Author: Anas

Albert strolled around the patio multiple times. He was contemplating whether to report his finding. After all, it’s not every day you find an unknown green residue slithering around your car. what was even more concerning was the metallic odor it was releasing. the smell overwhelmed his nostrils and forced him to make an escape towards the front porch.

He turned the handle, his brain releasing a little squirt of dopamine at the familiar sound of the coming relaxation, and waited for the next of the two sounds he heard every day at 6:30: Pebble banging against the door.Pebble was Albert’s most beloved possession, well he made sure maria didn’t know about that. Thinking about his wife Maria he wondered where she was. Her illuminating pink range rover was parked outside, but there was no sign of life inside the house.

As Albert slowly opened the door here was no banging. No panting, either. Nothing at all to signify to the dog even knew he was there. After a decade of driveway-key-door-dog, it was obvious to notice the silence. He shouldered the door open, failing to compensate for Pebble’s missing weight, and stumbled over the threshold. More silence.

“Albert?”

There was a sound he noticed. He hadn’t seen Maria’s car when he pulled in, it was hard to miss a bright pink range rover in your driveway.

“It’s me,” he said, making his way slowly towards the back of the small house they shared. “How are you?”

“Good.” Maria’s voice allowed him to sigh of relief. The missing dog still nagged at him. “Where’s Pebble?”

“Down here,” Linda said. “He followed me downstairs to do the laundry.”

Albert froze with his hand an inch away from the doorknob. Pebble never went downstairs. Ever since the dog’s encounter with the neighbours pet snake it made sure to stay well clear of the basement. Thinking about it, Maria never did either, at least not since—

Not since they moved the washing machine upstairs.

“Maria? Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Her response was quick and sounded as if it has been automated.

“Are you sure baby?”

“Yes, hon.” A little softer this time, but still not right.

Albert eased his hand toward the doorknob.

“Are you going to come down and help me or not Albert Granola?” Her voice sounded stern this time, definitely sounded like Maria.

“I have a lot of cl— stuff to carry, and I can’t get to the door.”

You’re being stupid!

The voice in his head was full of contempt, but he couldn’t shake his fear. Had she just not noticed what she’d said? What else would she be carrying? Since the washing machine was relocated quite some time ago.

“Honey?”

The irritation of having to ask a third time certainly sounded normal. Albert turned the knob and opened the door.

He didn’t have enough time to see exactly what waited on him, but it wasn’t Maria. It absolutely was not Maria.

Almost 70% of shoppers have regretted items they bought on ‘offer’. Forgive my unorthodox opening but I really wanted to drill the message home that we are being conned here.Ever walked into your local supermarket intending to buy a loaf of bread and left having spent much more than intended on items on “sale”? Exactly.Worry not, there are millions of shoppers just like you, sadly. In this article, I shall be unveiling the truth behind the supermarket scandal and lifting the mask behind those ‘bargains’.

It would be unreasonable to brand all supermarkets fraudulent. However, they do have an inclination to manipulate customers into purchasing items that the majority of the time are not essential. Supermarkets do this by deliberately labelling goods as half price and placing a large, brightly coloured poster telling you how much you’re ‘saving’, at the door. Well, I for one have had enough of these ‘buy one get one free’ signs and they can BOGOF as far as I am concerned – no pun intended.

Supermarkets play a psychological game. Where us consumers are the supporters, cheering them on. But enough is enough. I feel it is my duty to tell you that the yogurt you have recently bought on offer isn’t actually 30% off. That packet of frozen spinach lying neglected at the bottom of the freezer isn’t actually half price. That cheeky bottle of red wine isn’t actually a ‘bargain’. We have been hypnotized for far too long. A vicious circle has been formed where all common sense and not to forget our hard earned money is being devoured by the supermarkets.

Anyway, you’re probably thinking this guy is just a bit angry because he found out he is late on his mortgage. Again. Well, no, an investigation regarding Ocado, exposed that the price of strawberries had increased from £3.89 to £4.98. But that is not all. How long do you think the price stayed for? Let me do the honours. 13 days. Yes, I repeat 13 days and you can probably guess what happened next. The strawberries were reduced on offer to £2.19 with a brightly coloured offer sign stating better than half price. In this economically strained environment, a chance of saving a few pounds on your weekly shopping is a match made in heaven. Where the consumer believes they have made a saving and the supermarket benefit from the swarm of sales.

