Please add your contributions and suggestions to this list...
NOTE: I was wrong -- you guys don't have the ability to create/edit a post. My fault -- sorry! I'll cut and paste your comments into the main post here for clarity. ; )
Italy (Florence) vs. England (Windy Corners)
George vs. Cecil
Lucy vs. Charlotte Bartlett
(from Nick)
Lucy vs. Cecil
Mr. Emerson vs. Mr. Eager
Charlotte vs. Herself
Freddy vs. Lucy
Italy vs. England
Miss Lavish vs. Freddy
Lucy vs. Herself
(from Charise and Jaime)
Mr. Emerson and Mr. Eager
Mr. Beebe and Sir Harry
Windy Corner and Mrs. Vyse's Well-Appointed flat
Lucy's piano and Cecil's book lying on the sidewalk (Wow. I totally did miss this one on my "cut-and-paste" mission. I stand corrected, ladies, and apologize.)
(from Sam)
Freddy vs. Cecil
Freddy vs. Mrs. Honerychurch
Mr. Emerson vs. Charlotte
Monday, November 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Assignment #6
Just so you know, we're going to spend some time this week talking about the responses you gave for Assignment #5. But I wanted to give you the next (and likely final) blog assignment for those of you who want to get a jump on things.
First, and foremost, you'll need to finish reading the novel. For the record, this should take you from Chapter XV (page 121) through the end of the novel (page 172). Once you've finished reading the novel, the next step is to answer (and post, via the comments section below) four questions. You must answer questions 1-3, and then choose one of the final three questions (4, 5 or 6) to answer as well.
DEADLINE: You must finish reading the novel and have all four responses posted by the beginning of class on Monday, November 10th.
[Answer all three of the following:]
1. Write about the examples of written correspondence (i.e. letters) in the novel. How do the characters use this form of communication? How (if at all) does it differ, in terms of style and/or content, from the way they speak to each other out loud?
2. Chapters XVI through XIX are all titled “Lying to…”, followed by the name of a character(s). How is Lucy lying to them, as a group, and individually? And ultimately, how (and why) is Lucy lying to herself?
3. What is the significance of the title of the final chapter (XX – “The End of the Middle Ages”)?
[Choose one of the following questions to answer as well:]
4. What’s your opinion of the way in which the novel ends? Appropriate? Satisfying? Satisfactory? Too easy? Explain and expand.
5. Describe the changes in Lucy Honeychurch from the beginning of the novel to the end. In what fundamental and important ways does she change, especially in terms of behavior, attitude and situation?
6. Besides Lucy, who is the most interesting and/or compelling character in the novel? Why? What about this person’s character (behavior, attitudes, etc.) do you find so intriguing?
Once everyone has posted their answers, there will be one final online assignment... maybe two. Stay tuned for more details. ; )
First, and foremost, you'll need to finish reading the novel. For the record, this should take you from Chapter XV (page 121) through the end of the novel (page 172). Once you've finished reading the novel, the next step is to answer (and post, via the comments section below) four questions. You must answer questions 1-3, and then choose one of the final three questions (4, 5 or 6) to answer as well.
DEADLINE: You must finish reading the novel and have all four responses posted by the beginning of class on Monday, November 10th.
[Answer all three of the following:]
1. Write about the examples of written correspondence (i.e. letters) in the novel. How do the characters use this form of communication? How (if at all) does it differ, in terms of style and/or content, from the way they speak to each other out loud?
2. Chapters XVI through XIX are all titled “Lying to…”, followed by the name of a character(s). How is Lucy lying to them, as a group, and individually? And ultimately, how (and why) is Lucy lying to herself?
3. What is the significance of the title of the final chapter (XX – “The End of the Middle Ages”)?
[Choose one of the following questions to answer as well:]
4. What’s your opinion of the way in which the novel ends? Appropriate? Satisfying? Satisfactory? Too easy? Explain and expand.
5. Describe the changes in Lucy Honeychurch from the beginning of the novel to the end. In what fundamental and important ways does she change, especially in terms of behavior, attitude and situation?
6. Besides Lucy, who is the most interesting and/or compelling character in the novel? Why? What about this person’s character (behavior, attitudes, etc.) do you find so intriguing?
