Animal Farm Blog # 1

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes when required.

Ch. 3
1.  What do the animals have to celebrate?  Give a quote as support.

2.  Which animals do not work as hard as the rest?  Is this indicative of human behavior?

3.  To what degree do animals learn to read?

Ch. 4
1.  What happens once the word of "Animal Farm" spreads?  Use a quote as support.

2.  What do the neighboring farmers have to do in order to join together against the animals?

3.  Whose military tactics does Snowball use to defend Animal Farm?  Use a quote as support.

4.  What is the battle called and which animals emerge as heroes?  

The Stranger - Blog # 2

Please read Part II, Ch. 3 & 4 and respond to the prompts below.  Use quotes when stipulated.
1.  What is the role of the sun on page 82? Use a quote as support.

2.  What does the following quote say about humanity.  "They were all looking at me: I realized that they were the jury.  But I can't say what distinguished one from another" (83).

3.  How does one see social conventions on page 84?

4.  What mattered more to Mersault?  The details of the trial or the trial itself?  What does this say about his manner of thinking?

5.  What evidence did the prosecution have against Mersault?  Use a quote as support.  In your opinion, was this sufficient to convict him of murder?

6.  In your opinion, is Mersault's treatment of his mother relevant to his murder case?

7.  Give one example of how one sees Mersault adapt to his surroundings.  Use a quote as support.

8.  Mersault realizes for the first time that he "was guilty" (90).  Does this differ from him thinking: "I am guilty"?

The Stranger - Blog # 1

Please read Part I and respond to the prompts below.  2-4 sentences should suffice; use a quote when stipulated.


1.  Does Salamano's grief over his dog impact Mersault?

2.  Pretend you are a Feminist critic.  There are abundant examples of misogyny; please cite 3 examples.

3.  Why do you think Mersault doesn't care if he is married or not?

4.  Mersault, while not looking for an excuse, partially blames the murder on the environment.  What does this say about the way Camus deals with the environment?  Is it positive? Negative? Neutral?  Use a quote as support.

5.  When Mersault commits the murder, he shatters "the harmony of the day, the exceptional beach where [he'd] been happy" (58).  Does this imply that he regrets his crime?

6.  Describe the lifestyle in Tangiers.  Does it seem appealing?  Think of the environment, the city and the beach.  How about the weather?  Use one quote as support.

7.  Cite three things Mersault is indifferent towards.

8.  "Ambition is futile".  Would Mersault agree or disagree?

Due: Sunday, 4.29

Blog # 4 - All Quiet on the Western Fron

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.
Due: Monday, 4.9 (Before Class)


1.  Paul gets angry at the nuns for praying.  This may seem like a small affair, but what are the larger implications of this scene?

2.  What does having a "shoot license" mean? Use a quote as support.

3.  What happens once you've been taken to the dead room?

4.  Where do they tell Paul they are taking him?  How does he know it's a trick?

5.  What kind of medical experiments are they doing on the soldiers? Use a quote as support.

6.  How does the new arrival attempt to kill himself?

7.  Explain the following quotes;

"A man cannot realize that above such shattered bodies there are still human faces in which life goes its daily round" (263).

"I see how peoples are set against one another, and in silence, unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another" (263).

8.  Why does Detering take the cherry branches and what is his end?

9.  Cite one good example of how Germany is losing the war.  There are many to choose from.

10.  Using a quote as support, how many countries is Germany fighting against at this point in the novel?

11.  How does Kat save Paul's life?

12.  The boots, are we see, are prophetic and foretell the future.  Explain how this is true.

13.  One word, describe this book.  You cannot use a word that another student has already used.

Thanks for all your hard work with this novel!  Looking forward to enjoying the film...bring snacks.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Blog # 3

Please read 199 – 229 and respond to the prompts below in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.            Where do we see an example of “understatement” on Pg. 99?  Cite the example.

2.            Cite the quote that best describes Paul’s sense of home or belonging.

3.            Who is the Kaiser?

4.            What’s the difference between “Fatherland” and “Country”, “People” and the “State”.

5.            How is war like a fever?  Use a quote as support.

6.            What do they have to do with the new uniforms in the end?  Why?

7.            “Comrades.” Pg. 212. Discuss. Use a quote as support 3-5 sentences.

8.            At first Paul does not kill a man… he kills an ________________.  Explain this. Have                   we seen it before in the novel?

9.            At the end of this section, does Paul feel closer or distanced from the enemy?  Use a             quote as support.

All Quiet on the Western Front Blog # 2

Please respond to the following prompts.  Use quotes when stipulated.
Due: Friday, 3.9 (before class).


1.  Why does Kat not shoot the injured soldier?  What would you have done if you had been there?

2.  How many die in the bombardment? Use quote as support.

3.  On Pg. 74, "monotonously" is repeated several times.  Why?  How can this word be applied to the larger context of war?

