THEMES
ALIENATION AS A FORM OF SELF-PROTECTION
Melinda Sordino, through no fault of her own, feels alienated from her peers. She furthers this problem by closing herself off from her closest friends and her parents. Her physical appearance does not invite approach by any except the somewhat clueless Heather who has no previous knowledge of Melinda or her life. Another method she uses to alienate herself is to hide in her secret closet thus physically and psychologically giving herself a safe haven.
THE PAINFULNESS OF GROWING UP
Melinda is an unusual character in that she doesn’t do much to alleviate the painfulness of growing up. She was introduced to the painfulness in the harshest of ways, but she has shut herself off from others and, as a result, the pain is increased many times.
When her parents give her pastels and a drawing pad she nearly speaks up, but then she retreats to the safety of her silence. She never says anything about the summer party to her friends, her parents or to Heather.
As the novel progresses, she begins to heal and communicate, but her initial communications are rebuffed. She works through the pain and by novel’s end leaves us with the belief that the worst is over.
DISTRUST OF ADULTS
Melinda exhibits a basic distrust of the adults who can help her: parents, guidance counselors, therapists, teachers (except Mr. Freeman. Even Mr. Freeman is not privy to Melinda’s secret. However, he is trusted more than the others and he does detect the pain in Melinda).
This distrust is the impetus for remaining silent even with friends. If she shares this pain with her friends, how long before her parents find out and the judgment begins?
The world is not as simple as Melinda would like it to be and thus she must eventually share her secret with others.
MOTIFS
Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes
LONELINESS
Melinda’s loneliness, a more concrete manifestation of her alienation problem, is a driving force throughout the book. Much of the novel describes her need for companionship even as she befriends Heather. While her behavior indicates loneliness, Melinda fails to embark on the one course of action that could end her loneliness and isolation: speaking.
MIRROR
Melinda uses mirrors a few times in the novel. At first, her reflection appalls her as she gazes at her mouth and awkward body. She has a mirror in her closet-hideout at school which she covers with a poster of Maya Angelou. This mirror helps her at the end of the novel and is part of her recovery. The mirror at Effert’s slices her into hundreds of Melindas-reminiscent of Picasso’s cubist paintings.
APPEARANCE
Melinda is concerned about her appearance at several points in the novel. She regularly notes her scabby lips, the blood that falls when she bites through her lips, peels skin from a finger or uses the edge of a paper clip to cut herself.
She notes the changes in her body are not always for the better; that her hair seems to need washing at unexpected moments, and that shopping for clothes is an unpleasant task because of all this.
Her awareness of this situation is actually positive since it denotes a longing for a proper self-image.
RELATIONSHIPS, INTIMACY AND LOVE
Relationships, intimacy, and sexuality are also recurring motifs relating to the larger theme of alienation. Melinda fears closeness with boys because of the rape she suffered. She thinks David Petrakis is cute but shies away when he asks her over for pizza. Two parts of her personality battle over whether or not she should have accepted the invitation.
LYING AND DECEPTION
Melinda leads a double life internally and externally, lying to herself and to the world. She realizes that she needs help and even seeks help in a cursory way by visiting a hospital, but she never truly acts with intent to find a cure. Externally, no one knows of her hiding place or the secret she carries within her. Her friendship with Heather is mostly for others to see her as a normal girl and maybe even to convince herself of that.
Symbols
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
TREE
The most obvious symbol in the novel is the tree that Melinda must turn into art for Mr. Freeman’s class. The tree is a symbol of Melissa herself. As Melinda gains strength her trees show life replete with flaws and imperfections. Her final tree is her masterpiece, symbol of her new found strength and recovery.
CLOSET
The abandoned janitor’s closet becomes an accessory to Melinda’s deceptions. She decorates it with her artwork, afraid to show her inner feelings anywhere else. As she strengthens, Melinda abandons the closet. Ironically, the closet that represents her deception and fear is the scene of her greatest triumph as she fights off her rapist and exposes him for the criminal he is.
Friday, May 28, 2010
PERIOD 6: ENGLISH 2 HONORS JAN-JUNE 2010
SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
Each response must be at least 50 words long.
