Tell me a story

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 Friday, October 14, 2011.)

Montag: The Man and The Book

Ray Bradbury ends Fahrenheit 451 with this passage from Revelations : "And on either side of the river was there a tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."  How does this passage, now part of the "book" that Montag is, reveal his metamorphosis in the novel?  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight Sunday, October 2, 2011.)

Sand through a Sieve

In part two of Fahrenheit 451, Faber asserts that books are feared because they "show the pores in the face of life" and make people uncomfortable. What the world needs, according to Faber, is quality of information like that found in books, the leisure to analyze and understand it, and the right to act on that understanding. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Faber's statements? Do all books provide "quality" of information? Do all people take time to analyze and understand what they read? Have you ever read a book that made you want to "act" based upon your understanding of that book's message? Share with us. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Friday, September 30, 2011.)

See No Evil***Speak No Evil***Hear No Evil

At the end of Part One of Fahrenheit 451, Beatty tells Montag that the firemen are "The Happiness Boys." This futuristic society is driven to be happy at all costs--including the loss of thought.  Which of their many actions and changes do you find most disturbing?  How has this desire to be happy hurt these people?  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Saturday, September 24, 2011.)

The Wheels Stop Turning...

Now that we have finished The Crucible, I would like your honest opinion.  How does it rank as a work of literature?  What central theme/message did  you take from your reading?  Would you recommend this to others?  Justify.  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Sunday, September 18, 2011.)

Don't forget

Remember to get your copy of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. We will start reading it this coming week now that we have finished reading The Crucible.

A Moment with Miller

Read the essay on the following link. Then, comment on what you believe to be the point of the essay. Cite a line that you think really shows the focus of the essay. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight Monday, September 12, 2011.)http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/miller-mccarthyism.html