The Peligraph - Stephen Perse Sixth Form

The Peligraph
March
2013
XIIII
Segregation, or a step towards equality?
Minying Huang assesses
the impact of a new
Palestinian-only bus service.
The week beginning 4th
March, Israel launched a
„Palestinians-only‟ bus service
which transports passengers
from the Palestinian town of
Qalqiliya towards Tel Aviv in
Israel. Deemed a gesture of
goodwill, the move follows
multiple complaints made by
Jewish settlers claiming that
mixed transport poses a great
security risk. Needless to say,
this has led to public outrage
and accusations of racism are
becoming
increasingly
prevalent amongst the people.
Allegations
of
racial
discrimination do not reflect
well on any country; the
government is treading on
dangerous ground. Inciting an
overwhelming response from
human rights activists, Israel‟s
actions are provoking global
outcry.
Prior to the launch, Jessica
Montell, director of the Israeli
B'Tselem rights group, termed
the initiative a “revolting plan”.
Media coverage has largely
been
negative
and
the
government is under mounting
pressure
to
remove
the
segregated
bus
service.
Alarming comparisons to the
apartheid have been drawn.
Although this may seem a
rather extreme interpretation,
the analogy has been made
before. Israel‟s treatment of the
Palestinians has always been a
Contents:
Comment
Charity nonsense…………….3
Power of introverts………….4
Shostakovich 5………………..5
Ethics of cosmetics…………11
Why own a gun?.................13
Power to the women………23
Heinrich Schliemann……..24
Cry God for Harry………….26
Current Affairs
Segregation in Palestine……1
Women in Science……….…..8
Pi Day……………………….…..27
Lifestyle
Small talk……………………….7
Red Carpet Quiz………….……9
Recipe: Freya‟s Tiffin…..…..15
Bookshops of Cambridge….16
Cambridge Science Fest…..19
Inspirational quotations…..21
Trust your instincts…………25
Music for a while……..……..28
School
Russia Trip…………..………..30
Regular
Meet: the editors……………..6
Poetry and Manga.………….10
Pet of the month……………18
Persona of the Month…….20
Interview: Ms
McPhoenix……31
Review
1
Mrs Dalloway………………..12
Anime review………………..14
polemical issue and we must
bear in mind that this event is
not an isolated incident.
Governed
by
deep-rooted
prejudices, it forms part of the
wider on-going Arab-Israeli
conflict. Nonetheless, it was
thought that in recent years
progress had been made
regarding relations between
Israel and the Arab world. For
many, the segregated bus
service constitutes a move
backwards in time. History
appears to be repeating itself;
the notion is frightening.
Notwithstanding, Transport
Ministry officials entertain the
hope that critics might come to
view their activities in a more
positive light, expressing that
their desire was only to
“improve
public
transport
services for Palestinian workers
entering
Israel”.
Citing
overcrowding
on
public
transport and traffic congestion
as the main reasons for
developing the new bus lines,
they vehemently deny any
racist motives.
Indeed, not everyone is of
the opinion that the concept is
ethically wrong. Contrary to
expectation, many Palestinian
labourers welcome the changes
effected.
Regularly
encountering
pirate
bus
operators and consequently
forced to confront “exorbitant
prices” on a daily basis, it
should not surprise that these
workers are appreciative of the
lower costs. We should also
remember that pre-existing
prejudices in society are not
easily erased. Mixed buses
provide
opportunities
for
confrontation between cultures.
It follows that there would be
discontent on both sides. For
this reason perhaps, the bus
service has been met with some
optimism.
Yet, at the same time, there
are inevitably those who resent
the new bus lines despite the
benefits. It is true that legal
Palestinians with work permits
are allowed to travel by public
bus; however, this right is often
ignored. Having the police
remove you from a bus in
which you are lawfully entitled
to a seat has been described as
a humiliating ordeal; it is not
difficult to see why. Already the
segregated bus service has
triggered acts of violence.
Within hours of the launch, it
was reported by local police
that two buses had been
torched. It is now feared that
this incident might give way to
increasingly dangerous forms
of protest against the new
transportation system. Some
worry that the buses will
become an easy target for
extremists, thus endangering
lives. To effectively maintain
control of the situation, the
government may have to
consider other options and
reach a different solution.
The question we need to ask
is this: is the separate bus
service a much needed security
measure or a blatant display of
racism? Certainly, there is
every possibility that the highly
controversial scheme will prove
a success. However, as tensions
continue to rise, one wonders
if, instead of ensuring the
wellbeing of the populace, the
2
Editors in Chief:
Freya Sanders
Naomi Gardom
Peligraph Team:
Alice Spiers
Amalyah Hart
Angela Huang
Chish Malata
Izzy Hale
Liv Grant
Lucia Yin
Minying Huang
Mitty Anderson
Nurgul Shukeyeva
Shoshana Mitchell
***
Guest contributors:
Miranda Davies
Natalie Bevan
***
With special thanks to…
Ms McPhoenix, our
staff advisor
Want to get involved?
Contact Freya
(06064@perse.cambs.sch.uk)
introduction of the Palestinianonly lines has in fact had the
opposite effect. Might it not
have left the inhabitants of the
affected areas more vulnerable?
Only
time
will
tell.
Nevertheless, it is anticipated
that these efforts will serve as a
reminder to all that the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is still very
much alive and that further
unrest
between
the two
involved parties is brewing.
Even if instigated with the best
of intentions, in establishing a
„Palestinians-only‟
facility,
there is no doubting that the
Israeli government is walking a
fine line.
An embarras de richesse
Lucia Yin wonders
whether our current system
of charitable giving is
rational.
There are currently around
180,000 charities in the UK. To
put this more into perspective,
there are about 63,000,000
people living here, and this
means that there is one charity
for every 350 people. This
number could be considered
excessive, as there are so many
similar organisations which
should surely all have the same
ultimate goals, which is why I
feel that the number of
charities in the world today is
excessive, and this is damaging
both the charity sector‟s
efficiency and public trust in
these charities.
Even Andrew Hind, the
former chief executive of the
Charity
Commission
questioned whether more could
be achieved by charities
collaborating,
instead
of
competing with each other.
Since there are so many
charities, in the current
economic situation they are
constantly competing for funds
and have to use more
aggressive tactics. People have
reported that after completing a
survey on general charitable
interests they were harassed
over the phone many times a
week, over a period of a few
months, by various charities
requesting donations. Although
they are always polite, many
charities seem to have the
intention of guilt-tripping you
into donating, and many people
feel that they are simply a
nuisance. People often want to
donate money to charities that
they believe in and have a
personal
interest
and
attachment to but we are now
given what could be seen as
incentives to join charities such
as letters containing little gifts
like cards, pencils and pens.
So much money is spent on
getting the public to donate
that all this competition is
becoming damaging. Some
charities are spending more
and more money every year to
try to persuade the public to
part with their money. In 1992,
90 % of fundraised money was
spent on charitable causes, and
in 1997 this fell to 65%. In
2010, The British Heart
Foundation paid £136 to a
professional
fundraising
company for one donor. This
means that it is likely that some
people‟s money is not spent on
charity but on finding others
just like them. Professional
fundraisers want a profit but it
would make more sense if
fundraisers who work for
charities
(i.e.
non-profit
organisations) should not seek
profit to maximise the amount
of money going to directly to
help the causes.
One solution which has
attracted a lot of attention is for
charities to collaborate. 5,000
new charities are being created
every year, and this surely
cannot be necessary, as there
are not 5,000 new diseases or
social issues appearing every
3
single year. An ICM opinion
poll in 2010 found that 70% of
the public surveyed felt that
there are too many charities
doing similar work. One cause
of this is that people often start
charities for very personal
reasons, for example from the
loss of a loved one. Although we
must appreciate their motives
and what they are trying to
achieve, in many cases their
time and energy could be better
spent campaigning for an
existing charity with a proven
track record. Their personal
stories could be used under the
umbrella of a larger charity
which will reach a larger
audience and help them to
achieve their goals. In 2012,
one in six charities said that
they may have to close in 2013
if the economic situation did
not improve. By joining with
other charities with similar
aims and beliefs collaboration
would hopefully produce a
charity which functions better
and is more efficient. 6 % of
charities generate almost 90%
of the total charitable income in
the UK which shows how this
currently huge number of tiny
charities is unsustainable.
In conclusion, it is arguable
that the collaboration of
charities would result in a more
beneficial system, as charities
would have more money and
could focus on their work
instead of having to compete
for funds, and the public would
have more faith that their
money is going to a good cause,
not just another propaganda
campaign.
The Power of the Introvert
Angela Huang laments the
neglected place of the introvert
in our society.
Introversion. What‟s the first
thing that comes into your head
when you hear this word? Timid?
Shy? Awkward? Boring?
We live in a society which
highly values the extroverted
personality, having been told
throughout our lives that the ideal
person is an extrovert – that we
must be outgoing, sociable and
talkative. This isn‟t necessarily a
bad thing, but the problem begins
when we start to place too much
emphasis on these qualities and
not enough on that of quieter
individuals.
What the meaning of an
„introvert‟ and or an „extrovert‟
really is has been largely disputed
and is a concept that even today‟s
psychologists find difficult to
define. An extrovert is essentially
an outgoing individual who likes
external stimulation, for example
social activities involving lots of
people. They are bold, usually
impulsive and work best in teams
and are the typical „alpha‟
stereotype. On the other hand an
introvert would rather spend time
by themselves or with only a small
group of friends and does not
require
as
much
external
stimulation, preferring to think
before they act, and work best
alone. They prefer to listen rather
than speak and are seen as „beta‟
personalities.
There is no overall advantage
to being either an introvert or an
extrovert but this „prizing‟ of the
extroverted personality has been a
source of frustration to many. A
lot of introverts will have
realised that this kind of
attitude can be very offensive
and hurtful as it causes
introverts to feel as if their
introversion is something to be
ashamed of. Your parents may
have apologised for your
shyness at school or perhaps
teachers
have
tried
to
encourage you to speak up
more. You may even have been
passed over for a leadership
position because you weren‟t
seen as outgoing enough.
