English 12 – 2024/25
December 19th, 2024
9-eternal-sunshine-discussion-questions
This is truly a Postmodern film – Disclaimer: Some swearing. 16 + years and older on Common Sense Media.
December 18th, 2024
Short Story Peer Editing Checklist
Work block for getting everything in order. You can leave if you want social time with peers. I’m giving this time to people that will use it.
It’s due Friday – 1500 words MAX / double spaced / 11:59PM
December 17th, 2024
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
First drafts & elevator pitches should all be finished today. Please have the good draft (it can be a stinker – as long as it’s done!!!) done for Friday.
For those of you that need structure:
Research a mundane object and find a deeper analogy to life through it. – This exercise works better if it’s something you’re familiar with. Ex: Lego, Curling, Matchbox Cars, The time streetlights come on etc.
I will keep giving you prompts through Thursday.
This is a story that got me into Murakami in the first place. It’s short, but powerful. We will talk about this in the second half of class.
Murakami, “On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning”
- What is your opinion of the story? What is its meaning?
- If the author had told his story to the girl, what do you think would have happened?
- What would you have done in his situation?
- The author talks about his tastes in women. Do you think beauty is subjective or objective?
- Is the author in truly in love with the girl or just infatuated?
- Does the author believe in the idea of a 100% perfect partner for him? Do you for yourself? Can you measure love by a percentage?
- Do you believe in fate?
Discuss the meanings of these phrases with a partner.
- Potentiality knocks on the door of my heart.
- The cold, indifferent waves of fate proceeded to toss them unmercifully.
December 16th, 2024
First, some of you are down on yourselves for writing a “steaming” pile of garbage for a first draft. You’re not alone. Look at this piece:
Since we have finished the novel, I would like to read you another Murakami short story I have used in another unit. This, of course, is extra.
It is called “The Second Bakery Attack”.
The first bakery attack was never published in English, but there was a short film made about the story in Japan. It is here (Very 70’s art film vibe):
If we have time left, we can watch it.
Things to Consider for your own Story:
Connect three memories together to a common theme. Vehicles drive a narrative. This theme can act like analogy. For example Loss – Connect to three memories. Unity – Three memories etc. They can all be linear or sporadic.
Describe a regret / mistake and then change the reality to the ideal
Research a mundane object and find a deeper analogy to life through it. – This exercise works better if it’s something you’re familiar with. Ex: Lego, Curling, Matchbox Cars, The time streetlights come on etc.
A mistake you tried to cover up, yet were unsuccessful. A moment of shame.
Explain the same memory from three different perspectives.
Talk to a partner about a childhood memory of theirs. Now make it yours in a story.
Write about how someone has influenced your life in the most subtle of ways.
A mistake you tried to cover up, yet were unsuccessful. A moment of shame.
December 13th, 2024
Writing Prompt #5
Use at least three of these Murakami tropes in one of your previous prompts:
And We’ll go over the questions when you’re ready.
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novel? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
- What elements of postmodernism that you have learned up to this point in the unit can be seen in the novel? Give examples of this.
December 12th, 2024
Writing Prompt #4
After waking up and painstakingly fussing with your morning ritual, you go to the kitchen and find someone you can’t remember making breakfast. You don’t remember who this person is, but they remember you in vivid detail, down to your preferred eggs and morning beverage – even where you sit. How do you find out about them without telling them you have no recollection of who they are?
(One more prompt, but based on image – tomorrow before discussion)
We will finish the novel today – The audio of the novel of course.
After that, you will get ready for the discussion tomorrow. The questions (again) are as follows:
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novel? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
- What elements of postmodernism that you have learned up to this point in the unit can be seen in the novel? Give examples of this.
December 11th, 2024
Writing Prompt #3
- You arrive home after walking from the restaurant. The phone rings. The person who calls you is someone you haven’t talked to in years. They have a request. You can either accept or refuse the request. The final question is – do you go out again or do you stay home and go to bed? How did the phone call make you feel?
Questions or consideration throughout the rest of the novella.
- In Hear the Wind Sing, the protagonist comments that the Rat “out-and-out despised” the rich (page 9), despite being born into a wealthy family. What role do class and status play in these novels? How does Rat actively fight his upbringing and social class?
- Hear the Wind Sing features moments of extreme malaise from its protagonist. How do the narrator and the Rat abate their sadness? What comforts—if only temporary solutions—do they afford themselves in their despair?
- Discuss the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence as presented in Hear the Wind Sing. What clues are you given about his personality via descriptions of his upbringing?
- J the bartender maintains a significant presence in Wind. What is his role in the novels? How does he act as a soundboard for both the protagonist and the Rat?
- On page 25, the protagonist comments that “for the life of me I couldn’t remember what it was like to meet a girl under normal circumstances.” Examine his relationship with women as discussed in these novels. How do his early experiences with women affect his outlook on life?
Let’s continue with the audiobook.
December 10th, 2024
Writing Prompt #2
A character walks home. They think of a story they’ve just heard at a restaurant and make associations as they walk. Where are they walking and how is this imagery tied together with the story they just heard (or told?) What is that strange glow coming from down the street?
Question:
- In Hear the Wind Sing, the protagonist comments that the Rat “out-and-out despised” the rich (page 9), despite being born into a wealthy family. What role do class and status play in these novels? How does Rat actively fight his upbringing and social class?
I found the audiobook!
So Sit back and enjoy not my voice.
December 9th, 2024
Writing Prompt #1
- You’re writing two people sitting down at a restaurant. They are having a conversation about something you (the author) feel passionate about. Minimal description of restaurant – maximum dialogue.
Discussion on these questions:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
Continuation of the novella (if we have time)
THE NOVELLA: Wind_Pinball – Haruki Murakami
December 6th, 2024
We will start the writing on Monday. I’m not here today.
Please complete the following:
-Read Hear the Wind Sing (up to Chapter 12)
Complete these questions for recap discussion on Monday:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
Have a great weekend!
December 5th, 2024
Your task is to find some parts of the story and give concrete examples to which quote fits which element and why – kind of like an ‘idea’ search.
THE NOVELLA: Wind_Pinball – Haruki Murakami
metafiction
unreliable narration
self-reflexivity
intertextuality,
thematization of both historical and political issues.
Answer these questions on a separate document:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
Tomorrow, you will start a free write that is connected in three parts.
December 4th, 2024
Strecher, Matthew Carl. The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami. University of Minnesota Press, 2014.
SUMMARY OF PAPER:
A: 20 -26 End of Modernity
SUMMARY: How a sheep is a representation of modernism in Japan / Japanese drive fore inciting change / two sides to the issue and how the country itself is divided. Murakami’s symbolism of something larger is applied through his characters.
B: 26-32 Lack of Mind
SUMMARY: To avoid flaws of modernism, respect has to be diminished. Narrates with reflective self – conflicts with ones “other” uses irony – serious topics / deal with as if they’re in the past. ambiguous terms mean that author is disenfranchised from passion / take ownership of your own actions. Murakami deals with the other / (Kind of like Bunburying) in his fiction so as to avoid “true emotion” a facet of postmodernism.
C: 32-44 Love Story Between Postmodern People
SUMMARY: Loss of self identity – modernist to postmodernist / girlfriend teaches him – unable to find their place in a modern society – fragmentation of self – have to deal with societies expectation / incapable of love – construct their own world – waning of affection – accepting “non-partisan society” communist ideologies in postmodern thinking. two types of love “fantast /infatuation” Romance ‘realistic’. Individual freedom more than status quo.
D:44-51 A new Switch Panel in a Death Chamber
SUMMARY: Multinationalism – journey to find one’s place. Disorder that challenges the narrative – the archetype is smashed. Emotional and subjective truth – Postmodernism relates to multidimensional reality – ‘Rizome” Old vs. New . Everyone has their own individual design “Advanced capitalism” “Shoveling snow” finds new world through connection – move away from questioning reality Fragmentation of oneself – become the outsider “Postmodernism adopts you / you do not adopt it” The different worlds (Shadow vs. Reality) the travel between the two .