J1: Describe your first day of high school.
HW1:Can you keep a secret? Are there clues that Melinda is keeping a secret?
J2: How does your room express who you are?
HW2: Does your family communicate? How does Melinda's family communicate?
J3: Do you have school spirit?
HW3: Would Melinda be your friend?
J4: How do you express yourself?
HW4: Why do we sometimes not like people who are good at things?
J5: Why are some people "joiners" and others are not?
HW5: Are we the same on the outside as we are on the inside? Is Melinda?
J6: Free Writing
HW6: What is a real American? Is Mr. Neck a real American?
J7: Are the Marthas good friends to Heather or not?
HW7: What qualities are important in a person?
J8: Was being a child better than being a teenager?
HW8: Do you know anyone like Melinda?
J9: Have you ever felt used by others?
HW9: Is Melinda using Heather or is Heather using Melinda?
J10: Can you learn about love from a book?
HW10: Do guidance counselors really help?
J11: How closely do you notice your teachers' lives?
HW11: Are teachers always right?
J12: Free Writing
HW12: Free Writing
J13: Have you ever been dumped or dumped another?
HW13: Do suspensions really help?
J14:"Art is about making mistakes." What else is like that?
HW14: Do you ever cut school?
J15: What is a "total loser"?
HW15: Do you have a safe haven?
J16: Use the same categories Melinda uses and grade yourselves.
HW16: Were you caught by surprise by Melinda's revelation?
J17: What lies were you told in school?
HW17: Have you or your friends ever been in major trouble?
J18: Free Writing
HW18: Free Writing
J19: Which did you prefer: book or movie
HW19: What are your favorite movies?
OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck
J20: Describe George and Lennie
HW20: Why are George and Lennie friends?
J21: Describe the ranch chararcters.
HW21: How are Curley and Slim different?
J22: Should past accomplishments make a difference today?
HW22: How are Candy and his dog similar?
J23: Describe the loneliness felt by various characters.
HW23: Are George and Lennie lonely or not?
J24: Why are dreams so often unfulfilled?
HW24: What is the happiest moment in the novel.
J25: How are women portrayed in Of Mice and Men?
HW25: Why doesn't Curley's wife have a name?
J26: What is "strength"?
HW26: Who are the strongest characters in the book?
J27: Free Writing
HW27: Free Writing
J28: PREDICT: What will happen next?
HW28: COMPARE / CONTRAST: Lennie and George
J29: Did you like the end?
HW29: What happens to George after the novel ends?
J30: Write a letter to George
HW30: Write a letter to Lennie from George.
J31: Are George and Lennie in the movie as you envisioned them?
HW31: Is Curley's wife as you imagined her?
J32: Free Writing
HW32: Is the "Hand Scene" more exciting in the movie or tne book?
J33: Why don't we feel sorry for Curley?
HW33: Which did you prefer: book or movie?
J34: What is the best advice you ever followed?
HW34: What is the best advice you wish you had followed?
J35: Who are you on the outside?
HW35: Who are you on the inside?
J36: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
HW36: What is your Plan B for life?
OTHELLO by Shakespeare
J37: Who are the characters
HW37: Why is reputation so important?
J38: Why don't we trust Iago?
HW38: Why is jealousy so foolish?
J39: How is Desdemona a "modern" woman?
HW39: How did Othello win Desdemona's heart?
J40: Read Iago, pages 69 & 70: Do Iago's lines make you feel sympathy for Roderigo? Explain.
HW40: Is Roderigo a victim or a "willing" victim of Iago's deceptions?
J41: Which kind of torture is worse: psychological or physical?
HW41: Which jealousies motivate Iago's actions?
J42: What are the advantages to being alone?
HW42: Discuss Roderigo's "invisibility."
J43: What is justice?
HW43: Is Iago trying to enforce justice?
J44: Define LOVE
HW44: Do Othello and Desdemona fit your definition of love?
J45: Free Writing
HW45: Free Writing
J46: Are you easily fooled?
HW46: How does Iago keep fooling everyone?
J47: How are Iago and Othello reverse images of each other?
HW47: Is Roderigo necessary for the play?
J48: What is more important: truth or the appearance of truth?
