Critical Blogs – Literature 2018

Which artwork did you find most meaningful and/or enjoyable?

Whilst on our trip to the Art Gallery of NSW, the piece that stood out to me most was “Rhythmic composition in yellow green minor” by Roy de Maistre. This modernist piece was painted in late 1918 and explores the relationship between art and music through the use of shape and colour. Blending colour and sound together on a canvas was a concept that I found very interesting. When discussing this piece it was mentioned that the artist had painted it to assist soldiers who had experienced shell shock during the war. This point really intrigued me and the artwork suddenly had an entirely new meaning to it. The vast array of colours make this artwork very appealing and enjoyable to look at from afar but when we start to take into consideration the musical element we can see that this painting tells a story. Knowing it was painted for the war soldiers, I believe this painting to be a representation of nature; a calm and tranquil field where anyone can roam to and be free, let their thoughts go and just be present.

For me personally this artwork shows me that the connection between music and art can be something beautiful when played correctly. Music has great meaning to me so I imagine this artwork to be a piano; the pianist’s notes being elongated and flowing beautifully with one another. It gives meaning to the notes being played. Individual notes don’t always make sense but when played simultaneously with another and given a shade of colour it can create a truly beautiful masterpiece and an explosion of unexpected colour on the page.

How effective do you think Charlie Chaplin was with his creative challenge to war?

In his dictator speech, Charlie Chaplin has created one of the most though-provoking and moving speeches in history. He mocks Hitler in his style of dress and his style of speaking but completely juxtaposes all of his ideals with his connective content. Chaplin starts his speech with a very calming and soft tone, however as he progresses we can see that he becomes more and more emotionally tangled with his words and his passion seeps through. In his speech, Chaplin claims that humanity has sacrificed their lives for the hatred and violence of war. Throughout his speech, Chaplin criticizes humanity with his use of fierce words:

“We think too much and feel too little: more than machinery, we need humanity; more that cleverness we need kindness and gentleness.”

In this statement, Chaplin compares humanity to machinery and how we have dehumanised ourselves by conforming to the wants of war. Despite his negative talk of human kind and how we have turned into machinery, he also provides us with optimism. He shows his audience that they can have a free life; one with no violence and war, one with peace. Chaplin ends his speech by taking his power and giving it to the people. He gives them all a voice; he gives them hope and a motivation to help create a better world:

“the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy, let’s use that power, let us all unite.”

In saying all this, Chaplin sums up the human connection we all have with one another. We have the power to change if we will it. Chaplin’s dictator speech was effective in challenging the morals of war. He called for action at a time when the world was crumbing before him. He evokes an emotional connection with his audience to stand against the injustice being spread and unite against the great dictator in the name of democracy.

“The Great Dictatorship: Charlie Chaplin’s Amazing Speech – Tomomi Chu”. Tomomi Chu, 2018, http://www.tomomichu.com/great-dictatorship-charlie-chaplins-amazin-speech/. Accessed 23 Aug 2018.

Category: Critical Blogs

Rhythmic composition in yellow green minor – Australian Literature

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Dictator Speech – 20th Century Literature