Final Post

Hello Guys,

Well, I'm sad to say that now that our class has come to an end, this will be my last post. I will be returning your last essays to you this week, as well as a progress report to your parents.

It has been a huge honor being your teacher, and I have enjoyed reading and discussing books with you over the year. I look forward to our summer class, we have some great reads ahead of us! Enjoy your break until that class begins. During the break try to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, its supposed to be amazing!

Take care,

Mrs. Severson

Final Essay

Well, you made it through the year! You all worked so hard and progressed tremendously. I am very proud of you! I hope you realize all that you have learned over the year, and how many new books you not only read, but analyzed, discussed, and wrote about. The level of your work always impressed me, and I am excited about working with some of you over the summer!

Please post your final essay in the comments section here. Daniel read Kevin's essay, Kevin read Tyler's essay, Tyler read Daniel's essay.

I know you are all excited about this being your last essay, but I have to admit I'm sad about it. I am going to miss seeing them pop into my inbox every two weeks. I always thoroughly enjoy reading them. If you happen to write anything else, send it my way:)

Good luck with this final essay! Enjoy the process. Please let me know if you have any questions.

This is a picture of the Willamette River which runs through the Willamette Valley where I now live in Oregon. If you come and visit Jimmy and I will take you out on the boat!

Essay Question

For our last essay of the year, you will be able to choose from the different SAT Essay prompts below. Read through them all carefully and then make your choice. You will need to use examples from TWO of the books we have read this year as well as an example from your life.

Kevin and Daniel, you will need to write the essay in 25 minutes.

Please let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way. I hope you enjoy this challenge! Your essay is due by midnight on Friday. Have fun!

Here are the four different prompts you may choose from.

Prompt 1

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

Many people believe that our government should do more to solve our problems. After all, how can one individual create more jobs or make roads safer or improve the schools or help to provide any of the other benefits that we have come to enjoy? And yet expecting that the government—rather than individuals—should always come up with the solutions to society's ills may have made us less self-reliant, undermining our independence and self-sufficiency.

Assignment:

Should people take more responsibility for solving problems that affect their communities or the nation in general? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 2

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
Most human beings spend their lives doing work they hate and work that the world does not need. It is of prime importance that you learn early what you want to do and whether or not the world needs this service. The return from your work must be the satisfaction that work brings you and the world's need of that work. Income is not money, it is satisfaction; it is creation; it is beauty.
Adapted from W.E.B. Du Bois, The Autobiography of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Soliloquy on Viewing My Life from the Last Decade of Its First Century

Assignment:

Is it more important to do work that one finds fulfilling or work that pays well? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 3

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

The education people receive does not occur primarily in school. Young people are formed by their experiences with parents, teachers, peers, and even strangers on the street, and by the sports teams they play for, the shopping malls they frequent, the songs they hear, and the shows they watch. Schools, while certainly important, constitute only a relatively small part of education.
Adapted from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "Education for the Twenty-First Century"

Assignment:

Is education primarily the result of influences other than school? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Prompt 4

Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.

If we are dissatisfied with our circumstances, we think about changing them. But the most important and effective changes—in our attitude—hardly occur to us. In other words, we should worry not about how to alter the world around us for the better but about how to change ourselves in order to fit into that world.
Adapted from Michael Hymers, "Wittgenstein, Pessimism and Politics"

Assignment:

Is it better to change one's attitude than to change one's circumstances? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Essay

I really enjoyed seeing you all this week! Great job discussing Kite Runner and reviewing all the books we have read so far.

Please post your Kite Runner essay here in the comments section. Tyler, please read Kevin's essay, and Kevin read Daniel's essay, and Daniel read Tyler's essay. Of course keep in mind that Kevin and Daniel had only 25 minutes to write their essays!

See you there?

Well, today is my last day in Chicago! Tomorrow I head to Pennsylvania and then will be in San Luis Obispo! Your moms are working out a time for us to all meet and discuss Kite Runner and your overall experience this year. I am really excited about having a "live" discussion with you and getting caught up.

In preparation for this Tuesday I want you to come up with your question for me about Kite Runner as well as the essay question you want to answer for your essay. Remember, for this essay, you are writing your own question. Come to the meeting with your essay question written down, and I will give you my feedback regarding it. We will finalize each of your essay questions during our meeting, and then you will e-mail me your essay like always.

Bring Kite Runner to the discussion, just in case you need to reference it during our chat. I am looking forward to seeing you all again, and know that we will have a great discussion about this wonderful book!

See you Tuesday!

Comprehension Questions

The picture is of children in Afghanistan flying a kite.

The Kite Runner

I am really looking forward to hearing what you have to say about this book! It is very different from the books we have read so far for many reasons, not the least of which is that is was written just a few years ago. This is the first book we have read by an author that is still alive! The story includes events that have happened during your lifetimes, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Not only does the book tell an amazing story, but includes the history of Afghanistan over the past 40 years. I think the history will fascinate you as much as the plot touches you.

Enjoy reading this book, you have two entire weeks to go through its 370 pages, so take your time and savor it. I’m looking forward to discussing it with you. Don’t forget to fill out your reading journal!

Chapters 1, 2, 3
1. What does Amir’s teacher say about Shi’a Muslims? Do Hassan or his father, Ali, fulfill this stereotype?
2. What type of a man is Baba? How does he view the world?
3. What is Baba’s definition of sin? Do you agree with him?
4. Baba worries that Amir is a coward. He says, “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.” Is this true about Amir? Do you agree or disagree with Baba’s statement?

Chapters 4, 5, 6
5. Compare and contrast Ali and Hassan to Baba and Amir.
6. What character qualities do we see in Hassan? Which do we see in Amir?

