When I first became interested in learning English, I wanted to use the language to communicate my ideas and to be able to interact with people all over the world if I ever had the chance. As time passed by, I realised that I had already learnt that skill and that I wanted to go for more. But what was it that I was after?
Reading this chapter made me think about the importance of language style depending on the circumstances. For instance, when Rita turns up at Frank’s office, she is so overwhelmed by her emotions that she can’t even think about the words to express how she feels after having seen Macbeth at the theatre. She says: “It wasn’t boring, it was bleeding great, honest, it done me in, and it was fantastic. I’m gonna write an essay on it.” As I read her words, I wondered what she was going to say in her essay. I feel curious about how she will speak her mind to refer to the play, as I’m sure she will have to select the words, style, and grammar carefully if she really wants to write academically.
Sometimes, communication is not just enough. Using an appropriate register gives us something that goes beyond communication and causes a different impact if we use the appropriate language style. I think Rita is in the process of finding that out.
Monday 22 September 2008
Tuesday 9 September 2008
Choosing: the course or your husband?
In scene 5, we learn Danny, Rita’s husband, finds out she is lying to him about taking the pill. As a consequence, Danny over reacts and burns her books and essays. However, Rita is more determined than ever not to abandon the course she’s taking with Frank.
If we try to understand why the course means so much for Rita, we are to pay attention to what she says to her tutor about it. She definitely believes the course is “proving her with life, more life than she’s had in years.” She feels alive as she is discovering herself and is not willing to give in just because her husband can’t understand why she is doing it.
On the other hand, Danny sees the whole thing in a different light, so I wonder if any of them both can be blamed for the hard time the couple is going through.
Life is about making decisions all the time, and, unfortunately, we can’t satisfy everyone with our choices. The hard question is: Shall we sacrifice ourselves to please others?
If we try to understand why the course means so much for Rita, we are to pay attention to what she says to her tutor about it. She definitely believes the course is “proving her with life, more life than she’s had in years.” She feels alive as she is discovering herself and is not willing to give in just because her husband can’t understand why she is doing it.
On the other hand, Danny sees the whole thing in a different light, so I wonder if any of them both can be blamed for the hard time the couple is going through.
Life is about making decisions all the time, and, unfortunately, we can’t satisfy everyone with our choices. The hard question is: Shall we sacrifice ourselves to please others?
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