Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tragedy Journal #3
There are three primary characters who take blame for what happened to Hedvig: Gregers, Hjalmar and Gina. Each of their actions contributed in some way to the tragic loss of Hedvig. To start at the root of the problems would be to analyze Gina. One could argue that if she had not kept secrets than this never would have happend. People can go into what if's all day, but that doesn't really help with anything. I believe that she had very good reasons not to tell Hjalmar about the interactions that occurred between herself and old Werle. If she was up front with Hjalmar, they may never have gotten married, and he could have left her. However, by doing this, their relationship was established on falsehood. That is why although she had good reasons for her actions of holding things in, I personally would not have, and told the truth early on. It would have been the harder thing to do, but I believe the correct one. The second person at fault for Hedvig's act of suicide is her father, Hjalmar. Hjalmar's actions, specifically saying that he would leave his family, and treating Hedvig like a mangy dog, hurt Hedvig more than any other character. The harm that Hjalmar caused Hedvig was emotional. She loved her father more than anything, and only wanted to see him happy. The falsehood that Gina established the relationship in association with Gregers' need to let the truth be told caused Hjalmar to do those actions. Gregers is the catalyst that caused this inevitable reaction to take place at that time. Gregers intention of revealing the truth was to help the family, not hurt it. This obviously did not happen, as the family was broken. Just because someone has good intentions, does not justify their action. Gregers deserves more blame than the other two because his actions were unnecessary and it was not his place to have the truth be revealed. Hedvig is the victim obviously, but it would be incorrect to say that she does not carry any blame. Ultimately, she did not have to kill herself. Therefore, she is the one responsible for her own death. In the end, Gregers, who is the one responsible for Hedvig's death, does not take responsibility.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tragedy Journal #2
Death/Decay/Illness Motif & effect
Although not one of the words stated above, Ibsen implements an injury to the Wild Duck in the play with the same name. Injuries are still akin, because all of those words show an impairment of some sort, just like an injury is. In the discussion that happened in class today, it was made clear the connection that Hedvig has with the Duck. Old Werle "shot for her [the wild duck], but ... he only winged her... so she couldn't fly" (Ibsen 153). At first, It was not apparent at first that this connection was seen in Hedvig too. But with a close reading there was more evidence that both entities were being held back and incapable of doing normal activities. One could say that Hedvig has a sickness, although this is not completely accurate. In reality, Hedvig has a disability due to her poor eyesight. This disability is never proven, but her parents seem to take it very seriously. When asked if she goes to school, Hedvig responds with, "No, not anymore. Daddy's afraid I'll hurt my eyes" ( Ibsen 162). Ibsen uses the motif of impairment to further the connection between the Wild Duck and Hedvig, as well as show the downsides of being over-protective. It seems that Hjalmar Ekdal will not let his daughter do many things that she wants to do. The main reason he has for doing this, is apparently the concern for her eyesight. Hedvig wants to help her father do some retouching work, but Hjalmar is concerned. "But don't ruin your eyes! Hear me? I won't take the blame; you can take the blame yourself—you hear me?"(Ibsen 161). The play goes on to show that Hedvig does a fairly good job of retouching. If only Hjalmar would be less controlling, maybe she could develop her art into a talent or sorts. The over-protection that Hjalmar shows seems to be unnecessary and without warrant. In general, one could say over-protection is a bad thing and limits growth.
Although not one of the words stated above, Ibsen implements an injury to the Wild Duck in the play with the same name. Injuries are still akin, because all of those words show an impairment of some sort, just like an injury is. In the discussion that happened in class today, it was made clear the connection that Hedvig has with the Duck. Old Werle "shot for her [the wild duck], but ... he only winged her... so she couldn't fly" (Ibsen 153). At first, It was not apparent at first that this connection was seen in Hedvig too. But with a close reading there was more evidence that both entities were being held back and incapable of doing normal activities. One could say that Hedvig has a sickness, although this is not completely accurate. In reality, Hedvig has a disability due to her poor eyesight. This disability is never proven, but her parents seem to take it very seriously. When asked if she goes to school, Hedvig responds with, "No, not anymore. Daddy's afraid I'll hurt my eyes" ( Ibsen 162). Ibsen uses the motif of impairment to further the connection between the Wild Duck and Hedvig, as well as show the downsides of being over-protective. It seems that Hjalmar Ekdal will not let his daughter do many things that she wants to do. The main reason he has for doing this, is apparently the concern for her eyesight. Hedvig wants to help her father do some retouching work, but Hjalmar is concerned. "But don't ruin your eyes! Hear me? I won't take the blame; you can take the blame yourself—you hear me?"(Ibsen 161). The play goes on to show that Hedvig does a fairly good job of retouching. If only Hjalmar would be less controlling, maybe she could develop her art into a talent or sorts. The over-protection that Hjalmar shows seems to be unnecessary and without warrant. In general, one could say over-protection is a bad thing and limits growth.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tragedy Journal #1
Option 2: Character Perceptions
Who has false conceptions about themselves?
