Crucible Long Papers

Topics:
1.) Describe John Proctor’s redemption. Questions to consider include: Why is he unable to be redeemed in the beginning of the play? What are key shifts that allow him to be redeemed? How is he ultimately redeemed? How can he be seen as a symbol of Christianity?
2.) Describe Abigail Williams’s rise and fall from grace. Questions to consider include: Why does the reader dislike Abigail? What makes her, as opposed to the other sinners, specifically the most detestable? How is her end worse than all the other characters?

What I would like you to focus on in these essays is the human side of each of these characters? How does the author manipulate the reader into feeling certain emotions for these characters? What is it about being human that makes us feel this way?

This essay should be at least 3 pages long and no longer than 5. It should be in MLA format. I expect there to be no errors, so make sure you have someone proof read.

100 Points.

Due Tuesday January 5th

Crucible Debate

Debate (50 points) Each speaker will have between 2 and 3 minutes to make their argument and will be penalized for going shorter or longer than that period of time. The debates will take place on the Thursday after we return from break. Students need to come in with their texts ready to outline arguments and gather support on Tuesday, and then with an outline of their arguments on Wednesday. Groups will then rehearse, and debates will take place on Thursday January 7th.

Topic 1: Who is the most at fault for the terrible destruction of the witch trials in Salem? In making your argument, make sure you deal with the counter arguments that could be presented
Proctor Group: Mike, Nathaniel, Genevieve
Abigail Group: Scott, Dante, Christina
Danforth Group: Tim, Kerri, Tru


Topic 2: What perpetuated the witch hunt once it began, cowardice or vengeance?
Vengeance: Riddhi, Rachael, Stephen
Cowardice: Kevin, Ashley, Coralie

Crucible Apology Letter

Please write an apology letter from one character to another at least a page in length. 25 points. (Put it in letter format, sign the letter by hand (though the letter should be typed), and place your actual name on the back of the paper, not the front.

You can choose the amount of time that has elapsed, but it must be from a living character, to either another living character or a dead character. Make the time that has elapsed understood in the context of the letter.

Due Friday December 18th

Crucible Characters

Students are to write a one-page description of a character (double spaced). Due Thursday December 17th. Post on blogs and print out. Thesis is a one sentence description of the character. 1st body paragraph is blatant description and quote support (think body paragraph of an essay). 2nd paragraph needs to be an extended simile about the character. Conclusion is a one-sentence analogy to a person in the world today. (25 points).

Characters:
John Proctor
Goody Proctor
Judge Danforth
Abigail Williams
Mary Warren
Reverend Hale
Reverend Parris
Giles Corey

Crucible Reading Schedule

1. Crucible 1:1-8 (no blog)
2. Crucible 2:8-30
3. Crucible 3:31-49
4. Crucible 4:49-67
5. Crucible 5:67-81
6. Crucible 6:81-98
7. Crucible 7:98-113
8. Crucible 8:113-127
9. Crucible 9:127-END

Thanksgiving HW

Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character. Due Monday November 30. Post on blogs and print out. Thesis is a one sentence description of the character. 1st body paragraph is blatant description and support (think body paragraph of an essay). 2nd paragraph needs to be an extended metaphor about the character. Conclusion is a one-sentence analogy to a person in the world today. (30 points each).

Potential Characters.
• Mr. Phillips
• Lydia
• Lizzy
• Darcy
• Jane
• Caroline
• Mrs. Bennet
• Mr. Bennet
• Bingley
• Wickham
• Colonel Fitzwilliam
• Mary

P&P Essay Topics

1.) After completing the novel, what do you consider to be the most appropriate title: First Impressions, or Pride and Prejudice?
2.) Give the novel a new title and argue why that should be the novel’s title instead of Pride and Prejudice.
3.) Contemplate the three marital motives we see expressed in the novel, and clearly describe what you consider to be the most favorable basis for a marriage, both in the characters dispositions, and the motives behind the match. Use explicit examples from the text to support your assertion.
4.) How can this novel be read as a critique of the classist structuring of society?
5.) Who do you think is the most to blame for the delay of their felicity, Darcy or Elizabeth? Explain how this occurred and why they are to blame.

Pride and Prejudice Reading Schedule

Pride and Prejudice Reading Schedule: Please title your blog posts with the corresponding numbers! Each blog should be two quotations and 2 responses. The date listed is the date the reading needs to be done by.

