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July 14th - August 2nd
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Survey of British Literature II
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Friday, June 8, 2018
The Final: Defending Your Life (Assignments & Agenda Posted Below)
Overview: The year is over and all our protagonists are dead. Well, they may be dead to you, but they live on with each reading. We will revisit some of the major characters from this year and see who would move forward and who would need to go back.
As a class we will prepare for an improvisation of Defending Your Life. Please follow the criteria below.
As a class we will prepare for an improvisation of Defending Your Life. Please follow the criteria below.
- Judges - Connor (M), Brianna, Evan, Kamillye
- Prosecutor Lena Foster & Team - Aadith, Skye, Ali
- Defender Bob Diamond - Steven, Cara, Yuval
Round 1:
- Macbeth - Brodie
- Beowulf - Andrew
- Lady Catherine - Vivian
Round 2:
- Victor Frankenstein - Sabine
- Lady Macbeth - Dominique
- Jane Bennet - Emily
Round 3:
- Lydia - Sam
- Elizabeth Bennett -Sarah
- the Creation - Trevor
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Due Friday, June 22nd - Read "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë - Chapters 27-38 (end)
Please read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Chapters 27-38 (the end of the novel). In this blog space, please post questions for our class discussion. Use evidence from the text in your response.
Due Tuesday, June 19th - Read "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë - Chapters 21-26.
Please read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Chapters 21-26. In this blog space, please post questions for our class discussion. Use evidence from the text in your response.
Due Friday, June 15th - Read "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë - Chapters 11-20
Please read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Chapters 11-20. In this blog space, please post questions for our class discussion. Use evidence from the text in your response.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Due Monday, June 11th - Read "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë - Chapters 1-10 (pages 1-96)
1) Read Jane Eyre by Charolette Brontë - Chapters 1-10 (pages 1-96).
2) Please use the questions below as a guide, and compose a blog response for our class discussion.
1. Review the following passage: “I began to recall what I had heard of dead men, troubled in their graves by the violation of their last wishes, revisiting the earth to punish the perjured and avenge the oppressed; and I thought Mr. Reed's spirit, harassed by the wrongs of his sister's child, might quit its abode—whether in the church vault or in the unknown world of the departed—and rise before me in this chamber. I wiped my tears and hushed my sobs, fearful lest any sign of violent grief might waken a preternatural voice to comfort me, or elicit from the gloom some haloed face, bending over me with strange pity” (16). How does this passage contribute to the gothic effects in the novel? Remember that Jane is ten years old. How typical are these insights for a child this age? Later, Jane comments that the incident gave her nerves such a shock that she feels the “reverberation to this day” (19).
Analyze the thought of a frightening childhood incident and its ability to imprint itself on a person’s long-term memory.
2. Review the following quotation: “I always took my doll; human beings must love something, and in the dearth of worthier objects of affection, I contrived to find a pleasure in loving and cherishing a faded graven image, shabby as a miniature scarecrow” (28). In your own words, what is Jane saying about the need for love?
3. Compare the religious attitudes of Helen Burns to those of Mr. Brocklehurst. With which views does Jane want her readers to agree or sympathize? Cite text to support your answer.
4. How do Miss Temple and Helen Burns affect Jane’s attitudes about life? Give examples to support your ideas.
5. Examine the harsh living conditions present at Lowood. What are some of the difficulties encountered by Jane and the other girls? What message does this send about the life of orphaned children? What statement does this make about those who are commissioned to run organizations that provide for the care of others?
6. Review the following passage: “If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse” (57). Do you agree with this philosophy? Why or why not? How might this be applicable in today’s society?
2) Please use the questions below as a guide, and compose a blog response for our class discussion.
1. Review the following passage: “I began to recall what I had heard of dead men, troubled in their graves by the violation of their last wishes, revisiting the earth to punish the perjured and avenge the oppressed; and I thought Mr. Reed's spirit, harassed by the wrongs of his sister's child, might quit its abode—whether in the church vault or in the unknown world of the departed—and rise before me in this chamber. I wiped my tears and hushed my sobs, fearful lest any sign of violent grief might waken a preternatural voice to comfort me, or elicit from the gloom some haloed face, bending over me with strange pity” (16). How does this passage contribute to the gothic effects in the novel? Remember that Jane is ten years old. How typical are these insights for a child this age? Later, Jane comments that the incident gave her nerves such a shock that she feels the “reverberation to this day” (19).
