Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Oh, Manfred, you sad, sad fella
Well, this is it- your final blog post of this class! Make it a good one! Tell us not only what you thought of Byron's short play, but Romantic aspects and parallels to other texts, characters, motifs, etc. that your sagacious mind observed.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wuthering Heights- Final Post!
You're done- the agony, love, wrath, windswept moors, grave digging- whew!
Some ideas to think about, but the response is up to you: What do you think of the end? What struck you as most interesting? Any connections to other texts we've studied?
Some ideas to think about, but the response is up to you: What do you think of the end? What struck you as most interesting? Any connections to other texts we've studied?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Catcher post #1: According to you, who is Holden?
Holden is a complex character.
List four adjectives describing him. ("Holden is ___, ___, ___, and ___.)
Then write one sentence about Holden using at least 2 of our vocab words.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
List four adjectives describing him. ("Holden is ___, ___, ___, and ___.)
Then write one sentence about Holden using at least 2 of our vocab words.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Catcher post #2: Nuns!
On pages 108-113 Holden spends a good amount of time talking with some nuns. Give an interesting quote from this section and explain what it reveals about Holden.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Catcher post #3: Irritations...
Holden sure is easily irritated! What is something from ch. 14-18 that annoys Holden? Give a quote and page number.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Catcher post #4: Joy of Children
Kids are one of the only things that make Holden happy. Give an example of when this happens.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Catcher post #5: Museum thoughts...
On pages 119-122 Holden thinks about the Museum.
Record a passage that reveals an aspect of Holden's character and explain what it shows about him.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Record a passage that reveals an aspect of Holden's character and explain what it shows about him.
(Be sure to sign your post with your first name and last initial.)
Catcher Post #6: Holden's Rant
At the end of his date with Sally (130-134), Holden starts talking about how he's gotten "fed up" and goes on about what he hates about life, what he's afraid of, and what he impulsively wants to do.
Choose a passage from this section and analyze what it reveals about Holden.
(Be sure to sign your entry with your first name and last initial.)
Choose a passage from this section and analyze what it reveals about Holden.
(Be sure to sign your entry with your first name and last initial.)
W.H. post #1: What do you think?
What do you think about this section of Wuthering Heights (ch. 11-24)? What's interesting? Confusing? Annoying?
W.H. post #2: Catherine- past, present, future
On pages 121-122 we see the inner-workings and distortions of Catherine's mind in a new way. What do you find interesting?
W.H. post #3: sick
So many of the characters suffer from illness during chapters 11-24. Why do you believe Bronte includes so much illness? How does illness "function" in novel's plot and character development? What does illness indicate about characters?
W.H. post #4: Symbols
This section of the novel (look at chapter 16 as a starting point) is filled with symbolism. What are some significant symbols and how do they enhance the novel?
W.H. post #5: Pointed spear at both ends?
On page 169 Isabella says to Hindley, "treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends-- they wound those who resort to them , worse than their enemies". Is this true in the context of the novel? How or how not?
W.H. post #6: The Next Generation
At the end of this section the next generation of Lintons, Earnshaws, and Heathcliffs are in their teens and early twenties. What do you find interesting about these characters, how they are similar to and different from the previous generation, and how they interact?
W.H. post #7: Quote
Select a quote (with page #) from chapters 11-24 that you find particularly important and interesting. Record the quote and discuss why you chose it.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Romantic Composer Sign Up
Call dibs on your choice of composer from the Romanticism section of the timeline of composers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music). No doubling up!
This is the composer you will research (3 sources minimum) creating a handout and bibliography. You'll share your handout with the class going over the main points and play a selection or two of music you choose (by your composer, of course!). If you don't want to purchase a CD or download a song or two from itunes, check with your local library or even the school library to see if they can help you out. Also, many websites will have free clips or downloads, and you may be able to find performances of pieces on youtube.
Also, although I often scorn wikipedia for serious research, you should read through this section on Classical Music. It gives a great overview.