HW48: Would you tell a lie to hurt another?
J49: How does Iago lie without actually lying?
HW49: Why is marital fidelity so important?
J50: Respond: The best way to answer a bad deed is with a good one.
HW50: Respond: "There are none so blind as those who refuse to see."
J51: Free Writing
HW51: Free Writing
J52: Why does Act V, Scene 1 occur at night?
HW52: What does Desdemona mean when she says: "Alas, he is destroyed and I am betrayed." What does Othello believe these words to mean?
J53: Why does Emilia want her body placed on the bed next to Desdemona's?
HW53: Why doesn't Iago confess or explain himself in the final scene?
J54: Why doesn't Iago die in the final scene?
HW54: Did you enjoy this play?
Each response must be at least 50 words long.
J1: Describe your first day of high school.
HW1:Can you keep a secret? Are there clues that Melinda is keeping a secret?
J2: How does your room express who you are?
HW2: Does your family communicate? How does Melinda's family communicate?
J3: Do you have school spirit?
HW3: Would Melinda be your friend?
J4: How do you express yourself?
HW4: Why do we sometimes not like people who are good at things?
J5: Why are some people "joiners" and others are not?
HW5: Are we the same on the outside as we are on the inside? Is Melinda?
J6: Free Writing
HW6: What is a real American? Is Mr. Neck a real American?
J7: Are the Marthas good friends to Heather or not?
HW7: What qualities are important in a person?
J8: Was being a child better than being a teenager?
HW8: Do you know anyone like Melinda?
J9: Have you ever felt used by others?
HW9: Is Melinda using Heather or is Heather using Melinda?
J10: Can you learn about love from a book?
HW10: Do guidance counselors really help?
J11: How closely do you notice your teachers' lives?
HW11: Are teachers always right?
J12: Free Writing
HW12: Free Writing
J13: Have you ever been dumped or dumped another?
HW13: Do suspensions really help?
J14:"Art is about making mistakes." What else is like that?
HW14: Do you ever cut school?
J15: What is a "total loser"?
HW15: Do you have a safe haven?
J16: Use the same categories Melinda uses and grade yourselves.
HW16: Were you caught by surprise by Melinda's revelation?
J17: What lies were you told in school?
HW17: Have you or your friends ever been in major trouble?
J18: Free Writing
HW18: Free Writing
J19: Which did you prefer: book or movie
HW19: What are your favorite movies?
OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck
J20: Describe George and Lennie
HW20: Why are George and Lennie friends?
J21: Describe the ranch chararcters.
HW21: How are Curley and Slim different?
J22: Should past accomplishments make a difference today?
HW22: How are Candy and his dog similar?
J23: Describe the loneliness felt by various characters.
HW23: Are George and Lennie lonely or not?
J24: Why are dreams so often unfulfilled?
HW24: What is the happiest moment in the novel.
J25: How are women portrayed in Of Mice and Men?
HW25: Why doesn't Curley's wife have a name?
J26: What is "strength"?
HW26: Who are the strongest characters in the book?
J27: Free Writing
HW27: Free Writing
J28: PREDICT: What will happen next?
HW28: COMPARE / CONTRAST: Lennie and George
J29: Did you like the end?
HW29: What happens to George after the novel ends?
J30: Write a letter to George
HW30: Write a letter to Lennie from George.
J31: Are George and Lennie in the movie as you envisioned them?
HW31: Is Curley's wife as you imagined her?
J32: Free Writing
HW32: Is the "Hand Scene" more exciting in the movie or tne book?
J33: Why don't we feel sorry for Curley?
HW33: Which did you prefer: book or movie?
J34: What is the best advice you ever followed?
HW34: What is the best advice you wish you had followed?
J35: Who are you on the outside?
HW35: Who are you on the inside?
J36: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
HW36: What is your Plan B for life?
OTHELLO by Shakespeare
J37: Who are the characters
HW37: Why is reputation so important?
J38: Why don't we trust Iago?
HW38: Why is jealousy so foolish?
J39: How is Desdemona a "modern" woman?
HW39: How did Othello win Desdemona's heart?