E: 51-57 Violence and Empathy
SUMMARY: Empathy cures violence – not everyone is born the same. Critique of advanced consumer hierarchical society It is hard to shift the modern traditionalist way of thinking to a new postmodern word.
Today should be entertaining for you – seeing those connections to the Literary Theory of Postmodernism and a short story by Haruki Murakami.
Here is the short story:
(I have paper copies as well)
And what we can do together is this worksheet that explains all the elements of Postmodernism.
Your task is to find some parts of the story and give concrete examples to which quote fits which element and why – kind of like an ‘idea’ search.
THE NOVELLA: Wind_Pinball – Haruki Murakami
metafiction
unreliable narration
self-reflexivity
intertextuality,
thematization of both historical and political issues.
Answer these questions on a separate document:
- Hear the Wind Sing opens with thoughts about the writing process and its relation to general satisfaction with life. Why do you think the protagonist evokes fictitious Derek Hartfield’s experiences? How does Hartfield’s status as a “fighter…a man who used words as weapons” echo throughout the novel?
- How would you characterize the Rat? How does his personality shift or change? What does the Rat value most in life?
- Discuss the relationship between the protagonist and the Rat. What common traits do they share? How do they complement each other?
Tomorrow, you will start a free write that is connected in three parts.
December 3rd, 2024
Please complete an annotated bibliography with your group (as seen below). Here is the document.
You only need to complete 1 section for the annotated bibliography. See the corresponding pages. We’ll talk about it as a whole tomorrow.
Remember the annotated bibliography formatting:
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
SECTIONS:
A: 20 -26 End of Modernity
B: 26-32 Lack of Mind
C: 32-44 Love Story Between Postmodern People
D:44-51 A new Switch Panel in a Death Chamber
E: 51-57 Violence and Empathy
Due Tonight at Midnight. Teams 11:59PM
December 2nd, 2024
Postmodernism and the fragmentation of fictional narrative.
We are all Post/modern
Here is the overview of the unit:
Then here is the PPT – there are two – one as a theoretical piece and the other as a kind of ‘questionnaire’.
I will go over this:
Now we will discuss this:
Here’s how Murakami sees writing – I want to read excerpts before we get into a short story, then the novella.
Novelist as a Vocation – Haruki Murakami
What are the elements of Postmodernism in today’s society? What is worth writing about?
November 29th, 2024
In Class Write.
November 28th, 2024
Focused Question for tomorrow’s in class essay. I will give you outlines.
How are elements of Modernism highlighted in either the Hemingway, Woolf or Mansfield text?
Example Thesis: Throughout Hemingway’s short story HLWI, the dialogue/allusion/metaphor shows individualism and fragmentation of the modernist philosophy / society.
So the LITERARY ELEMENT shows ONE FACET OF MODERNISM. (Check PPT).
You will need some time to get the basics of a three paragraph essay down – this is just a review of the literary essays you’ve done all throughout high school. But just in case, I have a PPT so that you understand the structure. I’ll go over it as a formality.
Literary-3-Paragraph-Specific-OutlineDownload
November 27th, 2024
Questions for “A Mark on the Wall” Discussion
- One of the complaints people frequently make about Modern fiction is that nothing happens in it. Do you think this is a valid criticism of the three stories we read?
- In Woolf’s “The Mark on the Wall,” how does the narrator use specific, concrete details as an aid to her memory?
- How does the narrator let you know her memory may be flawed? Why is this important?
- How does the narrator let you know that her imagination colors what she thinks and sees? Why is this important?
- She says, “…what an accidental affair this living is after all our civilisation…” What does she mean? How is the mark on the wall symbolic of that idea?
- She says she wants to “sink deeper and deeper, away from the surface…” What does she mean? Why does she want this?
- What does she say about how one likes to think of oneself, and how one protects one’s own image in one’s mind?
- When she says, “No, no, nothing is proved, nothing is known,” what does she mean?
- What does she say about knowledge? How does knowledge compare with imagination?
- Why are the characters in this story never named?
I will hand out 3 paragraph structure paper. This paper will be on Friday, 29th November. Content over structure!!!
November 26th, 2024
Both the story and the questions are in this one document:
The Mark on the Wall Virginia Woolf
NOW as a final:
Think about this question for a paragraph intro response:
How are elements of Modernism highlighted in either the Hemingway, Woolf or Mansfield text?
Example Thesis: Throughout Hemingway’s short story HLWI, the dialogue/allusion/metaphor shows individualism and fragmentation of the modernist philosophy / society.
So the LITERARY ELEMENT shows ONE FACET OF MODERNISM. (Check PPT).
You will need some time to get the basics of a three paragraph essay down – this is just a review of the literary essays you’ve done all throughout high school. But just in case, I have a PPT so that you understand the structure. I’ll go over it as a formality.
How-to-Write-Essay-BasicsDownload
Literary-3-Paragraph-Specific-OutlineDownload
November 25th, 2024
Discussion on Garden Party continued?
Both the story and the questions are in this one document:
The Mark on the Wall Virginia Woolf
NOW as a final:
Think about this question for a paragraph intro response:
How are elements of Modernism highlighted in either the Hemingway, Woolf or Mansfield text?
Example Thesis: Throughout Hemingway’s short story HLWI, the dialogue/allusion/metaphor shows individualism and fragmentation of the modernist philosophy / society.
So the LITERARY ELEMENT shows ONE FACET OF MODERNISM. (Check PPT).
You will need some time to get the basics of a three paragraph essay down – this is just a review of the literary essays you’ve done all throughout high school. But just in case, I have a PPT so that you understand the structure. I’ll go over it as a formality.
How-to-Write-Essay-BasicsDownload
Literary-3-Paragraph-Specific-OutlineDownload
November 22nd, 2024
I’ll read this to you:
After reading page 1-2 of “The Garden Party,” please answer the following questions.
Exposition:
Setting: What is the setting of the novel? How does the author communicate that to the reader? What details does she include to show the reader the setting?
Mood: What do you think the mood is in this part of the story?
Character: What characters are introduced at this point in the story?
Character: Who is Laura? What do we know about her at this point in the story? How does the author characterize her?
Conflict: At this point, predict what you think the conflict will be in the story. Cite textual evidence for your prediction.
I’ll read this to you:
After reading p. 3-6 of “The Garden Party,” answer the following questions.
Characterization: Describe the relationship with Laura and her mother.
Characterization: Describe the garden party about to be thrown. What kind of people do you think will be there? What does the party communicate about the Sheridans?
You read this and complete it tonight:
After reading pages 6-12 of “The Garden Party,” answer the following questions.
Characterization: What is Laura’s reaction to the man killed? What does this reveal about her character?
Characterization: What is Jose’s and Mrs. Sheridan’s reactions to the man killed? What does this reveal about their characters
Plot: What does Mrs. Sheridan suggest they do for the poor widow? Why does Laura question this on p. 10?
Mood: How does the mood in the story change on p. 10 when Laura goes to the cottages down the hill? What type of concrete details does the author use to change the mood?
Plot: How is death portrayed at the end of the story? Is Laura shocked by what she sees? Why or why not?
Symbolism: What does the black hat with the yellow flowers symbolize? When Laura sees the dead man why does she say “Forgive my hat”?
Plot: What do you think Laura would have said if she finished her question at the end of the story?
Conflict: What was the central conflict of this story?
Theme: A major theme in the story is the relationship between classes. What do you think the author was trying to communicate to the reader about class distinctions?
Theme: In what ways has Laura grown up in this short story?
Character: After reading the story, using the vocabulary we learned on character (round or flat, minor or major, static or dynamic) please describe the following characters.
Laura:
Laurie:
Mrs. Sheridan:
Jose:
Mrs. Scott:
November 18th-21st
Due Dates of note:
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024: Quote Journal Final due 11:59PM on TEAMS
Thursday, November 21st, 2024: Physical Independent Novel Study Reading Journals due at the end of class.