First off, Gregers has a misconception about himself. One thing he prides himself on is his ideals. Throughout the story, it comes to be known that he has held on to these ideals for many years. Relling exhumed this old information and is the character that opposes these ideals the most. Although Gregers refers to them as truthful, Relling sees ideals and lies as one and the same (Ibsen 203). Gregers feels like the truth will be a good thing to reveal to the Ekdal family. However it is the reverse; the family explodes into conflict, and one of the family members commits suicide.
Who has misconceptions about others?
Nearly all of the characters besides herself have misconceptions about Gina. Even the readers do not give her as much credit as she deserves. Gina is introduced as a stereotypical housewife, and when Hjalmar returns home at the beginning of scene two, the first glimpse of her greater importance is seen. She inquires if the photography business has improved, and that the newspaper advertisements seem to not be effective. Furthermore, she convinces her husband to stay in the living room for a couple days after he had firm intentions of leaving his family. In act three of the play, Hjalmar claims that Hedvig does not and has never loved him.
Who recognizes the facades created by other characters? Embrace, ignore or confront facade?
Hedvig recognizes the facade that Hjalmar sees and embraces and defies it. In fact, there is great irony because Hedvig craves her father's attention and wants nothing more than to see him be happy. Gregers convinces her to sacrifice herself in order to achieve her father's love again. Therefore, one could presume that this facade is the reason that she commits suicide. All of the characters basically embrace the facade about Gina.
Who has false conceptions about themselves?
First off, Gregers has a misconception about himself. One thing he prides himself on is his ideals. Throughout the story, it comes to be known that he has held on to these ideals for many years. Relling exhumed this old information and is the character that opposes these ideals the most. Although Gregers refers to them as truthful, Relling sees ideals and lies as one and the same (Ibsen 203). Gregers feels like the truth will be a good thing to reveal to the Ekdal family. However it is the reverse; the family explodes into conflict, and one of the family members commits suicide.
Who has misconceptions about others?
Nearly all of the characters besides herself have misconceptions about Gina. Even the readers do not give her as much credit as she deserves. Gina is introduced as a stereotypical housewife, and when Hjalmar returns home at the beginning of scene two, the first glimpse of her greater importance is seen. She inquires if the photography business has improved, and that the newspaper advertisements seem to not be effective. Furthermore, she convinces her husband to stay in the living room for a couple days after he had firm intentions of leaving his family. In act three of the play, Hjalmar claims that Hedvig does not and has never loved him.
Who recognizes the facades created by other characters? Embrace, ignore or confront facade?
Hedvig recognizes the facade that Hjalmar sees and embraces and defies it. In fact, there is great irony because Hedvig craves her father's attention and wants nothing more than to see him be happy. Gregers convinces her to sacrifice herself in order to achieve her father's love again. Therefore, one could presume that this facade is the reason that she commits suicide. All of the characters basically embrace the facade about Gina.
Monday, April 9, 2012
We #2
Note: I had originally posted the journal when it was due, but after typing the third one, I saw there was an error and people could not see it. So, I had to resubmit it. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused.
