HSC English First Paper - Unit Twelve - Peace and Conflict


Unit Twelve: Peace and Conflict
Lesson-1: Definition, Causes and Types of Conflict
1. Warm up activity:
□ What is your view of peace and conflict? Write five words that come to your mind when you think of peace and five more when you think of conflict.

Here are two poems that speak of man's desire for peace and the inevitability of conflict or war. W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet whose early poetry showed a yearning for love and peace, and who found in nature a refuge from the ugliness of city life. 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' gives him the promise of some peace of mind. W. H. Auden (1907-1973) was an Anglo-American poet who became famous for his stylistic and technical achievements and for poems (and plays) of exceptional depth and feelings. He wrote about love, war, religion, politics and the problems of modem man. 'September 1, 1939' is an indictment of all wars, particularly one that was looming over the world in 1939.
2. Read the poems and answer the questions that follow:

A. 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' by W.B. Yeats
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, 
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; 
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee 
And live alone in the bee loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

3. Describe the island in Yeats' poem. What does 'bee loud glade' mean?

4. What does the poet mean when he says 'for peace comes dropping slow'?

5. Why does the poet desire peace so much? Can such an island really offer him peace?

B. From 'September 1,1939' by W. H. Auden
I sit on one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid
As the clever hopes expire.
Of a low dishonest decade:
Waves of anger and fear
Circulate over the bright
And darkened lands of the earth,
Obsessing our private lives;
The unmentionable odour of death
Offends the September night.

6. Discuss the nature of the conflict one finds in cities such as the one the poet lives in.

7. Auden's poem has as its setting the city of New York. How does the city contribute to the conflict in the poet's mind?

8. How does Auden describe the impending war? What effect does a war have on people?

9. Why does the poet feel 'uncertain and afraid'?

10. Why does the poet mean when he says 'Waves of anger and fear/Circulate over the bright/ And darkened lands of the earth'?

11. Can you explain what the poet means by 'The unmentionable odour of death'?

12. Write a brief summary of each of the poems.

13. What is the meaning of each of the following words?
a. wattle
b. veil
c. glimmer
d. linnet
e. lapping
f. expire
g. obsession
h. offend.

Lesson-2: What is Conflict?
1. Read the following prate text on conflict and answer the question that follow: 
Conflict can be described an a disagreement among groups or individuals characterized by antagonism and hostility. This is usually fueled by the opposition of one party to another in an attempt to reach an objective different from that of the other party. The elements involved in the conflict have varied sets of principles and values, thus allowing a conflict to arise.

Conflict can be defined in many ways but one of the simplest is that it pertains to the opposing ideas and actions of different entities, rewriting in an antagonistic state. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. All of us possess our own opinions, ideas and sets of behemoth. We have our own ways of looking at things and we act according to what we think Is props'. Hence, we often find ourselves in conflict in different scenarios; it may involve other individuals, groups of people, or a struggle within our own selves. Consequently, conflict influences our actions and decisions in one way or another.

Conflict comes naturally; die clashing of thoughts and ideas is a part of the human experience. It is true that it can be destructive if left uncontrolled. However, it shouldn't be seen as something that can only cause negative things to transpire. It is a way to come up with more meaningful realizations that can certainly be hclpfiri to the individuals involved.

Conflict can be seen as an opportunity for learning and understanding our differences. We can all live harmoniously despite conflicts as long as we know bow to responsibly manage these struggles.

Causes and Types of Conflict
According to an American psychologist, conflicts are basically of three types arising out of three different causes:

a. Economic conflict: Resources are limited, and so groups or individuals come into conflict with each other to possess as much of these resources as possible, thus bringing forth hostile behaviors among those involved.

b. Value conflict: It is concerned with the varied preferences and ideologies that people have as their principles. Conflicts driven by this factor are demonstrated in wars wherein separate parties have their separate sets of beliefs that they assert in an aggressive manner.

c. Power conflict: It occurs when the parties involved intend to maximize what influence they have in the social setting. Such a situation can happen among individuals, groups or even nations.

Conflict! arc also classified Into the four following types:
a. Interpersonal conflict: This type of conflict refers to a conflict between two individuals. This occurs typically because of differences among people. Apparently, it is a natural occurrence which can eventually help in personal growth or developing our relationships with others.

b. fratrapersonal conflict: It occurs within an individual The experience takes place in the person's mind. Hence, it is a type of conflict that is psychological involving the individual's thoughts, values, principles and emotions.

c. Intragroup conflict: It is a type of conflict that happens among individuals within a team. It arises from interpersonal disagreements or differences in views and ideas. Within a team, conflict can be helpful in coming up with decisions which will eventually allow the members to reach their objectives as a team. However, if the degree of conflict disrupts harmony among the members, then some serious guidance from a different party will be needed for it to be settled.

d. Intergroup conflict: It takes place when a misunderstanding arises among
different teams within an organization. This is due to the varied sets of goals and

interests of these different groups. In addition, competition also contributes to
intergroup conflict.

