Siddhartha Blog # 4

Please Finish the Novel

Due Dates:

A4 – Due Thursday, 12/16 (Before Class)

B1/B2 – Due Wednesday, 12/15 (Before Class)

Please respond to the prompts below.  Each response should be between 3-5 sentences unless otherwise noted.  Also, make sure to include a quote if required.

1.            Argue why you agree, or don’t agree, with the quote below.  Be specific in your response.  One word that catches my attention is “again.”  Does this imply that even after becoming “a Buddha” you can emerge as a sinner again?

"Listen, my friend! I am a sinner and you are a sinner, but someday the sinner will be Brahma again, will someday attain Nirvana, will someday become a Buddha” (Hesse)

2.            Take a closer look at the river.  How might it be symbolic?  Use a quote as support.

3.            Some believe that the river symbolically separates the mind and body.  If this is true, what does this say about Siddhartha’s role as a ferryman? 

4.            To me, this book is all about personal exploration, self-education, and self-actualization.  Having read it, what have you taken away?  Please write two paragraphs, explaining two specific points. 

The Fall Blog # 4 AP Literature

Please read from page 42-70 by Tuesday, 12/14

Well, it's your lucky day kiddos...I thought my book was at home, and it isn't...so no worries on the blog.  Just be prepared to discuss 42-70 on Tuesday after school.  Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Siddhartha Blog # 3

Read "The Ferryman" and "The Son."

Please respond to the following prompts with paragraphs that are 4-6 sentences in length.

Due Dates:
A4 - Friday, 12/10
B1/B2 - Monday, 12/13

The Ferryman
1.  Siddhartha finds peace with the Ferryman and his simple ways.  However, in today's world non-professional occupations are typically looked down upon as being inferior.  How does this chapter confront that stereotype and applaud the working man?  Lastly, can you think of a contemporary film or TV series that celebrates blue collar workers?

2.  The Ferryman says that his life "was also a river," how dos this metaphor make any sense(Hesse 107)?

3.  Kamala was on a "pilgrimage to Gotama," but she finds Siddhartha (113).  However, she feels meeting him was "just as good as if she had seen the other" (113).  Does this equate Siddhartha with Gotama and therefore Buddha?   Also, what do you think drove her to go on this pilgrimage?

The Son
4.  How did Siddhartha's son bridge the gap between Siddhartha and "ordinary people"(122)?  What was the emotion Siddhartha had never felt up to that point in his life?

5.  Seeing as how Siddhartha ultimately sought salvation or enlightenment on his own, without the help of others, how does he apply this philosophy to his relationship with his son?  In light of why does he ultimately leave his son in the town?

6.  Some have argued that these two chapters are slightly too coincidental and are something you might find in a soap opera, rather than a respected novel.  What do you think about this?

New Website!

Please check the new class website to see what it has to offer and to give me any feedback.  If you have any comments, please post them here.  Also, please use it to keep up with our class!

https://sites.google.com/site/seniorhighliterature/

The Fall Blog # 3 / AP Literature

Due before the AP Meeting on Thursday, 12/9

I don't have my book with me, but please read to the end of that section of text - I believe it is page 41.

Referring to what we talked about on Thursday, please find 3 typically held views of society or justice, and explain how our narrator twists those accepted norms into new, and frequently, antithetical concepts.

The example we talked about on Thursday was when he states that not all orphans and widows are innocent.  He makes us realize that there are certainly frightening orphans and demented widows.

Please include the quotes and then explain the quotations.

Siddhartha Blog # 2

Due Dates: A Block: Monday, 12/6
                   B Block: Tuesday, 12/7

Please read to the END of "By the River" and respond to the prompts below by the dates written above.  Your responses must incorporate quotes and be between 3-5 sentences in length.   Any responses with incomplete sentences will be counted as incorrect.



1.  On the opening page of this section Siddhartha knows that he cannot "go back" to the town and his previous life (87).  What specific aspects of his life do you believe he cannot go back to?