Chapters 7, 8, 9
7. What motivates Amir to do well in the kite tournament?
8. What does Amir do when he sees Hassan in the alley?
9. How does Amir’s inaction affect the way he feels about Hassan? Why do you think it has this affect?
10. Amir decides that something must be done to get rid of Hassan. What does he do? What is Baba’s response?
11. What are your thoughts about Amir and Hassan?

Chapters 10, 11, 12
12. How has Kabul changed?
13. How does Baba respond to the idea of a woman being raped? How does this contrast to Amir?
14. What happens to Baba’s memories in America? What happens to Amir’s memories?
15. Baba makes an observation about Soraya, saying, “It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime, Amir.” How does Amir know that is true?
16. Soraya reveals her past to Amir, why do you think he still withholds his from her?

Chapters 13, 14, 15
17. Compare and contrast the General and Baba. Who do you respect more?
18. Rahim Khan says to Amir, “Come. There is a way to be good again.” How is going to Pakistan the first step in Amir’s redemption?

Chapters 16, 17, 18
19. We encounter Hassan again as an adult. What kind of man has he become?
20. Why does it so surprise Amir when he looks in the photo and sees “a man who thought the world had been good to him”?
21. What does Amir learn about Hassan?

Chapters 19, 20, 21
22. How will Amir be redeemed?
23. Why is planting the money under the mattress symbolic of how Amir has changed?
24. What horrible situation is the orphanage director living under?
25. What have the Taliban done to the country?

Chapters 22, 23, 24, 25
26. What do they witness at the soccer match?
27. Who is the evil sociopath?
28. Why is getting beaten cathartic for Amir?
29. How do the events in the room mirror Amir’s childhood?
30. Rahim Kahn says that, “A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.” Is that true?
31. Do you think Baba and Amir are similar now?
32. “True redemption is when guilt leads to good.” Is that true?
33. How is Hassan’s character summed up in the lesson he taught Sohrab, “Father used to say it’s wrong to hurt even bad people. Because they don’t know any better, and because bad people sometimes become good”?
34. Hassan used to run kites for Amir, and now Amir is running kites for Sohrab. In what other ways have we seen the plot come full circle?

I want you to choose 12 questions to answer. Any twelve, your choice. This is our last book for the year, and I want to give you the opportunity to answer the questions you want. You will also be writing your own essay question, so keep that in mind as you read! More about the essay later:)

The Kite Runner

I am really excited about our next book, The Kite Runner. We have two weeks to read this book, with your essay due on May 16th. So take your time and enjoy it! I will post the questions on Monday. Have a good weekend.

Essay Assignment

Essay Question

For this essay you will write a five paragraph essay proving the following quote to be true or false based on what you have read in Lord of the Flies and/or a personal experience you have had. It is important that you include the quote in the first paragraph of the essay. Then decide on three reasons that the quote is true or false.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

This essay prompt is similar to what you will see on the SAT. They will give you a quote and you have to prove through personal experience and books you have read whether it is true or not. They want to hear your personal opinion, and so do I. There is no wrong answer. Remember you really want your first sentences to grab my attention. Make them exciting, interesting, surprising. Have fun with it. The essay is due on Friday, April 25 by midnight.

Please let me know if you need any help along the way!

Lord of the Flies

Over the next two weeks you will be reading and writing about Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This classic book will be difficult to forget once you have read it. Golding's purpose in this novel is to explore human nature in a raw and unhindered environment. He chooses his subjects to be children so that they are unbound by the codes and boundaries of society.

Golding's purpose in writing the book, in his own words, was, "an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature." This is exactly what you will be looking for while reading the book. This time around we will focus on larger themes rather than the usual comprehension questions I ask. I have hinted to the themes below and you will all be responsible for answering the following questions. Please let me know if you have any questions along the way!

Enjoy this thought provoking book!

What time in history is the book set? How does this contrast to what is happening on the island?

What do Ralph and Piggy represent?

What does the conch represent? What is it replaced with?

What do the boys think the beast is? What does Simon know the beast is?

Is Simon a Christ figure in the story? What does his hiding place represent?

What do Jack and Roger represent?

What changes in the boys when they paint their faces? Why does this change take place?

What is the irony of their rescue?

Did you like or dislike the book? How did it compare to other books we have read so far, especially Heart of Darkness?

Clarification - Samneric are the twins, Sam and Eric:)

Movie

Back in 1995 James Earl Jones played Kumalo in the film adaptation of Cry, The Beloved Country. This movie is really well done, and follows the plot of the book pretty well. It has been a while since I have seen in, and unfortunately can't rent it right now to preview it. But talk to you parents about renting it, and watching it as a family. It is rated PG-13 for some brief language. I think it is a film you would enjoy having read the book! Let me know what you think after you watch it!

Your Turn

Now is your chance to ask me a question about Cry, the Beloved Country. I love the questions that you come up with, they always impress me. I look forward to discussing this book with you!

Kevin you can answer Daniel's question
Daniel you can answer Tyler's question
Tyler you can answer Kevin's question

For the essays, please don't forget to post your essay under the Essay Question post.
Tyler read Daniel's essay
Kevin read Tyler's essay
Daniel read Kevin's essay
Please post your response to their essays in the comments section. Enjoy!

The above picture is of a shanty town in Johannesburg.

Essay Question

One of the things I like so much about this book are the very real human characters. Paton develops very real and human characters that are always choosing between doing what is right, and doing what is easy. We can identify with their struggles, and sympathize with their hurt/disappointment. Kumalo is an incredible character, but so are Mr. Jarvis, Arthur Jarvis, John Kumalo, Msimangu and others. We cannot discuss this book without looking deeply into one of the characters, so we will do that in this essay.

