5/12: D Block: You’re going to watch part of a documentary about the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy today in order to think about how transcendental ideas are applied today. Goldsworthy is an artist who works in nature – this particular film focuses primarily on his work with water. It’s largely visual, so focus your attention on what you see, but don’t forget to listen to him as well. As we’re watching, jot down words and phrases that come to your mind as you are watching and/or things that he says that you want to remember. Try to listen for connections between this and Emerson’s writing and transcendentalism. After the film, pair up to talk about what you saw and heard – make solid connections to Emerson and to transcendentalism. Put your best ideas up on BIG PAPER (big enough for everyone to see) and take notes.
Next, I’d like you to read two commentaries from our time that look back on Emerson’s time (Emerson and now). Read both modern essays about Emerson and his legacy. You need to respond to the two essays on the index card (filling both sides with the response). “The Foul Reign of Emerson’s ‘Self-Reliance” and “Bloom on Emerson” are attached below.
On the front of the notecard, bullet points from each that make clear the author’s main points. On the back: Delve more deeply into arguments that provoke you or spark some interest, given your reading of Emerson. Use specific ideas from your discussions about Emerson, your readings of his background and Nature, of transcendentalism, etc. Again, make sure to share these as a class.
I'll ask you to do the other reading tomorrow.
5/11: I am going to ask you to read a short excerpt from a biography of Emerson that places him in his own time. I want you to get a sense of his development as a thinker and of his passions. The indented sections in the excerpt are Emerson’s own writings from his journals, so spend some time trying to make sense of those. On the front of the notecard, write about what you learned from this piece about Emerson as a person, a thinker and a man of his time. Tell me what you understand of his journals, what still confuses you and what you understand about his goals. On the back of the notecard, make connections between what you read in this excerpt and the work you have been doing with the excerpt from Nature and “Self Reliance.” Go back and look at your notes from last week, at the questions you had, at our class notes (especially at the description and the relationship between man, God and nature* – that will help resolve many of the questions groups seem to have had) and try to dig deeper into the ideas by applying what you read today. After you have all finished the reading and the index cards, please get back together in groups, discuss what you write about, try to make sense of your questions from last time. Any questions you still have, please write down and hand in to the sub.
* Two things to help you based on the notes you turned in last week. First, the Transparent eyeball concept was what I was trying to get to last week when I asked you to describe something that you loved and then describe what others could not see about your “unity” with what you love. That’s the idea Emerson is communicating. Second, when he uses Nature, he means BIG N Nature – like BIG T TRUTH – it’s about the world we see outside, our own natures and the nature of the Divine (his vision of God is much more a division of the Divine)
Keep working on your projects – I can give you help via email. Sorry I am not there.
5/5: Please read the excerpt from Nature and from “Self Reliance.” Start with the excerpt from Nature. This is one of the most important texts in transcendentalism, because Emerson lays out his philosophy, which becomes the foundation of the movement that becomes known as transcendentalists. Work your way through the excerpt. You will see that he writes in an elevated style. Try to read carefully and make sense of every paragraph. Mark what is confusing to you. Use the Emerson notes I gave you to try to understand (the concept of the transparent eyeball is very important as is his view of man’s relationship to nature). When you have finished this reading, pair up (or groups of three) and talk over the rough spots. Make me notes so that I can see what you understand and what you don’t. Do the same with “Self Reliance.” Turn these notes into the sub.
Remember that full drafts are due tomorrow. If you are not in school, first – good luck on the AP exam. Everybody who’s going, be careful and safe at prom. Revise the drafts for response in Tuesday. I will check email periodically over the weekend so send me your issues.
5/3: Homework - make sure that you read (and understand) the notes or Romanticism and Transcendentalism.