"Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein- YA book reading response

The book “Code Name Verity” by Elizabeth Wein is an in depth story about the tragedies during WW11 that prisoners, especially women, had to endure. The YA book follows Verity, a young, intelligent, Scottish girl who has been captured by the Germans. Throughout, the book we learn the events leading up to her capture and the cause of her being captured. Not only do we notice that she has been suffering in captivity but we also find out Verity is innocent and is only in captivity because she saved her friend. Following an encounter with Verity’s journey in captivity, we then fast-forward to the present day, where we learn how a relationship spiralled out of control and had a nasty ending. The book portrays a developing account of a friendship that has had a turn on someone’s future. Can you imagine what life was like during WW11? In “Code Name Verity”, the author portrays life during WW11 so well, that you feel as if you are present in that unfortunate time in history.

The author uses many different ways to portray life during WW11. One way is that the author uses jobs to compare how the roles of women changed from the beginning of the war to the end. “WAAF is Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, auxiliary to the RAF, Royal Air Force. You don’t fly in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, but the way things are now you can do almost any job a man does, all the work associated with flying and fighting.” Although in depth, this quote shows a comparison of how women were affected by the war in a good way. Before the war occurred, women were thought of the less equal and were considered unable to achieve positions that men were. However, as the quote suggests, women were given a lot more power during the war, as the army needed as many people to help, so the British could win the war. Not only did women’s jobs change during the war, but also it became a permanent effect after. Women were granted positions that would never have been granted if not for the war. As quoted above, the “Women Auxiliary Air Force” was set up, which was a stepping stone for a future in air force for women. The war changed the lives of women so that they were seen as equality to men and were granted positions that would never have been available to them if not for the war.

Another example, of how life in WW11 is portrayed in the book, is by the conditions in which Germans treated people. One way, in which Germans treated people, is by categorizing a group of people and sending instant hatred on them. “The forms have got the doctor’s name, Benjamin Zylberberg, at the top, and a yellow star with a warning stamped at the bottom, stating that this Jewish doctor can only legally prescribe medication to other Jews.” This quotation shows the discrimination that the Germans had against Jews during WW11. It shows how Jewish people were discriminated not only throughout the duration of the war but also it had a long lasting affect. We notice the torture that they had to endure by this simple quote. Even having a specific doctor, different from everyone else is awful, just cause of his or her religion. When we look back on this, we realize how many people’s lives were affected because of this and the torture and devastation they had to endure during wartime.

Adding on to the above paragraph, we get told of the disturbance and horrible conditions Jewish people had to endure. “Presumably he is no longer practicing (presumably he has been shipped off to break rocks in a concentration camp somewhere), which is why his blank prescriptions have fallen into the hands of the Gestapo.” This quotation portrays the life that some Jewish people had to endure during WW11. The doctor was sent to a concentration camp, which due to knowledge was very common during the war. But for the narrator to instantly determine that he must have been sent to a concentration camp proves just how common it is. The author uses this example of how people of the “minority”, in the German’s eyes, were killed, starved and suffered so much destruction that the war bought a lot of harm to them behind the scenes. During the war, many people weren’t aware of the concentration camps but only of the frontline fighting. This suggests that Germany didn’t want anyone knowing because they knew that people would disagree by far. This proves how bad it was and the author mentions this situation to show how the German’s made many wrong decisions.

Lastly, the author shows the life of captives during the devastating time of the war. “After I’d got to the bit about the cook feeling me up-so embarrassing, but if I’d skipped it and VL found out later, I’d pay for it in blood- he came over and stood by me. I had to look up. When I did, he took a handful of my hair and held it lightly off the back of my neck for a moment.” This quotation portrays many events such as sexual abuse and physical abuse. We not only get shown the vulnerability of the captives but also how the abusers felt about it. They didn’t care and felt powerful taking advantage of people. This just shows that some people that were captured were innocent and the commanders just took advantage of them because they wanted to. It shows little respect for the opposing side and we are opened up to many experiences that captives would have had to endure during the war.