Introverts can often be seen,
whether intentionally or not, as
slow, antisocial, or socially
awkward and are often labelled
as
„too
quiet‟.
However
introversion is not the same as
being shy - it is perfectly
possible to be introverted and
confident at the same time. Yet
many introverts lack this selfconfidence since society has
constantly bombarded us with
images of the ideal person
being talkative, loud and
sociable. This has caused some
introverts to fight against their
personalities. You may find that
the most unlikely people
identify
themselves
as
introverted because introverts
4
try so hard to fit in to this
extroverted ideal that they feel
unable to be themselves.
This shouldn‟t be the case.
Introversion is not and should
not be a barrier preventing
individuals from reaching their
full
potential.
Acclaimed
children‟s writer Dr Seuss was
always afraid to meet his young
readers because he was afraid
that
they
would
be
disappointed in finding that he
wasn‟t the jolly and talkative
man that they wanted him to
be. And Rosa Parks, Eleanor
Roosevelt
and
Abraham
Lincoln have a lot in common:
they did not just contribute
greatly to our society; they were
also introverted. It is clear that
the value of the soft-spoken
individual
to
society
is
essential. But why is it hard to
see it in everyday life? It‟s not
fair that a third of our
population should be dismissed
because they do not fit the
„social ideal‟. They should be
embraced and valued, just like
the extroverts. Our families,
our work places, and our
education systems must see the
value in introverts and embrace
not undermine their strengths.
The Politics of Shostakovich‟s Symphony
Number Five traumatic period that Shosta- Shostakovich created a work
Miranda Davies explores the
more unexpected aspects of
Shostakovich‟s masterpiece.
Dmitri Shostakovich, born in
St Petersburg on the 25th
September
1906,
was
a
prodigious Russian composer,
writing his first piece, a funeral
march, aged only 12. The next
year he began his studies at the
Petrograd Conservatory, and on
graduating entered the musical
arena as a solo pianist and
composer. His First Symphony,
completed when he was only 19,
won critical acclaim in both
Berlin and Philadelphia, and
from there he began to focus on
composition.
Although Shostakovich initially remained in favour with the
Communist Party, in 1936 his
luck turned, with an article in a
newspaper
linked
to
the
Communist Party of the Russian
Federation, possibly planted by
Stalin himself, criticising a
previously-acclaimed opera he
had premiered two years before.
From here his career faltered
and, as the Great Purge began,
many
of
his
personal
relationships
were
also
destroyed, with his brother-inlaw
and
mother-in-law
imprisoned, and many of his
close friends killed.
kovich composed
Symphony of 1937.
his
Fifth that symbolized for many a
representation of the horrors of
There was huge political the Terror and of the huge
pressure on Shostakovich to losses caused by the Stalinist
its premier
produce a piece of work more regime, with
suited than previous pieces to reducing many to tears, but
the ideals of Socialist Realism, a which also seemingly deferred
style of art promoted by Stalin to the exigencies of the
in 1932 linked to the idea that authorities with its coherency.
everything has a purpose, and The dichotomous nature of the
that there is order in the natural piece is clear even at the very
world. Musically, this demanded end of the symphony, with some
a more coherent texture, a people perceiving the rousing
clearer
tonality
and
an finale as a 'Stalinist Victory
optimistic outlook not always Hymn', but with the repeating
previously
present.
But high As suggesting to others
Shostakovich did not wish to forced rejoicing, reflecting the
simply become a pawn of the lack of freedom of the people.
ruling
Party;
instead
he
endeavoured
to
subtly
undermine them. This was
cleverly
achieved
with
integrated references both to
earlier works of his own, such as
a song setting a poem dealing
with the blackening and return
to the morality of old, and to
traditional works in memory of
the dead, as well as to other
pieces
including
Bizet's
Carmen.
Furthermore, Shostakovich
may have been forced not to
give performances of his Fourth
Symphony; this work was finally
performed for the first time long
after Stalin's death in 1961. It
was during this repressive and
5
The positive reception of this
piece enabled Shostakovich to
survive the Stalinist regime, yet
by hinting at the atrocities of the
time this work has remained a
polemical piece even today. A
powerful example of the force
that music can have both
emotionally and as a political
tool,
Shostakovich's
Fifth
Symphony is enigmatic and
haunting, and most definitely
worth a listen.
Meet: the editors
Naomi Gardom and Freya
Sanders reflect on their time
as editors and introduce the
new editorial team.
We estimate crudely that in
the last year we‟ve edited
around 64,000 words: roughly
the length of Virginia Woolf‟s
Mrs Dalloway (we do not invite
comparison.)
We have just exhibited one of
many things we have fought
against as editors: parentheses.
They are messy after-thoughts.
We like all thoughts to have
equal weighting. Another matter
upon which we have developed
strong feelings is the queen of
punctuation: the semi-colon.
Perceived as pretentious by
those who do not understand
her true beauty, this little tyke
can shorten any article; bring a
spark of Hollywood glamour to
any list. Take her into your life.
We are aware that we sound
slightly psychotic. The labour
involved in creating the new
Peligraph may have worn
slightly at our joint sanity. No
wonder we regularly feel
compelled to call upon Hamlet
when inventing headlines at
3o‟clock in the morning. His
predicament becomes strangely
apposite as we labour with love
and coffee. The fact that many
of
these
references
are
subconscious says a lot about
us. Spoiler alert for anyone who
hasn‟t read it: Hamlet does not
give birth to a newspaper. Nor is
„line-spacing 1.15; column width
6.1cm;
Georgia
size
11;
Paragraph 4pt‟ engrained upon
his soul.
You may be wondering, at
this point, why, exactly, we
chose to take on the enormous
task of remodelling this student
newspaper. Coincidentally, we
have both held the ambition to
nurture The Peligraph since our
youthful beginnings as puny
Upper Threes. In fact, we were
both made responsible for the
Year Six Leavers‟ pages on the
junior
school
publication
„Persephone‟ back in the day.
Fate is prescient.
Not content with helping this
publication fulfil its potential,
we also set up the Peliblog,
demonstrating our dedication to
the Pelibrand. May it live long
and prosper.
We feel a slight sense of
mourning as we move on, but
we are reassured by the fact that
the constant, Ms McPhoenix –
or Felix as she is affectionately
known
during
editorial
meetings – remains, to guide
Peli through uncharted waters.
Moreover, we can safely say
we are leaving Peli to be
captained by sure hands. In the
6
hope that the hours of sleep to
number of pages ratio may be
improved, we are tripling the
size of the editorial team. Alice
Spiers and Minying Huang, both
committed
and
talented
members of the current writing
team, will be taking over as
editors-in-chief. May their semicolons never waver and their
enthusiasm never falter. Mitty
Anderson and Liv Grant will be
responsible for Peli‟s beauty
regime – making sure she‟s
fabulous on the outside as well
as the inside – and will also be
keeping an eye out for the
presence of an „l‟ in the word
„public‟, among other things.
Angela Huang and Lucia Yin
will
be
colonising
the
blogosphere, with marginally
more technological expertise
that we had at the outset.
We wish them the very best
of luck, and thank them, our
readers, Felix and each other for
a marvellous experience.
PS. We will always be
available for guest articles. We
can‟t move on.
Small talk
Angela Huang explores the human
foible of small talk.
We all know how to greet other people; a simple “Hello, how
are you?” should be enough to get a conversation going.
However, if socialising doesn‟t come naturally to you, you may
struggle to prolong the exchange. Many feel anxious at the
prospect of making general small talk, finding it difficult to come
up with an engaging topic on the spot.
Here in the UK, when conversation dries up, a popular – yet at
the same time unfortunate - topic of discussion to fall back on is
the weather. There is also, of course, the inevitable “what did you
do last night?” which may be followed by the usual complaints
about the relentless onslaught of homework and exams. The lack
of mileage in these subject matters is appalling; more often than
not, conversation will falter, leaving us trapped in an awkward
silence which is unpleasant for both parties.
I think it‟s time to change things. When someone asks how we
are, instead of replying with the default answer, we should allow
ourselves the time to form a more careful response. The phrase
“I‟m fine” is too vague and uninformative – what does “fine”
imply? Does it mean good, great or average? Or, conversely, are
we using the word to conceal our inner turmoil, mayhap
pronouncing it in that strained voice which intimates that,
although you are saying that you are fine, you are in actual fact
trying to insinuate that you are really not and you want the other
party to comprehend this?
These reflections have prompted me to identify ways in which
we might turn small talk on its head. What other possibilities are
there? Laugh all you want, but I decided to look up various
synonyms for the words “good”, “fine”, “alright” etc, and I was
surprised to discover a vast array of weird and wonderful search
results; there are probably hundreds upon thousands of different
substitutions for the phrase “I‟m fine”, yet we don‟t seem to use
them. And so, without further ado, I present to you a list of
interesting adjectives to help spice up your conversation:
Gnarly
Tip-top
Dandy
Top-notch
Swell
Peachy
Rhapsodic
Hunky-dory
Chipper
Mirthful
Rapturous
Euphoric (my personal favourite)
Pleased as punch
Spiffing
So, the next time someone asks you how you are, brighten up
their day with some of these quirky and fun-filled responses.
In other news, has anyone else noticed how mercurial the
weather has been lately?
7
Words of
the month…
Aptronym n. a name
aptly suited to its owner,
e.g. Amy Freeze,
meteorologist.
Coalesce v. combine
two or more elements
together. „The two
thoughts coalesced, and
formed an inevitable
conclusion.‟
Crepuscular adj. dim,
twilit. „They wandered
happily through the
crepuscular forest.‟
Evanescent adj.
fleeting, passing soon out
of existence. „The
evanescent perfection of
the snow soon gave way
slush.‟
Insouciance n.
nonchalance; casual
carelessness. „His
insouciance in the face of
authority infuriated the
panel.‟
Penumbra n. the outer
shadow cast by an object.
„The reading lamp cast a
soft penumbra around
the sleeping cat.‟
Visceral adj. to do with
deep inner feelings, not
the intellect. „Her visceral
adoration of the song was
far from rational.‟
Women in science: the final frontier?
Natalie Bevan laments the
fact that women remain
undervalued in our society.