2.  Why did he contemplate suicide and which word brought him back from such contemplation?

3.  Why was Govinda shocked about Siddhartha's appearance?

4.  Reflecting on his life in the town, Siddhartha thinks that he had changed "from a man to a child" (96). Explain his thinking.

5.  Explain the irony in the river in respect to Siddhartha's contemplated suicide and eventual rebirth.

Vocabulary 2 Quiz

A Block - DON'T FORGET - Vocabulary 2 Quiz will be on Monday, 12/6

AP Literature The Fall Blog 2

Read Pages 17 - 27 by Thursday.  Finish at the end of the 1st paragraph on the page.

Also, don't forget to do the take-home essay for the AP Exam.  If you have not received a prompt please come see me.

It is a short assignment, so please read carefully, thoroughly, and slowly.  Jot down any ideas you'd like to discuss on Thursday.

More specifically I'd like you to write down your favorite quote, or aphorism, and be prepared to lead a short discussion on how it contributes to the novel.

Please respond to the questions below on this blog by Thursday before we meet after school.  Your response should be one to two paragraphs in length.

I would like you to write about why he does all these wonderful things for everybody?  What causes his generosity?  Furthermore, apply this question to your life and the world around us.  Why do people devote their lives to saving a rainforest, homeless kids, or alleviating poverty?

Siddhartha Blog # 1

Please read THROUGH Samsara.  That means, to the END of Samsara.  


Respond to the following prompts / questions in complete sentences and use quotes when requested.  Make sure to use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. 
Your responses should be between 3-5 sentences in length.


Due Dates: 
A Block: Thursday, 12/2
B Block: Wednesday, 12/1
*Please be prepared to discuss these questions in class on those days.


Awakening

In “Awakening,” when Siddhartha leaves the Buddha, he asks himself: “What is it that you wanted to learn from teachings and teachers, and although they taught you much, what was it they could not teach you?” (Hesse 38).  

1.  Relate this selection of text to your own life.  Have you ever felt this way about education?  When and why?  Be specific in your response.  

Kamala

On the opening page of “Kamala,” Hesse writes: “Siddhartha learned something new on every step of his path, for the world was transformed and he was enthralled” (Hesse 45).  

2.  Based on the above, have you ever felt this way?  Have you ever woken up and seen the same reality transformed or changed in some way?  Or is it yourself that has changed, and that your surroundings have remained the same?

3.  There are several excerpts from Kamala that refer to the awakening of Siddhartha’s sexuality.  Quote one of these passages and annotate the quotation.

Amongst the People

4.  Explain how the title “Amongst the People” can serve as a summary for this entire section.

5.  What is the irony in Kamaswami becoming a role model for Siddhartha?  Which values did Siddhartha previously have that are the antithesis of what Kamaswami stands for?

6.  Why did Siddhartha believe that it was Kamala, not Kamaswami, who taught him the value and meaning of his present life” (Hesse 66)?

Samsara

7.  Why was Siddhartha still separate from the “people of the world” (Hesse 75)?  Why were the “ordinary people...still alien to [him], just as he was apart from them” (Hesse 75)?  Hint: The answer is on the same page...but please feel free to give your own thoughts on the question.

8.  “Slowly, like moisture entering the dying tree trunk, slowly filling and rotting it, so did the world and inertia creep into Siddhartha’s soul; it slowly filled his soul, made it heavy, made it tired sent it to sleep” (Hesse 76).  

Based on the quote above, what aspects of “the world” do you believe were making his soul heavy and tired?  Be specific in your response.

9.  How did Siddhartha display his “contempt for riches” and “the false deity of businessmen” (Hesse 79)?

10.  Why is Samsara described as a game?  Do you agree with Siddhartha’s view of Samsara?  Why or why not?  Be specific in your response.

