Friday, August 19, 2011
Grow a pair (of fangs): Thank goodness for horrible, disgusting, merciless vampires
Well...let's talk about this article. I think it makes some very interesting points about vampires and what they represent metaphorically. Talk to me!! What are your thoughts?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Affect and effect
Evaluate the effects that Dracula has on the various characters he encounters in the story. How does he bring out their best and most noble instincts? How does he bring out their worst or least attractive qualities?
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Women
Explain the role of women in Dracula. Compare the contrast the characters of Mina and Lucy. What could they represent to the "Victorian" society reading this novel?
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Dracula
What did Dracula represent within the context of Stoker's story? Explore the question in the context of the following assertion: Dracula is all things to all people.
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Blood
What is the significance of blood in Dracula? What is its value to humans? To the vampire? Explore the literal and symbolic meanings of blood in the story.
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Icon
Explain some ways Dracula remains an icon in today's popular culture. Compare and contrast the different ways Dracula is portrayed in movies, television, and other texts. is Dracula's power as a symbol increased or diminished when he is "rewritten" into new texts?
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Vampire Article
Read this article:http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090611/COLUMNISTS/906119989/-1/LIVING05?Title=Sexy-vampires-are-destroying-our-nation-s-children
How do you know this author is being facetious?
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about this article. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
How do you know this author is being facetious?
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about this article. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Article by Neil Gaiman
Read the intereview with author Neil Gaiman. Check out some of his books on Amazon - he's definitely out there. And ironically, he doesn't much like vampires.
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/07/31/neil-gaiman-why-vampires-should-go-back-underground/
Analyze what Gaiman thinks about Dracula. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?
What do you think of his statement: "vampirism essentially came out of the closet as a metaphor for the act of love that kills." What dos he mean (go beyond the Aids analogy)? Can you apply this statment to the vampires in Dracula, Twilight??
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about this article. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/07/31/neil-gaiman-why-vampires-should-go-back-underground/
Analyze what Gaiman thinks about Dracula. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?
What do you think of his statement: "vampirism essentially came out of the closet as a metaphor for the act of love that kills." What dos he mean (go beyond the Aids analogy)? Can you apply this statment to the vampires in Dracula, Twilight??
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about this article. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 27
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 27. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 26
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 26. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 24-25
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 24-25. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 23
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 23. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 22
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 22. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 21
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 21. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 20
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 20. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 18-19
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapters 18-19. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 14-17
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapters 14-17. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 12-13
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapters 12-13. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 10-11
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 10-11. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 8-9
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 8-9. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapters 6-7
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapters 5-6. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 5
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 5. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Chapter 4
Post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 4. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 3
Before all the creepy lizard stuff that happens later in the chapter, the Count and Jonathan have some rather boring "solicitor" discussions. Okay, so what's a solicitor anyway? Did anybody look it up? Harker is a solicitor/lawyer who has been sent by his law firm to close out a real-estate transaction.
But something signficant struck me towards the end of the conversation. Harker observes: "...and then he went on to ask about the means of making consignments and forms to be gone through, and all sorts of difficulties which might arise, but by forethought could be guarded against. I explained all these things to him to the best of my ability, and he certainly left me under the impression that he would have made an excellent solicitor, for there was nothing tha the did not think of or forsee. For a man who was never in the country, and who did not evidently do much in the way of business, his knowledge and acumen were wonderful."
So here's what I'm thinking. Dracula wants to make sure he has all his i's dotted and t's crossed while in London. I'm inferring, since he has a solicitor there, that perhaps he intends to buy even more property in London?? It also seems that Dracula has done extensive research on this topic even before Harker arrived. Dracula wants Harker there to educate him on any"difficulties..that could be guarded against." In fact, Harker characterizes the count as knowledgeable and remarks on his acumen, which is defined as the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions. I'm going to add to this characterization. Based on just this small quote, how else would I characterize the Count? He's intelligent, well-mannered, thoughtful, dilligent, careful, and cautious. Okay...now you can talk about the lizard.
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 3. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
But something signficant struck me towards the end of the conversation. Harker observes: "...and then he went on to ask about the means of making consignments and forms to be gone through, and all sorts of difficulties which might arise, but by forethought could be guarded against. I explained all these things to him to the best of my ability, and he certainly left me under the impression that he would have made an excellent solicitor, for there was nothing tha the did not think of or forsee. For a man who was never in the country, and who did not evidently do much in the way of business, his knowledge and acumen were wonderful."