4.  How do they kill lice and how does Haie plan on using them?

5.  Who is arriving at the front? Use a quote as support.

6.  Why does Haie enjoy being in the army?

7.  Why does Tjaden not worry about going to "the clink", or jail?

8.  What did school not teach these soldiers?  Use a quote as support.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Blog # 1

Please read Ch. 1-3 and respond to the prompts below.  Use quotes when stipulated.


1.  What are the soldiers taught in "boot camp" and what does war do to these teachings?  Use a quote as support.

2.  Who are / were the "Iron Youth" and how does this end up being ironic?

3.  Kemmerich's boots are the largest symbol of the novel.  How are they viewed in different ways and what does this tell us about each character?

4.  How does war replace their previous schooling?  What does this say about the timeless battle of war vs. culture?

5.  How do we see veterans contrasted with new recruits?  Where else do you see this situation in life?  Use a quote as support.

6.  What does the following quote say about war?  "Give 'em all the same grub and all the same pay / And the war would be over and done in a day" (41).

7.  Kat is a "cobbler."  Look up "cobbler" if you don't know it.  How does it reflect his character?  What is he good at doing?

8. The language is simple but there are a lot of things going on in the opening chapters.  What has struck you thus far about this novel?  What has been powerful to you?  Use quotes as support. (1 Paragraph).

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Blog # 3

Please read Ch. 16 & 17 and respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes as support when stipulated.


1.  Henry and Dorian are superlative conversationalists.  The Duchess, however, is quite adept as well.  Cite one of her strongest lines.  Use a direct quotation.

2.  Why does Dorian faint?

3.  How does Henry Describe women?  Use a quote.  What does it mean?

4.  How does Dorian escape being murdered and by whom?  Be very specific in your response.  How has the portrait saved him?

5.  Why, at the age of 60, was the Duchess's husband jaded?  Look up jaded.  Is this natural as people grow older?  Why?

6.  Lord Henry says, "To be popular one must be a mediocrity" (165).  Compare this expression to the mathematical acronym: LCD (Least Common Denominator).


Due: Thursday, 2.9

Blog # 2 The Picture of Dorian Gray

A1 /A2 Blog # 2 –The Picture of Dorian Gray

Sorry for the late posting - the system has been down

Due: Thursday, 2.2 before class.

Ch. 12

1.            How old did Dorian turn?

2.            Why is Basil so worried about Dorian?

3.            Basil accuses Dorian of ruining several individuals, but what is Dorian’s rebuttal?

4.            What does Basil Say about Dorian’s soul and how does this impact Dorian?

Ch. 13

1.            Give 3 specific Gothic elements from this chapter.

            A.

            B.

            C.

2.  We know Dorian is going wild.  But murder?  Really?  Can you believe he would do it?  And ultimately, why did he do it?

3.  How does Dorian cover up his murder?  Give specific details.  Do you think it was a good plan?

The Picture of Dorian Gray Blog #1

Read Chapters 5 & 6 and respond to the prompts below in complete sentences.

Chapter 5
1.  Find 2 quotes that illustrate class differences / polarization.

2.  Why is there greater opportunity for James in Australia than England?

3.  What had Sibyl's mother done in the past for work?  How do you think this impacts her daughter?

4.  What does James threaten to do if Dorian hurts his sister?

Chapter 6
1.  How do America and England differ in respect to marriage?

2.  According to Lord Henry, what is the "real drawback to marriage"?

3.  Explain the following: "The basis of optimism is sheer terror."

4.  Why, according to Lord Henry, is a cigarette "a perfect pleasure"?  What do you think about his rationale?
Due: Friday, 12.16

A2 - Blog # 7 - Romeo and Juliet

Please respond to the prompts below in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.


1.  What rationale does the Friar give to Paris to not proceed with the wedding?  Use a quote as support.

2.  Paraphrase the plan the Friar proposes to Juliet to reunite she and Romeo.

3.  The duplicity of the Friar is suspect.  What does this say of him as a man?  Can he be trusted?  Does his behavior match his status as a religious man?

4.  Why do you think Juliet apologize to her father for her wanton behavior?  To what end does she do this?

5.  What is the result of this?  What does her father do?  Use a quote as support.

6.  If you were Juliet, would you go through with this plan?

Due: Tuesday, 11.22

A1 - Blog # 7 - Twelfth Night

Please read Act V, Scene 1 and respond to the prompts below.  Use quotes when stipulated.


1.  What does Orsino do when he comes to realize that Cesario is Viola?  How would you react?  Use a quote as support.

2.  In the end, who is the double wedding composed of?

3.  How does Sebastian take over some of Viola's masculine characteristics?

4.  Orsino continues to call Viola, Cesario, what does this say of his attraction to her?

5.  You might label this play a Romantic Comedy.  How so?  Use at least two quotes as support.

Due: Tuesday, 11.22

A2 - Blog # 6 - Romeo and Juliet

Please respond to the prompts below in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.  What are the two birds Juliet speaks of and how do they refer to the time of day?  Why is the time of day important for Romeo?