Okay, I understand you think that is one off. Well, quite frankly, it isn’t. An ITV report found that Tesco was selling Muller yogurt for 30p. Then the big brains at Tesco decided to increase profits by putting a big yellow sticker stating “special offer” for 10 yogurts for only £4. Now I am no Einstein but when you do the calculations (30p x 10 units= £3). Therefore, when Tesco claims to reduce the price of yogurt on offer they are essentially increasing it. Consequently, the unsuspected customer to be deceived of their money by the supermarket goblin. Every pound really does help. There is an ocean of these fraudulent offers and it is us, the consumers who are drowning in them.

Let’s proceed to the x.99p section. You often see items being sold for £3.99, £2.99 etc. Ever wondered why supermarkets practice this tactic? I mean it’s not a highly attractive offer of saving 1p and they are not doing it so you can start saving up in a penny jar. No. This is called psychological pricing. Where the consumer believes they are paying £2 instead £3 (in the £2.99 case). Now equipped with this new piece of knowledge think back of the amount of times you have spent money on goods that end in .99p. Exactly. Don’t succumb to these mind games. Rinse yourself clean and repeat after me. I will not buy these goods again (unless their Pringles). By doing this, you’re setting yourself free from the chains that have manipulated your logic and slaughtering the beast that has kept you captive for all these years.

I would like to leave you with a little bit of stats. Don’t worry, you won’t be needing your algebra skills again today. Anyways a survey was taken on supermarket shoppers, where 39% regret their shopping choices and a further 24% won’t do it again. And this survey was taken from 1000 people. That’s already 240 people who have the ability to see through the misty fog that surrounds supermarket offers.

How are Flaws presented in Othello and a range of poetry you have studied?

In this essay, I will be discussing the flaws presented in Othello, by William Shakespeare. I will also discuss the flaws presented in ‘The laboratory’ and ‘Porphyria’s Lover’, written both by Robert Browning. Both authors include characteristic flaws to support the structure and theme of their piece. I shall also be discussing the similarities and differences between these three pieces and give an in-depth analysis of specific language devices and their roles.

In Othello Shakespeare purposely creates characteristic flaws to support its theme and structure. The play Othello is a tragedy and Shakespeare gives the characters specific flaws that help lead towards their downfall, hence supporting the tragedy structure. Similarly, Robert Browning also uses this technique but instead to support the dramatic monologue structure of his pieces.

Repetition is used widely in both Browning’s and Shakespeare pieces. However, both authors adapt this language device depending on the context.

Shakespeare uses repetition to represent Othello’s main flaw, which is his innocence. Its Othello’s innocence that makes him become vulnerable and unaware of Iago’s deceit and manipulations,” The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seems to be so”. Iago is openly identifying Othello characteristics and intends to use it for his own gains. Shakespeare has created the dramatic irony by allowing the audience to know more of Iago’s intentions than Othello himself. One reason that Shakespeare may have used this style is to support the play’s theme of a dramatic ending, where Othello’s downfall is due to him unaware of the situation he’s in. The repetition of ‘honesty’ comes when Othello questions Iago’s intention, but when Iago hastily turns defensive Othello is convinced Iago is full of honour and loyalty, “I know thou art full of love and honesty”. This reoccurs throughout the play with Othello too trustworthy to question Iago’s motive. Similarly, Shakespeare used the repetition of honest to support the play’s structure of a dramatic ending, where essentially its Othello’s innocence and unawareness that contributes dearly.

There are several themes in Porphyria’s Lover by Robert Browning, such as love and ignorance. These flaws are specifically created by browning to support the structure, dramatic monologue and theme of the poem. Similar to Shakespeare, Browning also uses repetition in his pieces.

Porphyria is murdered because her lover believes that her death is the only way the two can be together. This illustrates his vigorous love for porphyria and browning has presented this flaw by the use of repetition of “she was mine”. Once he realised that his love for porphyria has ended in her death, he immediately becomes melodramatic and becomes repetitive, and this is a similar trait that we see in Othello. Browning has used this technique to emphasise the characters regret and remorse to the audience. Also, the flaw of love plays a strong part towards the structure of the play as it allows the speaker to take control of the audience by his speech, hence having a dramatic monologue structure.

Othello is full of resentment and Shakespeare presents this flaw by the use of metaphors. Othello downfall is caused by his anger. Once Iago manages to plant the idea of infidelity into Othello’s mind, Othello immediately becomes melodramatic and Shakespeare uses metaphors to show this rage towards Cassio. “Had all his hairs been lives, my great revenge had stomach for them all”. Othello compares Cassio’s life with all the hairs on a being and implies that he would be able to kill them all to satisfy his revenge. Shakespeare has used metaphors to represent Othello’s flaw of resentment to emphasise the scenario to the audience, as it is Othello’s anger that plays a pivotal part in the murder of his wife Desdemona and supports the theme of the play which is love and anger.