Friday, November 22nd, 2024: Independent Novel Study Final Essay due 11:59PM on TEAMS
I will be gone (as you know) for most of this week, so I have two independent projects for you to finish.
The Plans:
- QUOTE JOURNAL FINAL – The detailed version of the quote journal final is in this document:
[QJ DATA]
I have also printed out copies for all of you.
2. INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY FINAL – There are two parts to this, as you are aware.
Part 1: Final paper that is due this Friday. Follow the structure here: Reflective-Journal-Questions-e3541902286e491c (1)
Part 2: Reading Journal template (physical Copy) But here is a digital copy of it: Journal-Template-6ee0197f9be4f868 (1)
Get it done and good luck. Use your time wisely.
November 15th, 2024
I’ll finish the lecture if my voice isn’t horrible.
We will go over this as a discussion:
Depending on your insight, we can start the second of three stories today as well:
Think about this question for a paragraph intro response:
How do elements of Modernism show in either text?
Example Thesis: Throughout Hemingway’s short story HLWI, the dialogue/allusion/metaphor shows individualism and fragmentation of the modernist philosophy / society.
So the LITERARY ELEMENT shows ONE FACET OF MODERNISM. (Check PPT) – we’ll talk about this as well for each story.
I will update you on what will happen next week. We will continue the Modernism unit next Friday, November 22nd, 2024.
November 14th, 2024
FINAL QUOTE!!
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”
-Robert Frost
Lecture will finish tomorrow and we will have a discussion on Hills Like White Elephants. Get ready for that. Complete the following:
Read this:
The following are due tomorrow – be prepared to discuss these questions as we will be doing a round table discussion with these questions as a base to springboard.
The following is an interesting take on the piece. An academic paper I found online – you don not need to read it. Just for extra comprehension :
Hills like WE Conversation Analysis
November 13th, 2024
“I thought: hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like roads across the earth. For actually the earth had no roads to begin with, but when many men pass one way, a road is made.”
―
Welcome to the Modernism unit.
Here is the power-point. I would like you to take notes as I will be going into detail about them:
modernism-modernist-literature FINAL
modernism-modernist-literature FINAL Modernism_Notes
I have questions for discussion that will come right after this lecture (some during)
I have a story that you will be reading next with the questions that go with it:
The following are due tomorrow – be prepared to discuss these questions as we will be doing a round table discussion with these questions as a base to springboard.
The following is an interesting take on the piece. An academic paper I found online – you don not need to read it. Just for extra comprehension :
Hills like WE Conversation Analysis
November 12th, 2024
The concept map is due tonight. If it is on paper, then it is due first thing tomorrow.
Good luck. We will start our new unit tomorrow.
November 8th, 2024
Try and complete this.
How does modern media show elements of the Gothic movement? Which elements are the most prevalent to the movement in contemporary society? What do these Gothic elements that are used say about the state of the world today?
CONCEPT MAP MODEL EXAMPLE:
You will use multiple sources, but keep in mind the academic paper The Modern Gothic” by Dryden as your framework. I will list other sources below.
- Linda Dryden “The Modern Gothic”
- Your Gothic elements chosen film / TV show
- The assigned Podcast piece (Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Raven, Wuthering Heights, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
- A Stephen King short story (Word Processor of the Gods, I am the Doorway, The Man who would not Shake Hands, The Reaper’s Image, Uncle Otto’s Truck)
- Parasite
November 7th, 2024
We’ll finish the movie today – perhaps we’ll have some time for questions on what’s next.
November 6th, 2024
We will start the movie today.
Parasite – First Observations 21
Here is a repost of all the information you’ll need moving forward.
How does modern media show elements of the Gothic movement? Which elements are the most prevalent to the movement in contemporary society? What do these Gothic elements that are used say about the state of the world today?
You will use multiple sources, but keep in mind the academic paper The Modern Gothic” by Dryden as your framework. I will list other sources below.
- Linda Dryden “The Modern Gothic”
- Your Gothic elements chosen film / TV show
- The assigned Podcast piece (Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Raven, Wuthering Heights, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
- A Stephen King short story (Word Processor of the Gods, I am the Doorway, The Man who would not Shake Hands, The Reaper’s Image, Uncle Otto’s Truck)
- Parasite
November 5th, 2024
“The worst kind of tyrant was the one who once had been the victim.”
― The Man Who Cried I Am
I have printouts of this, but now is a time to collect your data:
How does modern media show elements of the Gothic movement? Which elements are the most prevalent to the movement in contemporary society? What do these Gothic elements that are used say about the state of the world today?
You will use multiple sources, but keep in mind the academic paper The Modern Gothic” by Dryden as your framework. I will list other sources below.
-Linda Dryden “The Modern Gothic”
-Your Gothic elements chosen film / TV show
-The assigned Podcast piece (Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Raven, Wuthering Heights, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
-A Stephen King short story (Word Processor of the Gods, I am the Doorway, The Man who would not Shake Hands, The Reaper’s Image, Uncle Otto’s Truck)
November 4th, 2024
“Looking back, I see that I have lost my childhood friends: one and two at a time—all of them.
[…]
Life is meant to be difficult: it is too bad that a poem comes so easily to me.
[…]
Extending a small hand to myself, I offer myself the very first handshake, tears, and condolences.”
― Sky, Wind, and Stars
We’ll look at the Stephen King Questions – they’re due tonight at midnight.
Then it’s time for the movie. I hope we can start today. Here’s the info just in case.
How does modern media show elements of the Gothic movement? Which elements are the most prevalent to the movement in contemporary society? What do these Gothic elements that are used say about the state of the world today?
You will use multiple sources, but keep in mind the academic paper The Modern Gothic” by Dryden as your framework. I will list other sources below.
-Linda Dryden “The Modern Gothic”
-Your Gothic elements chosen film / TV show
-The assigned Podcast piece (Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Raven, Wuthering Heights, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
-A Stephen King short story (Word Processor of the Gods, I am the Doorway, The Man who would not Shake Hands, The Reaper’s Image, Uncle Otto’s Truck)
– Parasite
Parasite – First Observations 21
October 31st, 2024 / November 1st, 2024
- Now it’s time for finding the gothic elements of Genre fiction – specifically Stephen King.
The horror genre is a very large genre – and without getting into it in large detail, Stephen King, author of over 60 novels and over 100 short stories, has rewritten horror for today’s contemporary audience. The reason we’re reading a few of his short stories is for the Gothic elements that are unavoidable in most horror stories and how the framework of the movement is still apparent today.
Your task for this two-day assignment is to read two of his short stories. (There are five to choose from) and complete the worksheet. We will discuss the questions on Tuesday / Wednesday
Here they are:
What we will do as a class is come up with similarities differences from the horror genre and the Gothic Movement with a Venn diagram for the class. You can use these elements as help for your final thesis.
These are the stories – they’re all good, but some are better than others. I will assign you one and you can choose another one by yourself.
(From Night Shift Collection – a Space Gothic, horror mashup with Event Horizon vibes)
The Man Who Would not Shake Hands
(From Skeleton Crew – Curse story within story or “epistolary format” – very Gothic)
The-Reapers-Image-Stephen-King
(From Skeleton Crew – uses Gothic symbols / mirrors, dualism, haunted house etc. Short)
(From Skeleton Crew – not as gothic but just a great story – my personal favorite of the bunch)
(From Skeleton Crew – supernatural, great characterization that King is well known for.)
October 30th, 2024
Quote: (What number, Andrew?)
“In the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no grandeur to be won, inasmuch as there all is an established hierarchy, the unknown is revealed, existence is infinite, there is no possibility of sacrifice, all is rest and joy. For this reason, bowed down by suffering and duties, beautiful in the midst of his misery, capable of loving in the face of afflictions and trials, man finds his greatness, his fullest measure, only in The Kingdom of This World.”