For this essay we will do things a little differently. You are going to write about a character of your choice. Your three paragraphs should explain why you chose the character (you can discuss their humanity in this part), their role in the plot, and their struggle and victory. Of course in the intro you set up the above, and in the conclusion you wrap it all up. So in the end it is a five paragraph essay. Have fun with this and please ask for help along the way!

Above is a picture of a church in Kenya. I think it is probably similar to the one described in the book.

Comprehension Questions

Here are your questions for this amazing book. Enjoy reading it, it is a treasure!

Introduction - It is vitally important that you read the introduction. It explains the purpose of the book, how it was written, the author’s life, etc. and it is necessary to understand this, in order to appreciate the book.

Q1 What book did he read before he started writing Cry, the Beloved Country? How did it influence him? Kevin
Q2 Book 2 was inspired by who? Tyler
Q3 Who was Dr. Verwoerd and how does he personify the way many White South Africans felt about the natives? Daniel

Book One
Chapter 2
Q4 What had they hoped for their son?
Chapter 5
Q5 What has been the result of the destruction of the tribe? How are Kumalo’s brother and sister victims of Johannesburg?
Chapter 7
Q6 Msimangu says his, “one great few in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.” What does this mean? Do we see it become true? Kevin, Tyler, Daniel
Chapter 8
Q7 Who does the government fear? Why do they find the “heart” more of a threat than the “voice”? Kevin
Chapter 9
Q8 Describe Shanty Town.
Chapter 11
Q9 Who is the murdered victim? What is the connection between Jarvis and Kumalo?
Chapter 12
Q10 Summarize the debate about education, law, and crime. Tyler
Q11 What purpose does it serve to keep the natives ignorant? What is the benefit? What is the harm? Daniel
Chapter 14
Q12 Summarize what we know about Absalom. The name Absalom means “father is peace.” Do you think there is a reason Paton decided to name his character Absalom?
Chapter 17
Q13 Why is Kumalo so moved by the lawyer who “takes the case for God”?

Book Two
First read the Gettysburg Address that so influenced Jarvis, by clicking here.
Chapter 21
Q14 Summarize what we know about Arthur Jarvis.
Q15 How does Arthur Jarvis feel about the racial division in South Africa? Describe his writings. Kevin
Chapter 22
Q16 What is “behind” the judge? Who is responsible for the laws? How doe the natives feel about the judge and laws? Daniel
Chapter 28
Q17 What do you think of the verdict?
Chapter 29
Q18 What story does John Kumalo refer to?
Q19 Contrast what he did tell his brother, and what he didn’t tell his brother. Kevin
Q20 What does Msimangu give to Kumalo? How does K respond? Tyler

Book Three
Chapter 30
Q21 Describe Kumalo’s homecoming.
Q22 Kumalo’s friend says that, “kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering.” How do we see this come true? Daniel
Q23 What does this same friend say about suffering? Is this true? Tyler
Chapter 33
Q24 What does Jarvis do for the native community? Why do you think he does these things? Kevin, Daniel, Tyler
Chapter 34
Q25 Why did Jarvis add to his letter the line, “You should know that my wife was suffering before we went to Johannesburg.” Why does this move Kumalo? Kevin
Chapter 35
Q26 Why is Kumalo so quick to remind the demonstrator all that the White man has done for them? (Think about what Msimangu said about love and hate.) Daniel
Chapter 36
Q27 Why does Kumalo go up the mountain? What Biblical imagery does this conjure up? Tyler
Q28 What is Kumalo thankful for?

I wrote your names after the questions I want you to answer. In addition to answering those questions, choose three more to answer as well. Don’t forget to fill our your reading journal!

Cry, The Beloved Country

This is a powerful and moving story of sin and redemption, hate and love, fear and strength, bitterness and forgiveness. It is written in a beautiful and gentle voice that draws you into the dramatic plot and human characters. One of my favorite things about this book are the incredibly human and flawed characters. Some are striving to do the right thing, while at the same time resisting the temptation to hurt and hate those around them. At different moments they succeed and fail, and as a reader you feel their successes and failures. Your essay assignment is going to be exploring in depth a character from this book. So pay close attention to the characters.

The plot is an ageless one - that of a prodigal son. It might be a good idea to review the story of the prodigal son which can be found in Luke 15:11-32. The two stories are not identical, but the author’s familiarity with the Bible story certainly influenced this story. I know you are going to find this story compelling. It is a heartbreaking story that still shines with hope.

In order to get the most out of this book, it is helpful to know a little about apartheid South Africa. Apartheid was a system of segregation established and enforced by the government of South Africa. Both Blacks and Whites resisted, as you will see in the book. Some, like Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, wanted peaceful resistance, but others preferred violent methods. In this story, you will see each type of person and their fight against apartheid.

If you watch on YouTube the four videos titled “Witness to Apartheid Part 1, 2, 3 and 4” that are linked here, you will learn quite a bit about South Africa. These four videos are an accurate portrayal of the system. I cannot recommend any other video’s because I have not previewed them. But be careful about what you watch. There are many people who deny the seriousness of apartheid, just like there are people who deny the Holocaust. Also, don’t bother reading the comments, they are just full of ignorant people saying ignorant things.

If you do not have time to watch all four of the videos, watch the second and third one. I think it is tragic how ignorant the White people are about the living conditions of the Blacks. You can also see in this video how after a while, some Black people are tired of resisting peacefully and are beginning to think that violence is the only way to bring down the system of apartheid. In the third video we see how a White man suffers because he has supported the Black community. At the end of part 3, and beginning of part 4 you see an Afrikaner explain very eloquently how growing up in South Africa among the racial division causes one to become blind to it. You can also see the torture endured by those arrested. This part can be disturbing, so view at your own risk.

