G-Bell- Due Friday, May 6th

Throughout the year, as a class, we have read, analyzed and discussed a variety of works in our process of unmasking the hidden wonders of literature. Theme is a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work. With the AP exams approaching, it is vitally important to be able to understand the variety of themes that we have discovered during our journey this year and be able to incorporate and apply them in essays and multiple choice questions. As a means of studying for the exam, pick a work that we have read this year in class. Analyze the major theme in the work and discuss how it crafts the characters and influences their actions overall. Each response should include three examples of the theme impacting individual characters or the importance of it on the work as a whole.

By: Kelsey Smith and Taylor Neuburg

F Bell- Due Friday May the 6th

Among the books we have read this year there have been overlapping themes. For this blog identify shared themes from two (or more!) works we have read in class this year and discuss why your chosen theme is significant in the literary world.

Techniques Needed for Success on the AP Exam

In preparation for the AP Exam, utilize your knowledge of Hamlet to identify and analyze two specific examples of imagery used in the play.

-posted by Tyler, Kelsie, and McLeod

AP Literature Review - F Bell Due April 29

Success is in the preparation.

With the AP exam a little under two weeks away, it is time to pack in the review. Pick one of the works we have studied this year and write an AP style essay prompt. After writing the prompt, write the organic thesis and outline how you would attack this essay. Remember to keep the thesis organic and not three pronged or any variation. The works we have read are as follow:

Their Eyes Were Watching God

The Metamorphosis

A Glass Menagerie

Heart of Darkness

A Prayer for Owen Meany

Hamlet

Ethan Frome

A Doll House

E Bell AP Review- Due April 29th

With the AP exam quickly approaching, it is time to begin reviewing and refresh our minds of our studies from this year to help us make a 5 on the exam. This blog post will help in remembering the novels we have read throughout the course of the year and also how to pick and analyze themes from literature. Choosing from the list of books below that we have read, pick and analyze a theme in the work and explain its significance within the novel. “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” may be helpful in analyzing the themes. As usual, be sure to use textual evidence.

Their Eyes Were Watching God
The Metamorphosis
A Glass Menagerie
Heart of Darkness
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Hamlet
Ethan Frome
A Doll House

E Bell Heart of Darkness - Due Friday 22

Themes are fundamental ideas found throughout a novel. In "Heart of Darkness" the themes include: criticism of imperialism, madness, and the absurdity of evil. Imperialism is supposed to be a wonderful way of life, but Marlow finds that it is quite the opposite. Madness and imperialism go hand-in-hand in the novel. Marlow and Kurtz are confused as to how they should judge evil; who are they to judge someone's way of life and determine it to be evil?
Expand of each of these themes using textual evidence.

(Maura, Kelsey, Kevin)

F Bell-"Heart of Darkness" Due April 22

"Heart of Darkness" is a novella written by literary genius Joseph Conrad, whose first language was Polish. Conrad faced many trials and tribulations throughout his life including political prosecution and the loss of family. In this novella we see parallels between the lives of Conrad and his main character Marlow. Joseph Conrad incorporated many specific themes and symbols which further enhanced the overall meaning of human nature. Please select a theme or symbol from Conrade's "Heart of Darkness" and use textual evidence to show its importance in the overall message in the novella. Also, please refrain from being repetitive.

G BELL- Heart of Darkness Due April 22

Joesph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, is set in the wild of Africa on the Congo River. Throughout Marlow’s journey, he encounters several eye-opening experiences. Pick a theme or symbol seen throughout the novella and explain its significance both in the story and its development of the universal human condition. Use textual evidence to support your explanation.

Posted by Tasha and Prutha

Heart Of Darkness-G Bell- Due Friday, April 15th

Based off Joseph Conrad’s personal experiences in Europe, specifically on the Thames River, Heart Of Darkness is centered around the travels of Marlow throughout Africa and the great Congo River. Using textual evidence compare how Conrad’s novel is parallel to his realistic journeys. Use the three websites below to help with your assessment.

http://loki.stockton.edu/~kinsellt/projects/hod/bio.html

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Conrad-Joseph.html

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/E316K/11/11/CONRAD.HTML

Posted by Caroline, Ryan, and Sydney

E Bell Heart of Darkness Due April 17

Heart of Darkness was written when British imperialism still existed and tradition and “civilization” carried a lot of importance. Delve into how the political and social situation of that time was reflected in Heart of Darkness and how it effected the action. Use textual evidence when possible.

Heart of Darkness F Bell- Due Friday, April 15th

In Joseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, much of the action takes place in Africa, and particularly on the Congo River. However, there are also ties to Europe, where the story is being told from the Thames River. Using specific examples and textual evidence from the novella, compare and contrast the cultures of the two different regions as well as the physical settings. Be sure to especially discuss the similarities.

-Brooks, Alex, and Jessie

F Bell Hamlet Part II - Due Friday, April 8

Written at the outset of the seventeenth century and based on accounts of several centuries earlier, Hamlet is often regarded as remarkably modern in its treatment of themes concerning mental health, political health, and spiritual health. Choose one character, and using textual evidence from acts III, IV, and V, show their decline in any area of health listed above. Try to select a different character if one or two are being favored.

