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!