Tale of Two Cities and Gullivers Travels #7

For Ceci and Carla:
Part 1: Choose a quotation from the section you are reading, it should now be the end of the book - the concluding chapters. Post the quotation and discuss its relevance in two ways, consider:

• historical-political references,
• the power of the language (imagery or poetic devices etc.),
• in terms of the ideals of Romanticism or the era,
• the quotation's symbolic meaning,
• its purpose such as a flashback or foreshadowing or character development.

Part 2: Mention what Themes seemed to be dominant in your novel. Choose one to expand upon!!! The expansion does not have to be long but it does need to be insightful.

Your seventh reflection is due on Monday, December 7.

Frankenstein Post #9 Blocks C+F

Frankenstein Chapter 24
Chapter 24 brings us full circle, back to Walton's ship and his letters to his sister. What symbolic and practical purpose did Walton play in this story? What was the symbolic purpose of others to the meanings/themes of the story? Consider:

• Clerval?
• Elizabeth?
• Victor?
• Monster?
• The DeLacey Family?
• Anyone else?

Think of what you know of the Romantic Era as you respond. Comment on two characters other than Walton. Of course use quotations to support your analysis, and don't use a quotation used by anyone else.

Due Monday, December 7

Tale of Two Cities and Gullivers Travels #6

For Ceci and Carla:

Choose a quotation from the section you are reading, post the quotation and discuss its relevance in two ways, either:

• historical-political references,
• the power of the language (imagery or poetic devices etc.),
• in terms of the ideals of Romanticism or the era,
• the quotation's symbolic meaning,
• its purpose such as a flashback or foreshadowing or character development.
• If you have another area you think is relevant, use that as a heading and go for it!
  

Your sixth reflection is due on Friday, December 4.

Frankenstein Post #8 Blocks C+F

9. Frankenstein Chapters 21-23
These Chapters are laden with the repercussions of the decision Victor makes in the previous chapters.

• Express one thematic statement that these chapters make. Explain. For instance, I am sure you can make statements about revenge and repentance and guilt and monstrosity based on these repercussions. Use a quotation as support; don't use a quotation used by anyone else.
• Differentiate between what you think Shelley intended (Romantic Era) and what you (Modern Era) got from it.

Due Friday, December 4.

Tale of Two Cities and Gullivers Travels #5

For Ceci and Carla:
Choose a quotation from the section you are reading, post the quotation and discuss its relevance in two ways, either:

• historical-political references,
• the power of the language (imagery or poetic devices etc.),
• in terms of the ideals of Romanticism or the era,
• the quotation's symbolic meaning,
• its purpose such as a flashback or foreshadowing or character development.
• If you have another area you think is relevant, use that as a heading and go for it!

Your fifth reflection is due on Monday, November 30.

PS. Two more to go so adjust your reading for this. Thank you for being flexible.

Frankenstein Post #7 Blocks C+F

Frankenstein Chapters 17-20

• For Victor, the Monster's arguments are so convincing that he agrees to the demands at first. What reason(s) does he use for reversing his original decision?
• Is it completely a rational decision? Whether your opinion is 'yes' or 'no' elaborate with textual support. Again, do not use quotations that anyone else has used.

Due: Monday, November 30

Frankenstein Post #6 Block F

Frankenstein Chapters 13 and 14
Observe all the members of the De Lacey family; describe two fully; use one or two quotations to support your interpretations. Do not use a quotation used previously. Make sure all characters are fully described - in other words if one is not described when you are starting to write your descriptions, consider describing him or her. Post due Wednesday, November 25.

Frankenstein Post #6 Block C

Frankenstein Chapters 11-12

Here we learn what has been happening to the monster during the time we have been following Victor’s meanderings; we learn the origin of his eloquence. What two things do you think have been the most critical to his development? Explain. Use one or two quotations to support your view. Be sure you do not use a quotation that someone else has used. Post due Wednesday, November 25.

Tale of Two Cities and Gullivers Travels #4

For Ceci and Carla: Choose a quotation from the section you are reading, post the quotation and discuss its relevance in two ways, either: historical-political references, the power of the language (imagery or poetic devices etc.), in terms of the ideals of Romanticism or the era, the quotation's symbolic meaning, its purpose such as a flashback or foreshadowing or character development. If you have another area you think is relevant, use that as a heading and go for it! Your fourth reflection is due on Wednesday, November 25.

