tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18268763329791916112024-02-19T05:03:09.402-08:00Distant Strains of TriumphUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-84304867976245892732012-05-23T03:52:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:03:32.392-07:00LeavingsWhen I read this poem, I was reminded of what it's like to be a teacher of seniors. I wanted to get your thoughts.<br />
<br />
<h1>
Leavings</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are scars, three of them</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where the swing set once stood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut into the lawn by years</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of summer happy feet scraping the ground</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To stop or – more often – to go higher.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My wife wishes I would sod or seed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or do whatever must be done </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make the lawn whole once more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To make the world whole once more</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She would have me heal the wounds</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That leavings have left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I am no physician, no gardener.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am no healer of wounds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve no balm or salve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are scars, three of them</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where the swing set once stood.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-46358654254796676332012-03-25T08:24:00.000-07:002012-05-23T14:04:40.927-07:00Garbage Truck<div class="episode_title">
<br />
After much deliberation, I've decided simply to post this poem, and see what you folks might make of it - without my guidance. Consider the title, the speaker (we call the narrator of a poem, the speaker) the images throughout, etc. Have at it ladies and gentlemen; I am eager to see what you have to say.</div>
<div class="episode_title">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSPocPeCoEZ8z1ABbT_FD6zZ7Cb0rKZtBGekAIun9GhB5JjiHslwBB1pqXPc3yLZl0Vg_DooI8AWGDfQx27Tw2dS9TkFJrtt_tbl1nIFagTogImtnbLO2a6vQvq2Yc191ai39tR1gPIO6/s1600/garbage-truck.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSPocPeCoEZ8z1ABbT_FD6zZ7Cb0rKZtBGekAIun9GhB5JjiHslwBB1pqXPc3yLZl0Vg_DooI8AWGDfQx27Tw2dS9TkFJrtt_tbl1nIFagTogImtnbLO2a6vQvq2Yc191ai39tR1gPIO6/s320/garbage-truck.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="episode_title">
<br /></div>
<div class="episode_title">
<span style="font-size: large;">Garbage Truck</span><br />
<div class="author">
<br />
by Michael Ryan</div>
<div class="author">
<br /></div>
</div>
Once I had two strong young men hanging off my butt<br />
and a distinctive stink that announced<br />
when I was inching down your street<br />
at the regal, elephantine pace<br />
that let my men step down from me running<br />
to heave your garbage into my gut<br />
then fling the clanging metal cans<br />
to tumble and rumble, crash and leap<br />
back to sort-of-where you'd lugged them to the curb<br />
before another oblivious night of sleep.<br />
Did you think life was tough?<br />
I reveled in it, all the stuff<br />
you threw out, used up, let rot,<br />
the pretty packaging, the scum, the snot,<br />
vomit and filth, everything you thought<br />
useless, dangerous, or repugnant:<br />
I ate it for breakfast. I hauled it<br />
out of sight. And what did I get?<br />
You were annoyed by my noise.<br />
You coughed at my exhaust.<br />
Your kids stopped playing in the street<br />
to pinch their noses and gag theatrically<br />
with no clue how sick they'd be without me.<br />
I was the lowest of the low, an untouchable,<br />
yet I did what I did and did it well.<br />
Now I am not laughable: a "waste management vehicle"<br />
denatured robotic sanitized presentable.<br />
My strong young men are gone. I have no smell.<br />
I'm painted deep green to look organic and clean.<br />
Your "residential trash carts" are matching green<br />
injection-molded high-density polyethylene<br />
that barely thuds when I lower them to the ground<br />
after I've stabbed and lifted and upended them<br />
with twin prongs that retract into my side<br />
so not to scratch anything or scare anyone.<br />
Who can complain? Right there on your street<br />
I mash and compact and obliterate your waste.<br />
You need never give it a second thought.<br />
It's safe it's easy nobody gets dirty.<br />
It's how you want your life to be.<br />
But life's not garbage. Garbage is life.<br />
Look what you've got. Look what you throw out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jlRckkF9SHK1OYbUHRR4PRqBItUEk0kUIKSyRJYOBOBhbSEZK6n_psPgco8-GTSSi6mUdjvTQyz4FdWsLn_9WszyemmC-rBKzIFkGQh9AGB78D_v9V3S4q06qsoTi_qX3kOXKup890xu/s1600/peterbilt-hydraulic-hybrid-garbage-truck-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jlRckkF9SHK1OYbUHRR4PRqBItUEk0kUIKSyRJYOBOBhbSEZK6n_psPgco8-GTSSi6mUdjvTQyz4FdWsLn_9WszyemmC-rBKzIFkGQh9AGB78D_v9V3S4q06qsoTi_qX3kOXKup890xu/s320/peterbilt-hydraulic-hybrid-garbage-truck-photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-14575263198594062162012-03-19T17:14:00.001-07:002012-03-19T17:15:28.428-07:00Modern LoveThe robins and bluebirds have returned. Days are getting longer and the earth is getting warmer. Flowers are springing up through the clods; they'll bloom in just a few short weeks. Spring and love are in the air in equal measure.<br />
<br />
Or so I've been told. I am oblivious to such things. There is no joy in my life. Allow me to share my misery ... <br />
<br />
The following poem is taken from <i>Modern Love</i>, a poetic sequence by the British writer George Meredith. Please read the poem and share your thoughts as comments. Remember to post at least twice, once in response to my queries and again in response to your classmates. Consider the following questions ...<br />