2. Give the appropriate meanings of the following words. Also mention the part of speech of each word, change them in as many parts of speech as possible and make sentences of your own with each changed form:
a. antagonism
b. hostility
c. pertain
d. transpire
e. harmonious
f. maximize
g. incompatible
h. disrupt

3. Answer the following questions:
a. What, according to the text, is conflict? What causes conflict?
b. How many types of conflict does the text list? Is there any other type of conflict that you are aware of?
c. How many parties are involved in a conflict?
d. How does conflict influence our actions and decisions?
e. Is there any positive impact of conflict?
f. Do you think conflicts can be resolved without anyone being harmed?
g. How is intergroup conflict different from intragroup conflict?

h. How is interpersonal conflict different from intrapersonal conflict?

4. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with an appropriate expression from the list of words given in the box below:
Conflict can be defined as…………….. of values and ideas among other things, and the most serious form of conflict is…………….. clashes that results in lot of……………..  and casualties. There can be conflict…………….. us, which is……………..  intrapersonal conflict. The conflict between or persons is called…………….. conflict. Constraints of…………….. resources is also a cause of conflict and it is known as…………….. conflict. Conflict is a very……………..  phenomenon, but sometimes it takes…………….. forms.

within economic clash serious interpersonal
among deaths called natural resource armed

Lesson-3: Cruelties of Conflict
1. Warm up activity:
□ Think and not down some features of poetry that distinguish it from prose.
□ The poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" ia about a real war that took place in 1854. Go to the net and And out more about the war, its historical background, and the parties involved in the war.

2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:

Haifa league, half a league, 
Haifa league onward. 
All in fee valley of Death,
Rode the sit hundred. 
'Forward, the Light Brigade; 
Charge for the guns' he said:
Into the valley of Death 
Rode the six hundred.

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldiers knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them, 
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd; 
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.

Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made,
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

3. Guess the meanings of the following words by using contextual clues:
a. valley
b. dismay'd
c. blunder'd
d. volley'd
e. rode
f. reel'd
g. thunder'd

4. Express the main ideas of the poem in your own words.

5. What is the poet's attitude to war? What words and details in the poem reveal the poet's attitude?

6. What happened to the light brigade? What is the poet's attitude to the soldiers mentioned in the poem? What words and expressions show the poet's attitude towards the soldiers?

7. What is a bridge? What is a league?

8. Why does the poet say 'Theirs not to make reply, /Theirs not to reason why,'?

9. Find out the words in the poem associated with warfare (e.g. Cannon).

10. Does the poet think the soldiers' glory will soon fade?

11. 'jaws of Death' is an example of a metaphor. Find out other metaphors used in the poem.

Lesson 4: "The Old Man at the Bridge" by Ernest Hemingway
"I was taking care of animals," he explained.
"Oh," I said, not quite understanding.
"Yes," he said, "I stayed, you see, taking care of animals. I was the last one to leave the town of San Carlos."
He did not look like a shepherd nor a herdsman and I looked at his black dusty clothes and his gray dusty face and his steel rimmed spectacles and said, "What animals were they?"

"Various animals," he said, and shook his head. "I had to leave them."

I was watching the bridge and the African looking country of the Ebro Delta and wondering how long now it would be before we would see the enemy, and listening all the while for the first noises that would signal that ever mysterious event called contact, and the old man still sat there.
"What animals were they?" I asked.

"There were three animals altogether," he explained. "There were two goats and a cat and then there were four pairs of pigeons."
"And you had to leave them?" I asked.
"Yes. Because of the artillery. The captain told me to go because of the artillery."

"And you have no family?" I asked, watching the far end of the bridge where a few last carts were hurrying down the slope of the bank.
"No," he said, "only the animals I stated. The cat, of course, will be all right. A cat can look out for itself, but I cannot think what will become of the others."
"What politics have you?" I asked.

"I am without politics," he said. "I am seventy-six years old. I have come twelve kilometers now and I think now I can go no further."
"This is not a good place to stop," I said. "If you can make it, there are trucks up the road where it forks for Tortosa."

"I will wait a while," he said, " and then I will go. Where do the trucks go?" "Towards Barcelona," I told him.
"I know no one in that direction," he said, "but thank you very much. Thank you again very much."

He looked at me very blankly and tiredly, and then said, having to share his worry with someone, "The cat will be all right, I am sure. There is no need to be unquiet about the cat. But the others. Now what do you think about the others?"
"Why they'll probably come through it all right."
"You think so?"

"Why not," I said, watching the far bank where now there were no carts.
"But what will they do under the artillery when I was told to leave because of the artillery?"
"Did you leave the dove cage unlocked?" I asked. "Yes."
"Then they'll fly."
"Yes, certainly they'll fly. But the others. It's better not to think about the others," he said.

