This is the last blog entry for English 11. This one is based on what you have taken from the first act of "Macbeth."
There are three parts to this blog. In part one you must summarize in your own words what has happened so far in the play. In part two you need to describe the character of Macbeth, and be sure to support your description of him with evidence from the play.
Finally you need to change the setting or the genre of the play and describe how(if you were a film director)you would stage the play, and how you would present key scenes(the battle, the witches, Macbeth having visions of the dagger etc.)You can be as creative as you want, and change the play into any genre (science fiction, soap-opera, action, western etc.)that you want.You just have to stay true to the general actions and motivations of the characters.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
"Brave New World"-Journal Entry
" 'Murder kills only the individual-and, after all, what is an individual?' With a sweeping gesture he indicated the rows of microscopes, the test-tubes, the incubators. 'We can make a new one with the greatest ease-as many as we like' " (Chapter 10 pg. 148-Harper Edition)
"Undoing all their wholesome death-conditioning with this disgusting outcry-as though death were something terrible, as though any one mattered as much as all that! (Chapter 14 pg. 206-Harper Edition)
In the first quote, the director is explaining to Henry Foster that unorthodox behaviour is a much more severe offense than murder, because murder only affects one individual while unorthodox behaviour could potentially corrupt many and perhaps destroy society itself. In the second quote, John "The Savage" has interrupted a session of "death conditioning" (where children are exposed to dying individuals and conditioned not to fear death).
Both of the chosen quotes focus on how any sense of individuality has been intentionally removed from the identities of the members of the society in "Brave New World". My personal reaction to the entire system was skeptical. How could there be so few Bernard and Helmholtz types? I can understand that the individuals of the lower castes (who were genetically limited by lower intelligence) might not question the system, but are drugs and sleep-teaching/hypnosis so powerful, that even the alphas would reject the fundamental human desire to be valued as more than simply a part of the greater whole?
In "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" Thomas Gray wrote:
"On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;
Even from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Even in our ashes live their wonted fires."
Gray understood that it is a fundamental condition of human existence to want to be remembered (and grieved for) when we pass on. In my opinion, no amount of "conditioning" could erase one of the most basic of human needs. Every human being wants to have their life acknowledged and valued by another human being. The nurse in "Brave New World" is shocked when John is grieving for his mother, "..as though any ONE mattered as much as all that" (as if any individual was worth such a display of emotion. )
Partnered with the loss of individuality is the lack of emotional attachment to any other human being. Again... I think this is such a fundamental part of the human experience that no amount of brainwashing could erase it completely. I found the world of 1984 to be more believable (not that elements of both worlds couldn't exist). People could betray their deepest morals when threatened with torture. Maybe I'm an idealist, but I like to think that only pain would be enough to make most people betray their deepest values-not pleasure.
Complete digression: Mr. Orwell and Mr. Huxley....is it too much to ask to create a strong, intelligent female character? Lenina, Linda, and Julia are shallow and annoying (ok, there's a HINT of character in Lenina). What's the big deal? Do you think a girl can't handle the whole distopian world view? I suggest you check out Sarah Connor from "The Terminator" or Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" series, or Trinity in "The Matrix" trilogy. Or go read "The Handmaid's Tale" or "Oryx and Crake" by Atwood.
Yeah...I know you're dead. Overall I enjoyed your books. They made me think.
"Undoing all their wholesome death-conditioning with this disgusting outcry-as though death were something terrible, as though any one mattered as much as all that! (Chapter 14 pg. 206-Harper Edition)
In the first quote, the director is explaining to Henry Foster that unorthodox behaviour is a much more severe offense than murder, because murder only affects one individual while unorthodox behaviour could potentially corrupt many and perhaps destroy society itself. In the second quote, John "The Savage" has interrupted a session of "death conditioning" (where children are exposed to dying individuals and conditioned not to fear death).
Both of the chosen quotes focus on how any sense of individuality has been intentionally removed from the identities of the members of the society in "Brave New World". My personal reaction to the entire system was skeptical. How could there be so few Bernard and Helmholtz types? I can understand that the individuals of the lower castes (who were genetically limited by lower intelligence) might not question the system, but are drugs and sleep-teaching/hypnosis so powerful, that even the alphas would reject the fundamental human desire to be valued as more than simply a part of the greater whole?
In "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" Thomas Gray wrote:
"On some fond breast the parting soul relies,
Some pious drops the closing eye requires;
Even from the tomb the voice of Nature cries,
Even in our ashes live their wonted fires."
