Through October we have wrapped up The American Dream, gone on to Death Of A Salesman, and done a little poetry practice.
I feel pretty good about how we left American Dream, but making the blog post for it took forever! But we're making a study guide, so if you think about it that way it isn't so bad. We'll use it to study from later and then it'll be great.
Death of a Salesman is giving me anxiety though. For some reason I find it significantly harder to analyze than American Dream and I'm not having these epic epiphanies every time we discuss anymore... I do notice some similarities between the texts and should probably elaborate on them:
Both Dream and Salesman center on dysfunctional families and the relations/power struggle between one generation and the next. However, in Salesman, the family has legitimate love and care for each other. We haven't quite reached any great understanding of the work yet, but I think the theme has something to do with having unrealistic dreams, which is similar to Dream because in both of them satisfaction was unattainable. Except in Dream it was impossible, and in Salesman it is possible (achieved by Charley, for example), but the Lomans lack the resources to achieve their goals. Their dreams are unrealistic for them, but satisfaction can be achieved in other ways, such as how Biff wants to be a cowboy/farm hand.
I really loved reading "Promises Like Pie-Crust," that was such a great poem. I was able to understand the meaning a lot better than I usually can from poetry. The speaker was refusing love and commitments because she had lost faith in peoples' abilities to follow through happily on promises. Either that poem was extra clear, or I'm improving at poetry reading! Although we read "My Father's Song" too, and I was able to understand that one as well. It was about life and how all living things coexist and need nurturing from each other. The earth raises crops, which raise people, who raise their children, and the little mice are doing the same thing. This lesson got passed down father to son for several generations. I really liked that poem, too. I'm still not crazy about annotating these texts. I've seen how it can be extremely useful in some cases, but with these poems I don't think all the time we spent marking it up was worth it. The meaning can be reached without having to question every little thing... Don't you think? Or am I speaking blasphemy here...?
So... I hope that as we move into November, sixth hour can get a little more thoughtful. I feel like our class hasn't been arriving at good conclusions in our practices over the past few weeks. No judgment! It's my fault as well, but I think we can do a little better. I mean it's sixth hour so we're tired and ready to leave... But let's try to get super excited like we did when discussing American Dream. Hopefully we develop some kind of epic and revolutionary analysis.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Open Prompt #2
The 2006 Question 3 Prompt.
The goal was to write about how a country/rural setting influences the values of characters in any novel or play of the student's choice.
Student Essay #1
The thesis is framed nicely, and the student clearly takes a stand that in Jane Austen's Persuasion, the countryside conveys virtue, nurture, and peace. The only thing missing is that the student didn't say how she does this. There is no mention of DIDLS, no technique, only meaning. Even so, the essay is really well written. The student explains how the countryside has various profound effects on the character, Anne, using plot pieces. The graders gave this essay an 8, and gave no negative comments whatsoever in their grading. My guess is that the only reason it isn't a 9 is that all of her evidence was plot analysis, with no analysis of writing techniques. The fact that she got an 8 says that they must be a bit lenient with this if the rest of the essay is really solid, like this one. The concluding paragraph is nice and tidy, finishing strongly. I think that helps boost the score as well.
Student Essay #2
Throughout the entire essay, the student (probably a boy according to the beautiful handwriting that I have to tilt my head and squint to read) does not mention the author of the play. This student probably forgot who the author was, and it seems like that would be a big no-no for an AP exam. Also, he writes the title of the play as "The Importance of Being Earnest" and I find it unusual that he consistently chooses not to underline "The." As for his essay content, the student seems to lose track of the prompt, because he never actually ties the countryside to the values of the main character, Jack. Instead, he tells us about how confusing the plot of the play is and gives a summary of the story. At the end he states that the countryside was the "agent" of all the confusion. Confusion isn't a value, and he didn't really tie anything to the countryside other than it was the location that these events occurred in. Even his initial thesis is that the combination of city and country settings creates disorder and confusion in the play. That fails to answer the prompt, but then he doesn't even argue it very well anyway!
Student Essay #3
This essay is just awful. The student says that "nearly every bit of the novel may be attributed to setting," which is a bit overboard because the prompt only asks for setting in relation to developing values. The student describes the stream of consciousness style of William Faulkner's As I lay Dying, as well as states that it is written "in dialect." The student should've used the word colloquial probably, to tighten that up. But even so, those really aren't attributed to the countryside setting. This essay doesn't even argue that it is with any evidence. This student also wrote that Faulkner "knows all too well the backward ways of the South" and explains that some characters are only "so dumb" because they grew up in the South. Given that this student does not know the regional background of his/her graders, they probably shouldn't say things quite so generally. I love when this student writes "Then there is little Vardaman. He catches a fish. It dies. His mother dies. His mother is a fish." I'm guessing the writer is referring to the thought process of a child but they don't really say that. They just sort of spout nonsensical little sentences... Basically this whole essay gives examples of characters doing stupid things or believing stupid ideas, and blames it on the Southern setting. It is extremely far off base from the prompt and fails to explain the connection between ignorance and rural setting, or any other values / lack of values. Even the AP graders' response mentions how his statements about the American South are pretty offensive...