After you watch the video’s, please leave a comment here so we can discuss your reactions. I will post the comprehension questions next.

(The painting above is titled The Return of the Prodigal Son, and was painted by Pompeo Batoni in 1773. I think it is a beautiful interpretation of the story.)

Welcome Back!

Welcome back!! I hope your break was fun and relaxing. I would love to hear about what you did. How was Mexico, Daniel and Kevin?

My brother came out to Chicago to visit over break. He will be graduating this year with his degree in Architecture, so we had a really fun time touring the city, and looking up at all the famous skyscrapers. Chicago is home to the first skyscraper, and is known around the world for its famous skyline and buildings. Many famous architects worked here, and when you view the skyline it is full of their impressive work.

Post a comment and tell me what you did!

Easter Break

This week, March 24 - 30 is Easter Break. We will resume class on Monday the 31st, when we will begin reading Cry, The Beloved Country. I know Kevin is going to Mexico on a missions trip, but what do the rest of you have planned? I would love to hear about it!

I hope you enjoy your break during this very important time. He has risen! He has risen indeed!

(P.S. I have responded to the questions and comments regarding Great Gatsby)

Animal Farm

NOTE: We only have one week to read this book, but it is short - 100 pages, so I don’t think it will be a problem.

It is a wonderful book! My husband picked it up a few weeks ago, and started reading it. He could not put it down. Orwell does an amazing job in this satire of showing the lunacy of Communism. He was cutting edge. He wrote this book during a time that Europe, as well as America, admired not only Communism, but Stalin, therefore this book was not popular when it first came out.

It is VERY important that you read the introduction, before you dive into the book. The introduction discusses Orwell’s beliefs, the climate in which he was writing, and some hints on which characters represent Communist leaders. Your level of enjoyment of the book will be in direct correlation between how much or how little you know about Communism. Since we spent quite a bit of time learning about Communism early in the school year, I know Kevin and Daniel will find this book very entertaining. Tyler, I of course don’t know about your level of understanding when it comes to Communism, but this book will be a good introduction.

There are six major themes in the book to watch out for. Since we only have one week to read this book and write an essay, we are going to do things a little differently. As you read, you will look out for the different themes, than you will write an essay comparing Animal Farm to Communist Russia. You will consider Orwell’s accuracy, how the people/animals respond to Communism, and the final result. No matter what theme you choose, the above three need to be considered. I’m sure now you are wondering what the themes are, well here you go!

1. Napoleon’s Cult of Personality as compared to Stalin’s.

2. The rivalry between Snowball and Napoleon compared to that of Stalin and Trotsky. You would also want to discuss the changing of historical facts.

3. Management of the means of production and the distribution of the wealth. Things to consider - the windmill, apples, milk, barley, use of the house, etc.)

4. Equality. Is true equality achieved or maintained?

5. Use of ceremony and symbols. Consider the songs, poems, chants, medals, meetings, flag, whip, two legs vs. four legs.

6. An ever evolving set of rules/commandments and the government’s manipulation of them.

Every Communist country in the world has had elements the above six themes. Orwell makes great use of the above to demonstrate the ridiculousness of the system. So as you read, jot down page numbers when the themes appear. This will assist you in writing your essay. Also, you may want to spend a little time brushing up on Communist Russia! Enjoy the book, I know you will like it!

I will post a place for you to post your essay, but since there are no discussion questions, there will be no post for that. You will still get an opportunity to ask me a question. Your essay is due on Friday the 21st by midnight. Please let me know if you have any questions along the way!

HINTS:
Snowball = Trotsky
Napoleon = Stalin
Major = Lenin
A stone is a unit of measure in England 1 stone = 14 pounds

Websites you might find helpful

Click here for information about Stalin and Trotsky and their rivalry.

Click here for information about Stalin rewriting history. There is a little here about his cult of personality.


I thought this site about Soviet posters was interesting.

Please let me know if you would like more websites or information!

Your Turn

Hi Guys,

Great job with the discussion questions! I'll be posting my responses soon. But for now, we have come to the part where you ask me a question. So I hope you have been thinking about this, and I look forward to what you have to say.

This time Daniel will be answering Tyler's question
Tyler will answer Kevin's.
Kevin will answer Daniel's.

Have fun!

Essay Question

Green with Envy

Fitzgerald is known for using a lot of symbolism in his novels, and The Great Gatsby has some particularly strong symbols. One of them is the green light that flashes at the end of Tom and Daisy's dock. Gatsby is obsessed with desire for Daisy, and spends his life trying to reach her social level in order to win her. In then end this quest destroys him.

Write a five paragraph essay answering the following question. Your essay is due on Friday the 14th by midnight.

The Great Gatsby, among other things, is the story of the American dream. Gatsby spends his life in quest of the dream of being with Daisy. How does his complete obsession lead to his death and what symbols and character flaws do we encounter along the way?

Have fun pondering this, and let me know how I can help!

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is one of the most famous pieces of American Literature. It has become the social commentary of an entire decade - the 1920’s. The ‘20s was a time contradictions. Prohibition made the production and consumption of alcohol illegal in an attempt to legislate morality. This was a reaction to the immorality that some saw pervading society. As you will see in the book extra-marital affairs became more common, women enjoyed a lot more freedom, and society was becoming less religious.