Gray understood that it is a fundamental condition of human existence to want to be remembered (and grieved for) when we pass on. In my opinion, no amount of "conditioning" could erase one of the most basic of human needs. Every human being wants to have their life acknowledged and valued by another human being. The nurse in "Brave New World" is shocked when John is grieving for his mother, "..as though any ONE mattered as much as all that" (as if any individual was worth such a display of emotion. )
Partnered with the loss of individuality is the lack of emotional attachment to any other human being. Again... I think this is such a fundamental part of the human experience that no amount of brainwashing could erase it completely. I found the world of 1984 to be more believable (not that elements of both worlds couldn't exist). People could betray their deepest morals when threatened with torture. Maybe I'm an idealist, but I like to think that only pain would be enough to make most people betray their deepest values-not pleasure.
Complete digression: Mr. Orwell and Mr. Huxley....is it too much to ask to create a strong, intelligent female character? Lenina, Linda, and Julia are shallow and annoying (ok, there's a HINT of character in Lenina). What's the big deal? Do you think a girl can't handle the whole distopian world view? I suggest you check out Sarah Connor from "The Terminator" or Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" series, or Trinity in "The Matrix" trilogy. Or go read "The Handmaid's Tale" or "Oryx and Crake" by Atwood.
Yeah...I know you're dead. Overall I enjoyed your books. They made me think.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Which way does your moral compass point?
The topic of today's blog is your moral value system. It is important to clarify that what you are meant to discuss is NOT your particular morals, but instead what causes you to have the value system that you do. (You will have an opportunity at the end of the blog to give your opinion on one controversial topic.)
Please read the article "Which way does your moral compass point?" from the Vancouver sun and respond in your blog. Use the following questions to guide your response.
1. What do you think are the three most important factors in your life that affect what your value system is? Why do you think each of these are important?
2. Are all value systems (of all people) equally acceptable?
3. Are you a person with a strong sense of what you believe to be clearly right and wrong, or do you see a lot of gray area in many issues?
4. Do you expect that your morals will change in any way over the course of your life. If they do, what will cause them to change?
5. How acceptable do you feel it is to impress YOUR value system on others?
The second part of the blog is to give your opinion on ONE of the following topics:
a) Conducting MEDICAL experiments on animals
b) Wearing fur
c)Cloning humans (or intentionally altering the characteristics of a fetus-as was mentioned in yesterday's class)
d)The death penalty
Please read the article "Which way does your moral compass point?" from the Vancouver sun and respond in your blog. Use the following questions to guide your response.
1. What do you think are the three most important factors in your life that affect what your value system is? Why do you think each of these are important?
2. Are all value systems (of all people) equally acceptable?
3. Are you a person with a strong sense of what you believe to be clearly right and wrong, or do you see a lot of gray area in many issues?
4. Do you expect that your morals will change in any way over the course of your life. If they do, what will cause them to change?
5. How acceptable do you feel it is to impress YOUR value system on others?
The second part of the blog is to give your opinion on ONE of the following topics:
a) Conducting MEDICAL experiments on animals
b) Wearing fur
c)Cloning humans (or intentionally altering the characteristics of a fetus-as was mentioned in yesterday's class)
d)The death penalty
Friday, December 7, 2007
Novel Study: Journal #1
I only assign 2 journal entries for the novel unit, and I usually find this one of the most interesting assignments as I get to have a bit of a dialogue with you about your novel. Please keep the following in mind when it comes to journal writing:
1. Writing in response to reading without a goal of deeper understanding is a waste of time (yours and mine)
2. Your goals are to:
a) personalize the story (make it more meaningful for you)
b) gain insights about characters
c) see the world in a different way
3. The main point of journal writing is to clarify one’s thoughts by committing one’s thinking to paper.
Please choose a quote or a passage from your novel (include page number) and explain the connection you have made to it. How does the connection you have made help you understand more about the book?
Today you need to post your own journal entry, and respond to two other people in your LIT circle group. As always, proper grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. applies.
1. Writing in response to reading without a goal of deeper understanding is a waste of time (yours and mine)
2. Your goals are to:
a) personalize the story (make it more meaningful for you)
b) gain insights about characters
c) see the world in a different way
3. The main point of journal writing is to clarify one’s thoughts by committing one’s thinking to paper.
Please choose a quote or a passage from your novel (include page number) and explain the connection you have made to it. How does the connection you have made help you understand more about the book?
Today you need to post your own journal entry, and respond to two other people in your LIT circle group. As always, proper grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. applies.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Alternate Realities
The focus of today's class is how members of modern society choose to spend portions of their lives in some form of alternate reality, whether it be by using Facebook, or by watching reality television shows.
