What happens to a dream deferred?

As we are covering A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, we see the dreams of each member of the Younger family.  Select one of the characters and discuss his/her dream and explain if you think this dream can come true and if it would help the family and how this dream affects this character's life.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is Thursday, December 11, 2014.)

We get 9-10 cases like this a night...

In the beginning of Fahrenheit 451, Montag's wife Mildred has overdosed on sleeping pills and two technicians "clean her blood" and leave.  What is Bradbury saying about this society in this scene through their actions and lack of emotions?  Do you think our society is approaching this same view?  Why?  (The deadline to post is midnight Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.)

Something That Happened

When he first wrote this novel, Steinbeck titled it Something That Happened.  Then, he remembered the poem "To a Mouse," which we read in class.  From that poem he took the title Of Mice and Men.  Which title Something that Happened or Of Mice and Men do you think is the better title?  Why?  Give specific reasons.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Saturday, December 6, 2014.) Please take a moment to vote in the poll at the right and there is another blog below this one, too.

A guy gets sick, I tell you...

As we read Of Mice an Men, we saw how Steinbeck shows the many effects of loneliness and lost dreams. Explain how loneliness has affected Curley's wife, Crooks, and Candy.  (The deadline to post a reponse to this question is midnight, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2013.)

In the land of misfit toys....

Chapter Four provides a look at the "misfits" of the ranch. Even among "their kind," these four-Crooks, Lennie, Curley's wife, and Candy--show both the human need for acceptance and the desire for dominance. Explain how each of these characters tries to be the most powerful of the group and tell why they do these things.(The deadline to post a response to this blog question is Wednesday, December 3, 2014.)

In the bunkhouse

 In  Chapter 3 in Of Mice and Men, three important events occur as the men sit in the bunkhouse: Candy's dog is shot, Candy, George, Lennie and Candy decide to buy their dream ranch, and Curley attacks Lennie. Select one of these events and write about how Steinbeck created mood/tone of the scene. Explain how this scene made you feel. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Tuesday, November 25, 2014.)

I got you and you got me...

We have just met George Milton and Lennie Small, the main characters in Of Mice and Men. These men are very different,but have a friendship.  Why do you think Steinbeck has made these men foils, character opposites?  What keeps them together?  (The deadline to post a comment to this blog question is midnight, Friday, November 14, 2014.)

What does the data say?

You have been researching now for a few days.  Tell us something you have learned about your topic that you find very interesting or had no previous idea about. ( The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, November12, 2014.)

From the pen of Geoffrey Crayon

Since the beginning of time, people have said to one another, "Tell me a story."  Many of these stories have been 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" by Washington Irving, who used the pen name Geoffrey Crayon,  is classified as an American folktale. Select any two elements of folktales and explain how the incorporation of these elements added to the story. How did these elements help the story?  (This post closes at midnight on Thursday, November 6, 2014.)

Getting the facts and why

Now that you know what topic you will be researching, share with us why you picked this particular topic and what you hope to learn about it.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Monday, November 3, 2014.)

Just a sip of irony...

"Lamb to the Slaughter" and  "Thank you M'am," both contain irony.  Which did you find most entertaining through its use of irony?  Explain the element of irony that you found in that work and how it made you feel or think.  PS:  There is another post open directly below this one.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, October 29, 2014)

Generational Divide

Several  of the stories covered recently focus on the parent-child relationship.  Select one of the following--"The Rules of the Game," "Son," "My Father's Earth," and "Daughter of Invention"--and explain what this selection says about the differences in generations and how they can "cross the divide" and come together in a new understanding of one another.  Also, include what you liked about this selection.  (Deadline to post is Wednesday, October 29, 2014.)

Meet my little Marshmallow!

I know that you are busy with all the work I have left for you, but I know that you can do it and I think when you look at this picture of the sweetest baby in the world, you will understand.  I miss you, but I have my hands and heart full!

The struggles of growing up

In the excerpts from Black Boy that we read, we saw many scenes of moments as Richard grew up:  fighting on the streets of Memphis, being so hungry that he felt faint, having to pull grass on his hands and knees, his encounter with the head of the orphanage, running away from the orphanage, his encounter with white policemen, his father and new wife, his father as an old man, etc.  Which of the man scenes did you feel really expressed a struggle that helped Richard to grow up to be the man he became?  Why?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014.)

As the first nine weeks comes to a close...

As you all know, this is my last semester to teach and I am so happy that I stayed long enough to have the opportunity to teach you.  Every day I learn something new about one of you and I love that.  I really hope that this nine weeks you, too, have learned new things and that you are learning that you are not defined by your grades. You are defined by the character of your heart, the honesty of your thoughts and the purpose of your actions.   I am really looking forward to the next nine weeks with you. 

From the Master

You have read two excerpts from Franklin's Autobiography, which is considered to the be masterpiece of the Colonial Literature period. From your readings, why do you think this is considered so important?  What is something you learned through Franklin's words about people and life? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Thursday, October 2, 2014.)

In His Hands!