The archaic view of science as
the domain of men is now
dismissed by many as an idea of
the past. On the surface, men
and women may even appear to
some as equal in the sciences,
yet a study published last year
and NewScientist’s Careers
Guide 2013 reveal a different
story.
The study in question was
published last September by
Yale
and
reveals
subtle
subconscious divisions when it
comes to gender distinction.
Copies
of
an
identical
application form for a position
in a lab were distributed, half of
which were headed with a
female name and half with a
male name. It was found that,
though the applications were all
the same, the „female‟ applicants
were rated as significantly less
competent than the „male‟
applicants.
offered lower starting salaries,
$26,507.94
compared
to
$30,238.10. This links neatly
into the evidence collected by
NewScientist. It confirms that
the gender pay gap is still very
much at large in scientific fields.
Starting salaries are not
significantly different in the UK,
the difference being about
£2000. But this gap grows
steadily to nearly £13, 000 after
more than 20 years working in
science.
In the US it is a different and
more shocking story. The
starting gap stands at $7000,
the same average gap that is
present in the UK for scientists
that have been working for 15 to
20 years. And furthermore,
women who have devoted the
majority of their life to science
could earn as much as $23, 000
less than men who have shown
the same level of commitment.
It is notable that it was both
female and male scientists that
were guilty of this inconsistency
which points to undertones of
„unintended bias‟ (words of the
report) rather than open
misogyny. The study suggests
inherent cultural stereotypes in
society,
inherent
but
nonetheless unfair as they
prevent
women
from
progressing through scientific
careers.
The „female‟ applicants who
were judged to be successful in
their „application‟ were also
8
This is astounding because,
as shown by the Yale study,
women probably have had to
force their way through inherent
cultural limitations, meaning
that they have had to work far
harder to get where they are
than the male scientists. This is
not to say that the men do not
deserve their pay, it is just that
women deserve equality.
Yet what can be done about
those
subconscious
mental
attitudes exposed by the study?
It is very hard to pinpoint it
because there are many women
not equal in intellect to men and
many men not as deserving of
positions and money as women.
The most anyone can do is be
aware of these situations and
their implications, but it should
not be allowed to cloud the
selection process for positions of
authority.
How much do you know about the red carpet?
Chishimba Malata challenges Peligraph readers to answer the following film and fashion
themed questions.
1.
What year did Coco Chanel die?
2.
Who is the highest paid actor for a single film?
3.
Who is the new creative director of Balenciaga?
4.
Who was the first black model to appear on the cover of a
major fashion magazine, and which magazine was it?
5.
Who directed the original version of the film „Psycho’?
6.
What do these actors have in common? Michael Keaton,
Val Kilmer, Adam West, Christian Bale
7.
Who designed Kate Middleton‟s wedding dress?
8.
What country does Oscar De La Renta originate from?
9.
Complete the film title, „An Officer and a _____‟?
10. Which brand sells the iconic „Birkin‟ bag?
11. Who is known in the fashion world as the master of
posing?
12. Who gave the iconic performance as Stanley Kowalski in
the production of „A Streetcar Named Desire’?
13. Which acclaimed fashion house has the initials MMM?
14. How many „Die Hard’ movies have there been?
15. Where was Kate Moss scouted?
1. January 10, 1971 at the age of 87
2. Johnny Depp - $74 million for Pirates of the
Caribbean 2
Nicholas Ghesquiere
Naomi Campbell, French Vogue
Alfred Hitchcock
They have all played Batman
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
Spain
Gentleman
Hermes
Coco Rocha
Marlon Brando
Maison Martin Margiela
Five
At JFK Airport, New York
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Answers
9
10
The ethics of cosmetics testing
Lucia Yin highlights the
injustice of certain forms of
animal testing.
The long-awaited day has
finally come: on March 11th
2013, the EU banned the sale of
all animal-tested cosmetics.
Marking a victory for laboratory
animals and their advocates, the
ban applies to all new cosmetics
and their ingredients sold in the
EU, regardless of where the
animal testing was carried out.
The anti-vivisection
group
BUAV and the European
Coalition to End Animal
Experiments (ECEAE) have
spent more than 20 years
campaigning on the issue,
enlisting the help of eminent
celebrities - including Sir Paul
McCartney,
Morrissey
and
Sienna Miller - to promote their
cause. No doubt pleased with
the outcome of their efforts, the
BUAV is now seeking to
replicate its success; they are
pursuing a global ban. Hopefully
they will not have to wait long;
perhaps other countries will
begin to grasp the reasons for
the ban and follow suit.
There is one country in
particular, in my opinion, whose
animal testing laws require
amendment: China. Last year,
the
Chinese
government
introduced a regulation that
stipulates that all imported
cosmetic products must be
tested on animals. It seems
ludicrous that companies should
not be allowed to take their own
stance on cosmetic testing.
Those against it, and those who
are not enticed by the prospect
of money to be had in that most
lucrative market, have been
forced to pull out of selling their
products in China. In an ideal
world, the Chinese government
would implement a complete
ban on animal testing. To be
realistic, however, we can only
hope that in future companies
will be able to decide for
themselves just exactly how
their products are tested.
Unlike medical testing for
which
the
argument
is
undoubtedly stronger, cosmetic
testing does not serve to save
lives. Not only are non-animal
tests morally and ethically
preferable, they also achieve a
higher degree of accuracy. An
animal will never be fully
representative of a human;
reactions to products will differ.
Already alternative and arguably
more effective methods are
being introduced, for example,
the
reconstituted
human
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epidermis, which uses skin
donated
from
patients
undergoing cosmetic surgery to
be used to test products. These
scientific advances demonstrate
that there is absolutely no need
to put vulnerable animals under
unnecessary discomfort and
pain.
I am not anti-makeup in the
slightest; nevertheless, it is my
firm belief that animals should
not have to endure cosmetic
testing in order that our vanity
is satisfied. No animal deserves
to suffer for our beauty trade,
which in itself could be
considered
hollow
and
superficial. Fingers crossed that
this move by the EU denotes the
start of a global awakening. An
explicit message has been sent
to the rest of the world in
support of cruelty-free beauty:
cosmetic testing on animals is,
in every respect, unjustifiable
and wrong.
Mrs Dalloway: The Interior vs. Exterior Self
Mitty Anderson discusses the
importance of arguably Virginia
Woolf‟s greatest work.
Can we ever truly be freed of
the conflict between our
interior and exterior self? Is
there a fundamental loneliness
to life? "She had a perpetual
sense, as she watched the taxi
cabs, of being out, out, far to
sea and alone; she always had
the feeling that is was very, very
dangerous to live even one
day."- so Virginia Woolf's
Clarissa Dalloway feels, in one
of the author's most celebrated
novels 'Mrs Dalloway'.
The title of the novel was
originally to be 'The Hours',
strongly referencing the use of
time and its importance in the
book; the change to 'Mrs
Dalloway', reflects Woolf's
desire to emphasize that of
individual consciousness, and
heralds it as a major, if not the
most significant, point in the
novel.
The
two
main
characters- Clarissa Dalloway
and Septimus Warren Smith juxtapose each other in the
sense that their lifestyles and
personalities are so different,
but they have often been
referred to as the "two sides of
the
same
coin";
subtle
similarities lying under the
surface reveal the importance
of certain character traits, and
define the difference between
the interior and the exterior,
both in terms of appearance
and experience.
Whilst Clarissa seemingly
represents sanity, Septimus is a
depiction of insanity; Dalloway
appears to fulfil that which is
expected of a married woman
of her class, whereas memories
of the war haunt Septimus and
leave him unable to fit in with
society. Woolf experiments
with the idea of sanity and
insanity, resulting in two
opposing character types, but
who both, in struggling to deal
with their flaws, end up failing
to do so; they "lose" their
interior battle. In exploring the
minds of specific characters
and those who surround them,
metaphorical links are formed
between people throughout the
novel. It is this exploration into
the mentality of individuals
that is so fascinatingly relevant
to the human race, for we are a
species that are constantly
using verbal and non-verbal
communication,
whilst
retaining the internal flow of
thoughts that affects the way
we interact with each other,
influencing the outcome of our
lives.
Internal monologue is one of
the most significant features of
the novel, and helps the reader
to understand the complexities
of the characters; Woolf's
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characteristic
"stream
of
consciousness" narrative style
enables the clash between the
interior
and
exterior
to
intensify.
Alongside
this
ongoing conflict is the battle
between being (in the words of
Fitzgerald's Nick Carraway),
"both within and without";
Septimus and Clarissa are both
outsiders and so withdraw
further into themselves. In the
very early pages of the novel,
we are made aware of Clarissa's
"sense
of
being
herself
invisible", with Woolf hinting
towards
the
impermanent
nature of the exterior versus
that of the interior: "But now
this body she wore... this body,
with all its capacities, seemed
nothing- nothing at all."
Perhaps, amongst our fears of
death, it is in fact the
intangibility of our interior self,
of "the soul", that is most
frightening.
Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway' is a
beautifully
written
novel,
permeated by sentences that
succinctly
and
profoundly
reach into the vast regions of
critical themes, such as that of
English society, time, and fear
of death. The use of internal
monologue serves to highlight
this, and plays on the mentality
and emotions of the reader;
human nature causes us to
develop at least a slight
understanding of the marred
characters in the novel, with
Septimus as "the last relic
straying on the edge of the
world, this outcast, who gazed
back at the inhabited regions,
who lay, like a drowned sailor
on the shore of the world."
Stick „em up: why own a gun?
Shoshana Mitchell argues the cases for and against personal gun
ownership.
One factor is that it can be a
family legacy. A gun either
brought as a present or handed
down through generations can
be
sentimental.
This
is
ameliorated by the fact that
guns rarely decline in value, so
are seen as an investment, so
people keep them in a corner
and let their value grow.
not have an obligation to do so,
therefore one must accept
responsibility for one's own
security. To deny a human the
right to defend him- or herself
from any threat is the most
grievous crime, so to own a gun
for the purpose of defense is
one of the most universal and
basic human rights.