We encounter the wealthy, careless, and immoral in this book. The characters will surprise and confuse you. Fitzgerald’s style of writing takes a while to get used to, so persevere through the slow beginning. You will be rewarded in the end. The book forces you to challenge people’s perceptions of themselves. We see the consequences of envy, greed, immaturity, and deceit woven into a magical story. The book has a dream like quality. The images are unbelievable, bathed in hot humid air. The conversations are stilted, rhythmic and inconclusive. In doing this Fitzgerald is making a point about the setting and the characters. Their actions and thoughts are unbelievable, thus the writing style mirrors that, as well as the chaos of the decade.

I hope you enjoy this book! The plot is fascinating and tragic, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts about it. Below I have assigned you questions to answer. In addition to answering those questions, choose any 3 questions as well.

Kevin - Ch 1, Q 1 and 3. Ch 3, Q 2. Ch 4, Q 3. Ch 8 and 9, Q 1 and 4.
Tyler - Ch 1, Q 1. Ch 2, Q 1. Ch 4, Q 2. Ch 5, Q 1 and 2. Ch 8 and 9, Q 4.
Daniel - Ch 1, Q 2 and 3. Ch 2, Q 1. Ch 4, Q3. Ch 5, Q 2. Ch 7, Q 1.

Ch 1
1. What advice does Nick, the narrator’s father give him?
2. What are Tom and Daisy like? What character qualities do they exhibit?
3. What is Gatsby looking at across the bay at the end of the chapter? What does green symbolize?

Ch 2
1. Describe the sign they pass on their way to New York.
2. What do we know about Gatsby by the end of this chapter?

Ch 3
1. How does Nick finally meet his neighbor Gatsby?
2. What does Nick think about himself? Hint: It’s the last line of the chapter.

Ch 4
1. What is the story of Gatsby and Daisy?
2. Why did Gatsby buy his mansion?
3. Is Gatsby vain?

Ch 5
1. How do Gatsby and Daisy finally meet?
2. Gatsby know exactly how long it has been since he has seen Daisy. What does this show about his level of obsession?

Ch 7 (in this chapter everything becomes transparent, especially the intentions of Gatsby and Daisy)
1. When does Tom realize what is going on?
2. What does it mean that “Her voice is full of money”?
3. Gatsby claims that Daisy “never loved you”, how do we, as the reader, and Tom know this is not true?
4. Why is it so devastating to Gatsby that Daisy does/did love Tom?
5. How does Daisy respond to the position that Gatsby has put her in?
6. How does Myrtle die and who kills her?

Ch 8 and 9
1. Daisy is described as a “grail.” What is the significance of this?
2. How does Gatsby die?
3. Why does Nick have such a hard time finding people to attend Gatsby’s funeral?
4. Nick realizes what type of people Tom and Daisy are, how does he describe them?

Mixing Things Up

I love reading your essays, because even though you read the same book, and are asked the same question, you always come up with three different answers. Seeing this is one of my favorite parts of this job. I get very excited about it! I want to give you all the opportunity to see this as well, and respond to the different point of view expressed in the essays. In order to do that I am going to assign you to read one of your classmates essays. After you read it you will post a comment about it. Tell your classmate what you thought about the way they approached the question, how it gave you a new perspective, and general comments about the essay. It would also be good for you to respond to the comments that were made on your essay.

Post your essay on the blog under the Essay Question post.

Daniel you are going to read Tyler's essay.
Tyler you will read Kevin's essay.
Kevin you will read Daniel's essay.

I am instituting these new changes to foster a better exchange of ideas. You all have so many good things to say about the books, and it is a shame if I am the only person reading them. I think this will make the class very interactive, which is what we want. Please let me know if you have any questions.


Have you all ever seen these amazing chalk drawings? If you google "3D chalk drawings" and click on Images you will be able to see some more. They are amazing. Enjoy!

Your Turn

It's your turn to ask me a question about Of Mice and Men. This book asks its readers so many questions, I'm sure you have a few rolling around in your head. So now it's your chance to ask. We are going to do things a little differently this time. I will answer all your questions, but then you will answer each others.

Daniel you answer Kevin's.
Kevin you answer Tyler's.
Tyler you answer Daniel's.

This will lead to a fuller discussion. Looking forward to it!

Movie Recommendation

I would like to recommend that AFTER you have finished the book, you rent the movie Of Mice and Men. The film stars John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, who also directed it. Filmed in 1992 on the Central Coast, I think you all will really like it. Maybe the three of you can get together this weekend and watch it. The movie does change some scenes, but the dialog is right out of the book. If you do end up watching it, please post and tell me how you liked it.

I know every family has different standards when it comes to movies, so please talk this over with your parents first. I just watched the movie a week ago, for the second time, so if your parents have any questions about the content, they can e-mail me. It is rated PG-13.

Have a good weekend. I'm off to Oregon for my nephew's first birthday!

Essay Question

The beauty and the terror in Of Mice and Men forces the reader the contemplate the actions of George, and ask the question, "What would I do?" Professor James L. Roberts, Ph. D., maintains that what George did was not only right, but merciful. When discussing the scene of Lennie waiting for George by the river, he has visions of a rabbit, and his Aunt Clara. Both tell him how mad George is going to be, but Lennie trusts George.

"Lennie has great faith in George and when the apparition of his Aunt Clara or the giant rabbit appears, he defends his friend George and asserts with authority that George 'ain't gonna be mean.' George, however, will kill his friend Lennie in a few minutes, demonstrating in an ironic way that Lennie is right because this is the kindest thing he can do for Lennie."

In a five paragraph essay discuss the choice that George made. Was it the kindest thing he could do, as Roberts believes? Or did George make the wrong choice?

Your essay is due Friday the 29th by midnight. Good luck!

Keep Up the Good Work!

