Oedipus the King

Students are to read Oedipus the King over the break. We will continue reading Richard III when we return from vacation.

Passage Analysis

In class we read through Act I, scene 1 and a few pages of scene 2 of Richard III. The passage analysis that is due for HW can be found by following these instructions.

1. click on the Exam link under Course Links
2. click Sample Questions & Scoring while on the college board site
3. click 2002 Form B Free Response Questions
4. scroll to section II Question 1
5. it is the passage dealing with the "impression of Quoyle as a character.

The Wars of the Roses-Research

Use the links I have provided to research the conflict that is central to many of Shakespeare's histories. This should provide sufficient background knowledge and notes leading into Richard III. You should complete the following while you are researching:


How/why did the conflict begin?
How long did it last?
Why is it the war of the roses?
How was it resolved?
What are the famous battles? Including Richard III?
What are the myths about Richard III?
How many victories did each house have?
How many of Shakespeare's histories cover this period?
Take the quiz on site 6.

The Tempest essay

The students completed the following assignment in class today:

Choose a work of literature written before 1900. Write an essay in which you present arguments for and against the work’s relevance for a person in 2008. Your own position should emerge in the course of your essay. You may refer to works of literature written after 1900 for the purpose of contrast or comparison.

You MUST choose one of the following works:

The Tempest

The Tempest

Finish reading The Tempest for HW.

The Tempest

Read through Act IV of The Tempest by tomorrow.

For Monday

Students are to have read through Act II of The Tempest for Monday.

The students completed the following assignment in class today:



Unlike the novelist, the writer of a play does not use his own voice and only rarely uses the narrator’s voice to guide the audience’s responses to character and action. Select a play you have read and write an essay in which you explain the techniques the playwright uses to guide his audience’s responses to the central characters and the action.

You might consider the effect on the audience of things like setting, the use of comparable and contrasting characters, and the characters’ responses to each other. Support your argument with specific references to the play. Do not give a plot summary.

You MUST choose one of the following works:

The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew

Bring your copy of shrew tomorrow.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

We will finish Act V of the play on Monday. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Passage Analysis

The students spent the period writing a passage analysis essay.


Click the link below and scroll to the passage analysis section. (Q1)
It is a pdf file.

http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/english/ap04_frq_english_lit_b.pdf

A Midsummer Night's Dream-PASSAGE ANALYSIS TOMORROW

We will have an in class writing tomorrow dealing with a randomly selected passage.

Today-
pd 3 read up to Act III, scene 2

OBERON
Flower of this purple dye,Hit with Cupid's archery,Sink in apple of his eye.When his love he doth espy,Let her shine as gloriouslyAs the Venus of the sky.When thou wakest, if she be by,Beg of her for remedy.

pd 6 read up to Act III, scene 2

-LYSANDER
You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so;For you love Hermia; this you know I know:And here, with all good will, with all my heart,In Hermia's love I yield you up my part;And yours of Helena to me bequeath,Whom I do love and will do till my death.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Pd 3-Students are to read through Act II.
Pd 6-Students are to read Act III, scene 1 and stop when Bottom says:

The finch, the sparrow and the lark,The plain-song cuckoo gray,Whose note full many a man doth mark,And dares not answer nay; -- for, indeed, who would set his wit to so foolisha bird? who would give a bird the lie, though he cry'cuckoo' never so?

A Mid-Summer Night's Dream

Today we read through Act II, scene I. If you were absent, you must read this scene on your own. I have provided a link to the entire play in the etext section.

The Taming of the Shrew

The students received copies of The Taming of the Shrew today. It should be read by next Thursday. We are currently reading A Mid-Summer Night's Dream in class.

This is the free response from Tuesday.

An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant “closure” has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty.
In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.

You MUST choose a work from the list below.

A Tale of Two Cities

Figurative Language Bomb

Blogs

Nice job everyone. However, I must mention that I saw many similarities.

Light-Anthem
Faith pillow-The Handmaid's Tale
Rebirth-A Tale of Two Cities (thanks Sparknotes)
Food-The Importance of Being Earnest
Censorship-Fahrenheit 451
The spilt wine-A Tale of Two Cities (thanks Mr. Klimas)

If you want to be successful on the exam, you have to be able to be able to come up with original observations for analysis. There are so many things from each work we read.

