Alvarez, "Daughter of Invention"

Read "Daughter of Invention" (995)

1.         The narrator’s mother is fond of English-language aphorisms (brief, wise   sayings), but she gets them slightly wrong.  Provide corrected versions of  at least three of these sayings.

2.         What conflicts does the father face in this story?  Why do you think the father does not want his daughter to challenge authority?

3.         A good title often has what might be called resonance—it echoes with meaning. In a paragraph, explain how Alvarez’s title touches on (a) a   humorous detail of the story, (b) a theme of the story, and (c) the climax of the story.

4.         Creative writing: Choose one of the mother’s incorrect aphorisms. Write a short story where the incorrect saying would make sense as the moral of the story. This should be at least 8-10 sentences long; include some dialogue between the characters.

5.         What characteristics of Postmodern Literature appear in this story?

Contemporary Poetry

What characteristics of Postmodern Literature are evident in this Billy Collins poem? (See the list in your notes)


Read the poem "The Bean Eaters" by Gwendolyn Brooks, and answer the following:

1. Find and label at least five poetic devices within the poem. Examples of poetic devices:

a.        Alliteration

b.        Rhyme scheme

c.        Repetition

d.        Symbolism

e.        Onomatopoeia

f.         Imagery

g.        Internal rhyme

h.        Figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification)

2. Create a visual representation of your poem.

3. How is this poem representative of the Contemporary movement (what characteristics of Contemporary literature do you see)?  Cite specific examples from your poem (with line numbers) in your answer.

Modernism Quiz

Quiz on Modernism--Review the following

Elements of Modernism

·       Emphasis on bold experimentation in style and form, reflecting the fragmentation of society

·       Rejection of traditional themes, subjects, and forms

·       Sense of disillusionment and loss of faith in the American Dream

·       Rejection of sentimentality and artificiality

·       Rejection of the ideal of a hero as infallible in favor of a hero who is flawed and disillusioned but shows “grace under pressure” (the Hemingway Hero)

·       Interest in the inner workings of the human mind, sometimes expressed through new narrative techniques, such as stream of consciousness

·       Revolt against the spiritual debasement of the modern world

Modern Literature:

Poetry: William Carlos Williams (665-669), T.S. Eliot (655), Ezra Pound (649)

Harlem Renaissance Poetry: Countee Cullen (819-821)

            Langston Hughes (825-833)

Short Fiction: Ernest Hemingway (685-691), In Our Time

            William Faulkner (720-727)

Novels: F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

            John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

Danticat, "The Book of the Dead"

Read the introduction to Contemporary Literature in the textbook (886-905). In your notes, write the elements on Postmodern Literature from p. 899.

“The Book of the Dead”, Edwidge Danticat (1048)

Answer the following questions :

• What basic irony is at the heart of this story--how is Annie's father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired? 
• At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau? 
• Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneaus' house. In other words, what do we know the the Fonteneaus do not? 
• On a non-literal level, what does the title of the story mean? How would you state the story's theme--what truth about life does it reveal? 
• What features of Contemporary Literature are shown in this story?

Harlem Renaissance poetry

Read the introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in the textbook (816-7).

Read the following poems:
Countee Cullen, "Tableau" and "Incident"
Langston Hughes, "The Weary Blues", "Harlem" (see below), and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"






Harlem
Langston Hughes

Here on the edge of hell Stands Harlem— Remembering the old lies, The old kicks in the back, The old “Be patient” They told us before. Sure, we remember. Now when the man at the corner store Says sugar’s gone up another two cents, And bread one, And there’s a new tax on cigarettes— We remember the job we never had, Never could get, And can’t have now Because we’re colored. So we stand here On the edge of hell In Harlem And look out on the world And wonder What we’re gonna do In the face of what We remember.        Explain where Cullen and Hughes have each included issues or topics unique to African Americans in the 1920s.  Sample issues/topics to look for: a.       Racism b.      African American culture (jazz music, traditional African American religious hymns, Biblical stories, famous African Americans) c.       African American history, especially slavery d.      City life Read one of the following poems: Jean Toomer, "Portrait in Georgia", "Reapers", "Song of the Son", "Storm Ending" or Claude McKay, "America", "The Barrier", "Harlem Shadows" (All are available online). Label this question with the title you have chosen. a. Describe the basic situation of the poem (What happens? Who are the characters?). b.                        What is the overall tone of the poem? What words show this? c. How does your poem reflect characteristics of Harlem Renaissance poetry?        Read “I Hear America Singing” on p. 364 of the textbook.  Look at “I, Too” below.  Explain what Hughes is saying in his response to Whitman. I, Too   by Langston Hughes I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America.

Of Mice and Men, film

Watch the film version of Of Mice and Men.

Of Mice and Men, review

Brochure

Create a three-column brochure advertising the novel to someone who has never read it. Use one piece of construction paper and fold it into thirds. The columns are numbered from left to right.