Siddhartha Presentations Part I

**Don't Fret!**  You will have time to work on these presentations in class!

In class on Thursday and Friday, we will be discussing and presenting the first part of Siddhartha.  I realize that for A4 you will not know about this until Wednesday.  However, you will have time in class to work on it.  You will be linked with a partner (or two) to complete this task.  Your presentations must NOT BE A SUMMARY.  Instead, I am asking you to comment on the religious or spiritual transformation that we witness in our protagonist.  You must use quotes as support.

AP Literature

Make sure to come by and pick up a copy of The Fall by Albert Camus.  You need to read through page 16 by our meeting on Thursday.
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I would like you to be able to discuss two aspects of the novel: (1) What is unique about the narration and (2) What impact does this have on the reader?

Things Fall Apart / Heart of Darkness Comparison/Contrast Essay

Due to the fact that I am such a nice teacher, I have decided to bump back the due date for the Final Draft of your essay.  This is not to say that you shouldn't have a Rough Draft before the deadline; in fact, I would highly recommend you write one.  Also, I am more than happy to read through your Rough Draft to give you some pointers on how to improve your effort.

You will be given this week to work on your writing in class.  Next week we will be beginning our new texts and you will not have time to work on your essays in class.

So, the new due date for all students is: Monday, November, 29th.

Also, I just want to remind you all that we have had problems with Power School this week and I am doing my best to get grades entered, and given back to you.  Your patience with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Things Fall Apart # 1 2nd 9 Weeks

From the assigned reading, select three worthy quotes and annotate them.  You must quote the text using MLA format and your responses must be 3-5 sentences long.  You might want to think about the following questions to help your response.  What attracts you to them?  Why are they worthy of discussion?  How do they aid our understanding of the novel.

Due Dates: B Block - Wednesday, 11/3 by midnight

                   A Block - Thursday, 11/4 by midnight

Heart of Darkness # 1 2nd 9 Weeks

Through the 15 pages of reading, or so, select three worthy quotes and annotate them.  You must quote the text using MLA format and your responses must be 3-5 sentences long.  You might want to think about the following questions to help your response.  What attracts you to them?  Why are they worthy of discussion?  How do they aid our understanding of the novel.

Due Dates: B Block - Wednesday, 11/3 by midnight
                   A Block - Thursday, 11/4 by midnight

Heart of Darkness # 7

Look back through Chapter II and answer the following comprehension questions.

Due Sunday, October 31st by midnight.

You must answer the following questions in complete sentences with appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

1.  When he is on the boat, who does Marlow overhear speaking about Kurtz?

2.  Why does Marlow compare the jungle to prehistoric times?

3.  How does the cannibals' food affect Marlow?

4. Why does the book Marlow finds in the hut interest him?

5. Why couldn’t the men aboard the boat spend their money for food?

6. Who aboard the boat is killed during the attack?

7. How does Marlow scare the natives during the fight?

8. Why does Marlow throw his shoes overboard?

9. Why does the Russian leave a note on the woodpile?

10. Why did Kurtz write a report?

Things Fall Apart # 6

Read through page 154

Respond to the following prompts in complete sentences.  You must use quotes in your responses.

DUE: Sunday, October 31st by midnight.

1.  Look at page 120, can the opening paragraph be viewed as a foreshadow of what will occur later in this chapter?

2.  Argue which one is more of an 'individual,' Obierka or Okonkwo.

3.   What event causes Okonkwo's exile?

4.  How can water be viewed symbolically in Chapter 14?

5.  How is one's "motherland" viewed in Chapter 14?  Why is it so important to the characters in the novel?

6.  Explain the generation gap one begins to see emerge in Chapter 15.

7.  Who were persuaded to join the missionaries?  What kind of people were they.  Ch. 16.

Heart of Darkness Assignment # 5 / 6 Honors / AP

Answer the following prompts in well structured paragraphs.  The paragraphs should be between 4-6 sentences in length and be concise and succinct.  You must incorporate ONE quotation in your response and use MLA Format to cite this quotation.