J40: Read Iago, pages 69 & 70: Do Iago's lines make you feel sympathy for Roderigo? Explain.
HW40: Is Roderigo a victim or a "willing" victim of Iago's deceptions?
J41: Which kind of torture is worse: psychological or physical?
HW41: Which jealousies motivate Iago's actions?
J42: What are the advantages to being alone?
HW42: Discuss Roderigo's "invisibility."
J43: What is justice?
HW43: Is Iago trying to enforce justice?
J44: Define LOVE
HW44: Do Othello and Desdemona fit your definition of love?
J45: Free Writing
HW45: Free Writing
J46: Are you easily fooled?
HW46: How does Iago keep fooling everyone?
J47: How are Iago and Othello reverse images of each other?
HW47: Is Roderigo necessary for the play?
J48: What is more important: truth or the appearance of truth?
HW48: Would you tell a lie to hurt another?
J49: How does Iago lie without actually lying?
HW49: Why is marital fidelity so important?
J50: Respond: The best way to answer a bad deed is with a good one.
HW50: Respond: "There are none so blind as those who refuse to see."
J51: Free Writing
HW51: Free Writing
J52: Why does Act V, Scene 1 occur at night?
HW52: What does Desdemona mean when she says: "Alas, he is destroyed and I am betrayed." What does Othello believe these words to mean?
J53: Why does Emilia want her body placed on the bed next to Desdemona's?
HW53: Why doesn't Iago confess or explain himself in the final scene?
J54: Why doesn't Iago die in the final scene?
HW54: Did you enjoy this play?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
speak: the project
PART A
Melinda Sordino is destined to express her changing emotions through the tree. You have each chosen an object listed on a slip of paper. This object, your destiny, is your personal responsibility, your "tree" if you will. For your object or idea you must:
1. define it. DO NOT USE A DICTIONARY! Make up your own creative definition. Make me laugh.
2. write five diary entries describing a day in the life of
that object or idea. Each entry must be at least 50 words long. You will need to
PERSONIFY your object
3. write a radio commercial to sell your object or idea. The commercial must be at least 20 seconds long
4. EXTRA CREDIT: A PIECE OF ORIGINAL ART THAT BRINGS YOUR OBJECT OR IDEA TO LIFE
Creativity counts! Make me laugh! Make me think!
PART B:
Respond to the following statement as it applies to Melinda. Your response must be at least three paragraphs long. Use your notes about themes, motifs and symbols to assist your answer.
“When a woman suffers in silence, she is in critical condition.”
Melinda Sordino is destined to express her changing emotions through the tree. You have each chosen an object listed on a slip of paper. This object, your destiny, is your personal responsibility, your "tree" if you will. For your object or idea you must:
1. define it. DO NOT USE A DICTIONARY! Make up your own creative definition. Make me laugh.
2. write five diary entries describing a day in the life of
that object or idea. Each entry must be at least 50 words long. You will need to
PERSONIFY your object
3. write a radio commercial to sell your object or idea. The commercial must be at least 20 seconds long
4. EXTRA CREDIT: A PIECE OF ORIGINAL ART THAT BRINGS YOUR OBJECT OR IDEA TO LIFE
Creativity counts! Make me laugh! Make me think!
PART B:
Respond to the following statement as it applies to Melinda. Your response must be at least three paragraphs long. Use your notes about themes, motifs and symbols to assist your answer.
“When a woman suffers in silence, she is in critical condition.”
Thursday, May 13, 2010
PERIOD 1: ENGLISH 6 JAN-JUNE 2010
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by JD Salinger
Each response must be at least 50 words long
J1: Is life a game?
HW1: Describe the best educational experience you ever had.
J2: Describe an annoying friend.
HW2: What makes someone popular?
J3: Describe your first crush.Was it really love?
HW3: Have you ever been jealous about anything?
J4:Have you ever lied or been the victim of a lie?
HW4: Do you put off tasks or do you do them right away?
J5: Is casual sex acceptable?
HW5: Have you ever faked your age?
J6: Why is it not good to have no friends?
HW6: Why hasn't Holden formed lasting friendships?
J7: What is most important in a relationship?
HW7: Have you ever made a fool of yourself?