― The Kingdom of This World
Here’s one of the best parts of the unit:
You are to complete the following:
There will be five groups – each will create a podcast (using phones or other small media) and familiarize yourself with Anchor (Spotify program – I have the instructions below)
- Jekyll and Hyde
- Frankenstein
- Dracula
- The Raven
- Wuthering Heights
- The Picture of Dorian Grey
Now I know you haven’t read these books/ poem – that’s the whole point of this podcast. I’m not teaching you these books, but teaching you how to not read these books! So the focus is on the ‘book’, but you are to have a fun podcast that values entertainment over education – while making us (the listener) believe that we are smarter for having listened to you.
Here are some prompt ‘book discussion’ questions to get you going.
TIP: I suggest that you research the assigned book a little bit online. These books are so well known that some poor sucker has had to have done a prezi on it at some point in their high school career. Find something like that and get the info out of it. Now that you know the elements of Gothicism pretty well, you already have enough to go off. Voila, you’re experts!
Rules:
- Should be no more than 10 minutes edited.
2. Everyone’s voice should be heard at least once.
3. Due Thursday, October 31st at the end of class.
Instructions for anchor (Podcast editor):
October 29th, 2024
Modernizing the Gothic World:
Your task today – One of 5 (To substitute the close reading passages and discussion) is to find a contemporary media piece that encapsulates at least three elements of the gothic and get prepared to make a presentation in front of the class on Thursday, proving your claims.
- Explain the elements of Gothic you’ll be talking about
- Show the clip (Cannot be classic Gothic – you have to use a modern movie / TV show / Song etc.)
October 28th, 2024
Here’s a fun infographic for “Gothic Literature”:
Quick lecture for what Gothic Literature is all about – take notes:
Metonymy of Gothic:
| wind, especially howling | rain, especially blowing |
| doors grating on rusty hinges | sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds |
| footsteps approaching | clanking chains |
| lights in abandoned rooms | gusts of wind blowing out lights |
| characters trapped in a room | doors suddenly slamming shut |
| ruins of buildings | baying of distant dogs (or wolves?) |
| thunder and lightning | crazed laughter |
Vocabulary of Gothic:
| Mystery | diabolical, enchantment, ghost, goblins, haunted, infernal, magic, magician, miracle, necromancer, omens, ominous, portent, preternatural, prodigy, prophecy, secret, sorcerer, spectre, spirits, strangeness, talisman, vision |
| Fear, Terror, or Sorrow | afflicted, affliction, agony, anguish, apprehensions, apprehensive, commiseration, concern, despair, dismal, dismay, dread, dreaded, dreading, fearing, frantic, fright, frightened, grief, hopeless, horrid, horror, lamentable, melancholy, miserable, mournfully, panic, sadly, scared, shrieks, sorrow, sympathy, tears, terrible, terrified, terror, unhappy, wretched |
| Surprise | alarm, amazement, astonished, astonishment, shocking, staring, surprise, surprised, thunderstruck, wonder |
| Haste | anxious, breathless, flight, frantic, hastened, hastily, impatience, impatient, impatiently, impetuosity, precipitately, running, sudden, suddenly |
| Anger | anger, angrily, choler, enraged, furious, fury, incense, incensed, provoked, rage, raving, resentment, temper, wrath, wrathful, wrathfully |
| Largeness | enormous, gigantic, giant, large, tremendous, vast |
This is due tonight. Depending on how we go through this article, I’d like to get to the next part of the unit soon:
Linda Dryden – The Modern Gothic and Literary Doubles_ Stevenson, Wilde and Wells (2003)
You will complete an annotated bibliography on this. These are the elements of the annotated bibliography:
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
October 23rd, 2024
I made up my mind:
Gothic literature unit. A fine connection to Modernism. Also — no paper at the end of this one. And we watch a movie too.
GOTHIC LITERATURE:
Here is the PowerPoint that will help you understand what Gothic Literature is all about – take notes:
elements_of_gothic_literature_ppt
Before we get into the novel, I would like to read an academic paper with you that will help supplement the PPT. It is this PDF:
Linda Dryden – The Modern Gothic and Literary Doubles_ Stevenson, Wilde and Wells (2003)
You will complete an annotated bibliography on this. These are the elements of the annotated bibliography:
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
October 22nd, 2024
In Class Write
October 21st, 2024
“There was a time when academia was society’s refuge for the eccentric, brilliant, and impractical. No longer. It is now the domain of professional self-marketers. As for the eccentric, brilliant, and impractical: it would seem society now has no place for them at all.”
― The Utopia of Rules
INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY GRADE 12
The journal templates:
And the final paper for it called “Reader Reflection”.
Here’s an “Outline with boxes” for tomorrow’s in class writing – I’ll print it out:
Purdy-Literary-Analysis-Detailed-V5.5
October 18th, 2024
“A writer flirts with schizophrenia, nurtures synesthesia, and embraces obsessive-compulsive disorder. Your art feeds on you, your soul, and, yes, to a degree, your sanity. Writing novels worth reading will bugger up your mind, jeopardize your relationships, and distend your life. You have been warned.”
-David Mitchell
Keep the essay structured to these sentence guidelines: Purdy-Literary-Analysis-Detailed-V5
I will expect a rough introduction today from all of you and a working body paragraph outline.
ALSO:
Here is the overview information on the independent novel study grade 12 version (This will be due in a month so don’t worry too much now):
INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY GRADE 12
The journal templates:
And the final paper for it called “Reader Reflection”.
We’ll finish off the lecture today as well.
October 17th, 2024
“That’s just what translation is, I think. That’s all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they’re trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.”
―
Please download the document:
Keep the essay structured to these sentence guidelines: Purdy-Literary-Analysis-Detailed-V5
I will expect a rough introduction today from all of you.
October 16th, 2024
“You see? Size defeats us. For the fish, the lake in which he lives is the universe. What does the fish think when he is jerked up by the mouth through the silver limits of existence and into a new universe where the air drowns him and the light is blue madness? Where huge bipeds with no gills stuff it into a suffocating box and cover it with wet weeds to die?”
-Stephen King, The Gunslinger
Annotated-Bibliography-DeOrnellis-Earnest-Presentation-Version
This is by Liam Weeks – Done 2 years ago – a model version.
We will go over the 1st step of a literary analysis together today. You have everything already in your head, so this process should be easier than you think.
How does Wilde honor the Aesthetic movement through his play The Importance of Being Earnest?
This is your question! Now how can you answer in a way that is academic?
To make a literary analysis essay really work, you need another academic paper to connect your ideas. Here is the first part of constructing such an essay. Do you remember the DeOrnellis piece?
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
So today – Answer these questions, and that’s your intro paragraph:
- What is aestheticism in your own words?
- How is aestheticism shown in Oscar Wilde’s play?
- Show proof of that through
- The Deornellis piece When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
- The play: Wilde IOBE Annotated
- Keep the essay structured to these sentence guidelines: Purdy-Literary-Analysis-Detailed-V5
October 15th, 2024
(QUOTE)
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY – READ THIS: (I will make printouts.)
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
Remember annotated bibliographies? They’re back!! But how to annotate the text itself? I will present you with a close reading skill in the next unit, but for now, follow these three tips:
This is from Patricia Kain (Harvard University)
1. Read with a pencil in hand, and annotate the text.
“Annotating” means underlining or highlighting key words and phrases—anything that strikes you as surprising or significant, or that raises questions—as well as making notes in the margins. When we respond to a text in this way, we not only force ourselves to pay close attention, but we also begin to think with the author about the evidence—the first step in moving from reader to writer.
2. Look for patterns in the things you’ve noticed about the text—repetitions, contradictions, similarities.
What do we notice in the previous passage? First, Eiseley tells us that the orb spider taught him a lesson, thus inviting us to consider what that lesson might be. But we’ll let that larger question go for now and focus on particulars—we’re working inductively. In Eiseley’s next sentence, we find that this encounter “happened far away on a rainy morning in the West.” This opening locates us in another time, another place, and has echoes of the traditional fairy tale opening: “Once upon a time . . .”. What does this mean? Why would Eiseley want to remind us of tales and myth? We don’t know yet, but it’s curious. We make a note of it.
