Of course you can, old sport.

When Nick tells Gatsby, "You can't repeat the past, " Gatsby replies, "Of course you can, old sport." Do you agree with Nick or Gatsby? Based upon the actions of the novel thus far, does Fitzgerald support Nick or Gatsby? Give proof. (The deadline to post a respone to this blog is midnight Thursday, May 16, 2011.)

Tell me where you live and I will tell you who you are...

F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for having said,"Rich people aren't like you and me." Chapter One of The Great Gatsby focuses a great deal on the homes and the actions in the homes of the rich. What is revealed via the setting about rich people? (The deadline to post to this question is midnight Sunday, May 8, 2011.)

Crystal Stairs...

We have read "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes and discussed how Hansberry's original title for A Raisin in the Sun was Crystal Stair, which comes from this Hughes' poem. Recall the message of the mother in the poem. Today, we learned Walter had lost the family money. Do you think Mama/Lena believes Walter has failed her? How does this poem reflect Mama's actions thus far in the play? (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Wednesday, May 4, 2011.)

"Will Somebody LISTEN to me?"

At the end of Act One, Walter and Mama present their differing views on life and what is important in life. What are these views and with whose view do you most connect/understand/empathize? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Friday, April 29, 2011.)

The Magic Beneath

Symbolism, I believe, is the magic beneath. It is the beauty of life, it is essence of being, it is that gasp of the heart when you read that perfect line. So much of the full meaning of The Glass Menagerie comes from the symbols Williams weaves into this poignant story. Which symbol--the unicorn, the candelabrum, the fire escape, electricity, Jim and Laura's waltz, the Paradise Dance Hall, Blue Roses, jonquils, the photograph of Mr. Wingfield, light, Laura's limp, etc--was the magic beneath the lines of the play for you? Explain what this symbol means and how it helped you to fully understand the many messages of the play. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Sunday, April 24, 2011.)

"You manufacture illusions..."

The characters in The Glass Menagerie live in the same apartment, but in very different worlds. Tom seeks a world of adventure in his movie going while Laura lives in a world of old phonograph records and tiny glass figures. What about their mother? In what world does she live? How does this world comfort or protect her from her reality? What is Tennessee Williams saying about her illusive world? (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight April 20, 2011.)

Voices from Beyond...

Today, we read "Mrs. Charles Bliss" by Edgar Lee Masters. Read now the epitaph of Reverend Wiley. Compare their views and tones. (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight Friday, April 15, 2011.)
Rev. Lemuel Wiley
I preached four thousand sermons,
I conducted forty revivals,
And baptized many converts.
Yet no deed of mine
Shines brighter in the memory of the world,
And none is treasured more by me:
Look how I saved the Blisses from divorce.
And kept the children free from that disgrace,
To grow up into moral men and women,
Happy themselves a credit to the village.
Edgar Lee Masters