Motifs:
The Green Wall: At first, D-503 is nervous and anxious about what lays behind the Green Wall. As he is on a walk, he notices "a wild wave of roots, flowers, branches, [and] leaves. It reared, and in a moment it would roll and break... but fortunately between" D-503 "and the wild green ocean was the glass of the Wall" (Zamyatin 93). At that point, "the irrational, hideous world of trees, birds, animals" is subsidiary to the ordered life he knows (Zamyatin 93). This shows that D-503 has a hold on his life, and is content. He is grateful for the wall. However, near the end of the second third of We, it is apparent that he has changed internally. Outside of the Green Wall, he comes to a clearing where there are people who were "covered with short, glossy fur, like the fur that can be seen by anyone on the stuffed horse in the Prehistoric Museum" (Zamyatin 156). By finding all of this "so incredible, so unexpected," D-503 changes his views on nature. By showing this change of heart in the main character, Zamyatin wants the reader to enjoy nature. Also, he could be showing that the unordered and simple things should be savored.
Setting:
The Greatest Catastrophe in History: At the event for "voting" for the Benefactor, havoc arrises. The normal circumstance for that ceremony is for all of the citizens of the One State to vote unanimously in favor of the Benefactor, however, "thousands of hands swung up—'against'" him (Zamyatin 143). What ensued that occurrence was chaos. Even the Guardians who keep order were "rushing about helplessly" (Zamyatin 144). I think Zamyatin uses this event to show in theory, socialism is a fairly decent idea. However, it can be broken easily and eventually will crumble. If one event can have a large impact on the stability of the society, then its flaws are big.
Language:
During the second third of the novel, Zamyatin uses figurative language to illustrate D-503's conflicts. D-503 is supposed to meet 1-330 at the apartment when she is not there. D-503 has an out of body experience. "But all I heard was the beating of my heart—not within, but somewhere near me" (Zamyatin 94). The utilization of a metaphor highlights the conflict that D-503 is having with I-330. He wants to spend time with her, but she obviously has other priorities. There is also the conflict within himself, seeing that he feels his being is separate from his body. Zamyatin also shows conflicts when he implements alliteration. As he is climbing up a ladder at the dock where the Integral is being built, D-503 notices that "the glittering glass stairs flashed under my feet, and every step increased my hopelessness: I had no place here—I, the criminal, the poisoned one" (Zamyatin 83). This quote provides insight into the relationship that he has with the society. Even in an area that is usually comfortable for him, his place of work, D-503 feels out of place. He doesn't feel like he is contributing, and feels that he should not be there.
Motifs:
The Green Wall: At first, D-503 is nervous and anxious about what lays behind the Green Wall. As he is on a walk, he notices "a wild wave of roots, flowers, branches, [and] leaves. It reared, and in a moment it would roll and break... but fortunately between" D-503 "and the wild green ocean was the glass of the Wall" (Zamyatin 93). At that point, "the irrational, hideous world of trees, birds, animals" is subsidiary to the ordered life he knows (Zamyatin 93). This shows that D-503 has a hold on his life, and is content. He is grateful for the wall. However, near the end of the second third of We, it is apparent that he has changed internally. Outside of the Green Wall, he comes to a clearing where there are people who were "covered with short, glossy fur, like the fur that can be seen by anyone on the stuffed horse in the Prehistoric Museum" (Zamyatin 156). By finding all of this "so incredible, so unexpected," D-503 changes his views on nature. By showing this change of heart in the main character, Zamyatin wants the reader to enjoy nature. Also, he could be showing that the unordered and simple things should be savored.
Setting:
The Greatest Catastrophe in History: At the event for "voting" for the Benefactor, havoc arrises. The normal circumstance for that ceremony is for all of the citizens of the One State to vote unanimously in favor of the Benefactor, however, "thousands of hands swung up—'against'" him (Zamyatin 143). What ensued that occurrence was chaos. Even the Guardians who keep order were "rushing about helplessly" (Zamyatin 144). I think Zamyatin uses this event to show in theory, socialism is a fairly decent idea. However, it can be broken easily and eventually will crumble. If one event can have a large impact on the stability of the society, then its flaws are big.
Language:
During the second third of the novel, Zamyatin uses figurative language to illustrate D-503's conflicts. D-503 is supposed to meet 1-330 at the apartment when she is not there. D-503 has an out of body experience. "But all I heard was the beating of my heart—not within, but somewhere near me" (Zamyatin 94). The utilization of a metaphor highlights the conflict that D-503 is having with I-330. He wants to spend time with her, but she obviously has other priorities. There is also the conflict within himself, seeing that he feels his being is separate from his body. Zamyatin also shows conflicts when he implements alliteration. As he is climbing up a ladder at the dock where the Integral is being built, D-503 notices that "the glittering glass stairs flashed under my feet, and every step increased my hopelessness: I had no place here—I, the criminal, the poisoned one" (Zamyatin 83). This quote provides insight into the relationship that he has with the society. Even in an area that is usually comfortable for him, his place of work, D-503 feels out of place. He doesn't feel like he is contributing, and feels that he should not be there.