Before you respond in your blog you must read ONE of the following articles:
1. "Reality T.V.: Life through a lens ain't no documentary"
2. "Does your digital self reflect your identity or create it?"
3. "Leaving Facebook"
In point form please list what you think are the THREE most important points in your article, and then answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of spending your time interacting with others in a virtual environment (such as Facebook.)Please think carefully about what kind of information is communicated, and why someone would choose to join.
2. What does the popularity of reality television shows reveal about our society? (What exactly is the purpose of a reality television show, and what does it mean if someone chooses to spend their time watching it?)
Before you respond in your blog you must read ONE of the following articles:
1. "Reality T.V.: Life through a lens ain't no documentary"
2. "Does your digital self reflect your identity or create it?"
3. "Leaving Facebook"
In point form please list what you think are the THREE most important points in your article, and then answer ONE of the following questions:
1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of spending your time interacting with others in a virtual environment (such as Facebook.)Please think carefully about what kind of information is communicated, and why someone would choose to join.
2. What does the popularity of reality television shows reveal about our society? (What exactly is the purpose of a reality television show, and what does it mean if someone chooses to spend their time watching it?)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Something to talk about...
For your second post you need to read the article: "Gossip, When It's Not Too Nasty, It Has Its Good Side" from the Sept. 8, 2007 edition of the Vancouver Sun. Please follow these steps as you go through the article.
In your own words, write down what you think are the 5 most important points made in the article, and then summarize the entire article in one or two sentences. (Pretend someone asks you what the article is about, and you have to explain it to them in a short amount of time).
Next, you need to write a personal response about whether or not you consider gossip to be an ethical activity. Think carefully about whether you are one of those people who spends "two hours a day talking about people who are not there". Do you associate gossip with low morality, or do you agree with some of the advantages mentioned in the article? Please provide reasons for your opinion, and attempt to persuade others to see your point of view. (You may write in first person)
Finally, you will be asked to comment on another person's blog. You need to focus on one or two SPECIFIC points that they make and respond to them. Respect for other viewpoints is a must, and of course all writing expectations for spelling and grammar apply.
In your own words, write down what you think are the 5 most important points made in the article, and then summarize the entire article in one or two sentences. (Pretend someone asks you what the article is about, and you have to explain it to them in a short amount of time).
Next, you need to write a personal response about whether or not you consider gossip to be an ethical activity. Think carefully about whether you are one of those people who spends "two hours a day talking about people who are not there". Do you associate gossip with low morality, or do you agree with some of the advantages mentioned in the article? Please provide reasons for your opinion, and attempt to persuade others to see your point of view. (You may write in first person)
Finally, you will be asked to comment on another person's blog. You need to focus on one or two SPECIFIC points that they make and respond to them. Respect for other viewpoints is a must, and of course all writing expectations for spelling and grammar apply.
Friday, November 16, 2007
First Blog!
Welcome to your first blog posting! You have two choices for your first response. Please remember to consider everything that you write in your blog to be "public". Do not include any information that you are not comfortable with everyone in the class being able to read. Please use proper grammar, punctuation and spelling, and avoid symbols and abbreviations.
Today you will be writing about your chosen song or poem, and you have two choices for your response:
Option 1:
What is your personal reaction to your song/poem? What thoughts, ideas, and/or emotions does it bring out? Can you make any connections between the song and the events or people in your life? Have you learned anything from the lyrics or has your thinking changed? Is there something in it you can relate to? What do you like about it, and what first attracted you to it? How or when did you first hear it?
Option 2:
If the first option requires too much personal commentary for your first blog then you may do the following:
Find another song, photo, drawing, painting, book, or movie that creates a similar emotional reaction in the reader/listener/viewer (remember the assignment you did that discussed the mood/atmosphere of your song), and that has a similar theme. In your blog, explain (in paragraph form) how this book/ movie etc. that you have chosen is similar to your song.
Today you will be writing about your chosen song or poem, and you have two choices for your response:
Option 1:
What is your personal reaction to your song/poem? What thoughts, ideas, and/or emotions does it bring out? Can you make any connections between the song and the events or people in your life? Have you learned anything from the lyrics or has your thinking changed? Is there something in it you can relate to? What do you like about it, and what first attracted you to it? How or when did you first hear it?
Option 2:
If the first option requires too much personal commentary for your first blog then you may do the following:
Find another song, photo, drawing, painting, book, or movie that creates a similar emotional reaction in the reader/listener/viewer (remember the assignment you did that discussed the mood/atmosphere of your song), and that has a similar theme. In your blog, explain (in paragraph form) how this book/ movie etc. that you have chosen is similar to your song.
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