For example,
The Handmaid's Tale

• soul scrolls
• jezebelle's
• serena joy
• the commander
• the eyes
• red
• milk and honey
• point of view
• diction-"loose woman" "choice"
• Pen is Envy
• scrabble
• Don't let the bastards grind you down
• feminism
• the ceremony
• the ending-the anthropology lecture
• the wings
• the marthas

and the list goes on...

Blogs Are Now Closed

In-class essay

Today the students wrote essays in response to the following prompt:

The significance of a title such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is easy to discover. However, in other works (for example, Measure for Measure) the full significance of the title becomes apparent to the reader only gradually.

Choose a work and show how the significance of the title is developed through the authors’ use of devices such as contrast, repetition, allusion, and point of view.

You MUST select one of the works listed below.

The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Klimas

The Importance of Being Earnest

In-class essay on Earnest tomorrow.

The Importance of Being Earnest

We are currently near the end of Act II. We will most likely finish the play tomorrow in class.

Passage Analysis

The students received a passage analysis assignment today. Period 6 completed the assignment in class, while period 3 was given until Monday to have it completed.

The Importance of Being Earnest/A Tale of Two Cities

We are currently reading The Importance of Being Earnest in class. Students are reading A Tale of Two Cities at home, at their own pace. It must be completed by the end of the marking period.

Cat's Cradle

Today the students completed the following assignment:

Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or a play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.

You MUST select a work from the list below.

Cat’s Cradle

HW for Tuesday

Students are to finish the novel and write 1 sentence explaining the meaning of the work as a whole.

HW for Friday

Students are to read to page 120 of Cat's Cradle by Friday. Bring in a brief analysis of a character of your choice. Consider specifics about the character, as well as what the character may represent outside of the novel.

Cat's Cradle

Students are to read to page 60 by Wednesday and have an example of a literary device and its impact on the work.

Cat's Cradle

In class today we analyzed the passage from "The Other Paris" that was assigned as an essay. We looked at examples of good/bad essays and the students reflected on their own responses.

The students also received a copy of our next work, Cat's Cradle. We are to read through chapter 14 by tomorrow and bring in a brief write-up on something the author is satirizing.

In-class essay

Today the students completed this in-class essay.

Critic Roland Barthes has said, “Literature is the question minus the answer.” Choose a novel or play and, considering Barthes’ observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers any answers. Explain how the author’s treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.

You MUST select one of the following works:

The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

Students are to finish reading the novel by Wednesday October 1.

The Handmaid's Tale-reading

Students should read up to page 147 by Wednesday 9/24

The Handmaid's Tale

Students are to read to page 99 by Monday 9/15.

To Parents-
The novel that your children received today is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. It is an amazing work of literature that is also quite controversial. Although I recommend parents to read everything their students read, I know that it is not always easy. I am a parent, so I know how responsiblilities can pile up and time can evaporate. This novel, however, is one that parents should read. The themes of religion and politics, sexuality, gender roles, and individuality are important discussions to have in class and at home.

Anthem

Students are to read Anthem by Thursday 9/11/08. I would also like you to select one passage from the novel that you feel is important to the meaning of the work as a whole. You don't have to retype the passage, but I need the page number and a written explanation as to why you chose it.

Weekend HW

Summer Work-40pts

What grade do you deserve? Give yourself a score out of 20 and explain why you feel you’ve earned it. Your grade will be added to the grade I give you. Be honest!

Welcome

Welcome AP Literature students 08-09!

Have a great summer.

Make sure you all read some great books and see some great movies this summer. (hint)

Macbeth projects

Students are to complete ONE of the following projects by Wednesday 5/28.

Macbeth projects-30pts


Poster-Make a movie poster for Macbeth. It must include images depicting character(s)/theme(s).

Soundtrack-Create a soundtrack for Macbeth. Use the music of today to tell the story. You must find at least 10 songs for the CD. Each song requires an explanation as to how it relates to the story and/or themes. You must also design the CD case.

Acting-Choose a scene to recreate from the play. You are to rewrite it to fit any style you like. It must depict the characters and themes accurately. It can be filmed ahead of time. I will collect the script.

Soliloquy-You are to choose a soliloquy to present. You must accurately portray the emotions of the character. You must also rewrite it in your own words and present it a second time.

If you have an idea for a project, present it to me.

MACBETH

Finish reading Macbeth by Tuesday. Do it!