The goal was to write about how a country/rural setting influences the values of characters in any novel or play of the student's choice.
Student Essay #1
The thesis is framed nicely, and the student clearly takes a stand that in Jane Austen's Persuasion, the countryside conveys virtue, nurture, and peace. The only thing missing is that the student didn't say how she does this. There is no mention of DIDLS, no technique, only meaning. Even so, the essay is really well written. The student explains how the countryside has various profound effects on the character, Anne, using plot pieces. The graders gave this essay an 8, and gave no negative comments whatsoever in their grading. My guess is that the only reason it isn't a 9 is that all of her evidence was plot analysis, with no analysis of writing techniques. The fact that she got an 8 says that they must be a bit lenient with this if the rest of the essay is really solid, like this one. The concluding paragraph is nice and tidy, finishing strongly. I think that helps boost the score as well.
Student Essay #2
Throughout the entire essay, the student (probably a boy according to the beautiful handwriting that I have to tilt my head and squint to read) does not mention the author of the play. This student probably forgot who the author was, and it seems like that would be a big no-no for an AP exam. Also, he writes the title of the play as "The Importance of Being Earnest" and I find it unusual that he consistently chooses not to underline "The." As for his essay content, the student seems to lose track of the prompt, because he never actually ties the countryside to the values of the main character, Jack. Instead, he tells us about how confusing the plot of the play is and gives a summary of the story. At the end he states that the countryside was the "agent" of all the confusion. Confusion isn't a value, and he didn't really tie anything to the countryside other than it was the location that these events occurred in. Even his initial thesis is that the combination of city and country settings creates disorder and confusion in the play. That fails to answer the prompt, but then he doesn't even argue it very well anyway!
Student Essay #3
This essay is just awful. The student says that "nearly every bit of the novel may be attributed to setting," which is a bit overboard because the prompt only asks for setting in relation to developing values. The student describes the stream of consciousness style of William Faulkner's As I lay Dying, as well as states that it is written "in dialect." The student should've used the word colloquial probably, to tighten that up. But even so, those really aren't attributed to the countryside setting. This essay doesn't even argue that it is with any evidence. This student also wrote that Faulkner "knows all too well the backward ways of the South" and explains that some characters are only "so dumb" because they grew up in the South. Given that this student does not know the regional background of his/her graders, they probably shouldn't say things quite so generally. I love when this student writes "Then there is little Vardaman. He catches a fish. It dies. His mother dies. His mother is a fish." I'm guessing the writer is referring to the thought process of a child but they don't really say that. They just sort of spout nonsensical little sentences... Basically this whole essay gives examples of characters doing stupid things or believing stupid ideas, and blames it on the Southern setting. It is extremely far off base from the prompt and fails to explain the connection between ignorance and rural setting, or any other values / lack of values. Even the AP graders' response mentions how his statements about the American South are pretty offensive...
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Albee's The American Dream
Edward Albee was himself adopted by rich people. His adopted dad was married at least three times, suggesting potentially bad family dynamics. Also, he is gay. Although he says his sexuality doesn't influence his work, it's something to consider with all the gender role switching in his play.
The entire play occurs in one setting: a small apartment building of questionable quality.
The plot is basically that Mommy grew up with Grandma and they sort of took care of each other, then she married Daddy. Her relationship with Grandma deteriorated to near-constant abusive fighting. She and Daddy bought a baby from an adoption service, but were angry when it began to do things they didn't like. For example they cut its tongue out when it screamed, and cut its genitalia off when it reached for it. They destroyed the child, and invite Mrs. Barker from the adoption service to come over to arrange for a new "better" adoption. We spend about two thirds of the play just trying to figure out why Mrs. Barker is there at all, since everyone is so absent-minded they can't remember. Then the handsome and empty "American Dream" young man shows up, and he is accepted as the replacement for the lost child, since he is empty inside already. Grandma leaves the play, and ends the show with a short closing speech to the audience.
Characters:
Mommy: The most aggressive character. Manipulates/controls Daddy, talks endlessly about petty things.
Daddy: Had an "operation" (sex change--loss of manhood by Mommy), gets along with Grandma, still
treats her with respect.
Grandma: The old American Dream. She is witty, harsh, open, and androgynous. The old American Dream
didn't have distinctions for gender. She is close with Mrs. Barker, Daddy, and the Young Man.