Once everyone has posted their answers, there will be one final online assignment... maybe two. Stay tuned for more details. ; )
Monday, November 3, 2008
Assignment #5
Your next assignment is in two parts:
1. Read the first half(ish) of Part II of the novel -- Chapters VIII through XIV (pages 67-120). As you're reading, please continue underlining, highlighting, and writing notes and questions in the margins. As you've undoubtedly discovered, it makes the process of going back to look for stuff to post much easier, and leads to better, more in-depth and detailed postings as well!
2. So, here's some questions, by chapter. Choose FOUR to answer in a paragraph of 3-5 sentences each. These shouldn't be essay answers, but they're not short answers, either. Please provide specific page # and textual references whenever possible and necessary.
DEADLINE: You'll need to have the questions answered by the beginning of class on Wednesday, November 5th.
Ch. VIII -- "Mediaeval"
1. Explain the significance of the title. (Hint: see the bottom of page 31 and the top of page 71).
2. Assuming that Cecil's reference to Lucy as "like a woman of Leonardo da Vinci's" refers to the Mona Lisa... what the heck does it/he mean? (Paragraph on 72 that begins "He had known Lucy for several years...")
Ch. IX -- Lucy as a Work of Art"
3. Again, explain the significance of the title.
4. Look back at page 86 -- Lucy and Cecil talk about the taking the "road" vs. walking through the woods. Then, Cecil says "Why is it, Lucy, that you always say the road? Do you know that you have never once been with me in the fields or the wood since we were engaged?" Later, Lucy says of/to Cecil "When I think of you, it's always as in a room. How funny!" What do you make of this?
5. Analyze the kiss between Cecil and Lucy (bottom 87, top 88), and compare/contrast it to the kiss with George (page 55). Ch. X -- "Cecil As a Humorist."
6. Regarding the title, how so? What does this mean?
7. Look at the paragraph at the top of page 90 that begins "But in Italy..." What do you make of this? What does it say about Lucy as a character, and a person?
Ch. XI -- "In Mrs. Vyse's Well-Appointed Flat"
8. Towards the middle of page 99, find the line that says, " 'Lucy is becoming wonderful -- wonderful.' " This is Mrs. Vyse speaking to her son. What does she mean by this? Note any irony in the statement/observation? Also note a few paragraphs down when Cecil describes his "formula" for an ideal children's education.
9. Read the last paragraph of the chapter, page 100. Note the style, structure and content of this paragraph, esp. in contrast to what we've seen elsewhere. What do you make of this?
Ch. XII -- "Twelfth Chapter"
10. Analyze the title of this chapter. KIDDING. What do you make of the scene where Freddy, George and Mr. Beebe have a "bathe" at the "Sacred Lake"? Notice especially that they are stumbled upon my Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch, led by Cecil.
11. In light of the "bathing" scene, what do you make of the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 108? How might the temporary change in the Sacred Lake serve as a symbol?
Ch. XIII -- "How Miss Bartlett's Boiler Was So Tiresome"
12. Take a look at the second paragraph on page 111, beginning with " 'We mustn't be unjust to people,' ". Explain and expand.
13. Take a look at the paragraph on page 113 that begins " 'She was a novelist'." What does this paragraph reveal about the story thus far, but also (perhaps) about A Room With A View itself. Do you take this as some sort of message from the author himself?
Ch. XIV -- "How Lucy Faced the External Situation Bravely"
14. Regarding the title, explain what you think is meant by the "external situation" of the title, and, by contrast, what you think the "internal" situation is that she faces, perhaps not-so-bravely?
15. Note well the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 120. Strange authorial voice here -- a direct address to the reader(s). What do you make of it? Explain and expand.
1. Read the first half(ish) of Part II of the novel -- Chapters VIII through XIV (pages 67-120). As you're reading, please continue underlining, highlighting, and writing notes and questions in the margins. As you've undoubtedly discovered, it makes the process of going back to look for stuff to post much easier, and leads to better, more in-depth and detailed postings as well!
2. So, here's some questions, by chapter. Choose FOUR to answer in a paragraph of 3-5 sentences each. These shouldn't be essay answers, but they're not short answers, either. Please provide specific page # and textual references whenever possible and necessary.
DEADLINE: You'll need to have the questions answered by the beginning of class on Wednesday, November 5th.