New Project

The AP Literature Wiki project. 100pts

This project will be your legacy. Every AP Literature class from now until the end of time will be responsible for completing this project and adding to it.

For this assignment you will use all of the skills that we have practiced this year. You are responsible for providing a scholarly literary criticism for each of the works you have chosen to read. This is NOT a research assignment. This is NOT a review. The goal is that other students will be using your work as a source for their research assignments. This project will be published and will be a permanent fixture on both my blog and the Library/Resource Center webpage.

You will be responsible for the following:

read 2 works by the author of your choice
write a scholarly criticism of each work
post it on the High Point Regional High School Guide to Contemporary Literary Criticism Wiki.

Your criticisms must include:

title stating concept and novel title
an abstract describing the thesis
scholarly criticism/analysis of the work
passages
a point/argument
the skills we focused on during class
your knowledge of the author/context/literature/the world


At the end of each criticism, you are to include your initials and the year you wrote it. Ex. (A.B. 2008) Again, this is permanent. You can view your criticisms when you are old and gray like me. Your kids will be able to view them.

http://apliteraturehp.wikispaces.com/

Just in case you didn't write down the prompt for the Joyce passage.

In the following passage from the short story, “The Dead,” James Joyce presents an insight into the character of Gabriel. Write a well-organized essay in which you discuss various aspects of Gabriel’s character that Joyce reveals to the reader and to Gabriel himself. Refer to such techniques and devices as imagery, point of view, motif, diction, and syntax.

Use this to study for the exam.

Weekend HW

Choose ONE of the following:
30pts-Due Tuesday 5/6

You can all thank Mrs. Hatler for laying a massive guilt-trip on me.

1. Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main characters may likewise be guilty of treachery or may betray their own values. In a well-written essay, analyze the nature of betrayal and show how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

2. One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work.


You MUST choose a work from list below.

Richard III

Be prepared to discuss the passage from Joyce's short story "The Dead" in class tomorrow.

Spring Break

Have a great spring break. Enjoy reading the rest of Richard III.

Richard III

Please complete the worksheet examining the metaphors in Richard's opening speech.

http://www.teachit.co.uk/attachments/4299.pdf

The Taming of the Shrew

Yesterday we began the following project:

The Taming of the Shrew-30pts

Now that you are familiar with at least one of Shakespeare’s comedies, you must show your expertise in the examination of another. Each group will be responsible for presenting/teaching the class a portion of the play. The presentations will begin on Thursday 4/10. This gives you 2 days to prepare. You must include the following in your presentation:

Analysis of theme
Analysis of how Shakespeare creates the comedy
Presentation of crucial dialogue
Performance of key scene-
choose a scene that critical to the understanding of the play/themes
explain the significance
perform it in the style of your choosing-this means you can rewrite it


The portions will be:
Introduction 1-2, Act I 1-2
Act II 1, Act III 1-2
Act IV 1-5
Act V 1-2

Your preparation time should include reading the play and research.

Finish reading A Midsummer Night's Dream for Monday.

Finish reading Act 3, scene 2 of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Read Act 2, scene 2 of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Today we covered the first scene of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

HW

For Wednesday 3/26 you are to complete the following assignments:

Reading-
Finish reading A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Writing-
30pts

Oftentimes a belief, value, or possession can become a source of fierce contention, causing dissension that threatens the bond between family members, colleagues, friends, or members of a social class. In some cases the final outcome can be positive. Choose a work of literature in which a belief, value, or possession causes such a rift. Then, in a well-organized essay, show to what extent the dissension damages/improves the relationships of the individuals/groups embroiled in the conflict.

You MUST choose one of the works listed below.

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Klimasthocles vs AP lit
Finding Nemo Rules!
There Will Be Over-acting
When in doubt, it’s about slavery

HW-A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Complete the following for tomorrow:

Passage analysis
Pgs 235-243

Stephen wakes up inspired and wants to write a villanelle. How does Joyce create this scene of inspiration? Use examples of diction, syntax, and other literary devices to explain.

How do you know Stephen is having conflicting feelings about the object of his inspiration? Use the passage.

Poetry HW

Read chapter 12 of Sound and Sense. Complete the questions for #147 & #149. I will collect them.

Please read to page 235 of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by Friday. (Fry-dee)

Poetry HW

Read Sound and Sense chapter 11 for tomorrow.

