Infirm of Purpose...

In Act Two of Macbeth, the murder of Duncan occurs.  So much is revealed about the true characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this act as they react to the murder of Duncan.  What do we learn of Macbeth through his words and actions in this situation?  of Lady Macbeth?  Which of these two characters are you finding most interesting? Why?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Wednesday, March 26, 2014.)

A Woman's World

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, Tuesday, March 25, 2014.)

The Bard Lives

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, Sunday, March 23, 2014.)

Whan the Marchelle

The Canterbury Pilgrims arrived a month early this spring.  Here they are.   You all did amazing jobs.  Some of the best performances I have ever seen.  You maketh me proud!

Mattlan --the Doctor,  Sophia-- the Friar, Niall--the Oxford Cleric, Blaine-- the Merchant, Isaiah-- the Miller, Kali-- the Skipper, Stephanie-- the Serjeant at Law, Katherine-- the Prioress, Tara-- the Yeoman, Dixie-- the Franklin, Dana-- the Reeve and Aulora-- the Nun's Priest.

Walking on broken glass...

In the Prologue of the novel, David tells of "a series" of images that remain from the summer of 1948: a young Sioux woman, feverish on the bed in his house; his father kneeling on the kitchen floor, begging his mother to help him; his mother holding a 12 gauge shotgun, intending to use it;  and the sound of breaking glass and the odor of rotting vegetables.  By the end of Part Three, all of these images have been fully revealed and because of the "broken jars," David believes everything will go back to the way it was before.  His twelve-year-old innocence fails to realize that those jars are broken forever. Select any image from the novel (you don't have to select one from the Prologue), and discuss what was revealed in the moment and what consequence comes to the Haydens via that event. CATCH:  You may not write on any image already discussed by a classmate.   (The deadline to post a response is midnight, March 18, 2014. No credit will be given to plagiarized responses.)

Meaning Amidst the Dust

One of the indicators of an outstanding work of literature is the author's use of symbols.  In Part Two of Montana 1948, Watson presents several symbols.  Among them are Julian Hayden's log house, the magpie that David kills, the coyote mentioned in Marie's final words to David, and the reverie that David has of the Native Americans walking up Circle Hill.  Select one of these images and discuss what you feel it symbolizes and how it adds to the story's plot, characterization, and theme.  CATCH:  You must comment on what the person prior to you has said, but you may not focus on that symbol.  You must move the discussion to another symbol.  I will begin the discussion.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, March 13, 2014.)

Conflicts rising...

Part One of Montana 1948 has established several internal and external conflicts.  Internally, what conflicts are Wes and David facing?  Give a line that reveals those conflicts. Catch:  When you post a response you must comment on what others before you have said and you may not give the same quote/line that someone previously has posted.  (Deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, March11, 2014. No credit will be given to plagiarized responses.)