Blog 14: The Macbeths

1. The problem I think that the Macbeths have is that they are too greedy.Lady Macbeth wants to be Queen, but Macbeth is worried that they will get caught. My solution is that they let time tell what will happen and to be patient with each other.
2. My steps would be to first settle down. Next, if they want to do something and weigh the consequences before they take action. If they follow this, they would do the smart thing all the time.

Blog 13: Why Shakespeare

1. React to the documentary, Why Shakespeare?, from class. What surprised you the most/ least in the actors' discussions? State one lingering question about Shakespeare you have [this can be done without use of the documentary].

The part that surprised me most about the documentary was that a young women who was about to join a gang started reading shakespeare and changed her mind. The part that least surprised me was that the actors explained how everyone knows Shakespeare. A question I would ask Shakespeare is how he came up with his characters.


2. Shakespeare: Life, Times, and Works. Research these three areas of Shakespeare's life. Use shakespeare.palomar.edu to help you. Three paragraph requirement.

Shakespeare got married at age 18 to Anne Hathaway. They had 3 children and Shakespeare's only son, Hamnet, died at a young age.

The times that Shakespeare lived in was the Golden Age when Queen Elizabeth ruled England. Also, Shakespeare lived in the 1600's.

Shakespeare wrote many plays, most of which were comedies, tragedies, and histories. Shakespeare's works were writen in blank verse and Iambic Pentameter.

3. Construct a list of the characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Be sure to include a short description for each character.

Macbeth- Scottish general

Lady Macbeth- Macbeth's wife.

The three witches- Plot mischief against Macbeth

Blog Poetry

The title of the book The Catcher in the Rye derives from a poem by Robert Burns, "Comin' Thro' The Rye." An electronic copy can be found here: Comin' Thro' The Rye. As discussed in class, this poem has special significance for Holden and the story that unfolds in the book.

Do you consider Burns' poem to be "good" poetry? Why/ why not? In your opinion, explain what "good" poetry is, and, if you can, provide an example. [One-two paragraphs, posted by 12.01.09]

I think that Robert Burns' poem is considered good poetry because it is creative. It also makes you have to think about what is being said or going on. In my opinion, good poetry is considered to be one that makes you think and puts you in someone else's shoes. Such as detail and making you get a picture of what it would be like. Therefore, I think good poetry should express emotions and make you think about the subject.

Blog 10: Call to the Author

From Activity I of the Wrap-Up on Catcher in the Rye, would you like to call J.D. Salinger/ one of J.D. Salinger's relatives? If you would, write a paragraph on what you would want to talk to him about and what you would say to or ask him. If not, write a paragraph about the reasons you would not want to talk to him.

After you post, visit a student's blog and read his/ her thoughts on the novel. Leave a comment if you feel you have something to say about the post.

If I had the chance to call J.D. Salinger, I would. I would call him asking about how he developed Holden's character. So, if he created him as to that he can relate to him. If he had a rough time in school or dealing with other people. I would also want to talk to him about where he grew up and why he created all of these tough situations in the novel. Last, I would ask him how he came up with Holden's personality.

Blog 9: Holden's Internal Conflicts

In a well-constructed paragraph, answer the following questions in your OWN blog:

-What two health issues does Holden pretend he has in Chapter 20? [Check out pages 150 and 156 if you are unsure.]

-Why do you believe that our main character behaves this way? Support your opinion with a quotation from the text. [4 Points, Posted by 11.20.09]

The two health issues that Holden pretended he had was bleeding out of his gut and pneumonia. Holden though he was bleeding out of his gut when he was drunk. Also, he faked having pneumonia. I believe Holden behaves this way because he always wants to have an excuse for everything.

Blog 7: Chap 12 Convo with Horowitz

In addition to providing a comic interlude, what seems to be the point of the scene with the cab driver, Horowitz? How do Holden and Horowitz differ, both in their conversation and as characters?

Provide textual support for your answer. Their conversation can be found on pages 81-83. [posted 11.12.09, 4 points]

Holden's conversation with Horowitz was to ask where the ducks are. Horowitz would ignore his questions about where the ducks are. "Do you happen to know where they go in the winter time, by any chance?"

