Interpretation amongst different people.
As a student of English, I am bound to study different literature texts and one of the things you'd realize is each person has his own unique way of interpreting a text. Like the snowflake, there would be similarities but you'd see that no two analysis of a text is the same. A book I've read in my first and second years respectively is : Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka. The book is brilliant as it explores the dangers of misinterpreting things on the pretext of ignorance.
The text is set in a Nigeria before independence. The protagonist who goes by the name of Elesin was is the dead king's horseman. The text delves into the idea of ritual killing as Elesin is supposed to commit suicide so he can accompany his master (the king) in the afterlife and continue to serve him. It is noteworthy that the idea of ritual killing is something that was practiced in different cultures. The Japanese had what was called "Sepuku" and the ancient Aztecs were notorious for their human sacrifices. In this text, the role of the Elesin is seen as a very critical one so he is treated like an egg, he is adored by the people and treated with respect. Unfortunately for Elesin, he is prevented from fulfilling his duty by the colonial governor of the area "Pilkings" from here, the text takes on a sad route till the end. Elesin pays dearly for this as his young son "Olunde" who is a student abroad kills himself in his father's place. After this, Elesin kills himself.
The book explores how people from different cultures interpret the idea of death. The characters engage in philosophical debates where ideologies are questioned. Olunde's conversation with Mrs. Pilkings is the best example. Here Mrs. Pilkings sees the act of death by suicide as barbarian in nature and Olunde counters that her county sends young men to die en masse in the name war.
The text teaches the reader that as people we would all have our ideas about certain issues. And while we may not always agree on what people say; it is important to respect their views and allow them speak their minds.
Hiatus status: over.
Photography...
Date: 11-2-2022
Before I begin, I realized I have always written from a third person point of view. Therefore, I'll attempt to write from a first person point of view so this would feel closer to my readers. I also know I should be uploading more articles here, but I can get lazy and school has dumped assignments on my head so I'm writing because I got motivated to do a bit of writing... Alright let's do this.
As a person, I'd look at pictures and I would marvel at how those pictures came to be, the patience that came with it especially those wildlife photographers and I'd come to appreciate and respect their art.
While writing this, I remembered the first time I stepped into a photo studio and I was amazed. It was an experience I can't describe. There was the fear of stepping into unknown territory, like leaving my comfort zone to learn something that was different from books ( at this point I've done books almost all my life) so trying photography was something else. What I'm trying to say is that “ we often discover things outside our comfort zone”. Just like gold has to be refined in the fire before it becomes beautiful. I'm not saying we need to go through hardship before we become successful, after people flourish under easy periods in their life, but good things can come when we leave the nest .
As an individual, I really love taking pictures. My Pinterest app is full of pictures I've saved, I have over eight thousand pictures I've saved. They consist of different things I consider interesting. I get lost in Pinterest at times, it's like “Social Media” with the absence of people; I don't know if you get me. The app is so peaceful, it is not like Twitter where everyone is savage or Instagram where you'd feel oppressed. Pinterest is really underrated and it's good for your mental health, that's why I have so many pictures there.
So someone might ask me “why did you decide to go into photography?” I'd say I wanted to take the coolest pictures because I love taking cool pictures. However, things changed; maybe I had an existential awakening that life goes on and it'd never stop for anyone so you might as well make memories. Even before I got a camera I'd take pictures with a blur effect or pictures with aesthetic vibes. That's the type of pictures I like, aesthetic pictures. I really cannot explain what they are, but they are really crazy (in a cool way).
Aesthetic pictures can come in many different forms but at the end of the day, they involve a lot of editing behind the scenes and that's what most people do not understand. Photography goes beyond taking pictures with a camera, it involves hours of creativity alongside editing to make a picture perfect. I've had to learn this the hard way. I have done some work with a studio ( I'm still an amateur) and I know how hard it can get, especially when you have *uncooperative customers. Along the line, you'd see how life is, having to deal with different people all the time and trust me it does get overwhelming but it is necessary to develop.*
I don't have a specific role model when it comes to photography, I'm doing as I see fit. It's a hobby at this point so there's no pressure. I'm taking this thing one at a time and I'll get to the peak. I still have people I admire, my boss, I have a course-mate who is a boss in photography and their pictures are just very creative.
I think I'll end it here. I have run out of things to say but I'll be back to say more, eventually. I'm eventually come out my shell and you'll be seeing a lot of me here.
Is School really necessary?
****To be Human**** means to **learn**, to **understand** what occurs around us, we always want to know why things are the way they are, unraveling the secrets of the universe is what gets Humans moving. As people, it is necessary for us to pass our knowledge on to the next generation of people so they can do better and not make the mistake of the past generation.
**The idea of an individual teaching** others is most likely the foundation for schools all around the world. In today's world; there is emphasis on putting children in school so that they can learn. While it is a good one, we also have children who are homeschooled, these children often perform as well as their counterparts in the classroom.
**School might be necessary to an extent**. However, one might argue that beyond the secondary school/highschool level, school is not necessary. Why do they say so? In a country like Nigeria, where thousands of university graduates enter the job market and a large majority of them will not get jobs. If at the end of the day an individual graduates without a job to show of it, what is the gain.
**The world is seeing a shift in ideas**, the degree is not the ideal focus these days, the focus is what can you do when you a faced with a challenge. How can you help a company move forward? Furthermore, the today's teenagers and young adults are into working on themselves.
**For a long while society has downgraded anything not related to academics when it comes to money making**; the narrative is changing. Now there are people who stream themselves making money and they'd earn more than the average degree holder, people doing things they love and making money from these activities.
So here is the million dollar question, " is school really necessary?" Yes, it is necessary. After reading through this article the reader may have the assumption that I the writer would say no.
**School is important, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages**. School teaches people how to lead, how to follow, how to listen, how go listen and it teaches is how to understand our basic human emotions through our interactions with others. Nevertheless, we as individuals should understand that on today's world going to school is not a guarantee for success.
**In the past**, a degree from highschool would be enough for a person to secure a job. In today's world, there is competition, where the best take it. This is why there is need to emphasize being educated whilst having skills to employ one's self.
*****In conclusion*****, school is important, but being educated with extra skills is an added advantage.
@thefirstsammy