P& P #1 10/31: Ch 1-6
P& P #2 11/3: 7-10
P& P #3 11/4: 11-16
P& P #4 11/5: 17-20
P& P #5 11/6: 21-1
P& P #6 11/9: 2-5
P& P #7 11/10: 6-11
P& P #8 11/13: 12-18
P& P #9 11/16: 19-2
P& P # 10/17: 3-6
P& P #11 11/19: 7-9
P& P #12 11/20: 10-12
P& P# 13 11/23: 13-15
P& P #14 11/24: 16-END


Average: 25 Pages a night.

Debate Prep

Students are to bring in information pertaining to their debate topic. It can be as raw as you would like (like printouts from online sources), or it can be an organized outline. However, each student needs to have material ready to work with for class on Monday.

The Tao/ Appendix

Select one part of the Tao, and describe why you think it is most important. Then try and add one concept to the Tao and support why it should be a part of the Tao. One paragraph each.

Due Wednesday.

Abolition of Man: The Way

Select two quotations that you think are the most important from the section of the text "The Way." Then summarize his argument in one paragraph.

Important Note: "The Innovator" is a variable term (like X in math) that he is using to describe anyone who is attempting to create a new set of values. Hence the term Innovator.

Email with any questions.

Abolition of Man: "Men Without Chests"

Read the section of The Abolition of Man entitled "Men Without Chests." When you have completed it, select two quotations that you think illuminate his main argument in the section. Then, once you have selected the quotations, try to summarize in a single paragraph his main argument in "Men Without Chests." Also, annotate his use of appeals, rhetoric, syntax and diction in the text itself.
Due Thursday 10/15.

Letter From Birmingham Jail

Due Wednesday October 14th, is a 3 page paper describing what makes King's argument so persuasive. Include the appeals we have discussed, in their English form (logic, not logos; emotion, not pathos, character, not ethos). Also, include his use of syntax and diction, and describe how it enhances his argument.

50 points.

Letter From Birmingham Jail

For Tuesday night, simply read MLK Jr.'s letter from a birmingham jail.
For Wednesday night, analyze his use of appeals, his syntax and diction, and SOAPSTone in note form.
For Thursday night, translate those notes into a cohesive 1 1/2 to 2 page description about how he attempts to convince his audience of his argument.

Notes, and paper should be posted on blogs. No need to print. However, you should annotate the document.

Fallacy Examples

Post one example of each fallacy studied in class:
Hasty Generalization, Stereotype, Cause and Effect, Only Cause, False Analogy, Attacking the Person, Either-Or Fallacy, Non-sequitur, Circular Reasoning, Begging the Question.

Due Tuesday 10/ 6

Syllogisms

Compose 4 syllogisms that are true, and four that are false. Describe in one sentence, how each false syllogism is false.

Due Monday

P&P and Proposal Due Friday

Compose your own proposal. Should be no less than a full page and no more than 3 pages. You must incorporate all three forms of persuasion, and demonstrate which you are using by keeping logic in standard font, character in bold, and emotion in italics. The entire text does not need to be one of these three, but I want to make sure you know which appeals you are using.

Due Friday Oct. 2nd.
Bring in your written proposal typed (and post on blog).

Pathos, Logos, Ethos

Analyze Mr. Collins proposal looking for examples of the appeals that he uses. Explain clearly why his appeals are ineffective and how he could have improved his proposal.
I'd like you to have a one sentence thesis as your introduction, followed by at least two body paragraphs citing examples from the text. Focus on his diction and syntax in analyzing the appeals. Cite the text. The author is Jane Austen, and don't bother about page numbers.

Email with any questions.

Oral Exam Questions

Class, here are the questions to prepare for the oral exam. Take these, review your texts and come up with articulate and thorough answers to the questions. Each question will be worth 30 points. Good luck and email with any questions.