In "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Jonathan Edwards creates via great imagery the wrath of God upon sinners. Which image, metaphor, simile, personification, etc., did you find to be most effective in conveying Edwards' message? Explain how it made you feel and how you think the members of the congregation must have felt hearing this. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, September 30, 2014.)

Which way do you go, mister?

Does John Proctor make the right decision at the end of The Crucible? Explain. Give at least two specific reasons for your decision. Also, please vote in the poll to the right of this question. (This post closes at midnight, Saturday, September 20, 2014.)

Report Cards for Puritans

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 Thursday, September 18, 2014.)

Listen to me...

Imagine that you have 2 minutes to speak to one of the characters in The Crucible.  What would you tell this character? Why?  CATCH:  YOU MAY NOT SELECT THE SAME CHARACTER AS THE PERSON BEFORE YOU DID. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2014.)

What's a Puritan to do?

At the end of Act Two, both John Proctor and Mary Warren face crucibles: Mary must decide to tell the truth or not about Abigail and what the girls did in the forest while John must decide to go to the court and tell that he had an affair with Abigail. Who should confess? Does this person have the ability to do this? What do you predict will happen if this person goes to the court with the truth? Why do you think this? (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, September 11, 2014.)

You're as cold as ice...

Since the moment she is mentioned in the play by Abigail Williams, Elizabeth is depicted as "cold" natured.  Based upon what we have read thus far--midway Act Two---why do you feel that Elizabeth is so cold and distant?  What makes you relate or understand her lack of happiness and warmth?   (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Tuesday, September 9, 2014.)

Wheels Within Wheels

Ann Putnam's statement in Act One of The Crucible that "...there are wheels within wheels and fires within fires" in Salem village presents one of the major themes of the play--selfishness/self-directed society. Which character do you feel is most self-directed and why? How does his/her self-motivation "spin" the wheels of others? In this blogging, you may comment on the same character as the person before did.  (The deadline to post a comment to this blog is midnight, Monday, September 8, 2014.)

The Puritan pen...

Although most of the Puritans shunned the fanciful and lived simplistic lives of spiritual denial, the poetry of Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor reveals much creativity and use of figurative language.  Likewise, the diary of William Bradford contains figurative language.  Which of the pieces--"Upon the Burning of Our House," "To My Dear and Loving Husband," "Huswifery," or The History of Plymouth of Plantation--did you find to be the creatively written yet strong in theme?  Give a line or passage from the work that you found most vivid or expressive.   THERE IS A CATCH HERE; YOU CAN'T GIVE THE SAME LINE/PASSAGE AS THE PEOPLE WHO POST PRIOR TO YOUR POST.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Sunday, August 31, 2014.)

American Dream Begins...

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 Columbus, Smith, and Bradford? Give specifics from the selections to support your claim.(The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Wednesday, August 27, 2014.)

Land Ho!

People gather ideas about earlier cultures  from, among other things, the reports of
explorers such as Columbus. Modern societies often seal time capsules, to be found by
later generations, that reveal aspects of their culture. Imagine that you were to enclose in
a time capsule three 6 feet by 6 feet objects (perhaps a book, a mechanical device, a picture,or painting, and some clothes) that you feel represent America at the beginning  of the twenty-first century.  Tell briefly what these objects represent about our culture. (Deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, August 20, 2014.)

Out of the Box Project

Our first class project is due on Monday, August 18, 2014.  It is the "Out of the Box" Project, in which you share things about yourself--your interests/hobbies, your favorite quote, your dreams/inspirations, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your family.   Briefly post a few things about the side of the box that you think best represents you and tell why.   (The deadline to post is midnight, Saturday, August 16, 2014.)

Valuable????

In "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker, we see a theme of value.  What do you think makes something valuable?  In the story, do Dee, Mama and Maggie have different senses of value?  Explain.  Decide what Alice Walker is saying through the story about value? (The deadline to post a response to the question is midnight, August 13, 2014.)

WELCOME TO ENGLISH III

George Eliot once wrote "It is never too late to be what you might have been."  This is one of my all time favorite quotes because it echoes my belief that anyone at anytime has the power to choose his destiny.  This semester as we journey through composition writing and American literature, I hope that you will find something that will inspire to choose the right destiny for yourself.  I hope that you will enjoy the class and let me help you improve and enhance your writing, grammar, and reading skills.  I look forward to getting to know each of you and making this a successful semester.  My first questions to you are "What would you like me to help you with this semester?  Why do you feel you need improvement in this area?  What would the best way(s) for me to teach you?"  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Saturday, August 9, 2014.  Remember if you post to use your initials and the block to indicate who you are.)

Dream a little for me....

As we are covering A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, we see the dreams of each member of the Younger family.  Select one of the characters and discuss his/her dream and explain if you think this dream can come true and if it would help the family and how this dream affects this character's life.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is Tuesday, May 20, 2014.)

The story of a man...

Today, we finished Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  What characteristic/trait did you admire most in Tom?  Why? If you could talk to Tom, what would you say to him? Why? (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, May 16, 2014.)

A Southern Belle...