Analyze the thought of a frightening childhood incident and its ability to imprint itself on a person’s long-term memory.
2. Review the following quotation: “I always took my doll; human beings must love something, and in the dearth of worthier objects of affection, I contrived to find a pleasure in loving and cherishing a faded graven image, shabby as a miniature scarecrow” (28). In your own words, what is Jane saying about the need for love?
3. Compare the religious attitudes of Helen Burns to those of Mr. Brocklehurst. With which views does Jane want her readers to agree or sympathize? Cite text to support your answer.
4. How do Miss Temple and Helen Burns affect Jane’s attitudes about life? Give examples to support your ideas.
5. Examine the harsh living conditions present at Lowood. What are some of the difficulties encountered by Jane and the other girls? What message does this send about the life of orphaned children? What statement does this make about those who are commissioned to run organizations that provide for the care of others?
6. Review the following passage: “If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse” (57). Do you agree with this philosophy? Why or why not? How might this be applicable in today’s society?
Background on the Bronte Sisters
Part I:
Biography
Patrick and Maria Bronte had six children (from oldest to
youngest): Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. Soon after
Patrick had been appointed to a parish in Haworth, Yorkshire, his wife died,
leaving the parson and the young children behind (the oldest, Maria, only seven
years old). Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emily began attending Cowan Bridge
School three years after their mother's death. Tragically, Maria and Elizabeth
both died of tuberculosis, which had infected the school. Patrick hastened to
bring Charlotte and Emily home after learning of the deaths of his two older
daughters.
Six years after the loss of her sisters, Charlotte set off
for Roe Head School. She returned a little after a year later and taught her
sisters. In 1835, Charlotte became a teacher at Roe Head, and Emily became a
student there, but she only lasted three months. She would speak to no one
except Charlotte and became very thin and pale. She was soon back at Haworth.
Anne took Emily's place at Roe Head.
In the next few years, Emily became a teacher at Law Hill
School. Failure was the result. Emily endured her position for six months; she
disliked teaching very much, and longed for the moors that surrounded her home.
In February of 1842, Charlotte and Emily went to Brussels.
They stayed at the Pensionnat Heger, where they became pupils. Madame Heger was
the head of the school. The two sisters learned French, German, music, singing,
writing, arithmetic, and drawing.
At home, Aunt Branwell had become very ill. Charlotte and
Emily came home, only to find her dead and buried. Afterwards, Emily stayed at
the Parsonage, but Charlotte went back to Brussels. She became a teacher at the
Pensionnat, but she was very dissatisfied with her students. In a letter to
Branwell, she said:
"I can discern only one or two [pupils] who deserve
anything like regard...They have not intellect or politeness or good-nature or
good-feeling..."
Madame Heger thought that Charlotte had fallen in love with
her husband, and therefore became very cold and distant towards her. Monsieur
Heger taught her German, but otherwise, had little to do with her. Early in
1844, Charlotte came home, but continued to write to Monsieur Heger, even
though he allowed her to write to him only twice a year.
Branwell's talents seemed very promising. He was seen as the
gifted one in the family. His father had hired a painting master to teach his
only son, and it was also thought that Branwell could possibly turn out to be a
poet or a journalist. Unfortunately, Fate dictated otherwise. Branwell was to
go to London to attend the Royal Academy Schools, but he did not present himself
as planned. Instead, he roamed the streets of London, wasting his money on
alcohol. Later on, when he had failed at portrait painting and working on
railroads, he tried his hand at tutoring (the Robinson family hired him).
Branwell was dismissed because of "irregularities," as it was termed.
He had been having an affair with Mrs. Robinson. Finally, at age 31,
Charlotte's only brother died.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne had begun publishing
their poetry and novels. Charlotte had written Jane Eyre (1846), Shirley
(1849), and Villette (1853). It was not until after her death that The
Professor was published in 1857. Charlotte had begun several novels, but she
never finished them. Emily's novel Wuthering Heights was published in 1847.
Anne's accomplishments included Agnes Grey (1847) and The Tenant of Wildfell
Hall (1848). All of the Bronte sisters had contributed poems to a collection of
poetry, entitled Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell (1846). Currer, Ellis
and Acton were the aliases assumed by Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte. The
sisters lived in such times that women were not always given a fair chance in
the business world. Therefore, they assumed masculine names, so that their
books would have a better chance of being published.
