Spring Semester Plan 1

English goals: obviously to pass the AP test with at least a 3. I'm going to step up my game and do exceedingly better than last semester.

Eventual life goals: I'm going to be in the process of opening my first restaurant in exactly ten years.

AP Prep Post #1

1. If you were the river, would you be enlightenment or would you know enlightenment? In other words, what’s up with the river? What is it’s relation to enlightenment?

2. What does enlightenment look like in Siddhartha? Is it a feeling? An attitude?

3. What purpose does self-denial serve in Siddhartha? What about self-indulgence?

4. What is it meant by knowledge and why can it be communicated while wisdom can not?

5. Is it good that Siddhartha fails to help his son?


Questions: From http://www.shmoop.com/siddhartha/questions.htmlhttp://faculty.salisbury.edu/~jdhatley/101sidd.htm

Literary analysis #5

The Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read.

This novel is about a woman named Hester Prynne who is accused of committing adultery and having a child with a man who was not her husband. She is sentenced to wear a scarlet letter for the rest of her life and is asked to reveal the father but she refuses. Hester’s husband who was believed to be dead is actually alive and plans to seek revenge on the man (the town minister: Arthur Dimmesdale) who had the affair with Hester. The rest of the novel is filled with revenge and guilt.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

The main theme I saw in this novel was that of the identity that society seems to assign to each character, whether they like it or not. An obvious example is with Hester Prynne who is forced to wear the scarlet letter, or move to a different town and forget about the letter. Hester refuses to leave town and to some this may seem odd because she could live a normal life, but to her it makes perfect sense. Leaving town would give the notion that society had won, instead she keeps the letter and wears it as a reminder of who she is and how her past actions/sins have made her who she is.

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

During the time this novel was written, Puritans were renowned for their morality and religious intolerance. In the Scarlett Letter, Hawthorne through his tone shows his views on Puritan society in a disapproving way.

“being of the most intolerant brood” page 86

“the blackest shade of Puritanism” page 211

“Meagre, indeed, and cold was the sympathy” page 47

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone.
-Personification- “The soul beheld its features in the mirror of the passing moment” page 173

-Rhetorical question- “Is there not law for it?” page 45

-Metaphor- “poor little Pearl was a demon offspring” page 88

-Oxymoron- “die daily a living death” page 153

-Anaphora- “Live, therefore, and bear about thy doom with thee, in the eyes of men and women-in the eyes of him whom thou didst call thy husband-in the eyes of yonder child!” page 65

-Simile- “The door of the jail being flung open from within there appeared, in the first place, like a black shadow emerging into sunshine, the grim and gristly presence of the town-beadle, with a sword by his side, and his staff of office in his hand.”

Allusion- “Divine Maternity” refers to the Virgin Mary and is used to describe Hester Prynne

Flashback- This entire story is basically a flashback. The narrator stumbles upon a manuscript describing the events that unfolded and he reads these descriptions to us.

Situational irony- Chillingsworth is Hester’s old husband in disguise.

Symbols- Hawthorne uses many symbols in this novel including the scarlet letter (shame and identity for Hester) and Pearl (Hester’s living scarlet letter).

CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?

Direct characterization: “But Hester Prynne, with a mind of native courage and activity…” and “beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion” Direct characterization seemed to give away the tiny details that were almost irrelevant, but still important enough as to help progress the story and paint a more vivid picture of each character. They were more used as descriptions of appearances whereas indirect characterization gave insight to the personalities of each character. Some examples include Hester choosing to keep the scarlet letter on as opposed to leaving town and starting a new life, and also Chillingworth’s decision to go undercover and seek revenge on the man who had an affair with his wife.

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?

The diction and syntax change with the different personalities that are presented in this novel. Pearl who is younger and more contemplative asks a lot of questions but has a far less advanced vocabulary. Dimmesdale is a minister and his diction and syntax have a religious tint to them. A lot of his emotions are actually expressed through his sermons, and his guilt is prevalent in his speech and outer appearance (which we see degrade as the novel progresses).

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.

