WELCOME STUDENTS!

This is a place for us to discuss openly and honestly the literature we are reading. Here we are all just communicating our thoughts on what we are reading. There are no right and wrong answers. However, you are expected to be polite, mature, and on topic.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The story behind the violence

In chapters 11-16, the Creature tells his tale.  In the two years since his "birth," the Creature  has experienced so much.  Select the one event that you found most revealing about the Creature's emotions.  You may not repeat the same event as the person before you and you must comment on what others have said as well.  I will post first.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, September 25, 2014.)

Questions for Frankenstein Chapters 11-16 due on Thursday, Sept. 25th


Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Ch11
The Creature's Tale Begins
1,
What does the creature remember of his earliest days? How does he seem to be learning things? How well can the creature speak at this point of his existence?
2.
How does the creature respond to his discovery of the fire ? Why does he move?
3.
What happens during his first encounters with people ? Is this more like what you expect from a horror story? But from whose point of view do we see these encounters?
4.
Where does he finally find a place to stay ? What does he learn about the people who live in the cottage? How does he feel toward them?
Ch12
1.
How does the creature continue to learn about the family he is watching? How might a modern anthropologist or sociologist respond to the creature's methods? What is the condition of the family? How does the creature manage to help them?
2.
How does the creature learn language ? Why might he have trouble learning words such as "good, dearest, unhappy" ? What are the names of the family members ?
3.
What things bother the creature when he thinks of discovering himself to the family ? How does he respond to his own appearance when he sees it?
4.
The creature is still there when spring come. What has been happening to Victor in the meantime? (refer to chapter 5)
5.
How does the creature hope to win over the family ? How does he respond to the coming of spring?
Ch13
1.
Who arrives at the cottage in the spring? What is Safie's background? How does her language problem help the creature? Which of them learns faster?
2.
How does the creature learn about reading? What book does Felix use to teach Safie ?
3.
What does the creature learn from this book? How much of a monster can someone be who can say "but when I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased, and I turned away with disgust and loathing"?
4.
What happens when the creature begins to think about himself? How does he compare with the humans described in the book? What questions does he ask himself? How does his knowledge make him feel? What does he learn about human relationships, and how does this make him feel?
Ch14
1.
How did the De Lacey family come to be living in the cottage?
2.
How did Safie come to find and join them?
Ch15
1.
What does the creature find in the woods?
2.
What are the three books that the creature reads, and what does he learn from each?
3.
What else does the creature read and what does he learn from it?
4.
How long has it been since the creature came to life ? What is Victor doing at this point? (See chapter 6.)
5.
What does the creature hope will happen when he talks to De Lacey? What actually happens?
Ch16
1.
What happens to the De Lacey family after the events of chapter 15? How does the creature respond, and what does he do to the cottage?
2.
How does the creature travel? Does this remind you of any other people's travels?
3.
What event during the creature's travels confirms his hatred of humans ?
4.
What event happens when the creature is near Geneva ? Who is the boy? Who is the woman?
5.
When Victor visits the site of William's death in chapter 7, he says "I had turned loose into the world a depraved wretch, whose delight was in carnage and misery.” After reading the creature's version of events, do you agree?
6.
What does the creature demand from Victor?

Monday, September 22, 2014

Water, water,everywhere...




      The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is filled with vivid, phantasmagoric, and otherworldly imagery. Find one  such example of vivid imagery, quote it and explain what words really helped you to see the scene.   A link to the poem is given below. ( The deadline to post a response is midnight, September 23, 2014.)
       http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173253 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Who created that green monster?

The Frankenstein that haunts modern Halloweens is not the Frankenstein monster created by Mary Shelley.  Be the first to come to KP with the name of the person who created the flat head, green skinned, bolts in the neck monster image and your source for this information and you will receive an extra 10 points on the first Frankenstein test.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Where have the good men gone...

We have just finished reading Beowulf and discussed the characteristics of the epic hero--the journey/quest, the battle with monsters for the greater good of society, the embodiment of a society's customs, the possession of super strength, the display strong ethics, the glorification by those he saved, and the never-ending fight of good vs. evil. Which of the characteristics did you find most believable in the story? Which was hard to accept? Why?  Also, please answer the blog poll about Beowulf on the other side of this post. (You may post a response to this blog until midnight, Saturday, September 20, 2014.)

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

A mixed culture


The epic Beowulf is filled with references to both pagan and Christian religions, as well as numerous references to gold.  Select either religion or gold imagery and give a passage from the selection and explain what, how and why this passage helps to create religious or gold imagery.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight  Thursday, September 18, 2014.)

Monday, September 15, 2014

What I am about to do goes beyond magic...

Based upon information in Chapter 4, how is the planning stage of Frankenstein's experiments with life and death and his plans to create a living person described? What changes take place in Frankenstein during this time and what are his reflections about the changes?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, September 16, 2014.)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

...In the beginning...

We have covered a great deal about the Anglo-Saxons and the historical period in which they ruled and changed England and developed our language. They were an interesting society. What are two things you found to be interesting about the Anglo-Saxons? Explain why. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Saturday, September 13, 2014.)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

No longer driftwood!

So many of your essays moved my heart.  You did awesome jobs.  It was a difficult task to pick the best driftwood pieces, but the winners are Jacki M. and Allison E.  Their pieces truly reflected their personalities, as well as expressed their creativity, uniqueness, and effort. 

Monday, September 8, 2014

Wit and Wisdom under the Waves of the Mighty Mississippi

Throughout the novel HUCK FINN, Twain gives us insight to his wit and his wisdom. Which episode or line/passage from the novel did you find especially humorous and why? Which line/passage of Twain's did you find didactic? How so? (The deadline to post a response to this post is midnight, Tuesday, September 9, 2014.)

Thursday, September 4, 2014

WE DID IT!

Congratulations to
Madison S., DaQuan J., Katelyn L. Kylee R., Mazie P,, and Lena C.  Their independent novel presentation were so great that KP is buying their novels for her class.  They are all smiles here because they each hold a check for $1000.00 in KPU bucks (which can be redeemed later).  

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Oh! the Humanity!









When Huck leaves the raft and ventures into the "sivilized" world, he encounters a variety of people and situations. Select one of the following episodes and comment on what Huck learns from these "sivilized" people and what is Twain's purpose in this episode? CHOICES: The Grangerfords or The Wilks or The Duke and Dauphin or Colonel Sherburn and Boggs

CATCH: YOU MAY NOT POST ON THE SAME EPISODE AS THAT THE PERSON WHO POSTED BEFORE YOU DID. SAY SOMETHING NEW. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, September 5, 2014)