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.)