Include the following information:

Side 1 Column 3
Title page – this is the opening page of the brochure. Include the title of the novel, the author’s name, and a picture. Make this visually appealing.

Side 1 Column 2
Publishing information – describe when and where you published this brochure. Include your name.

Side 1 Column 1
Summary of plot – write a short, catchy summary of the plot of the novel. Do not spoil anything for someone who has not read it.

Side 2 Column 1
Characters – list and describe the characters.

Side 2 Columns 2, 3
Themes – briefly describe how the novel deals with two of the themes listed. Write about one theme in each column. For each theme, include at least three specific examples from the novel, with page numbers.

• The American Dream
• Loneliness 
• Friendship 
• Innocence 
• Discrimination
• The Predatory Nature of Human Existence
• Fraternity and the Idealized Male Friendship
• The Corrupting Power of Women
• Strength and Weakness

Of Mice and Men, Ch 6

REMINDER: Draft 2 of the Historical Research Essay is due to turnitin.com by 11:59:59pm TONIGHT. Make the changes suggested by your peer editor. Double check to be certain you've included all quotations and source citations correctly. Attach your Works Cited as the final page of your paper.

Read Chapter 6 for Of Mice and Men. Answer the following questions:

Study Questions

Chapter 5

1. Chapter five begins with an accident. Why did it happen and what consequence does Lennie fear?

2. How does Curley's wife react when Lennie says he's not supposed to talk to her?

3. What, according to Curley's wife, will keep people from knowing that they are speaking alone in the barn?

4. What feelings does she reveal in their conversation? What situations from her past does she reveal?

5. Do you feel more sympathetic towards her character after this conversation? How does she fit into the broader themes of the novel?

6. What does she invite Lennie to do that proves to be a serious mistake?

7. What terrible event occurs in Chapter Five and how was it foreshadowed?

8. Why does George leave and then return to the barn with the others?

 Chapter 6

1. What does Lennie remember that George has told him?

2. Lennie has two unusual hallucinations. Describe them.

3. How do the characters in Lennie's dream treat him? What emotional needs do these hallucinations fulfill?

4. How does George try to make Lennie's free from guilt and pain?

5. Why does George make the choice he does?

6. Earlier in the novel, what event(s) foreshadowed George's final resolution of the novel's conflict?

7. Why did George lie to the others about what really happened?

8. Do you think this story has a positive or negative ending? Why?

When finished, begin the film.

Of Mice and Men, Character Review and Ch. 5

In a group of no more than four, choose one of the following characters from the novel:

• George
• Lennie
• Slim
• Curley
• Curley's Wife
• Carlson
• Candy
• Crooks

On the poster provided,

·         Write your character’s name very large at the top.

·         draw a large picture of your character

o   It should be in color.

o   Use Steinbeck’s character descriptions to inform your choice of clothing.

·         Choose two quotes from the book, either by or about your character, that you feel best describes him/her.

o   Write the quotes next to your character.

o   Include page numbers in parentheses.

·         Choose the two themes from the list below that you feel best describe your character. Write these next to your character (opposite the quotes) and include an explanation why. Themes:

o   The American Dream

o   Loneliness

o   Friendship

o   Innocence

o   Discrimination

o   The Predatory Nature of Human Existence

o   Fraternity and the Idealized Male Friendship

o   The Corrupting Power of Women

o   Strength and Weakness

When your poster is finished and turned in, read Ch. 5.

Of Mice and Men, Ch. 4

Read Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Men and answer the following questions.

Chapter 4

1. Identify Crooks.

2. How are Crook's living arrangements different from the other men?

3. What does Crooks say about the bunkhouse and the men who live in it?

4. How does Crooks fill his loneliness?

5. What is Crooks sometimes afraid of late at night in his little room?

6. Lennie tells Crooks about the land. What is his reply at first?

7. How does Crooks’ reaction to the land-ownership plan change as Candy talks?

8. Why did Curley's wife come to the barn?

9. What gives Candy the confidence to argue with Curley's wife?

10. How does she feel about Curley's injury? What does Curley's wife figure out?

11. What cruel and unjust thing does Curley's wife threaten Crooks with? How do you feel about her?

12. Why did Crooks change his mind after Curley's wife left?

On the back of the questions, draw a plot diagram for Ch. 4. Label it with the events from the chapter.

Historical Research Essay, peer review

On turnitin.com, go to the assignment right below where you've submitted your research essay (Historical Research Essay Peermark). Click "Start Review".

Read the paper assigned to you and answer the attached ten questions. You can also leave comments on the draft itself.

When finished, start reading Of Mice and Men Ch. 4.

Historical Research Essay, draft 1

A complete first draft is due to turnitin.com by 11:59:59 pm tonight.

Today is work time on that draft.

Of Mice and Men, QUIZ and Review

QUIZ on Ch. 1-3 (open book).

Review on characters/themes:

For each of the following characters, write a one sentence description:

• George
• Lennie
• Curley
• Curley's Wife
• Candy
• Crooks
• Carlson
• Slim

The following themes are all present in Of Mice and Men. Choose any three of the themes and find at least two examples of where they appear in the novel in Ch. 1-3 (with page numbers).