We #3
Last third of the novel
Motifs:
Birds:
Due to the Green Wall being broken, the birds are able to enter the city. Consequently, people become paranoid, and stray from the usual order of things. "It looked like an enormous swarm of black aeros: barely visible quick dots at an incredible height. Nearer and nearer; hoarse, guttural sounds from above—and finally, over our heads—birds. Their sharp, black, piercing falling triangles filled the sky. The storm flung them down, they settled on cupolas, on roofs, on poles, on balconies" (Zamyatin 218).When D-503 "returned home... the roofs were covered with black, charred pieces—birds" because of the men who were" swinging seemingly innocuous electrocutors (Zamyatin 219, 221).
This relates to the society today. The birds behind the Green Wall and animals in zoos are similar. They are both restricted in their movements in some way. When a dangerous animal gets loose from a zoo, people start to panic. To control the animal, often they will kill it if other options are not effective. By this action, there is an assumed superiority over animals. In We, The One State does not accept those lesser to them or those less civilized.
Setting:
Space:
I am intrigued as to why Zamyatin make the One State favor space so much over nature. They have many similarities like having unknown elements, and to reach them, one has to venture outside the set and standard society. There is even danger associated with space. While aboard the Integral, D-503 takes into account the danger. "The Integral plunged like a stone—down, faster, faster... and the stone was compelled to fall, to crash against the earth, to smash itself to bits" (Zamyatin 201). The One State must realize those hazards, but still takes the risk. After all, the one stated goal of the One State was to reach space and take with it the poems and other works of the people. Nature and space are so connected that Zamyatin juxtaposes the two. Once they are in space, the members of the Integral look back to the nature. "Everyone rushed out on deck and, bending over the glass railing, hurriedly gulped the unknown world below, beyond the Wall. Amber, green, blue: the autumn woods, meadows, a lake. At the edge of a tiny blue saucer, some yellow, bonelike ruins" (Zamyatin 202). Maybe the One State favors space because it is a new thing to take control of. They could have already taken what interested them from earth, and wanted more.
This connects to the culture of the era when Yevgeny Zamyatin wrote the novel. He was living in Russia when there were communist and socialist ideas going around. Many people wanted to spread the communist ideals outward from Russia into other countries. There is a connection between Russian communism and the space that is described in We. Earlier in the book, the One State tells that the Integral will carry items from that time period, and spread the knowledge and way of life to the other beings in space.
Language:
How cranes are viewed by D-503 and the One State are different. Zamyatin implements a metaphor to show this distinction, and its importance. In the article that the One State publishes, they show the necessity and the advantages of the Great Operation. "The beauty of a mechanism is in its rhythm" and "machines have no imagination. Have you ever heard of cranes restlessly turning from side to side and sighing at night, during the hours designated for rest?" (Zamyatin 179). With this quote, the One State is proving that cranes are inanimate objects, and that is a good quality. By having no imagination, it is almost like not living. This is what the One State wants the people to believe, so they will be more inclined to get the Great Operation. However, D-503 sees just the opposite. At the dock of the Integral, he focuses on the cranes. "I see the living cranes bend their long, birdlike necks, stretch their beaks, and tenderly, solicitously feed the Integral with the terrible explosive food for its motors" (Zamyatin 188). This widens the separation between D-503 and the society that he lives in. It makes the Great Operation all the more useful, since he strays very far from what the One State wants.
Motifs:
Birds:
Due to the Green Wall being broken, the birds are able to enter the city. Consequently, people become paranoid, and stray from the usual order of things. "It looked like an enormous swarm of black aeros: barely visible quick dots at an incredible height. Nearer and nearer; hoarse, guttural sounds from above—and finally, over our heads—birds. Their sharp, black, piercing falling triangles filled the sky. The storm flung them down, they settled on cupolas, on roofs, on poles, on balconies" (Zamyatin 218).When D-503 "returned home... the roofs were covered with black, charred pieces—birds" because of the men who were" swinging seemingly innocuous electrocutors (Zamyatin 219, 221).