Disaster struck in October of 1848, when Emily fell sick
with tuberculosis. In December of 1848, Emily's coffin was laid in the same
vault as that of her mother and brother. Anne soon followed her sister to the
grave, after she was consumed by the same relentless disease that had deprived
her mother, brother, and three sisters of their lives.
The only remaining members of the Bronte family were Patrick
and Charlotte. Charlotte was very deeply grieved at the loss of her companions.
Writing restored her energy. In Shirley, she explained her feelings:
"...who cares for imagination? Who does not think it a
rather dangerous, senseless attribute - akin to weakness - perhaps partaking of
frenzy - a disease rather than a gift of the mind?
Probably all think it so, but those who possess - or fancy
they possess - it. To hear them speak, you would believe that their hearts
would be cold if that elixir did not flow about them; that their eyes would be
dim if that flame did not refine their vision; that they would be lonely if
this strange companion abandoned them. You would suppose that it imparted some
glad hope to spring, some fine charm to summer, some tranquil joy to autumn,
some consolation to winter, which you do not feel. An illusion, of course; but
the fanatics cling to their dream, and would not give it for gold."
Charlotte also wrote to her publisher, when she was
announcing the completion of Shirley:
"Whatever now becomes of the work, the occupation of
writing it has been a boon to me. It took me out of dark and desolate reality
into an unreal but happier region."
In a later letter to the same publisher, she wrote:
"The faculty of imagination lifted me when I was
sinking, three months ago...I am thankful to God, who gave me this faculty; and
it is for me a part of my religion to defend this gift and to profit by its
possession."
During this time, her father's curate, the Reverend Arthur
Bell Nicholls, had been spending a great deal of time with Patrick and
Charlotte. It was not long before he proposed, and Charlotte accepted. They
were married on the morning of Thursday, June 29, 1854. One year after the
marriage, Charlotte died. The cause of her death was tuberculosis, and it is
thought that complications in early pregnancy hastened the process.
Patrick Bronte ended up outliving his wife and six children.
His only companion was Charlotte's husband, who looked after Charlotte's
father, in compliance with Charlotte's last wishes. Patrick, at age 84, was the
last of his family to die.
Part II: Major
Works
Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre (1846)
Villette (1853)
Shirley (1849)
The Professor (1857)
Emily Bronte
Wuthering Heights (1847)
Anne Bronte
Agnes Grey (1847)
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848)
Branwell Bronte
The Works of Patrick Branwell Bronte : An Edition (Vol 1)
Part III: The
Victorian Era
Brontë wrote during the Victorian Age of British literature,
which lasted from 1833- 1901, named in connection with the reign of Queen
Victoria. The social, political, and historical influences of the Victorian Age
permeated its literature. At the forefront was the ever-changing role of women.
In the 1840’s petitions began
circulating for the advocation of women’s suffrage. The
Married Women's Property Acts in 1882 secured women’s rights to maintain
property ownership after marriage. The Industrial Revolution opened doors for
lower class women to take jobs in factories, most of which paid low wages and
offered terrible working conditions. The plight of the educated but
impoverished woman makes Jane Eyre a reflection of the times in which it was
written. The Victorian Age brought an increase in literacy, and reading novels
became a popular pastime. The typical Victorian novel was directly connected to
issues and concerns of contemporary society; authors strove to create realistic
views of nineteenth century living. Stories were often published in serial
form; readers anxiously awaited the monthly installments of single chapters.
Along with Brontë, authors such as Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackery,
Anthony Trollope, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy penned works that became
popular.
Part IV: Allusions
in Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre has an abundance of Biblical, literary, and
historical allusions. To enrich their comprehension, students might be asked to
track allusions as they study the novel. A sampling of allusions, along with an
explanation for each, is provided here for reference.
Bewick’s History of British Birds
A book that provides details about various species of birds,
along with engraved illustrations. Jane enjoys the book as an escape from her
life with her cruel aunt and cousins (7).
Nero and Caligua
Mentioned in connection with John Reed, these notorious
Roman leaders were known for excessive spending and evil deeds (10).
Gulliver’s Travels
Jane requests Bessie to fetch this novel written by Jonathan
Swift. The story uses the form of a traveler’s narrative to develop a satire
about human nature (20).
