Response to Course Materials #6

     Over the last month we have read Frankenstein as well as several articles that correlated with our reading. Like I have said before, I really enjoy reading the articles as they open my eyes to different ideas I would not have considered prior.
     The first article we read and annotated was titled "Introduction to Romanticism." Before reading this I really did think that the Romanticism movement had something to do with romance, when in fact it does not. Some of the main ideas of Romanticism include imagination, nature, and symbolism. The hero in this era is individualistic, alienated, and devoted to their own ideas. Frankenstein is without a doubt a Romanticism era novel. Second, we read "Shelley's Literary Influences." This article discussed five different novels that shaped the way Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. While comparing the plot and characters of Frankenstein to these different works, it was apparent what elements she pulled from each piece. Next, we read "A Psychological Analysis of Shelley's Frankenstein" which examined the idea that Victor Frankenstein is a pathological narcissist. The article also provided some background information about Mary Shelley's life. I learned that Percy Shelley was married when the two of them started their relationship  . The idea for Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley in a dream while she was away with Percy in Switzerland. It amazes me that she was so young when she wrote the novel. With this articles assistance, I can easily observe why someone would think that Victor Frankenstein is a narcissist. Then, we read "An Analysis of the Theme of Alienation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein." This article was interesting as it pointed out many examples of alienation in the novel such as borderlines and meeting places. The idea that stuck out most to me was that loneliness equals craziness. Last, we read "Frankenstein and Childbirth." This article argues that Frankenstein is about childbirth. I learned that Mary Shelley faced many child deaths and was even pregnant while writing the novel. 
     I am looking forward to spring break soon!

Open Prompt #4

The prompt for question 3, the “open” question, began by defining a symbol as “an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself.” The prompt added that symbols can “express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning.” Students were then asked to select a novel or play, to focus on one symbol, and to write an essay analyzing how the symbol functions in the work; students were asked to analyze what the symbol reveals about characters or themes in the work as a whole. 

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the symbol of the green light plays a significant role. It is written about in a way that it is unreachable by all. The green light symbolizes Jay Gatsby’s aspirations as well as the American Dream all the characters in the novel desire. First the green light represents Jay Gatsby’s dreams. The novel begins with Gatsby peering across the bay at Daisy Buchanan’s house where the light is coming from. Gatsby desperately wants Daisy’s love, even though she is married to Tom. He wants to feel worthy like he did in the past when he had her.  
The green light also illustrates the idea of the American Dream. The American Dream means something different for each one of the characters. Gatsby already has wealth and popularity, what he truly desires is Daisy. Nick Carraway wants to be successful in the bond business. Daisy Buchanan craves a lover who is true and won’t just use her like Tom does.  
The use of symbols can be very effective in novels. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the green light to symbolize Jay Gatsby’s wants as well as the American Dream.

Open Prompt #3

2009

#1

I do not know how the AP graders, grade some of these! The handwriting is horrible. Good thing the opening paragraph really hooked me in. I thought we were supposed to put the author and work in the very first sentence, which this person did not due. Possibly that comes from a strong suggestion from Ms. Holmes. The first sentence of their second paragraph is not a statement he can argue, but instead just facts. They could use that fact as a supporting detail, but it should not come first in their paragraph.  At times it seems like the writer is just summarizing and not analyzing. Overall the language is sophisticated and I am quite impressed with the amount of detail included. I would give this writer an 8.

#2

Right from the start, the writer forgets to include a basic apostrophe for the author’s name. They make some mistakes, which is fine, but they need to put a straight line through their mess ups instead of scribbling it out. The second paragraph is great and is set up perfectly with the argumentative sentence first. In the third and fourth paragraphs, they again set it up nicely. One problem I see with this essay is that the language is not really advanced. I would give this writer a 7.