Some people like to hunt,
either for social benefits or to
get food. In addition, some gun
owners may own guns simply
so they can take part in social
shooting activities, such as
sporting clays. Competitive
shooting helps some shooters
focus and gives them a sense of
belonging, as well as a sense of
achievement when they are able
to shoot better than their fellow
competitors.
Some gun owners like guns
merely for their historical
value. Perhaps a certain gun
which has been celebrated in
history, such as the old
Kentucky rifle or the original
Colt Peacemaker revolver, may
pique a collector's sense of
history. Still others prefer
military arms, which have
definite significance to those of
us whose families have served
in the military during wartime.
One of the most universal
reasons to own a gun is to
protect
themselves.
Police
cannot always protect citizens,
and even if they could, they do
Most
firearms
are
mechanical marvels and some
have a personal interest in
keeping guns as collections.
Books of the
month…
Shake off the winter
chills with one of these
epics.
The Secret History,
Donna Tart – When a
classical culture
experiment goes too far a
group of American
students must find ways
to deal with the
consequences.
Quiet, Susan Cain – a
psychological study of
the nature of the
introvert, you will never
look at quite people the
same way again
Gone With the Wind,
Margaret Mitchell - a
timeless classic telling
the story of the feisty,
selfish, resourceful
Scarlet O‟Hara as she
struggles to hold onto
her land and win the
man she loves during the
American Civil War
Small Island, Andrea
Levy- The story of a
Jamaican couple,
married for convenience
fighting for a living and
to try to love each other
in post-war London and
a young, married white
woman who falls in love
with a black pilot during
the war.
13
Anime Review: "Chuunibyou demo Koi ga
Shitai!"
Mitty Anderson
recommends a jaunt into
the world of anime.
"Even people with adolescent
delusions of grandeur want to
experience love!" This is the
literal translation of the title of
my new favourite anime,
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga
Shitai. The statement may seem
bizarre but it immediately
addresses three of the main
themes in the funny yet
poignant
series:
teenagers,
delusions and love. Refreshingly
original, the plot diverges from
that of the traditional romantic
comedy, as can be seen in later
episodes when the storyline
moves into darker territory.
Viewers may also appreciate the
allusions to older, more anime
classic
productions,
which
invoke a feeling of nostalgia.
The anime explores the
implications of having "eighthgrader
syndrome”,
or
Chuunibyou, a condition where
dreams intermingle with reality,
becoming a part of daily life. It
tells the story of high-school
student Togashi Yuuta who,
having suffered from the
syndrome, now wishes to turn
over a new leaf and live life as a
normal boy. However, things
take a decidedly different turn
when he meets Takanashi
Rikka, a classmate prone to
delusions similar to those he
used to experience. Accustomed
to wearing an eye patch and
carrying a parasol as a weapon,
Rikka believes herself to possess
magic powers. From the very
first episode, Rikka's presence
threatens to bring back longrepressed
memories
from
Yuuta‟s past, her actions
reminding him of his past folly.
For both protagonists, the
syndrome acts as a coping
mechanism, shielding them
from the harsh light of reality.
Traumatised by her father's
unexpected death, Rikka takes
on a new persona and escapes
into a make-believe world.
Because they threaten to strip
away the pretence, her mother
and sister become her enemies.
Similarly, Yuuta‟s sense of not
belonging compelled him to
construct an imaginary realm in
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which he could feel important.
Ironically, this only served to
alienate him further from his
peers.
Although the reasons for
their delusions are different,
Yuuta and Rikka have much in
common and, inevitably, they
fall in love. Retreating into their
fantasies, they shut themselves
off from the rest of the world.
Comprehension dawns when,
having recovered from eighthgrader syndrome, Yuuta is able
to see himself mirrored in
Rikka. Following this revelation,
he begins to see it as his duty to
"cure" his classmate, but, in
doing so, he comes to realise
that her emotional pain runs
deeper than expected. As the
world as she knows it slowly
collapses around her, reality
crashes through and, along
with her crumbling delusions,
Rikka breaks down. At this
point, darker forces come into
play and more light is shed on
her past.
Perhaps Yuuta, the catalyst
for Rikka's acceptance of
reality, is the embodiment of
our internal conflict as we make
the transition from teenager to
young adult. We constantly
strive to fit in with others and
behave in a way that is
perceived to be "normal". This
idea is emphasized in the final
episode: eighth-grader syndrome is revealed to be nothing
more than the illness of selfconsciousness. We struggle
with the concept on a daily
basis; it "repeats from the day
we are born until the day we
die". Yet it is at the same time
"dear to us... something we
must all face known as
'ourselves'".
Certainly, the plot carries
itself, but the narrative, the
fascinating
characters
and
striking imagery all combine
together to make this a deeply
moving
series.
Comedy,
romance and despair are finely
balanced at all times, assisted
by the stylisation which helps to
establish a surreal and dreamlike quality. Moreover, through
the art, the anime maintains its
alluring sense of melancholy.
With
its
heart-rending
message, Chuunibyou demo
Koi ga Shitai will make you
laugh and, conversely, it will
make you cry.
Recipe: Freya’s Famous Tiffin
Naomi Gardom worms out the secret of Freya Sanders’
delicious signature cake.
Some experiences stay with you for your entire life: your first
love; the first time you recognise your own mortality; the births
of siblings and children. More universally compelling than all of
these, at least for Stephen Perseans, is your first taste of Freya‟s
tiffin. As she prepares to move on, she bequeaths this mystical
art to the school.
The secret to its success lies in spontaneity and confidence.
The following recipe is merely a guideline, but all alterations
should be made in the spirit of experimentation, rather than
caution. It can sense fear.
Start by obtaining 16oz Digestive Biscuits. Crumble these into
oblivion, pouring into the process every frustration you have
ever felt. The best instruments for this process are a rolling pin
and a large mixing bowl. For some reason unknown to science,
rolling pins are hyper-effective at channelling catharsis.
Next, melt 8oz butter with 5tbsps golden syrup. As you gaze
into the mingling of the golden elixirs, remember that there is
beauty and kindness in the world, and that however unhappy or
trapped you may feel, your frustrations are infinitesimally
significant in relation to the universe as a whole. This process is
vital to the success of the end product: neglect it at your peril.
To the now-melted mixture, add your pre-crushed biscuits,
along with a quantity of cocoa (to taste). At this point, you can
also add melted chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, or other
flavourings of your choice. In the synthesis of the biscuits and
the liquid, remember that in life there is always balance between
light and dark, and also that there is always room for chocolate.
Do not be alarmed if the combined mixture appears dry, and
do not be tempted to add more liquid at this point. Transfer the
mixture to a baking tin, and press it down hard. This will give it
a rich, intense texture.
Refrigerate the tin overnight, well-guarded from parents,
siblings and pets. Though the temptation to spend the
intervening hours gazing in adoration at your creation, this is
generally accepted to be a bad idea, both for the tiffin and for
your fridge. Sleep well in the knowledge of what awaits you in
the morning.
Cut the tiffin into squares and transfer to a carrying
receptacle. Beware, incidentally, the immense attraction this
will give you throughout the day – you may become known as
the Pied Piper of Cambridge. Use this power wisely.
15
The bookshops of Cambridge
Naomi Gardom presents a
handy guide for the use of
Cambridge‟s many bibliophiles.
Heffers Bookshop must surely be the quintessential Cambridge bookshop. Now owned by her
Oxford sister, Blackwells, Heffers has been supplying Cambridge with its drug of choice for over 130
years. Make sure you head downstairs to discover their marvellous Second Hand section; there is a
high likelihood that you will come across a gem for £5 or less. Being the de facto University
bookshop, Heffers is very much geared towards the need of the penniless student: they have a
charming range of stationery, as well as study guides and an apparently perpetual offer on the „A very
short introduction to…‟ series.
The Cambridge University Press, just a few doors down from Heffers, is at first sight, somewhat
intimidating. However, once you conquer your fear, it is well worth it. You may not find the precise
book you are looking for – the #1 Bestseller is unlikely to be screaming at you from every display –
but you will invariably be introduced to a book, thought, or idea which is completely novel to you. As
an academic publisher, its prices are generally higher than average; this makes it an excellent place
to visit with benevolent relatives who might feel inclined to subsidise your ownership of the complete
works of Jean-Paul Sartre.
While in complete contrast to the reverent atmosphere of the CUP, the market bookstalls can be
the place of similar revelations. Depending on condition, most books are sold for around £2.50, with
particularly nice hardbacks going for up to £6. This is the place to go to find a cheap copy of that
book which everybody was reading six months ago, and which you became utterly sick of hearing
about, but which you‟ve finally decided to try yourself. You‟re also (practically) guaranteed to find a
good quality detective novel which you‟ve never read, by an author whom you enjoy – albeit a slightly
mildewy copy. If you have shelves of children‟s books, collected lovingly over years, but now just a bit
too young for you, this is a good place to get rid of them; you will not get huge amount of money, but
you will know that some child will be delighted at the chance to buy the next book in their favourite
series without having to spend all their pocket money at once.
Another good place to pass on unwanted or unloved books is the Oxfam Bookshop. This may seem
unbearably cramped and claustrophobic at first, but you will soon lose yourself among the charming
musty tomes. This being Cambridge, you are likely to find a first edition collection of poetry by Philip
Larkin nestled up with Dan Brown‟s latest thriller. If you think that playing music digitally is too
mainstream, they also have an excellent collection of vinyl. And they sell chocolate. And they fight
against world poverty. It‟s a pretty cool place.
I have a particular fondness for the Cambridge Waterstones – in particular the way it stands, a
beacon of goodness, between The Place and Jack Wills. This is probably my favourite place to browse
for books (when I‟m not on a serious hunt): the displays
are very friendly, and the staff are very
16
willing to recommend their favourite books to clueless customers. The Young Adult section is the
most extensive of any bookshop in Cambridge, and it also stocks practically every study guide and
revision aid you could imagine. There is also a café on the Second Floor, recognising the
elemental affiliation between books and coffee.