Details of language convince us of our location “in the West”—gulch, arroyo, and buffalo grass. Beyond that, though, Eiseley calls the spider’s web “her universe” and “the great wheel she inhabited,” as in the great wheel of the heavens, the galaxies. By metaphor, then, the web becomes the universe, “spider universe.” And the spider, “she,” whose “senses did not extend beyond” her universe, knows “the flutter of a trapped moth’s wing” and hurries “to investigate her prey.” Eiseley says he could see her “fingering her guidelines for signs of struggle.” These details of language, and others, characterize the “owner” of the web as thinking, feeling, striving—a creature much like ourselves. But so what?
3. Ask questions about the patterns you’ve noticed—especially how and why.
To answer some of our own questions, we have to look back at the text and see what else is going on. For instance, when Eiseley touches the web with his pencil point—an event “for which no precedent existed”—the spider, naturally, can make no sense of the pencil phenomenon: “Spider was circumscribed by spider ideas.” Of course, spiders don’t have ideas, but we do. And if we start seeing this passage in human terms, seeing the spider’s situation in “her universe” as analogous to our situation in our universe (which we think of as the universe), then we may decide that Eiseley is suggesting that our universe (the universe) is also finite, that our ideas are circumscribed, and that beyond the limits of our universe there might be phenomena as fully beyond our ken as Eiseley himself—that “vast impossible shadow”—was beyond the understanding of the spider.
But why vast and impossible, why a shadow? Does Eiseley mean God, extra-terrestrials? Or something else, something we cannot name or even imagine? Is this the lesson? Now we see that the sense of tale telling or myth at the start of the passage, plus this reference to something vast and unseen, weighs against a simple E.T. sort of interpretation. And though the spider can’t explain, or even apprehend, Eiseley’s pencil point, that pencil point is explainable—rational after all. So maybe not God. We need more evidence, so we go back to the text—the whole essay now, not just this one passage—and look for additional clues. And as we proceed in this way, paying close attention to the evidence, asking questions, formulating interpretations, we engage in a process that is central to essay writing and to the whole academic enterprise: in other words, we reason toward our own ideas.
When you’re ready, you can complete an annotated bibliography of the DeOrnellis piece.
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
October 11th, 2024
“When man begins to think that he is responsible for writing the script of the world, he forgets the forces that dream up our reality.”
―
Discussion Questions Act 3:
- Lady Bracknell has been described as “the perfect embodiment of the attitudes and rules of conduct of the British aristocracy.” How does Wilde unmask the mercenary motives of Lady Bracknell to reveal her essential snobbishness and hypocrisy in the final act?
- To a certain extent, Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble are also satirical figures through whom Wilde attacks British institutions, namely education and the Church of England. Explain briefly what aspects of these institutions Wilde is
- Define the term “bunburying,” and explain its significance in the How does bunburying relate to Wilde’s critique of Victorian earnestness? How are even Cecily and Dr. Chasuble “bunburyists”?
- The play has a number of objects that acquire additional meanings as the action develops. Explain how three of the following symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest relate to the plot and especially to the characters: cucumber sandwiches, bread-and-butter, the German language, French music and language, bottles of champagne, teacake, muffins, and the capacious
- “Although we see little of them, each of the butlers has a back story and serves as a vehicle for Wilde’s satire of the ” Explain.
- If the principal characters will go to any lengths to avoid their responsibilities and place self- interest at the top of their own agendas, then a resolution of the conflicts in the play would be impossible: somebody has to make concessions. How does the resolution scene in the third act resolve the conflicts between Lady Bracknell and Jack? Jack and Algernon? Gwendolen and Cecily?
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY – READ THIS:
When Life Imitates Art_ Aestheticism in The Importance of Being Earnest
Remember annotated bibliographies? They’re back!! But how to annotate?
Let’s take a look in depth at this piece using annotation strategies. Not all will be applied to this particular piece, but some can be. Let’s look at the document:
This is from Patricia Kain (Harvard University)
1. Read with a pencil in hand, and annotate the text.
“Annotating” means underlining or highlighting key words and phrases—anything that strikes you as surprising or significant, or that raises questions—as well as making notes in the margins. When we respond to a text in this way, we not only force ourselves to pay close attention, but we also begin to think with the author about the evidence—the first step in moving from reader to writer.
2. Look for patterns in the things you’ve noticed about the text—repetitions, contradictions, similarities.
What do we notice in the previous passage? First, Eiseley tells us that the orb spider taught him a lesson, thus inviting us to consider what that lesson might be. But we’ll let that larger question go for now and focus on particulars—we’re working inductively. In Eiseley’s next sentence, we find that this encounter “happened far away on a rainy morning in the West.” This opening locates us in another time, another place, and has echoes of the traditional fairy tale opening: “Once upon a time . . .”. What does this mean? Why would Eiseley want to remind us of tales and myth? We don’t know yet, but it’s curious. We make a note of it.
Details of language convince us of our location “in the West”—gulch, arroyo, and buffalo grass. Beyond that, though, Eiseley calls the spider’s web “her universe” and “the great wheel she inhabited,” as in the great wheel of the heavens, the galaxies. By metaphor, then, the web becomes the universe, “spider universe.” And the spider, “she,” whose “senses did not extend beyond” her universe, knows “the flutter of a trapped moth’s wing” and hurries “to investigate her prey.” Eiseley says he could see her “fingering her guidelines for signs of struggle.” These details of language, and others, characterize the “owner” of the web as thinking, feeling, striving—a creature much like ourselves. But so what?
3. Ask questions about the patterns you’ve noticed—especially how and why.
To answer some of our own questions, we have to look back at the text and see what else is going on. For instance, when Eiseley touches the web with his pencil point—an event “for which no precedent existed”—the spider, naturally, can make no sense of the pencil phenomenon: “Spider was circumscribed by spider ideas.” Of course, spiders don’t have ideas, but we do. And if we start seeing this passage in human terms, seeing the spider’s situation in “her universe” as analogous to our situation in our universe (which we think of as the universe), then we may decide that Eiseley is suggesting that our universe (the universe) is also finite, that our ideas are circumscribed, and that beyond the limits of our universe there might be phenomena as fully beyond our ken as Eiseley himself—that “vast impossible shadow”—was beyond the understanding of the spider.
But why vast and impossible, why a shadow? Does Eiseley mean God, extra-terrestrials? Or something else, something we cannot name or even imagine? Is this the lesson? Now we see that the sense of tale telling or myth at the start of the passage, plus this reference to something vast and unseen, weighs against a simple E.T. sort of interpretation. And though the spider can’t explain, or even apprehend, Eiseley’s pencil point, that pencil point is explainable—rational after all. So maybe not God. We need more evidence, so we go back to the text—the whole essay now, not just this one passage—and look for additional clues. And as we proceed in this way, paying close attention to the evidence, asking questions, formulating interpretations, we engage in a process that is central to essay writing and to the whole academic enterprise: in other words, we reason toward our own ideas.
When you’re ready, you can complete an annotated bibliography of the DeOrnellis piece.
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 2 (Rhetoric)
1.The author of this piece is/is not credible because……
2.The author knows a lot about this topic because….
3.From this piece, the author wants you to………….
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
October 10th, 2024
“The free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it—basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them.”
-Charles Bukowski
We will finish Act 3 today.
You have the rest of class to complete the questions and even then, we can probably start the discussion if everything goes well.
Gwendolyn: Ava
Cecily: Helen
Lady Bracknell: Makenna
Jack: Adriano
Algernon: Eric
Merriman: Daniya
Chasable: Andrew
Prism: Peng
ACT 3 Questions:
- Lady Bracknell has been described as “the perfect embodiment of the attitudes and rules of conduct of the British aristocracy.” How does Wilde unmask the mercenary motives of Lady Bracknell to reveal her essential snobbishness and hypocrisy in the final act?