#3
This writer does not include the author’s name at all, which can be a major issue. They also should not use phrases such as “in my opinion” as it makes the arguments sound weak. I would also argue that the thesis does not answer the prompt. The supporting details are not clearly defined in the opening paragraph, and I believe that is something that is supposed to be done. The claims this writer makes are not strong enough to back up their thesis. I believe that this writer deserves a 4 for their efforts.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

Author: Tom Stoppard

Characters

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern: These two are basically one person, it is hard to tell them apart. They ask many questions and do not have much of a purpose.

The Players: They are just about the only few who know what is going on in the play. They keep Rosencrantz and Guildenstern grounded to a certain extent.

Summary

• The play opens with Rosencrantz & Guildenstern playing the coin game which really just means flipping the coin and declaring that it is heads, every time. 
• The players come along and make sexual jokes.
• Rosencrantz & Guildenstern make it to Elsinore. This is where it becomes clear that it is a play within a play. 
• The two question Hamlet due to the conversation they had with Claudius.
• They find themselves on a boat with Hamlet on their way to England.
• The boat they are on is attacked by pirates. 
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead.

Theme

Stoppard suggests that there may be an incomprehensible force shaping our lives making it impossible to control or understand them.

Important Quotes

"There must have been a moment, at the beginning, where we could have said -- no. But somehow we missed it. 

Response to Course Materials #5

    I have missed many days of school the past month from being in Florida, at 7th grade camp, and the multiple snow/cold days. We finished up Hamlet, created our final exam projects, and are about to finish up Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. We spent months working on Hamlet, so it was sort of a relief when we finally finished. The final exam project was actually a really fun project. My group and I made a video combining characters from The American Dream, Hamlet, and Death of a Salesman. I enjoyed doing an in depth analysis of the characters and examining them in different settings and situations. We are about to wrap up R and G in the next week. This play did not impress me much. I actually did not enjoy reading it at all, it was so boring to me! We read a few articles which including thoughtful ideas that assisted me in seeing the play in a different way. I unfortunately missed the movie due to camp, which tends to help me pull everything together. A main topic of discussion in class has been whether Rosencrantz and Guildenstern falls under the Theater of the Absurd category, or not. It has also been interesting to compare and contrast Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. In the next few months I know I need to be working on my open prompt essays!

Open Prompt #2

2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

  In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Horatio serves as a foil to the main character Hamlet. These two characters contrast in the way they behave and how they go about interacting with others.

Horatio is balanced and calm compared to Hamlet. Throughout the whole play Hamlet is going through different stages of madness. Horatio assists Hamlet is staying placid. The only time we really learn about what Hamlet is thinking, is when he is conversing with Horatio.

Horatio and Hamlet interact differently with others. Hamlet constantly jumps to conclusions with people, making many assumptions. Horatio watches from the outside and then thoughtfully approaches situations. This is a contributing factor to Hamlet dying and Horatio living.

Hamlet and Horatio, from Hamlet serve as foils to one another. They operate in opposite ways.

Open Prompt #1

2008, Question #3

Response #1
  Overall the first student did a fine job at writing a response essay on “Function of a Foil” using the example of Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan . This student wrote a fantastic opening paragraph that truly accomplishes the idea of “thesis answers prompt.” Her paragraphs included a large amount of details that assisted me in understanding what the story was about, without actually reading it. I do feel like there was summary at times with all the information provided. The vivid language makes up for this at times as it never gets boring to read. The student does a great job at bringing their piece full circle. I think this writing is worthy of an 8. 

Response #2

    It took reading the whole essay to realize who Celie’s foil is, when it really should be clear in the very first paragraph. It would be deserve a much better score if the writer could have just made this major detail more clear. It is a well written piece but becomes unfocused at times and includes unneeded details such as when the student writes that Celie met Shug while singing karaoke at a bar. This does not add anything to story. 

Response #3
First off, this student did not make this a long enough essay to fully develop the message they are trying to convey. This starts right from the first paragraph when the writer does not clearly list the “many ways” Baba is a foil to Hassan. I understand that Baba and Hassan are extremely similar, but the examples to support that are simply not good enough. This essay could have used quotes or something more to back the statements up. The word choice was not strong enough and the repetition of examples occurred often. This essay needs some major revision to get it even close to an 8 or 9.