<br />
<ul><li>What is the concept of modern love as offered in the poem? </li>
<li>How does this concept of love compare with your own?</li>
<li>Are there any images in the poem that seem strange? ... why are they strange?</li>
<li>What might be the significance of the words that are capitalized?</li>
</ul><br />
from<i> Modern Love</i><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><span itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Review-aggregate"></span></b><br />
<div class="KonaBody"><b> By this he knew she wept with waking eyes:<br />
That, at his hand's light quiver by her head,<br />
The strange low sobs that shook their common bed<br />
Were called into her with a sharp surprise,<br />
And strangled mute, like little gaping snakes,<br />
Dreadfully venomous to him. She lay<br />
Stone-still, and the long darkness flowed away<br />
With muffled pulses. Then, as midnight makes<br />
Her giant heart of Memory and Tears<br />
Drink the pale drug of silence, and so beat<br />
Sleep's heavy measure, they from head to feet<br />
Were moveless, looking through their dead black years,<br />
By vain regret scrawled over the blank wall.<br />
Like sculptured effigies they might be seen<br />
Upon their marriage-tomb, the sword between;<br />
Each wishing for the sword that severs all. <br />
<br />
<br />
</b></div><b> </b><br />
<div class="poet"><b> - George Meredith</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-68943476781373978202012-03-19T16:40:00.000-07:002012-03-19T16:40:17.443-07:00How to Cite an E-BookFor those of you who have been wondering how to cite an Ebook from Kindle or Nook (either as part of a bibliography or parenthetically), I think I've found a resource.<br />
<br />
A short search on the Modern Language Association's (MLA) website revealed the following page ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mla.org/style/handbook_faq/cite_an_ebook">EBook Citation Format</a><br />
<br />
I've included all the relevant information here for everyone, but each of you should visit the MLA website on your own, and explore the resources available for you. The numbers that follow some paragraphs (i.e. 5.7.18) refer to specific sections of the MLA Guide for Writers of Research Papers.<br />
<br />
"In general, a work formatted for reading on an electronic device like Kindle, Nook, and iPad is covered by 5.7.18. Begin the entry in the works-cited list like the entry for a comparable printed work and end it with a designation of the medium of publication. The medium is the type of electronic file, such as <em>Kindle file</em>, <em>Nook file</em>, <em>EPUB file</em>, or <em>PDF file</em>. If you cannot identify the file type, use <em>Digital file</em>. For example:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 4.25em; text-indent: -2.25em;">Rowley, Hazel. <em>Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage</em>. New York: Farrar, 2010. Kindle file.</div><div style="margin-left: 4.25em; text-indent: -2.25em;"><br />
</div>If the work presents electronic and print publication information, the electronic information should usually be cited.<br />
<br />
Most electronic readers include a numbering system that tells users their location in the work. Do not cite this numbering, because it may not appear consistently to other users. If the work is divided into stable numbered sections like chapters, the numbers of those sections may be cited, with a label identifying the nature of the number (6.4.2):<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">According to Hazel Rowley, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt began their honeymoon with a week’s stay at Hyde Park (ch. 2).</div>or<br />
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt began their honeymoon with a week’s stay at Hyde Park (Rowley, ch. 2).</div><div style="margin-left: 2em;"><br />
</div>(The abbreviation <em>ch.</em> is shown in 7.4. There is a comma in a parenthetical citation after the author’s name if the following reference begins with a word.)<br />
<br />
If the work is a PDF file with fixed pages, cite the page numbers. If the work lacks any kind of stable section numbering, the work has to be cited as a whole (6.4.1)."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-60007834277237461612012-02-07T05:51:00.000-08:002012-02-07T05:51:29.874-08:00Other Atrocities<h1 style="margin: auto 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“What <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Vietnam</place></country-region> Did to My Mouth<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and Other Atrocities)” </span></h1><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"Send guys to war, they come home talking dirty." - Tim O'Brien</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Listen up Dad, sorry 'bout that Mom, but<br />
your dotted swiss pinafore daughter is gone.<br />
Sold too cheap to Uncle Sam,<br />
traded to a pimp in a suburb of Saigon--<br />
worked my body, fucked my mind<br />
'till governments, tired of their little gook game,<br />
tossed back home a badass bitch vet.<br />
<br />
You'll have to welcome a stranger back home<br />
because all my lacy pink girl words are done.<br />
My words no longer tiptoe, meek on your ear;<br />
they refuse to sit prim in your parlor<br />
or politely wait their turn.<br />
My words won't pour your afternoon tea;<br />
they won't crochet doilies,<br />
or offer you a scone.<br />
My words don't plant verbena<br />
and they don't sip sherry.<br />
They don't wear hats on Sunday and they don't<br />
play with dolls.<br />
<br />
My now words are vet words and they don't mess around:<br />
vet words are saddled-up words,<br />
can-do words that get it done now.<br />
Vet words don't give a rusty rat's ass;<br />
they march right up and get in your face.<br />
Vet words scream and vet words bleed;<br />
vet words keep secrets like "brother" and "love."<br />
Vet words kick ass and vet words take names.<br />
Easy to spell but hard to say,<br />
vet words were learned at<br />
some other mother's knee.<br />
