Sanger Rainsford: Static or Dynamic

Rainsford certainly discovers "how a jaguar feels", but does he truly learn anything from his experiences on Ship Trap Island? Is he a dynamic or a static character? Please support your view with concrete details from the text.

The Scarlet Ibis

Before we discuss this in class, here are some points to consider:
If you read carefully, you will note that the story of the "Scarlet Ibis" unfolds against the backdrop of World War I. What commentary do you think Hurst is making in this tale?
What symbolic connection is there between the scarlet ibis and Doodle?
How is color imagery used in this story?
Why is the narrator known only as "Brother"?
Review the graphic description of Doodle's death at the end of the tale. What has metaphorically happened here?
How is the thematic concept of pride relevant to the tale? What theme can you derive from this concept?
How about brotherhood?

Did the children truly give Boo, "nothing"?

At the end of the novel, Scout remarks that “Boo gave us a broken watch, two dolls, and our lives ...neighbors give in return. We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing, and it made me sad” (320). In fact, they never even got to put the thank you note inside the oak tree.

Is this true, however? Did they realize give nothing to Boo? Please support your response.

Epiphanies: Learning Something New Every Day

As Melissa so adorably said, "I want to read Mockingbird again; I think I read a different book this summer!". After discussing TKM in class, what is your favorite epiphany or revelation? What symbol, motif, or stylistic device have you found the coolest ? What passage did you reread for class that you missed the meaning of before? Share with the rest of us, please!

Study Group for Part One of Test: Hypocrisies and Secrets

To help you prepare for the short essays, I am setting up this thread. Identify examples of secrets or hypocritical statements/ beliefs/ actions from the first part of the novel. Why are they important to a theme of the book?

Debate #1: Name that Protagonist!

Obviously, Jean Louise Finch narrates the story...but is she the protagonist? Which character does Harper Lee put the most emphasis on in terms of character development and growth? Dialogue with each other...just remember to be courteous with your classmates!

Shhhhh! It's a secret! Mrs. Fischer's Forum #2

Secrets and hypocrisies are among the many motifs of To Kill a Mockingbird. While considering this perspective, explain what Miss Maudie means when she says, "The things that happen to people, we never really know." To whom does this quote apply in the novel. Prove it!

Favorite Classroom Moments

It happens to everyone: words get jumbled between the brain and mouth, we enter into a conversation a moment too late... or we are simply confused. Ironically, these are the moments that help us remember the important information from class; laughter is a powerful learning tool. This is an opportunity to remember the special moments, lessons, activities, characters, and, of course, the miscommunications from our class. Help me to keep track of them and I will compile these into a booklet at the end of the year. Please remember that class rules apply: I will not tolerate any malicious attacks on any student or teacher. This is not meant to poke fun at anyone; it is meant in a spirit of reliving the occasional happy moment in our very special circle of hell :-)

Random Musings: Quarter 2

A forum for questions and commentaries. If you have a question about an assignment or you didn't have your voice heard in a class discussion, please share here!

Mrs. Fischer's Forum #1: Women in The Odyssey

Based on the women that Odysseus encounters in his life and adventures, what view do you believe Homer (and ancient Greek society?) has about females / female roles? Use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.

BRAG WALL for a class of SHEER GENIUSES!

If I haven't said it to you recently, please let me do so now: you are such amazing individuals and I am privileged to work with you.

I am so enjoying reading your yearbooks and your witty, ironic, and down-right HYSTERICAL applications. Mc-Demeter's? Kevin: one of my favorites!!!!!

Please earn some additional credit by sharing your favorite contribution to your yearbook...a quote, a celebrity-god match, a superlative, anything.

Thank you for putting so much time and effort into these projects. I am enjoying them so much...and, from the bottom of my heart, I consider myself the luckiest teacher in the world to have you all as students.

The Mythology Exam: A Study Group Forum

Participate in a study group! Here, you can ask or answer questions....and even try to get into the warped mind of your insane instructor. What questions do you think will appear on the test? Can you guess what the essay prompts might be?

Prepare for the review game by posting some questions for your classmates to answer!

Random Musings on English 9 Honors literature

A special request was made for an open-discussion forum on our class blog page. Feel free to voice any unspoken or unfinished thoughts regarding classwork, homework, class texts, or class discussions...just remember to keep your comments appropriate!!!

We can also use this site as a way for you to ask and to respond to questions that you might be having with the homework or readings ( but I think that I might need a separate post for grammar!).

As always, this does count for participation credit (B-squares).

Did Wargrave get it right? Week of 9/22/08

In his confessional letter, Wargrave claims that he killed off the guests in the order of their crime (from least to worst -- with the exception of Marston who was incapable of feeling guilt). Do you think his calculations were correct? Or, would you have arranged the murders in a different order? Explain and support your response.

Most Romantic Myth - or Worst Romantic Ending EVER!

I realize that Edith Hamilton's Mythology is laborious reading. Let's focus on the love stories: those that succeed and those that, well, end in absolute disaster.
Please share your favorite romantic tale or vent about one that was just too miserable to have ever been created.
Don't forget to think about the purpose of the myth: is there an element of nature that has been immortalized by the lovers (such as a flower, tree, etc.)?

Favorite part of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

I have already warned each of you that Mockingbird is my favorite novel. Even if it isn't yours, hopefully there was at least one moment, chapter, or scene that you enjoyed.

Please share your favorite mockingbird moment on this blog!

Most Evil

As you read And Then There Were None, you will find yourself judging the character's actions, both present and past. Who in your opinion is the most evil character or has committed the most heinous acts? Be certain to support your response with textual details. DON'T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING!!!

Summer Reading SOS: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please feel free to ask (and answer?) any questions you might have concerning summer reading. These questions may be about the content of the text, the format of novel notes, or understanding literary terms. Remember to identify who you are when you post so I know to whom I must respond ... and continue to check the website for updates.