"Where who goes?" (81)

This shows that Horowitz would ignore his questions by asking an obvious one. The two of them differ greatly. Such that Horowitz is ignorant and does not want to answer his questions, nor pay attention.

Blog 6

Write a stream-of-consciousness piece similar to the "Catch Her in the Oatmeal" handout. Your writing can be about your day/ week, OR you can turn your favorite fairy tale/ myth/ short story into a stream-of consciousness piece. Stream-of-consciousness is a type of storytelling where the writer reveals inner thoughts, feelings, etc., without censoring his/her work; therefore, you shouldn't take your fingers off the keyboard! Don't worry about typos/ punctuation/ grammar until the end!

It was 6:30 and my alarm went off to wake up, for I cannot describe how painful it is to get up every morning. Everyday is the same, nothing interesting, boring, and repetitive. I regrettably drag myself out of bed to take a shower as I hear my mother yelling at me to hurry up every second. I go downstairs to enjoy my only exciting part of the day, a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich.

I get to school around 7:45 everyday to suffer the wrath of tests and classes. First period is Chemistry, probably my least favorite class. Nothing better than waking up to your most hated class huh? Next I go to Drivers Ed in which all of my friends were assigned to sit on the opposite side of the class from me. Nobody to talk to, nothing to do. As the day goes on, its the same as always.

After school I do the same thing, its as if i were programmed to do the same thing everyday. I come home have a snack, leave for the gym, come back, do homework. How much better can it get? I have school where all we do is work, work, and work. Then to come home and do more work? Some things just never will make sense to me.I wish there was some diversity in everyday.

Blog 5: Caufield

After reading the article, "Holden Caulfield's lasting voice," react to the article. Are you looking forward to reading Catcher in the Rye? Why/ why not?

The final line of the newspaper clipping shares the impression of a sixteen-year-old girl. Do you agree/ disagree with her opinion on individuals and certain pieces of literature? Can you think of another book from last year's reading selection where students were as divided?

[Posted 10.27.09, minimum two paragraphs, 6 POINTS]

I do agree with the sixteen-year old girl's statement. She says that he just wants to find his way since hes getting older everyday. People have different split opinions in every chapter of every book. This is just how he girl feels that Caulfield was hypocritical. Therefore, I agree with the girl.

A book we read last year was Of Mice and Men. In this book, the class was in split decision upon the death of Lennie. A part of the class felt that Lennie should have been killed before the mob gets to him. Others feel that it is wrong, that you should not mercy kill. I thought that it was the right thing for George to kill Lennie. He spared him by making his last moments happy.

Blog 3: Montana

David's father shares his insight on page 156: "...I believe that in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn't matter who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that. I have to."

What do you think about these convictions? What other story does Wes share with David about himself? How does this story complicate his belief system? [5-6 sentences minimum, posted by 10.16.09, 4 POINTS]

I think that Wes is doing the right thing by arresting his brother, because he has to set an example. If everyone commits a crime, that means that they should all be punished. No matter what their relations are with each other. This complicstes David's belief system because now since his Uncle Frank raped an Indian girl, he now has to oppose Frank as to helping him.

Blog 2: Montana

Pick one character from your reading/ class activity, and describe what the character wants in Larry Watson's Montana 1948. What prevents that character from achieving what he/she wants? How does this compare to what you want? [Two paragraphs, 5 POINTS, due 10.08.09]

Gail Hayden

In Montana 1948, Gail wants several different things. Such as, she wants her husband to be happy. She thinks that Wes will be happy if he continued to pursue in law, because he got a degree in college from it. She also doesnt want to argue with him anymore.

Another thing that Gail wants is to have David respect his values more. She fears for his sould because he wants to grow up to be wild as opposed to her choices of values. Gail also wants Marie to get better because she is very sick with pneumonia. Therefore, this is what Gail wants in Larry Watson's Montana 1948.

Blog 1: Montana

What are Wes Hayden's feelings toward Native Americans? How does this view compare to the perspective held by other family members? Include a quotation for support when providing your answer. [2 points]

Wes Hayden does not like the Native Americans in the twon. Even though he is the sheriff, he does not like them. However, David does like the Native Americans, especially Marie Little Soldier who is their Native American houskeeper. "My father did not like Indians."(34). Therefore David does like Indians and Wes does not.