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Be prepared to discuss part 4 tomorrow.

Poetry HW

The students are responsible for chapter 10 of Sound and Sense including all of the poems in the chapter.

Weekend HW-Poetry

Students are to complete the following assingment by Monday:

The following two poems present opposing views on euthanasia. Read the poems carefully. Then write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing how each poet uses literary devices to make his point.

“To the Mercy Killers” #110
“How Annandale Went Out” #111

poetry HW

The assignments for chapters 9 & 10 are due tomorrow.

Poetry Analysis

Students are to complete the following assignment by Wednesday 2/27:

Read the poem "Miniver Cheevy," by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935) carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, discuss how the poet's use of language and allusion help reveal both the character of Miniver Cheevy and the speaker's attitude toward him. #95

Assignments for next week

Monday-Ch 8 of Sound and Sense
poems 92, 93, & 99.

Tuesday-Part 2 of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

How does Stephen’s reading material relate to his avid interest in Irish politics as well as his romantic fantasies?

How does the Stephen you see in this chapter contrast with the Stephen seen most of the time in chapter 1?

Where has Joyce mentioned cows in the novel so far? What connection do cows have with the Daedalus myth?

What “changes in what he had deemed unchangeable” are happening in Stephen’s home life?

Why does Stephen write a poem about the girl he saw at the party and rode with on the tram?

What devastates Stephen the night of the play?

How does Stephen’s vision of the life of the students at Queen’s College contrast with the vision his father portrays in his reminiscences?

Stephen’s father says he enjoyed himself when he was young, and he encourages Stephen to have a good time but to associate with decent fellows. Does Mr. Dedalus understand his son very well? How do you know?

As Mr. Dedalus rambles on about his past, what does Stephen realize he has lost from his own?

How does Stephen finally give in to his lecherous thoughts and feelings?

Wednesday-Ch 9 of Sound and Sense
poems 106, 107, & 110.

Thursday-Ch 10 of Sound and Sense
poems 121, 126, & 129.

Friday-Part 3 of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

How does Stephen seem to feel about his secret activities?

What is “the falsehood of his position”? How is Stephen’s mind drawing him away from the church?

What are the “last things” on which Father Arnall bases his speeches to the boys? What is the purpose of the retreat?

How do Father Arnall’s descriptions of the tortures of hell affect Stephen?

Stephen desperately wants to confess—so why doesn’t he go to confession with the other boys?

What is meant by “We knew perfectly well of course that although it was bound to come to the light he would find considerable difficulty…perfectly well…”?

What vision finally drives Stephen out into Dublin in search of a church?

As he walks, how does he feel about the people he sees?

What does he feel after confession?

Poetry/Joyce HW

For tomorrow-
Students are to read chapter 7 of Sound and Sense and complete the tasks for poems 80, 85, & 86.

For Friday-
Students are to finish part 1 of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and respond to the following:

Pgs 39-61

Is Stephen horrified at the boys’ behaviour mostly on moral grounds or mostly because of the consequences they will suffer?

Why does Stephen suddenly begin thinking about Eileen? What do his recollections tell you about relations between Protestants and Catholics at this time in Ireland?

As the boys laugh about the pandybat, what are Stephen’s feelings?

Why has Stephen been exempted from his studies for the day? Why does Father Dolan call him a “schemer”? What does he do to Stephen?

What thoughts run through Stephen’s mind as he tries to decide whether or not to go and see the rector?

How does the rector compare to Father Dolan? How is this experience a turning point for Stephen?

Weekend HW

Students are to read to page 39 in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and respond to the following:

What scenarios do you picture happening in Stephen’s early childhood when you read the first few pages? What can you tell about his family?

How is the image of the eagle carried into the description of the boys playing football?

How can you tell Stephen is interested in words?

Is Stephen happy at school? How do you know?

What does the badge fluttering on Stephen’s breast tell you?

What feelings does Stephen dislike? What gives him comfort at school?

How does Stephen seem to feel about his church?

What is represented by the description of the homeward-bound train?

Why does Simon Dedalus approve of the comment made by his friend to the priest? How does Dante Riorden feel about the remark?

ANY STUDENT WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE BOOK IS TO READ USING ONE OF THE LINKS TO E-TEXT VERSIONS I HAVE PROVIDED. (LOCATED BELOW THE JOYCE PICTURE)

Students must also read ch 6 in Sound and Sense and answer the questions for poems 66, 71, 72, & 73.