Vet words are holy and vet words are plain.<br />
They have seen it all and they paint what they see.<br />
Vet words are truth with a capital T.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>- Dana Shuster</span></b><br />
<br />
There are some things to consider when reading this poem, and applying its message to your reading of Tim O'Brien's novel. Try to answer the following questions, and see if your answers help you in the process of writing about both texts.<br />
<ul><li>Who is the speaker of the poem? How does the speaker of the poem differ from the narrator of O'Brien's novel? Given what we know or are able to surmise about each, how are their experiences with the Vietnam War different? ... how are they the same?</li>
<li>What do you make of the repeated personification of the speaker's "lacy pink girl words." What do the words do as a result of having experienced Vietnam? ... what don't they do?</li>
<li>Is there any significance to the few lines that rhyme? Why might Shuster choose to rhyme only a few lines, rather than develop a more complete rhyme scheme? What effect might this have on a reader's interpretation of the poem?</li>
<li>Why might the speaker of the poem choose to curse or swear? What effect does such a choice in diction have on our understanding of the piece?</li>
</ul>Feel free to discuss these questions - or any others you may have - with each other through this post. Whenever appropriate for me to do so, I will comment and try to guide conversation. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-45884564285547202792012-01-02T13:33:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:24:14.119-08:00Back to Work Ye Scurvy Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPi2q39lxvU/TwIB70kFnMI/AAAAAAAABPA/uMNxPz739oE/s1600/_8teJ0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPi2q39lxvU/TwIB70kFnMI/AAAAAAAABPA/uMNxPz739oE/s320/_8teJ0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Just so everyone knows, the title of this weblog and the accompanying photo have absolutely nothing to do with the substance of the post, which is to follow. The truth is that for the better part of the day, my son has been running around the house while wearing his pirate costume from last Halloween. He's been chasing his sisters, who are dressed like princesses and are apparently very much in need of rescue.<br />
<br />
Anyway ... vacation is over ... back to work ye' scurvy dogs ...<br />
<br />
This week is a little heavy in terms of content, but there is nothing here that we haven't touched on before. I want to discuss two poetic forms, <b>BLANK VERSE </b>and <b>FREE VERSE</b>. They're often confused, but in truth they're practically nothing alike.<br />
<br />
Blank verse is poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. As you should know, <b>IAMBIC PENTAMETER</b> is a line of poetry containing five (pentameter) stressed syllables in which each stressed syllable follows an unstressed syllable. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays are written almost entirely in blank verse. Oftentimes, Shakespeare would only include rhyme for the sake of emphasis or to indicate that the speaker was not a commoner (i.e. royalty, a god, a knight, etc.).<br />
<br />
Free verse is poetry that lacks any particular metric pattern or rhyme scheme (a pattern of rhyme). In free verse, the first line may rhyme with the second, but it could just as easily rhyme with the eighth, or not rhyme with any line at all. In free verse we might see a series of five or six unstressed syllables followed by two or three stressed syllables. The point is that there is no pattern.<br />
<br />
Now the question is ... what's the point?<br />
<br />
First, free verse is a distinctly American poetic form (or lack of form if you prefer). It began with Walt Whitman, and continues to this day to be popular amongst poets.<br />
<br />
Second, free verse has the potential to add meaning to a poem simply by virtue of its lack of form.<br />
<br />
Consider the following selection from Walt Whitman's, <i>Song of Myself </i>and then respond to the questions that follow. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>I celebrate myself, and sing myself, </b><b><br />
And what I assume you shall assume, <br />
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. <br />
<br />
I loafe and invite my soul, </b><b><br />
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass. <br />
<br />
My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air, </b><b><br />
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their <br />
parents the same, <br />
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, <br />
Hoping to cease not till death. <br />
<br />
Creeds and schools in abeyance, </b><b><br />
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, <br />
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, <br />
Nature without check with original energy. </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">So here are the questions ... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. What is the theme of the selection? Be specific and refer to specific lines in the poem.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. How does the lack of rhyme or any rhythmic pattern reinforce the message or theme of the selection? Be specific and refer to specific lines in the poem.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Consider your response in relation to the responses of your classmates and be sure to comment wherever and whenever appropriate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-23068438401815432252011-12-16T18:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T07:48:17.180-08:00Heart of Darkness / Apocalypse Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivukNXt9mgU9RVDmcATK6urTydMnIx7rvUy-pIDRh1BtXz9brtnpZh5jDtbmbyfh6rTGUFYVM_QgANj2Dxzs_Br_OZwtQITLeeVXbOGvprFWAbSb89hqbORSeUhuuWROyqJ3gmeTSKJ5ml/s1600/200px-Heart_of_Darkness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivukNXt9mgU9RVDmcATK6urTydMnIx7rvUy-pIDRh1BtXz9brtnpZh5jDtbmbyfh6rTGUFYVM_QgANj2Dxzs_Br_OZwtQITLeeVXbOGvprFWAbSb89hqbORSeUhuuWROyqJ3gmeTSKJ5ml/s400/200px-Heart_of_Darkness.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As promised, here is the open thread for you folks to discuss your thoughts regarding Joseph Conrad's, <i>Heart of Darkness</i> and Francis Ford Coppola's<i> Apocalypse Now</i>. Don't be bashful. Reach out to your classmates. You may find that their thoughts lead you in a direction you hadn't before considered, or that you might take them somewhere they had likewise never considered.<br />