J8: Are daydreams good for you? Is there a downside?
HW8: How are Sunny and Jane different?
J9: What is unresolved guilt?
HW9: Why does Holden feel the need to spend a lot of money?
J10: What part does religion play in your life?
HW10: How do the nuns differ from Holden's view of adults?
J11: Free Writing
HW11:Free Writing
J12: How do you know when you have matured?
HW12: Would you rather have a meaningful gift or an expensive one?
J13: Have you ever felt "great" and soon after, "awful"?
HW13: Describe an argument you had with a friend.
J14: What makes a bad date so bad?
HW14: When did you first learn about sex?
J15: How do psychologists help people?
HW15: What would you do if you could spend a night out in New York?
J16: Why are there funerals?
HW16: What would you want said at your funeral? OR Free Write
J17: What does "home" mean to you?
HW17: Name one thing you like and why you like it.
J18: What is the meaning of life?
HW18: Which teacher had the MOST positive effect on your life?
J19: If you could meet any past relative, who would it be?
HW19: Who is your closest relative? Why?
J20: Do you see yourself in Holden?
HW20: What does Stekel's quote mean to Holden?
J21: What are some positives about Holden?
HW21: Would you want to be Holden for a day?
J22: Do you know anyone like Holden?
HW22: Is Holden a hero?
J23: Is Holden going to recover?
HW23: How would you help Holden?
J24: Did you enjoy this book?
HW24:What is your favorite book? Why?
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION by Stephen King
J25: What is friendship?
HW25: How do you feel about our criminal justice system?
J26: How does the filmmaker heighten the tension?
HW26: Are you enjoying the film so far?
J27: What is more important: Character or Conflict?
HW27: Describe Andy's world.
J28: Free Writing
HW28: Free Writing
J29: Fact or Opinion: Red is a good guy.
HW29: Fact or Opinion: Prisons are effective.
J30: What lesson does Andy teach us?
HW30: COMPARE/CONTRAST: Red and Brooks
JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
J31: Who are the main characters in the play?
HW31: Why is Brutus more important than Caesar to the play?
J32: Why do military heroes often become political leaders?
HW32: Is power evil?
J33: Are Brutus's arguments convincing?
HW33: Why are people so fickle?
J34: Are you political?
HW34: Is it OK to cheat on taxes?
J35: How do Brutus's and Cassius's ideas differ?
HW35: How does Antony sway the crowd?
J36: Are there ANY good guys in the play ?
HW36: How do Antony's people compare to the conspirators?
J37: Is your life governed by fate or free will?
HW37: Do you believe in ghosts?
J38: How is Caesar still influential?
HW38: How is Cassius's death similar to Caesar's?
J39: Contrast the deaths of Cassius and Brutus.
HW39: What was Brutus's big mistake?
J40: Why are the omens ignored?
HW40: Do the omens mean there is no free will?
J41: Did you prefer the play or the movie?
HW41: Free Write
NIGHT by Elie Wiesel
J42: Why are humans so cruel?
HW42: Why don't they believe Moshe the Beadle's story?
J43: Is it possible to escape your fate?
HW43: How can evil and good exist side by side?
J44: What was the best gift you ever received?
HW44: Free Write
J45: Are you always good to everyone?
HW45: Are you a religious person?
J46: What are your New Year's resolutions?
HW46: Did you keep last year's resolutions?
J47: Free Write
HW47: Free Write
J48: How do the Nazis dehumanize the prisoners?
HW48: Why do the Nazis dehumanize the prisoners?
J49: When does Elie show a loss of his humanity?
HW49: How is Elie's father important to his survival?
J50: What does "Night" symbolize?
HW50: What does "Fire" symbolize?
J51: Free Write
HW51: Free Write
J52: How has Eli changed?
HW52: Why are shoes and gold teeth so valuable?
J53: Could you survive this ordeal?
HW53:Does luck play a part in Elie's survival?
J54: Free Write
HW54: Free Write
Each response must be at least 50 words long
J1: Is life a game?
HW1: Describe the best educational experience you ever had.
J2: Describe an annoying friend.
HW2: What makes someone popular?
J3: Describe your first crush.Was it really love?