Assignment # 5

DUE:

A BLOCK: READ PAGES 65-73 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 1-4 BY WEDNESDAY, 10/20

B BLOCK: READ PAGES 65-73 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 1-4 BY THURSDAY, 10/21

1.  What do you believe has become the real reason for Marlow heading up river?

2.  To what end do you believe Conrad contrasted the river and land with the following quotation?  "The current ran smooth and swift, but a dumb immobility sat on the banks" (67).  In your response, pay particular attention to his diction.

3.  Explain the irony in the following quotation.  "The rest of the world was nowhere.  Gone, disappeared; swept off without leaving a whisper or a shadow behind" (68).  Make sure that you are aware of the context from which the quotation is taken before you respond.

4.  Why does Marlow believe the cries, "violent as they had been," were not hostile(73)?  What does this say, according to Marlow, about how the native Africans truly felt about the invaders?

Assignment # 6

Answer the following prompts in well structured paragraphs.  The paragraphs should be between 4-6 sentences in length and be concise and succinct.  You must incorporate ONE quotation in your response and use MLA Format to cite this quotation.  

DUE:

A BLOCK: READ PAGES 73-90 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 5-7 BY FRIDAY, 10/22

B BLOCK: READ PAGES 73-90 AND RESPOND TO PROMPTS 5-7 BY FRIDAY, 10/22

5.  What does Kurtz write for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs?  What is his view?  How should the whites, according to Kurtz, approach the natives?

6.  Describe the Harlequin.  What does harlequin mean?

7.  According to the Harlequin, why did the natives attack?

Things Fall Apart Blog # 5

Answer the following questions with a well structured paragraph.  Use concise language with appropriate grammar and word choice. Your responses should be between 4-6 sentences and you must incorporate a quote into your writing.  This means, you cannot simply stick in a quote, you must make it gel with your own writing.

DUE:
A BLOCK: WEDNESDAY, 10/20 by 11:59 PM
B BLOCK: THURSDAY, 10/21 by 11:59 PM


1.  Do you believe the author used this description of the trial to represent order and justice?  Or was it intended as a mockery of native customs?

2.  What similarities did you find between the justice system you are familiar with and the one depicted in the novel?

3.  What do you think the story of the Tortoise and the birds symbolizes?  Knowing that foreigners are soon to arrive, do you think this story might symbolize their future relations?

Things Fall Apart Assignment # 4

Answer the following prompts.  Your responses should be 3-5 sentences.  You must incorporate one quote into each response.  Please site using MLA format.

Due Dates:
A Block - Thursday by midnight
B Block - Friday by midnight

1.  Using the text as evidence, argue that Ikemefuma's death troubled Okonkwo.
2.  Now, using the text, argue that it did not.
3.  Describe an ogbanje (77).
4.  What is the image of "white men" held by Okonkwo and Obierka?
5.  Many of the traditions and beliefs held in Umuofia might be considered archaic.  Which ones, if any, would you deem important to change?  Why?

Heart of Darkness Assignment # 4

Read pages 55-65 and respond to the following prompts.
Each response must be between 3-5 sentences and include ONE quote.
Cite using MLA format.

Due Dates:
A Block - Thursday by Midnight
B Block - Friday by Midnight

1.  What insights does the reader get about Kurtz via the conversation that is overheard by Marlow?
2.  Conrad repeatedly refers to the wilderness as being "patient."  What does he mean by this?
3.  Annotate the following quotation.  What is the point Conrad is making?  "'The earth seemed unearthly.  We were accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there - there you could look at a thing monstrous and free'" (51).
4.  Here's another zinger.  Annotate the following quotation.  It directly follows the one above.  "'It was unearthly, and the men were - No, they were not inhuman.  Well, you know, that was the worst of it - this suspicion of their not being inhuman'" (51).
5.  Conrad has frequently been accused of writing a racist book.  Look at the following quote and decide for yourself if you believe this to be a racist quotation.  "'And between whiles I had to look after the savage who was fireman.  He was an improved specimen; he could fire up a vertical boiler.  He was there below me, and, upon my word, to look at him was as edifying as seeing a dog in a parody of breeches and a feather hat, walking on his hind-legs.  A few months of training had done for that really fine chap'" (52).