Prep Questions Summer Oral Exam

The Count of Monte Cristo:
• Is Edmond’s vengeance justified? Consider this question within the contexts of just retribution and the theological implications of a man assuming God’s vengeance.
• Describe the role of Honor in the novel. How do the demands of honor dictate the flow of the novel and the plot? Cite specific characters and their obligations to the code of honor.
• Discuss Edmonds vengeance and how he implements it, with a particular focus on his feelings of justification as the text progresses. In the end, do you think he feels justified in what he did?
The Great Gatsby:
1. Discuss the failure to achieve the American Dream of at least two of the characters in The Great Gatsby. What were these characters striving for, why were they striving for it, and were they successful.
2. Many characters aspire to success in the novel and fail. How can this be read as a commentary by Fitzgerald on the aspiration to worldly success?
3. Describe the character of at least three characters in the text. Is there a relationship between their character and their ends in the novel? If so, describe the connection.
Huck Finn:
• Drawing on many examples from the text, describe how Twain criticizes the south at the time of the novel.
• How does Huck grow as the novel carries on. He is a character who often lets on to be stupider than he actually is, but his fresh outlook on life leads to many insights along his journey. What are these insights and how do these experiences help Huck to grow.
• Compare and contrast a set of characters in the text. What do they have in common and what separates them. Consider their upbringing, the society they live in, and how they act.

Honor in Monte Cristo

Prep notes on the role of honor in the Count of Monte Cristo.
Consider sections about suicide, attempted suicide, Noirtier, duels, and Monte Cristos conduct.

1 page.

Summer Reading

Prepare a page of notes on The Count of Monte Cristo:
1 page of notes on Dantes playing the role of God. Post to blogs and have a typed sheet to hand in. Have quotes for support.

Oral Exams a week from Friday.

Summer Reading Assignment

Summer Reading Assignment
AP Language and Composition

Over the course of the summer you will be reading three different texts: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Great Gatsby, and Huckleberry Finn. As you read these texts you will be writing essays that correspond with each one. These essays will be submitted via email and will be posted on your blogs. Each essay needs to be finished by a certain due date. Any late work, whatsoever, will receive an F. Each essay will be worth 50 points. For each essay you may select your essay topic. Each paper should be at least 3 pages and no longer than 5.
Essay 1: The Count of Monte Cristo
• Is Edmond’s vengeance justified? Consider this question within the contexts of just retribution. Based on what he had taken from him, is what he does just?
• Describe the role of Honor in the novel. How do the demands of honor dictate the flow of the novel and the plot? Cite specific characters and their obligations to the code of honor.
• How can this text be read as an intellectual quandary related to man assuming God’s role? What is the verdict that Dumas relates? Do men have the ability to demand God’s justice?
This essay will be due by July 15.

Essay 2: The Great Gatsby
1) George Will, in a 1985 editorial for Newsweek in which he compares The Great Gatsby to Huckleberry Finn, wrote “Pessimism about the reality of the Americans to measure up to America’s promise, is, in its way, Twain’s theme.” Explain how Fitzgerald develops this theme in The Great Gatsby.

2) Sheila Graham writes: “I think Scott (Fitzgerald) wanted me, through my reading, to understand and perhaps share some of his basic tenets about existence: that as he so often told me, there was no such thing as happiness. …As he explains, “…the sense that life is essentially a cheat and its conditions are those of defeat and redeeming things are not ‘happiness and pleasure’ but the deeper satisfactions of the struggle.”
Write an essay in which you analyze the way in which Fitzgerald develops this idea in The Great Gatsby.
This essay will be due by August 1

Essay 3: Huckleberry Finn
• Describe how Huck Finn can be understood as a societal critique of the antebellum south. How does Twain use many characters along the journey to critique society itself?
• How is Huck’s journey down the river a journey to a greater human understanding? How is Huck enabled to live outside of the confines of society, and in doing so, disinherit the bigotry that enveloped the south?
This Essay will be due by August 25

Remember, that throughout the summer I will be checking my email regularly, so if you have any questions, feel free to email me. The only extended time that I will be away from email is from August 2-August 24th. However, you always have each other as resources.
The following is the class roster and each person’s email address:

Name Email
Rachael Kerr Mastery_mage16@yahoo.com
Kerri Reaney Irishjazz101@yahoo.com
Christina Desario catsouplawl@gmail.com
Michael Rossi Rosinator26@aol.com
Riddhi Jain r.jain.920@gmail.com
Scott Pero Whaledude7@yahoo.com
Coralie Casimir Coralie_casimir@yahoo.com
Tim Rezendes Tjrez14@aim.com
Dante Ferraro Dferraro2011@verizon.net
Kevin McAdam mcadam@rcn.com
Nathaniel Burns-Sarno Jagabor2000@aol.com
Ashley Ducrepin Ash93girl@yahoo.com
Stephen Simmons-Uvin Ssimmons4260@hotmail.com

You are all responsible for checking your email at least once a week in the event I change any aspect of the assignment.

