Super-Toys Last All Summer Long and Artificial Intelligence

'Super-Toys Last All Summer Long' is a short story written by Brian Aldiss. It is a science fiction short story. The story is about an overpopulated world where child's birth is controlled, and the artificial superficiality of the American lifestyle has become more familiar.There are three main characters in the story; David, Monica Swinton and her husband Henry Swinton. David is a robot boy who struggles to express his feelings to his mother and ponders the question of what is real; his mother Monica Swinton, who struggles to endure the loneliness of her isolated lifestyle; and her husband Henry, who is involved in the development of intelligent robots that will be able to serve as social companions for humans. At the end, it is revealed that the couple have been waiting for permission to have a child; David is not a "real" boy.

Whereas the motion picture 'Artificial Intelligence' adapted from the short story is directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of David, a mecha programmed with the ability to love. David is adopted by a married couple, but is then left on his own with a robotic teddy bear and a male prostitute mecha named Gigolo Joe just because he is not a 'real' boy.

The discussion of both of the stories revolve around the question of how intelligent human beings in creating new invention. The robot that is created in the story looks very real. We know as humans we are god's creation but we are gifted with brain that helps us to think creatively and we can create and invent new things using all the sources around us. However, as god's creation, we still could not create the same as what god has created. The exact examples are from both of the stories. There are still something missing in human's invention as compare to god's nature creation.

The Sentinel and 2001: Space Odyssey

Both of the stories, the short story and the motion picture are science fiction stories. The stories are quite complicated to be explored especially for those whose are not really exposed by a science fiction story. On the other hand, to analyse the story we should go beyond our time where we need to be very futuristic.

The stories reaveal about humans as god's creation and we are very dynamic. We tend to explore what is not around us. We try to find and learn about new things. The best thing about humans is that we manage to adapt and make progressive change. Each time and day in our lives teach us about new things and we are able to explore them using our previous knowledge and at the same time we increase our knowledge. However as god's creation our knowledge is still limited. There are many things that we do not know the exact answers and sometimes they are left without being answered as in both of the stories.

Sydney White - The Modern Snow White

The new version of Snow White but still based on the same theme. 'Sydney White' could also be entitled as Sydney White and the Seven Dorks. Sydney White is the daughter of a plumber. She was grown up by her father since her mother died when she was about nine.When it is the time for her to further her study, Sydney earns a scholarship. She wishes to follow the legacy of her mother and enter the Kappa Phi Nu sorority. The presence of Sydney attracts the attention of Tyler Prince; ex-boyfriend of the Kappa President, Rachel Witchburn. Sydney is seen as attractive in her own way which makes Rachel jealous and tries to get rid of her. However, the story ends as in the fairy tale where Sydney and Prince live happily after and Witchburn is defeated.

The role of feminine is highlighted in the story. Before this, Rachel Witchburn plays an important role in making decision regarding the students affair. The presence of Sydney in the college shows that she has the ability to change the lives of the seven dorks; 'The Vortex' and at the same time she fights for the rights of the minorities. She gets one of them, Terrance, to run for Student Body President in order to take back their rights. When those dreams are denied, Sydney runs for President herself. In conclusion, the story proves that females have the ability to change the world even though they are always regarded as 'fragile' by some men.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs versus A Tale of Terror

A fairy tale story that I enjoy to read since I was a child till now. The story exposes the wickedness of a stepmother who is jealous of her stepdaughter's beauty. However, since it is a fairy tale I could not feel the hardship faced by Snow White. It seems so easy for Snow White to endure the pain due the wickedness of her stepmother. Even when I watch the animated films or other motion pictures about Snow White I still feel the same. I enjoy to read the story and watch the motion pictures just to see the beauty of Snow White and how she meets with her Prince Charming. I also enjoy the ending of the story where Snow White lives happily ever after which is predicted and actually it is not supposed to be true in our real life.

Watching the movie 'Snow White: A Tale of Terror, changes my perception towards the story. It is true that Lillian, the Snow White is beautiful, but at the same time the story highlights to us the wickedness of her stepmother. She tries to kill Lilllian and after she fails to do so she starts to use her black magic. The story reveals the unnatural motherhood of the stepmother, Claudia. Women are born with the quality of natural motherhood but Claudia does not shows that she posseses the quality. Even if Lillian is not her biological daughter, it does not mean that Claudia has to hate her. A real mother should be proud of her child and tries to show love towards her child. Moreover, as for Claudia, she does not have any other child, so if she is blessed with the quality of natural motherhood, she would love and care for Lillian.

O Brother Where Art Thou?

It is a film adapted from the Greek epic 'The Odyssey' and it is considered as the modern version of 'The Odyssey'. It is a nice story even though it is based on old epic but it is more real than the epic itself. The Greek epic by Homer tells about a real hero who is extra ordinary gifted with intelligence, strength and without any fail manages to face all the challenges. As for this film, the story is more about an ordinary man who has done mistakes but then realizes what he is up to. The story starts with the scene of a chain gang, working and singing. Three of the convicts who are chained together manage to escape. They are Ulysses Everett McGill (Ulysses is the Latin name for Odysseus), Pete Hogwallop and Delmar O'Donnel.