This relates to the society today. The birds behind the Green Wall and animals in zoos are similar. They are both restricted in their movements in some way. When a dangerous animal gets loose from a zoo, people start to panic. To control the animal, often they will kill it if other options are not effective. By this action, there is an assumed superiority over animals. In We, The One State does not accept those lesser to them or those less civilized.
Setting:
Space:
I am intrigued as to why Zamyatin make the One State favor space so much over nature. They have many similarities like having unknown elements, and to reach them, one has to venture outside the set and standard society. There is even danger associated with space. While aboard the Integral, D-503 takes into account the danger. "The Integral plunged like a stone—down, faster, faster... and the stone was compelled to fall, to crash against the earth, to smash itself to bits" (Zamyatin 201). The One State must realize those hazards, but still takes the risk. After all, the one stated goal of the One State was to reach space and take with it the poems and other works of the people. Nature and space are so connected that Zamyatin juxtaposes the two. Once they are in space, the members of the Integral look back to the nature. "Everyone rushed out on deck and, bending over the glass railing, hurriedly gulped the unknown world below, beyond the Wall. Amber, green, blue: the autumn woods, meadows, a lake. At the edge of a tiny blue saucer, some yellow, bonelike ruins" (Zamyatin 202). Maybe the One State favors space because it is a new thing to take control of. They could have already taken what interested them from earth, and wanted more.
This connects to the culture of the era when Yevgeny Zamyatin wrote the novel. He was living in Russia when there were communist and socialist ideas going around. Many people wanted to spread the communist ideals outward from Russia into other countries. There is a connection between Russian communism and the space that is described in We. Earlier in the book, the One State tells that the Integral will carry items from that time period, and spread the knowledge and way of life to the other beings in space.
Language:
How cranes are viewed by D-503 and the One State are different. Zamyatin implements a metaphor to show this distinction, and its importance. In the article that the One State publishes, they show the necessity and the advantages of the Great Operation. "The beauty of a mechanism is in its rhythm" and "machines have no imagination. Have you ever heard of cranes restlessly turning from side to side and sighing at night, during the hours designated for rest?" (Zamyatin 179). With this quote, the One State is proving that cranes are inanimate objects, and that is a good quality. By having no imagination, it is almost like not living. This is what the One State wants the people to believe, so they will be more inclined to get the Great Operation. However, D-503 sees just the opposite. At the dock of the Integral, he focuses on the cranes. "I see the living cranes bend their long, birdlike necks, stretch their beaks, and tenderly, solicitously feed the Integral with the terrible explosive food for its motors" (Zamyatin 188). This widens the separation between D-503 and the society that he lives in. It makes the Great Operation all the more useful, since he strays very far from what the One State wants.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
We #1
Motifs:
Glass is a recurring item which represents technology, new age ideas. Also, it is seen by D-503 in a positive light. Many things that would be made of cement, steel or bricks are replaced by glass. "The glittering glass of the pavements" represent strength (Zamyatin 4). I feel like the glass in We is stronger than glass in our time. This influences my understanding of the book because it makes me more aware of the dystopia. In this particular dystopia, they focus on the good aspects of the things that they are being oppressed by, not the negatives. D-503 does not seem to be bothered by having his life be apparent and able to be watched at almost all times. Furthermore, the sun is replaced by something made of glass, a "bluish, crystal," that glows "even through glass bricks" (Zamyatin 17). Their sun is artificial and is probably very efficient at making light, but there is so much more associated with with the sun that just light. Zamyatin refers to the present sun as "a wild, rushing, scorching sun" that had capabilities to "tear everything to shreds" (18). One today would have positive connotations about the sun and the warmth and life it provides. Using such negativity when referring to the past sun gives me the impression that the society is content with being devoid warmth, happiness and life in general.