Heart of Darkness Assignment # 3 Through Pg. 55

The following prompt must be answered with a well-structured paragraph.  You must use MLA format in your response and INCORPORATE ONE quote into your writing.

Due Dates:  B Block - Your responses are due Friday, 10/8 by Midnight.
                   A Block - Your responses are due Monday, 10/11 by Midnight.

Writing Prompt:
Identify and explain an example of class separation within the Europeans in Africa.

Things Fall Apart Assignment # 3 Pg. 46-62

The following questions should be responded to with short-responses.  You must use ONE quote for each response and cite it using MLA format.  For example: "At last two teams danced into the circle and the crowd roared and clapped" (Achebe 47).

Due Dates:  B Block must post their responses by Friday at midnight.
                    A Block must post their responses by Monday at midnight.

Pg. 45 - 51
1.  Explain how the passing of time is represented by the wrestling matches.  Think generationally.

Pg. 52-62
2.  Is Nwoye starting to grow up? (52-52)
3.  Does Nwoye want to please his father?  How?  Why?
4.  After our in-depth analysis of Okonkwo, are you surprised by his actions concerning Ikemefuma?

Heart of Darkness Assignment 2 - Through Pg. 43 Honors / AP

Apply your knowledge of Feminism to Marlow's Aunt.  How might she be viewed as a progressive stance by Conrad?  Or is Conrad identifying the power that women frequently have, even if they are not typically accredited this power?

1/2 Page

MLA Format for your In-text Citation or Block Quotation

A minimum of ONE quote must be used.

Post your response by Wednesday, 10/6 and Thursday 10/7.

Be ready to discuss the pages above in class on Wednesday and Thursday.

Vocabulary 1-5 Quiz

Vocabulary 1-5 Quiz will be Friday, 10/8 and Monday, 10/11.

Vocabulary 1 -5 Review

Write 10 sentences with 10 of the 15 review words.  You must relate all the sentences to the concept of Feminism.

Due Wednesday / Thursday in class.

Things Fall Apart Assignment # 2 Pg. 24-45

We read a short story introducing Feminist theory in class, now apply your knowledge of this concept to Things Fall Apart.  Find a good quote from the assigned reading, that a Feminist critic would identify as being sexist or biased, and explain how the quote works as support of such a theory.  Remember, this is not an exercise in what you believe, but rather, like our Lit Circles, you are reading through a "lens" to identify an aspect of a novel that you might not have noticed.  Use MLA style in your response.  The length is only ONE paragraph, but I want it to be a well constructed paragraph.  Post by Wednesday / Thursday.

AP / Honors - The Next Empire?

Read the article entitled The Next Empire? by Howard W. French.  You are required to present, in pairs, the article to the rest of the class on Thursday, 10/7 and Friday, 10/8.  We will discuss this article inside and outside of class to address how it applies to both the texts we are reading.  I have listed 10 questions of mine below, but I want you to take your own direction with this article.  What connections do you find?  What strikes your interest?  However, I do think these questions will help us better understand the piece of journalism.

Questions to answer in short responses.  Due Monday 10/4 and Tuesday 10/5.