Editorial Assignment: 50 points
Over the summer I will email you with three separate articles that pertain to the texts we are reading. Your response to these assignments will be due on the first day of school. The readings will be related to the major themes of the text and you will be asked to analyze the text in relation to the theme from the novel.

Over the summer, feel free to be in touch with any questions. As you all know my email is pgeorge@trinitycatholic.com. I check it often, so don’t hesitate to ask.

I want to stress that your work over the summer is worth 200 points of your first quarter grade. You will fail the first quarter if you choose not to do the summer assignments.

Summer Reading

Here are the exact copies of the summer reading texts you need to get. I recommend getting them all very soon and starting the Count of Monte Cristo immediately.

HW Instructions

Thesis is a one sentence description of the character. 1st body paragraph is moral critique with description and support (think body paragraph of an essay). 2nd paragraph needs to be an extended metaphor about the character. Conclusion is a one-sentence analogy to a person in the world today. (30 points each).

P&P Student Work Examples

by Genevieve Noonan

Impulsive, arrogant, and thoughtless, Lydia Bennett rushes into everything unaware of the pain she is causing others.

Lydia resembles Lindsay Lohan because they both have made huge mistakes, feel no remorse for their actions, do not realize what they are doing effects more people than themselves, and believe they deserve respect because of their position.

Lu Li

Jane Bennet Analysis

Jane Bennet, the eldest and most beautiful daughter of the Bennets, is an amiable, naïve, and extremely optimistic young lady who sees no evil in others.

Jane is like a beautiful sunflower with soft honey-yellow petals. She is comely and vivacious, just like a lively sunflower stretching tall and proud to the sun in an elegant manner. Sunflowers always grow facing the direction of the sun – Jane prefers to see the goodness in people; in other words, she always tries to face the bright side of an incident, rather than the dark side.

Daryl Thomas
Lydia
Lydia is a naïve, vain minx that desires attention and has no concern for hurting her family’s reputation or sentiments.
Whether or not Lydia’s character is due to an improper upbringing, she holds an air of vanity: “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest” (Austen 11). The narrator even describes her as one with “high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-consequence” (46). Assimilating her mother’s aspiration for marriage, Lydia seeks to gain attention by flirting with men and showing a deep concern for marriage: “Lord! How ashamed I should be of not being married before three-and-twenty!” (216). Being indifferent to everyone else and possessing a great sense of self-importance, Lydia becomes, as Elizabeth warns Mr. Bennet, “vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled” (226). Lydia’s marriage to Wickham hurt Elizabeth’s chances with Darcy and shamed the Bennet name, yet Lydia’s character remains static upon returning to Longbourn: “Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless” (305). She then uses the marriage to gain the attention of others, satisfying her vanity: “She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations” (305).

Lady Catherine Analysis
by Macda Gerard

Lady Catherine’s overbearing behavior proved to be a direct reflection of how highly she valued the ludicrous and absurd class structure of Britian, making her apathetic to the opinions of others.

Lady Catherine is like a peacock. Just as Lady Catherine flaunts her affluence and high social status to maintain a sense of superiority, a peacock flares out brilliant tail feathers for all to see. It comes across as extremely ostentatious to such an extent that it belittles others around. With every strut, either a sense of jealousy or admiration is evoked through what, or in Lady Catherine’s case, who, is around. Also, in order to obtain attention, a loud obnoxious cry is often emitted, which certainly applies to Lady Catherine’s consistent need to obnoxiously comment on what has absolutely nothing to do with her. The pomp and circumstance she displays is a façade that masks her inadequacy, just as a peacock is not truly the king of birds, but aspires to be viewed as such.

Arrogance is to Lady Catherine as egocentricity is to P Diddy in that both feel as though all must grovel for their approbation believing that whatever they say is law.

