne Frank | | | 6 Comments

I Too Can Reach The Bursting Point

November 27th, 2006 by alexh

I too can reach the bursting point. That single uttered phrased that send you over the edge.  Into that pit of anger deep inside of you.  For some it is closer to the surface while others hardly ever fall in. The point is that everyone reaches this point. Be you a small child or an old crone.

In this entry by Anne I found it was particularly easy to relate to her emotions and feelings. I growing up with three siblings and also being the youngest.  In some sense Anne and I have very similar problems but then again we don’t. This is because my sister and I have different strengths and interests. I am good at one thing and she is good at another. We are rarely compared to each other, so in my family we don’t have a perfect daughter.

“ I’d like to see what you’d say if Margot ever started looking at one of your books!”  This is what Anne’s father says to Anne on page 43. I can relate to this line because I have heard many times before. Except that I have heard it from my sister when I borrow her things.  We often get in fights when this is said by either one of us.

My treatment varies so much. One day Anne is so sensible and is allowed to know everything; and then the next day I hear that Anne is just a silly little goat who doesn’t know anything at all and imagines that she’s learned a wonderful lot from books. Anne says this on page 46. These two sentences remind me of myself because this is the way I use to feel before I eighth grade. I now know that the reason they did not tell me everything was because I was not ready for grown-up worries. Worries like money and politics. Now that I am older and more mature I found that they tell me more.

I have my own views, plans, and ideas, though I can’t put them into words yet. Anne says this on page 46. In this sense I do partially agree with Anne. I often have different views on things then my parents, but that is because we have different personalities, but after living with someone for your whole life it is almost impossible not to make some of their views your own. I do have my own plans for my life, which include being my own person and following my heart.

My feelings of this entry range from déjà vu to understanding. I am sure that every child feels this once in their life and I urge you to remember what consequences your actions have not only on yourself but also the ones you love. Even strangers. I too can reach the bursting point.

Posted in Anne Frank | | | 2 Comments

Memories or dresses?

November 20th, 2006 by alexh

Your life left behind. Scattered between your neighbors along with all your possessions.  You are allowed to pack one small bag. In it you hold all that will remain of your old life, your life before the war. What would you bring? If I was in this situation where I could only pack one small bag leaving everything else behind, I would have a hard time but I could do it. If I had to choose between memories or dresses I know what I should bring. The question is, if I could do it. I am a packrat. I keep loads of old junk that is of no use at all. That is why I would have a hard time packing one small bag. Another problem for me would be that I have grown up with animals my whole entire life, usually dogs, and according to Mr. R I am not allowed to bring pets. Though in the book, Peter Van Daan brings his cat, so I think I should be able to bring my dogs.  I also cannot survive without technology so my question for Mr. R is does my “Secret Annex” have electricity?  What I would bring in my one small bag would…

 Sorry Mr. R I tried to put pictures but my computer was not letting me. Sorry. I will work on it some more.

Posted in Anne Frank | | | 5 Comments

What is courage?

November 14th, 2006 by alexh

Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to put what is more important to you first. My definition of courage actually comes from a movie but ever since I heard this, it has stuck with me.  When I hear the word courage I do not immediately think of a superhero or a gladiator, I think of the everyday people who put other’s lives in front of their fears. Or even just a girl who is afraid to stand up in front of a crowd but knows that she should if she wants to be an actress.  The little things people do everyday are signs of courage. A boy asking the girl he likes out is courage.  Even people who think they have no courage have some. It lives inside every person, and thing. Animals that shy away from people will defend their selves and families if needed. Some bigger examples of courage are the soldiers in the army. They go to war, with a chance of death. I bet they get scared but they still fight for their country’s freedom and the freedom of their family. I understand that some people measure courage by some ones deeds, but I measure it by this definition. This quote that says that anyone and everyone has courage, even if it is buried deep, it is there, hidden inside. Waiting for its time to shine.

Posted in Anne Frank | | | 1 Comments

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