• The American Dream
• Loneliness
• Friendship
• Innocence
• Discrimination
• The Predatory Nature of Human Existence
• Fraternity and the Idealized Male Friendship
• The Corrupting Power of Women
• Strength and Weakness

Of Mice and Men, Ch. 3

Read Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3 and then answer the following questions:

Study Questions

Chapter 3

1. What kind act does Slim do for Lennie?

2. Slim says it's funny how George and Lennie go around together. What is George's answer?

3. What two embarrassing things does George tell Slim about? Why does George reveal these things? 

4. Identify Candy.

5. What did Carlson do with his Luger? Why?

6.Before Carlson leaves with the dog, what does Slim remind him of? Why does he need to do this?

7. What card game does George play?

8. What will Lennie's job be when he and George get their land?

9. What does Candy want when he hears about George's and Lennie's plans? What is he willing to contribute?

10. Why did Curley fight with Lennie? What happened?

Of Mice and Men, Idioms

Write a short story using any six of the following idioms correctly. 

• The characters in your story should not be from Of Mice and Men.
• The characters should be ones who would logically use these expressions.

Chapter 1 & 2 idioms (with page numbers)

jungle-up (2)

bustin' a gut (8)

in hot water (11)

blow their stake(13)

blowin' in our jack(14)

live off the fatta the lan' (14)

sore  as  hell (18)

pants rabbits (18)

bum steer(21)

what stake you got in this guy (22)

flapper (23)

old man (25)

picking scraps (26)

canned (27)

got the eye (28)

pants is full of ants (28)

two bits (33)

slang her pups (35)

Of Mice and Men, Ch. 2

Read Ch. 2 and answer study questions below.

Study Questions

Chapter 2

1. What does George answer when the boss asks what he is trying to put over?

2. How does the boss react to George's friendship with Lennie? Are his concerns justified in this case and what does it reveal about the boss' character?

3. What excuse does George give for Lennie's slowness?

4. The swamper said, "Seems like Curley ain't givin' nobody a chance." Explain.

5. What advice does George give Lennie after Curley and the swamper leave?

6. Identify Slim and Carlson.

7. What does Slim have that Lennie wants?

8. What are two good reasons that George doesn't let Lennie answer any questions?

9. Identify and describe Curley.

10. What is Curley's wife really looking for? How is she trying to get it, and do you think that makes her bad?

11. Why does George have an uneasy feeling at the chapter's end?

Vocabulary Activity: (use a word assigned by the teacher)

1.     Write your word:                                                                                                                        

2.     Find and write the sentence on the page number given in parentheses:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

3.     Write the definition of your word, as it is used in the sentence above:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

4.     On the back of this page, write your word large enough at the top so it can be seen from a distance. Do this in crayon, marker, or colored pencil.

5.     Draw a picture representing the definition of your word. It does not necessarily have to correspond with the novel. This picture should be clear enough so that someone unfamiliar with the word could guess it, but it should not use any words to give it away.

6.     At the bottom of the page, write an original sentence (you make it up) using the word correctly. 

Historical Research Essay

  Research Process #4:               /10        (Due 2/3/14)

o   Formal Outline of Essay, including thesis statement (topic + cultural significance)

o   Direct quotations or paraphrased information (with source designated) inserted into outline.

o   Works Cited Page (also include as final page of essay)

EXAMPLE OUTLINE

Historical Research Essay Outline (Hank Aaron example)

I.         Introduction

A.      Attention-getter.

B.      Thesis: (moment + cultural significance) Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715^th home run changed the ways people looked at African-Americans in professional baseball.

C.      Preview (three) main points: 

1.  Causes:  Negro Leagues/Jackie Robinson breaking into MLB. 

2.  Effects:  Future home-run records and subsequent steroid investigations

                a.  Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa

                b.  MLB drug controversy/changing policies

II.       Causes of moment

A.         First cause: Formation of the Negro Leagues

1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): In 1880s several professional Negro teams were formed.  Professional baseball mirrored the segregation in larger society (Negro League Baseball Players Association).

2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): Several players tried to integrate into the MLB prior to Jackie Robinson with little success (Negro League Baseball Players Association).

3.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): “The first successful organized Negro League was established on February 13, 1920, at a YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri” (Society for American Baseball Research).

B.      Second cause: Jackie Robinson’s introduction to the major leagues (“About Jackie Robinson”).

           1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

           2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

C.      Third cause:

           1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):        

2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

III. The Moment

A.      Background information necessary to understanding the moment (Source)

B.      Explanation of its importance (Source)

           1. Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):         

2. Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

IV. Effects of Moment

A.         First Effect that came from moment

1.      Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

B.         Second Effect that came from moment

1.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

2.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

C.          Third Effect

1.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

2.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

V.       Conclusion

A.      Restatement of thesis (in different words)

B.      Final statement on moment's enduring impact on culture or its importance as a turning point.