Austen's Classist Critique

The conversation between Lizzy and Lady Catherine is not only a demonstration of Lizzy’s courage and Lady Catherine’s arrogance, but a reprobation of the un-loving and un-feeling rigidity imposed by societal expectations.
Lizzy, being the protagonist, is obstinately standing in the way of Lady Catherine, who is the personification of this 18th century classist society. Lizzy utterly disregards the obeisance incumbent upon her, and stands up to the haughty Lady Catherine. Therefore, we can see this tete-a-tete as a way of Austen criticizing the establishment. Lizzy, by being bold enough to disregard the demanded deference she is purported to pay to Lady Catherine, is condemning the rigid structuring of society. This fortitude is demonstrated through Lizzy’s blatant disregard of Lady Catherine’s rhetorical line of questioning: “Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say, that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?” (344). Lizzy, and through propinquity, Austen, respond with a bold slap in lady Catherine’s pretentious face.
By disregarding the classist hierarchy that Lizzy is obliged to acquiesce to, Austen is claiming that love is more important than loyalty: “If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?” (345). Lizzy’s rhetorical question is answered by Austen’s choice to portray Lady Catherine as an obnoxious snob; Lizzy’s question should never have been why can’t she, but why wouldn’t she? Austen’s answer: She can and she should!
Furthermore, Mr. Darcy, as the male protagonist of the novel, breaks the societal expectations that Lady Catherine so aptly describes: “Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it [the marriage]…for do not expect to be noticed by his family, or friends, if you willfully act against the inclinations of all” (344). By accepting these consequences in the name of love, Darcy is shirking the irksome responsibilities that this society has falsely constrained him with.
By Austen selecting a young woman of limited fortune, with an embarrassing family, and an equal want of connections, as the love interest of Darcy, she is choosing to not simply trifle with the societal mold, but to shatter it. As Lady Catherine so aptly tells us, we are rooting for “the upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune! Is this to be endured?” (345). Yes! It is not only to be endured, but embraced, emulated, and idolized. Long live love.

The Count of Monte Cristo Reading Schedule

The Count of Monte Cristo Reading Schedule:

1. Up to Chapter XIV (p. 104) by Monday May 4th.
2. Up to Chapter XXVII (p. 203) by Monday May 11
3. Up to Chapter XL (p. 310) by Monday May 18th
4. Up to Chapter LII (p.431) by Tuesday May 26th
5. Up to Chapter LXVII (p. 541) by Monday June 1st
6. Finish text on Wednesday June 3rd, Chapter LXXI (p. 582)

The portion of the reading schedule that is set in stone is that you need to be up to page 203 by Monday May 11th. We will begin working on the text as a class on May 14th. That Thursday and Friday we will review the first 200 pages and we’ll start with the 310th page on Monday the 18th.

Enjoy, this is a fast paced text. Make sure to keep track of characters and these major themes in your highlighting and annotating:
• Pay close attention to elements of the background that will later justify Dantes’ villainy. Does the pain caused justify his retribution?
• Divine Justice vs. Human Justice (With Dantes as the chief figure)
• Envy vs. Satisfaction (which characters appreciate their lives and which envy others)
• Dantes as being set-apart from society, and the effects that has on him (post jail)

The Count of Monte Cristo

Here is the cover of the text you guys need to get. Make sure it is this cover. It's the one that is just like the Pride and Prejudice text we just read in class.
Enjoy Break!

Writing Tips from Huck Finn

Writing Samples:

General Problems:
• He= who, Him= whom.
• Stop using seen. Makes your writing sound subjective and opinion based.
Intros:
• Take a concept, a metaphor, or an idea that is from outside of the text and apply it to the material. For example, a magnet.
• Make sure the connection is clear.
• It also gives you a metaphor to work with in your conclusion.
Ever heard of the idea that opposites attract? When using magnets, in order to attract them “you have to place opposite ends of two magnets near each other” (Madison). In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, protagonist Huckleberry Finn and friend Tom Sawyer are, in this case, the opposite ends of two magnets. What’s so different about them? Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer differ from each other in their upbringings, their outlook on life, and in the manner that they treat others.

Theses:
• Make it specific. Use descriptive adjectives that you can come back to. It makes the writing of your paper easier.
• It’s harder to test whether you’ve proven that Huck and Tom are different, than it is to prove that they are different in their interpretations of right and wrong.
The journey Huck embarked on, the people he encountered, and the events he witnessed taught him more about the corrupted society he lived in than all the books and teachers in the world could.

Huck’s journey is a fabricated tale used to enumerate the iniquities of the deep south which range from racial prejudice all the way to a drastic misunderstanding of religious obligation.

The mid-1800s was an era of immorality, ignorance, and sin by those who followed societal standards, resulting in the dehumanization of blacks.

