Carefully read Things Fall Apart up till the end of Part One (Chapter 14) Answer the study questions below to help you make sense of the many cultural events described in these chapters. Remember they are included for a specific purpose. Additionally, write one other character analysis-- give yourself no more than 35 minutes to write. Bring to class Monday. Additionally, begin to review the following terms: tragedy (all the lecture notes), freytag's pyramid, literary terms: metaphor, allusion, simlie, rhetorical question, apostrophe, the conventions of fiction, personification, the plot graph. Start reviewing the stories from The Bible, Job, for your final exam.
Chapter 11
1. Why don’t the birds want Tortoise to join them at the feast in the sky?
2. How does Tortoise convince the birds to allow him to join them at the feast?
3. How is Tortoise able to fly with the birds of the sky?
4. What are some of the hard things Tortoise’s wife takes out of the house to prepare for Tortoise’s fall?
Chapter 12
5. The members of Obierika’s extended family sit in a half-moon. When his in-laws arrive, they complete thecircle. What is the significance of the seating arrangement?
6. What purpose is served by involving the reader in a traditional Nigerian wedding?
Chapter 13-14
7. What is the name of Okonkwo’s village?
8. Why does Okonkwo shudder when he learns of Ezedu's death?
9. What does the one-handed spirit mean when he asks Ezeudu to come again the way he came before?
10. What horrible accident happens at Ezedu's funeral and why is it significant to Okonkwo?
11. Why does Obierika begin to wonder about the justice of the Earth goddess?
12. What do the elders mean when they say “If one finger brought oil it soiled the others”?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Fall of Rome (AP English Language)
Carefully read Chapters 1-3 of The Fall of Rome. Answer the following questions either as you read, or following your reading. The questions require depth and understanding; most require multiple sentence responses:
1. Articulate Mr. Washington's philosophy of being an African-American teacher in a predominately Caucasian, elite private school.
2. What impression do you get of Mr. Washington by the comments and remarks he makes of his only African-American student, Rashid?
3. Summarize Mr. WAshingtons comments on page 12
4. Is it important that on page 13, Mr. Washington is surprised when Mr. Bryson raises his hand?
5. Describe Kofi and the impact that he has on his younger brother, Rashid. What happens to Kofi?
6. How then is Rashid additionally burdened and set apart from his peers at Chelsea?
7. Why had Ms. Hansen come to Chelsea to teach?
8. Explain the author's choice of having the novel told directly by Mr. Washington (Chapter 1; an all knowing narrator for Rashid- Chapter 2; and from Ms. Hansen in Chapter 3?) (What purpose does it serve to have the novel told this way instead of from an all-knowing narrator?
1. Articulate Mr. Washington's philosophy of being an African-American teacher in a predominately Caucasian, elite private school.
2. What impression do you get of Mr. Washington by the comments and remarks he makes of his only African-American student, Rashid?
3. Summarize Mr. WAshingtons comments on page 12
4. Is it important that on page 13, Mr. Washington is surprised when Mr. Bryson raises his hand?
5. Describe Kofi and the impact that he has on his younger brother, Rashid. What happens to Kofi?
6. How then is Rashid additionally burdened and set apart from his peers at Chelsea?
7. Why had Ms. Hansen come to Chelsea to teach?
8. Explain the author's choice of having the novel told directly by Mr. Washington (Chapter 1; an all knowing narrator for Rashid- Chapter 2; and from Ms. Hansen in Chapter 3?) (What purpose does it serve to have the novel told this way instead of from an all-knowing narrator?
AP English Literature- Things Fall Apart
#1 Reflection- On which of the three essay choices do you think you did your best? (Meaning, your felt beest prepared in terms of your reading, discussion, etc.)? Which one of the questions posed challenged you most to think of the text Things Fall Apart (characters, situations, etc.) differently?