"If you are rested I would go," I urged. "Get up and try to walk now."
"Thank you," he said and got to his feet, swayed from side to side and then sat down backwards in the dust.
"I was taking care of animals," he said dully, but no longer to me. "I was only taking care of animals."

There was nothing to do about him. It was Easter Sunday and the Fascists were advancing toward the Ebro. It was a gray overcast day with a low ceiling so their planes were not up. That and the fact that cats know how to look after themselves was all the good luck that old man would ever have.

3. Guess the meaning of the following words by using contextual and other clues.
a. pontoon
b. staggered
c. plodded
d. blankly
e. fascist

4. Answer the following questions:
a. What was the old man doing in his native town?
b. How does the narrator describe the old man?
c. Why is the old man not much concerned about the cat?
d. Why is the old man so concerned with 'other animals'?
e. Where are the trucks going?
f. Which war does the author use as the backdrop of his story?
g. What is the narrator's job in the story?
h. Why does the old man stop and not go across the bridge?
i. Why does the author describe contact as 'that ever mysterious event'?
j. What is the function of the old man in the story?
k. What effect does the war have on the peasants?
I. What is the setting of the story?

5. Write a summary of the text.

6. Critically examine how the theme has been presented in the text.

7. Find the meaning of the following words and make sentences with them:
a. spectacles
b. spokes
c. plod
d. explore
e. bridgehead
f. herdsman
g. artillery
h. blantly
i. unquiet
j. sway
k. overcast

Lesson 5: The Peace Movement
1. Warm up activity:
Discuss in pairs the following:
□ How do you feel about the need for peace in society, state and the world?
□ What do you know about peace movements In the world?

2. Read the text and answer the questions that follow.
A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war (or all wars), minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation, including ban of guns, and is often linked to the goal of achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends include advocacy of pacifism, non-violent resistance, diplomacy, boycotts, demonstrations, peace camps; supporting anti-war political candidates and banning guns, creating open government, direct democracy; supporting people who expose war-crimes or conspiracies to create wars, and making laws. Different organizations involved in peace movements may have some diverse goals, but one common goal is sustainability of peace.

Peace movement is basically an all-encompassing "anti-war movement". It is primarily characterized by a belief that human beings should not wage war on each other or engage in violent conflicts over language, race, natural resources, religion or ideology. It is believed that military power ia not the equivalent of justice. The peace movement tends to oppose the proliferation of dangerous technologies and weapons of mass destruction, in particular, nuclear weapons and biological warfare. Moreover, many object to the export of weapons including hand-held machine guns and grenades by leading economic to lesser developed rations.

The first peace movement appeared In 1815-1816. The first such movement In toe United State* was the New York Peace Society, founded in 1*15 by the theologian David Low Dodge, and the Massachusetts Peace Society. It became an active organization, holding regular weekly meeting*, and producing literature which was spread as far a? Gibraltar and Malta, describing toe horrors of war and advocating pacifism on Christian grounds, The London Peace Society (also known as toe Society for toe protection of Permanent and Universal Peace) wae formed in 1816 to promote permanent and universal peace by toe philanthropist William Alien, hi the 1840s, British women formed 'Olive Leaf Circles' groups of around 15 to 20 women, to discuss and promote pacifist idea*. The peace movement began to grow in influence by the mid nineteenth century. The London Peace Society, under the initiative of American consul to Birmingham, Elibu Bnrritt, and toe Revaraned Henry Richard, convened the first International Peace Congress In London in 1841. The congress decided on two aims: the ideal of peaceable arbitration in the uf&rirs of Tuoinre and toe creation of an international institution to achieve that.

Afterwards, peace organizations were set op in many countries. The United Nations was founded with toe primary objective to maintain peace and resolve inter-state conflicts in the world. Many treaties have been signed between many nations, a noteworthy one of which is toe nuclear non proliferation treaty. Everyone wants peace and the principles of non-violence.

3. Give the appropriate meanings of the following words. Also, indicate the part of speech of each word, change them into as many parts of speech as possible, and make sentences of your own with each changed form:
a. diplomacy
b. boycott
c. diverse
d. sustainability
e. potential

4. Make sentences of your own with the following words/expressions:
a. horrors of war
b. equivalent
c. hand-held
d. campaign
e. set up
f. noteworthy
g. ban
h. voiced
i. mass destruction

5. What do you mean by pacifism? Who is a pacifist?

6. What is the primary goal of a peace movement? What other activities of the peace movement are mentioned in the passage?

7. Mention some of the peace movements described in the passage.

8. In pairs, discuss what you think will be some effective measures for peace in your society and state. Report your discussion to the class.

9. Write a short article suggesting some measures that can be taken to ensure peace in the world.

No comments

Powered by Blogger.