Conclusions:
• Take the reader back out from the narrow scope of your body paragraphs.
• Reincorporate themes from your introduction or earlier in your paper.
All men are equal under the eyes of God: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Therefore, slavery is a sinful combination of inequality, discrimination, and hatred. It violates the sacred integrity of a human being and the God-given right for one to pursuit the happiness of life. Mark Twain criticized the society of the mid-1800’s south though Huck Finn’s adventures along the Mississippi River. The issue of slavery was not a phenomenon that accidentally happened; it was, indeed, caused by the whites’ privilege and superiority, the negative influences of society on people, and the ignorance and unconsciousness of men. Without the lighthouse of justice, people would get lost in the sea of prejudice, and fail to find their way to freedom.

_Fortunately, there is hope for us on the shore of freedom as Huck said in the end with a delightful spirit, “I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before” (307). Everyone has been there before – the entire human race was once lost in the dark region of slavery and discrimination. However, it is never too late to light the torch of hope, since God will always give us a second chance. Huck and Jim are already heading to the ultimate Territory where no prejudice and injustice exist. So when shall we be setting out for our journey to the kingdom of equality and freedom?






Integrating Quotes:
• Make sure to select quotes that directly support what you are saying.
• Use descriptive adjectives that jibe with the content of your paragraph. Don’t say Huck doesn’t care, say he is indifferent. Don’t say Tom is strange, say he is eccentric in his fastidious adherence to societal dictums.
Huck was constantly being told his father had a bad influence on him. Though this was true, it would not have a strong impact on Huck if he did not experience any abuse or neglect himself. It is rather clear to Huck that he lives in a corrupted society based on his father’s insolent actions: “He chased me round and round the place, with a clasp-knife, calling me the Angel of Death and saying he would kill me and then I could come for him no more” (Twain 39). Even though Huck’s father had a negative effect on him, he taught him a valuable lesson. Pap was the perfect example of how not to live by. Pap’s unwillingness to be honest encouraged Huck to be: “don’t ask me nothing- then I won’t have to tell no lies” (25). Pap’s death showed that nothing good comes out of telling lies, being intoxicated, or being abusive.

The superiority of whites was one of the causes of slavery. White men were born with the privilege and superiority, whereas blacks are doomed to be slaves. Mark Twain revealed in the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, that pride can lead to the unnecessary insecurity of one’s inherent privilege: “You're educated, too, they say; can read and write. You think you're better’n your father, now, don’t you, because he can’t? I’ll take it out of you” (28-29). There was a sense of insecurity in Pap’s voice. He was intimidated by the fact that his son, being civilized, is going to become a better person than he is: “I’ll learn people to bring up a boy to put on airs over his own father and let on to be better’n what he is” (29). Therefore, from a historical perspective, this insecurity has a symbolic meaning – the whites’ fear of losing their dominance over black people. In Pap’s mind, he “was Huck Finn's boss” (33) and his son was his “property” (36). It may be strange for us to hear, and hard for us to understand, why Pap would view a person as his own property; but back in those days, when slavery still existed, it was very common to own someone's freedom and make full use of it. On one hand, Huck's dad uses him as a cash cow to get money for alcohol, which implicates the Old South Tradition of whites forcing slaves to work on cotton fields in order to make a fortune. On the other hand, Pap saved his brittle pride by dominating his son, which symbolizes the evil privilege of whites dominating black slaves in the old days.

Tom claims to have an understanding of what is right and what is wrong, yet sadly, his misunderstanding is not his own fault, but instead a condemnation of the miseducation of southern youth. When Tom and Huck are deliberating about the proper utensil to use to dig Jim out, Tom claims that, “right is right, and wrong is wrong, and a body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better” (260). Tom’s attempt at righteousness rings false to the reader, because we know that ironically, Huck is the one who knows right from wrong. This leaves us with the lingering question: How has Tom been so brutally misled? The iniquitous society Tom has been brought up in never demanded that Tom question anything. Because Tom was taught to follow rules, and not to question his surroundings, he has swallowed the bitter pill of racism that he was handed, and through his upbringing that slimy poison has disseminated to the outer reaches of his being. He has never had a true understanding of right and wrong, and therefore, we do not find him morally culpable even when we find his actions despicable.

