Hi folks-- just to reiterate what was said in class today: please compose a poem which somehow-- either wholly or momentarily-- incorporates a symbol. To remind you, a symbol is something which is itself, but also represents a deeper meaning or larger truth. This is different than a simile or a metaphor, since the comparison in those cases is totally figurative. A symbol, instead, is something which actually does exist in the text as itself, but also represents something bigger.
In writing your poem, consider employing devices such as cadence, imagery, structure, rhythm, diction, assonance, consonance, allusion, metaphor, simile, metonymy, and all the rest...
On second thought, just write a poem from your gut.
And THEN go back in and consider the rest of it. :)
In case you need inspiration, here are a couple of fun ones:
A Noiseless Patient Spider (Whitman)
The Sick Rose (Blake)
The Road Not Taken (Frost)
The Temptation of Adam (Josh Ritter; such a good song. And cool symbolism with the nuclear warhead!)
Please post your poem by midnight on Sunday and take a gander at one another's. :) Bring a printed version to class on Monday!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Death of a Salesman blog
Hi folks. Once again, I will express how totally proud I am of you all, regarding your mock-test scores. :) Well done!!!
For this blog, I would like you to tackle Death of a Salesman in three different chunks:
- Choose one of the characters to analyze and identify what his or her "American dream" seemed to be, based on his/her behavior throughout the play. Please discuss this character's complex "relationship" with this American dream; what drew the character towards this dream? What hinders the character from achieving this dream? (Please don't hesitate the Use CDs to support your response in this paragraph.
- Then, identify how this character's struggle with his/her dream informs the meaning of the work as a whole. (This is something we need practice in discussing.) Consider: what over-arching themes of the play does this character's journey play into? What message might Arthur Miller be trying to convey through this particular character's "reckoning" with a dream? What's the "so-what" factor here? Once again, use CDs to support your response in this paragraph.
- Lastly, discuss your own American Dream. You can either choose to identify what you feel the current "American Dream" is (I think most of us would say the current dream being pitched by our society/media is no longer the suburbia/white-picket-fence/Ford in the driveway/2.5 kids, etc.-- so what IS it now?) and discuss the merits or pit-falls of this American Dream. OR, you can choose to spring-board off the essay you wrote for Mrs. Harris last year and discuss your personal dream in new depth. If your "dream" has changed since that Junior-year essay or if you have more than one you want to reflect on, feel free to write about a different dream than you did last year. Once again, consider: what about this dream appeals to you? What about this dream scares you? What about this dream will challenge you? And so on.
Looking forward to reading these!
For this blog, I would like you to tackle Death of a Salesman in three different chunks:
- Choose one of the characters to analyze and identify what his or her "American dream" seemed to be, based on his/her behavior throughout the play. Please discuss this character's complex "relationship" with this American dream; what drew the character towards this dream? What hinders the character from achieving this dream? (Please don't hesitate the Use CDs to support your response in this paragraph.
- Then, identify how this character's struggle with his/her dream informs the meaning of the work as a whole. (This is something we need practice in discussing.) Consider: what over-arching themes of the play does this character's journey play into? What message might Arthur Miller be trying to convey through this particular character's "reckoning" with a dream? What's the "so-what" factor here? Once again, use CDs to support your response in this paragraph.
- Lastly, discuss your own American Dream. You can either choose to identify what you feel the current "American Dream" is (I think most of us would say the current dream being pitched by our society/media is no longer the suburbia/white-picket-fence/Ford in the driveway/2.5 kids, etc.-- so what IS it now?) and discuss the merits or pit-falls of this American Dream. OR, you can choose to spring-board off the essay you wrote for Mrs. Harris last year and discuss your personal dream in new depth. If your "dream" has changed since that Junior-year essay or if you have more than one you want to reflect on, feel free to write about a different dream than you did last year. Once again, consider: what about this dream appeals to you? What about this dream scares you? What about this dream will challenge you? And so on.