This is the composer you will research (3 sources minimum) creating a handout and bibliography. You'll share your handout with the class going over the main points and play a selection or two of music you choose (by your composer, of course!). If you don't want to purchase a CD or download a song or two from itunes, check with your local library or even the school library to see if they can help you out. Also, many websites will have free clips or downloads, and you may be able to find performances of pieces on youtube.
Also, although I often scorn wikipedia for serious research, you should read through this section on Classical Music. It gives a great overview.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Frankenstein Chapters 1-9 : A Modern Prometheus...
How is Victor Frankenstein a modern Prometheus?
Maybe think about:
What causes Victor Frankenstein to embark on his isolated, unnatural pursuit?
What does it mean to be a creator and what are the responsibilities that are inherent in creating?
How does Victor Frankenstein ultimately differ from Prometheus?
What is the significance of each man’s punishment?
Please use specific details from the text and build off of each other's responses!
Maybe think about:
What causes Victor Frankenstein to embark on his isolated, unnatural pursuit?
What does it mean to be a creator and what are the responsibilities that are inherent in creating?
How does Victor Frankenstein ultimately differ from Prometheus?
What is the significance of each man’s punishment?
Please use specific details from the text and build off of each other's responses!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Faust- the final blog!
So, you've finished Faust (Part One)- write about what you'd like! What was interesting? What's the point? Connections with other texts?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Faust Blog pages 100-151
For this section I would like you to go deep into your analysis and personal response. Think about how conflicts and characterization are developed, motifs that are repeated, connections with other texts, and Romantic Elements.
There are many small sections within these pages. These include:
Auerbach's Cellar in Leipzig
Witch's Kitchen
A Street
Evening
A Walk
Neighbor's House
A Street
In Martha's Garden
A Summer House
Forest and Cavern
Margareta's Room
When you log on to do your blog response, I'd like you to take the NEXT section. For example, if the previous post is about "A Walk" do yours on "Neighbor's House." Please write the name of the section at the top of your response. Then, in the response, dig into your section. What's important? What's interesting? Include a few quotes...
Finally, in a separate comment, I'd also like you to respond to, build off of, argue against (whatever) one (or more) of your peers' original responses.
Please remember to sign your name after each comment! You should have a total of two postings!
There are many small sections within these pages. These include:
Auerbach's Cellar in Leipzig
Witch's Kitchen
A Street
Evening
A Walk
Neighbor's House
A Street
In Martha's Garden
A Summer House
Forest and Cavern
Margareta's Room
When you log on to do your blog response, I'd like you to take the NEXT section. For example, if the previous post is about "A Walk" do yours on "Neighbor's House." Please write the name of the section at the top of your response. Then, in the response, dig into your section. What's important? What's interesting? Include a few quotes...
Finally, in a separate comment, I'd also like you to respond to, build off of, argue against (whatever) one (or more) of your peers' original responses.
Please remember to sign your name after each comment! You should have a total of two postings!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Faust Section One Instructions
As you read the first section of Faust (pages 39-99), you should take notes on the important events, character development, and any quotations that stand out to you as interesting or particularly Romantic in nature. Also, consider connections with the other texts we've read.
You will then need to sign up for on of the blog postings below. Do an initial comment claiming the section of text you'd like. Then, for your 5 page section of text, write a detailed summary of what happens including important passages along the way. Look up words you don't understand! Also, be sure to cite passages with pg. #. Please see my summary of the first ten pages for an example of what I'm looking for, but also note that my section is twice as long as yours.