However, we have not yet come to the jewels of Cambridge‟s book-buying opportunities. Either
side of the church of St Edward, King and Martyr (just next to the Cambridge Arts Theatre) lie
hidden the two best bookshops in the city. The Haunted Bookshop is as picturesque as it sounds,
and if you thought that the Oxfam bookshop was cramped you should take a deep breath before
venturing in. However, it is an absolute delight of reasonable prices and beautiful old books. Just
40-odd metres away lies my favourite place in the entire world: G.David Bookshop. Simply
perusing the „bargain‟ boxes at the front can take hours, but step inside to discover the Ali Baba‟s
cave of bookshops (both in terms of the riches you will find, and also because, once in, it is
incredibly difficult to leave). Most of the stock is publishers‟ remainders, which creates an eclectic
mix of subjects. While the tone of the books tends to the academic, there is no sense of elitism, and
P.G. Wodehouse and A.A. Milne are treated with the same affection as Francis Bacon and A.J.P.
Taylor. The antiquarian department is incredible, stocking books up to 400 years old in myriad
languages. I frequently make pilgrimages there simply to breathe in the smell…
17
Pets of the month: The Grant Aviary
Liv Grant introduces us to her many fine feathered friends.
I received my first budgie for my tenth birthday, a blue
and white feathered substitute for a much longed for puppy.
Bubbles was meant to be my only pet, but somehow a few
years later I had more than 15 birds living in an outdoor
aviary. Owning birds is a learning process, especially when
you have no knowledge of them, and I got my first shock on
the day that I took Bubbles home. When you buy a budgie
from a pet shop, it is put in a tiny cardboard box with small
breathing holes, which must be very traumatic. So, when I
put my hand into the box containing Bubbles, I was probably
a bit too gentle and Bubbles promptly escaped, and I had to
spend the rest of the day chasing this frightened bird around
the house. This is the first problem with keeping birds; once
a bird has escaped it is very difficult to retrieve it. The worst
experience that I have had with escaping birds is (so far) the
time that my aviary was damaged by a strong storm,
allowing two birds to escape. One of the birds, a zebra finch
never came back, but another of the zebra finches had
chicks, so we employed a tactic used by poachers: putting
the chicks in a cage – they alled out to their mother, and
eventually she returned.
The best part of keeping birds is being able to observe
their behaviour, especially courting behaviour. People
generally assume that we are have behaviours which are
“exclusive” to us, but birds help to preen one another‟s
feathers, have a hierarchy in which the breeding birds take
precedence, and when the female is laying eggs, the male
feeds her. I have bred zebra finches and canaries several
times, and budgies just once. The most exciting event that
can happen when you own birds is when you can hear a very
faint high pitched peeping noise from inside a nest box.
When budgies first hatch they look like pale pink jelly
babies, and their skin is disconcertingly translucent so
couldn‟t be described as cute, but after they have grown
down feathers they are adorably fluffy.
Budgies are also highly intelligent; one budgie holds the
world record for “most talking bird” as he could say 2,700
words! Whilst this may only demonstrate a talent for
mimicry, I have also been able to teach birds simple tricks
very quickly, such as flying to me on command. Budgies can
also recognise people; if they know you they will give a small
chirp and raise both of their wings when you enter the room.
Overall, budgies are great pets for people who want a pet
that is small, slightly unusual, smart and very cute.
18
The Cambridge Science
Festival
Izzy Hale gives her perspective on the myriad opportunities
at this year‟s festival.
From the 11th to the 24th March, a science festival is
being held in Cambridge. Showcasing the wonders of
science and technology, the Cambridge Science Festival
encourages people to find new ways to explore science.
Coordinated by the Public Engagement team at the
University of Cambridge, the festival is run by volunteers
and remains the largest free science festival in the UK. With
a huge variety of workshops, lectures and exhibitions on
offer, there is sure to be something for everyone. So, why not
get involved?
I myself have already attended one presentation: “The
amazing world of cells, molecules … and cancer”. The skill
of the professor giving the talk was to be admired; faced
with an audience of young and old, encompassing a wide
range in ability, he managed to communicate various
concepts surrounding cancer and its potential cures with
concision and ease. Despite all the snow earlier that day, the
room was filled to capacity; the event attracted a large
number of people.
If the thought of pure science isn't enough to entice you,
perhaps the star of BBC's „Sherlock’, Benedict Cumberbatch,
might change your mind. This year Cumberbatch is playing
a key role in the festival, acting as guest director and helping
put together the programme of events. Although best known
for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, the actor has also
taken on the roles of Stephen Hawking, Heisenberg and
even Frankenstein; his interest in science is evident. His
objective was to make the festival accessible to all - even to
those of us who optimistically go along, only to discover that
science, it turns out, is more of a foreign language.
By identifying links between art and science, the
University of Cambridge hopes that people will begin to see
the potential for creativity to be had in scientific careers. It
is my belief that the Cambridge Science Festival allows us to
associate science with enjoyment, rather than textbook
boredom. Hopefully many other people plan to take
advantage of the opportunities available. Go out and learn
something new. Or acquire a new perspective on something
old.
19
Best box sets
The period of pre-exam extreme
procrastination is nigh, making
the following box sets essential
watching.
Jeeves and Wooster –
An utter classic from the comedy
geniuses Stehpen Fry and Hugh
Laurie. Bask in the sheer
silliness of 1930s upper-class
glamour.
Friends –
Sometimes, nothing will soothe
quite like a coffee and a gossip
on the sofas in Central Perk.
This box set is dangerously
addictive.
Sherlock –
It‟s no secret that we in the
Peligraph are fans of this
particular series. Although the
sum total of six episodes can
hardly be dignified with the term
„box set‟, there‟s still a good nine
hours‟ viewing there.
Frozen Planet –
Beautifully shot and narrated,
this is nature television at its
most glorious.
Miranda –
A hilarious what I call sitcom.
This is an instant pick-me-up,
offering the reassurance that, of
all the people in the world, you
are not the most hopeless.
The Thick of It –
If political satire is your thing,
look no further than the biting
humour of this programme, set
in the high-octane world of
government and opposition.
Stars Peter Capaldi and Roger
Allam.
Person of the Month: Anna Akhmatova
Caroline de Groot explores
the life of an extraordinary
Russian poet.
movement
focused
on
Apollonian clarity of expression
rather than „Dionysian frenzy‟.
We may feel that we have
begun to grasp the horrors that
befell the population of the
USSR: the oppression, the scale
of the gulags. However, even
now the extent of Soviet stateenforced terror remains a
mystery, in part because we fail
to recognise the heroes of this
era. One of the most unique
and perhaps deservedly one of
the most celebrated dissidents
was Anna Akhmatova. She
stands out in Russian history,
firstly for being a woman,
secondly as a poetic genius with
an utterly novel voice, and
lastly as a political witness to
one of Russia‟s darkest times.
However,
Akhmatova‟s
success in the literary world
and the joy of watching her son
grow up was disturbed by the
disintegrating relationship with
her husband; she wrote to a
friend that „I believe[d] that it
[was] my fate to be his wife.
Whether or not I love him, I do
not know‟. They divorced in
1918 and Gumilev was executed
for crimes against the state in
192. This affected her greatly,
and marked the beginning of
times of hardship. She was
married twice more, and her
third husband Punin died in a
labour camp, where her son Lev
was also sent, although he
survived.
Born to an upper-class
family in what is now Ukraine
in 1889, Akhmatova was
warned by her father not to
become a „decadent poetess‟,
but
nevertheless
entered
literary circles in St. Petersburg
and married the poet Nikolai
Gumilev in 1910. She tasted
success
with
her
first
publication of poems, „Evening’
in 1912, and gave birth to her
only son, Lev. She soon became
a cult figure in St. Petersburg
intelligentsia, leading a poetic
revolution with her husband.
Akhmatova‟s innovation in
literary craft was the Acmeist
movement, which ran counter
to the Symbolist movement and
Socialist Realism. It signalled
an end to the lyricism of writers
such as Fyodor Tyutchev and
Alexander
Pushkin.
The
Although an unofficial ban
was placed on Akhmatova‟s
poetry from 1925 to 1940, her
increasingly politicized writing
was still smuggled throughout
literary groups, even into the
gulags. Her flat was bugged and
members of the Russian secret
police followed her and kept
her
under
constant
surveillance. She wrote that „it
was a time when the dead
smiled, only happy in their
peace‟. Among her notable
works from this time is
„Requiem’, telling the story of
the gulag and of the loved ones
waiting outside the gulag. The
dehumanization present in
what was supposed to be a
socialist utopia, she described
as „eternal confusion/ Who‟s
20
beast, and who‟s man?‟
Isaiah Berlin wrote that „the
legend of her life and
unyielding passive resistance to
what she regarded as unworthy
of her country and herself,
transformed her into a figure
[...] not merely in Russian
literature, but in Russian
history‟.
Statistics can only
bring true understanding so
far; what history textbooks lack
on this period is the emotional
scale
of
state-engendered
atrocity. Akhmatova‟s poetry
and life serves as a reminder of
human suffering. We should
„never forget one single thing.
Even in new grief. Even if they
clamp shut [our tormented
mouths]/Through which one
hundred
million
people
scream‟. Hers is a call never to
forget what the human race is
capable of.
Lost for Words? Use someone else‟s!
Alice Spiers shares some of history‟s most powerful quotations with us. Warning: may cause
consternation and confusion in the wrong hands.
„Courage is not the absence
of fear, but rather the
judgement that something is
more important than fear.‟ –
Ambrose Redmoon
„We are what we repeatedly
do; excellence, then, is not an
act but a habit.‟ – Aristotle
„Never be afraid to laugh at
yourself, after all, you could be
missing out on the joke of the
century.‟ – Dame Edna Everage
The power of well-placed
and beautifully phrased words
is infinite. Words have the
power to hurt, comfort, destroy,
provoke and amuse us. The
simplest phrase from the right
person can change your entire
outlook on a task, situation,
your day, the rest of your life,
the possibilities are endless.
