Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!

Discuss the many roles Daisy plays in The Great Gatsby. Is she dynamic or static, flat or round, antagonist, or merely a symbol of the American dream? (This post closes at midnight on Sunday, December 13th.)

Message from Above

Susie tries to communicate with her family and friends several times. If Susie could completely break through and speak to someone special in her life, with whom do you think she should speak and what should she tell him/her? Why? (This post closes at midnight on Thursday, December 11, 2009)

Is it really love?

Does Gatsby truly love Daisy or the idea of loving Daisy? What specifically (give a quote or example) makes you believe this? (This post closes at midnight on Thursday, December 11, 2009)

The Characters of The Lovely Bones

As we begin The Lovely Bones, which of the characters are you most intrigued over? Why? What has made this character stand out in the book? (This post closes at midnight on Sunday, December 6, 2009.)

Gatsby's Neighbors

Based on the first two chapters of the book, what are your initial thoughts on one of the following characters: Nick, Tom, Daisy, Jordan, Myrtle? Why? (This post closes at midnight on Sunday, December 6, 2009.)

Poe Haunts

In this unit we have read several stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe. Which of the stories or poems did you find most interesting? Why? (This post closes "once upon a midnight dreary" on November 22, 2009.)

Folktales

Most folktales contain common elements, such as subtle humor, stereotypical or stock characters, moral themes, eerie or strange settings, and rumor-based or word-of-mouth information. "The Devil and Tom Walker" is classified as an American folktale. Select any two elements of folktales and explain how the incorporation of these elements added to the story. (This post closes at midnight on Friday, October 23, 2009)

Picture This...

We have been reading Jonathan Edward's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, which is considered one of the best sermons ever written. What makes this sermon so effective is the use of persuasive imagery. What element of Edward's imagery was most effective to you? Why? (This post closes at midnight Tuesday, October 13, 2009.)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Does John Proctor make the right decision at the end of The Crucible? Explain. Give at least one quote from the play to support your position. (This post closes at midnight Sunday, October 4th)

Grade the Test

One definition of crucible is a personal or severe test. In Act III, both Mary Warren and Elizabeth Proctor face crucibles. Comment on what test each is given and then decide how each has performed. Give them grades and justify why they have scored thus. (The post closes a midnight on Saturday, September 26th.)

The Crucible

In Act II, we get to witness John and Elizabeth Proctor at home. What atmosphere is created in this scene when they are alone discussing the happenings in town? What line from this opening scene best conveys the overall mood? Explain. (This post closes at midnight on September 23rd.)

Native American Myths

For most of this unit, we are focusing on the writings of explorers and early settlers in America. However, Native American myths help make up the early literature of America. Which of the Native American myths did you enjoy most and what did it teach you about the Native Americans? (This post closes at midnight on September 12th.)

Early American Literature and History

Share something you have recently learned about the literature and historical background of early America. Read the posts prior to your and make sure you don't repeat something. (The post closes at midnight September 5th)

A Book by Another Name

When Steinbeck first finished the manuscript of this novel, he entitled it Something That Happened. Then he remembered the Burns' poem he had always loved: "To a Mouse," and he changed the title to Of Mice and Men. Which title do you think is best? Why? What part of the novel conveys this title choice best? (This post closes at midnight Sunday, August 30, 2009.)

A Mini World

The ranch can be called a microcosm, which is a miniature world. There are all types of people in a world and on this ranch. Select one character from the novel and explain what type of person he/she represents in the world. Explain how/why this character adds interest to the ranch-world. (This post closes at midnight on August 23rd)

What We Like to Read

My favorite book is The Scarlet Letter because it proves that no matter how difficult life is, how misjudging others can be, and how restricting society can be, a person can survive. In The Scarlet Letter, the main character Hester faces many trials and tribulations, yet prevails. This book inspires me to keep my head up and do what I feel is right, whether others agree or not. I have just shared my favorite book and what I feel about it with you. Please do the same. Tell us your favorite book and why? Remember to only put your initials and the block after your post, for example:(KP-1) (This post closes at midnight on August 15th.)