Guy Fawkes
Jane tells readers that Abbot compared her to Guy Fawkes. As
part of the famous “Gunpowder Plot,” Fawkes, along with fellow conspirators, attempted
to blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament in London
in 1605. The reference is made in connection with Jane’s
status as an “illconditioned child” (25).
Babel
A Biblical city in Shinar where the building of a tower is
held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues; Jane makes
this reference to describe the chaos at Lowood School (46).
Rasselas
An essay being read by Helen Burns; this work by Samuel
Johnson contends that happiness may not always be within one’s grasp (49). Bluebeard’s
castle: A fairy-tale in which a young wife has access to all the rooms in a
castle except for the one that contains the bodies of her dead predecessors.
Jane mentions this in connection to her lingering by a passage near the attic
(108).
Dian
A Celtic deity, Jane uses this name when she refers to
Blanche’s appearance with this name (175).
Eliezer and Rebecca
Rochester and Blanche Ingram dress up as Eliezer and Rebecca
during a game of charades. In the twenty-fourth chapter of Genesis, Eliezer,
Abraham's servant, is sent to find a bride for Abraham's son, Isaac. Eliezer
does not marry Rebecca, just as Rochester will not marry Blanche (186).
King Ahasuerus
The Persian king who is found in the Book of Esther and promises
to give Esther what she wants, just as Rochester promises Jane (265).
Samson
From the Bible in Judges 16, Samson reveals to his lover
Delilah that his hair, the source of his strength, has never been cut; she uses
this secret against him to bring about his destruction (265).
Marmion
A book of Romantic poetry written by Sir Walter Scott that
is read by Jane while St. John examines her drawings (377).
Medusa
From a Greek myth, Medusa is the mortal Gorgon who is slain
when decapitated by Perseus. A person would turn to stone if looking at her.
The allusion is made in connection to Jane’s demeanor after she has learned that
she is an heiress (389).
Paul and Silas’s Prison
Paul, the apostle, was thrown into prison with Silas for
serving Jesus. After suffering severely, they were miraculously freed. Jane makes
reference to this as she reflects on the voice she had heard that seems like
an inspiration (429).
Nebuchadnezzar
The proud king of the Babylonian Empire who experienced a fall.
His deterioration is described in The Bible as “he was driven from men, and did
eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs
were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.” Jane makes
a reference to Nebuchadnezzar when she returns to Rochester and finds him in
seclusion (444).
Apollo
The Greek god of sun and music. Rochester uses this
reference in response to Jane’s description of St. John (449).
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Due Monday, June 4th - It's Alive! - Final Project for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"
Overview: In small groups, you will create you own perfect being! Unlike Victor, you will all become responsible parents and teach your creation about life by creating a thoughtful Prezi about core values and the meaning of life (no biggie). Then, you will present your creation to the class, show your Prezi, and we will work together to educate the Creation like responsible citizens of the world.
Part I: It’s Alive!
Create your perfect being. Be creative. Create a visual with sound to make your creation come to life!
Use images from the internet. Create a perfect computer image. Use sound. Animation. Better yet, use famous people to give us an idea of the feeling behind your choices. Consult the list below:
Use what you have been learning in school. Create a presentation that would help get the ball rolling for your creation. Use images. Research. Facts. Be creative. Be aware of your audience. What questions will arise?
Part III: Teach
- Appearance: Gender, height, eyes, nose, face, ears, hair, arms, legs, feet, hands - in other words - break it down carefully.
- Mind: Intelligence, personality, talents, sexuality, temperment, etc.
- Voice
- Mannerisms
- Other attributes you can think of?
- Special Powers?
Part II: The Prezi
Now that it’s alive. How will you raise your “child in the world”? Create a Prezi (or a platform you like better) to teach your creation about the following topics:
Now that it’s alive. How will you raise your “child in the world”? Create a Prezi (or a platform you like better) to teach your creation about the following topics:
- Science
- Religion
- Empathy
- Politics
- Pop Culture
- The Meaning of Life
Use what you have been learning in school. Create a presentation that would help get the ball rolling for your creation. Use images. Research. Facts. Be creative. Be aware of your audience. What questions will arise?
Part III: Teach
It turns out you were not the only one to create life. You will present your Prezi to the class. The class will take on the persona of your Creation (based on your criteria). The class will ask questions as you present your Prezi, in much the same manner as the Creation learned from the family in the novel.
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