HW3: Have you ever been jealous about anything?
J4:Have you ever lied or been the victim of a lie?
HW4: Do you put off tasks or do you do them right away?
J5: Is casual sex acceptable?
HW5: Have you ever faked your age?
J6: Why is it not good to have no friends?
HW6: Why hasn't Holden formed lasting friendships?
J7: What is most important in a relationship?
HW7: Have you ever made a fool of yourself?
J8: Are daydreams good for you? Is there a downside?
HW8: How are Sunny and Jane different?
J9: What is unresolved guilt?
HW9: Why does Holden feel the need to spend a lot of money?
J10: What part does religion play in your life?
HW10: How do the nuns differ from Holden's view of adults?
J11: Free Writing
HW11:Free Writing
J12: How do you know when you have matured?
HW12: Would you rather have a meaningful gift or an expensive one?
J13: Have you ever felt "great" and soon after, "awful"?
HW13: Describe an argument you had with a friend.
J14: What makes a bad date so bad?
HW14: When did you first learn about sex?
J15: How do psychologists help people?
HW15: What would you do if you could spend a night out in New York?
J16: Why are there funerals?
HW16: What would you want said at your funeral? OR Free Write
J17: What does "home" mean to you?
HW17: Name one thing you like and why you like it.
J18: What is the meaning of life?
HW18: Which teacher had the MOST positive effect on your life?
J19: If you could meet any past relative, who would it be?
HW19: Who is your closest relative? Why?
J20: Do you see yourself in Holden?
HW20: What does Stekel's quote mean to Holden?
J21: What are some positives about Holden?
HW21: Would you want to be Holden for a day?
J22: Do you know anyone like Holden?
HW22: Is Holden a hero?
J23: Is Holden going to recover?
HW23: How would you help Holden?
J24: Did you enjoy this book?
HW24:What is your favorite book? Why?
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION by Stephen King
J25: What is friendship?
HW25: How do you feel about our criminal justice system?
J26: How does the filmmaker heighten the tension?
HW26: Are you enjoying the film so far?
J27: What is more important: Character or Conflict?
HW27: Describe Andy's world.
J28: Free Writing
HW28: Free Writing
J29: Fact or Opinion: Red is a good guy.
HW29: Fact or Opinion: Prisons are effective.
J30: What lesson does Andy teach us?
HW30: COMPARE/CONTRAST: Red and Brooks
JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
J31: Who are the main characters in the play?
HW31: Why is Brutus more important than Caesar to the play?
J32: Why do military heroes often become political leaders?
HW32: Is power evil?
J33: Are Brutus's arguments convincing?
HW33: Why are people so fickle?
J34: Are you political?
HW34: Is it OK to cheat on taxes?
J35: How do Brutus's and Cassius's ideas differ?
HW35: How does Antony sway the crowd?
J36: Are there ANY good guys in the play ?
HW36: How do Antony's people compare to the conspirators?
J37: Is your life governed by fate or free will?
HW37: Do you believe in ghosts?
J38: How is Caesar still influential?
HW38: How is Cassius's death similar to Caesar's?
J39: Contrast the deaths of Cassius and Brutus.
HW39: What was Brutus's big mistake?
J40: Why are the omens ignored?
HW40: Do the omens mean there is no free will?
J41: Did you prefer the play or the movie?
HW41: Free Write
NIGHT by Elie Wiesel
J42: Why are humans so cruel?
HW42: Why don't they believe Moshe the Beadle's story?
J43: Is it possible to escape your fate?
HW43: How can evil and good exist side by side?
J44: What was the best gift you ever received?
HW44: Free Write
J45: Are you always good to everyone?
HW45: Are you a religious person?
J46: What are your New Year's resolutions?
HW46: Did you keep last year's resolutions?
J47: Free Write
HW47: Free Write
J48: How do the Nazis dehumanize the prisoners?
HW48: Why do the Nazis dehumanize the prisoners?
J49: When does Elie show a loss of his humanity?
HW49: How is Elie's father important to his survival?
J50: What does "Night" symbolize?
HW50: What does "Fire" symbolize?
J51: Free Write
HW51: Free Write
J52: How has Eli changed?
