The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


After reading this poem, I was not able to fully comprehend it immediately. However, I read a poem analysis and managed to better comprehend this poem. According to the analysis, this poem is one of the best-known, but most misunderstood poems in the world. It is basically about the importance of making the right choice.

In the first stanza, the speakers describes his position. He is in the middle of the woods and comes across two roads. He would like to take both roads, but doubts that he would have the chance, thus he carefully looks down both roads for a long time. In the second stanza, the speaker looks down one road but decides to go down the other. This is because he feels that the second path seems less worn and has less traffic. He then describes that the difference is not much, but only a little. In the third stanza, he continues to describe the two paths, how the fallen leaves are still fresh and have not been stepped on.

The last stanza is the tricky one. Firstly, the "sigh" in the first line can mean two things; one, the speaker has chosen the right path and sighs in relieve; two, the speaker has chosen the wrong path and sighs in disappointment. Secondly, the speaker himself is not too sure what this "sigh" means as he says "somewhere ages and ages hence:". This mean that the speaker is yet to know whether he had took the right path. Thirdly, the word "difference" in the last line is directly affect by the connotation of "sigh" in the first line. If the "sigh" meant that he is relieved, then "difference" would mean a positive difference; if the "sigh" meant disappointment, then it would be a negative "difference".

In all, I found this poem very tricky and it indeed boils down to making the right choices. Making the right choices would ultimately determine your future.

Sacrifice

Write about a time when in wanting to make someone happy you were forced to make a sacrifice. 

What should I do? Is this the right choice? These were some of the questions that ran through my mind as I stood there in the bookstore, holding one item in each hand. In my left hand was the newest, coolest video game that had just reached Singapore. I have been waiting for this video game to reach stores for a long time and have been saving since. Now, my hands on this video game and enough money in my pocket, I was finally ready to try out this new cool game. However, tomorrow is my best friend's birthday and I wanted to give him,  John, a special present. I had always knew he wanted this storybook and wanted to give it to him as his birthday present. Coincidentally, his birthday accurately falls on the day my new video game releases. With only enough money to buy one present, I am in a dilemma.

Anyway, did I see this book when I went to his house just last week? Or was it another? Fresh hopes and ideas that might convince me to buy the video game flashed through my mind. My eyes greedily fell upon the video game package and I dreamily thought of how I would spend my upcoming school holidays. This is the game I had been waiting for for such a long time! How could I bear to sacrifice this to for a book? However, My eyes turned and gazed upon the boring old book. Although most of my instincts would tell me to put that book down and pay for the video game, my brain stopped me and made me think twice before deciding. John had been my best friend since Primary One and we spent a lot of time together. He had always been there helping me and making school life more bearable. I also recall him lending me lunch money a few days ago.

With all those good points, how could I not give him a good birthday present in return? Making a mental note to return him the money, I put the video game back and walked towards cashier...

Logic and Decision-Making

Answer the following in 150-200 words: What is the common theme among the scrolls inside each of the caskets? How does this theme relate to how each suitor (Morocco, Arragon, and Bassanio) chooses their particular casket?

I think that the common theme among the scrolls is that appearance is not important, rather, it is what it is made of that matters. For the gold casket, it looks nice and beautiful on the outside, and since the Prince of Morocco thinks himself as a very handsome and dashing man, he feels that the gold casket is the right one. However, "all that glitters is not gold". He only thought that being beautiful is everything, but it is actually what is inside that really matters. For the Prince of Arragon, he chose the silver casket. He was arrogant and proud and thought that he should get as much as he deserves, just as the silver casket promised. However, the casket described him as a fool. Bassanio, unlike the other two princes, was not fooled by appearances. He chose the lead casket, the ugliest of the three. He knew that men were tricked by appearances, and thus he did not choose the gold or silver caskets.

Write a narrative and exposition in 200-300 words on the following topic: A moment in your life when you had to make a difficult decision primarily using logic.

What should I do? Which one is the best choice? These were just some of the many questions that flashed through my mind when I was thinking about that topic. Just recently, my pet dog, Oscar, was diagnosed with having a deadly disease. As my pet dog is already very old, it came to no surprise that he had contracted a diseases. However, it had never crossed my mind that he will suffer from a deadly disease! It is either a life-or-death situation and all responsibility now rests on my shoulders.

After quite a while of consideration, I am left with only two options: One, send him to a vet and undergo surgery to sure him of his illness; Two, spare him from his suffering and put him to sleep forever. This was a very tough decision. My pet dog had been by my side for almost 10 years, thinking that he will soon be gone certainly makes me feel depressed. At a glance, I would definitely have gone for the operation; but after thinking about it even more, putting him down for good seemed like a better choice. Sending him for surgery may allow him to live a few years longer but the surgery itself might cost a bomb and there will be a chance that it might fail. After the operation, Oscar might even feel worse and this will prolong his suffering. Putting him down for good certainly end his days of suffering but that would also mean the end of the 10-year relationship with him. It certainly is hard to just let go of my pet dog. However, putting him down for good might be the choice that would really benefit for Oscar. It would end his days of suffering.