- To a certain extent, Miss Prism and Dr. Chasuble are also satirical figures through whom Wilde attacks British institutions, namely education and the Church of England. Explain briefly what aspects of these institutions Wilde is
- Define the term “bunburying,” and explain its significance in the How does bunburying relate to Wilde’s critique of Victorian earnestness? How are even Cecily and Dr. Chasuble “bunburyists”?
- The play has a number of objects that acquire additional meanings as the action develops. Explain how three of the following symbols in The Importance of Being Earnest relate to the plot and especially to the characters: cucumber sandwiches, bread-and-butter, the German language, French music and language, bottles of champagne, teacake, muffins, and the capacious
- “Although we see little of them, each of the butlers has a back story and serves as a vehicle for Wilde’s satire of the ” Explain.
- If the principal characters will go to any lengths to avoid their responsibilities and place self- interest at the top of their own agendas, then a resolution of the conflicts in the play would be impossible: somebody has to make concessions. How does the resolution scene in the third act resolve the conflicts between Lady Bracknell and Jack? Jack and Algernon? Gwendolen and Cecily?
October 9th, 2024
Questions: (I’ll give you time in class before we do the act 2 discussion).
- “Gwendolen and Cecily are not so much opposites as complements.” Explain this remark by reference to their speeches and
- Early on in Act One Jack Worthing articulates the difference between city life and country Show three ways in which the life of the country (as exemplified by the Manor House, Woolton, Herfordshire) is very different from the bachelor life of The Albany, London.
- Like Jack, Algy leads a double life, utilizing an escape mechanism when necessary to free himself of a life of social obligation and lead a life of unrestrained pleasure. Explain their differing motivations, but how both are “confirmed Bunburyists,” nevertheless.
- The comedy of mistaken identity is a very old dramatic form – as old, in fact, as comedy itself – which Wilde manages to revitalize in The Importance of Being Earnest. The key mistaken identity in this play, of course, is that of “Ernest” himself. What comic consequences result from Algernon’s assuming the role of Ernest Worthing?
- In what ways would the terms “hedonist,” “aesthete,” and “gourmand” be suitable descriptors for Algernon? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE!
- How would you characterize Canon Chasuble and his relationship with Miss Prism? Why does Wilde include them at this point in the play?
- Give five examples of Wilde’s wit, comedy and/ or satire in this act. How does this further his satirical purpose?
- A subtle sub-theme of the play is readers, publishers, fiction, and censorship. What points by implication is Wilde making about contemporary literature?
- What role does food have within the play? (Notice how Jack and Algy are eating muffins at key points – and then those pesky cucumber sandwiches in Act 1
- Based on the types of comedy discussed, how would you define The Importance of Being Earnest thus far? Defend your selections using textual
October 7th & 8th, 2024
Journal #19
“Sometimes when you’re young, you have moments of such happiness, you think you’re living on someplace magical, like Atlantis must have been. Then we grow up and our hearts break into two.”
― Hearts in Atlantis
Journal #18
“If literature truly possesses a mysterious power, I think perhaps it is precisely this: that one can read a book by a writer of a different time, a different country, a different race, a different language, and a different culture and there encounter a sensation that is one’s very own.”
―
Act Two:
CAST ACT 2:
Cecily: Helen
Miss Prism: Peng
Merriam: Daniya
Chausable: Andrew
Algernon: Eric
Jack: Adriano
Gwendolyn: Ava
- “Gwendolen and Cecily are not so much opposites as complements.” Explain this remark by reference to their speeches and
- Early on in Act One Jack Worthing articulates the difference between city life and country Show three ways in which the life of the country (as exemplified by the Manor House, Woolton, Herfordshire) is very different from the bachelor life of The Albany, London.
- Like Jack, Algy leads a double life, utilizing an escape mechanism when necessary to free himself of a life of social obligation and lead a life of unrestrained pleasure. Explain their differing motivations, but how both are “confirmed Bunburyists,” nevertheless.
- The comedy of mistaken identity is a very old dramatic form – as old, in fact, as comedy itself – which Wilde manages to revitalize in The Importance of Being Earnest. The key mistaken identity in this play, of course, is that of “Ernest” himself. What comic consequences result from Algernon’s assuming the role of Ernest Worthing?
- In what ways would the terms “hedonist,” “aesthete,” and “gourmand” be suitable descriptors for Algernon? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE!
- How would you characterize Canon Chasuble and his relationship with Miss Prism? Why does Wilde include them at this point in the play?
- Give five examples of Wilde’s wit, comedy and/ or satire in this act. How does this further his satirical purpose?
- A subtle sub-theme of the play is readers, publishers, fiction, and censorship. What points by implication is Wilde making about contemporary literature?
- What role does food have within the play? (Notice how Jack and Algy are eating muffins at key points – and then those pesky cucumber sandwiches in Act 1
- Based on the types of comedy discussed, how would you define The Importance of Being Earnest thus far? Defend your selections using textual
October 4th, 2024
“Betrayal. Translation means doing violence upon the original, means warping and distorting it for foreign, unintended eyes. So then where does that leave us? How can we conclude, except by acknowledging that an act of translation is then necessarily always an act of betrayal?”
―
Act One
- Why does Jack Worthing call himself “Ernest” instead when he is in “town” (London)?
- Why has Algernon invented an invalid friend named “Bunbury”?
- Jack has an insurmountable impediment to marrying Gwendolen in his background: what, as Lady Bracknell sees it, is this problem? How does she propose that he resolve this problem? What is Wilde satirizing in this situation?
- How does Wilde use the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the characters of Jack and Algy?
- How does Wilde satirize the vacuous mentalities and lifestyles of the British aristocracy in Lady Bracknell’s interview with Jack?
- How does Wilde use the cigarette case to facilitate the exposition of the dramatic action?
- The character of Algernon Moncrieff reflects the public persona of the dramatist himself: in what ways in Algy like Wilde? Refer to background
- Why is the classical allusion in which Wilde compares Lady Bracknell to the Gorgon particularly apt? You may look this answer up.
- The other classical allusion, to the Emperor Augustus, is more oblique: why did Wilde choose the name “Augusta” for Lady Bracknell? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE!
- What is the essence of such Wildean aphorisms as the following?” “[Women flirting with their own husbands] looks so bad. It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public?
- What point is Wilde making about journalism in general and reviewers in particular when Algernon remarks, “You should leave that [literary criticism] to people who haven’t been at They do it so well in the daily papers”?
- What tools of satire -irony, juxtaposition, understatement, paradox -are apparent in this opening act?
CAST ACT 2:
Cecily:
Miss Prism:
Merriam:
Chausable:
Algernon:
Jack:
Gwendolyn:
October 2nd & 3rd 2024
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
―
Here are the questions I’d like to discuss (after your Library sojourn)
Act One
- Why does Jack Worthing call himself “Ernest” instead when he is in “town” (London)?
- Why has Algernon invented an invalid friend named “Bunbury”?
- Jack has an insurmountable impediment to marrying Gwendolen in his background: what, as Lady Bracknell sees it, is this problem? How does she propose that he resolve this problem? What is Wilde satirizing in this situation?
- How does Wilde use the subject of cucumber sandwiches to reveal the characters of Jack and Algy?
- How does Wilde satirize the vacuous mentalities and lifestyles of the British aristocracy in Lady Bracknell’s interview with Jack?
- How does Wilde use the cigarette case to facilitate the exposition of the dramatic action?
- The character of Algernon Moncrieff reflects the public persona of the dramatist himself: in what ways in Algy like Wilde? Refer to background
- Why is the classical allusion in which Wilde compares Lady Bracknell to the Gorgon particularly apt? You may look this answer up.
- The other classical allusion, to the Emperor Augustus, is more oblique: why did Wilde choose the name “Augusta” for Lady Bracknell? You may look this answer up BUT CITE YOUR SOURCE!
- What is the essence of such Wildean aphorisms as the following?” “[Women flirting with their own husbands] looks so bad. It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public?