Overall, the author portrays many ways to show us as readers what life was like during World War Two. We learn about the obvious ways of life and the secretive journeys of people during the war. “Code Name Verity” is an informative account, which shows the many ways that people survived the war. It gives a very in depth account of the journey of a captive, which really connects the story to the way of lives that the journey portrays and wants us as readers to know about.

Baseline Argument Essay- Should Scotland have voted to become independent from the UK?

           In the magazine, Upfront (published on September 15^th), there is an article called “Will Scotland Break Away?” written by Patricia Smith. This article is about how the Scottish were voting for independence, on September 18^th, from the United Kingdom. Scotland were once an independent country, after winning the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, but then became part of the UK in 1801 because of bankruptcy. Scotland and England have always had an on-going tension, going all the way back 2,000 years ago when Emperor Hadrian built Hadrian’s Wall. This history of tension is once again causing a vote for independence, which was decided as an overall ‘No’ vote. Scotland made the right decision to vote ‘No’ to independence as they lack many functions needed to make an independent country.

            One thing that Scotland would have to do if they became independent would be to make their own currency. This would have been very difficult to do, not only because they would have had to be recognized as a stable economic country but also they would have had to introduce their own currency or change currencies. Although Scotland is now using the pound as their exchange, it is part of the United Kingdom’s currency and therefore would not belong to the Scotland if they were to be become independent. “Would an independent Scotland still use the British pound as its currency or switch to the euro?” There would be a problem if they were to leave the pound because the euro may not accept them, as they wouldn’t be a high functioning economic power. This proves hard for the Scottish to become part of a currency and to be noticed as a functioning economic power as they would have to start fresh as an independent country.

            Adding on, Scotland has tried to become independent before but have come running back to the UK for unity. “Tensions between Scotland and England go back 2,000 years, …he built a 75 mile long wall to keep the ‘Barbarians’ out. This shows that although Scotland was independent before, they were practically forced to be and the English didn’t care. This contradicts the situation now because the English and Scottish are not ‘enemies’ as they were and therefore they would go to each other for help, as they have done in the past causing the United kingdom to form. Also, “In 1707, a bankrupt Scotland agreed to enter a union with England.” This quotation shows us that the Scottish do look for support from the rest of the UK. If they were to become independent, what’s to say they would come running back to the UK if something went wrong? Would the UK even help them? These questions show that Scotland aren’t strong enough to become independent and may repeat the past and come running back to the UK for help. They don’t have the stamina to build an independent country from the history that they have.

            Although Scotland lacks many functions in becoming its own country, it has a strong distinct culture and power, which makes it unique from the whole of the United Kingdom. “…Always maintained a distinct culture: Playing bagpipes, eating haggis, flying the blue and white Scottish flag rather than the union jack, and mean wearing kilts.” This quotation shows us that the Scottish are very proud to be Scottish and as they show a distinct culture, portraying themselves as ‘an independent country.’ This tells us that Scotland are helped by their distinct native culture as it defines them not only as part of the UK but also their own country, as they most generally fly their own flag and not their nation’s flag. “Then in 2011, the Scottish National Party, which favours independence, won a majority in the Scottish parliament.” This quote tells us that as a political party has been elected, that is in favour in Scotland becoming independent, which shows many people in agreement with independence. The statement shows us as readers that there are many supporters of independence and they are pleased with their distinct culture and feel as if they can become independent. It shows that most people in Scotland already feel independent, so why not make it official?

            Despite their distinct culture helping the independence campaign, Scotland still lack many things to make the step official. The ‘No’ result shows that although there are many supporters of independence, there are just as many against it, which must be for a reason. The ‘No’ vote will surely cause havoc and dispute and maybe another campaign for independence will occur. But we have to think about the independence in the long run. Scotland just isn’t ready to become independent as they don’t meet all of the requirements and it could have long lasting negative effects.

"Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War" by Yukio Tsuchiya- Reading Response

We all know what life was like for humans during WWII, but have you ever heard about the lives of animals during that awful time? Well, “Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War” by Yukio Tsuchiya is a fantastic and in depth story showing the effects on animals during World War II. The passage follows the story of three elephants, Tonky, Wanly and John, who are each to be killed as the cause of the war, much to the zoo keepers’ discretion. John experienced many attempts of death by the zoo keepers but he perseveres and doesn’t ‘allow’ it. After several attempts, the zoo keepers finally decide to starve him. After, an in depth story is given about the death of Tonky and Wally and what they have to endure, such as being fed by their trainer out of desperation and guilt and then being starved to death. The story is set in Tokyo during WWII and told from a narrator’s perspective 80 years later. What does the elephants' suffering represent in the present-day world? In the passage, the author uses many symbolic ways to demonstrate the work of human nature in the outside world.

Throughout the story, we mostly follow the story of Tonky and Wanly’s road to death. These elephants experience a terrible journey from starvation, to being helped once but then being left to fend for them-selves. “’Oh Tonky! Oh Wanly!’ he wailed, and dashed to the food shed.” This quotation represents the moment when the trainer feels guilty and feeds the elephants out of desperation and guilt. The “food shed” in the quotation represents an escape route, showing the place where people run to, to get help. The way in which the trainer runs to the food shed shows the desperation to aid the elephants. It represents, the way that people run to aid someone/something first off, but without thinking of consequences. The consequences could be severe, but human nature just wants to help, therefore demonstrating the eagerness of the trainer. In this story, for instance, the consequence was that the elephants were able to live longer, which could have posed a big threat if bombs were dropped on the zoo and the animals were to have escaped. “Dashed” in the quotation, teaches us as readers the urgency in which the trainer is in. This connects with the message because it proves just how quick people make the decisions to help without thoroughly thinking it through.

Another example of the way that human nature is represented in the “Faithful Elephants” passage is by using the setting as a symbol. “Above them, in the bright blue sky, the angry roar of enemy planes returned.” This quotation is excerpted from the end of the story once all the animals have been put to death. The quote represents the way that even the bad can ruin the beautiful things. In this case, the evil is the “the angry roar of enemy planes” and the good is “the bright blue sky.” As we as readers can determine, the evil is destroying the good sight. This represents that people won’t stop until they achieve their goals no matter who they hurt or destroy along the way. In the story, the elephants have been put to death yet the fighting still carries on. It makes it seem as if the elephants were killed for nothing and the selfishness of others led to this death. We feel sorry for the elephants and as readers, feel angry towards the armies. We infer that the armies don’t care about the elephants dying, and yet they were forced to death, showing selfishness even if it may have ‘protected’ people.

Adding on, another way that messages are sent through to the readers via symbols is the hope of the elephants, Tonky and Wanly. “… still trying to do their banzai trick for the people who once fed them.” This quote from the story shows the hope, faith and perseverance of the animals that have been sentenced to death. It shows that the elephants don’t give in, no matter the torture that they are enduring. It makes a connection with people in the world who despite everything they go through, do not give up and persevere with hope and faith that they might be saved. The way that the elephants do their banzai trick suggests that they know it is their most prized and magnificent trick, yet no one is going to acknowledge that. They believe that people will see their suffering and help them. It also shows us that people are always trying to impress people when they need a friend or help, yet a lot of people would let you suffer instead of helping .It brings sadness and despair to the reader and teaches the lessons of hope, faith and perseverance.

Lastly, the author represents human nature by using comparisons of settings from the text. “Not far from the cheerful square, there stands a tombstone. Not many notice this monument for the animals that have died at the Ueno Zoo. This quotation represents the selfishness of humans in the present day world. As we have a comparison between a happy cheerful setting and a quiet, peaceful and eerie tombstone, we as readers can infer that the people have no intention of caring about these elephants that are dead and only on the more ’fascinating’ ones that can entertain them. It shows that the elephants are looked over because they aren’t present. Furthermore, the quotation shows that some people are superficial and they look past these elephants because they are dead and they don’t have any idea what they went through in the past.

Overall, “Faithful Elephants” by Yukio Tsuchiya portrays many messages that infer the human nature of people in the world. The author uses many techniques such as comparisons to symbolize the way in which others are affected by certain decisions. “Faithful Elephants” was an amazing account, which showed not only messages but thorough explanations which affect the reader’s thoughts on the war and elephants. I loved this passage because although it was very upsetting, it portrayed the lives of animals during the war extremely well and taught me a lot.