I returned the essays, tests and notebooks today. Quote logs will be marked by the next class.
I thought you all did a terrific job. Today, we started the novels. You each know when you are presenting. On your presentation day, submit your notes to me to be marked. What / so what? chart or what's important and why charts are fine. Just be sure not to miss any good parts. Look for the items we had on the board today: motif, tone changes, symbols, themes, character changes, bring key passages to the group for analysis (the way we did with Lear). We are not looking at plot here. Your essay is on theme--what observation of the world is the author making through these characters at this time in this place? Your personal analysis is best. Spark notes and company are good for general summaries and for noting motifs but the depth is simply not there. Your ideas are needed. If you do visit sites, be sure to include a works cited page with your chart.
In-class essay will be June 5 in the south lab. You will also be able to use this novel on the Lit 12 final exam and next year on the AP Lit or Lang exams. Yay!!
Bring your novels to class every day 4 and 8 only. Bring the text to class for the other days.
Keep reviewing the Anglo-Saxon and Renaissance materials whenever you can as the final exam is not that far away.
You'll love units 3 and 4. Guaranteed!!
We'll make notes on the 18th century next class and soon we'll read a hilarious essay by Jonathan Swift called "A Modest Proposal". Only the Irish would suggest eating babies as a way to solve the poverty problem. He makes a persuasive argument. (ouch, this tongue is stuck in my cheek).