1.  Do you believe China is replacing England and America in Africa?  Why?  Why not?
2.  Does Africa need China or does China need Africa?  Or both?
3.  What problems have arisen as a result of China's investment in Africa?
4.  Which issue in particular seems to evoke the strongest emotions in Africa?
5.  Detail Dambisa Moyo's views on Africa.
6.  Summarize Martin Davies's views on Africa.
7.  How does the train symbolize the history of foreign investment in China?
8.  What does Jamie Monson have to say in regard to the importance of the railroad in Africa?
9.  How does the market in Kapiri symbolize contemporary Africa?
10.  The ubiquitous question posed at the end of the article is as follows: "How does their continent [Africa] overcome a pattern of extractive foreign engagement - beginning with its first contact with Europe, when gold or slaves were acquired in exchange for cloth and trinkets - that is still discernible today?"  So what do you think?  Does Africa have the chance to "overcome" this pattern?  Or is it doomed to exploitation, be it financial, religious, or political?

Things Fall Apart Assignment 1

Apply the 5 Questions to the first two chapters of the novel (1-15).  Your responses must be specific and use details from the text as support.  Please limit yourself  to 3 sentences per response.

1.  Who?  Okonkwo / Unoka / Nwoye / Ikefuma / Ekwefi

2.  What?  What are the key events?  What themes do you see emerging?

3.  When?  When does the novel take place?  How do we know the time period?  Use specific evidence.

4.  Where?  Where does the novel take place?  How do we know this?  Give specific locales in the text.

5.  Why?  Why are these events occurring?  What is driving the action of the text?

Due Friday, 10/1 by Midnight.

Heart of Darkness Assignment 1 - Honors / AP

Read to the point when Marlow reaches the continent of Africa.

Answer the following questions in short-response format.  You must incorporate quotes into your responses.

1.  Identify the "frame story."
2.  Identify the two narrators.
3.  Identify how the theme of Darkness is being portrayed.
4.  Identify the thread of "Colonial Irony" in respect to Africa and England.  How does "darkness" and "light" play into this irony?
5.  Why is the setting so crucial to the understanding of the novel as a whole?  Where is the "story" being told?  Where is the "story" taking place?

Due Friday, 10/1 by Midnight

Vocabulary 5 Gap Fill

Write 10 Gap-fills with the words from Vocabulary 5.  Example: Mr. Phillips tried to _________________ his students by not giving them a quiz.  DO NOT PUT THE ANSWER IN THE BLANK.  The students will do so on the day the assignment is due.  The answer for the example above is "appease."  Remember to guide the reader towards the answer you want them to give.  Therefore, make sure the sentence gives clues as to what you are looking for.

Due Wednesday, September 29th for A Block

        Thursday, September 30th for B Block

Vocabulary 5 Quiz

Vocabulary 5 Quiz will be on Friday, October 1st for A Block.  Monday, October 4th for B Block.

Vocabulary 1 Quiz

There will be a quiz over Vocabulary 1 on September 9th and 10th.  You must know the definition, be able to make examples of the terms on your own, and be able to identify them in an excerpt.

Flash Fiction Assignment

Please find a selection of Flash Fiction that interests you.  Then write a 1 page response on how 3 of the literary devices off your list helped create this story.  In other words, how did the author's selection of these devices form the story?  Also, was the implementation of these devices successful?  Did they work?  Make sure to attach the short story to your writing.  Due Thursday, September 1st for A Block and Monday, September 6th for B Block.  

"Write all about you!"

Hello all,

Thank you for registering for the blog.

This week we will be working on your research papers but I would also like to get to know you all a bit better.  Please write three paragraphs describing yourself.  The first paragraph should tell me about where you are from and why you are at HIS.  The second paragraph will describe who you are academically; mention weaknesses and strengths, likes and dislikes.  The third paragraph paints a picture of who you are as a person.  What do you like to do?  What are you interested in?  What do you want to do in the future?

This assignment must be posted by Wednesday, August 25th by 12:00 a.m.

Best of luck!

Mr. Phillips

Welcome

Just to get the blog off its feet, I'd like you to become a "follower," even though you will be the leaders, and post who you are and which class you attend.  Please keep your user name the same as who you actually are; it will make our lives much easier.  We will be using this blog to complete a variety of assignments and I am excited to learn more about you.

Thankfully,

Mr. Phillips