Monday, March 12, 2007
"Get Busy" paragraph response... Place it here!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Shawshank Conclusion
1. Explain how Red's search through hayfields is similar to Andy's hobbies in Shawshank.
2. Why would Red find his new life in the "real world" so terrifying?
3. Compose three paragraphs that explain the significance of the following line:
- First, compose a SEE paragraph that explains how this line is significant to the book itself. Be sure to use specific reference to the novel.
- Second, compose a SEE paragraph that explains how this line is significant in another book, film or poem.
- Third, compose a SEE paragraph that explains how this line could be significant to you in your own life.
Be sure to use quotes when possible, and to compose paragraphs that would be suitable for an exam situation.
Good Luck!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Poetry Theme: to you who would wage war...
I
there are many lines
you have not traced on my palms
still
you think you know me
when i speak
you nod knowingly
as if
you’ve already read my mind
and are only politely acknowledging
the confirmation of my spoken words
II
but you cannot possibly know
what i’ve been contemplating
these days
my head is full of blood
but you show no fear
and i do not trust my hands
they look to me like stones
you do not cower when i approach
though i feel like a runaway train
and i can hear your voice cool and steady
while my brain screams profanities
into the air around your ears
our past has given you no reason
to be afraid
but still i am surprised you cannot see
the danger burning brightly in my eyes
the fire i am struggling to control
III
as i sit stewing in the kitchen’s false light
with tears my daughter
comes to me
frightened by what she cannot see
afraid tonight to sleep
i hold her in my arms
singing soft words of comfort
feeling her heart quickly
beating against my chest
knowing before i can think that
i have forgiven us
for our stupid little wars
knowing in that incandescent light
that anger will never move me
as delicately as she has moved me
this night
Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm
Activities
EAT the poem
1. The title of the poem refers to a nameless “you” and “me”. Look closely at the poem or clues about the personalities of the two people referred to by these pronouns. What can you conclude about the personalities of these individuals (support your claims with evidence)
2. The poem deals with two powerful contrasting emotions, anger and love. What words and images does the writer use to convey the intensity of these emotions?
3. What is the significance of the narrator’s observation that “anger will never move me as delicately as she has moved me”? Why does the narrator’s concern and love or her daughter move her more than anger?
4. Examine the poem “the laughing heart” and compare it to this poem. Which line from Bukowski’s poem relates the closest to “anger will never move me as delicately as she has moved me. Explain your response.
5. What ideas does the poem develop regarding perspective? How can this be related to Shawshank?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Visual Response
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
84-89
The title focuses on the word redemption, and on a “pin up” girl named Rita Hayworth. How are these significant… to answer this question,
1.Find pictures of the women Andy hung on the wall of his cell.
2.Explain how these posters are symbols
3.The poem “the laughing heart” tells us to “be on the watch/ there are ways out./there is light somewhere / that it may not be much light but/it beats thedarkness. How did these posters help Andy “beat the darkness”
4.How did Andy find redemption?
Monday, February 26, 2007
Post Your "Laughing Heart" Here!
Oz out!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Page 71-85
1. During this section of the novel, Andy reveals his master plan to Red. This plan includes Zihuatanejo, Peter Stevens, and a key in a farmer's field. Explain how each of these items is significant to Andy's future plans.
2. After hearing about Andy's wealth, Red says "you could have hired Clarence Darrow" (76)for that kind of money. Do some research... find out who Clarence Darrow was, what was he most famous for, and why would Red make this statement at this point?
3. Escaping from Shawshank seems to be an irregular occurrence. Red tells us that since 1938, only ten prisoners "got away clean" (82). However, Red states that "half of those ten are doing time in other institutions of lower learning like The Shank" (82). Explain why Red feels these escapees would eventually find their way into different prisons
4. What significant event does Red say occurred in 1975 (83)
Source Analysis. Read the poem below:
the laughing heart
by: Charles Bukowski
your life is your life.
don’t let it be clubbed into dank
submission.
be on the watch
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the
darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them, take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death
in life,
sometimes
and the more often you
learn to do it,
the more light there will
be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have
it. You are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in
you.
What does the poem suggest to you about dealing with difficult circumstances? compose a paragraph response based on the poem.