F Bell Blog [due Friday November 5]

The modernist era sparked a new sense of wanting to defy the norm of society to discover what is best for the individual. In "The Glass Menagerie," by Tennessee Williams, multiple characters and events portray these radical modernistic ideas. Using specific textual evidence, select a character or an event in the play and show how it fits into this idea of modernism.

If you would like a little more background on Modernism, check out this website:

http://vc.ws.edu/engl2265/unit4/Modernism/all.htm

Posted by Dan and Haley

G Bell Blog (due November 5 by midnight)

From the combination of autobiographical narrative and dialogue of "The Glass Menagerie," readers experience a melding of fact and emotion that provides insight into the entrapped nature of its characters' existences. Tom can be portrayed as a sympathetic character, bound like a slave serving his family, or as an evil, heartless egoist when he abandons them. In a similar light, Gregor, from "The Metamorphosis," has a dual nature of self-sacrifice for his family and selfish self-preservation to pursue his own dreams and stop providing for them. Using textual evidence, relate these two characters and then take a stance of Tom as a selfless victim, selfish villain, or combination of the two. 

Posted by: Anna Cait and Alexander

You can reference the linked critical article below to aid in your understanding of Tom (username and password: nsacademy)

http://fofweb.com/Lit/LowerFrame.asp?SID=5&iPin=BMDTWill23&rID=14&RecType=Analysis+or+Criticism&InputText=the+glass+menagerie&SearchStyle=Keyword&RecType=Analysis%20or%20Criticism&CurTab=Analysis&RecCountVal=1&AllRecCount=168&TopThCount=23&BioCount=15&AnCrCount=85&OverSynCount=9&VideoCount=0&OrderBy= 

Notice the emotions of the characters in the above video

G Bell Blog: due October 29th by midnight

After reading “A Doll’s House,” many agree that it was open-ended. This openness leaves opportunity for the reader to interpret the ending and take it in whichever direction they foresee it heading, varying based on their understanding of the work. For this week’s blog post, you are going to continue the ending of “A Doll’s House.” You are to decide what happens after Nora leaves Torvald. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the characters and the themes in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.”
In the second part of the blog post, you are to explain the characters actions, of your written ending, using Freud’s studies. The website below has a variety of Freud’s topics of study that can be used to base your character’s actions on. You should pick 2 areas of his works to be able to defend and analyze why your characters did what they did in your extended ending.

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/freud.html

F Bell Blog due Oct. 29

"A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen shocked the world when it was first published. From the beginning of the play until the final act, the plot line was controversial. "A Doll's House" was contrasting to its times. As the play continues, it becomes prevalent that many ideas, themes, and characters contrast each other. Ibsen uses these contrasting ideas to portray a shocking and controversial effect. Using textual evidence discuss and show how two ideas, themes, or characters contrast each other and also enhance the play.

E Bell A Doll's House due Oct. 29

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen is often considered to be a strong feminist novel from the Victorian Era because of Nora breaking from the traditional roles of women in the family and society. However, there are different opinions on whether A Doll’s House is truly a feminist work or not. The opinion that A Doll’s House is a feminist novel is often supported by the strong images of women in the play. Use images of Nora or other women throughout the play and/or their actions to either prove or refute that A Doll’s House is a piece of feminist literature. Use textual evidence to support your side of the argument.
Posted by Shane Winslow and Kelly Manno

E bell DOLL'S HOUSE due Friday 22

Society often forces women into many unhealthy relationships. In A Doll’s House, Nora is in a way forced to marry Torvald. However, this leads to her unhappiness. When she leaves Torvald, She is then considered a “feminist.” In several novel’s and short stories we have read this year, the protagonist is considered a feminist, but the characters are not always truly feminist. Do you think Nora is a feminist? Why or Why not? When the protagonist rebels from societal marrital standards, does she break bigger moral standards? You may compare is to other works we have read. It’s very open-ended.

G Bell "A Doll's House" Due Friday October 22 by midnight

“A Doll’s House,” by Henrik Ibsen is a story about a couple and their relationship between each other and the others in their lives. Nora’s actions are unpredictable, and because of this it can be interpreted as a feminist or non-feminist work. Choose a side, whether feminist or non-feminist, and use one of the critical articles below weaving in textual evidence to prove your argument.

http://www.fofweb.com/Lit/default.asp?ItemID=WE54

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23063941/A-Dolls-House-a-Push-to-Freedom

***for those who are unaware, the password and username for Bloom's Literary Library (linked above as www.fofweb) is nsacademy

F bell "A Doll's House" Due Friday October 22

Henrik Ibson

A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, shows the fragility of the Victorian convention of marriage as illustrated in the relationship between Nora and Torvald Helmer. Their marriage eventually fades away to nothing in the end when Nora feels compelled to leave the household to find her niche in the world. Refute or agree with the following statement:

In the beginning of the story, Nora is treated and acts like a child while her husband, Torvald, appears to be more mature and dominant in their relationship. By the end of the story, their relationship has changed and possibly been reversed, indicating that Nora may have matured and Torvald may have regressed to being a child. Provide specific textual evidence for each character's actions to support your claim.

Posted by Ray and Jessica :)

F Bell Post- Due October 15

In the short stories "The Lady With The Pet Dog" by Chekov, "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" by Lawrence, and "Girl" by Kincaid, each author has included a female protagonist. Choose two out of the three stories that deal with the oppression of women. This oppression can center around the actions of other characters or the traditional gender roles placed upon women by society. What can you infer about the author's viewpoint of women through the context of the story? Use contextual evidence.

G bell-Chekhov and Kincaid-Due Friday, October 15th

Both Chekhov and Kincaid portray conflicts through relationships within their short stories. In "The Lady with the Pet Dog," the connection between Dmitry and Anna is filled with contradictions through a morally corrupt affair, while in Kincaid's "Girl," the association between the mother and the daughter creates tension within the household. Using textual evidence, support how these challenges allow the reader to obtain a stronger understanding of these short stories.

E Bell Hawthorne Post, Due Friday Oct. 15

Nathanial Hawthorne's writings often featured extensive references to Puritanism in the New England region. Hawthorne's ancestors lived during the height of Puritanism in New England and were involved in the Salem witchcraft trials in 1692-1693. His writings often reflect this background, suggesting he feels shame and guilt for the crimes of his ancestors. Analyze Hawthorne's dynamic tone regarding Puritanism in ANY of his works that you have read (short stories, novels, etc.). Use Freudian psychoanalytic techniques to construct your own "spin" of ideas on Hawthorne's intended message. What is Hawthorne trying to say about Puritan society? the human mind? This is a flexible prompt topic and each student should be able to present ample evidence to support his/her opinion (use quotes, personal analysis, etc.). Be sure to provide insightful thoughts and inject new ideas into this blog feed - avoid repetitiveness.
Brennan Pieroni, Jeffrey Ruland, and Natalie Undeland

Freud and Hawthorne E Bell - Due Friday, October 8th

Freud is known for using the psychoanalytic theory for his patients. He uses methods like free association to understand his patients’ illnesses, and believes windows are opened to a person's inner feelings through dreams. "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne describes a disturbing dream where the protagonist of the story, Goodman Brown, comes face to face with evil. Choose specific examples that relate Freud's interpretation of dreams and his theory of "the mind is like an iceberg" to Brown's disturbing dream.  (Kelsey R. and Kevin J.)