Having the same major theme as 'The Odyssey' where the journey teach three of them about life and the value of relationships. As for Everrett, he learns about resposibilities towards his wife and his children. He tries to do his best for them.

The journey also changes him to be a true hero. Even though in the beginning of the story it seems to us that he has a flaw feature and he is not itelligent enough as compare to Odysseus; Homer's hero, he manages to do good things such as saving Tommy from being sacrificed by Ku Klux Klan. Finallly in the end, he saves his wife from marrying her suitor. As the conclusion, the quality that Everret has shown proves to us undoubtedly he is a hero who manages to make a dynamic change.

The Odyssey - An Epic Poetry

Ten years after the fall of Troy, the Greek hero Odysseus still has not returned to his kingdom in Ithaca. At the same time, a number of suitors are waiting to take Odysseus' place and continue to court his wife, Penelope. However, his wife remains faithful to him and in the end with the help of the gods on Mount Olympus they reunite.

"It's not the destination but the journey". This is the major theme of the story. The journey to his kingdom teaches Odysseus the value of lives. From the journey, he learnt to be more tactile and appreciate the opportunities that are given to him. The journey that Odysseus has to undergo is a long journey. The journey proves that Odysseus is a real hero. He manages to return to Ithaca after suffering a lot. On the other hand, the journey also proves that he is a loyal and responsible husband. He can choose to stay with Calypso, who is better than his wife in many aspects but as a loyal and responsible husband he chooses to return to his wife. He is tested and faces troubles but towards the end, he learns to be a good human and he learns to be more responsible.

'Journey' in other words could be symbolised as one's own life. Our lives are actually a journey whereby it starts from birth till the end of our lives and our destination is the Hereafter, where we will be judged. In this journey,we will face challenges and troubles, sadness, happiness and joy. All of the challenges that we face are the tests from god and if we manage to face the tests we will reach our destination that is the heaven.

Apocalypse Now

'Apocalyse Now' is a 1979 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which was inspired by Joseph Conrad's novel; 'Heart of Darkness'. However, the setting of the story is changed where it is set in Vietnam during the 'Vietnam War' in the year 1968 onwards. The major character is an army, Captain Benjamin L. Willard. He is a hired assassin and sent up to Nung River to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz who is about to be arrested for murder and he is believed to be insane.

Adventure is one of the themes of the story. Willard's journey to Kurtz's place is considered as an adventurous journey. He faces troubles and challenges on his way in searching for Kurtz. One by one the crews that accompanied him died and towards the end only one stays alive. Moreover, he has to face the cruelty of Kurtz whereby he is tortured physically and mentally.

As in the novel, colonialism is also one of the themes of this story. However, colonialism in this motion picture is a bit different since the setting and the background of the story is changed. Colonialism is seen through war. The U.S. army use their power to conquer the weaker. It could be seen that war for them is not to fight the terrorists but they are killing the innocent villagers and school children such as what they have done in napalm attack.

The movie exposes to us about the challenges that Willard faces in order to terminate Kurtz. At the same time it reveals the cruelty of war. In the name of peace the big power takes an opportunity to oppress the weaker and innocent people.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

The story is set in Congo, Africa.This story is very difficult to understand. I have to read it for so many times in order to understand the plot and the messages that are conveyed. It is about a seaman named Marlow who works with Belgian Trading Company as a river-steamboat. The novel narrates his journey up to Congo River to meet Kurtz, a chief of inner station; who is known as a man of talents. In the journey, he encounters the brutality in the company's stations whereby the natives of the region are treated badly by the company's agents. The story is told by two narrators; firstly by one of Marlow's friends in a ship on the Thames and secondly by Marlow.

Colonialism is one of the themes of the story. The colonialism is exposed as Marlow reaches the company's outer station. He sees 'a lot of people, mostly black and naked, moved about like ants'. These men are called called as criminal and the outraged law who are forced to build a railway by the whitemen. As Marlow approaches the Central Station, he witnesses how the company's agents treat the natives of Africa. In the name of trade, they are treated as they are animals. Marlow calls the company's agents as the pilgrims, which it is actually an irony. They are supposed to be benevolent and help the natives but they are opposite of that.

Approaching the inner station, where Kurtz is to be met, Marlow sees a different way of colonialism. Kurtz shows his ability as a man that knows the power of words and moreover as a genius, he manages to make the natives obey him and even worship him as a god. He does not trade but indeed takes ivory by force, for example as what he has done to the Russian trader. However, the Russian finally becomes one of Kurtz devoted disciples.