Hi Guys,

My sister, who has her degree in English Lit, visited the blog the other day. I had told her about what we were doing, and she was curious to see it. Well after reading through most of it, she called me all the way from Scotland, where she lives, to ask me how old you all were. She was so impressed by the level of books you were reading and the way you were discussing them and clearly understanding them. You all really impressed her, and she knows what she is talking about. She has read all the books we are reading, so she enjoyed seeing your opinion of them.

I just wanted to tell you that little story by way of encouragement. You all are working very hard, and it shows in the level of work you continually produce. I could not be more proud of you guys! Great job!

Of Mice and Men

I hope you are excited, because you are about to read an amazing book! Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is his masterpiece. I know Kevin and Daniel enjoyed The Grapes of Wrath, so you know what to expect from Steinbeck - impeccable character development, fascinating plots, and gut wrenching moral dilemmas. Steinbeck desired to tell the stories of the people who lived on the margins of society. To do this he would go live and work with them. Before he wrote The Grapes of Wrath, he went to Oklahoma, joined some migrants and traveled with them to California. Once there he lived with them in their camps and worked alongside them in the fields and orchards of California. If anyone knew how the migrant farmers of the 1930’s lived, thought, talked, and dreamed, Steinbeck did. Of Mice and Men reveals the deepest dreams and fears of its characters. This book grapples with the dream of land ownership and friendship, and the fear of loneliness. I want you to note the different relationships between the characters, particularly Lennie and George, Curley and his wife, and Candy and his dog.

There are many themes to explore in this book which makes it difficult to hone in on one, but I do not want to ruin the story by telling before hand what to look out for. So please enjoy the book, and we will discuss it once you have finished it. There are only a few questions for each chapter, most questions will be for when you have finished the book. A little different this time, hope I’m not confusing you. Also I am going to have the three of you answer different questions. This will lend a better exchange of ideas.

Chapter 1
A cat house is a house of prostitution.
1. What types of images does Steinbeck use to describe Lennie? What is the purpose of this?
2. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.” The entire dialogue after this line is important to contrast with the speech George makes about what he would do if he did not have Lennie. He does not really want that life, because that is the life of men who have no one. But this speech describes the typical life of ranch hands. It is a lonely empty existence.

Chapter 2
Pants rabbits are fleasJ
A tart is a flirt.
1. What type of a guy is Curley? How about his wife?
2. What is your response to Carlson’s desire to shoot Candy’s dog? The event is very important and serves as foreshadowing to the larger story.

Chapter 3
1. Slim is described as “God-Like” early in this chapter. Did you catch it? Why is he described this way?
2. What does the men’s discussion about Candy’s old dog show about them?
IMPORTANT - after his dog is shot, Candy regrets that he did not do it himself. This sticks with George.
3. What does Curly do to Lennie? How does Lennie respond? This important scene shows the reader the great strength Lennie possesses.
Chapter 4
“Pitchers” are movies. Back then they would have called movies “picture shows.” So Curley’s wife is talking about being an actress.
1. What do Lennie’s interactions with Crooks show about him?
2. Who else is lonely on this ranch?

Chapter 5
If this chapter had a title it would be “Broken Dreams.” Here we see the dashed dreams of Curley’s wife as well as George and Lennie’s dream die.
1. What is Lennie’s response to the dead puppy?
2. What is Lennie’s response to the death of Curley’s wife?
3. What do George and Candy fear Curley will do to Lennie?

Chapter 6
We are now back at the place where the book began. It is such a lovely spot, lush, green, peaceful. Yet the contrast to what is about to happen there is deep.
1. What do we learn about George and Lennie’s relationship in this scene?
2. George tells Lennie that they are going where, “ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble.” Why is George saying this?
3. How do the other ranch workers respond to what George does?

I am going to assign certain questions to be answered by each of you. Then you will choose any 3 additional questions to answer.
Kevin - Chapter 1, Q. 1. Ch 2, Q 2. Ch 3, Q. 3. Ch 6, Q. 2.
Daniel - Chapter 1, Q 1. Ch 3, Q 3. Ch 4, Q 1. Ch 6, Q. 2.
Tyler - Chapter 2, Q 1 and Q 3. Ch 5, Q 2. Ch. 6, Q 3.

Let me know if you need any guidance or if this confuses you. Enjoy the book, it really is amazing!

Info:
The title comes from a poem by Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Poet. Here is the poem along with a translation. Scottish English is certainly different than what we are used to.
Robert Burns, To a Mouse (Poem, November, 1785)
Scottish national poet (1759 - 1796)

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Translation:

The best laid schemes of Mice and Men
oft go awry,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!

Your Turn

Please post a question about Metamorphosis for me to answer. Anything about the book that has you confused. Now is your chance to make me do the work of explaining it! And just for fun, I thought I would post a picture of a cockroach. Enjoy! Looking forward to seeing what questions you come up with.

This weekend

Hey Guys,

This weekend Jimmy and I went to the Chicago Car Show. It is the largest car show in the country and there were over 1000 cars there. It was very cool. If you ever get a chance to go to one of these, GO. So much fun. I thought you might enjoy some of these pictures.

What did you do this weekend?

This was a concept car from Lexus. Crazy!

This was my favorite, an old BMW

This was Jimmy's favorite, the Dodge Challenger

This car is $500,000!

Essay Question

It is VERY important that you read the article I linked you to in the Comprehension Questions post before you write your essay. In this essay you need to familiarize yourself with Kafka's life and use this knowledge as well as information from the article to answer the question.

In The Metamorphosis, Kafka examines the value society places on people and success. Since Kafka was Jewish, he experienced societies prejudices throughout his life. How do you think this shaped the way he viewed society? Consider the cockroach as a symbol of a certain group in society, ie Jews, as well as the Biblical symbol of the apple, and the interpersonal relationships of the family members.