Short and to the point:
• Don’t be afraid to have a short paragraph that serves a singular purpose.
• It allows you to know whether you proved your point.
• Have a focused scope in your paragraph. Know what you want to say, don’t dilly dally, and support your idea.
When Huck found a home at the Grangerfords, he was enveloped by a guerrilla war between two families that had no idea why they were fighting. When Huck confronted Buck and asked if the Shepherdsons ever did anything wrong against him, Buck did not know why the families started feuding: “Laws, how do I know? It was so long ago” (120). Fighting for something without a cause is meaningless and amounts to nothing. If this feud and all the death it created were acceptable to Southern society, how was it that blacks were forced into slavery? The logic here is nonsensical.

Vague Language:
• Do not use bland language like: different, strange, odd, nice, interesting etc.
• Use descriptive adjectives. It allows you to check whether you proved your point or not.
He sees life differently than others, and there are many times where he says things that show how he feels about situations that many people would feel differently about.

Misinterpretations of the text:
Jim sacrificed himself for Tom, and Tom used Jim. Shows the humanity of blacks in comparison to whites. Jim is more moral than Tom.
Miss Watson owns Jim. She obviously reinforces the fact that slavery is ok. She DOES NOT help to teach Huck that slavery is wrong! Huck forms his own morality, he doesn’t choose between Watson and Pap. Those two opposing views force him to re-evaluate his life, and he decides to think for himself. Key.

Pride and Prejudice Essay

Pride and Prejudice Essay Topics:
100 Points
Due April 17, 2009 (Happy Bday Gen)

Directions: Students are to compose an essay of between 3 and 7 pages. Argue one of the four essay questions using specific evidence from the text. Focus on incorporating a captivating introduction and conclusion that unify the essay. The essay should have minimal errors, a works cited, and should be in MLA Format.

1.) After completing the novel, what do you consider to be the most appropriate title: First Impressions, or Pride and Prejudice?
2.) Give the novel a new title and argue why that should be the novel’s title instead of Pride and Prejudice.
3.) Contemplate the three marital motives we see expressed in the novel, and clearly describe what you consider to be the most favorable basis for a marriage, both in the characters dispositions, and the motives behind the match. Use explicit examples from the text to support your assertion.
4.) How can this novel be read as a critique of the classist structuring of society?

Easter Homework

Students are to write two one-page descriptions of a character. Due Tuesday April 13. Thesis is a one sentence description of the character. 1st body paragraph is blatant description and support (think body paragraph of an essay). 2nd paragraph needs to be an extended metaphor about the character. Conclusion is a one-sentence analogy to a person in the world today. (30 points each).

Potential Characters.
• Mr. Phillips
• Lydia
• Lizzy
• Darcy
• Jane
• Caroline
• Mrs. Bennet
• Mr. Bennet
• Bingley
• Wickham
• Colonel Fitzwilliam
• Mary

Blog Style

New Approach for Blogging Pride and Prejudice.

You need to Blog 2 out of every 3 nights. That means 10 total blogs (please list by corresponding blog title from the Reading schedule, i.e. P&P 3)

In your blog I would like you to use a new style:
1 Quotation response (what you've been doing)
1 Multiple choice question:
Referring to the handout about the multiple choice section from the AP exam, I would like you to create a multiple choice question from the reading. You may refer to a specific page, the reading in general, or a specific line from the text (if a page, list the page #, if a general section describe the section, if a line incorporate the line in the question).

So, in total you will need to have 1 quotation, 1 quote response, and 1 multiple choice question 2 out of every 3 nights for a total of 10.

Pride and Prejudice Reading Schedule

Pride and Prejudice Reading Schedule:

P& P #1 3/18: Ch 1-6
P& P #2 3/19: 7-10
P& P #3 3.20: 11-16
P& P #4 3/23: 17-20
P& P #5 3/25: 21-1
P& P #6 3/26: 2-5
P& P #7 3/27: 6-10
P& P #8 3/30: 11-13
P& P #9 3/31: 14-18
P& P # 10 4/1: 19-2
P& P #11 4/3: 3-6
P& P #12 4/6: 7-9
P& P# 13 4/7: 10-12
P& P #14 4/8: 13-15
P& P # 15 4/9: 16- END

Average: 25 Pages a night.

Huck Finn Essay Topics

Huck Finn Essay Topics:

Directions: Compose a paper of a least 3 pages answering one of the following questions. Your paper should be focused, clearly written, and error free. In answering these questions make sure that each article of support you introduce sheds light on your main argument. Include a works cited page. Your final draft will be due on March 23rd.