You will then need to sign up for on of the blog postings below. Do an initial comment claiming the section of text you'd like. Then, for your 5 page section of text, write a detailed summary of what happens including important passages along the way. Look up words you don't understand! Also, be sure to cite passages with pg. #. Please see my summary of the first ten pages for an example of what I'm looking for, but also note that my section is twice as long as yours.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Faust p. 39- 48 (Ms. Coppens's sample)
Summary (with significant quotations mixed in):
Prologue in Heaven (39-42):
The prologue takes place in heaven and begins with the three Archangles- Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael- speaking about the awesome forces, power, and beauty of nature to the Lord. Mephistopheles (the devil) enters and addresses the Lord with decorum and servitude, although it seems he may be doing so just to get what he wants. He then begins to talk about the "little god of earth" (40), or humans and perhaps Faust specifically, who don't have the gifts of the Lord but do have what they call "Reason" which they see as what separates them from animals and makes them superior. Mephisto sees humans as crickets who jump around and make a lot of noise, but eventually get stuck in the mud. The Lord sees that Mephisto is always displeased with humans, and Mephisto replies that he's just bored with them. The Lord then brings up Dr. Faust who has been refraining from earthly pleasures or "victuals" (41) because he is driven to "a more lofty plane" (41). The Lord says that Faust will soon lose his despair, but then Mephisto decides to make a wager or Faust's soul. The Lord agrees that Mephisto may attempt to win his soul, "so long as earth remains his mortal dwelling" (41). Mephisto is incredibly excited to have a living person to deal with- he's bored with the dead. The Lord believes that even in his hour of darkness Faust will "not forget the way of righteousness" (42). Mephisto would like celebration and fanfare if he wins, and the Lord agrees but also reminds him that he never had his "hate or scorn" (42). After the Lord departs, Mephisto acknowledges that it was decent of him to speak to the devil in such a gentlemanly way.
Night-Faust's Study (43-48):
Faust is alone in his gothic chamber surrounded by books, papers, and scientific instruments. The scene begins with his recounting how many subjects he has studied, but Faust still believes he has yet to find true wisdom. People consider him a genius, but all that Faust has truly learned is that "ignorance is our fate, / And this is what I hate" (43). He feels empty and poor, so he has turned to necromancy (the black arts or sorcery) to discover Nature's secret. He prays to the moon and wishes that his soul were free to stray tranquilly "On many a moonlit mountain way, / By cavernous haunts with ghostly shadows, / Or thread the silver of the meadows, / Released from learning's smoky stew, / To lave me in the moonlit dew" (44). However, Faust sees that his soul is stuck in the prison of his study where even heaven's moonlight is sad. Faust then describes his universe of books, papers,and jars that cage him in. Faust realizes that in his studies he has turned away from nature and has embraced dust and death. He then turns to a "secret book / from Nostradamus' very hand" (45) to help him speak to the spirits of Nature. Faust opens the book and studies the Sign of the Macrocosm (universe) and ponders the symbols and their power. He feels that the book brings him some power and joy as he glimpses the interwoven power of the celestial spheres of the universe. Despite a brief uplifting moment, Faust still feels mocked and unable to grasp the mysteries of the universe and Nature.
Faust then turns to a page with the Spirit of Earth and feels a connection as he ponders the sign and casts a spell to invoke the spirit. As he speaks he shudders and feels a "tumult of feeling" (47) and realizes he may lose his life in this quest. Then a dramatic, reddish flame shoots up and the Spirit of Earth appears. Faust is immediately afraid and the spirit is angered by the fact that Faust invoked him but now can't handle his presence. He taunts Faust, calling him a "superman" (47) and then a "frightened worm" (48). But then Faust egotistically responds, "My name is Faust, in everything your equal" (48). The spirit responds with a beautiful verse describing his own beauty and powers: "I ply on my wave / With weaving motion / Birth and the grave, / A boundless ocean, / Ceaselessly giving /...Glowing and blending / So work I on the whirring loom of time" (48). Despite how clearly the Spirit of Earth has described his powers, Faust continues to compare himself and his quest to this spirit, further demonstrating his hubris. The spirit vanishes saying they are no match. There is then a knock at the door which Faust blames for spoiling his vision. It is Wagner, Faust's servant, dressed in his pajamas who heard Faust shouting.