After a lot of thinking, I finally made a decision. Good bye, Oscar!

Expert Circle

Expert Circles Activity #1

1st Topic:
William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon was not considered a likely candidate for the authorship of Shakespeare’s works as his biography, particularly his humble origins and obscure life seemed incompatible with his poetic eminence and reputation for genius.

There are more than 70 possible authorship candidates, including Francis Bacon, the 6th Earl of Derby, Christopher Marlowe, and the 17th Earl of Oxford.

I think that the most likely candidate to have written Shakespeare’s works is Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. This is because Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford was an Elizabethan courtier, playwright, lyric poet, sportsman and patron of the arts and is currently the most popular alternative candidate proposed for the authorship of Shakespeare’s works. Also, J. Thomas Looney, an English schoolteacher, proposed Oxford as a candidate for the authorship of Shakespeare’s works and his theory was based on perceived analogies between Oxford’s life and poetic techniques and Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. Hence, I think that the most likely candidate to have written Shakespeare’s works is Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford.


2nd Topic:
Elizabeth I was Queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 24 March 1603.

During the Elizabeth’s reign, there were conflicts between England and Spain, Scotland and Ireland. However, England was alliance with Netherlands during the Elizabeth’s reign.

The relationship between Shakespeare and Elizabeth I was employer-employee relationship. Shakespeare was throughout his life greatly indebted to the patronage and support of royal and noble personages; his royal patrons were Queen Elizabeth and King James I, both of whom greatly loved the drama.

Portia has a nature which is at once finely sensitive and very determined. Feminine in her intuitions, she can also be strong-willed, resourceful, resolute, romantic and witty. She has a keen insight into human character. Like Portia, Elizabeth I was determined, intelligent and well educated. Also, Elizabeth I managed to overcome challenges like defeating the Spanish Armada, just like Portia who managed to save Antonio from receiving his forfeit.

3rd Topic:

Hygiene was virtually non-existent during the Elizabethan era. Wealthy people bathed once every few weeks, while peasants bathed about 3 times every year. Females used make-ups. Males put lead powder on hair. Wealthy women bring about perfume & lonely peasants bring nothing. No running water. Wealthy people had buckets of water wheareas lonely peasants had water only from out houses.

4th Topic:

- What was Venice like during 15th & 16th Century?

Venice flourished & was important trading centre & art centre, due to stable political climate. Over hundereds of thousands of people lived there. Venetian craftsmen produce various decorative arts, while Merchants traded wood & silk & various other products. Art beginning of 16th Century, theatre was welcomed. Groups of actors performed in houses of nobles.

- Why was Venice important during 15th & 16th Century?

Venice was centre of Renaissance then. Architecture, art, music & literature flourished in Venice. The printing of books in the Italian language ws initiated in Venice & contributed to the Italian Renaissance. The Venetian School poly-choral compositions were famous throughout Europe then. The dominant religion in Venice is Roman Catholism.

5th Topic:
1.Open Air Theatres with no electricity or lighting
2. No electricity or lighting or sound amplification
3.People with a good memory and coordination for stunts partook in the plays. The general public could watch them.
4.”Queen Elizabeth” liked plays but the authorities did not.
5.Golden Globe theatre was a lot less developed than modern days theatres and the stages were usually bare with little technology

Describing a Person by Describing the Place

You might have seen some flashes of light coming from that little hut over there, the old and dilapidated one. You may think that it is just some light bulb problem, nothing to worry. However, if you look closer, you would see 'lightnings' instead of just flashes of light. Yes, you heard me right, lightnings. Small, mini lightnings that erupts ever so often. Though they are small, they still are as strong as the real mighty ones. Well, why listen to an old man tell his old cock-and-bull story? If you believe it or not, I had once been to that dingy little hut a long long time ago...

The place had a strong burning smell, like something had been burning for a long long time. Smoke seem to ooze out of the walls and though it was smoke all over the place, it still felt reasonably cool. The room was dark and eerie as the room had no windows and the door was always shut. Huge machines the size of elephants wheezed and whistled many soft tunes while other small machines the size of mice roared and screeched noisily. To my utmost amazement, the machines seemed to be calling me to go, run away from this place. I took the hint that something interesting was lurking further in the corner and proceed further into the small hut.

Weirder machines started popping up at every corner. One was bright blue and seemed to be floating in midair, just like a lantern without a string. Another was puffing out ring-shaped smoke in every single colour. It too was floating in midair but this one seemed to be magically moving around. Another one was walking around the floor. It walked a few steps and suddenly burst into blue flames. The flames died down as fast as it came and the machine continued walking. A lot more kinds of weird and interesting machines started appearing. They were all very unique in their own ways and were all different. Finally, I reached the final room. A huge machine the size of a mansion stood towering over me. It was round and hollow at the centre, so I was able to see what was on the other side of it. To my amazement, I could see the whole town! Suddenly, a spark formed in the centre and it slowly magnified. Soon, mini lightnings were all over the place! The scene was magnificent but I soon heard footsteps and sped out of the house. It was the first and last time into that small hut.