2.  Do Juliet’s parents know she is already married to Romeo?  Use a quote as support to show this.

3.  Paraphrase the nurse’s advice for Juliet.  How does she respond to it?

4.  How might this scene foreshadow the end of the play?

5.  Many argue that this scene demonstrates Juliet’s coming of age.  Would you agree or disagree?  Use a quote as support.

6.  The setting of this scene is very close to another scene earlier in the play.  Which one am I thinking of?

7.  Juliet always appears “above” Romeo.  Does this suggest the balance of power (or lack thereof) between Romeo and Juliet?

Due: Friday, 11.18

A1 - Blog # 6 - Twelfth Night

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes when stipulated.

1.  How does Sebastian rationalize that Olivia is not insane.  Use a quote as support.

2.  Why does Olivia offer to wait to publicize the marriage?

3.  Like brother like sister... based on your observations, do siblings of different gender share mutually attractive or unattractive traits?

4.  Do Viola and Sebastian share similar qualities.  Be specific in your response.

5.  This is a very short scene.  Why did Shakespeare choose this structure?  To what end?  Think of how the structure impacts the content.

Due: Friday, 11.18 (before class)

A2 - Blog # 5 - Romeo and Juliet

Please respond to the prompts below in complete sentences.  Use quotes as support when stipulated.

Act III, Scene 3
1.  What does Romeo compare the world outside Verona to?

2.  What is Friar Lawrence and Romeo's course of action?

3.  Which city is Romeo running to?

4.  Why does he have to flee?

Act III, Scene 4
1.  I had kind of forgotten about Paris.  How does he reenter in this scene?

2.  The day of the wedding of _______________ and ________________ changes from ________________ to _________________ because of ________________________.

3.  Describe how both Romeo and Juliet react differently to the stress of their relationship.  Use quotes as support (6-8 sentences).

Due: Wednesday, 11.16 (Before Class)

A1 - Blog # 5 - Twelfth Night

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  Use quotes as support when stipulated.

Act IV, Scene 1
1.  Who is Sebastian mistaken for?

2.  Is Sebastian pleased with Olivia's interest?  Use a quote as support.

Act IV, Scene 2
1.  Where does this scene take place?

2.  Who is the Fool disguised as?

3.  Why does Malvolio think the house is dark?

Due:
Please complete and submit before class on Wednesday, 11.16

A2 - Romeo and Juliet - Blog # 4

Please respond to the prompts / questions below.  Use complete sentences and quotes when stipulated.


1.  What is Tybalt's reaction to Romeo arriving at the Capulet's party?  How does Capulet's reaction differ? Is this surprising?

2.  What kind of character is the nurse?  Use a quote as support.  She is not a major character, but why is she so crucial to the story?

3.  Based only on the text, what is attractive about Romeo?  What is attractive about Juliet?

4.  Based only on the text, what is NOT attractive about Romeo?  What is NOT attractive about Juliet?

5.  Identify the rhyming scheme of 136 - 139.  Then paraphrase those lines.

A1 - Twelfth Night - Blog # 4

Please respond to the prompts / questions below.  Write in complete sentences and include quotes when stipulated.

1.  Give an example of Malapropism.  Cite correctly.

2.  Give an example of a word that means something totally different compared to what it meant in Shakespeare's day.  Cite correctly.  Quote required.

3.  Give a quote that demonstrates the animosity between Sir Toby Belch and Malvolio. Cite correctly.

4.  What is the prank that will be played on Malvolio?  Use a quote as support.

5.  What is the relationship between Sebastian, Antonio and Viola?

Due: Friday, 11.4 (Before Class)

Blog # 3

Please respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.

1.  Many say this novel embodies the battle between good and evil.  Give one concrete example of this battle in the novel.

2.  The individual vs. the whole is frequently discussed in One Day... Please give a specific example of this and who won?  The person or the group?

3.  There is "camp justice" and justice.  Which one is more "just" in your opinion?  How might this be ironic? (It doesn't have to be).

4.  Shukhov has been unjustly sent to prison.  That is difficult to argue against.  When have you ever felt that you've been unjustly treated, yet you had no choice but to take it?

Due: Tuesday, 9.20

Blog # 2

Please read 81 - 90 and respond to the prompts below.  Use complete sentences and quotes when required.


1.  Why does Solzhenitsyn refer to a prisoner as "X 123" instead of using his name (81)?  What does this do to his persona?
2.  The crew hadn't done any work in the first part of the day for the site.  But they had worked for themselves.  What had they done?
3.  What do we learn of Tiurin in these pages? (3-4 sentences)
4.  Why do you think the Estonian brothers trust Shukhov?  Be specific (2-3 sentences)
5.  How is a squad defined on the bottom of 87?
6.  Pick three construction vocabulary terms and define them.


Due: Thursday, 9.15 (Before class)