Prologue in Heaven (39-42):
The prologue takes place in heaven and begins with the three Archangles- Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael- speaking about the awesome forces, power, and beauty of nature to the Lord. Mephistopheles (the devil) enters and addresses the Lord with decorum and servitude, although it seems he may be doing so just to get what he wants. He then begins to talk about the "little god of earth" (40), or humans and perhaps Faust specifically, who don't have the gifts of the Lord but do have what they call "Reason" which they see as what separates them from animals and makes them superior. Mephisto sees humans as crickets who jump around and make a lot of noise, but eventually get stuck in the mud. The Lord sees that Mephisto is always displeased with humans, and Mephisto replies that he's just bored with them. The Lord then brings up Dr. Faust who has been refraining from earthly pleasures or "victuals" (41) because he is driven to "a more lofty plane" (41). The Lord says that Faust will soon lose his despair, but then Mephisto decides to make a wager or Faust's soul. The Lord agrees that Mephisto may attempt to win his soul, "so long as earth remains his mortal dwelling" (41). Mephisto is incredibly excited to have a living person to deal with- he's bored with the dead. The Lord believes that even in his hour of darkness Faust will "not forget the way of righteousness" (42). Mephisto would like celebration and fanfare if he wins, and the Lord agrees but also reminds him that he never had his "hate or scorn" (42). After the Lord departs, Mephisto acknowledges that it was decent of him to speak to the devil in such a gentlemanly way.
Night-Faust's Study (43-48):
Faust is alone in his gothic chamber surrounded by books, papers, and scientific instruments. The scene begins with his recounting how many subjects he has studied, but Faust still believes he has yet to find true wisdom. People consider him a genius, but all that Faust has truly learned is that "ignorance is our fate, / And this is what I hate" (43). He feels empty and poor, so he has turned to necromancy (the black arts or sorcery) to discover Nature's secret. He prays to the moon and wishes that his soul were free to stray tranquilly "On many a moonlit mountain way, / By cavernous haunts with ghostly shadows, / Or thread the silver of the meadows, / Released from learning's smoky stew, / To lave me in the moonlit dew" (44). However, Faust sees that his soul is stuck in the prison of his study where even heaven's moonlight is sad. Faust then describes his universe of books, papers,and jars that cage him in. Faust realizes that in his studies he has turned away from nature and has embraced dust and death. He then turns to a "secret book / from Nostradamus' very hand" (45) to help him speak to the spirits of Nature. Faust opens the book and studies the Sign of the Macrocosm (universe) and ponders the symbols and their power. He feels that the book brings him some power and joy as he glimpses the interwoven power of the celestial spheres of the universe. Despite a brief uplifting moment, Faust still feels mocked and unable to grasp the mysteries of the universe and Nature.
Faust then turns to a page with the Spirit of Earth and feels a connection as he ponders the sign and casts a spell to invoke the spirit. As he speaks he shudders and feels a "tumult of feeling" (47) and realizes he may lose his life in this quest. Then a dramatic, reddish flame shoots up and the Spirit of Earth appears. Faust is immediately afraid and the spirit is angered by the fact that Faust invoked him but now can't handle his presence. He taunts Faust, calling him a "superman" (47) and then a "frightened worm" (48). But then Faust egotistically responds, "My name is Faust, in everything your equal" (48). The spirit responds with a beautiful verse describing his own beauty and powers: "I ply on my wave / With weaving motion / Birth and the grave, / A boundless ocean, / Ceaselessly giving /...Glowing and blending / So work I on the whirring loom of time" (48). Despite how clearly the Spirit of Earth has described his powers, Faust continues to compare himself and his quest to this spirit, further demonstrating his hubris. The spirit vanishes saying they are no match. There is then a knock at the door which Faust blames for spoiling his vision. It is Wagner, Faust's servant, dressed in his pajamas who heard Faust shouting.