Continue reading Chapters 6-8 of Things Fall Apart, carefully reading and underlining in pencil each proverb from each chater. Although I have begun to shy away from many study questions, I would like you to note the significance of several events, hence study questions:
1. How does Okonkwo demonstrate fondness for Ikemefuna (this was from Chapter 5)?
2. How does Okonkwo display his temper in Chapter 5?
3. Why is Okonkwo so fond of Enzima, and what does his relationship between her show about him?
4. For how long had Ikemefuna lived in Okonkwo's household? Identfy at least two ways that he postiviely impacts Nwoye's behavior (even, if only outwardly).
5. Were you surprised by Okonkwo's particpation in the acts at the end of the Chapter? Why or why not?
6. How had Ikemefuna come to stay in Umuofia in the first place?
Continue reading Chapters 6-8 of Things Fall Apart, carefully reading and underlining in pencil each proverb from each chater. Although I have begun to shy away from many study questions, I would like you to note the significance of several events, hence study questions:
1. How does Okonkwo demonstrate fondness for Ikemefuna (this was from Chapter 5)?
2. How does Okonkwo display his temper in Chapter 5?
3. Why is Okonkwo so fond of Enzima, and what does his relationship between her show about him?
4. For how long had Ikemefuna lived in Okonkwo's household? Identfy at least two ways that he postiviely impacts Nwoye's behavior (even, if only outwardly).
5. Were you surprised by Okonkwo's particpation in the acts at the end of the Chapter? Why or why not?
6. How had Ikemefuna come to stay in Umuofia in the first place?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Things Fall Apart
Be Sure you have carefully read Chapters 1-4 of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Since Tuesday is a 90 minute block period, we will have time to review/quiz your reading and understanding of why the events and characterizations matter. Answer the following in addition to the questions given you on Friday. I will not accept one, two, or three sentence answers. Answers require thought---they can not be found in one section of the text:
1. In what ways is Okonkwo a respected leader of his village? Give three examples.
2. Describe the homestead of Okonkwo (with his three wives and childen) What does it illustrate about Igo culture? Do not write--it illustrates that a man may have more than one wife.
3. Explain the Ibo concept of "chi" and how this concept relates to Okonkwo's desire for success (remember there is a glossary in the back of your novel. Also it is mentioned in your reading).
4. Discuss the symbolic meaning of The Week of Peace for the Igbo people and how Okonkwo violates it.
1. In what ways is Okonkwo a respected leader of his village? Give three examples.
2. Describe the homestead of Okonkwo (with his three wives and childen) What does it illustrate about Igo culture? Do not write--it illustrates that a man may have more than one wife.
3. Explain the Ibo concept of "chi" and how this concept relates to Okonkwo's desire for success (remember there is a glossary in the back of your novel. Also it is mentioned in your reading).
4. Discuss the symbolic meaning of The Week of Peace for the Igbo people and how Okonkwo violates it.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Oedipus at Colonus
Directions: Re-read Oedipus at Colouns and answer the following comprehension questions based on your reading (note, if questions 11-16 are unrelated, then do not answer them.
