Embedded Files
January 8
January 8
"Ordeal by Cheque" by Wuther Crue
What are the implications of our work with “Ordeal by Cheque” and the message of the video regarding how to approach literature?
Ultimately, the authors of both of these texts had something in mind when they were writing. The author of "Ordeal by Cheque" probably had a narrative they imagined when they created the checks, with different details supporting what they imagined in their hypothetical scenario. But when the reader comes and imagines their own world, he or she is free to decide ( based on the evidence that is presented) what the checks mean and how the plot plays out and what the theme is, because, at the end of the day, it is the reader who is generating the fictional world that might produce checks like these. However the reader interprets the clues is not a wrong answer as long as they can use the text to justify their belief.
In "When I Consider How My Light Is Spent ", Milton likely applied his own life experiences and beliefs into his writing, and one can see elements of his blindness and religious beliefs in the poem. But the reader is allowed to draw his or her own conclusions as well. If you see something in the writing that speaks to you, that has a special meaning to yourself, who can say that what you see is wrong? The original author may not have thought about his or her own writing in that way, but you as the reader can apply your own life and character to the world that you imagine.
January 13
January 13
"We grow accustomed to the dark" by Emily Dickinson
1. Which topic/s is the speaker asking us to examine? 2. Determine what the theme is about this topic or topics. 3. How does the theme develop over the course of the text?
The speaker is asking the reader to consider how one behaves when left in an unfamiliar, unknown, "dark" situation, and how they move forward and through it. The theme is that when one is left in the "dark", the only way to move out of it is forward. Initially, the text describes the blindness and "uncertain step" of the darkness, and how there seems to be nothing to guide, no "Moon [to] disclose a sign...or Star". This is similar to how, in life, people are sometimes thrown into circumstances that seem impossible to escape, with nowhere to go. But as the text progresses, it describes progress one must make despite the seemingly unconquerable condition. It says that "The Bravest" will "grope a little", reaching out to get a feel of their surroundings and explore. The meaning of this is that even when placed in a dark place, one must reach out and try to move through it. While they might make a mistake, "sometimes hit a Tree", and those slip-ups might be painful and hit you "Directly in the Forehead", it is part of learning "to see". By the end of the text, it describes how eventually the darkness will lighten up a bit, and make the road of Life "almost straight". Just like a person in a dark time, they must take the first step to move out of that place, despite the challenges and pitfalls, because that's the only way to move on.
January 22
January 22
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Read the following 6 lines.
True, Zeus indeed, and Apollo, are wise,
And knowers of what concerns mankind;
But that word of a seer, a man like me,
Weighs more than mine, for a man to prize,
Is all unsure. Yea, one man’s mind
May surpass another’s in subtlety;
1. Rewrite each of the six lines using your own words.
The gods know all,
Know the fate of all and every man,
But a prophet, a mortal man like me
Is supposed to be worthier than mine?
I am uncertain of its truth. Sure, one man
May be more sophisticated than another;
2. Why are these six lines important for the development of the theme or the advancement of the plot?
It shows the disbelief of Oedipus and the rest of the characters at the claim that Oedipus was the murderer. It sets the norm first, laying the foundation for Oedipus's reality to be blow out of the water. It could be considered foreshadowing, or dramatic irony because the audience knows that Oedipus is blind to the truth.
January 23 (solo)
January 23 (solo)
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
1.Focus on the following passage at the bottom of Page 22: Creon: For time alone shews a man’s honesty, / But in one day you may discern his guilt. What influences Creon to say this, and what does Creon mean?
Creon knows that Oedipus does not trust him at the moment, and that he may not be able to win it back until he is proven innocent. The lines he says means that it takes a long time for people to gauge a man's trustworthiness by repeated interactions and building reputation, but that all that faith can be immediately ruined by proving him once as a liar.
2.Focus on the following passage from page 25: Oedipus: Do you perceive / How far you are carried--a well meaning man! / Slurring my anger thus, and blunting it? What does Oedipus mean, and why does he say this?
Oedipus means that the Senator is abusing his anger, and not validating his quarrel. He says it because the Senator is proposing to leave the issue alone, and does not seem to agree with either Creon or Oedipus.