Looking forward to reading these!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Christmas Break stuff
Three things:
1.) OPTIONAL: post a "monologue" (one might say, a soliloquy) of your "This is your life" character on your blog, justifying that particular character's actions and decisions throughout the play. You should write in first person. Make sure you've emailed me the link to your blog at greta.weisman@gmail.com after posting it.
2.) REQUIRED: at some point over break, take a reflective walk with your camera, and post your reflection on your blog at some point before January 3rd. The assignment description is on Edline.
3.) REQUIRED: The Critical Lenses project is due Thursday, January 5th after we get back. I would recommend working on that over break. The assignment description is also on Edline.
HAVE A WONDERFUL BREAK!!!
1.) OPTIONAL: post a "monologue" (one might say, a soliloquy) of your "This is your life" character on your blog, justifying that particular character's actions and decisions throughout the play. You should write in first person. Make sure you've emailed me the link to your blog at greta.weisman@gmail.com after posting it.
2.) REQUIRED: at some point over break, take a reflective walk with your camera, and post your reflection on your blog at some point before January 3rd. The assignment description is on Edline.
3.) REQUIRED: The Critical Lenses project is due Thursday, January 5th after we get back. I would recommend working on that over break. The assignment description is also on Edline.
HAVE A WONDERFUL BREAK!!!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Ophelia's mad scene
Poor Ophelia. :(
Here's part 1, which Catie and Tyler did such a nice job reading in tandem. :) Warning: if you want to skip the R-rated part, skip the 15 seconds between 3:30 and 3:45.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KafCj0iiQM0&feature=related&noredirect=1
Part 2, which we started watching in class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMwkCrZ9BiY&feature=related
Due Monday:
2 journal entries, "This is your life" completed through Act 4, and have finished reading Act 4.
Have a good, RESTFUL weekend!
Here's part 1, which Catie and Tyler did such a nice job reading in tandem. :) Warning: if you want to skip the R-rated part, skip the 15 seconds between 3:30 and 3:45.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KafCj0iiQM0&feature=related&noredirect=1
Part 2, which we started watching in class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMwkCrZ9BiY&feature=related
Due Monday:
2 journal entries, "This is your life" completed through Act 4, and have finished reading Act 4.
Have a good, RESTFUL weekend!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Get Thee to a Nunnery!
Hi AP class! I'm sorry I can't be here today, but here are two videos of the scene you just read, so you can see this play in live action!
The scene linked below is from the Kenneth Branagh version, and it's a pretty classic interpretation of the scene. Just click on the link:
Get thee to a nunnery scene
Kenneth Branagh is not at all how I picture Hamlet-- forgive him the mustache, blond hair, and 40-some years of age. It's still a well-played scene-- and I like that they show the tenderness of their relationship before it all blows to bits. Also, Kate Winslet is a heart-breaking Ophelia. It's so good. Great, classic interpretation.
Aaand... viewer discretion advised, this next one is pretty trippy; it was made in the 70's when EVERYTHING was trippy-- but this link will show you a completely different interpretation of the same scene. Helen Mirren plays Ophelia and characterizes her as very coy and seductive-- not at all the innocent Ophelia we see from Kate Winslet. This scene also presents a fascinating depiction of Hamlet's mental switch from nice guy to meanie... almost worth watching just to see how that's illustrated. Then it gets weird, and Hamlet pulls a knife on Ophelia, and rips her dress (don't worry; she's wearing a bodice underneath). Don't say I didn't warn you. Here's the link:
Trippy Get Thee to a Nunnery scene
Incidentally, Helen Mirren plays both Ophelia AND Gertrude in the trippy interpretation. Now THAT'S injecting some serious directorial commentary! (Can I get an 'Oedipus Complex' shout out, what what?)
See all the cool stuff you can do with Shakespeare?? ENJOY!
The scene linked below is from the Kenneth Branagh version, and it's a pretty classic interpretation of the scene. Just click on the link:
Get thee to a nunnery scene
Kenneth Branagh is not at all how I picture Hamlet-- forgive him the mustache, blond hair, and 40-some years of age. It's still a well-played scene-- and I like that they show the tenderness of their relationship before it all blows to bits. Also, Kate Winslet is a heart-breaking Ophelia. It's so good. Great, classic interpretation.