HW52: Why are shoes and gold teeth so valuable?
J53: Could you survive this ordeal?
HW53:Does luck play a part in Elie's survival?
J54: Free Write
HW54: Free Write
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Critical Lens Essay
Steps to follow
PARAGRAPH ONE: Introduction
1. Write the quote verbatim( word for word) beginning with the name of the person being quoted. For example:
Marcus Aurelius stated: “Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself.”
2. Interpret the quote: Explain what the quote means.
3. Agree or disagree with the quote. (You may use a personal
anecdote here).
4. Cite two works of literature you will use to support your agreement or disagreement. (Title, genre, author). Underline titles of novels, biographies, autobiographies, full-length plays. Use “quotation” marks for poems and short stories.
RIOT: Restate, Interpret, Opinion, Two works of lit.
PARAGRAPH TWO: First Work of Literature
1. Briefly retell the story.
2. Emphasize the parts of the story that illustrate the critical
lens statement
PARAGRAPH THREE: First Work of Literature
Literary Elements
Choose a literary element that expresses the novel’s critical lens statement.
PARAGRAPH ONE: Introduction
1. Write the quote verbatim( word for word) beginning with the name of the person being quoted. For example:
Marcus Aurelius stated: “Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself.”
2. Interpret the quote: Explain what the quote means.
3. Agree or disagree with the quote. (You may use a personal
anecdote here).
4. Cite two works of literature you will use to support your agreement or disagreement. (Title, genre, author). Underline titles of novels, biographies, autobiographies, full-length plays. Use “quotation” marks for poems and short stories.
RIOT: Restate, Interpret, Opinion, Two works of lit.
PARAGRAPH TWO: First Work of Literature
1. Briefly retell the story.
2. Emphasize the parts of the story that illustrate the critical
lens statement
PARAGRAPH THREE: First Work of Literature
Literary Elements
Choose a literary element that expresses the novel’s critical lens statement.
PARAGRAPH FOUR: Second Work of Literature
1. Briefly retell the story.
2. Emphasize the parts of the story that illustrate the critical
lens statement
PARAGRAPH FIVE: Second Work of Literature
Literary Elements
Choose a literary element that expresses the novel’s critical lens statement.
PARAGRAPH SIX: Conclusion (see example below)
The following is a template you may use to write your essay:
(P1) Marcus Aurelius stated: “Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself.” This quote is an example of karma. Karma means that what you do to someone else will come back to you. If you hurt someone or get someone into trouble, you will get hurt and into trouble. I agree with this quote because of an incident that happened to me (personal anecdote added here). Two works of literature that illustrate this idea are Holes, a novel by Louis Sachar and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, a short novel by Stephen King.
(P2) Holes is a novel about Stanley Yelnats, a teenager who is wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit.
Make the following points:
1. discuss how the camp is run by the warden for her personal gain
2. explain that she is hurting others but ultimately hurts herself
(P3) The irony in Holes mirrors the irony of the critical lens statement.
Make the following points:
1. the CL is itself ironic
2. Camp Greenlake is in a desert
3. Stanley is a good kid sent to boot camp
4. The people running the camp are the true criminals
5. Stanley ends the family curse by carrying Zero up the mountain thus fulfilling what his great-great grandfather did not
(P4) Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is about Andy Dufresne, a banker, who is wrongfully convicted of double murder and sentenced to two life sentences.
Make the following points:
1.discuss the warden’s corruption
2.discuss how the warden uses Andy’s financial expertise to hide the money he is earning illegally through prison labor
(P5) The critical lens quote is an ironic one. It would seem that if you hurt someone else that you do not get hurt. The truth is you do. The same irony is true in Shawshank.
Make the following points:
1.Andy is not a criminal but he becomes one in prison
2.The warden is supposed to be guarding the criminals but he is a criminal
(P6) “Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself.”
