Hello--
Again--just a reminder...please re-work your group posts, add to them if need, arrange them properly, and then print one copy for class tomorrow.
Also--please print your individual responses that should have been finalized by now.
If you could also make sure that you save an electronic copy for your own records that would be great.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
These responses have been solid thus far--and I think that we have created a very strong body of work.
I thank you for you effort, your time, and your dedication.
With humility,
AK
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Final Great Gatsby Post
For Monday please complete the following:
Create a question (centered on a theme, symbol, or major character in the novel). Example: What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby, and how does this green light alter his dreams? Your question should start your post.
Then--please answer this question in at least five-hundred words. Your post should contain a brief introductory paragraph and at least two body paragraphs.
Nuts and Bolts:
-We will revise these posts--but you should put your best foot forward from the start.
-You should adhere to the rules of good analytical writing: do not use I, avoid plot summary at all cost, and focus on writing crisp/clear analysis.
-You should have at least two pieces of textual support per paragraph (not including your brief intro).
-Proof read your post and avoid careless errors.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
AK
Create a question (centered on a theme, symbol, or major character in the novel). Example: What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby, and how does this green light alter his dreams? Your question should start your post.
Then--please answer this question in at least five-hundred words. Your post should contain a brief introductory paragraph and at least two body paragraphs.
Nuts and Bolts:
-We will revise these posts--but you should put your best foot forward from the start.
-You should adhere to the rules of good analytical writing: do not use I, avoid plot summary at all cost, and focus on writing crisp/clear analysis.
-You should have at least two pieces of textual support per paragraph (not including your brief intro).
-Proof read your post and avoid careless errors.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
AK
Monday, May 10, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday's Class and HW for Monday
Hello--
Quickly--for Monday make sure that you do the following: complete the book and write a quick blog entry--you can post it here--about who you think is to blame for the accident on the way back from NYC. Please, let me know if you would like me to provide more clarity regarding this assignment.
More than anything else, I hope that this finds you well. While I don't want to jinx us, or our class on Friday, I just wanted to sincerely thank you for the efforts, passions, and thoughts you gave our discussion--in all honesty, I can say that I have never had a conversation better than that one regarding Gatsby.
So as a thank you--I give you this...
It truly is an an honor to read with each and every one of you.
A Ritual to Read to Each Other
By William Stafford
If you don't know the kind of person I am
and I don't know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.
For there is many a small betrayal in the mind,
a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break
sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood
storming out to play through the broken dyke.
And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail,
but if one wanders the circus won't find the park,
I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty
to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.
And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote important region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider—
lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.
For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give—yes or no, or maybe—
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.
—William Stafford
Quickly--for Monday make sure that you do the following: complete the book and write a quick blog entry--you can post it here--about who you think is to blame for the accident on the way back from NYC. Please, let me know if you would like me to provide more clarity regarding this assignment.
More than anything else, I hope that this finds you well. While I don't want to jinx us, or our class on Friday, I just wanted to sincerely thank you for the efforts, passions, and thoughts you gave our discussion--in all honesty, I can say that I have never had a conversation better than that one regarding Gatsby.
So as a thank you--I give you this...
It truly is an an honor to read with each and every one of you.
A Ritual to Read to Each Other
By William Stafford
If you don't know the kind of person I am
and I don't know the kind of person you are
a pattern that others made may prevail in the world
and following the wrong god home we may miss our star.
For there is many a small betrayal in the mind,
a shrug that lets the fragile sequence break
sending with shouts the horrible errors of childhood
storming out to play through the broken dyke.
And as elephants parade holding each elephant's tail,
but if one wanders the circus won't find the park,
I call it cruel and maybe the root of all cruelty
to know what occurs but not recognize the fact.
And so I appeal to a voice, to something shadowy,
a remote important region in all who talk:
though we could fool each other, we should consider—
lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.
For it is important that awake people be awake,
or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep;
the signals we give—yes or no, or maybe—
should be clear: the darkness around us is deep.