- What point is Wilde making about journalism in general and reviewers in particular when Algernon remarks, “You should leave that [literary criticism] to people who haven’t been at They do it so well in the daily papers”?
- What tools of satire -irony, juxtaposition, understatement, paradox -are apparent in this opening act?
October 1st, 2024
Journal #15
Beauty is a form of Genius–is higher, indeed, than Genius, as it needs no explanation. It is one of the great facts of the world, like sunlight, or springtime, or the reflection in the dark waters of that silver shell we call the moon. It cannot be questioned. It has divine right of sovereignty.
-Oscar Wlde
Here’s the play:
What is a parody, satire or farce?
What is comedy?
3 parts to this unit:
- Discussion Questions: (Due tomorrow – Just act 1)
- Annotated bibliography
- Final Paper (Literary Analysis)
CAST (ACT 1):
Jack:
Algernon:
Lane:
Gwendolyn:
Lady Bracknell:
September 27th, 2024
Journal #14
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
―
And answer the questions for a discussion on Friday:
- How has the writer brought out poverty?
- How has the writer brought out exploitation?
- How has the writer brought out hypocrisy?
- What is the theme of the story “The Happy Prince”?
- Why does the Happy Prince weep?
- What did the Swallow tell the Happy Prince about the city and the people?
- What elements of aestheticism you have learned are in the story?
- Discuss the end of the story “The Happy Prince”.
Here’s the play:
What is a parody, satire or farce?
What is comedy?
3 parts to this unit:
- Discussion Questions: (Due tomorrow – Just act 1)
September 26th, 2024
Journal #13
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How does Wilde both honor and satirize the Aesthetic movement through his play The Importance of Being Earnest?
We will read this:
And answer the questions for a discussion on Friday:
- How has the writer brought out poverty?
- How has the writer brought out exploitation?
- How has the writer brought out hypocrisy?
- What is the theme of the story “The Happy Prince”?
- Why does the Happy Prince weep?
- What did the Swallow tell the Happy Prince about the city and the people?
- What elements of aestheticism you have learned are in the story?
- Discuss the end of the story “The Happy Prince”.
September 25th, 2024
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How does Wilde both honor and satirize the Aesthetic movement through his play The Importance of Being Earnest?
Here is the lecture on Aestheticism. Note time.
We will read this:
And answer the questions for a discussion on Thursday / Friday?:
- How has the writer brought out poverty?
- How has the writer brought out exploitation?
- How has the writer brought out hypocrisy?
- What is the theme of the story “The Happy Prince”?
- Why does the Happy Prince weep?
- What did the Swallow tell the Happy Prince about the city and the people?
- What did the Swallow report to the Happy Prince about human misery or suffering?
- Discuss the end of the story “The Happy Prince”.
September 24th, 2024
In class write today. Please get all of your work in to me by the end of your (respective) class. If you have any notes you’d like to attach to your draft, I would love to see them. I’ll bring a stapler.
September 23rd, 2024
Journal # 12
You don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being.
-Malcom X
Reading 15 minutes. BRING YOUR BOOK!
Here is the outline to the Malcom X final paper. You will be able to bring this in to the in class write on Tuesday. I’ll hand out printouts.
RhetoricalAnalysis_OutlineV2.5
September 19th, 2024
Journal #11
There’s no such thing as dead languages, only dormant minds. that as long as we are being remembered, we remain alive. One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn’t have to understand something to feel it.
-Carlos Ruiz Zafon
This is the actual oration of the Malcom X speech with subtitles that was done in 1964.
Here is a transcript (Printouts also):
Malcolm-X-The-Ballot-or-the-Bullet
September 18th, 2024
I have printouts of this rough draft I would like for you to complete:
This is the rubric I will be using for your work:
Use your time wisely today. This thing is due tomorrow – and I would like to start the Malcom X Paper tomorrow as well if the consensus of class fits this model.
September 17th, 2024
Journal #10
“No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.”
-Mary Shelley
Here’s a 37 minute speech on Obama’s “More Perfect Union!”
Obama’s “A More Perfect Union”
Watch the 37 Minute video. This will give you time to follow along with the transcript and use the skills you have learned so far for a full rhetorical analysis essay process.
We will finish the Obama speech and today you will work on finding the:
- Appeals
- Modes of Argument
- Rhetorical Devices
- Logical Fallacies
September 16th, 2024
Journal #9
“My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?”
― Cloud Atlas
MODEL NOTES:
I Have a Dream Annotated WEEKS
MLK I have a Dream Annotation SUN
Now, we’ll be ready to form an essay.
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
This will be the guide for your essay – we will go over this in detail.
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. You have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out. We will outline your ideas today using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
Model Example:
Martin Luther king, social activist and leader, in his speech ” I have a dream”, demonstrates the cause and effects of inequality in society regarding freedom of people of different races. Kings determines the cause and effects of inequality through metaphor, appealing to emotions and anadiplosis. King’s conspicuous purpose to achieve an equal society is indicated through the speech by using a powerful voice, along with literally devices, to emphasize the importance of equality between races. He validates his points of view in the argument, not only to people of color, but also to every person living in the society who is seeking justice and freedom.
September 13th, 2024
Journal #8
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).”
―
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr
The above is a better version of the speech!
MODEL NOTES:
I Have a Dream Annotated WEEKS
MLK I have a Dream Annotation SUN
Now, we’ll be ready to form an essay.
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
This will be the guide for your essay – we will go over this in detail.
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. You have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out. We will outline your ideas today and Monday using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
September 12th, 2024
Journal #7
“Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream. That’s the point at which most people give up. It’s the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one ‘dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.’”
-Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist)
Let’s read one of the greatest speeches in recent history:
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
Remember to see if an argument is valid/ sound:
- Ethos / Pathos / Logos in speech or article
- Mode of argument
- Rhetorical devices used (repetition / parallelism / anecdote etc.)
- Are there logical fallacies?
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
We will watch an excerpt and talk about it.
Then we’ll be ready to form an essay.
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
This will be the guide for your essay – we will go over this in detail.
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. You have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out. We will outline your ideas today and tomorrow using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
September 11th. 2024
Journal #6
“It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.”
― Siddhartha
Today, we will look at the independent novel study. We’ll go to the library and Mrs. Royle will go over some books with you. Then you’ll choose one and bring it back to class. Talk to me if you need any help with this.
Here is the overview information on the independent novel study grade 12 version (This will be due in a month so don’t worry too much now):
INDEPENDENT NOVEL STUDY GRADE 12
The journal templates:
And the final paper for it called “Reader Reflection”.
We’ll finish off the lecture today as well.
September 10th, 2024
Journal #5
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
― Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
The big PPT – (We will only doing a select number of slides from this – continue notes from the ELP PPT)
First, with rhetoric, there is more than just “Ethos Pathos & logos.” Authors use literary devices to persuade their audiences as well.
- Alliteration – the recurrence of initial consonant sounds – rubber baby buggy bumpers
- Allusion – a reference to an event, literary work or person – I can’t do that because I am not Superman.
- Amplification – repeats a word or expression for emphasis – Love, real love, takes time.
- Analogy – compares two different things that have some similar characteristics – He is flaky as a snowstorm.
- Anaphora – repeats a word or phrase in successive phrases – “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” (Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare)
- Antanagoge – places a criticism and compliment together to lessen the impact – The car is not pretty but it runs great.
- Antimetabole – repeats words or phrases in reverse order – “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (J F Kennedy)
- Antiphrasis – uses a word with an opposite meaning – The Chihuahua was named Goliath.
- Antithesis – makes a connection between two things – “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong)
- Appositive – places a noun or phrase next to another noun for descriptive purposes – Mary, queen of the land, hosted the ball.
- Enumeration – makes a point with details – Renovation included a spa, tennis court, pool and lounge.
- Epanalepsis – repeats something from the beginning of a sentence at the end – My ears heard what you said but I couldn’t believe my ears.
- Epithet – using an adjective or adjective phrase to describe – mesmerizing eyes
- Epizeuxis – repeats one word for emphasis – The amusement park was fun, fun, fun.