Hester Prynne is a dynamic and a round character. Because of her punishment, she is alienated and becomes a contemplative thinker. She has lots of time to speculate about moral questions and human nature. This matures her character and makes her more motherly and independent. She is a round character because of the wide array of emotions and characteristics she displays such as anger, love, compassion, caring, and hatred.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

I feel like Hester Prynne was just another character that I read because her choice to defy society is so different from what people nowadays would do. It makes her an admirable character, but hard to view as a realistic one. In today’s time, people would rather go with the flow of things than stand out.

"Thinking outside the box"

1) Think about the place you have chosen as your hell. Does it look ordinary and bourgeois, like Sartre's drawing room, or is it equipped with literal instruments of torture like Dante's Inferno? Can the mind be in hell in a beautiful place? Is there a way to find peace in a hellish physical environment? Enter Sartre's space more fully and imagine how it would feel to live there endlessly, night and day:
When I think of hell I think of a place where everyone worst nightmares come to life. It's where you are sent for sinning, doing something just unthinkable. I would imagine it to be dark, cold and dirty, no real warmth just enough to keep you alive to suffer a eternal life of misery. There is no exit only an entrance. It's a place where monstrosities roam to torture and bring pain to your soul. The mind can be in hell anywhere, even in the most beautiful places. For example it could be your home is your natural hell, has its on beauty. You are trapped by your limits, of what you can and cannot do.
2) Could hell be described as too much of anything without a break? Are variety, moderation and balance instruments we use to keep us from boiling in any inferno of excess,' whether it be cheesecake or ravenous sex?
A way of restating what is question may be asking would be to say is too much of a good thing a bad thing for you. You can experience this through eating you favor meal everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After a while it gets old and may start hurting your health if it is a meal like fast food, all the time. You are able to over come this by being more diverse in your quantities at which you decide to eat fast food. You would have to take breaks and eat whole hearty food that is good for your body.
3) How does Sartre create a sense of place through dialogue? Can you imagine what it feels like to stay awake all the time with the lights on with no hope of leaving a specific place? How does GARCIN react to this hell? How could you twist your daily activities around so that everyday habits become hell? Is there a pattern of circumstances that reinforces the experience of hell?
Sartre creates a send of space by having Garcin ask numerous questions about objects in the room which are then elaborated on by Valet. They are mainly observations but these direct characterizations indirectly characterize the room. Without sleep you would go insane, you would be able to determine what reality was or is anymore. The world that you would live would be your absolute hell of bore-dumb. Even in our normal day lives we experience our own kind of hell that repeats over and over again until we can not take it anymore and give up and stray form our paths.
4) Compare how Plato and Sartre describe the limitations of our thinking and imply solutions to the problem. Be sure to analyze their literary techniques, especially their use of allegory and extended metaphor.
Sartre proposes a freedom from this, a inescapable room, through self reflection.  While on the other hand Plato say we just have to want to believe, we have to want to know what is and what can be.

Literary analysis #4

A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens


 1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).

A mean-spirited, miserly old man named Ebenezer Scrooge sits in his counting-house on a frigid Christmas Eve. His clerk, Bob Cratchit, shivers in the anteroom because Scrooge refuses to spend money on heating coals for a fire. Scrooge's nephew, Fred, pays his uncle a visit and invites him to his annual Christmas party. Two portly gentlemen also drop by and ask Scrooge for a contribution to their charity. Scrooge reacts to the holiday visitors with bitterness and venom, spitting out an angry "Bah! Humbug!" in response to his nephew's "Merry Christmas!" Scrooge receives a chilling visitation from the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, looking haggard and pallid, relates his unfortunate story. As punishment for his greedy and self-serving life his spirit has been condemned to wander the Earth weighted down with heavy chains. Marley informs Scrooge that three spirits will visit him during each of the next three nights. After the wraith disappears, Scrooge collapses into a deep sleep. He wakes moments before the arrival of the Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. After pleading with the ghost, Scrooge finds himself in a churchyard, the spirit pointing to a grave. Scrooge looks at the headstone and is shocked to read his own name. He desperately implores the spirit to alter his fate, promising to renounce his insensitive, avaricious ways and to honor Christmas with all his heart. Whoosh! He suddenly finds himself safely tucked in his bed. Overwhelmed with joy by the chance to redeem himself and grateful that he has been returned to Christmas Day, Scrooge rushes out onto the street hoping to share his new-found Christmas spirit. He sends a giant Christmas turkey to the Cratchit house and attends Fred's party, to the stifled surprise of the other guests. As the years go by, he holds true to his promise and honors Christmas with all his heart: he treats Tiny Tim as if he were his own child, provides lavish gifts for the poor, and treats his fellow human beings with kindness, generosity, and warmth.