The only one thinking clearly. Also, the only one that leaves the play and interacts with the
audience like an omnipresent figure.
Mrs. Barker: Similar to Mommy, yet gets along well with Grandma and actually listens to her. A
"professional woman," she comes to see Mommy and Daddy but can't remember why. Her
mind is clouded. She is also affiliated with groups and is almost always identified in relation to
other things, her husband's last name, titles like chairwoman or volunteer...
Young Man: Completely empty inside. He is dazzlingly attractive physically, but he can't love at all and has
no values. All he cares about is money. "I'll do anything for money." He is dubbed "The
American Dream" by Grandma who really likes him and allows him to take her place.
Albee's Style
Albee uses the word "bumble" to describe the baby. In class we agreed bumble means something foolish or something one regrets. He also has the Young Man talk about his twin using terms like "ova" / "ovum," this is the only place where noticeably scientific terms are used, probably to suggest that the new American Dream embraces scientific advances, which of course were happening at astonishing new levels in the 20th century.
Another style technique is Albee's use of tone. Mommy has a nagging, horrible, bitter tone. Daddy on the other hand, just about every time he speaks it is to please someone else. He almost never says anything that's not "You're exactly right." Grandma has a shameful tone on her speech because she is so disappointed in the kinds of people that Mommy and Daddy have become.
A third style technique is the use of point of view. This play isn't exactly from anyone's POV, it's sort of a silent third person, but near the end it's like Grandma joins the readers/watchers as part of the POV. That gives the play a very strange coming-to-life kind of feel. Also, the third person thing suggests an unbiased telling of the story, which is key because Albee is trying to address all of America as a whole.
The setting demonstrates this theme. On the one hand, Mommy always brags about how rich she and Daddy are. On the other hand, we are told the house has lots of broken appliances and creaks and Mrs. Barker remarks "My, what an unattractive apartment you have!" (Albee 35). This tells us that Mommy and Daddy are all about pretending. If they were truly rich, they'd have a nicer apartment (or an actual house) and it would be furnished better. They are shallow and only worried about acting like they deserve so much more.
The plot shows this as well, because it is all about how they (Mommy mainly) always want better, and the pursuit to buy happiness has broken down family dynamics and values. Mommy discarded Grandma and even Daddy a little for her selfish pursuits.
The title The American Dream is pretty self explanatory. The story is about the ideal lifestyle of the American people, and how it is perceived now compared to how it has been thought of for a long time. In this case, the American Dream is a young man that's very pleasing to look at, can be bought, and is essentially entirely empty of content and emotion. He is the opposite of the old American Dream, Grandma, who is hardy, clever, and very personable.
Quotes:
"That's the way things are today; you just can't get satisfaction; you just try." (quote by Daddy)
This quote explains how everyone's goal is satisfaction, and the endless pursuit of it even when they know they will never achieve it.
"I'll do almost anything for money"..."...If there's money in it." (quote by Young Man)
This helps tie the commercial aspect in. The new American Dream is something that can be bought, something with no dignity or ethics.
"I don't know why I bother to take them with me [the boxes]. They don't have much in them...some old letters, a couple of regrets...eighty-six years of living... some sounds... a few images," (quoted by Grandma).
Grandma's boxes contain memories, values, and experiences. Grandma is all about content. The old American dream held these things dear; personal growth kinds of things.
The entire play occurs in one setting: a small apartment building of questionable quality.
The plot is basically that Mommy grew up with Grandma and they sort of took care of each other, then she married Daddy. Her relationship with Grandma deteriorated to near-constant abusive fighting. She and Daddy bought a baby from an adoption service, but were angry when it began to do things they didn't like. For example they cut its tongue out when it screamed, and cut its genitalia off when it reached for it. They destroyed the child, and invite Mrs. Barker from the adoption service to come over to arrange for a new "better" adoption. We spend about two thirds of the play just trying to figure out why Mrs. Barker is there at all, since everyone is so absent-minded they can't remember. Then the handsome and empty "American Dream" young man shows up, and he is accepted as the replacement for the lost child, since he is empty inside already. Grandma leaves the play, and ends the show with a short closing speech to the audience.
Characters:
Mommy: The most aggressive character. Manipulates/controls Daddy, talks endlessly about petty things.
Daddy: Had an "operation" (sex change--loss of manhood by Mommy), gets along with Grandma, still
treats her with respect.
Grandma: The old American Dream. She is witty, harsh, open, and androgynous. The old American Dream
didn't have distinctions for gender. She is close with Mrs. Barker, Daddy, and the Young Man.
The only one thinking clearly. Also, the only one that leaves the play and interacts with the
audience like an omnipresent figure.