The laboratory, by Robert browning, has several themes, such as jealousy, resentment and love. Also, the poem is a dramatic monologue, which means some of the flaws presented in the poem could be to support the structure of the poem.

The main characters actions are motivated by resentment and this acts as a flaw. Once she found out about her husband unfaithfulness, she is soon overcome by anger and plots to poison her husband’s lover. Robert browning represents this flaw by the use of alliteration.” Which is the poison to poison her, prithee?” She is asking which poison will work the best. The three main words in that sentence all start with the letter P, browning has used this alliteration not only to represent the flaw of resentment but to also support the theme of the poem which is about love, revenge, jealousy and anger.

Othello is insecure and it is his insecurities that lead to his downfall. Othello is not ignorant of his position in Venetian society and more uncivilised nature, “for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation”. Othello believes Desdemona does not love him as he is black and lacks manners. Iago is eager to capitalise on Othello’s flaw and manipulates the scenario so that Othello believes his wife is unfaithful. As Othello is already insecure, he quickly succumbs to the thought. Once Othello firmly believes he has been cuckolded he immediately becomes melodramatic and Shakespeare uses repetition to represent this, “Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her!” Othello is condemning Desdemona to hell and is clearly being melodramatic by repeating it several times. Shakespeare has used this device to draw attention to Othello’s insecurities, as it is Othello’s own insecurities that contribute to the tragic ending structure of the play.

Othello is swamped by jealousy. Iago uses Othello’s flaw to his advantage to manipulate his thoughts. Iago does this by pretending to give Othello words of advice, “beware jealousy, it is the green-eyed monster that dost mock the meat it feeds on”. Iago is advising Othello not to become jealous as it could prove fatal. This cunning from Iago grants him safety if Othello ever dare suspect Iago of ill deeds. Notice that Shakespeare has personified jealousy by giving characteristics, describing it as a “green-eyed monster”. Shakespeare has used this piece of figurative language o highlight Othello’s flaw of jealousy. As jealousy is a key theme in the play, also its Othello’s jealousy that leads him to kill his wife, so by putting emphasis on jealousy Shakespeare is effectively supporting the dramatic ending structure of the play.

In the laboratory, the characters motives are based upon humiliation. Meaning the characters flaw is her pride. Angered by the thought of her husband and his new lover are laughing at her, “While they laugh, laugh at me”. Believing she is being humiliated, she quickly begins to plot their murders. Browning has created this as a focal point by the use of repetition. The repetition of laugh indicates that it’s her pride that’s causing her to plot revenge. Meaning it’s her motive and hence browning’s use of repetition to represent her flaw.

To conclude, the poems/plays had very similar flaws. Browning and Shakespeare have created these flaws to acts as motives for the characters actions. They hold similar consequences as well. In Othello, his flaws of jealousy and pride cause him in murdering his wife that he cherished, yes this was due to some manipulation by Iago but he was blinded by the truth through his insecurities. Analogically, in the dramatic monologue created by Browning, the characters flaws influence their action. With similar themes as Othello, such as love and murder. The characters in the laboratory and porphyria lover both, murder or plot to murder in the name of love.

The sound pierced my ears. Beep. Beep. The school bell rings, signalling an end to a prolonged and humdrum day. All that was left was a journey across the treacherous school yard. Dodge the pigeons that lay mounted on top of the maths building waiting to strike, without spraining your ankle on the pot holes that lay like mines in a battlefield first and you inch closer to the place precious the most, Home.

Still, a perilous and tiresome mission lay ahead. As the bright blue sky beckoned me on I took one small step out the steel cage that had incarcerated me for the last 6 hours and into the world of freedom. A land where you can play clash of clans whenever you feel like, without being gazed upon like eagles by the prison officers, or “teachers” as they like to call themselves. Now safely outside the school gates, a short walk to the bus stop and a 30 min bus journey had separated me and paradise.

Sitting comfortably on the top deck of the bus, surrounded by a stench of afternoon B.O and 48 hours old chicken and chips, I began counting the number of bus stops left. As the minutes ticked away and the old tramp has had his usual rant, I finally heard the familiar sound that poured joy into my heart.

“Crawly Road”

I leapt from the seat, did the whole flight of stairs in two simultaneous jumps and boom. I was out. Welcomed by the row of pine corns that illuminated the street. I strolled down the street, turned right into the front porch that was littered with sunflowers and slotted in the keys to paradise. Aha. Home sweet home. Quick salutations to the parents and a date with the games console awaited. The transmission from school clothes to comfy tracksuit had always been quick, this usually involved a 10-minute lecture from mum, about how the staircase railing was not a wardrobe.