- Hyperbole – an exaggeration – I have done this a thousand times.
- Litotes – makes an understatement by denying the opposite of a word that may have been used – The terms of the contract are not disagreeable to me.
- Metanoia – corrects or qualifies a statement – You are the most beautiful woman in this town, nay the entire world.
- Metaphor – compares two things by stating one is the other – The eyes are the windows of the soul.
- Metonymy – a metaphor where something being compared is referred to by something closely associated with it – The knights are loyal to the crown.
- Onomatopoeia – words that imitate the sound they describe – plunk, whiz, pop
- Oxymoron – a two word paradox – near miss, seriously funny
- Parallelism – uses words or phrases with a similar structure – I went to the store, parked the car and bought a pizza.
- Simile – compares one object to another – He smokes like a chimney.
- Understatement – makes an idea less important that it really is – The hurricane disrupted traffic.
Let’s read one of the greatest speeches in recent history:
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
Remember to see if an argument is valid/ sound:
- Ethos / Pathos / Logos in speech or article
- Mode of argument
- Rhetorical devices used (repetition / parallelism / anecdote etc.)
- Are there logical fallacies?
I will print these out as well so you can write down literary devices, notes, etc.
We will watch an excerpt and talk about it.
Then we’ll be ready to form an essay.
How To Booklet Essay Outline Samples for each paragraph and tips (EDITABLE)
This will be the guide for your essay – we will go over this in detail.
Let’s go over what you have done with MLK first. You have about 10 – 15 minutes in class to get everything sorted out. We will outline your ideas today and tomorrow using the above ‘Precis’ structure.
September 9th, 2024
Journal #4
“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.”
―
So we finished annotated bibliographies. Now for the first real unit of the course: Rhetorical Analysis.
Here’s a PPT that I’d like for you to take notes on:
There’s a little assignment here that I’d like for you to do and a sheet we can look at:
Assignment:
- Sell a product using Ethos / Pathos / Logos
- It can be real or imaginary
- Present it at the end of the class
- you can be in groups (up to 3)
ethos-pathos-logos-definitions-and-worksheet
The big PPT – (We will only doing a select number of slides from this – continue notes from the ELP PPT)
First, with rhetoric, there is more than just “Ethos Pathos & logos.” Authors use literary devices to persuade their audiences as well.
September 6th, 2024
“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”
― Cloud Atlas
You were confused yesterday? I am happy about this. Let’s go through the Percy article again and you can use a template to put that summary to work:
Template:
(250-500 words)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
Here are a few good examples of annotated bibliographies from other students:
1.Percy, W., “Loss of the Creature”, Message in the Bottle, Picador, 2000. (Print)
The main idea of this article is the factor of expectations, one cannot truly experience something to its full extent with prior expectations. It gives examples such as family’s trip to the Grand Canyon, could a tourist’s experience really compare to the explorer’s who discovered it in the first place? When you see something, do you “see it for what it is” (p.47) or are you just looking at it. The author attempts to persuade the reader that perception “may be recovered by leaving the beaten track” (p.48); as well as using visual elements and stories to explain why one’s perception needs to be recovered in the first place. Does an individual only care for an experience if its validated, or if it levels up with “the “it” of their dreams” (p.53). Is it really possible to escape our consciousness, is that the only way we could truly live fulfilling experiences? This is a question I repeatedly asked, this article supports my ideas of how others are desperate for validation and approval. How most “unique” experiences were only lived to tell the tale, but while this article helped me call out others flaws, I did not expect for it to render so relatable to myself as well. One day, the day I finally get to see the attraction that I have been wanting to for so long, how could I properly “see” it? This article is fascinating, it will very often pop into my mind, but I have heavy doubt that it will affect the way I live my life. I will still take photos, tour popular places, brag about my so-called “unique” experiences. Although this article did contain enlightening lessons, it has far too many liberating rules for my way of living life.
2. Percy, W., “Loss of the Creature”, Message in the Bottle, Picador, 2000. (Print)
The idea of this article is that we should try to have authentic experiences. If we go to Paris for example, most people will hit all the popular tourist spots. The Eiffel tower, the louvre, etc. But you are not experiencing Paris, you are only experiencing what society wants you to experience. An authentic experience would be exploring the side streets, going to night clubs, stepping off the beaten path so to speak. But the author also says that we should not be conscious of the experience as it’s happening, since that would make it not authentic. At that point you’re conscious of you experiencing the experience rather than the experience itself. So, you should seek out authentic experiences, but you shouldn’t be conscious while within said authentic experiences. This seems contradictory at first, but on further thought I can pull away a simple message from this. You should go off the beaten path to do things that are different and unique and enjoy whatever comes your way. The author also brings up that a lot of people try to validate their experiences as authentic. If they find something unique, they want to know for sure that it’s unique. I think this isn’t the case for most people and if it is, it shouldn’t be. If that experience brought you happiness, who cares if it’s “the real thing”. Your happiness shouldn’t have to be justified by societal norms of what’s truly authentic. There is something to be said about looking for the authentic experience. If you’re in a different country, it’s probably a good idea to try and immerse yourself in their culture, but you shouldn’t obsess over it. Back to my example with Paris: if you’ve managed to go to the outskirts of town into a small bar where everyone’s a local speaking French, and you see something from your home country, that shouldn’t make you think that the experience is in any way less enjoyable. What I’m trying to say is, do everything in moderation; try to have authentic experiences, but don’t obsess over having the perfect experience.
So we finished annotated bibliographies. Now for the first real unit of the course: Rhetorical Analysis.
Here’s a PPT that I’d like for you to take notes on:
There’s a little assignment here that I’d like for you to do and a sheet we can look at:
Assignment:
- Sell a product using Ethos / Pathos / Logos
- It can be real or imaginary
- Present it at the end of the class
- you can be in groups (up to 3)
ethos-pathos-logos-definitions-and-worksheet
September 5th, 2024
Journal entry #2
“Is it possible, in the final analysis, for one human being to achieve perfect understanding of another?
We can invest enormous time and energy in serious efforts to know another person, but in the end, how close can we come to that person’s essence? We convince ourselves that we know the other person well, but do we really know anything important about anyone?”
―
Today, I would like to introduce you to annotated bibliographies. These are integral for research purposes. I am introducing them earlier on, just because everything we read together will be logged so that you have a bookmark to refer.
Let me introduce what an annotated bibliography is first.
Then we will read a piece by a smart thinker. We will discuss this piece, then you will complete an annotated bibliography on this fella. This will be your first assignment.
Here is the lecture:
The written piece that we will be discussing is in the following PDF:
You will be answering these questions (written as sentence stems):
Part 1 (Summary)
1.The main idea of this article is…….
2.The topics covered in this article are…….
3.The author’s point of view in this article is……
Part 3 (Reflection)
1.This article supports my ideas because…..
2.This article was helpful to me because….
3.This article added to my knowledge about this topic because….
September 4th, 2024
Journal Entry #1
“A truth once seen by a single mind ends up by imposing itself on the totality of human consciousness.”
― Anonymous, The Arabian Nights
Write about this for about 10 minutes. This is the guide for ‘journal writing’:
Welcome to class.
First, I would like you to write a paragraph in your journal (right under the quote journal) about what it is you would like out of class following these questions:
- What are my plans for post-secondary? To what end will these plans meet?
- What are my strengths in English Literature? Be specific.
- What are my weaknesses in English Literature? Be specific.
- What do you expect out of this class this semester? – This is an important question because each grade 12 class I’ve designed is tweaked for each dynamic.
10 Essential Questions (out of 100)
https://www.signupgenius.com/groups/getting-to-know-you-questions.cfm
- Brainstorm with class on questions
- Find someone you don’t know
- Ask 10 of the questions from the board – answer them – Vice versa
- Get ready to present your partner to the class
Let’s discuss these questions as a class.
Below is the syllabus for the class. Spend some time looking over it with a partner and pose any questions to me regarding the class. Each pair should come up with one or two questions.