Explore & Practice Mod 3

POWER OF IMAGINATION!

Lewis Caroll, in Alice in Wonderland, asserts his belief that “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” Take a moment and ponder on his phrasing: "...Weapon in the war against reality." Are we at war with our realities? If you think so, why? Is it that feeling of limitation that we experience in real life situations? Are those limitations real or do they just exist in our minds as subconscious barricades, placed there by others? How can we be liberated from these feelings?

These questions point to how we as human beings perceive the world around us; it is called the Human Experience (did it echo when you read that?). Groundbreaking term, we know, but as simple as it is, there is some serious depth to it. Imagine what we as humans are capable of doing. Disagree? Check out this video. Human experience is a versatile term, but in psychology it refers to the four levels of human thought.

Take a look at the different levels of the human experience below.

DISCUSSION BOARD: THE APPEAL OF IDEALS

Assignment 015: DB- The Appeal of Ideals

Visit English 10B Google Group Page and respond to the following prompt:

Some levels of human experience can be more beneficial than others depending on the individual. That doesn't make people that believe in one thing inferior...just human. On which level in the chart above do you find yourself experiencing your life? Why? Is it possible to experience life on different levels? Do you think that you have to abandon all that you have been taught to believe in order to experience life in a different way? Can morals and values pertaining to reality be taught through imaginative literature? Give me an example if you can.

WHO WAS LEWIS CARROLL?

Lewis Carroll wore many hats during his life. Click on Carroll's portrait and watch the following video to learn more about his life.

DID YOU KNOW?

The real Alice was the daughter of Carroll’s boss. Is that awkward?
It was first made into a movie in 1903...it's a doozy. No, Johnny Depp is not in it.
Carroll almost called it “Alice’s Hour in Elfland.”
The original illustrations were carved into wood. Talk about old school.
The Dodo is based on Carroll

Find these facts interesting? Do more research on them--it's pretty cool stuff.

Lewis CarrollLewis Carroll was the pen name of Charles L. Dodgson, author of the children's classics "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass."

WEBQUEST ON LEWIS CARROLL

Assignment 016: Lewis Carroll Webquest

Make a copy of this document titled "Lewis Carroll Webquest."
Use whatever resources you need to answer the questions about Lewis Carroll.
Submit the google doc to Slate upon completion.

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

In Module 3 and 4 you will be reading the text Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. There is much history behind the story of this text. The author wrote the text under a pen name, Alice was a real person, the reasons behind why the author used a pen name, the movies that have been since the book was published and on and on. This novel is a children's classic but offers far more than what was perceived when you were young. It's time to venture down the rabbit hole once more. Follow this link for Alice in Wonderland on Google Docs.

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND: LIFE LESSONS & DEATH REFERENCES

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a story of a young girl falling down a rabbit-hole and entering a strange, surreal world where nothing quite makes sense. It captures that childhood state when rules are not yet known and the imagination is as powerful as reality. Though considered 'nonsense,' this novel came about in a time where literature and books were beginning to take on an ever-greater importance in the childhood experience of growing up. Having said that, there are still situations that Alice encounters that serve as commentary on the real world.

Assignment 017: Life Lessons & Death References

Access "Life & Death-Alice in Wonderland" document and make a copy.
Read Alice in Wonderland and fill out the chart as you read.
Submit your completed document when you finish the novel. Not all sections in the chart have to be filled. Just try your best and be on the look out for those references.

DISCUSSION BOARD: ROLE OF FANTASY IN REALITY

Assignment 018: DB- Role of Fantasy in Reality

Read the following prompt. Be prepared for this discussion (take notes, write a response, however you want to be prepared). Your English 10B instructor will schedule a day for this discussion to take place on.

This story is complete nonsense and borderline absurd at times. Yet, we still derive some meaning from it and bring back to reality. What role does fantasy and imagination play in our lives?

SYMBOLISM: ALICE'S GROWING IDENTITY

Identity is a prominent theme in Alice. Alice is asked to identify herself by several of the creatures of Wonderland and often she is unable to respond. She usually feels that she is too tall to be herself, or too small, or that she is another person altogether.

' Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, 'I—I hardly know, sir, just at present—at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'

'What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. 'Explain yourself!'

'I can't explain MYSELF, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'

'I don't see,' said the Caterpillar.

The story represents the child’s struggle to survive in the confusing world of adults. To understand our adult world, Alice has to overcome the open-mindedness that is characteristic for children.

Apparently, adults need rules to live by. But most people adhere to those rules blindly now, without asking themselves ‘why.’ This leads to the incomprehensible, and sometimes arbitrary behavior that Alice experiences in Wonderland.

When entering Wonderland, Alice encounters a way of living and reasoning that is quite different from her own. Things seem to not make sense. During the journey through Wonderland however, Alice learns to understand the adult world somewhat more. In fact, she is growing up. This is also represented by her physical changes during the story, the growing and shrinking. However, it is not only Alice’s identity that is unstable. Some creatures in Wonderland have unstable identities as well.

When it comes to symbolism, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is dripping in it. What symbolism stands out to you?

ALICE IN WONDERLAND: SYMBOL SEARCH

Assignment 019: Symbol Search

Read Alice in Wonderland
Identify a symbol that appears in the story. This could be in the form of an item, an instance, an act, or a character.
Create a Google Doc and Title it "Alice in Wonderland: Symbolism of ________________" (hint: that's where you type your symbol).
Write a one-page response where you explain your chosen symbol. What is the significance of it? How is valuable to the character(s)? To the reader? Provide textual evidence to support your identification of the symbol. Use MLA format to cite your source(s).
Create a visual representation (digital or tangible) of your symbol and be prepared to present your findings to the class.
Share and Submit your assignment to Slate.

The cheshire cat states that every adventure starts with a step. He is correct...but you have to keep those steps coming. You have the momentum...let your steps carry you to success. No need for rabbit holes here. Just keep moving forward!

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