Faust p. 49-53
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Faust p. 54-58
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Faust p. 59-63
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Faust p. 64-68
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Faust p. 69-73
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Faust p. 74-78
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Faust p. 79-83
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Faust p. 84-88
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Faust p. 89-93
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Faust p.94-99
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Thursday, February 7, 2008
Birthmark prompts instructions
When you respond to the prompts I'd like you to dig deep into the text and come up with the best insights that you can. Try to be specific and provide details from the story as support. You should read the posts from your peers and you may choose to respond to them (either agreeing or disagreeing) and build off of their ideas. Don't stress about spelling and grammar- it's the ideas and reactions that are the most important.
Be sure to sign your name at the end of each of your postings so I can give you credit for your ideas!!
Be sure to sign your name at the end of each of your postings so I can give you credit for your ideas!!
Birthmark prompt 1
What did you like the most or find the most interesting about the story?
What did you dislike the most or find the most confusing?
What did you dislike the most or find the most confusing?
Birthmark prompt 2
What elements of Romanticism does the story contain? Give a quote to support your assertion.
Birthmark prompt 4
What does Aminadab represent in the story? How does he act as a foil for Aylmer? What do you think of him?
Birthmark prompt 5
What is the birthmark symbolic of? How does it effectively act as a symbol? Why does it "act" the way it does?
Birthmark prompt 7
What is Aylmer's "fatal flaw"? Explain.
What is Georgiana's "fatal flaw"? Explain.
What is Georgiana's "fatal flaw"? Explain.
Birthmark prompt 8
What is the nature of a "good" marriage or relationship? What aspects of Aylmer's and Georgiana's relationship are good?
Birthmark prompt 9
Is idealism or striving for perfection a kind of madness? How does this connect with the desire to dominate or control nature? How does Aylmer represent these desires, and what do you think Poe is saying through this character?
Birthmark Prompt 10
What is the relationship between self-image and happiness in this story and real life?
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 1
How and where is pride a factor in the novel? Explain with details.
Be sure to sign your name!
Be sure to sign your name!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 2
“For a young woman of this period, marriage was the surest route to independence and freedom.” Agree? Disagree? Explain…
Be sure to sign your name!
Be sure to sign your name!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 3
In many ways this is a satirical novel. What is something Austin satirizes?
Be sure to sign your name!
Be sure to sign your name!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 4
What character do you find the most tiresome? Why?
Be sure to sign you rname!
Be sure to sign you rname!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 5
How and where is prejudice a factor in the novel?
Be sure to include your name!
Be sure to include your name!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 6
What character do you find the most interesting? Why?
Be sure to sign your rname!
Be sure to sign your rname!
Pride and Prejudice Prompt 7
Record a passage from the text you found essential or interesting. Explain why.
Be sure to sign your name!
Be sure to sign your name!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Read Me before posting for Bodega Dreams!
Just a warning...
Because people read at different paces, some of the postings are spoilers and may tell you more than you want to know about the ending of the novel. If you don't want to find out some of the major events that happen, don't read your classmates' postings before posting your own responses to the prompts.
If you've finished the book, or don't care about knowing some of the things that happen, read on- your peers have shown some great insights so far!
Remember, you need to respond to each prompt twice: once when you're about half-way through the novel and another after you finish (that's six postings total!).
I will be giving you credit for your postings and evaluating your insights.
I hope you're enjoying the book!
Because people read at different paces, some of the postings are spoilers and may tell you more than you want to know about the ending of the novel. If you don't want to find out some of the major events that happen, don't read your classmates' postings before posting your own responses to the prompts.
If you've finished the book, or don't care about knowing some of the things that happen, read on- your peers have shown some great insights so far!
Remember, you need to respond to each prompt twice: once when you're about half-way through the novel and another after you finish (that's six postings total!).
I will be giving you credit for your postings and evaluating your insights.
I hope you're enjoying the book!
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