<br />
You might be pleased to know that <i>Apocalypse Now: Redux</i> has - today - become available on streaming Netflix for anyone who subscribes to the service and might like to review the film. <br />
<br />
Links to the <a href="http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/apocalypsenowredux.html">script</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/">IMDb</a> entry ... <br />
<br />
As for the images from the film that I've included ... each comes from a scene that I think could be key in your understanding of the work. Consider each ...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-4wX5ICYIKlSC5b2Is4F7jAE_9BbOUYQrktjI_s9b1CMkEbdt5mfUy6MbthaS9hBu3HdTwWfSwL73-JXIoRrOVIaj8mKJM92mpdkMr6CLRnzSper02usHNz_wDbxdFhXf2A2fEKJkiaa/s1600/600full-apocalypse-now-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-4wX5ICYIKlSC5b2Is4F7jAE_9BbOUYQrktjI_s9b1CMkEbdt5mfUy6MbthaS9hBu3HdTwWfSwL73-JXIoRrOVIaj8mKJM92mpdkMr6CLRnzSper02usHNz_wDbxdFhXf2A2fEKJkiaa/s400/600full-apocalypse-now-poster.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half in the light, half out ... questioning Willard as a teacher might question a student.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SBayVQ1hHz61bpDPxDvYOF3bxTpY5QQujyiBkHmHVNayQgd9Hz0Uq6TCexO8zIy04Xh-1Wb3T93EkHQULfyQwp1ePW9aGRLzm1nw7aWUp_wQ8SYz_SYxJYBF9xuBs6BwAzSsh4XzzD4D/s1600/willardwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SBayVQ1hHz61bpDPxDvYOF3bxTpY5QQujyiBkHmHVNayQgd9Hz0Uq6TCexO8zIy04Xh-1Wb3T93EkHQULfyQwp1ePW9aGRLzm1nw7aWUp_wQ8SYz_SYxJYBF9xuBs6BwAzSsh4XzzD4D/s400/willardwater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">How's this for primitive?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</strong></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-91633303314362980312011-11-29T17:54:00.000-08:002012-01-12T07:47:25.943-08:00Decisions, Decisions, Decisions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMazpDI34QCwzcyeZ0a_S5NCeKw-xsTeHLb1AjcAYA7EFzjT9iw2FGVJYNsN2DfI3pfS8hW7Axrl2iEhK4G6epyuaOdAQEhGqrjn_HIhyphenhyphenyqH3y2EVJsrjNfb-vmw2c-GtscUNb5ClgSv9/s1600/big+brother+1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMazpDI34QCwzcyeZ0a_S5NCeKw-xsTeHLb1AjcAYA7EFzjT9iw2FGVJYNsN2DfI3pfS8hW7Axrl2iEhK4G6epyuaOdAQEhGqrjn_HIhyphenhyphenyqH3y2EVJsrjNfb-vmw2c-GtscUNb5ClgSv9/s400/big+brother+1984.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It is time to make a choice. You've two options:<br />
<br />
Choice A ...<br />
<ul><li>Live the rest of your life in complete security. You'll work, but receive no paycheck. Instead, you're guaranteed all of the necessities. Food, shelter, and clothing will be provided for you. In exchange, you'll give up certain freedoms. You'll read only what the powers-that-be allow you to read. You'll watch only approved television programs and films. Your relationships - plutonic, sexual and marital - will be determined by the governing body.</li>
</ul>Choice B ... <br />
<ul><li>Live the rest of your life in complete uncertainty. You'll work, but your pay will be based solely on the quality of your work. Nothing will be guaranteed. You will have to scratch out your own food, shelter, and clothing. You'll be free to make decisions for yourself. You may read whatever you choose. You may watch whatever you choose. The quality of your relationships will also be entirely up to you. You are free to do as you choose but never, NEVER are you free from worry.</li>
</ul>Which do you choose? Think carefully. A life free from worry is indeed a grand idea. So too is a life lived freely. Be sure to explain yourself, and to respond to your classmates.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-81010504976037731802011-11-12T13:58:00.000-08:002011-12-16T19:00:47.740-08:00CourageEasy one this week ...<br />
<br />
Consider the following photograph and your understanding of courage. Is the young man at the center of the picture, courageous?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPJ-ejdhKJVW-K1JmwQG0UX0uk1VePKR0X8KY9y9B_XgsieccQhccqgVdTaKiG5iNIIpAmObdQgHdsbc75cT42sDAVjs4VKQ42IZEm8APMxBszzMo2obkjU413DbkIX1zvQdzKdTnBDJF/s1600/Boston-FlowerPower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPJ-ejdhKJVW-K1JmwQG0UX0uk1VePKR0X8KY9y9B_XgsieccQhccqgVdTaKiG5iNIIpAmObdQgHdsbc75cT42sDAVjs4VKQ42IZEm8APMxBszzMo2obkjU413DbkIX1zvQdzKdTnBDJF/s640/Boston-FlowerPower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-62133326932596762312011-10-31T18:17:00.000-07:002011-12-16T18:59:52.384-08:00The Female of the SpeciesHere's another gem from Mr. Kipling. As always, I'm curious about your impressions of the poem, but I also would like for you to answer the following question?<br />
<br />
In "The Female of the Species" does Kipling offer us a sympathetic portrait of women? <br />
<br />