-Emily and Erin

E Bell due Friday April 8th

Throughout Hamlet, loyalty appears to be a major theme in order to encounter betrayal to others in whom those characters are less loyal to. This entire theme is brought into the play to make Hamlet's decisions and outcomes of those decisions more difficult to come to a close. Each character in the play may appear to be more loyal to one character or another. Choose a character and write about who you believe they remain most loyal to, and why. Please use supporting evidence in your answer. If you would like to throw in a twist you may also say whom that character betrayed. The prompt is not too difficult, but be sure to support your opinion with concrete evidence.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act III (Due Friday April 9th by midnight)

Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet’s mental stability teeters on the edge of insanity, while remerging as sane during other periods. Some believe this indecisive mindset provides a front to befuddle his enemies and hide his vengeful intentions. On the other hand, some view Hamlet legitimately insane at times, a haunted character who faces his demons in the form of his father’s death, mother’s marriage, and finally call to action by the ghost. Take a solid stance of Hamlet’s mental state and defend your  position with concrete examples from the play. 

The confrontation with Ophelia (III.i), play scene (III.ii), and confrontation with his mother (III.iv) are some instances where insanity or sanity may be interpreted. 


Created by Alexander, managed by Bracey and Anna Cait

Hamlet Acts One and Two G Bell (Due Friday, April 1st)

There are always common themes, symbols, and literary techniques that someone reading a Shakespearian play can pick out and analyze. Using the video above, find one theme, symbol or any other literary technique to briefly analyze in a single paragraph. Compare or contrast how the Reduced Shakespeare Company dealt with the technique.

By: Cassie and Lauren

F Bell Hamlet Acts I & II [due Friday, April 1st]

Ghosts are mysterious beings that leave many unanswered questions in the human world. However, ghosts can also possess provocative natures and appear to humans to meddle in human affairs. This was especially the case in Shakespeare's time, as people believed ghosts to merely be devils in disguise. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet's father, King Hamlet returns to tell his son what really happened to him and request that he avenge his death. In doing so, King Hamlet reminds Prince Hamlet of the evil corruption of man from the past that will continue to exist, as well as the daunting shadow cast by religion and faith that acts as a constant reminder of what is considered good and evil. Discuss and analyze how the past play an important part in what happens in the present and future, utilizing textual evidence from either Acts I or II and one of the themes above: sin and corruption, religion, or the mysterious spiritual world. Check out the video for a quick recap of Hamlet's encounter with the Ghost if you need a refresher.

E Bell Hamlet Acts I-II, due Friday April 1, 2011

While many perceive Hamlet's primary motive in killing Claudius driven by the Ghost's plea for revenge, there are many other emotional factors that compel him to take the final step in murder. Consider at least one of the following in its role of shaping Hamlet's behavior and the final tragedy within the confines of Acts I and II: personal anger over the death of his father, anger towards Gertrude, monarchial claims, betrayal by Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, and hatred of Claudius or Polonius. This is an open ended prompt: be organic and thoughtful in your response. You do not have to limit yourself to the motives suggested above. Regardless, be sure to include textual evidence to support your argument.
-Brennan and Jeff

F BELL - Poetry Analysis due March 1

Everyone has his or her own personal plan when attacking poetry. Over the past couple of blogs, many of us have experimented with these different methods in hopes to fully understand the poem. While these sites might be useful to most, the universal way is TPCASTT. In hopes the phrase “practice makes perfect”, another reiteration of this method will ensure a 5 on the AP Exam. Below is a link that will direct you to a site where you will find for what TPCASTT stands.

http://hs.houstonisd.org/ReaganHS/Academies/Resources/TPCASTT.htm

Analyze a poem from one of these talented modern poets using the TPCASTT method. These are poets from the poetry project; if your poet is on the list please pick a new poet.

Sherman Alexie

Yehuda Amichai

Margaret Atwood

Jimmy Santiago Baca

Seamus Heany

Li-Young Lee

Czeslaw Milosz

Naoimi Shihab Nye

Octavio Paz

Wistawa Szymborska

As well as analyzing one poem from a chosen poet above, take it a step further and write a poem in the style of the author as well. This will give a better feel for the style and rhetorical devices that particular poet uses and why he uses them.

**Use the poem you have read to mimic the style.**

Posted by Ray, Sarah, and Jessica.

E Bell

Using the TPCASTT and the suggestions listed at

http://www.ehow.com/how_5294377_evaluate-poem.html

Be sure to look at:

Speaker

Tone

Diction

Situation

Imagery

Theme

Format

and how they are put together to express emotions/tell a story/get a point across

Evaluate this poetry written by teens from the link http://www.teenink.com/poetry/

Trisha and Rachel

F Bell Poetry Analysis Due Feb 22, 2011

In light of Spectrum season! We will be evaluating and critiquing poetry :)

Read the tips for evaluating poetry and critique the poems.

Title — Appropriate to subject, tone and genre? Does it generate interest, and hint at what your poem's about?

Subject — What is the basic situation?

Tone — What is the tone? How does the author convey the tone?

Word choice —diction, and syntax

Literary terms- metaphor, smile, imagery

Rhythm and meter — Does it have a rhyme scheme? If it does hat type and how does it contribute to the flow?

Use these guidelines and create your own analysis. Pick a poem from one of these amateur poets, please pick a new poem so we have variety.

http://www.angelfire.com/or2/poetryhaven/artists/artistlists.html

Posted by Sarah, Ray, and Jessica

Due by Tuesday, February 22, 2011...

or else ------------->