Study Questions
1. What has Oedipus learned from his years of begging and wandering in exile?
2. Where do Oedipus and Antigone tread at the beginning of the play?
3. How does the Citizen react to the strangers in the sacred grove?
4. What prayer does Oedipus offer after the Citizen leaves?
5. How does the Chorus react at first to the news that someone has trespassed on the sacred grove?
6. How does the Chorus react when Oedipus, haggard and blind, reveals himself?
7. How does the Chorus react when Oedipus gives his name?
8. How does Oedipus shame the Chorus into accepting him?
9. What news does Ismene bring?
10. How does Oedipus react to Ismene’s news?Study Questions
11. What ceremony does the Leader of the Chorus explain to Oedipus?
12. How does Oedipus react when the Leader finishes explaining the ceremony?
13. What do Ismene and Antigone say after their father speaks to the Leader about the ceremony?
14. Why does the Chorus want Oedipus to recite the details of his life?
15. Why does Oedipus yield to the curiosity of the Chorus when the men press him for the details of his life?
16. Why does Theseus offer protection and the full rights of citizenship to Oedipus?
Study Questions
1. What has Oedipus learned from his years of begging and wandering in exile?
2. Where do Oedipus and Antigone tread at the beginning of the play?
3. How does the Citizen react to the strangers in the sacred grove?
4. What prayer does Oedipus offer after the Citizen leaves?
5. How does the Chorus react at first to the news that someone has trespassed on the sacred grove?
6. How does the Chorus react when Oedipus, haggard and blind, reveals himself?
7. How does the Chorus react when Oedipus gives his name?
8. How does Oedipus shame the Chorus into accepting him?
9. What news does Ismene bring?
10. How does Oedipus react to Ismene’s news?Study Questions
11. What ceremony does the Leader of the Chorus explain to Oedipus?
12. How does Oedipus react when the Leader finishes explaining the ceremony?
13. What do Ismene and Antigone say after their father speaks to the Leader about the ceremony?
14. Why does the Chorus want Oedipus to recite the details of his life?
15. Why does Oedipus yield to the curiosity of the Chorus when the men press him for the details of his life?
16. Why does Theseus offer protection and the full rights of citizenship to Oedipus?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
AP English Literature
I placed the study questions on my blog to acquaint you with blogs. Click on some of the links below to visit student blogs. Then return to my blog to obtain your study questions and homework assignment.
Homework: Read Oedipus up to the end of the second episode (And honor to Apollo) are last words. Answer study questions that follow. Study your notes on tragedy, and the function of the chorus/outline. Complete your independent reading journals and your literature circle role sheet. Remember-- extra credit Job assignments are due on Monday. Quiz on Thursday after Literature Circle Meetings. 1. What similarities do you notice between Oedipus and the character Job in terms of behavior or disposition thus far in your reading?
2. In the first Episode beginning with the words--You Pray! Then listen: and ending with the words "the whole of heaven help." Oedipus lays out a plan to stop the plague gripping Thebes. Summarize his statement/plan presented here.
3. Of what does Oedipus accuse the blind seer Tiresias? Why does Tiresias not speak?
4. Of what does Oedipus accuse his brother in law, Creon (Kreon)?
5. Of what does Oedipus intend to do? What does his wife, Jocaste (Iocaste) tell him?
6. The oracle had prophesied that Oedipus would kill his father and beget children by his mother. Is Oedipus therefore made to do these things? Is Oedipus bound or free--the puppet of fate, or the creator of his own fate? Of some of each?
7. When in the play was Oedipus a braggart? arrogant? insolent? presumptuous?
Homework: Read Oedipus up to the end of the second episode (And honor to Apollo) are last words. Answer study questions that follow. Study your notes on tragedy, and the function of the chorus/outline. Complete your independent reading journals and your literature circle role sheet. Remember-- extra credit Job assignments are due on Monday. Quiz on Thursday after Literature Circle Meetings. 1. What similarities do you notice between Oedipus and the character Job in terms of behavior or disposition thus far in your reading?
2. In the first Episode beginning with the words--You Pray! Then listen: and ending with the words "the whole of heaven help." Oedipus lays out a plan to stop the plague gripping Thebes. Summarize his statement/plan presented here.
3. Of what does Oedipus accuse the blind seer Tiresias? Why does Tiresias not speak?
4. Of what does Oedipus accuse his brother in law, Creon (Kreon)?
5. Of what does Oedipus intend to do? What does his wife, Jocaste (Iocaste) tell him?
6. The oracle had prophesied that Oedipus would kill his father and beget children by his mother. Is Oedipus therefore made to do these things? Is Oedipus bound or free--the puppet of fate, or the creator of his own fate? Of some of each?
7. When in the play was Oedipus a braggart? arrogant? insolent? presumptuous?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Blogging Over Break!
Social networking sites and blogging can revolutionize classroom teaching by providing students yet another vehicle for communication and thinking richly about the texts they read. This semester, I intend to make use of blogging as a way for students to yet again engage in literature circles (AP English Literature) and Non-fiction circles (AP English Language). Students will have the opportunity to post journal entries, pose and respond to questions, and engage in their independent reading texts with an online peer group. I will also ask them to explore other blogs and to follow those of their artistic and academic interests. Get ready for break (but not from reading and writing)!
Guy
Guy
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