How does this poem compare when juxtaposed with "The Vampire"?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91nhl1Z3hJe9YdBHoQfksA9I243fB5IC823ImMeuaayPNhbwCcKjokfAOxXWToGHsL0tfR3b9VnQVzYUbaEoVRF8v8SAO0BB36rMFSNz7KThUFWtEgqKpLMr4UoFL0ZKl9Pz-3yEuCfl7/s1600/mama+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91nhl1Z3hJe9YdBHoQfksA9I243fB5IC823ImMeuaayPNhbwCcKjokfAOxXWToGHsL0tfR3b9VnQVzYUbaEoVRF8v8SAO0BB36rMFSNz7KThUFWtEgqKpLMr4UoFL0ZKl9Pz-3yEuCfl7/s400/mama+bear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<h1><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1826876332979191611&postID=6213332693259676231" name="11"><i><span style="color: #004080;">The Female of the Species</span></i></a></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">W</span>HEN the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">He shouts to scare the monster who will often turn aside. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">For the female of the species is more deadly than the male. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">When Nag, the wayside cobra, hears the careless foot of man, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">He will sometimes wriggle sideways and avoid it if he can, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">But his mate makes no such motion where she camps beside the trail - </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">For the female of the species is more deadly than the male. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws - </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">'Twas the women, not the warriors, turned those stark enthusiasts pale - </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">For the female of the species is more deadly than the male. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">But when hunter meets with husband, each confirms the others tale - </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">The female of the species is more deadly than the male. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Man, a bear in most relations, worm and savage otherwise, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Mirth obscene diverts his anger; Doubt and Pity oft perplex </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Him in dealing with an issue - to the scandal of the Sex! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">The female of the species must be deadlier than the male. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">May not deal in doubt or pity - must not swerve for fact or jest. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">These be purely male diversions - not in these her honor dwells - </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">She, the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unclaimed to claim </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">She is wedded to convictions - in default of grosser ties; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him, who denies! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">He will meet no cool discussion, but the instant, white-hot wild </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Unprovoked and awful charges - even so the she-bear fights; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Speech that drips, corrodes and poisons - even so the cobra bites; </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And the victim writhes with anguish - like the Jesuit with the squaw! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">So it comes that Man, the coward, when he gathers to confer </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">With his fellow-braves in council, dare not leave a place for her </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">To some God of abstract justice - which no woman understands. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Must command but may not govern; shall enthrall but not enslave him. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And <i>She</i> knows, because She warns him and Her instincts never fail, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">That the female of Her species is more deadly than the male! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b>Rudyard Kipling</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-63740566271909365102011-10-27T20:12:00.000-07:002011-11-29T18:00:59.763-08:00East of Eden Open Thread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreshrKkP79-ygfqAwo5xz7ORTOYq-dDUnwN-pVnsxdmwSZJSqgjtTTkjvuUAvflGqZjwfGq3lLCWetrH0dCcQcKXe2SZsxsQQwq4qlIXZfv3DM_YoWzAxF5Bjsd-0zqnISBiXTphHbNp_/s1600/eastOfEden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreshrKkP79-ygfqAwo5xz7ORTOYq-dDUnwN-pVnsxdmwSZJSqgjtTTkjvuUAvflGqZjwfGq3lLCWetrH0dCcQcKXe2SZsxsQQwq4qlIXZfv3DM_YoWzAxF5Bjsd-0zqnISBiXTphHbNp_/s400/eastOfEden.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br />
I've been asked to provide a forum for discussion of the test questions for Steinbeck's novel. This is that thread. There will be no leading questions. There will be no input from yours truly (unless I just cannot help myself). What happens in the comments that follow this post is entirely up to all of you. I encourage you to share ideas.<br />
<br />
Have at it guys.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span> </b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-44087210168893561422011-10-26T10:09:00.000-07:002011-11-14T10:58:22.705-08:00In Honor of Halloween ...<div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9olEerQMeNGUHUogazy8M9ak2KLjSSf1f19B2ahK3tWlt-ZjnHznANzjqH6IiYZkW8ddkvAdxin36YTdCcCBSp0ETHeqIvVOZ0XQBZj8ZcT8_TQq1yr0hASJz4AJD3dI8I2zUKDNnecjv/s1600-h/1214_press_vampire_kids.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" closure_uid_10wxg4="6" height="309" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398613647185248290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9olEerQMeNGUHUogazy8M9ak2KLjSSf1f19B2ahK3tWlt-ZjnHznANzjqH6IiYZkW8ddkvAdxin36YTdCcCBSp0ETHeqIvVOZ0XQBZj8ZcT8_TQq1yr0hASJz4AJD3dI8I2zUKDNnecjv/s400/1214_press_vampire_kids.jpg" style="display: block; height: 309px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
In honor of the holiday I offer this selection from Rudyard Kipling. I won't ask too many leading questions. I'll only say that I'm interested to see what each of you think. I look forward to reading your replies. <br />
<br />
<div class="date-posts"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“The Vampire” </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">A fool there was and he made his prayer <br />
(Even as you and I!) <br />
To a rag and a bone and a hank of hair <br />
(We called her the woman who did not care), <br />
But the fool he called her his lady fair <br />
(Even as you and I!)</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh the years we waste and the tears we waste <br />
And the work of our head and hand, <br />
Belong to the woman who did not know <br />
(And now we know that she never could know) <br />