Aaand... viewer discretion advised, this next one is pretty trippy; it was made in the 70's when EVERYTHING was trippy-- but this link will show you a completely different interpretation of the same scene. Helen Mirren plays Ophelia and characterizes her as very coy and seductive-- not at all the innocent Ophelia we see from Kate Winslet. This scene also presents a fascinating depiction of Hamlet's mental switch from nice guy to meanie... almost worth watching just to see how that's illustrated. Then it gets weird, and Hamlet pulls a knife on Ophelia, and rips her dress (don't worry; she's wearing a bodice underneath). Don't say I didn't warn you. Here's the link:
Trippy Get Thee to a Nunnery scene
Incidentally, Helen Mirren plays both Ophelia AND Gertrude in the trippy interpretation. Now THAT'S injecting some serious directorial commentary! (Can I get an 'Oedipus Complex' shout out, what what?)
See all the cool stuff you can do with Shakespeare?? ENJOY!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Antigone Blog
Hey crew!
So, similar deal with the Mere Christianity blog-- you're going to want to:
1.) Pick a quote in Antigone that grabbed your attention
2.) Explain why that quote is significant to the text in terms of "deeper meaning" (i.e. theme, character development, etc.)
3.) Comment on this quote's personal meaning to you: explain why it got your attention, and what you think about the sentiment or idea it expresses. Provide personal examples from your own life to shed light on your comments, as relevant.
Shoot for two meaty paragraphs; due Sunday by 11:59pm. Please bring in a printed version on Monday. Also, keep in mind that your Antigone reading card is due Mon, and you've got one other journal entry due, besides the Antigone blog.
Cheez-its to you!! :)
So, similar deal with the Mere Christianity blog-- you're going to want to:
1.) Pick a quote in Antigone that grabbed your attention
2.) Explain why that quote is significant to the text in terms of "deeper meaning" (i.e. theme, character development, etc.)
3.) Comment on this quote's personal meaning to you: explain why it got your attention, and what you think about the sentiment or idea it expresses. Provide personal examples from your own life to shed light on your comments, as relevant.
Shoot for two meaty paragraphs; due Sunday by 11:59pm. Please bring in a printed version on Monday. Also, keep in mind that your Antigone reading card is due Mon, and you've got one other journal entry due, besides the Antigone blog.
Cheez-its to you!! :)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pastor Richard's blog
... can be found here:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/richarddahlstrom/
And the specific blog I mentioned earlier about absolute truth is here:
Individual Morality= an oxymoronic half truth
Also, here's next week's schedule:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/richarddahlstrom/
And the specific blog I mentioned earlier about absolute truth is here:
Individual Morality= an oxymoronic half truth
Also, here's next week's schedule:
AP Lit 10/17 to 10/21
Mon 10/17 Tone
· Discuss tone, basic meaning, total meaning: “Since there’s no help”; “The Flea”
· DUE: one journal entry; 2nd draft of personal statement
· HW: LTs—cadence, caricature, catharsis, chorus (NOTE: we are skipping “canto”) due WED; finish analyzing “The Flea” for tone for TUES.
Tues 10/18
· Discuss “The Flea”; ambiguous dialogues
· DUE: analysis of “The Flea”
· HW: LTs due WED.
Wed 10/19
· Finish ambiguous dialogues; brainstorm ideas for Crime and Punishment/Mere Christianity essay
· DUE: LTs
· HW: Thesis statement due THURS
Thurs 10/20
· Work day: (bring a laptop if you have one!) 12 CDs due by the end of the period (three from MC, nine from C&P)
· DUE: Thesis statement
· HW: Outline due FRI. (Intro hook, thesis statement, topic sentences, CDs designated into different paragraphs.) Double-space your outline. (We’re going to fill in CM notes on Fri.)
Fri 10/21
· CM work; filling in the blanks on outline. (OR, alternately, multiple choice work)
· DUE: Outline
· HW: Rough draft due MON.
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