So here's what I'm thinking. Dracula wants to make sure he has all his i's dotted and t's crossed while in London. I'm inferring, since he has a solicitor there, that perhaps he intends to buy even more property in London?? It also seems that Dracula has done extensive research on this topic even before Harker arrived. Dracula wants Harker there to educate him on any"difficulties..that could be guarded against." In fact, Harker characterizes the count as knowledgeable and remarks on his acumen, which is defined as the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions. I'm going to add to this characterization. Based on just this small quote, how else would I characterize the Count? He's intelligent, well-mannered, thoughtful, dilligent, careful, and cautious. Okay...now you can talk about the lizard.
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 3. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 2
Was Catle Dracula everything you thought it was going to be? How do the descriptions of Castle Dracula fit in with Gothic Literature conventions? (If you don't know what Gothic Literature conventions are, look them up)!!!
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 2. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 2. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Chapter 1
Okay, so Chapter 1 might seem boring and tedious to you, but this journey is NOT tedious to Jonathan Harker. Have you ever been to Romania before? Have you ever eaten exotic foods from Eastern Europe while in Eastern Europe? Well, neither has he and so naturally he records everything he sees, hears, and smells. He's fascinated by everything he sees, and you should be to!! So try and put yourself in Harker's shoes and just absorb what he's telling you, the reader, about his surroundings.
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 1. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Now, post your own observations, questions, and remarks about Chapter 1. When you respond to this posting, DO NOT simply repeat the thoughts of your classmates. You can add something new to a previous comment. You can comment or critique a previous posting, but your main goal is to add something new to the discussion. Remember, try to include direct quotes as much as possible!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Dear Student,
As of May 20th, 2011, you have enrolled in 11th grade British Literature. There are multiple components that have been included in the curriculum to ensure your success in high school and in college. While the genre of English 11 Honors is British Literature, the curriculum centers around continuing to prepare you for the AP test you will take at the end of your senior year. Within the course, you will also complete a research paper and focus on preparing for the SAT test.
The 11 Honor’s summer reading assignment is Dracula by Bram Stoker. Make sure that you purchase the UNABRIDGED version. Once you return to school, a 25-point Accelerated Reader quiz is available. Next, join the blog at http://2011dracula.blogspot.com/ and participate in some discussions (there are over ten) of Dracula before school even starts. See the attached handout for more specific details. I expect you to comment at least five times over the course of the summer. All comments/postings should specifically reference the work with page numbers and direct quotes!! I look forward to reading your postings!
Let’s face it, vampires are in right now, right? I hope that you take advantage of this opportunity to read about the literary sensation that began this craze. To make the experience of reading Dracula even easier, I encourage you to do a little research on Bram Stoker, the legend of Vlad Tepes, and Transylvania, Romania. Movies such as Underworld, Daybreakers, and Blade all borrow heavily from Stoker’s mythology but add their own twists. Important: whatever you do…don’t watch the movie purportedly based on this book: it’s terrible, and even though it bears the title Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it bears little resemblance to the novel you are reading. Some new additions to the genre that I think are worth reading are Richelle Meade’s Vampire Academy and Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires series. But don’t just stop with vampires…fairies, angels, werewolves and monsters are also very popular right now. For a cool twist on the fairy genre, try Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series. If you’re interested in angels, read the Fallen series by Lauren Kate or Halo by Alexandra Adornetto. If you like the classics, try Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde or Turn of the Screw by Henry James. I could go on and on…but just one more suggestion: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Just read it!
It occurred to me that perhaps you would feel better knowing that your teacher, the mean one asking you to read and think about a book over the summer, is also doing her own summer reading. So what’s on my list? The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Passion by Lauren Kate, and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness are just to name a few. For more academic reading, I’m going to tackle Reading Shakespeare with Young Adults and the sure to be titillating Content Area Writing by Jim Burke.
Okay, so now you have been officially introduced to your summer reading assignment. Even though I’m not there, believe me, I can hear your moaning, groaning, and I can surely imagine your eye rolling. But I want you to consider a couple ideas. First, you have to read ONE book over break and participate in a blog. I challenge you to spend some time researching the summer reading requirements for other school corporations. Let me assure you…you have it easy. Second, think about how you can use this experience to your advantage. While I might recognize names and faces, I don’t know many of you as English students. Use this blog as an opportunity to show me the kind of English student you really are. Lastly, instead of approaching the summer reading assignment with a negative attitude, think about what I’m asking you to do: carefully read a novel and then blog about your thoughts. That’s it – read and think!!
If you choose not to read the book, please contact the guidance counselors so you can register for a different English class. If you have any questions or doubts about your intentions in the 11 Honors classroom, please do not hesitate to discuss this matter with your present English teacher or me before the next school year begins.
Sincerely,
Michelle Matysak
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