The nuggets of wisdom that we
pick up through things we read
or hear are priceless and can be
relied on to boost our
determination and mood, so
here are a few of the best:
„I am the greatest. I said that
even before I knew I was.‟ –
Mohammed Ali
„Inch by inch play by play till
we're finished. We are in hell
right now, gentlemen believe
me… we can fight our way back
into the light. We can climb out
of hell. One inch, at a time.‟ –
Al Pacino, „Any Given Sunday‟
(it‟s worth Googling to get the
full speech)
„I myself have never been
able to find out precisely what
feminism is: I only know that
people call me a feminist
whenever I express sentiments
that differentiate me from a
door mat or a prostitute,‟ Rebecca West
„Don‟t cry because it‟s over,
smile because it happened.‟ –
Dr Seuss
„In three words I can sum up
everything I‟ve learnt about life:
it goes on.‟ – Robert Frost
„Friendship is born at that
moment when one person says
to another: “What! You too? I
thought I was the only one.”‟ –
C.S. Lewis
„I am so clever sometimes I
don‟t understand a single word
of what I‟m saying.‟ – Oscar
Wilde
„Whenever you find yourself
on the side of the majority it is
time to pause and reflect.‟ –
Mark Twain
21
„If everything seems under
control, you‟re not going fast
enough.‟ – Mario Andretti
„Sanity is madness put to
good use.‟ – George Santayana
„If the facts don‟t fit the
theory, change the facts.‟ –
Albert Einstein
„I like life. It‟s something to
do.‟ – Ronnie Shakes
„After I‟m dead I‟d rather
have people ask why I have no
monument than why I have
one.‟ – Cato the Elder.
„Throw your heart over the
fence and the rest will follow.‟ –
Norman Vincent Peale
„Style is knowing who you
are, what you want to say and
not giving a damn.‟ – Gore
Vidal
„I shut my eyes in order to
see.‟ – Paul Gauguin
„We would worry less what
others think of us if we realized
how seldom they do.‟ – Ethel
Barett
What‟s your beef?
Freya Sanders advocates the
joys of getting rid of the meat.
It‟s never been a better time to go veggie: it‟s easy, cheap and
green. The initial wrench might sting, but ultimately the benefits
most certainly outweigh the costs.
1. It’s good for your health – honest!
By substituting meat for Quorn, you can reduce your intake of nasty things like saturated fat.
Quorn mince, for example, contains 80% less saturated fat than veritable cow entrails. It also
contains all the protein that omnivores claim we veggies lack.
2. There are so many alternatives.
Quorn isn‟t the only meat substitute on the market. Tofu, beans and even halloumi can replace
meat in almost any meal. If you broaden your diet and explore your options, you‟ll find
vegetarianism doesn‟t limit you in any way.
3. Excellent recipes come to light
One of the best things about being veggie is the experimentation that follows. Coupling hummus
and halloumi, make-your-own falafel, anything-goes risotto: there‟s scope for some serious
discovery.
4. You’ll know what’s in your food
We veggies can‟t help feeling very slightly smug as we listen to the horrified omnivores around us
discussing the recent horsemeat scandal. Even if regulations tighten tenfold, there‟s still no way to
be absolutely sure that meat is what it says on the tin. Furthermore, there can be some seriously
dodgy chemicals in meat and fish, including steroids, hormones, DDT and heavy metals, which
can‟t be got rid of by cooking or freezing. The only way to avoid these alarming substances
completely is by eschewing the products.
5. It’s actually not that hard
As someone who made a conscious decision to go veggie, I can honestly say it wasn‟t too difficult.
Be vegetarian isn‟t more time consuming, expensive or bland. After the first few weeks, you‟ll
wonder what you ever saw in eating flesh. The only hard times come when travelling, but all the
world has some kind of bread and – probably – fresh fruit to keep you going.
6. You’ll reduce famine
Raising animals is actually hugely inefficient, as they consume food that could be fed to humans,
and then burn much of its calorific value. The grain currently fed to livestock in the United States
could feed nearly 800 million people and, if exported, add $80 billion to the USA‟s GDP.
7. It’s green
The raising of livestock is responsible for huge amounts of environmental damage. This includes
deforestation in the Amazon, pollution of rivers by pesticides and emissions of CO 2 from the
transport of meat around the globe. Because meat is less nourishing per gram, more has to be
produced and transported to meet demand. Overall its production is unsustainable – we only
have to look at the levels of cod in the North Sea to see this.
8.And of course, it’s good for our furry friends
Even if you don‟t find a tiny piglet adorable, surely that‟s not enough to condone the deaths of
millions of creatures every year. If it contains meat, you cannot ever know whether your dinner
had decent living conditions or a humane death. Therefore isn‟t it best to live off something that
isn‟t sentient?
22
The most powerful women in the country
Agnes Pethers draws
attention to the power of the
female swing voters in
elections.
It is a truth universally
acknowledged
that
stereotyping, especially gender
stereotyping, is a bad thing.
However,
is
it
always
inaccurate?
Meet the most powerful
women in Britain. These
women are not extraordinary or
special in any way - no big
names, no big incomes, no big
egos.
These
women
are
completely average. The sort of
woman who lives next door,
who always parks in the middle
of two spaces, who has never,
and probably will never, finish
washing the school shirts.
So what makes them
powerful? Are they part of
some
secret
underground
resistance? Are they secretly
plotting to destroy all wifi
hotspots around England? Far
from it. The true secret of these
women's extraordinary power
is very simple. They change
their minds. Fairly regularly.
Not really a characteristic
that springs to mind when you
think about powerful men Hitler, Stalin, Alan Sugar. So
why does this seemingly
unimportant
characteristic
qualify them for this high
status? Well, it doesn't really.
Not for most of the time. Most
of the time these women mingle
amongst us unnoticed, merrily
queuing in front of us at
Waitrose or picking up that last
copy of the Daily Mail.
Just occasionally, say when
an election is being held, do
they truly rise to power and
come into their own. And this is
what qualifies them as the most
important women - they are the
people who effectively choose
our next government.
Studies have shown most
men never change which party
they vote for, and neither do
most very old women or young
women (who haven't yet voted
for a party to change from) leaving only these middle aged
women as the deciders, or
"swing voters". These are an
absolutely crucial majority to
gain - so much so that all the
campaigning is directed almost
entirely at them. Why else
would politicians go round
hugging babies? Because they
enjoy it? Why else did Gordon
Brown talk to Mums-net, or
David Cameron insist that
"Family Values are the key to a
responsible Society", or Ed
Milliband keep going on about
building a better future for the
younger generation?
23
However, this manipulation
goes deeper than that. Focus
groups are set up, to find out
what these average women
think is important right now,
and then, suddenly, these
become the title label of
policies the candidates promise
to put through. Not that they
do. They basically do what they
would have done normally. But
these ideas make for good titles
and good PR - always vital to
elections. Often critical, in fact.
So yes, it does seem slightly
counter-intuitive that the most
powerful women in Britain
should be so powerful through
their ability to be manipulated
and change their minds
accordingly. But this is the
society in which we live powerful women are only
powerful at all precisely
because of the archetypal
characteristics that men think
makes them so confusing.
But at least this does show
one thing - changing your mind
means that at least you have a
mind to change.
Heinrich Schliemann: a life digging
Nurgul Shukeyeva relates
the astonishing story of
Heinrich Schliemann.
Heinrich
Schliemann,
arguably the most famous
German archaeologist, was
born in 1822 in a small town in
the
northern
county
of
Mecklenburg. After losing his
mother in early childhood,
Schliemann
cultivated
an
interest in history. He was
encouraged by his father, who
introduced him to the legends
of the Trojan War, which later
inspired Schliemann‟s strong
desire to find the remains of the
Trojan Fortress. However,
when Heinrich was orphaned at
fourteen, he was forced to make
his living by becoming an
apprentice to a grocer.
For five and a half years he
worked tirelessly from 5am
until 11pm in a small shop in
Mecklenburg. Although these
years
were
difficult,
he
managed to find time for study.
Forced to leave his job having
burst a blood vessel lifting
barrels, Schliemann went to
Hamburg in search of work but
lost each job within eight days.
In 1841 he became cabin boy on
a boat to Venezuela. The ship
foundered in a gale after twelve
days at sea and the survivors
washed up on the shores of
the Netherlands. Schliemann
decided not to go back to his
hard life in Germany and found
work as a bookkeeper in
Amsterdam instead. This new
position gave him time to
continue his neglected studies,
spending half of his earnings on
self-education, and leading a
miserable existence on the
remainder of the money.
Schliemann studied English
with exceptional diligence,
developing his own method to
learn the language: reading
aloud, translating texts, writing
essays and then memorising
them. He applied the same
practice to the study of French
and using this technique he
strengthened his memory to
such an extent that it took him
no more than six weeks to learn
24
how to write and speak fluently
in
Dutch,
Spanish
and
Portuguese, struggling only
with Russian as he was unable
to find a teacher, and instead
recited for two hours every day.
Due to his impressive linguistic
skills Schliemann was sent to
Russia on business, where he
made great profit in the indigo
business and as a military
contractor in the Crimean War.
Beginning his search for and
excavation of the city of Troy in
1871, Schliemann worked in
Turkey on the hill of Hissarlik,
the modern name for the site of
Troy, until his death on a trip to
Italy in 1890. There he made
rare and priceless finds such as
the „mask of Agamemnon‟ and
„Priam‟s Treasure‟ which is said
to contain the jewels of Helen
of Troy. Through his love for
history, language, adventure
and
discovery,
Heinrich
Schliemann has earned the title
of one of the greatest
archaeologists of all time.
Trust your instincts
Nurgul Shukeyeva explores the concept of intuitive thought.
The basic definition of intuition, as I see it, is “instinctive
knowing, without the use of rational process, often referred to as
a “gut feeling”. Intuition usually works best when there is a high
level of uncertainty, limited time and when you are facing several
possible alternatives to choose from. For instance, imagine that
you are a Marine serving in Iraq. You only have a split second to
make a snap decision: if you are trigger-happy, you may kill a
civilian; if you hesitate, you may get killed. How do you react to
such situations? What kind of recourse do you have other than
letting your intuition take over?
Detecting intuitive responses is difficult. They can be
described as feeling cues in terms of a growing excitement,
warmth or confidence somewhere in your body. These signals,
however, differ from person to person. Human intuition is
different between all people due to the fact that each person's
mind matures at different levels of spirituality, understanding,
and insight.
Some people seem to possess an abundance of intuition.