Mrs. Barker: Similar to Mommy, yet gets along well with Grandma and actually listens to her. A
"professional woman," she comes to see Mommy and Daddy but can't remember why. Her
mind is clouded. She is also affiliated with groups and is almost always identified in relation to
other things, her husband's last name, titles like chairwoman or volunteer...
Young Man: Completely empty inside. He is dazzlingly attractive physically, but he can't love at all and has
no values. All he cares about is money. "I'll do anything for money." He is dubbed "The
American Dream" by Grandma who really likes him and allows him to take her place.
Albee's Style
Albee uses the word "bumble" to describe the baby. In class we agreed bumble means something foolish or something one regrets. He also has the Young Man talk about his twin using terms like "ova" / "ovum," this is the only place where noticeably scientific terms are used, probably to suggest that the new American Dream embraces scientific advances, which of course were happening at astonishing new levels in the 20th century.
Another style technique is Albee's use of tone. Mommy has a nagging, horrible, bitter tone. Daddy on the other hand, just about every time he speaks it is to please someone else. He almost never says anything that's not "You're exactly right." Grandma has a shameful tone on her speech because she is so disappointed in the kinds of people that Mommy and Daddy have become.
A third style technique is the use of point of view. This play isn't exactly from anyone's POV, it's sort of a silent third person, but near the end it's like Grandma joins the readers/watchers as part of the POV. That gives the play a very strange coming-to-life kind of feel. Also, the third person thing suggests an unbiased telling of the story, which is key because Albee is trying to address all of America as a whole.
Theme: The American Dream by Edward Albee warns that the new generation of Americans has lost touch with traditional American values, including dignity, replacing them with a materialistic penchant for unreasonable satisfaction.
The setting demonstrates this theme. On the one hand, Mommy always brags about how rich she and Daddy are. On the other hand, we are told the house has lots of broken appliances and creaks and Mrs. Barker remarks "My, what an unattractive apartment you have!" (Albee 35). This tells us that Mommy and Daddy are all about pretending. If they were truly rich, they'd have a nicer apartment (or an actual house) and it would be furnished better. They are shallow and only worried about acting like they deserve so much more.
The plot shows this as well, because it is all about how they (Mommy mainly) always want better, and the pursuit to buy happiness has broken down family dynamics and values. Mommy discarded Grandma and even Daddy a little for her selfish pursuits.
The title The American Dream is pretty self explanatory. The story is about the ideal lifestyle of the American people, and how it is perceived now compared to how it has been thought of for a long time. In this case, the American Dream is a young man that's very pleasing to look at, can be bought, and is essentially entirely empty of content and emotion. He is the opposite of the old American Dream, Grandma, who is hardy, clever, and very personable.
Quotes:
"That's the way things are today; you just can't get satisfaction; you just try." (quote by Daddy)
This quote explains how everyone's goal is satisfaction, and the endless pursuit of it even when they know they will never achieve it.
"I'll do almost anything for money"..."...If there's money in it." (quote by Young Man)
This helps tie the commercial aspect in. The new American Dream is something that can be bought, something with no dignity or ethics.
"I don't know why I bother to take them with me [the boxes]. They don't have much in them...some old letters, a couple of regrets...eighty-six years of living... some sounds... a few images," (quoted by Grandma).
Grandma's boxes contain memories, values, and experiences. Grandma is all about content. The old American dream held these things dear; personal growth kinds of things.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Close Reading #2
Why Men Aren't Really Men Anymore
(Article by Paul Hudson)
http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/why-men-arent-really-men-anymore/
This article by Paul Hudson serves to shame the men of our society, and he does this by using whimsical syntax, crude and demeaning diction, and catchy language techniques.
The very first line of this article reads "There was once a time when men used to be real men." This is sort of hilarious, because his syntax is modeled after that of a fairytale, as if it's now only a magical story that men used to be upstanding and strong individuals. He also ends with "there aren’t many of us, but we’re survivors and will be around for a while," to continue with the story-book effect. Using this technique, Hudson suggests that it's simply not realistic to hold most men today to the same standards we used to.
The next technique used is diction. Very hard, insulting, inappropriate diction. He replaces the word "men" with substitutions such as "boys," "pansies," and other names that are too crude for me to quote. Insults like these show how Hudson has no respect at all for the males of today
The third thing Hudson does is to use fun language techniques such as parallelism and alliterations, to make his ideas easy to remember and repeat. For example, he says "Generation-Y is the instant gratification generation. We want what we want right at the moment we figure out that we want it." The clever use of both alliteration and parallel structure make his idea stand out, and make it more memorable.
Between his humorous syntax, vulgar diction, and memorable language, Hudson slanders men, exposing them as weak, selfish creatures. His disappointment in his gender could not be felt any deeper.
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