Advancing....

This is the final post for the Class of 2010. You may now check kpapenglish.blogspot.com. There is a post there for extra credit. Have a wonderful READING summer. See you in August.

SUMMER READING

Hope you are enjoying your summer, but please remember to get your copies of the summer reading books for AP English IV. Everyone is required to read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and A Lesson Before Dying, plus an independent novel from the reading list. Several of you have already selected your independent novel, so the rest of you need to hurry and submit your choices to klpalombo@yahoo.com before they are all taken. Remember only one person per independent novel. Finally, since you are now AP level students, you need to start checking kpapenglish.blogspot.com for new posting opportunities throughout the summer. Have a restful summer.

"You are worth more than the whole damn bunch of them..."

Do not answer this question until you have finished reading the novel. Who is most responsible for Gatsby's death? Explain. (This post closes at midnight on May 19th)

The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald writes of Gatsby that he represented everything for which Nick had "an unaffected scorn," yet "there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life… an extraordinary gift of hope..." How and why is Gatsby such paradox? How do you feel about him now that we know who he really is? Why? (This post closes at midnight on May 14, 2009.)

Gatsby, Gatsby, Gatsby....

Based upon the first three chapters of the novel, who is Gatsby? Why do you think so much mystery surrounds him? (This blog closed on Monday, May 11, 2009 at midnight.)

Something That Happened

When Steinbeck first finished the manuscript of this novel, he entitled it Something That Happened. Then he remembered the Burns' poem he had always loved: "To a Mouse," and he changed the title to Of Mice and Men. Which title do you think is best? Why? What part of the novel conveys this title choice best? (This post closes at mignight Sunday, May 3, 2009.)

LAND OF MISFIT TOYS

Consider the scene in Crooks' room. How and what does the conversation of the "misfits" in the chapter reveal about society? In what ways does each character dominate/control? (This post closes on Sunday, April 26 at midnight.)

Friendship Comes in Many Forms

We have discussed the friendship shared by George and Lennie. Today, we read about a different type of friendship--Candy and his dog. In what ways is the friendship parallel to the one shared by George and Lennie? ( This blog closes at midnight on Wednesday, April 22nd)

Final Thoughts on The Crucible

Now that we have finished reading, enacting, and discussing Miller's play, what do you feel is the most important message/theme that Miller conveys through this drama? Why? (The post closes on Tuesday, March 24th at midnight.)

JUSTICE REVEALED

In Act III, Governor Danforth says to the people in the court "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." Are the people of Salem truly looking for the truth? Do people in general look for the truth or do they just latch on to what they think is the truth and/or what they want to be the truth? What is Miller saying about people, justice, and progress? (This post closes on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at midnight.)

The Crucible

Based upon your reading of Act One, discuss how the Puritans’ attitudes and beliefs may have caused or increased the outbreak of the witchcraft hysteria. Do people today still react to hysteria? What is one thing of recent times were hysteria has caused people to react in rash or illogical ways? (This post closes at midnight on March 5, 2009)

The American Legacy

Which of the aspects of the American Dream (abundant land, veritable wealth, religious fortitude, open hospitality, laborious work ethic, etc. ), established by the early American writers and explorers, do you feel was best conveyed in the writings of Bradford, Smith, Columbus, or Bradstreet? Explain. (This post closes at midnight on March 3rd.)

EXPLORING LITERATURE

Roland Barthes once commented, "Literature is the question minus the answer." Which of the short stories in this unit has led you to question someone, something, or yourself? Tell how.

(This post closes at midnight on Feb. 13th)

NIGHT

Why do you think Elie Wiesel titled his memoir NIGHT? What passage from the book best conveys this meaning? Please give the page number of the passage. (this post closes at midnight on January 27th)

You Are What You Read?

Of the novels that you have read in the past, which have you enjoyed the most and why? This post will close on Wednesday, January 14th at midnight.