Warren Buffet remains the market king as he has the uncanny
ability of knowing when to buy, when to sell and which stocks
will become clear winners in the long run. Gary Kasparov is
acknowledged as the greatest chess player of all times due to his
ability to anticipate his competitor‟s moves, calculate all possible
positions, and decide on the best move, all in a couple seconds.
Clearly, each of these individuals has a high level of intelligence
and a huge storage of expert knowledge and experience. Both of
them, however, also seem to be blessed with something special –
something that comes so easily and naturally that enables them
to grasp the essence of complicated issues quickly and come up
with the right answer. The question is: “is this special ability
genius or intuition?”.
Some scientists believe that intuition can provide us with
useful and often amazing insights. Albert Einstein once wrote in
his works: “The only real valuable thing is intuition.” As he gazed
into the starry sky and wondered about the meaning of time in
the cosmos, he might have had a flash of insight that led to the
development of the theory of relativity. John Nesbitt, the famous
cognitive psychologist from the University of Michigan, declared
that “Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new
information society precisely because there is so much data.”
Given the increasing demand on our limited supply of mental
energy, intuition represents a much needed form of cognitive
economy.
25
The best of
the blog…
Here are some of the things
we‟ve been talking about this
half term. Join the
conversation on
thepeliblog.wordpress.com
„Despite our differences, we
can‟t survive without each
other. I need my computer
and the glorious internet that
it provides and in return,
well…it needs me.‟ – Just
what do you think you’re
doing, Dave?
„Perhaps most exciting is the
notion that myths are everchanging entities. Their
universal quality adds to
their versatility.‟ – The
Power of Myth
„Hopefully people will realize
that the inappropriate
profiteering of Ms
Steenkamp‟s appearance is
demonstrating the misogyny
of our media, and maybe
some will act upon it.‟ –
Oscar Pistorius on trial:
corruption and misogyny
„As an icon in the rock genre,
Amy Lee stands against the
use of sex appeal in her
music, whether it be in the
lyrics of her songs, or the
outfits she wears.‟ – Amy
Lee: not everybody’s fool
„Such an intricate system of
definitions can easily confuse
people and, in some cases,
lead to the LGBT community
being portrayed as abnormal,
isolating them and
encouraging homophobia.‟ –
LGBT etc.
Cry God for Harry!
In a recent article, Hilary
Mantel compared the media
perception of the Duchess of
Cambridge with the pressure
faced by the wives of Henry
VIII. This sparked a good deal
of
controversy,
including
comment from the Prime
Minister; however, Mantel‟s
point was a valid one. In our
current political system, there
is little room for members of
the royal family to be more
than figureheads – even
celebrities. While this is in
contrast to the political system
of the Tudor era, when the
monarch
constituted
the
supreme political force in the
running of the country, the
importance of the person and
personality of monarchy is
something we share with the
society of 16th Century England.
Fiery-headed,
gregarious
and charming, the young Henry
VIII
bore
a
striking
resemblance to our current
Prince Harry. While not
directly descended from his
namesake, the prince shares a
common ancestor with the
most colourful of England‟s
monarchs, in the form of
Naomi Gardom reflects on the changing nature of
monarchy, and draws parallels with the 16th Century.
Elizabeth of York, and the two
share a striking resemblance,
both physically, and in their
situation.
Like Prince Harry, Henry
VIII was not the direct heir to
the throne. His older brother,
Arthur, was expected to inherit
the Crown, and Henry was not
brought
up
with
any
expectation of becoming king.
However, he nevertheless had
many royal duties from an early
age, being appointed Duke of
York at the age of three;
likewise, Prince Harry has been
given an active role in the royal
family since a young age,
accompanying his parents on
royal visits abroad since his
infancy.
The tragedy of Princess
Diana‟s death, leaving Prince
Harry motherless at the age of
12, also had echoes of the life of
Henry VIII. His mother,
Elizabeth of York, died when
the prince was just 11 years old.
However, this was not the only
tragedy: earlier that year, his
brother Arthur had died,
leaving him heir to the throne.
However, it is not merely a
similarity in situation that is
striking about these two royals;
by all accounts, there is a strong
similarity in temperament as
well. At the wedding of Prince
Arthur and Katherine of
Aragon, it was the dancing of
the extrovert Prince Henry
which stole the show, much as
Prince Harry‟s role in the
wedding of Prince William and
26
Kate
Middleton
sparked
immense public enthusiasm for
the younger prince, including a
range of „Marry me, Harry‟
jumpers from Topshop.
Prince Harry has come
under
criticism
for
his
perceived
devil-may-care
attitude and in particular his
public indiscretions. Henry VIII
faced the same sort of scrutiny
– though on a far larger scale –
when it became apparent that
he intended to divorce his wife
of 20 years in order to marry
Anne Boleyn. However, here
lies the difference between their
two situations; where for Prince
Harry, a scandal of this kind
would merely result in endless
columns in gossip magazines,
Henry VIII‟s decision resulted
in nearly 100 years of religious
turmoil, and the deaths of
hundreds. We may perhaps feel
that the emphasis placed on
celebrity and personality in our
culture places too much power
in the hands of those few
people
exposed
to
such
scrutiny; however, we should
remember that power is a
volatile substance, and that the
charisma and determination of
a single person has always had
the ability to change the course
of history.
The Legend of Noble Sir Cumference
Naomi Gardom initiates
us into the wonders of pi
day.
The 14th March is a very
special day. Is it because it is
Mrs Ahluwalia‟s birthday?
Well, partly, but mostly because
(in American notation), the
date. 3.14, is an approximation
of the mathematical constant
pi.
Most mathematicians will
admit to having a minor fetish
regarding pi. For one thing, it is
an irrational number, meaning
that it cannot be expressed as
the ratio of one whole number
to another whole number.
While this may not seem
particularly
exciting
or
revolutionary,
irrational
numbers
caused
some
controversy when they were
first discovered – indeed,
according to one account, the
Ancient Greek mathematician
Hippasus of Pontum, who was
the first to prove that √2 is this
kind of number, was thrown
overboard and drowned, on
account of the blasphemy he
had committed.
comes into the analysis of
probability and statistics –
which seems about as far
removed from circles and
geometry as you can get.
Controversy over pi still
rages, and although no one has
been drowned for the number
for a while, feelings often run
high on pi day. Some
mathematicians argue that 22nd
July (22/7 in UK notation)
should be celebrated as pi day,
since 22/7 is a better
approximation of pi than 3.14.
Others eschew pi altogether,
claiming that tau (2xpi) is a
more significant number, and
thus celebrate 28th June as tau
day. This may seem petty, but
there is significant reasoning
behind it: pi, as I mentioned
earlier, is defined as the ratio of
You will be most familiar
with pi in the context of
measuring circles, as it is the
ratio of a circle‟s circumference
to its diameter. However, this is
far from the only context in
which this constant shows up.
For example, it has an
important place in the field of
complex numbers (numbers
that are made up of „normal‟
numbers
and
imaginary
numbers, i.e. √-1). It also
27
a circle‟s circumference to its
diameter. Now, the defining
property of a circle is that it
represents all the points that
are precisely the same distance
from a central point. This fixed
distance – the radius – is
arguably more significant than
the diameter, in that there are
other shapes with a fixed
diameter (e.g. a 50p coin) but
no other shape with a fixed
radius. For this reason, tauenthusiasts define the „circle
constant‟ to be the ratio of a
circle‟s circumference to its
radius – that is, 2xpi, or tau.
If this year‟s pi day passed
you by, therefore, why not
celebrate later on in the year
with a pie of your choice (or if
you choose to celebrate on 28th
June, two pies of your choice)?
Music for a while shall all your cares beguile…
Izzy Hale discusses the
importance of music in our
society.
Music is a widely accepted
part of our society. From the
radio helping us to rid
ourselves
of
those
last
remnants of sleep in the
morning, to parents singing
lullabies to their children at
night, music has been deeply
incorporated into our lives on a
daily basis from childhood to
adulthood.
Music has the power to
induce a huge range of
emotions, and this can often be
seen as a good thing, bringing
inspiration to our lives or just
improving your mood in
general. However, with such a
wide variety of music available
to us, there is bound to be
negative, as well as positive
impacts. The effects that music
can have are likely to be
complex and varied due to the
individuality of both the
audience and the music itself.
We know that music has an
effect on people. From low
chords to high chords, fast
beats to slow beats, music can
be seen to have a significant
impact on behaviour. Studies
have even shown that certain
music can speed up brain
activity, although there hasn‟t
been
any
indication
of
improving your accuracy or
focus (unfortunately for those
of us who enjoy working with
music). We can also notice, on
a more immediate level, that
certain music may help us wake
up in the morning, or even put
us to sleep at night.
Over more recent years,
music and lyrical content have
undergone dramatic changes
since the introduction of rock
and roll over forty years ago.
Over this time lyrics have
become increasingly explicit
and include more references to
drugs and violence and it
would appear that we have
reached a point of almost an
„anything
goes‟
mentality.
Along with the increasingly
anti-social lyrics we now have
the ability to watch them acted
out in music videos, some of
which are almost as explicit as
the songs themselves.
Until fairly recently, there
were
no
studies
clearly
showing
the
relationship
between the lyrical content of
music influencing behaviour in
listeners. But now over a
thousand scientific studies and
reviews have reached the
conclusion that significant
exposure to violent music can
increase the risk of aggressive
behaviour in children and
adolescents and the conclusion
has been reached that explicit
lyrics can desensitise the
listener to violence and,
occasionally cause the them to
see society in a more negative
light.
28
From a listener‟s standpoint
the music can be entertaining,
or you may feel that a certain
song reflects your own feelings,
although lyrics can often be
hard to understand and are
completely
open
to
interpretation. On the other
hand the lyrics may not even
feature in why you are drawn to
a particular genre, and there is
still plenty of music being
composed which focuses on
melodies
and
harmonies
instead of words.
The way that music can
affect us is what enables music
therapy to be so effective in
helping with communication
and coping with emotional
stress. Just as music can affect
us negatively it can also
decrease stress and the act of
composing music can allow
people
to
express
their
emotions in a more positive
manner than they may have
done otherwise. Music is a
means of interacting with each
other, both positively and
negatively. Ultimately music is
an integral part of society
which, despite negativity, has
many benefits.
