KPU Class of 2015

Although I am a lover of words, there are a few words that I dislike.  Among them is "good-bye." So, I refuse to say it to you, my AP scholars.  What I will say instead is that I love each of you and that I am very proud of you.  The world is a better place because you are in it!  Remember, what Ralph said in Lord of the Flies, "We ought to die before we let the fire (hope/passion) go out!"  Keep your hopes and passions, kindle them carefully, and light the darkness!  See you at graduation!

Gift for the Darkness

Comment on your reaction to Simon's encounter with the Lord of the Flies. Do you think that Simon is hallucinating because of the heat? Remember that Simon is only a young boy, about ten or eleven. Does such a young person usually have the kind of understanding and insight that Simon seems to possess? Do you think the Lord of the Flies's assessment of the other boys's feelings about Simon is accurate? Is there any evidence to support this? Cite it. Do you think the Lord of the Flies's warning that the others will "do" Simon if he tries to interfere is realistic? (The deadline to comment on this blog is midnight, Monday, December 15, 2014.)

Rules! Rules! Rules!

In chapter 5, when Jack and Ralph argue, Ralph says, "The rules are all we've got!" How important are rules in society? What rules are needed in this microcosm if the boys are to survive? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Friday, December 12, 2014.)

The Scar of Humanity

With its benign climate, fresh water and abundant fruit, the island setting of Lord of the Flies could be seen as a modern Garden of Eden until... a little boy comes forward in Chapter 2 and asks the assembly questions. What element does he introduce to the island? How does he describe it? How does the descriptive phrase, "the small boy twisted further into himself" hint at a theme? Which theme? How does this theme connect to societies of today and of all times? Give specific examples. (This post closes at midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014)

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Now, that we have read the entire play, select one of the following propositions.  Write a response that supports or refutes this proposition.  YES, you must take one side and one side only.  This isn't Switzerland. No credit will be given if you do not stay on one side of the issue. Catch:  You may not write on the same proposition as the person before you and you must agree or disagree with what he says before selecting your proposition.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Tuesday, December 9, 2014.)

1) Lady Macbeth's problem is that while she understands herself, she does not understand Macbeth.
2) Lady Macbeth is totally evil; she is, in fact, the fiend-like Queen described by Malcolm at the end of the play.
3) The witches so manipulate Macbeth that he has no control over his fate.
4) Shakespeare didn't write the silly Hecate bits, so out they come.  If you were producing a performance of Macbeth, explain why you would or would not include the Hecate scenes.
5) The story of a bad man who commits a crime is not a tragedy but a straightforward tale of evil. Macbeth, however, is about a good man who becomes evil and that is his tragedy.
6) Far from being the strong character he is often portrayed as being, Macbeth is essentially a weak man; he allows the witches and Lady Macbeth to manipulate him into an act which, if left alone, he would never contemplate, never mind commit.

"Don't shake your gory locks at me.."

Today, in Act III, Macbeth was visited by Banquo's ghost.  Does he deserve to be haunted with fear and paranoia or is he an innocent victim of the witches and his wife's manipulation?  Explain.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, December 5, 2013.)

Will you to Scone?

At the end of Act II, Ross comments that he does not believe Malcolm and Donalbain are responsible for their father's death; however, he attends the coronation of Macbeth at Scone while Macduff refuses to go see Macbeth crowned.  What do you think the actions of Ross and Macduff hint to and is being revealed through their different actions?  What type of person does each represent?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Dec. 4, 2014.)

What a girl wants

Near the end of Act One of Macbeth, Macbeth declares that he will proceed no further in the business of killing Duncan.  Analyze Lady Macbeth's response to this declaration.  What tactics does she use to persuade him?  What is that finally persuades him?  What do you think of Lady Macbeth as a person and as persuasive person? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.)

The Bard of Avon

Today, we discussed many things about Shakespeare, the Globe,  and the Renaissance.  Comment on something you found interesting in the lecture.  Explain why you found this intriguing.  (The deadline to post a response to the blog question is midnight, Tuesday, December 2, 2014.)