Just as I prepared to sooth the pain of having six assignments due with a dose of PlayStation, I realised I had forgotten something. My phone. I frantically searched my school clothes in hope of feeling a square like object. But nothing. All that was there was a piece of gum and a spare button. I called the school in desperate hopes of them fading my phone and just as I was giving up all hope the secretary had told me the caretaker had handed in a phone similar to mind earlier this morning. It was music to my ears. However, the idea of waiting a whole weekend until I would be reunited with my prized possession was out of the question. there was only one thing to do.

I had never been to school after hours, well never been there out of my own free will anyway. The school looked different at this time of day. The darkness covered the cracks the battle hardened school wore. I saw it in a new light. For a moment I admired the late 19th-century artwork, it was truly a masterpiece. The roof fitted like a missing piece of the jigsaw and the lights underneath that blazed upon the building gave it a look of importance. I shook my self-clean of the temporary stupefaction and headed towards the school doors.
As I walked in the darkness covered my eyes like a blanket. The reception was normally lit with illuminating lights and camouflaged in Navy banners. I made a few hesitant steps towards the corridors and thanked the lord when the sensor lights came on. I gave my eyes a few seconds to adapt to its new environment and I set out looking for the secretary.

The playground was uninhabited, it looked as its life had been sucked by a dominator. It gave me a cold chill down the spine, I had never seen the playground without energetic teenagers effortless floating around and causing their usual mischief. However, the flood lights did allow me to see the state it was in. in daylight it appeared to be ridden with potholes and other safety hazards. However when giving it a further inspection I saw a smooth, wood-like surface reflecting the light. My curiosity came over me and I decided to investigate more. Just as I made my way through the corridor full of mouldy lockers and food remains I turned to see the secretary standing right behind me. In shock, I jumped a couple of spaces. But what came next was even more unusual. Without a word, I was handed my phone and politely gestured back towards the reception. As if the secretary had understood my intentions and quickly swept in to stop me.

As I left the school you thought of the playground soon evaporated in my mind. I had my phone and that was all that mattered.

IGCSE Coursework: Response to the article“There’s nowt wrong with slang”

In this essay, I will be responding to the article “There’s nowt wrong with slang” by Belinda Webb. The article defends the use of slang and criticises those who oppose it. To begin, the official definition of slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal. I strongly disagree with this article on the basis that it is manipulating the English language. As slang is highly informal and holds no universal form, meaning it is not standardised and should be only used out of convenience. I shall be discussing the negative aspects of slang whilst also responding to the erroneous arguments made in the article ‘There’s Nowt wrong with slang’

The article seems to justify the use of slang by stating: “slang has been around for a long time”. This holds no justification whatsoever. Many people use slang out of its convenience, meaning the time period is irrelevant. Plenty of people will argue that the English language is evolving. Yes, they are absolutely correct. However, it is not just the English language evolving this is happening around the world, where there are various languages. This is because of new technology and experiences. Meaning there needs to be new words to represent this. Nonetheless, slang is corrupting this evolution by essentially creating a dialect only understood by some and excluding the majority.

To expand on the point of standardisation. Slang is restricted to a minority of people. The article itself picks up at this point “there are those who would complain it (slang) excludes many more than it lets in”. Which is absolutely correct! Slang excludes the majority of people. This is because slang is not standardised and there is no ‘one’ version for all. Many people from different areas of the country have their own version of slang, let alone the other English speaking countries. In general people from different age groups, education levels and backgrounds will not be able to adopt a different type of speech. Regional accents and archaic idioms also remain and are used in specific parts of the word. That’s why standardisation is a key element in the English language, a language that can be understood by all, not the minority.

“Teenagers In each generation seems intent on trying, which is to their credit. They may not consciously know this is what they’re doing, but they are speaking a language that represents their reality and in a way of creating a private space” first of all the author yet again points put that slang is only used by the younger generation and it excludes all others from trying to embrace the language. How can we have this among us in modern day society? Where one-half of society doesn’t understand each other. It just wouldn’t work out, there would be a backlash; therefore making the author’s point an erroneous argument, as teenagers need to accept it is not only them living in society today.

Finally, the author says, “Shakespeare helped bring in new words such as nervy, rancorous, puke, assassination and sanctimonious.” Rancorous is an adjective from rancour and assassination was no derived from the likes of Shakespeare but in fact borrowed from the Arabic language. This shows how the English language is constantly evolving. Those who seek to read Shakespeare and I don’t think of himself as an advocate of slang at all. To conclude the article is full of contradictions and erroneous arguments. Slang is highly informal and should be kept in the minority, used only for convenience.