And did not understand.</div><div class="post-body entry-content">A fool there was and his goods he spent </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(Even as you and I!) </div><div class="post-body entry-content">Honor and faith and a sure intent </div><div class="post-body entry-content">But a fool must follow his natural bent </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(And it wasn't the least what the lady meant), </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(Even as you and I!)</div><div class="post-body entry-content">Oh the toil we lost and the spoil we lost </div><div class="post-body entry-content">And the excellent things we planned, </div><div class="post-body entry-content">Belong to the woman who didn't know why </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(And now we know she never knew why) </div><div class="post-body entry-content">And did not understand.</div><div class="post-body entry-content">The fool we stripped to his foolish hide </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(Even as you and I!) </div><div class="post-body entry-content">Which she might have seen when she threw him aside-- </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(But it isn't on record the lady tried) </div><div class="post-body entry-content">So some of him lived but the most of him died-- </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(Even as you and I!)</div><div class="post-body entry-content">And it isn't the shame and it isn't the blame </div><div class="post-body entry-content">That stings like a white hot brand.</div><div class="post-body entry-content">It's coming to know that she never knew why </div><div class="post-body entry-content">(Seeing at last she could never know why) </div><div class="post-body entry-content">And never could understand.</div><div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="post-body entry-content"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></strong></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-82220634286897288512011-10-20T18:44:00.000-07:002011-11-14T10:57:45.540-08:00It Must Be Something ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMyXNvM-NcLZYclIc6Kdo0JgU9XMCuuPS2n_60gyuN9qAGV0FQQmfxvD8Qu_Ljfb_qsjbZSbubDZ9_LKky5MWjp98i8LTPC1kTg25DnMnsUpfKPseECo3o6VwLdUzhZ-xbNNpQzrFxq2z/s1600/three-stooges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMyXNvM-NcLZYclIc6Kdo0JgU9XMCuuPS2n_60gyuN9qAGV0FQQmfxvD8Qu_Ljfb_qsjbZSbubDZ9_LKky5MWjp98i8LTPC1kTg25DnMnsUpfKPseECo3o6VwLdUzhZ-xbNNpQzrFxq2z/s400/three-stooges.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I realize we're all still dancing with "Jabberwocky," but I thought we might consider multitasking. Consider the following poem (don't worry ... it's brief). <br />
<br />
"To the Field Goal Kicker in a Slump"<br />
<div><br />
It must be something<br />
like writer’s block,<br />
when nothing will go<br />
between the margins,<br />
when language won’t soar<br />
high enough,<br />
when you wake<br />
in the morning and know<br />
you’ve chosen<br />
the wrong game.</div><br />
- Linda Pastan<br />
<br />
Please take a moment, and share your thoughts with everyone. Do we love this poem? ... hate it? ... are we absolutely indifferent to it?<br />
<br />
Does the poem work for you, and if so, what makes it work? What is going on here? <br />
<br />
Be brave ... poetry doesn't bite unless you give it the opportunity.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-6597017249943597602011-10-11T19:16:00.000-07:002011-10-31T08:47:34.205-07:00Lost In Translation Part Deux: The Return of Mimsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouB03A4DKnSCj3N97rHNtcmwwAuEAceGp3Eik6JSIFkfugTBldCSW5CkACDe05X6YOTw-QUANWtH-3da8TpNg8NDx4qPkFxNZ3NxdqYvYK9IU5kZv-U3UjLYqBCJJVZMW-mFvPBfSiFOI/s1600/imagination-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouB03A4DKnSCj3N97rHNtcmwwAuEAceGp3Eik6JSIFkfugTBldCSW5CkACDe05X6YOTw-QUANWtH-3da8TpNg8NDx4qPkFxNZ3NxdqYvYK9IU5kZv-U3UjLYqBCJJVZMW-mFvPBfSiFOI/s400/imagination-1.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As some of you may know, the verse highlighted in the previous string is a selection from Lewis Carroll's poem, "Jabberwocky." Here is the poem in its entirety:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves<br />
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>All mimsy were the borogoves,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And the mome raths outgrabe.</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>The frumious Bandersnatch!</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>"He took his vorpal sword in hand:</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Long time the manxome foe he sought—</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>So rested he by the Tumtum tree,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And stood awhile in thought.</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And as in uffish thought he stood,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And burbled as it came!</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>One, two! One, two! and through and through</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>He left it dead, and with its head</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>He went galumphing back."</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Come to my arms, my beamish boy!</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>He chortled in his joy.</em></span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">All mimsy were the borogoves,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;">And the mome raths outgrabe</span>. </div><br />
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<div>You should know that the poem is often used by teachers as an illustration of <em>portmanteau</em>, and to help students learn to identify the various parts of speech. A portmanteau word (portmanteau is most often used as an adjective) is a combination of two words, without the comma common to contractions. For example, "frumious" is often regarded as a combination of furious and fuming. "Galumphing" is thought to be a combination of galloping and triumphant. If this interests you then you'll find all of this information online. None of this, however, matters in the context of our discussion. We'll be looking at the nonsensical words in the poem as just that, nonsense.</div><br />