1.Briefly explain the wrongs in Holes and how those who committed the wrongs were hurt themselves
2.Briefly explain the wrongs in Shawshank
and how those who committed the wrongs were hurt themselves
3. State a lesson that these works teach about life
Friday, May 7, 2010
speak: vocabulary
Section 1
Burrow: a hole animals use to take shelter; a hideout
Demerit: a mark against someone for misconduct
Errant: straying from the right course
Flounder: act clumsily
Incite: to stir; encourage
Inconspicuous: not noticeable; invisible
Indoctrination: teaching someone to accept an idea or principle
Pseudo: pretend; fake; false
Sanctuary: a sacred place offering refug e or safety
Wan: dark; gloomy; pale in color; sickly
Section 2
Degrade: humiliate; dishonor
Demure: shy, modest
Dormant: inactive; asleep
Drone: a mindless worker
Refurbish: to renovate
Retreat: to withdraw; go back
Revolutionary: a radical change or innovation
Sensibilities: emotions; feelings
Subjectivity: decisions based on personal feelings rather than facts
Xenophobia: fear or hatred of foreigners
Section 3
Asphyxiate: choke; suffocate; smother
Bigoted: intolerant of other beliefs
Conundrum: a difficult problem; a dilemma
Dense: slow-witted; thinking in a dull manner
Dynamics: the forces that characterize a system or group
Imbeciles: a group of stupid or silly people
Reluctance: unwillingness; resistance
Submission: surrendering to another
Vespiary: a nest of social wasps
Wistful: thoughtful in a sad way; longing, yearning
Section 4
Conscience: the inner sense of what is right or wrong
Consistency: practicing the same behavior or principles
Delinquency: failure to fulfill an obligation
Foster: nourishe; encourage
Genetics: science of heredity
Incriminate: to make someone appear guilty
Momentum: force or speed of movement; motion
Muse: inspiration
Recessive: unexpressed; not dominant
Tenacious: persistent; stubborn; vicious
Section 5
Alleged
: something described but not proven
Banish: force to leave; drive away; expel
Coax: to persuade by pleading or flattery
Devious: not straightforward; shifty; crooked
Hazing: abuse of newcomers with humiliating tricks
Leper: an outcast
Maladjusted: poorly adjusted in one’s social circumstances
Pruning: to cut off; remove
Reputation: public views of an individual
Vague: not clear or definite
Burrow: a hole animals use to take shelter; a hideout
Demerit: a mark against someone for misconduct
Errant: straying from the right course
Flounder: act clumsily
Incite: to stir; encourage
Inconspicuous: not noticeable; invisible
Indoctrination: teaching someone to accept an idea or principle
Pseudo: pretend; fake; false
Sanctuary: a sacred place offering refug e or safety
Wan: dark; gloomy; pale in color; sickly
Section 2
Degrade: humiliate; dishonor
Demure: shy, modest
Dormant: inactive; asleep
Drone: a mindless worker
Refurbish: to renovate
Retreat: to withdraw; go back
Revolutionary: a radical change or innovation
Sensibilities: emotions; feelings
Subjectivity: decisions based on personal feelings rather than facts
Xenophobia: fear or hatred of foreigners
Section 3
Asphyxiate: choke; suffocate; smother
Bigoted: intolerant of other beliefs
Conundrum: a difficult problem; a dilemma
Dense: slow-witted; thinking in a dull manner
Dynamics: the forces that characterize a system or group
Imbeciles: a group of stupid or silly people
Reluctance: unwillingness; resistance
Submission: surrendering to another
Vespiary: a nest of social wasps
Wistful: thoughtful in a sad way; longing, yearning
Section 4
Conscience: the inner sense of what is right or wrong
Consistency: practicing the same behavior or principles
Delinquency: failure to fulfill an obligation
Foster: nourishe; encourage
Genetics: science of heredity
Incriminate: to make someone appear guilty
Momentum: force or speed of movement; motion
Muse: inspiration
Recessive: unexpressed; not dominant
Tenacious: persistent; stubborn; vicious
Section 5
Alleged
: something described but not provenBanish: force to leave; drive away; expel
Coax: to persuade by pleading or flattery
Devious: not straightforward; shifty; crooked
Hazing: abuse of newcomers with humiliating tricks
Leper: an outcast
Maladjusted: poorly adjusted in one’s social circumstances
Pruning: to cut off; remove
Reputation: public views of an individual
Vague: not clear or definite
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