1. How does Huck’s upbringing help him to act outside of the influence of the corrupted society he belongs to?
2. How can the character Jim be read as an anti-slavery argument? What does he represent and how does he act that demonstrates Twain is clearly against slavery?
3. How do Tom and Huck contrast one another? Specifically, consider their upbringings and how they treat others.
4. How is the novel a social critique of the mid-1800’s south?

Pride and Prejudice

Grab this version.

Huck Finn Reading Schedule

Huck Finn 1: 9-27
Huck Finn 2: 28-46
Huck Finn 3: 47-66
Huck Finn 4: 67-88
Huck Finn 5: 89-108
Huck Finn 6: 108-129
Huck Finn 7: 129-157
Huck Finn 8: 158-184
Huck Finn 9: 185-209
Huck Finn 10: 210-232
Huck Finn 11: 232-259
Huck Finn 12: 259-285
Huck Finn 13: 285-298
Huck Finn 14: 299-end

Final Essay on Sin

Final Sin Essay:

Directions: You are to compose an essay of at least 5 full pages and no longer than 10 pages. You may use portions of previous essays, but do not simply take the material and apply it haphazardly; hence, it should directly pertain to the topic you choose. At least half of the paper should be focused on our most recent text The Picture of Dorian Gray, while the other half needs to involve The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible.
The idea is to focus on a central thesis that transcends simply one of these texts. Your concept should apply to all three texts in a clear and focused manner.

Primary focuses for this essay are:
• Logical flow of argument
• Clear integration of support
• Clarity of argument
• Ability to stay focused on one subject.
• MLA formatting
• Works cited

Topics:

1. “Yet it was his duty to confess, to suffer public shame, and to make public atonement. There was a God who called upon men to tell their sins to earth as well as to heaven. Nothing that he could do would cleanse him till he had told his own sin” (228). After reading The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, do you believe this quotation is true or false?
2. “Better for him that each sin of his life had brought its sure, swift penalty along with it. There was purification in punishment. Not ‘Forgive us our sins’ but ‘Smite us for our iniquities’ should be the prayer of man to a most just God” (226). What should be the prayer of man to a most just God regarding sin? Incorporate what you have learned from how characters dealt with their sins in The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, in your argument.
3. “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face.” Prove or disprove this statement using The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, in your argument.

Rough Draft Due: Wednesday February 25th.
Final Due: Friday February 27th

200 points!

February Break Assignment

After reading the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, you have seen plenty of examples of epigrams, bon mots, witticisims, aphorisms, axioms, and the like. Please compose a list of 10 of you own. If you need inspiration look to Lord Henry's comments on just about any subject.

Due by the evening of Sunday, February 22nd.

Worth 20 points (2 per, based on quality)

Dorian Gray

So, for Wednesday read the first 2 chapters of Dorian Gray. Select two quotes, respond to the two quotes, and pick out 2 vocabulary words to define.
If we don't have school on Wednesday, read chapter 3 for class on Thursday, and blog post on that if we don't have class.

Class 1/13

Hey guys,
Bring in two copies of a rough draft tomorrow. One for peer editing, and one for me to look at. Please spread the word if you are talking online to people, i'm sure someone won't check their email. Thanks for the help.

Mr. George

Scarlet Letter Essay Topics

Scarlet Letter Essay Topics:
150 Points
Due: Wednesday 1/14
Outline Due: 1/12

Directions:
Essays are to be no less than four pages, and in perfect MLA formatting. I would also like you to incorporate a works cited page at the end. Focus on use of active voice to make your argument more assertive.

1.) Describe why Dimmesdale’s torment was especially poignant for him, and why he believes it is a blessing from God. Begin with his original sin and take us all the way to his death.

2.) After reading The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible, we have an inside look at four characters dealing with the sin of adultery. Do you believe it is more successful to publicly bear your sins, or to deal with them privately? Give examples from each story to support your opinions.

3.) In the Puritanical societies of Salem and Boston, how can one be forgiven for their sins? Begin with the construction of these societies and how that makes it challenging to be forgiven, and then describe how different characters misguided searches helped you to realize this?

4.) Describe the symbol of the forest. What role does the forest play in both The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter? How is this role integral to the development of each plot? How does the town center contrast the forest? Historically, why do you think the forest was associated with Evil and the Devil?