<div>What is the first question English teachers ask when you read a poem in class? I know that you know. So, tell me. What is it?</div><br />
<div>That's right. Teachers always ask, "What does the poem mean?"</div><br />
<div>Your response is usually, "How should I know?" At that point you tune out and begin drooling on yourself, while the teacher tells you what he or she thinks the poem means. This isn't how I like to do business.</div><br />
<div>Yes, I'll be asking about the meaning of the poem, but I won't be supplying an answer. I'll also be asking an equally important, and often overlooked question. Here goes ...</div><br />
<div>"How does the poem mean?"</div><br />
<div>Specifically, how does Lewis Carroll use nonsense to add meaning to his poem?</div><div></div><div>So, we have two questions that I am asking each of you to answer ...</div><ul><li>What does the poem mean? What is it all about?</li>
<li>How do the portmanteau words - the nonsense - add to the meaning of the poem?</li>
</ul>Be not afraid of the jabberwock. Heed not the jaws that bite or the claws that catch. Put your fingers to your keyboard, and demonstrate that you're capable of lucid thought.<br />
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<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-3809990660554863842011-10-05T21:19:00.000-07:002011-10-24T17:06:46.894-07:00Lost In Translation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYukS67ih7j_151lK3cjLXIgp2u5Z1nG-91KwM98vDtlb9fXrLUTbhIvY0iR2GzRwhAowjth5U9PESdH6UR81HD4fKEKDpb849YAXh8AUqEp1gCZEo2aqq7fIqWZ6wZZ_AH-LcnuOm9kW/s1600/whyareyoulookingatthetitleofthispicturejustthink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYukS67ih7j_151lK3cjLXIgp2u5Z1nG-91KwM98vDtlb9fXrLUTbhIvY0iR2GzRwhAowjth5U9PESdH6UR81HD4fKEKDpb849YAXh8AUqEp1gCZEo2aqq7fIqWZ6wZZ_AH-LcnuOm9kW/s400/whyareyoulookingatthetitleofthispicturejustthink.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />
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I would like for each of you to translate the following lines. Some of you may recognize them. If you do, don't let on as to the source. All will be revealed in time.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><b><i>Twas brillig, and the slithy toves</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><b><i>Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><b><i>All mimsy were the borogoves,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><b><i>And the mome raths outgrabe.</i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span></div><br />
I must insist that you not use any reference material (dictionaries, Google, Wiki-anything, etc.). Rather, simply substitute words you know for those you do not understand. Use your imagination to give the selection meaning where there might otherwise appear to be none.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 130%;">Again ... Absolutely No Search Engines (like Google) ... Search Engines Bad ... Search Engines Very Bad ... Search Engines Make Brains Small ... Search Engines Make Mongo Angry! </span></b><br />
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Remember to respond to the initial post, and later reply to at least one of your classmates' submissions. Everyone submits a minimum of two comments.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>*** STRING IS CLOSED *** </b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-50310367472541060512011-10-01T16:41:00.000-07:002011-10-18T10:11:22.742-07:00Distant Strains of TriumphHello everyone. Tonight I found myself thinking about the title of our blog, and I thought I would share with you the source of that title. After you've read the poem that follows, please share your thoughts with the class. Do you like the poem? ... why or why not? Does the poem have a specific message? If so, how does the poem express that message? Finally, why do you suppose I chose the 13th line to represent our class forum? I am very interested to see what you folks think.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Success is counted sweetest</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Success is counted sweetest<br />
By those who ne'er succeed.<br />
To comprehend a nectar<br />
Requires sorest need.<br />
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Not one of all the purple Host<br />
Who took the Flag today<br />
Can tell the definition<br />
So clear of Victory<br />
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As he defeated--dying--<br />
On whose forbidden ear<br />
The distant strains of triumph<br />
Burst agonized and clear! </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"> - Emily Dickinson </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOd9BpUQZVvfmRAbDyeV1BbNXUaAh0eVK4LrG1vb5malCQuStRqlKi_c5wBSfVX6KaFpVFXiFMWwQU4byctin5X21WTjc9bPCWhadue25quATISBAUCNpvyrB81fvc6u_RGl6njqj8P6e/s1600/triumph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOd9BpUQZVvfmRAbDyeV1BbNXUaAh0eVK4LrG1vb5malCQuStRqlKi_c5wBSfVX6KaFpVFXiFMWwQU4byctin5X21WTjc9bPCWhadue25quATISBAUCNpvyrB81fvc6u_RGl6njqj8P6e/s400/triumph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">***STRING IS CLOSED***</span></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-17671769316355156892011-09-22T18:24:00.000-07:002011-10-11T15:45:36.475-07:00Wisdom Supporting LibertyBy now it is possible, perhaps even likely, that most of your classmates have discovered the identity of the statue featured in "Why Words Matter." Jules Dalou's sculpture, <i>Wisdom Supporting Liberty</i> gives us a classical representation of the Greek goddess Athena (the goddess of both wisdom and war) supporting the naked representation of Lady Liberty. Some questions are in order.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgyP9p9jHZrxplbjRY33DzPVyqtEoY9sUwrczloxhsqaZZWCcCpU40Nb6X4EK1A6DNZCtuQO8WRKX8G9I8JcK3b1oXWKkoPrCwobsekVBBsCPu4KRyv3kXqGSCS9krSZQGz1ZTDt1Da_U/s1600/Dalou_Jules_Wisdom_Supporting_Freedo%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgyP9p9jHZrxplbjRY33DzPVyqtEoY9sUwrczloxhsqaZZWCcCpU40Nb6X4EK1A6DNZCtuQO8WRKX8G9I8JcK3b1oXWKkoPrCwobsekVBBsCPu4KRyv3kXqGSCS9krSZQGz1ZTDt1Da_U/s400/Dalou_Jules_Wisdom_Supporting_Freedo%255B2%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>1. How does the title impact your understanding of the statue?<br />