Research

We are currently researching the following items in preparation for A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man:



Charles Parnell

James Joyce

Ireland during Joyce's lifetime

The Catholic Church in Ireland

The Jesuits

Stream of Consciousness

Aesthetics

Bildungsroman

Dedalus myth

St. Stephen

St. Thomas Aquinas


We will begin reading the novel over the weekend along with a written assignment. Students should have a good understanding of each of these topics before they begin reading. We will continue analyzing poetry while reading Joyce.

Forgetfulness - Billy Collins Animated Poetry

Weekend HW-Poetry

Pd 6
Read chapters 4 & 5 of Sound and Sense.
Read and answer the questions to poems 38, 52, 56, & 59.

Pd 7
Read chapters 3-5 of Sound and Sense.
Read and answer the questions to poems 27, 38, 52, & 59.


DO IT!
Don't forget!

Poetry HW

Students-
You are to read the sample essays attached to the in-class assignment you completed Wednesday and compare them to your own essay. You must assign a grade for your own work and write up a rationale. The rationale should explain why you gave yourself the score. You should comment on the essays that are both more and less effective than your own.

Poetry Analysis

Students completed the following assignment in class today:

In the following two poems, adults provide explanations for children. Read the poems carefully. Then write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing how each poet uses literary devices to make his point.

"A Barred Owl"
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=1672
"The History Teacher"
http://www.billy-collins.com/2005/06/the_history_tea.html

Poetry HW

Pd 6-No HW

Pd 7-Read "Mirror" and respond to questions 1-3 in Sound and Sense.

When in Rome

Students are to read "When in Rome" and respond to the 3 questions on page 32.

Poetry

Students are to read Sound and Sense pages 20-29. Students are to read poems 16 & 17 and answer the questions. (Break of Day, There's been a death in the opposite house)

Heart of Darkness

I know many of you (students) are frustrated with Heart of Darkness. Many even question the point of it. As human beings we are always struggling with the conflict between right and wrong. It is a major part of our existence. You can call it evil/sin/morals-whatever you like. The bottom line is that we have all experienced it on some level.

I posted this clip from The Empire Strikes Back to show how prominent a theme it is in storytelling. Check it out. Are there any similarities to the novel?

If you have ever seen the film The Hunted, it presents a very similar story as well.

Just remember! Exaggeration is also a part of good story telling.

Luke vs Vader Dagobah (www.jedicruces.cl)

Blogs Are Now Closed

No more blogs will be accepted for credit from the 2nd marking period.

Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong

Students are to read the short story "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong"

Heart of Darkness HW

Students are to read part 3 of Heart of Darkness and respond to the following:

Analyze the syntax and diction of the first paragraph of part 3.

What theme is represented by the heads on stakes?

Provide an analysis of the following:
-“True, he had made that last stride, he had stepped over the edge, while I had been permitted to draw back my hesitating foot.”

Explain the significance of Kurtz’s last words

Heart of Darkness HW

Students are to read part 2 and complete the following:

Comment on the scene with the evil spirit in the boiler and the treatment of African culture.

Analyze the following:
-“You don’t talk with that man—you listen to him”
Consider syntax and context.

List all of the characters Marlow has come in contact with through part 2. How many have names? What is the significance of this?

Heart of Darkness HW

Today the students researched the following topics/people:

Colonialism, Leopold II, Congo, Ivory, Chinua Achebe.

We will be discussing the relationship between these items as well as how they relate to the novel tomorrow.

Students must also read part 1 of Heart of Darkness and respond to the following:

As you read respond to the following:

Examine the treatment of colonialism. Provide specific examples and pages.

Comment on the relationship between the following:
The man carrying a bucket with a hole in it.
The dead body in the road. (permanent improvement)
The need for rivets.

Comment on the significance of the following:
-“In the interior you will no doubt meet Mr. Kurtz”
-“The chief of the Inner Station”

In-class writing

Today the students completed an in-class writing. Any student that was absent needs to complete the assignment immediately. Here is the topic-

Invisible Man
30pts

Select 1 scene from the novel for analysis. Explain how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Consider the author’s use of syntax, diction, symbols, figurative language, allusion, etc.

Tomorrow we will begin staring blankly into the Heart of Darkness.