—William Stafford
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Optional Post
Please feel free to respond to any of the questions I posted on the portal regarding chapters five and six. However, if you have other ideas or questions-let's use this forum in order to discuss them.
I hope that we utilize this resource and opportunity to keep moving in the direction of success--in order to make sure that the road we are currently on leads to somewhere.
Best,
AK
I hope that we utilize this resource and opportunity to keep moving in the direction of success--in order to make sure that the road we are currently on leads to somewhere.
Best,
AK
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Group Four: The Valley of Ashes
Group 4—The Valley of Ashes
Hazen—Writer
Decker—Revising and posting
Pasternak
Harley
Hazen—Writer
Decker—Revising and posting
Pasternak
Harley
Blog on Setting for Wednesday
In your assigned groups you should work together to do the following:
-Describe the setting of your location on both a literal and symbolic level. You should include a list of who lives in that location, what themes does this setting help to establish, and important pieces of textual support.
-I would look at the map that I gave you on Friday and the questions that are on that handout. Perhaps, answering those questions is a good blueprint to follow when thinking about this assignment.
-It is imperative that you use your time wisely here in order to make sure that you are not burdening the writers/revisers at night.
-Written responses should be posted on the blog by class on Thursday
Some of these are harder than others--however, you all have the ability to write thoughtful responses if you work hard, listen to each other's ideas, and think critically about the questions being asked.
You can do this--and I know that you will do it well. Can't wait to see everybody tomorrow.
Best,
AK
-Describe the setting of your location on both a literal and symbolic level. You should include a list of who lives in that location, what themes does this setting help to establish, and important pieces of textual support.
-I would look at the map that I gave you on Friday and the questions that are on that handout. Perhaps, answering those questions is a good blueprint to follow when thinking about this assignment.
-It is imperative that you use your time wisely here in order to make sure that you are not burdening the writers/revisers at night.
-Written responses should be posted on the blog by class on Thursday
Some of these are harder than others--however, you all have the ability to write thoughtful responses if you work hard, listen to each other's ideas, and think critically about the questions being asked.
You can do this--and I know that you will do it well. Can't wait to see everybody tomorrow.
Best,
AK
Monday, April 19, 2010
Character Sketch Example: Tom
Tom is a brutish and physical man who is defined by his arrogant personality and cruel body. He leverages his position, at home, in his marriage, and in his other relationships through the power that is created by his physical strength and inherited wealth. Born in Chicago, Tom attends Yale University where is was a star football player and classmate of the novel's narrator, Nick Caraway. Tom is married to Daisy, and they reside in an opulent mansion located on East Egg. Their marriage is founded on anything but love, and it appears as if both characters are engaged in this union more out of social security rather than a personal connection: the marriage secures their social position within the American landscape. Tom's infidelity with Myrtle accentuates his status due to his mistreatment of her and the physical abuse she suffers at his hands. However, this fact also proves that Tom believes that he can control all those people that are below him in terms of social standing. He uses both Myrtle and George Wilson for his own benefit, and he is more concerned with self-satisfaction and control then with anything else. More than anything else, Tom is an immoral character that does not stand at a moral attention. He is character that finds comfort in his wealth no matter how damaging his wealth and actions are on the numerous characters he encounters.
Important quotations:
p. 6: "He was one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anticlimax."
p. 6: "I felt that Tom would drift on forever seeking a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game."
p. 7: "It was a body capable of of enormous leverage--a cruel body...'Now don't think my opinion on these matters is final,' he seemed to say 'just because I'm stronger and more of a man than you are.'"
p. 26: "So Tom Buchanan and his girl and I went up together to New York...Tom deferred that much to the sensibilities of those East Eggers who might be on the train."
p. 28: "'It's a bitch,' said TOm decisively. 'Here's your money. Go and buy ten more dogs.'"
p. 37: "Making a short deft movement, Tom brok her nose with his open hand."
