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)