Your essay is due by midnight on Friday the 15th and should include information from the book as well as the article. You do not need to tell Kafka's life story, but your essay should demonstrate an understanding of it. Good luck and let me know how I can help!

Welcome Ty!!

I want to welcome Ty to our class! I am very excited that he has joined us, and I know he will be a perfect addition. Thank you Daniel and Kevin for encouraging Ty to join.

Metamorphosis

I am looking forward to hearing about your reaction to our next book, Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. It is important to read Kafka because he has a unique style that has influenced other writers. Not only is the writing style unique, but also his plots are very imaginative. I mean who writes a book about a guy turning into a cockroach? Well Kafka does! It is because of his ability to create absurd plots, that society has coined the word “Kafkaesque” to describe stories that are unbelievable. Click here to see the dictionary definition of this word. I never watch Law and Order, but the other day I stopped because there was an interesting conversation taking place in the interrogation room. The detective was describing all the circumstances of the crime and how the suspect fit into it. When she was finished, the suspect said, “Well that was all very Kafkaesque.” And she responded, “Then that makes you the bug.” Well needless to say I was VERY excited, because sitting on the table in front of me was the very book they were talking about. And now you get to read it! The more literature you read the more often things like that will happen. I see references to authors and stories all the time, and it's always exciting to know where it comes from.

Since this is such a short book, less than 50 pages, I want to you research Kafka’s life before you start reading. I will then also post an article or two about the book. You will read those once you have finished the book, and your essay will be based on the articles and the book. Enjoy your reading!

Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions in bold as well as 3 questions of your choice.

Visit this site and read the biography section. What do you find interesting about Kafka?

Chapter 1
1. How do you like the opening line?
2. Gregor does not question the fact that he has transformed into a bug. Why?
3. Describe the different reactions each member of the family and Gregor’s boss have towards him.

Chapter 2
1. What character traits do Gregor’s mother and father exhibit?
2. He becomes increasingly more insect like. Describe the different ways he takes on more qualities of an insect. 3. What does the moving out of the furniture show about the way that his sister feels about him?
4. Why did Kafka choose to have his father throw an apple at him? What does the apple signify?

Chapter 3
1. Now the family is storing junk in his room. What does this show about their ever evolving opinion of him?
2. Who gives up on the notion that Gregor will “get better” first?
3. What was each family members reaction to seeing Gregor dead?

Once you have finished the book, read this article.

Your Turn

Please, ask me any question about Heart of Darkness. I'm looking forward to being stumped by you!

Essay Question

“Africa is to Europe as the picture is to Dorian Gray – a carrier onto whom the master unloads his physical and moral deformities so that he may go forward, erect and immaculate.” Chinua Achebe

Having read The Heart of Darkness and the Picture of Dorian Gray, is the above statement correct?

Please e-mail your essay to me by midnight on Friday. Thank you!

Heart of Darkness Quiz

I found this fun quiz about The Heart of Darkness. Go give it a try and test your ability to recall details of the story. Have fun!

Reading

I want to encourage you to read each others comments. Especially read my responses to the questions both of you ask me. If any observation strikes you as interesting, please post a comment about it. This will create a more interactive experience for both of you. I also recommend you read each others essays. I will post Kevin's essay, so that they will both be there. After reading it, post a comment to each other telling them what you think. I think you will find it interesting how you both have a different perspective on the question. Proof again, that in these circumstances there is no "right or wrong" answer. So please read what is on here, I know you will find it enlightening! It should only take about 30 minutes or so each week to read the comments.

Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness

Reading this book for the second time, was a little bit of a struggle for me. It is not a favorite book of mine, but it is one of the most memorable books I have ever read. Long after you finish reading it, years from now, you will still think about it. I chose to read it in this class because it is a very important piece of literature. It was written to serve as the conscious to England during a time when it was building an empire around the world. As a consequence of its quest to assert its influence in new places, Africa and Asia primarily, the natives were victimized. The African author Chinua Achebe says that Heart of Darkness justifies racism, I disagree, but he makes another interesting point. “Africa is to Europe as the picture is to Dorian Gray – a carrier onto whom the master unloads his physical and moral deformities so that he may go forward, erect and immaculate.” Having just read The Picture of Dorian Gray, I’m sure that statement really strikes you. It is a keen observation and very true. Europe raped Africa in quest of wealth. The result was a beautiful and wealthy Europe, while Africa was enslaved. I think Heart of Darkness does a good job of showing the depravity of those extracting wealth from the continent. You will notice the inhumane ways the natives were treated by the Europeans. In preparation for this book read about the author, Joseph Conrad, and what inspired him to write it. The question to keep in mind while reading is, what group of people is truly civilized?

Your comprehension questions are below. Answer the questions in bold and then choose three additional questions. Enjoy the book!

Chapter 1
1. Marlow compares the Romans and their conquest of England to Europe’s colonization of Africa. Is this an accurate comparison?

2. What do you think of Marlow’s assertion that, “‘And this also (England)’, said Marlow suddenly, ‘has been one of the dark places of the earth’”?

3. “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only.” Is this statement true, and why would Marlow feel this way after his experience in Africa? Does this also show Europe’s belief that “the ends justify the means?”

4. When we first encounter the natives, what are they doing?

5. What is it about the accountant that impresses Marlow?

6. At this point, what do we know about Kurtz? What is the mystery surrounding him?

Chapter 2
7. What is the purpose of Marlow calling the other Europeans “pilgrims”?
8. Do you see any similarities between the natives and the Europeans?

9. How did they pay the cannibals for their work? What does this say about how things are run and how natives are treated?