Important quotations:
p. 6: "He was one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anticlimax."
p. 6: "I felt that Tom would drift on forever seeking a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game."
p. 7: "It was a body capable of of enormous leverage--a cruel body...'Now don't think my opinion on these matters is final,' he seemed to say 'just because I'm stronger and more of a man than you are.'"
p. 26: "So Tom Buchanan and his girl and I went up together to New York...Tom deferred that much to the sensibilities of those East Eggers who might be on the train."
p. 28: "'It's a bitch,' said TOm decisively. 'Here's your money. Go and buy ten more dogs.'"
p. 37: "Making a short deft movement, Tom brok her nose with his open hand."
Group Four: Nick
Katie M--Writer
Sanford--Revising and Posting
Matta
Hair
Please place your character sketch of Nick here.
Sanford--Revising and Posting
Matta
Hair
Please place your character sketch of Nick here.
Group Three: Daisy
Group 3—Daisy
O’Day-Writer
Mullaney—Revising and Posting
Hazen
Decker
Please place your character profile of Daisy here.
O’Day-Writer
Mullaney—Revising and Posting
Hazen
Decker
Please place your character profile of Daisy here.
Group Two: Jordan
Whitney-Writer
Daly—Revising and Posting
Peppin
Gill
Please place your character sketch of Jordan here.
Daly—Revising and Posting
Peppin
Gill
Please place your character sketch of Jordan here.
Group One: Gatsby
Harley-Writer
Tower-Revising and Posting
Horrocks
Murphy
Adams.
Please place your character profile on Gatsby here.
Tower-Revising and Posting
Horrocks
Murphy
Adams.
Please place your character profile on Gatsby here.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Awakening
Please respond to this question by the start of class on Friday.
In Heilburn's book, Writing a Woman's Life, she writes: "The true representation of power is not of a big man beating a smaller man or a woman. Power is the ability to take one's place in whatever discourse is essential to action and the right to have one's part matter." Thus, using Heilbrun's definition of power (and maybe it is LeGuinn's too) please discuss whether you feel Edna possess power. Please feel free to include why you think that her acquisition of power is a futile pursuit or how her society is the reason why she will remain infertile as human (void of life--in a personal, not reproductive, sense) and always lack power. You can take this response down a host of different paths, and you are free to follow one that sparks your interest; however, you must address how Edna supports or refutes Heilburn's assertion about power.
Good luck--and please let me know if you have any questions.
These responses should be:
-proof read, formated properly, and radiate depth of thought, clarity, directness, and sophistication of expression in their writing.
-A good response should be around 400 words and reference specific examples from The Awakening that highlight/support the argument you are not trying to make.
-Please feel free to use the I in these responses....they are not analytical pieces of writing, so you have a bit more freedom; however, you should make sure that you are aptly answering the question and putting forth a valiant effort that is reflective of deep consideration and bold thoughts.
In Heilburn's book, Writing a Woman's Life, she writes: "The true representation of power is not of a big man beating a smaller man or a woman. Power is the ability to take one's place in whatever discourse is essential to action and the right to have one's part matter." Thus, using Heilbrun's definition of power (and maybe it is LeGuinn's too) please discuss whether you feel Edna possess power. Please feel free to include why you think that her acquisition of power is a futile pursuit or how her society is the reason why she will remain infertile as human (void of life--in a personal, not reproductive, sense) and always lack power. You can take this response down a host of different paths, and you are free to follow one that sparks your interest; however, you must address how Edna supports or refutes Heilburn's assertion about power.
Good luck--and please let me know if you have any questions.
These responses should be:
-proof read, formated properly, and radiate depth of thought, clarity, directness, and sophistication of expression in their writing.
-A good response should be around 400 words and reference specific examples from The Awakening that highlight/support the argument you are not trying to make.
-Please feel free to use the I in these responses....they are not analytical pieces of writing, so you have a bit more freedom; however, you should make sure that you are aptly answering the question and putting forth a valiant effort that is reflective of deep consideration and bold thoughts.
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