In my opinion, the novel is quite different from other novels that I have ever read. Even though the novel is only about one hundred pages, it took a month for me to completely understand the whole story. I have to explore the language and the style of the story narrated. Besides, the story is about something that is beyond my experience, knowledge and culture. However, it is a good experience for me to study this novel since it teaches me to think critically.

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

When I read this play 'Pygmalion', written by George Bernard Shaw, I do not face any difficulty to understand the plot of the story since I have watched 'My Fair Lady' for three times. 'My Fair Lady' is the film version of the play. Moreover, my understanding towards the story is increased and I could make comparison between the literature and film. 'Pygmalion' is actually derives from the famous story in Ovid's Metamorphoses, in which a man named Pygmalion who is disgusted by the loose and shameful lives of the women of his era, finally falls in love with a perfect and beautiful statue that he creates. Having the same major theme where the sculptor falls in love towards his sculpture, 'Pygmalion' is written as a play by Shaw. However, the story is translated and adapted into Victorian era which does not seem like a myth but a real story which is more relevant.

We could even hear or face this situation in our real lives. In Malaysian culture, for example in Muslim culture, a husband has a total power towards his wife whereby a wife has to obey her husband in whatever condition as long as it is not beyond the Islamic rules. This condition sometimes creates the phenomenon such as in 'Pygmalion'. Some husbands or could be future husbands would take advantage by trying to change their spouses into a perfect lady. It is not wrong for men or husbands to lead and change their spouses to be a better person. However, sometimes they tend to forget that women are normal human beings that have feelings and as normal human beings, their feelings have to be respected. Moreover, they are not angels and they are imperfect. Finally, as what happens to Galatea or Eliza; love would be replaced by hatred. As a conclusion that I can make from the play is that love is very complex and we could not create love like we create a statue. Love comes deep from human' s heart and to enhance the love we should be tolerance and appreciate what is blessed for us.

She's All That

'The sculptor falling in love with the sculpture' is the main theme of the movie. The story is just like 'My Fair Lady' where Henry Higgins bets he could change a flower girl who speaks Cockney into a lady as well-spoken as a duchess. The difference between the two stories is that Zack Siler bets he could change any girl into a Prom Queen. A nerdy girl, Laney Boggs is chosen. Zack manages to change Laney's appearance and actually she is in fact quite beautiful. In the end, the story shows that Zack falls in love with his own creation. However, Zack is honest. He is able to put aside his ego and apologizes to Laney. He is not hesitate to reveal his feeling towards Laney which is totally different as compare to Henry Higgins in 'My Fair Lady'. This story also tells us that in order to love somebody and to gain one's love, we have to be sincere and sometimes we need to make some changes and sacrifice our feelings. The irony of this story is that instead of Zack's ability to change Laney's physical appearance, yet Laney is able to change Zack's perception and he learns that beauty is not only based on the outward appearance but it also involves the inner side of oneself. Hence, the real beauty is what is inside us.

As a teacher, I have my own opinion towards the story. Even though the story conveys a message that beauty is not only be seen through the outward appearance yet, I still would not encourage my students to watch the movie. This is because the story relates the lives of teenagers with only sex, drugs and beauty image which are not suitable for the culture of our Malaysian students. I don't really see the story shows they are students who are really concern about their studies and attitudes. It seems that although they are students, they have much time to spend for entertainment. It is not wrong for students to entertain themselves, but there should be a limitation. Too much entertainment is bad not only to students but to adults whereby we tend to ignore the priorities in our lives.

My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady is a very interesting story that really impressed me. I have watched this movie for three times. I still remember the first time I watched the movie when I was in Year Six.At that time my English teacher told the whole class on that night there would be a movie shown on television entitled 'My Fair Lady'. I could remember he mentioned that the movie is about the importance of using correct English Language and he even wrote the sentence ' The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain', on the blackboard so that all of us would take note on how to pronounce the words precisely. I could not remember when I did watch the movie for the second time but it was still due the encouragement that had been made by my English teacher.

Now as a TESL student and at the same time as an English teacher, my view towards the movie is widened. Of course I would watch it differently. In my opinion, the movie proves to us that education is important. Even a person from a low social status such as Eliza Doolitle could be changed through education. We can compare her appearance and attitude before and after she starts her lesson. She looks and acts differently. It is clear that Henry Higgins has changed her a lot. From a flower girl that speaks Cockney accent to a lady as well-spoken as a duchess. This movie also supports what I have learnt in Sociolinguistic last semester. The way we speak could tell us who we are. Furthermore, many sociolinguistic studies have grouped individuals into social classes on the basis of factors such as education. Therefore, as a teacher I would recommend my students to watch the movie not only for enjoyment but due the message that is conveyed from the movie.

TSL 570 My Literature & Media Blog Project

Hello, my name is Roslini Bt Che Ismail TESL student from UiTM Perak. I'm doing a project for my literature & media subject. Hoping that I'll do my best in this project since this is the first time I involve in this kind of project


Submitted to:

Airil Haimi Mohd Adnan

TSL 570 Course Tutor, UiTM Perak