This story was very understandable and easy to follow, most likely due to the fact that the author has tried to write in simplistic fairy tale vocabulary, to add more meaning to this story. I was able to identify a few literary elements, including irony, where the author managed to feature an ironic ending to the story. I also managed to pick out allusion, in which the author made a small, yet effective comparison to the security at concentration camps and the security of the neighbourhood in the story.

“It was the ugliest but the most honest in its suggestion of the pure concentration-camp style, no frills, all evident efficacy.”

My strengths in story analysis and comprehension is, understanding the characters and describing their personalities, as well as finding meaning with the setting in stories. I am able to visualize and relate the piece of text to things I know and information around me. Although, some areas in which I need to improve upon is, understanding a wider range of literary elements.  As well as keeping my eyes out, literary elements, more often. I also need to make more connections and evaluate readings with more depth and precision.

The Olympics and the FIFA World cup are both massive multi-billion dollar events that draw supporters and athletes from across the globe. No matter what the venue, there has always been and will be controversy about the host cities involved. The cities come under the microscope and the world finds out about the social issues occurring in the country, well before the event. Examples include South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 & 2016, Qatar 2022, and even Vancouver 2010. With the next big event coming up, Sochi 2014, there is a cloud of controversy surrounding the recent surge in violence against homosexuals and even a law put into place banning gay “propaganda”. With this law there has been a massive backlash, especially in the online community where thousands have signed their names for petitions calling on the IOC to change the venue of the Olympics, or telling them to call out Russia on its LGBT laws.

Stephen Fry’s letter was terrifically written, but the introduction was a little over dramatic, as it was farfetched to compare the anti-LGBT law to the persecution of Jews, to me, this looked like apples and oranges. He did bring up some key issues occurring in Russia and gave readers his view, which made the letter extremely personal and heartfelt. Despite this, his call to action was not right. Stephen Fry called for a change in venue. This is preposterous to even hypothesize such a move. Russia put in their bid for the Olympics 6 years in advance, and has spent $51 billion on these Olympics. Having spent all that time and money, all that they are going to be left with, are sophisticated stadiums and unnecessary infrastructure improvements. Stephen Fry should instead be advocating a boycott of the Olympics, this way, Pro-LGBT countries can express their dissatisfaction with Russia, and Russia can still have an Olympics under its belt.
http://www.businessinsider.com/sochi-olympics-cost-russia-51-billion-2013-2