Merry Christmas

Period 8, Post 15: Sympathetic to Sara?

Well, we've made it to Christmas break, and can be proud of that accomplishment. :-)

Many of you ended the week very unhappy with Sara's character, and the way she handled her entire birth and pregnancy. You liked Brian better for his excitement over baby Anna as an individual, rather than merely as a means to save Kate's life. Why do you think Sara didn't react to her pregnancy and birth the same way? Do you think Sara bonded with her younger daughter after Anna was born? Explain using textual examples.

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period of the semester.

Enjoy your vacation from school, and have a safe and happy holiday season. Don't forget about your homework!! :-)

Periods 6 & 7, Post 15: A True Resolution?

Well, we've accomplished two things this week, of which we should be proud: we have finished reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, and we've made it to Christmas break!!

Several of you expressed dissatisfaction at the ending of The Bluest Eye, the conclusion of which leaves Pecola crazy and cast out of "civilized" society. My question to you is: why do you dislike the book's conclusion so strongly? What is the definition of a book's "resolution," in literary terms? What makes this novel's resolution so unsatisfactory? Is there anything that could have made the conclusion better?

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period of the semester.

Enjoy your vacation from school, and have a safe and happy holiday season. Don't forget about your homework!! :-)

Periods 1 & 2, Post 15: A True Resolution?

Well, we've accomplished two things this week, of which we should be proud: we have finished reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, and we've made it to Christmas break!!

Several of you expressed dissatisfaction at the ending of The Bluest Eye, the conclusion of which leaves Pecola crazy and cast out of "civilized" society. My question to you is: why do you dislike the book's conclusion so strongly? What is the definition of a book's "resolution," in literary terms? What makes this novel's resolution so unsatisfactory? Is there anything that could have made the conclusion better?

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Enjoy your vacation from school, and have a safe and happy holiday. Don't forget about your homework!! :-)

Period 8, Post 14: The Need for Control

In My Sister's Keeper we see, through Jodi Picoult's use of flashbacks, how Sara, Kate's mother, fights back against her feelings of helplessness against the disease raging through her daughter's body; she tries to control what she can, by believing that she has power over whether Kate lives or dies.

How is her resolve good for the family? How does it give her family strength? How is it detrimental (i.e., how does it hurt her family)?

Your response will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 6 & 7: The Effect of Previous Experience on Current Behavior

This week in The Bluest Eye, we've read how Pauline's and Cholly's respective experiences, as children and young adults, have helped to shape their adult personalities; the hardships they've endured have disillusioned and disheartened them, so that Pecola and Sammy bear the brunt of their bitterness and resentment.

This week, I'd like you to consider how, and why, past experiences have such a profound influence on your current beliefs and behavior. Describe one childhood experience that has shaped how you feel, what you think, or how you act. Explain why the event has had such a significant impact on you. How has this experience changed you?

Your response will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 1 & 2, Post 14: The Effect of Previous Experience on Current Behavior

This week in The Bluest Eye, we've read how Pauline's and Cholly's respective experiences, as children and adolescents, have helped to shape their adult personalities; the hardships they've endured have disillusioned and disheartened them, so that Pecola and Sammy bear the brunt of their bitterness and resentment.

This week, I'd like you to consider how, and why, past experiences have such a profound influence on your current beliefs and behavior. Describe one childhood experience that has shaped how you feel, what you think, or how you act. Explain why the event has had such a significant impact on you. How has this experience changed you?

Your response will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Period 8, Post 13: The Right to Your Body

This week, we've started reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper, in which the main character, Anna, files a lawsuit against her parents over her right to her own body.

Is Anna a sympathetic character (i.e., do you feel sorry for her, about what she's going through)? Do you think that she should donate her kidney to her sister? How does your opinion change, knowing the other treatments to which her parents have subjected her? What would you do if you were in her situation? Why?

Your comments will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 6 & 7, Post 13: Gender Inequality Regarding Civil Rights

Over the past couple of weeks, we've discussed how the molestation of Claudia's sister, Frieda, at the hands of Mr. Henry foreshadows Pecola's rape by her father in
The Bluest Eye.

For this post, I want to focus on Ms. Dunion's concern that Frieda might be "ruined," as a result of being molested. What does "being ruined" mean? What does this reaction foreshadow for Pecola in the future of the story? And lastly, should this be the primary concern after a young girl is molested? How is there a double standard today, when it comes to sex and people's power over their own bodies?

Your comments will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 1 & 2, Post 13: Gender Inequality Regarding Civil Rights

Over the past couple of weeks, we've discussed how the molestation of Claudia's sister, Frieda, at the hands of Mr. Henry foreshadows Pecola's rape by her father in
The Bluest Eye.

For this post, I want to focus on Ms. Dunion's concern that Frieda might be "ruined," as a result of being molested. What does "being ruined" mean? What does this reaction foreshadow for Pecola in the future of the story? And lastly, should this be the primary concern after a young girl is molested? How is there a double standard today, when it comes to sex and people's power over their own bodies?

Your comments will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Period 8, Post 12: Second Marking Period Reflections

Hello, all. The second marking period is over; we're now starting the third marking period of the semester--the one that will be reflected on your transcripts.

For this week's blog post, please reflect on your academic performance in this class over the past six weeks. What were your your strengths? In what areas do you need to improve? Taking all of this into account, what grade do you think you deserve for the first marking period? Why?

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 6 & 7, Post 12: Second Marking Period Reflections

Hi, guys. The second marking period is over; it's now the third marking period of the semester--the one that will be reflected on your transcripts.

For this week's blog post, please reflect on your academic performance in this class over the past six weeks. What were your your strengths? In what areas do you need to improve? Taking all of this into account, what grade do you think you deserve for the first marking period? Why?

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.

Periods 1 & 2, Post 12: Second Marking Period Reflections

Hello, everyone. The second marking period is over; we're now entering the third marking period of the semester--the one that will be reflected on your transcripts.

For this week's blog post, please reflect on your academic performance in this class over the past six weeks. What were your your strengths? In what areas do you need to improve? Taking all of this into account, what grade do you think you deserve for the first marking period? Why?

Your comment will count as a homework assignment for the third marking period.