Redemption: The greatest pleasure in A Christmas Carol is watching Scrooge's transformation from money-pinching grouch to generous gentleman. His redemption, a major motif in Christian art, is made possible through free will. While Scrooge is shown visions of the future, he states that they are only visions of things that "May" be, not what "Will" be. He has the power to change the future with his present actions, and Dickens tries to impart this sense of free will to the reader; if Scrooge can change, then so can anyone. novel. Avoid cliches.

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

The tone changes depending on the spirit. The tone with the ghost of Christmas past is sorrowful and reminiscent. The ghost of Christmas present's tone is jolly and happy. The ghost of Christmas yet to be is ominous. And the tone at the end is happy, light and repentant. 

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)

Charles Dickens use symbolism in A Christmas Carol. An example may be the bells that Marley wears or the chains and register around Marley's waist.Foreshadowing: and example may be, " Mister Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago this very night." or " Yes, I'll not deny he's the hardest working apprentice to ever balance a book or close an account...".
Allegory: an example is the two children under the Ghost Of Christmas Present's robe.
Conflict: an example of this may be that if Ebenezer Scrooge doesn't change he will dye in the way the last ghost showed him, all alone.
Mood: the mood of this story makes you want to forgive Ebenezer Scrooge for his wrong doings and help him live the rest of his life full of warmth and joy.
Point of view: The point of view we as the reader is given show us how mean Ebenezer is, why he is this way, and final what will happen to him if he doesn't change.
Setting: the setting put the story in a more simpler time, were you did what you did to get by, so that you could feed your family.

Tone: The tone changes depending on the spirit. The tone with the ghost of Christmas past is sorrowful and reminiscent. The ghost of Christmas present's tone is jolly and happy. The ghost of Christmas yet to be is ominous. And the tone at the end is happy, light and repentant. 

CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.

Sonnet Recited

Literary analysis #3

"The Awakening"

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read.
The plot of the book has to do with Edna finding out who she is by "awakening". She learns how to express herself and her freedoms. She meets a young man, Robert, who helps her to love things again that she lost love for when she got married. Falling in love with this young man leads her to leave her family and become independent. Later she realizes she's done wrong and is still not happy so she goes to the place where she had first awakened herself and gives herself to the sea.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
I feel the theme of the novel is to not be afraid to live and love life. Edna wasn't able to do this at first so when she discovered this concept it was too late and she had already started her life with things she wasn't absolutely happy with.

3. Describe the author's tone. Include three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The author's tone started off as depressing for Edna and later turned into a more loving tone when she meets Robert. He set a tone that showed happiness around Robert and a bit of guiltiness and a gloomy tone around her husband. For example one day she spent it all with Robert and she said it was one of the best days of her life, but when she returned home to her husband she barely spoke.

4. Describe five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthen your understanding of the theme and/or your sense of the tone. Include three excerpts (for each element) that will help your reader understand each one.
One literary element in the novel is flashbacks. Edna experiences flashbacks of being on vacation where she met Robert and was at her happiest point in life. This is significant because it didn't include her husband just her independent self. Also the setting because it was at a period of time where women obeyed men and had no opinions or self expression. This leads to her not being able to be herself. Another element is symbolism. A symbol that seemed important was caged birds in the novel. This symbolized Edna being trapped and inescapable of her life to be free and happy. Also the dialogue used helped to show the theme. When she was around Robert, who made her happy, she was joyful and talkative, but around her husband she was aloof and barely spoke. Finally the actions of the characters lead to the plot and theme. For example when Edna would hangout with Robert long enough she'd try courageous things like learning to swim. When she was with her husband she was boring and would try to get away from him like going back to the house or would stay outside.