Taking a trip to the past
Freya Sanders reports back
from the recent trip to Russia.
“I feel like I‟m walking
through a History textbook”.
The sky is grey; a fierce Siberian
wind rips through a Red Square
full of huddled people. But no:
these people are not the angry
proletariat, or Soviet soldiers, or
mourners queuing to pay their
respects at Lenin‟s mausoleum.
Beneath the furry hats and the
under the woolly scarves is a
group of almost awestruck Sixth
formers, trying to drink in the
atmosphere while simultaneously staying upright on the
treacherous ice.
Most
of
those
who
participated in the recent trip to
Moscow and St. Petersburg had
studied at least a small chunk of
Russia‟s history, which is as vast
and diverse as the country itself;
for those who had, the trip took
on a special meaning. As we
stood below the balcony from
which Lenin pronounced his
legendary April Theses, the
appeal of „Bread, Peace and
Land‟ to the masses became
clearer than ever before; as we
looked on the Battleship
„Aurora‟, we couldn‟t help
imagining
the
shot
that
signalled the start of the
revolution; as we explored some
29
of the hundreds of palaces
scattered
around
the
St
Petersburg area, coming face to
face with the fabulous excess
that presided over poverty, it
was easy to sympathise with
that revolution.
Many accused us of madness:
we travelled to Russia in
February. But fortune was in
our favour: the temperature
never dropped below a veritably
toasty -4°C, meaning we got the
benefit of seeing the Russia that
we all imagine – one blanketed
in snow – with the advantage of
being able to return to England
with all our digits, even if we
had a few bruises from
undignified encounters with ice.
However, the Russian people,
that so many assume to be far
from warm, were the opposite of
icy. We were surprised by the
ease with which laughter came
in the streets of Moscow, and
the relaxed atmosphere of St
Petersburg. We were also
surprised by the food. We
expected – or perhaps it is more
correct to say „dreaded‟ –
constant goulash, hunks of
unidentifiable, alarming meat
and vodka where water should
be; the vegetarians among us
trembled at the thought of
picking body parts out of
„vegetable‟ soups. However, we
found not only quality, but also
variety, even if fresh fruit was
occasionally woefully over-
priced.
One thing we were not
surprised by was the ballet. We
saw Giselle at the Mariinsky
Theatre; it was every bit as
dazzling, faultless, intricate and
courageous as we could have
hoped.
The
next
night‟s
entertainment was remarkably
less refined, though admittedly
more amusing: we saw a local
folklore show, put on especially
for tourists, which involved
traditional dancing and singing
from different parts of Russia.
It also involved audience
participation; it was an evening
that won‟t be swiftly forgotten
by most of us.
Another occurrence that
inspired much hilarity was the
overnight train from Moscow to
30
St Petersburg, which required
groups of four to squeeze
themselves and their belongings
into cabins that were probably
about two metres wide. On top
of this, we were then expected to
sleep. However, far and away
the biggest challenge was
getting dressed in the morning,
without squashing one‟s fellow
cabin members, losing one‟s
dignity or treating the whole
carriage
to
newly-learned
Russian expletives.
After six jam-packed days of
exhaustion, entertainment and
education, we came away with a
genuine sense of this immense,
contradictory country, where
communists made palaces out of
metro stations and the rivers are
solid. It certainly gave us a
better idea of Russia than a
history textbook.
Top 5 ways
to break
your Lent
With Easter fast
approaching, why not cheer
your Lent by planning that
first sweet taste after
deprivation?
Chocolate – the most
common Lent discipline.
Rather than eating all your
Easter eggs in one day, you
could try making hot
chocolate with real
chocolate. If you feel superindulgent, you could watch a
classic chocolate film –
Chocolat, or Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory – while
you drink it.
Meat – this is up to your
personal taste – perhaps it
will be a bacon and egg
sandwich on Easter Day, or
a roast joint for lunch. If the
weather is sufficiently
Spring-like, you could even
host an Easter barbecue.
Facebook– I think we all
know how we will reacquire
this particular vice: by going
on a little stalk.
Cake – see page 15 for a
recipe for Freya‟s famous
tiffin. Seriously, it will
change your life.
Procrastination – all this
marvellous time you can
waste (and if you don‟t get
round to wasting it till
tomorrow, no worries.)
An interview with…Ms McPhoenix
Naomi Gardom and Freya Sanders bid farewell to their staff
mentor and English teacher.
What is your full name?
Sandra
McPhoenix.
Although I am also Mrs
Browne, Ms McPhoenix, Mz
Mc? (mostly said by new year
7s), Felix, Smip to Mrs Kedie
because of my initials SMP and
Mr Sandy McPherson when I
had an account at Ridgeon's
Builders' Merchants - they
thought I was a Scottish gent.
How long
worked here?
have
you
I date back to 2000.
What is the best thing
about your job?
The perks, of course - the
most wonderful, curious, funny
students and being paid to talk
about poetry and the most
important things in life every
day. Laughing with lovely
colleagues, bus-drivers and
classes.
Plus,
the
English/Drama
workroom,
Fridays and the fact that there
are only 2 months in the year
without a speck of holiday in
them.
Were you not a teacher,
what job would you like to
have?
A
window
dresser
at
Selfridges. A present wrapper
at xmas time at Liberty's. I'd
love to learn how to make
shoes. Wig maker for a theatre.
Painting restorer. The person
who test- drives the new Fiat
500. The editor of a poetry
anthology. A job where you get
31
to play with puppies. The
person who checks apostrophes
for sign-writers.
If you could invite three
writers to a dinner party,
who would you choose?
I used to love writers if I
loved their work but I'm more
cautious now and would choose
only non-fiction writers after
finding out about T S Eliot's
anti-semitism, D H Lawrence's
looniness and Byron's crash
diets.
So, I'd invite Primo Levi,
who survived the horror of
Auschwitz- Monowitz. The girl
blogger, Malala Yousafzai, who
has survived an assassination
attempt - we could talk about
what she wants to learn at
school and what her plans are
to promote education for
everyone. And Doris Pilkington,
who wrote Follow the Rabbit
Proof
Fence
about
her
mother's experiences as one of
Australia's stolen generation.
Bearing witness, speaking out
and having a guiding emotional
strength and morality are what
unite these guests. People to
read when you're sick of human
cruelty.
If you could be in one
fictional universe for a day,
where would you go?
To William Blake's joyful
world in his "Songs of
Innocence", where you are
allowed to play in nature until
it's time to come inside, where
your loving family are waiting
for you. S'pose it's the literary
Teddy Bears' Picnic.
What
were
formative
experiences?
your
literary
Making Mrs Beeton's rich
tea scones with my sister while
reading Brideshead Revisited. I
think I was 14. This is the same
kitchen where my sister
pressure cooked a tin of
condensed milk to make
caramel and it exploded on the
ceiling.
Your virtues are evident;
what are your vices?
How kind. Vices? More
weaknesses. Strong Illy coffee,
fruit squash with hardly any
water, grapes; sad music;
Benny Goodman on all the
time, the same 5 or so albums
over and over; stationery even
if I don't need it; perfume mine and that of friends and
strangers; getting new people
to spell their names out for me;
feeling the need to explain why
something is so, if someone just
wants an answer; can't walk
past a bead shop or a
haberdashery
shop;
feel
annoyed at printed errors of
spelling
or
punctuation;
couldn't fall in love with a
person who mispronounced
mischievous, as they now do all
the time on Radio 4; feeling the
compulsion
to
nickname
people; feeling hatred for words
like comedienne, impact as a
verb, whilst and amongst;
having cross feelings for
acronyms
especially
when
there's a string of them e.g. the
FBI is interviewing the SMT of
the SPF about IT and PSHE;
laughing at my own jokes.
Do you have any pets?
Not enough. We have 2 cats,
Noo and Baby, and Marvin the
Wonder Dog. We are not near
enough those crazy spinster
teachers with 12 cats.
Poetry, prose, or false
dichotomy?
False segregation in terms of
the ability of the writer to be
lyrical
or
inventive
or
revolutionary in only one genre.
Images can explode at your feet
just as well on a journey down a
sentence as down a line of
poetry. Even fiction/non-fiction
I'm not so sure have the Great
Wall of China between them.
Who are your fictional
husband
and
poet
boyfriend?
Yehuda Amichai, the Israeli
poet and Pablo Neruda, the
poet who wrote in a love poem I
want to do with you what
Spring does with cherry trees. I
think they would do nicely.
What is your favourite
craft activity?
Whatever I'm making at the
moment. Right now, it's dolls
out of calico with beehive
hairdos out of felt and pretty
dresses. The dog thinks they're
toys for him and stares at them
as they sit on my worktable.
When I've embroidered only
one eye, I think they look
nervous.
Why are you a feminist?
Isn't everyone now? Role
models. I went to a convent
when I was little and was taught
by nuns - they were mostly the
kind ones and had come from
32
Ireland to do good work in
Africa. They showed us that
women can do everything, run
a community, educate, bring
about change and be a force for
good. My mother was a
pharmacist and worked pretty
much full-time in the 60s and
70s. Most kids I knew had stay
at home mums. Plus, those
were
shamefully
sexist,
homophobic and racist times,
so a belief in equality seemed a
natural response.
Will you miss us?
Sincerely.
The Peligraph is published
every half term. If you are
interested in writing an
article as a guest
contributor, or if you would
like to know more about
being part of the Peligraph
team, contact Alice
(07061@stephenperse.com)
or Minying
(07034@stephenperse.com)
The Peliblog is updated
regularly. Join the
conversation at
thepeliblog.wordpress.com.
To submit a blog post, email
Angela
(07033@stephenperse.com)
or Lucia
(07116@stephenperse.com)
Images courtesy of:
Wikimedia commons;
hanini.org; Mummelgrummel;
Paul Sherman; Ms McPhoenix;
Marretao22; MagnusD; Rob;
r5d; Erwin Soo; Onderwijsgek;
Laurynas M; Poliphilo; Liv
Grant; Njallis; CherryX;
Lukjanik; Freya Sanders.