Tale of Two Cities and Gulliver's Travels #3

For Ceci and Carla,
I need you to add reflections once/week. There need to be 10 in all. Choose a quotation from the section you are reading, post the quotation and discuss its relevance in two ways, either:
historical-political references, the power of the language (imagery or poetic devices etc.), in terms of the ideals of Romanticism, the quotation's symbolic meaning, its purpose such as a flashback or foreshadowing or character development. If you have another area you think is relevant, use that as a heading and go for it!

I also need you to start catching up with the other students in terms of grades, so next week and the one after I will be asking you to do two reflections per week.

Thus far I should have two, so your third reflection is due on Wednesday, November 18.

Frankenstein Post #5

Frankenstein Chapters 9-10

• Victor’s sleep is compromised by his actions and his lack of action. What does Victor do to reconcile his conscience? Start with a literal answer and segue into a symbolic interpretation.
• Here we begin to see a different monster than that formed in our minds because he is eloquent. Give one example of his eloquence and explain its impact on you.

Due Date: Wednesday, November 18, Morning!!!

Frankenstein Post #4

Frankenstein Chapters 7-8

• 'William’s death is symbolic.' Do you agree with this statement? If not, why not? If so, what does it symbolize?
• Justine’s death differs from William’s in some very critical ways. Explain.

Use a quotation to support your position in either the first or second question; read the other postings to be sure you do not repeat the quotation used.

Response due on Wednesday, November 11

Tale of Two Cities and Gulliver's Travels

For Ceci and Carla: Chapters 4-6

• Do you see a concern (political or social) that is not a concern of the (British) Romantic Era? If so, what is it? If not, is there a concern of the author that has nothing to do with the Era? Quotations please. MLA Citations.
• Choose a quotation from Chapters 4-6 that you would like to talk about because of its connection to a theme being developed.

Due: October 28

Frankenstein!!!

Frankenstein Chapters 5-6

Chapter 5 begins the expression of the fears of the Romantics concerning:

• what is natural and unnatural, as well as their fascination with the supernatural. The use of weather and night and day reflect this concern.
• Find two excerpts that exemplify their fascination. Do not use examples used by other students - in other words, read the postings of others then find distinct examples.

Due: Wednesday, October 28

Frankenstein!!!

Frankenstein Chapters 3-4

• About Victor Frankenstein’s ambition – what is it specifically?
• List the steps he takes to achieve it.

Due Date: Wednesday, October 21

Tale of Two Cities and Gulliver's Travels

For Ceci and Carla:

• Though Dickens followed and Swift preceded Shelley, do you see any of the same concerns reflected in their works as are expressed in Frankenstein (for specific concerns see Frankenstein blog prompt)? Discuss one shared concern, and illustrate it with a direct quotation.
• How does history play a role in the settings of these books?

Due date: Monday, October 19

Frankenstein!!!

Frankenstein Chapters 1-2
As with your previous postings, I expect you to support each response with a citation from the text; identify it using MLA citation.

• The ideals of the Romantic Era (an interest in nature, an exaltation of the imagination, an increased faith in the worth of the individual, a protest against correctness) are found throughout the novel. Find an excerpt that reflects one of these ideals. Do not use the same excerpt as another student – in other words the earliest bloggers will be able to post the most obvious excerpts.
  
• Discuss the similarities between Elizabeth and Victor’s mother. What might they symbolize?

Response due: Friday, October 16

After Act V of Macbeth

• Lady Macbeth seems like a different person from the character at the beginning of the play; find one quotation that illustrates this change and explain why it is significant.
• (Can you find a parallel Lady Macbeth quotation from the beginning of the play that illustrates the same personality trait before the change? - If you can I can adjust a previous blog grade, marking this response as extra credit.)
• Why does Macbeth treat everyone so badly? Why would anyone continue to support him?
• Response due Monday, September 28.

After Act IV of Macbeth

• Macbeth treats the witches differently in Act IV compared to the first time he met them, in Act I, Scene i. In what way does he treat them differently and why? Are there any ways that he treats them the same as before?
• Discuss Macbeth's interpretation of the first three apparitions? Why does he insist on seeing the fourth apparition?
• Response due Monday, September 21.

Macbeth - After Act III

• What aspects/components of Macbeth's character are getting him deeper and deeper into trouble in this Act?
• Banquo has a firm conviction that Macbeth killed the king; what can he do? In other words what are his options?

Due Wednesday, September 16.

After Act II
Discuss the omens in Act 2; what are they and what do they affect?
Discuss the Porter, interpret something he says as both foolish and serious.
Please include a citation as support - I shouldn't have to say this. Only one is needed so make it really relevant. Due Monday, September 7

Macbeth: A series of reflections

After Reading Act I

• Macbeth's values - what are they? How do you know?
• Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship - Are they happy? Who is dominant?

Due Monday, August 31