Setting:
The setting of We is sometime in the future, although it has not stated a specific year. The civilization as a whole is called The One State, where everything is ordered. The group lives near a building called the Green Wall, which is made of "impregnable, eternal glass" (Zamyatin 3). This barrier separates them from 'savages.' These attributes of the setting improve my understanding of the population. At the point in the book that I am, there is no indication that they keep any record of the months or years. This makes me believe that they have no desire to think about the past, only the present and the future. The civilization is ordered in many aspects, and D-503, and presumably the rest of the population is content with that. They do not feel like it is a bad thing that many aspects of their life is controlled. The Green Wall shows that the society feels like they are far superior to the other forms of life of their time, and of the life before their time. As a whole, the setting increases my understanding of the society by showing that they are obviously being controlled, but they are unaware of the negative consequences that come from being controlled.
Language:
There are two main parts of the language that I found intriguing: the complicated and intricate vocabulary, and the journal-style writing. Firstly, the elaborate words used by D-503 show how advanced the civilization is at the time. This makes me believe that they are indeed in the future, and have experienced somewhat of an intelectual growth as a whole. As in a totalitarian rule such as in Russia, there was some good that came out of the oppression. Russia became a world power due to the type of rule, and maybe the One State has gained some technological and social prowess through a similar ruling. I connected Russia with We at the beginning of the book when Zamyatin tells that "the first Integral will soar into cosmic space" (1). I initially made the connection because of the totalitarian rule of Russia, and the space race that pitted the United States and Russia against each other. The journal entries that D-503 makes show his thought pattern. It shows how he is unsure at times about his part in the society. If one person is shaky, then maybe others are too, and a breakdown in the society as a whole is imminent. The language shows a facade that everything is well, advanced and stable. However, after a little digging, one could find that it is actually fragile.
Glass is a recurring item which represents technology, new age ideas. Also, it is seen by D-503 in a positive light. Many things that would be made of cement, steel or bricks are replaced by glass. "The glittering glass of the pavements" represent strength (Zamyatin 4). I feel like the glass in We is stronger than glass in our time. This influences my understanding of the book because it makes me more aware of the dystopia. In this particular dystopia, they focus on the good aspects of the things that they are being oppressed by, not the negatives. D-503 does not seem to be bothered by having his life be apparent and able to be watched at almost all times. Furthermore, the sun is replaced by something made of glass, a "bluish, crystal," that glows "even through glass bricks" (Zamyatin 17). Their sun is artificial and is probably very efficient at making light, but there is so much more associated with with the sun that just light. Zamyatin refers to the present sun as "a wild, rushing, scorching sun" that had capabilities to "tear everything to shreds" (18). One today would have positive connotations about the sun and the warmth and life it provides. Using such negativity when referring to the past sun gives me the impression that the society is content with being devoid warmth, happiness and life in general.
Setting:
The setting of We is sometime in the future, although it has not stated a specific year. The civilization as a whole is called The One State, where everything is ordered. The group lives near a building called the Green Wall, which is made of "impregnable, eternal glass" (Zamyatin 3). This barrier separates them from 'savages.' These attributes of the setting improve my understanding of the population. At the point in the book that I am, there is no indication that they keep any record of the months or years. This makes me believe that they have no desire to think about the past, only the present and the future. The civilization is ordered in many aspects, and D-503, and presumably the rest of the population is content with that. They do not feel like it is a bad thing that many aspects of their life is controlled. The Green Wall shows that the society feels like they are far superior to the other forms of life of their time, and of the life before their time. As a whole, the setting increases my understanding of the society by showing that they are obviously being controlled, but they are unaware of the negative consequences that come from being controlled.
Language:
There are two main parts of the language that I found intriguing: the complicated and intricate vocabulary, and the journal-style writing. Firstly, the elaborate words used by D-503 show how advanced the civilization is at the time. This makes me believe that they are indeed in the future, and have experienced somewhat of an intelectual growth as a whole. As in a totalitarian rule such as in Russia, there was some good that came out of the oppression. Russia became a world power due to the type of rule, and maybe the One State has gained some technological and social prowess through a similar ruling. I connected Russia with We at the beginning of the book when Zamyatin tells that "the first Integral will soar into cosmic space" (1). I initially made the connection because of the totalitarian rule of Russia, and the space race that pitted the United States and Russia against each other. The journal entries that D-503 makes show his thought pattern. It shows how he is unsure at times about his part in the society. If one person is shaky, then maybe others are too, and a breakdown in the society as a whole is imminent. The language shows a facade that everything is well, advanced and stable. However, after a little digging, one could find that it is actually fragile.
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