The bas#$@% son of a bas#$@%

Mr. Wingfield is not a character in the play; he has not one speaking line, yet he posseses so much power and control over the lives of his wife and children.  Select either Tom, Amanda, or Laura and explain how this character's life is haunted by Mr. Wingfield.  Give specific lines to prove your statement.  CATCH:  You may not comment on the same character as the person before you and you can not say the same thing anyone else has offered.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is Sunday, November 23, 2014.)

Oh, family of mine...

In any story, complexity makes for interesting characters.  Good drama rarely pits a “good guy” against a “bad guy.”  The best drama often occurs when both people in a conflict are right and wrong.  Do you sympathize with Amanda, even though she causes her children to suffer? Analyze her intentions and what they cause.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, November 21, 2014.)

Carved in Stone

Today, we read "Mrs. Charles Bliss" by Edgar Lee Masters. Read now the epitaph of Reverend Wiley. Compare their views and tones. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, November 19, 2014.)
Rev. Lemuel Wiley
I preached four thousand sermons,
I conducted forty revivals,
And baptized many converts.
Yet no deed of mine
Shines brighter in the memory of the world,
And none is treasured more by me:
Look how I saved the Blisses from divorce.
And kept the children free from that disgrace,
To grow up into moral men and women,
Happy themselves-- a credit to the village.
Edgar Lee Masters

He said...She said

We have read both "The Pardoner's Tale" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale." Which of the stories do you feel was the best?  Give two reasons why you like this one best.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Friday, November 14, 2014.) 

Need to catch-up with the Canterbury Tales?

With all the field trips this week, you might have missed reading assignments.  Here is a link to a site that will lead to you the tales we have read.  Remember we have read the entire Prologue, "The Wife of Bath's Tale," "The Pardoner's Tale, " and "The Nun's Priest's Tale."
http://english.fsu.edu/canterbury/index.html#Contents

Literature on Note

During the Medieval Period, the common folk enjoyed many folk ballads like the ones we are reading in class.  Which folk ballad: "Edward, Edward", "Lord Randall," or "Get Up and Bar the Door" did you find most interesting and why?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, November 12, 2014.)

Literary Perspectives

You are writing a literary research paper.  Please share with us your topic, what aspect you plan to pursue and something interesting you have found about that aspect in your research.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, November 7, 2014.)

What time is it?

The first person from both first and third blocks to hand me an index card with the time that Gregor Samsa died written on it gets extra credit!

An apple a day...?

Do you think it is significant that Gregor's father throws apples at him? Why or why not? What could the apples possibly symbolize?  Is it significant that Gregor's injury is caused by his father? Why or why not?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Monday, October 27, 2014.)

A Bug's Life

In what ways do you think Gregor was like a "bug" even before his metamorphosis? (This post closes at midnight, Sunday, October 26, 2014)

Meet my little Marshmallow!

I know that you are busy with all the work I have left for you, but I know that you can do it and I think when you look at this picture of the sweetest baby in the world, you will understand.  I miss you, but I have my hands and heart full!

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Here is the link to read Metamorphosis online. 
http://www.online-literature.com/franz-kafka/metamorphosis/1/

As the first nine weeks comes to a close...

As you all know, this is my last semester to teach and I am so happy that I stayed long enough to have the opportunity to teach you.  Every day I learn something new about one of you and I love that.  I really hope that this nine weeks you, too, have learned new things and that you are learning that you are not defined by your grades. You are defined by the character of your heart, the honesty of your thoughts and the purpose of your actions.   I am really looking forward to the next nine weeks with you. 

Painting with Words

Mary Shelley utilizes imagery more than any other figurative/literary technique.  Quote one passage that as you read it, the imagery drew you in and made you think more than anything.  Tell why.  I will start.  When you post, you must comment on the quote that the previous poster have given.  Add to their discussion.   (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, October 2, 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?

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 

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.

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.)

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.)

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.)

...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.)

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. 

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.)

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).