3.Reread what Jocasta says on page 26. Why does Jocasta tell Oedipus that he should “set you free from thought of that you talk of”?
She is saying to forget what the seer told him that troubles him so much, because in her experience she thinks seers are unreliable.
4. Focus on the top of pages 28-30. What does Oedipus know, and what does Oedipus not know?
Oedipus knows now that a servant has reported that Laius was killed where the three roads meet, and that it was within a similar time that Oedipus entered the land. He does not know, however that the servant had lied, and said it was a party of robbers that killed Laius rather than the single man, and that the servant actually recognized Oedipus and had run away for that reason.
January 28
January 28
Arthur Miller, "Tragedy and the Common Man," from The Theater Essays of Arthur Miller
1. Synthesize what you and your classmates said during today's discussion.
We discussed how tragedies were written for and enjoyed by the masses, not just the nobility. The author claims that this is evidence that tragedies and nobility do not have to go hand in hand; otherwise, why would there be massive crowds of commoners who gathered together to watch these plays?
We also discussed a lot about the intro paragraph, and the very advanced language, metaphors, and structure that is used there. We wondered about why the author would choose to begin this text this way, and what it really meant in the context of the whole essay. We had a lot of questions about some of the things written here.
2. Connect something you heard during today's discussion to a modern-day person or experience.
Today, there are also few forms of entertainment exclusively produced for the rich. Today's music, shows, TV, books, movies, etc. are not just for wealthy people, they are still accessible to everybody. However, unlike the past, today's media is often focused on the common person as well. There are plenty of movies about money, nobility, and rich people, but there are equally as many about people who are not at the top. Often, stories that we see today transcend multiple socioeconomic levels, with characters from different backgrounds and even people who go up and down the money or power ladder. It is more evidence that maybe tragedy was not popular because of its focus on the rich and powerful, it was because the entertainment appealed to everybody - the common man.
February 3 (post response addition)
February 3 (post response addition)
Arthur Miller, "Tragedy and the Common Man," from The Theater Essays of Arthur Miller
1. (objective reading focus): Discuss what the paragraphs say and do as you move from the beginning of the essay to the end of the essay. You may discuss individual paragraphs, or you may chunk them together. Refer to the paragraphs by their number.
The text starts with an intro paragraph that introduces the topic of the essay: tragedies. It does not actually begin the author’s argument as much as it does establish the topic in today’s time. Paragraph 2 begins by immediately stating the author’s claim, with paragraph 3 giving evidence to why it could be true. From paragraph 4 and onward, the author begins explaining why he believes the underlying foundations of tragedy apply to both nobility and common men. Paragraph 4 - 6 identify the underlying foundations, then 7 - 8 show how they apply to the common man as well. Then, from paragraph 9, the author begins explaining why he thinks tragedies actually should apply to the common man even more than the rich and powerful. All the paragraphs up to 15 build up more and more reasoning, evidence, and examples that lead to his ultimate claim. Then finally, he concludes his argument in the last two paragraphs.
2. (objective reading focus): What do you notice about the author’s incorporation of the rhetorical modes, and how do these modes contribute to the author’s message?
I notice the author uses a lot of process analysis. Much of the text is structured in a step by step, paragraph by paragraph train of reasoning that leads up to final claims. He uses a lot of exemplification within these process analyses as well. This makes the author’s thought process behind his message very clear, and might help convince the reader or at least help the reader see the author’s point.
3. (subjective reading focus): Challenge claims, agree with the author, provide a personal response, disagree with author, and/or suggest counterarguments. Cite the text in your response.
I personally do not see much fault in the author’s reasoning. However, I do see possible evidence that might contradict the author’s claim. In the very beginning of the text, the author mentions how tragedy is not as prevalent as it was in the past, but he never mentions this again. But if tragedy was written and performed in an era where powerful gods noble kings were a significant part of culture, then why should it not be even more prevalent in an era of “power of the people”? Could there be a correlation? Yes, maybe the author’s point is valid, but would not that align more with an increased connection of the audience of today to tragedies? I do not necessarily disagree with this text, but I do see slight contradiction.
