Story and Government (I) - Vocabulary Booster

“Story and Government” is a phrase that combines two distinct concepts: “story” and “government.”

“Story” refers to a narrative or account of events, often involving characters, plot, and a sequence of events. Stories can be fictional or based on real-life events, and they serve as a means of communication, entertainment, and conveying information.

On the other hand, “government” refers to the system or organization that exercises authority and control over a group of people within a particular territory. It involves the establishment of laws, regulations, and institutions to govern and manage a society.

When combined, “Story and Government” could refer to the intersection or relationship between narratives and the governing systems of a society. It could explore how stories, myths, and narratives shape or influence government policies, ideologies, and societal values. It could also refer to the use of storytelling techniques in government communication, public relations, or political campaigns.

Overall, “Story and Government” is a broad concept that can encompass various aspects, including the role of storytelling in politics, the influence of narratives on governance, or the use of storytelling techniques in government communication.

Lesson 33

Would you attack an enemy with a canon?
Does renascent refer to something new, young, or old?
Is a subversion a view of a secondary problem?
Is a regicide one who always sides with the king?
Is peonage a condition of certain laborers, a period of history, or a species of flowers?

The Ballad of the Proxy Queen: A Rebellion Sparked by Words

In the iron-fisted city of Aethel, the ruling oligarchy held absolute power, their canon of laws etched in cold, unyielding stone. The people, bound by peonage, toiled in the shadows, their voices mere whispers against the wind. At the helm sat Queen Elara, a ruler draped in the cloak of piety, her pronouncements dripping with pharisaical righteousness.

Yet, beneath the surface, embers of dissent flickered. Elara, though revered as a deity, had no heir. A plebiscite to choose a plenipotentiary successor loomed, offering a glimmer of hope. But the Queen, fearing a challenge to her hegemony, manipulated the process, installing a pliable proxy – her own sycophantic advisor, Ser Gregor.

The people, their spirits long crushed, felt a spark of anger ignite. In the bustling marketplace, a young woman named Anya, a fiery storyteller ostracized for her subversive narratives, rose to speak. Her words, imbued with the power of forgotten tales, spoke of forgotten freedoms, of a city reborn, a renascent Aethel free from the shackles of its rulers.

Her words, echoing through the cobbled streets, found fertile ground in the hearts of the oppressed. Blacksmiths hammered out dissent in the rhythm of their work, weavers embroidered rebellion into their tapestries, and poets whispered verses of regicide under the cloak of night. A silent movement bloomed, nurtured by Anya’s stories, waiting for its moment to rise.

On the day of the vote, the Queen’s soldiers patrolled the streets, their presence a chilling reminder of the price of dissent. But the people, their fear replaced by a newfound resolve, arrived at the polls, not to elect Ser Gregor, but to cast their votes for Anya, the surrogate queen they had chosen in their hearts.

The ballots, a silent rebellion, defied the rigged system. Elara, her face contorted in fury, accused them of subversion, threatening reprisal. But the people, emboldened by their unity, stood their ground. Anya, their chosen voice, stepped forward, her gaze unwavering.

“Queen Elara,” she declared, her voice ringing with the weight of a thousand whispered stories, “The will of the people is clear. The canon can be rewritten, not with stone, but with words. We choose a future where the ruler serves, not reigns supreme.”

The tension crackled, a storm brewing in the silent square. But then, a cheer erupted, a wave of defiance washing away years of oppression. The Queen, her control slipping, was forced to concede. Anya, the storyteller who dared to challenge the canon with words, became the Queen of Aethel, her reign marking the dawn of a new era, where the voices of the people, once silenced, now held the power.

Anya’s story became a legend, a testament to the power of words to spark revolution, to topple empires, and to rewrite the very foundation of a society. The ballad of the Proxy Queen resonated through the ages, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, a single voice, armed with truth and courage, can ignite the flames of change.

Penjelasan

Canon: Kanon, aturan atau hukum yang diakui secara resmi
Hegemony: Hegemoni, dominasi atau pengaruh yang kuat atas orang atau negara lain
Oligarchy: Oligarki, pemerintahan oleh segelintir orang yang memiliki kekuasaan atau kekayaan
Peonage: Pekerja paksa, sistem kerja paksa
Pharisaical: Farisi, bersikap munafik atau pura-pura suci
Plebiscite: Plebisit, pemungutan suara untuk menentukan pendapat rakyat
Plenipotentiary: Duta besar, perwakilan resmi yang memiliki kekuasaan penuh
Proxy: Kuasa pengganti, orang atau pihak yang mewakili orang lain
Recession: Resesi, penurunan ekonomi yang berlangsung dalam jangka waktu yang lama
Regicide: Pembunuhan raja, tindakan membunuh raja atau penguasa
Renascent: Bangkit kembali, kembali hidup atau berkembang setelah masa kejatuhan
Reprisal: Pembalasan, tindakan balas dendam atau pembalasan
Subversion: Subversi, tindakan merusak atau menggulingkan pemerintahan atau sistem yang ada
Surrogate: Pengganti, orang atau benda yang menggantikan orang atau benda lain
Votary: Pengikut setia, orang yang setia atau taat kepada suatu agama atau keyakinan

Short Explanation:

Canon: Refers to a set of rules, principles, or standards that are considered authoritative or accepted within a particular field, such as literature, art, or religion.
Hegemony: The dominance or influence of one group or nation over others, often achieved through political, economic, or cultural means.
Oligarchy: A form of government or social system in which power is held by a small group of individuals or families who possess wealth, social status, or political influence.
Peonage: A system in which laborers or workers are bound to a specific employer or landowner, often in a state of debt or servitude.
Pharisaical: Describes a hypocritical or self-righteous attitude, often associated with strict adherence to religious or moral rules while judging others.
Plebiscite: A direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to decide on a particular issue or question, usually of national importance.
Plenipotentiary: A person who has full power or authority to represent a government or organization in negotiations or diplomatic matters.
Proxy: A person or thing that acts on behalf of another, often used in the context of representation or substitution.
Recession: A period of economic decline characterized by a decrease in economic activity, such as a decline in GDP, employment, and trade.
Regicide: The act of killing or assassination of a monarch or ruler.
Renascent: Refers to a revival or resurgence of something, often used to describe the rebirth or renewed interest in a particular movement, art form, or culture.
Reprisal: An act of retaliation or revenge in response to a perceived wrong or injury, often carried out by one party against another.
Subversion: The act of undermining or destabilizing a system, institution, or authority through covert or undermining actions.
Surrogate: A substitute or replacement for someone or something, often used in the context of a surrogate mother carrying a child for another person or couple.
Votary: A devoted follower or supporter of a particular cause, belief, or person, often used to describe someone who is dedicated to a religious or spiritual path.