Today, we met Miss Emily Grierson in "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner.  What are two characteristics/personality traits that you gathered about Miss Emily?  Explain how you inferred these traits?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, May 14, 2014.)

Just a sip of irony...

We have been reading several poems and stories that have irony in them.  Which of the following:  "Richard Cory," "Lamb to the Slaughter," "Thank you M'am," "The Story of an Hour," or "The Cask of Amontillado"--did you find most entertaining through its use of irony?  Explain the element of irony that you found in that work and how it made you feel or think.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Monday, May 12, 2014.)

Usher: The Sequel

Today, we read "April 2005: Usher II," which is a parody of Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher."  What elements of the story did you enjoy most and why?  How did you feel reading something and knowing what was going to happen next?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Sunday, May 4, 2014.)

From the Pen of Poe

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 Friday, May 2, 2014.) Psssst....there is a blog below you can answer, too.

On the Owl Creek Bridge

Look at the picture above this passage. Based upon your reading of Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," does this picture capture the mood of the story? Explain your stance with specifics from the story. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Thursday, May 1, 2014.)

A Man Called Poe

We have a few selections of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry and short stories.  If you had the opportunity to meet Poe, based upon what you have read of his, what would you ask him and why?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Wednesday, April 30, 2014.)

Retaliation

In Poe's story "Hop Frog,"  Hop Frog is clearly the protagonist--the hero, the one the audience sides with.  However, the protagonist can't function without an antagonist.  What are two ways that Poe characterizes the king as the antagonist?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Tuesday, April 29, 2014.)

Behind the brick and mortar...

Poe uses much symbolism and irony in "The Cask of Amontillado."  Select some symbol or element of irony in the story that drew your interest or helped you to understand the story more.  Tell us about and explain what it revealed and why you were drawn to it.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Sunday, April 26, 2014.) There is a blog below this one that expires Friday, April 24th.

The poet's voice....

Our focus on the Fireside Poets took us through 3 works by Longfellow:  "A Psalm of Life," "The Children's Hour," and "Cross of Snow."  Select one of the poems and share your overall thoughts on the work.  How and why does it appeal to you?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, April 25, 2014.)

In the beginning...

Since the beginning of time, people have said to one another, "Tell me a story."  Many of these stories have been 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. How did these elements help the story?  (This post closes at midnight on Thursday, April 24, 2014.

Something that happened...

When he first wrote this novel, Steinbeck titled it Something That Happened.  Then, he remembered the poem "To a Mouse," which we read in class.  From that poem he took the title Of Mice and Men.  Which title Something that Happened or Of Mice and Men do you think is the better title?  Why?  Give specific reasons.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight April 12, 2014.) Please take a moment to vote in the poll at the right and there is another blog below this one, too.

"They left all the weak ones here.."

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 Friday, April 11, 2014 at midnight.)

If these whitewashed walls could talk...

 In  Chapter 3 in Of Mice and Men, three important events occur as the men sit in the bunkhouse: Candy's dog is shot, Candy, George, Lennie and Candy decide to buy their dream ranch, and Curley attacks Lennie. Select one of these events and write about how Steinbeck created mood/tone of the scene. Explain how this scene made you feel. (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Tuesday, April 8, 2014.)

This ain't a good place...

In the second section/chapter in Of Mice and Men, Lennie suddenly says, "I don't like this place, George. This ain't no good place. I wanna get outa of here."  From what we have read, is Lennie foreshadowing possible complications?  What is something or someone in the book that you feel might cause problems for George and Lennie?  Explain why you think this?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Sunday, April 6, 2014.)
 

I got you and you got me...

George Milton and Lennie Small, the main characters of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, are total opposites, yet they share a strong bond.  What message do you think Steinbeck is conveying through these polar opposites and their friendship and dream?  From chapter one, what part/line/passage really helped you to see this message?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Wednesday, April 2, 2014.)

As the curtain falls

Now that we have finished reading, enacting, viewing, and discussing Miller's play, what do you feel is the most important message/theme that Miller conveys through The Crucible? Why? (The post closes on Thursday, March 27th at midnight.)

The drums rattle like bones...

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, Monday, March 24, 2014)

So many tests...

A crucible can be a severe test of an individual's beliefs and strength.  By the end of Act Three several characters have been tested.  John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, Mary Warren, and Rev. Hale have each made changes in their lives because of these witchcraft trials. Select one of these characters and explain what you feel his/her test was in Act Three and if he/she passed or failed the test and why you belief so.  CATCH: YOU CAN NOT DISCUSS THE SAME CHARACTER AS THE TWO PEOPLE WHO ANSWER BEFORE YOU.  YOU MUST SELECT ANOTHER CHARACTER.    (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, March 21, 2014.)

Wheels Within Wheels

Early in the play Ann Putnam makes the statement "...there are wheels within wheels and fires within fires" in Salem village.  This  presents one of the major themes of the play--selfishness/self-directed society. Which character do you feel is most self-directed and why? How does his/her self-motivation "spin" the wheels of others? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Wednesday, March 19, 2014.)