Read your peer’s evaluation of your responses. Paraphrase what your peer said about your strengths and your weaknesses. Provide an evaluation of your own responses after you paraphrase what your peer said. Include what you think your strengths are and what your weaknesses are in this assignment.
Strengths: First, my peer reviewer said that text's flow was good, that I connected my thoughts very well. Second, he or she said that my responses, like paragraph 3, clearly and obviously answered the question.
Weaknesses: My peer reviewer said that my paragraph 2 response could have used a bit more elaboration, that I did not give a clear enough explanation behind my answer. I agree; the fact that it was my shortest paragraph is a sign of that. I could have included more detail in my response. It might have been because I was not very sure about my answer and that I really did not know how to explain it.
February 5 (solo)
February 5 (solo)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Turn to page 13 of Things Fall Apart and reread the paragraph that begins with “Okonkwo ruled his household with a heavy hand” and ends with “One of those things was gentleness and another was idleness.”
1. In the line, "It was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil and capricious gods and of magic, fear of the forest, and of the forces of nature, malevolent, red in tooth and claw," how does the author use language to evoke an emotional response from the reader? Be sure to cite specific words or phrases to defend your position.
The author uses very descriptive yet abstract wording to help the reader envision the power of the fears that the author is writing about. Words like evil and capricious add to the feeling of corruption, and even more extreme illustrations like malevolent and red give a sense of abstract imagery to the scene, as if evil beings and red blood were flashing across the landscape. It is not literal imagery, as these are not really tangible things one can clearly picture in one's mind, but rather it is inspiring emotional, violent senses in the reader's mind to match the fear that the author is writing about.
2. How does the author use language to affect the reader's impression of Okonkwo? Use evidence from the passage to support your response.
The author goes very in depth into the motivations behind Okonkwo. All his past experiences are explained and shown to be influences in his personality, in this case, how his father so drastically shaped his attitude towards laziness. While yes, the reader sees that Oknonkwo is a violent, extreme person, they can also see the sheer depth behind why he is how he how he is, and maybe feel more sympathetic to him. Yes, "[h]is wives..lived in perpetual fear of his fiery temper, and so did his little children...", but "in his heart Okonkwo was not a cruel man." The author paints him as a complex character with very deep motivations and history.
3. How does the author use culture to explain character motivation? Use evidence from the passage to support your answer.
One example is the "agbala" incident. The author introduces and explains the word in the context of the culture, and shows what it meant to Okonkwo that his father was called that. It is not the single reason that Oknokwo hates his father's legacy so much, but it is an anecdote from the culture that gives the reader an example of what exactly Oknokwo is so desperate to stay away from. The reason why "agbala" is an insult in their culture are the reasons why Oknokwo is paranoid of being like his father.
February 10 (solo)
February 10 (solo)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
1.What is the major topic of Chapter 6?
The major topic is wrestling. Most of the chapter is a recounting of how the wrestling part of the Feast of the New Yam went.
2.What is the mood, and how does Achebe establish this mood? Provide two examples of diction that help establish the mood and two examples of figurative language that helps to establish the mood. After each example (or before), explain HOW each example establishes this mood.
The mood is intense and powerful on multiple levels. In a physical sense, there is the strength of the wrestlers such as "The muscles on their arms and their thighs and on their backs stood out and twitched.", or the force that the crowd carried such as "The crowed roared and clapped and for a while drowned the frenzied drums." On a more emotional sense, the author demonstrates the powerful rhythm of the drums with "They were possessed by the spirit of the drums...[and] wrestled to its intoxicating rhythm." Later, "..the air shimmered and grew tense like a tightened bow" shows the tension and significance of the events of that day, and how it riveted the attention of the onlookers.
3.Why do you think Achebe included this chapter? Consider how this chapter contributes to the author’s purpose for writing this novel?
Maybe the author included this chapter to show the importance of masculine strength and dominance in their culture. It could set the stage for other events later on in the book that may be explained by showing the previously established setting. As we continue the book, we may see new plot elements that point back to this element.
February 11 (solo)
February 11 (solo)
"The Core of Masculinity" by Runi
1. How does the speaker’s use of juxtaposition reflect the speaker’s message?
The author uses juxtaposition to compare the "consoling" attitude that is not masculinity, to the harsher treatment of what is masculinity. The author wants to define "the core of masculinity", and explain its benefits, so the author compares it to the opposite.