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2. What is the significance of Liberty's nakedness?<br />
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3. Why is Wisdom armoured and seemingly prepared for war?<br />
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4. How might we apply our understanding of the statue to current events or the current state of our nation?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-23456366899762303162011-09-15T10:11:00.000-07:002011-09-28T16:25:33.710-07:00A Dilemma ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RFbbAhOjiX3cb4wloqvxrs0Dh1728c8Xl061zuuMTRQT_TkfB_D96ZctT4S5V2RWTbpOZ2VjIwirYeGucHhZjB7TnRQUDrxCNihDnYID9U48lgEta_gOgRoHTVqWpT5_Nglz0ygwJ7-X/s1600/trolley-problem-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RFbbAhOjiX3cb4wloqvxrs0Dh1728c8Xl061zuuMTRQT_TkfB_D96ZctT4S5V2RWTbpOZ2VjIwirYeGucHhZjB7TnRQUDrxCNihDnYID9U48lgEta_gOgRoHTVqWpT5_Nglz0ygwJ7-X/s400/trolley-problem-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Much of the discussion we'll have in regard to <i>East of Eden</i> will focus on the concepts of good and evil. As such, I feel a much more generalized discussion about right and wrong is necessary. To that end, read the following paragraph. After you've had a few moments to think about what you've read, write a response in which you reply to the questions at the end of the paragraph. Once you've written an original response you may then respond to each other. For the record, I am expecting you folks to engage in a solid debate without much prompting from me.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">A trolley has been sabotaged by a demented English teacher, and is running out of control down a track. On the trolley are five people who will die if they jump or the trolley is not somehow stopped. Fortunately, you are standing next to a switch that when thrown will change the tracks on which the trolley rides, and lead the car onto an unused track where it is sure to slow to a stop. Unfortunately, there is one person standing on that track. She will die if you throw the switch. What do you do? What is the right choice?</span></b></i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mmmmm</span> ... fried noggin.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1826876332979191611.post-55791793520383564262011-08-26T07:35:00.000-07:002011-09-22T18:01:46.527-07:00Why Words Matter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2lToxiv0WRSzip1e31-ztHifoXJtGPJO86aOEPQuHcDPNQ7SgixJzFXWa2gaA_XfSSpq80S598CBV284dSiw3YpLX0xXH-e0Ftj7aP6WTICS4hhB549Z4FdP4WTMbNkfYaXNfZQr8LNu/s1600/Dalou_Jules_Wisdom_Supporting_Freedo%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2lToxiv0WRSzip1e31-ztHifoXJtGPJO86aOEPQuHcDPNQ7SgixJzFXWa2gaA_XfSSpq80S598CBV284dSiw3YpLX0xXH-e0Ftj7aP6WTICS4hhB549Z4FdP4WTMbNkfYaXNfZQr8LNu/s400/Dalou_Jules_Wisdom_Supporting_Freedo%255B2%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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In the comment section following this post, please record your observations regarding the above photograph. Share whatever comes to mind, and then suggest a title for the statue. Be sure to explain why you've chosen to name it as you have.<br />
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In crafting your response, remember that our purpose here is two-fold. First, we want to engage in a thoughtful, creative, and interesting exchange. The nature of that discussion will vary from week to week, and will often seem completely unrelated to the content of our lessons or classroom discussions. This will sometimes prove untrue, but is ultimately of little consequence. What matters most is that we think. Second, I want for you to write. Place your fingers on the keyboard, and make the miracle happen. Believe it or not, you are a writer. I am giving you the opportunity to prove it to the world.<br />
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There are some rules by which we must all abide.<br />
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<ul><li>Practice civility. A lack of courtesy will not be tolerated in this forum. Do not take this to mean that you must practice political correctness or otherwise censor yourself. I encourage a healthy debate. I encourage originality. I simply ask that you consider your classmates' positions, elevate your diction, and thereby elevate our discourse.</li>
<li>Each of us must respond to the original prompt at least once during the week. We must also reply to at least one of our classmates responses. To clarify, you will be crafting at least two comments for each post. </li>
</ul>Other rules may follow as we all become more familiar with this particular format. For now, I only ask that you try to enjoy yourself.<br />
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- Mr. D<br />
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P.S. Some of you may be interested to know that the statue in question currently resides only 60 minutes away in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. There you will also find a collection of work by Degas, Picasso, Manet and Monet. Field trip?<br />
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P.P.S.<br />
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In order to comment, simply click on "COMMENTS", craft your response in the space provided, and then select "Name / URL" for an identification. Type your real name, and not an alias or internet moniker. Comments that are not posted with a name will not stand, and will be removed from the discussion.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** STRING IS CLOSED ***</span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42