Ameneh Bahrami

An Iranian man was convicted of throwing acid in the face of a female student, Ameneh Bahrami. She was blinded and the convicted man, Majid Movahedi, was to be blinded in retribution. However, Ameneh pardoned the attacker just at the last minute and Majid was let off the hook. If I were Ameneh, I would not have let my attacker go just like that. I would want retribution as he had ruined my life by making me blind and disfigured. For that, I would have insisted on eye-for-an-eye justice. The attacker ruined my life and I want to warn all criminals by showing them that no one can escape from the long arms of justice. However, it may be right to show mercy to the attacker as I would have no gains from blinding him.

Firstly, the attacker ruined my life and my future. After being splashed with acid, my face was deformed and I was blinded. My future career would definitely be affected as who would want to hire a blind person? Being blinded would also cause a lot of inconvenience for me and the people around me. My parents and relatives have to help me out a lot and these may pose troublesome to them. They would have to help me to do simple things such as pouring water and helping me to a chair. Thus, I would not let my attacker off the hook as he had ruined my life and my future.

Secondly, from this, I would want to warn all criminals by showing them that no one can escape from justice. For instance, the attacker who splashed acid on my face must be prosecuted and face justice. This would tell all criminals that they cannot escape justice if they committed a crime and would face the punishment. Hence, by not showing him mercy, it can act as a reminder to all that all actions have consequences.

However, I should also consider showing him mercy. If he was to be blinded for an eye-for-an-eye justice, that would not in the least be beneficial to me. I would gain nothing if he were to be blinded. Hence, I should show him mercy. After suffering for 7 years in darkness, I have experienced the pain and suffering and I would not want anyone to go through these pain as well. So, instead of prosecuting that person, I should show him mercy and spare him from the pain and suffering.

In conclusion, the reasons why I shouldn't show him mercy far outweigh why I should show him mercy. Thus, if I were Ameneh Bahrami, I would not have chose to forgive my attacker.

Reflections:

I feel that it was cruel and inhuman that Majid Movahedi threw acid on Ameneh's face just because she repeatedly spurned his offer of marriage. Even though I can understand that he was angry and upset, he should have controlled his anger and thought of the consequences before acting. He had just ruined a perfect life just because he did not get what he wanted.

However, I feel that Ameneh Bahrami is indeed an "angel". Even after someone threw a bucket of acid on her face, she could still forgive him and give him another chance. She is very righteous and did not want eye-for-an-eye justice. She did not put her personal thoughts and feelings in between her judgement whether or not to spare him.

Speech

Good afternoon Mr Lundberg and fellow classmates. Today, I will be talking about my views of why I believe that it was a good choice killing Osama bin Laden rather than sparing his life and bringing him back to the US.

On September 11, 2001, a series of four coordinated suicide attacks was launched by Al-Qaeda to the US. 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers hijacked 4 commercial passenger jets airliners and took control of the plane. The hijackers intentionally crashed into four different sites, killing thousands of people.

This is all because of Osama bin Laden. Committing such a huge crime, I feel that the US has made the right choice by killing Osama on the spot at Pakistan. Remember the case on Mas Selamat? He was attempting to bomb Changi Airport before he was arrested by Singapore authorities. After being sent to prison, he managed to escape prison through the toilet window. If the US authorities had committed the same kind of mistake as the Singapore Authorities, the consequences would be disastrous. It would be impractical for the US, which has been trying to catch bin Laden for such a long time, risk Osama escaping again. If bin Laden did manage to escape, it may be possible that Osama might be enraged with his capture and plan another, more terrible terrorist attack against the US. While trying to give bin Laden another chance in court, it may lead to bin Laden terrorizing the US once more. Thus, I feel that it will be more fail-safe to kill Osama on the spot.

Furthermore, the US has been tracking bin Laden since the presidency of Bill Clinton. If I were the US navy soldier, I would have done the same and killed Osama. Getting rid of one of the world's more notorious terrorist would be doing the world a good deed. Also, after committing such a huge terrorist attack on the US, I can believe why the US navy soldier did not think twice before shooting and killing bin Laden. For all the innocent people who have died because of bin Laden, it should be time that bin Laden himself have a taste of his own medicine and face death. He had ruined countless number of lives and caused so much destruction in the US. He should not be allowed to live any longer, and thus I feel that it was right that the US killed bin Laden on the spot in Pakistan.

In conclusion, I stand firm that the US has done the right thing and killed bin Laden on the spot. Although some people may argue that everyone deserve another chance, another chance to start anew. The problem is, bin Laden has been given so many chances to own up and face justice. Yet, he decided to remain hidden and wait till the US navy came and found him. After all, it is impossible to escape the long arms of justice. Therefore, I feel that bin Laden as no rights to continue living after all the terrible things he had done to the world.

Thank you.