10. Does the story so far have a dream like quality? What makes this story feel unreal?

11. Why is it important that, “All Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz: and by-and-by I learned that, most appropriately the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs had entrusted him with the making of a report, for its future guidance”? Clearly, Kurtz is participating in these “savage customs” for his own gain. What have we learned of the character of Kurtz?

12. Why are the natives upset about Kurtz leaving?

Chapter 3
13. What are the methods Kurtz is using to extract so much ivory from the region?

14. How would you feel returning to civilization after an experience like Marlow had?

15. Why was Marlow unable to tell Kurtz’s intended the truth about him? Why does he feel a sense of loyalty towards Kurtz?

Do not forget to fill out your reading journal!

New E-mail Address

I'm so sorry about this, but I created another new e-mail address and am hoping it will be more reliable! Here it is, hilaryseverson@gmail.com. Please change your address book. Thank you and I apologize about all the problems earlier.

Chapter 11 Confusion

I think there has been some confusion about the Chapter 11
question. I want you to tell me what you think of the last line in the chapter. The last line is, "There were moments when he looked on evil simply as a mode through which he could realize his conception of the beautiful." What does this tell us about Dorian? Please post your answers in the comments section of this post. Thank you!

Don't Forget

Remember, you get to ask me a question now about The Picture of Dorian Gray. You can have me answer one of the comprehension questions, or you can make up your own question. Post your question in the comments part of this post, and I will answer it there.

Essay Question

Here is your essay question for The Picture of Dorian Gray. Please e-mail it to me as a Word Document attachment. I will e-mail you back my comments on the Word Document.

Write a five paragraph essay in answer to the following question. Use examples from the book as well as from your life.

If we could see the physical effects of our choices on our soul, would we live differently?

Be sure to e-mail it to me by midnight on Friday along with your reading journal for this book.

I have read your answers to the comprehension questions. They are excellent! I will respond to them on Monday and Tuesday. I am so happy with the quality work you both have done. Well done! I feel like this is working well, do you?

Reading Journal

I have created a journal for you to use for every book we read this year. It is important for you to fill it our completely as you read the book. Before you take the SAT you will review the journal in preparation for the test. It will also help your comprehension of the books, and help you hone in on what is important to remember. You will find that the journal also prepares you for the 5 paragraph essay you will write after every book. I hope you find it useful. Please let me know how it is working for you or how we can improve it.

Important note: Keep the journals organized. Either write them out by hand in a notebook, or type them up, print them out and store them together in a notebook. You will need to send me your first journal for Picture of Dorian Gray. After that you will no longer need to send them to me. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Book Journal

1. Title:
2. Author:
3. Main Characters:
4. A few sentences describing the character traits of each of the people you listed above.
5. Theme of the Book:
6. Summary of the Plot:
7. Moral Dilemma:
8. What kind of a response did you feel towards to moral dilemma? What was your response towards the characters actions?
9. What did you think of the plot? The writing style? The character development?
10. What was your overall impression of the book?
11. Write down memorable lines or quotes from the book.

For questions 5 to 10 your answers need only a few well thought-out and crafted sentences. Jot down page numbers for you to go back to and re-read. No need to write out entire paragraphs.

Picture of Dorian Gray

I find this book incredibly fascinating because of the way it discusses the effects of sin not only on our soul but on our bodies as well. Other themes that are interesting are the importance people place on beauty, the idea of aestheticism, and the amount of influence people and books have on us. Before you begin reading the book, familiarize yourself with Oscar Wilde, his life and this book. Also research aestheticism. It is a philosophy that Lord Henry adheres to and that greatly influences Dorian Gray.

Comprehension Questions

Please answer the questions that are in bold, than choose 3 additional questions to answer. You can answer in the comments section of this post. It would probably be best for you to answer the questions as you go through the reading. It is not necessary to answer them all in one post. Post answers as you have them. I hope the following helps you understand the book better. Before you begin reading each chapter, first read the questions for the chapter.
Chapter 1
How are Basil and Henry’s opinions of Gray different?
Chapter 2
What does Henry mean by “unspotted from the world…”?
There is a monologue about people influencing another that contains the line, “because to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul…” What do you think about that?
Define hedonism. Where is that term used and by who?
What does Dorian wish/pray for?
Chapter 3
Why does Henry desire to influence Dorian?
How do people at the party respond to Henry and his philosophies about life? What type of worldview is he advocating?
Chapter 5
Describe Sibyl Vane. How are her and Dorian different? The same?
What character qualities does Mrs. Vane lack?
Chapter 7
The following quote is very important. “But the picture? What was he to say of that? It held the secret of his life, and told his story. It had taught him to love his own beauty. Would it teach him to loathe his own soul? Would he ever look at it again?” Keep this quote in mind as you read and think about the book.
When does he first notice a change in the portrait?
Chapter 9
Describe the different reactions Henry and Basil have in response to hearing of Sibyl Vane’s death.
Chapter 10
Would we behave differently if we could physically see our soul?
What is the French School of Symbolistes?
Chapter 11
The book Henry gives Dorian greatly influences him? What is greater the influence of a person or a book?
Dorian looks as though he is “unspotted from the world” so people trust him. Are looks deceiving?
What do you think of the last line of this chapter?
Chapter 12
What do you think of Henry’s assertion that, “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. It cannot be concealed. People talk sometimes of secret vices. There are no such things.”
What kind of influence does Dorian have on others? Does he prove Henry right when he said, “to influence another is to give him one’s own soul.”
Chapter 19
Henry references Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Isn’t this book answering that question? What do you think of that?
What do you think of Henry’s view of Dorian’s life?
Chapter 20
Was it the portrait that ruined his life, or the fact that he can actually see his soul?

I will post the essay question next week! Its a good one:)