2. Explain what the last two lines mean and how they are connected to the speaker’s message.
The author is saying that the past, un-masculine versions of us have been too focused on comfort and hiding from trouble. Instead, people should fear returning to that state, just like how in Things Fall Apart Okonkwo is so paranoid of becoming the laid back, passive person his father was. The author is saying we should be "afraid" of being like that as well.
February 25 (solo)
February 25 (solo)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
"The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats
1. What is ironic about the title of the District Commissioner's proposed book? What role will Okonkwo's story have in the book? (Final page of the novel)
The title of the book would be ironic in the sense that rather than pacifying the tribes there, the white man's presence had aggravated them and caused suffering and damage to their communities. Pacify meant less of suppressing hostility, and more of stirring up strife then beating it down again. Okonkwo's story might be an example of "pacification" in the DC's book, but in reality Okwonko demonstrated how the disrespect and lack of understanding from the colonists led to possibly unnecessary conflict between the two groups.
1.What does the falconer represent, and what does the falcon represent?
The falcon is humanity, straying farther and farther away from our falconer, who is the "right way", or the safe, correct path.
2.Identify two topics the speaker is asking the reader to examine.
Despair and loss of hope in humanity, darkness over the world.
3.Using one or more of these topics, write a thematic statement for this poem.
This world is corrupt and hopeless, to the point of wishing it would end.
4.How does the imagery reinforce the poem’s theme? Cite two pieces of evidence from the poem.
The imagery adds to the themes of hopelessness and doom, such as the analogy with the falcon spiraling farther and farther from its falconer into a gyre of doom, or with the image of a blood stained tidal wave flooding and drowning the earth.
5.Select two animals that are being contrasted, and explain what the effect of this contrast is.
The falcon is the hapless, doomed humanity, and the sphinx represents a powerful, inevitable force of darkness that humanity cannot defeat. The contrast between humanity and its enemy adds to the sense of hopelessness, that they cannot be beaten.
6.Why do you think Achebe used a line from this poem as the title of his novel?
Achebe may have wanted to capture the sense of inevitable corruption of darkness in this text, and reflect that into how the white man was like an unstoppable plague that overran the Ibo society.
March 3 (solo)
March 3 (solo)
Mamet’s Intro for Twelve Angry Men
1.What is the purpose of paragraph 2?
It is to introduce the anecdote about Eric Hoffer that the author is about to tell. Paragraph 2 is the first part of it, and it goes all the way to paragraph 5.
2.How is the purpose of paragraph 2 related to paragraph 5?
After his first anecdote showing the power of diverse abilities, the author then switches to if people are not open to diverse viewpoints.
3. Condense the ideas in paragraph 6 into one succinct sentence.
People can naturally cohabitate, interact, and befriend each other if there are no dividers.
4.How does the diction in paragraphs 7, 8, 9, & 10 reflect a shift?
The author then shifts to talk about what a good jury is supposed to fight against. The negative diction is to reflect what the jurors of the court are supposed to stand against.
6.What is the difference between the protagonist of drama and the hero of a tragedy?
A drama protagonist follows his plot as outside forces change his or her path. A tragic hero's fate is sealed by his or her own actions, adding to the sense of inevitability.
7. Closed System...what’s this?
In tragedies, the hero exists in a world where the final outcome is determined by his or her interactions, and only those interactions. There is no sudden, dramatic influence that takes it out of the hero's control.
8.How does the author discern what a good drama is and what a bad drama is?
The author says that a good drama leaves the issue at hand in doubt in the observer's mind, rather than a bad drama, where the reader is given a clear resolution of the issue, that is final but easily forgotten.
9.Which line from this text is the most significant one? Justify your choice.
"The lawyers can, and will, lie, elaborate, attempt to distract, embellish, and confuse; and nothing stands between the person in the box and the horror of an unchecked government except twelve diverse, reasonably intelligent people." I think this is a good summary of how the author says the juror's charge is. I think it will come into play as we begin reading Twelve Angry Men.
Week of March 30th (quarantined solo)
Week of March 30th (quarantined solo)
Quote from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Tolkien: "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door."
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Select one of the following passages to focus on for this week’s log. Explore one or more ideas in your selected passage by connecting the idea or ideas to what you are currently experiencing or what others are currently experiencing. Submit two or three insightful, reflective paragraphs.
The first thing I relate to in this text is the idea that leaving your house may indeed a "dangerous business". My normal life includes plenty of "going out [my] door", from going to school every day to attending Friday Youth Groups and Sunday worship at my church. All of these were very significant parts of my life, and arguably my identity. I identify myself as a good student, and not being at school is disconcerting, like an absence in my week. Youth Group is also a major element of my identity. I am used to seeing my closest friends each Friday and Sunday. I had to grapple with the fact that self-quarantining was the safest way to protect my friends and their families. I still haven't fully accepted it in my mind yet; my parents and Wake County decided for me. It is an element that I haven't come to terms with, and I have to resign myself to unwilling acquiescence
Besides complaining about my current situation, I also often ponder over the fact that this pandemic that is so drastically changing nearly the whole world's lives is happening during my lifetime, at this exact moment. It is hard to believe that this is happening right now, and just like Frodo, "I wish it need not have happened in my time". However, I also see that this event is a chance for me to make the most of a sudden influx of free time. I have to "decide...what to do with the time that is given us". So the best I can do right now is to make the most of it, learn new things, spend time with my family, and live on.
Week of April 6th (quarantined solo)
Week of April 6th (quarantined solo)
Excerpts from "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose
This week’s log is about how the jurors rely on the three appeals in Act II of Twelve Angry Men.
In a two or three-paragraph response, explain how two different jurors rely on the different appeals in order to reach the “not guilty” verdict. Cite textual evidence from Act II that supports your claim.
5TH JUROR [moving to the 8TH JUROR]: Wait a minute. Give me that.The 8TH JUROR hands the knife to the 5TH JUROR. He closes the knife and holds it gingerly.I hate these things. I grew up with them.8TH JUROR: Have you seen them used in fights?5TH JUROR: Too many of them. On my stoop. In my backyard. In the lot across the street. Switch knives came with the neighborhood where I lived. Funny, I wasn’t thinking of it. I guess you try to forget those things. You don’t use this kind of knife that way. You have to hold it like this to release the blade. In order to stab downward, you would have to change your grip.8TH JUROR: How do you use it?5TH JUROR: Underhanded.The 5TH JUROR flicks the knife open and, holding it underhanded, swings round and slashes swiftly forward and upward.Like that. Anyone who’s ever used a switch knife’d never handle it any other way.8TH JUROR: Are you sure?5TH JUROR: I’m sure.The 5TH JUROR closes the blade and flicks it open again. That’s why they’re made like this.In this excerpt, Juror 5 is using an appeal to ethos, by showing his credibility and experience with knifes. He explains that as he grew up "in a slum", he has had the unfortunate experience with using knifes. He then demonstrates his adeptness with the blade in front of the other jurors. Once he has established that he knows what he is talking about, he then makes his claim that any proficient knife wielder would grip the knife underhanded. Because he has shown is credibility, the other jurors are now more inclined to believe what Juror 5 has just demonstrated.
8TH JUROR: What’s the time?2ND JUROR: Fifteen—twenty—thirty—thirty-five—forty—forty-two seconds exactly.6TH JUROR: Forty-two seconds!8TH JUROR: I think this is what happened. The old man heard the fight between the boy and his father a few hours earlier. Then, while lying in bed, he heard a body hit the floor in the boy’s apartment, and he heard the woman scream from across the street. He got up, tried to get to the door, heard someone racing down the stairs, and assumed it was the boy.6TH JUROR: I think that’s possible.In this excerpt, Juror 8 uses an evidence based appeal to logos. Previously, he has raised a doubt about whether the old man could have actually gotten out of his apartment fast enough to see the suspect clearly enough to identify him. He asks for a layout of the apartment, and then uses the measurements to do a live test of his hypothesis in front of all the jurors. With the time he records, he demonstrates that the suspect would have been long gone by the time the old man got to the door. With this very clear evidence and reconstruction, he has added yet another object of doubt in the prosecution's case against the boy.
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