Ch. VIII -- "Mediaeval"
1. Explain the significance of the title. (Hint: see the bottom of page 31 and the top of page 71).
2. Assuming that Cecil's reference to Lucy as "like a woman of Leonardo da Vinci's" refers to the Mona Lisa... what the heck does it/he mean? (Paragraph on 72 that begins "He had known Lucy for several years...")
Ch. IX -- Lucy as a Work of Art"
3. Again, explain the significance of the title.
4. Look back at page 86 -- Lucy and Cecil talk about the taking the "road" vs. walking through the woods. Then, Cecil says "Why is it, Lucy, that you always say the road? Do you know that you have never once been with me in the fields or the wood since we were engaged?" Later, Lucy says of/to Cecil "When I think of you, it's always as in a room. How funny!" What do you make of this?
5. Analyze the kiss between Cecil and Lucy (bottom 87, top 88), and compare/contrast it to the kiss with George (page 55). Ch. X -- "Cecil As a Humorist."
6. Regarding the title, how so? What does this mean?
7. Look at the paragraph at the top of page 90 that begins "But in Italy..." What do you make of this? What does it say about Lucy as a character, and a person?
Ch. XI -- "In Mrs. Vyse's Well-Appointed Flat"
8. Towards the middle of page 99, find the line that says, " 'Lucy is becoming wonderful -- wonderful.' " This is Mrs. Vyse speaking to her son. What does she mean by this? Note any irony in the statement/observation? Also note a few paragraphs down when Cecil describes his "formula" for an ideal children's education.
9. Read the last paragraph of the chapter, page 100. Note the style, structure and content of this paragraph, esp. in contrast to what we've seen elsewhere. What do you make of this?
Ch. XII -- "Twelfth Chapter"
10. Analyze the title of this chapter. KIDDING. What do you make of the scene where Freddy, George and Mr. Beebe have a "bathe" at the "Sacred Lake"? Notice especially that they are stumbled upon my Lucy and Mrs. Honeychurch, led by Cecil.
11. In light of the "bathing" scene, what do you make of the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 108? How might the temporary change in the Sacred Lake serve as a symbol?
Ch. XIII -- "How Miss Bartlett's Boiler Was So Tiresome"
12. Take a look at the second paragraph on page 111, beginning with " 'We mustn't be unjust to people,' ". Explain and expand.
13. Take a look at the paragraph on page 113 that begins " 'She was a novelist'." What does this paragraph reveal about the story thus far, but also (perhaps) about A Room With A View itself. Do you take this as some sort of message from the author himself?
Ch. XIV -- "How Lucy Faced the External Situation Bravely"
14. Regarding the title, explain what you think is meant by the "external situation" of the title, and, by contrast, what you think the "internal" situation is that she faces, perhaps not-so-bravely?
15. Note well the last paragraph of the chapter, on page 120. Strange authorial voice here -- a direct address to the reader(s). What do you make of it? Explain and expand.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Assignment #4
We'll be working on this in class tomorrow (Friday, October 31st). Here's the scoop:
You need to find two quotes from Chapters I-VII (Part one) of ARWAV. For the purposes of this assignment, a "quote" is defined as a textual selection of one or more sentences from the novel itself.
Quote #1: Single Best Representation of a Character (through their own words, or the words of another character speaking about, or to, them).
Quote #2: Funniest/Most Witty Quote.
Both quotes must be presented (typed out exactly, word-for-word), cited (Chapter and Page #), and explained/rationalized. This blog posting is due by the beginning of class on Monday, November 3rd, but there's no reason why you couldn't/shouldn't finish this in class on Friday.
NEXT READING ASSIGNMENT: Chapters VIII-XIV (pages 67-120). Due by the beginning of class (8th period) on Tuesday, November 4th. Questions for those chapters will be posted here shortly... stay tuned! ; )
You need to find two quotes from Chapters I-VII (Part one) of ARWAV. For the purposes of this assignment, a "quote" is defined as a textual selection of one or more sentences from the novel itself.
Quote #1: Single Best Representation of a Character (through their own words, or the words of another character speaking about, or to, them).
Quote #2: Funniest/Most Witty Quote.
Both quotes must be presented (typed out exactly, word-for-word), cited (Chapter and Page #), and explained/rationalized. This blog posting is due by the beginning of class on Monday, November 3rd, but there's no reason why you couldn't/shouldn't finish this in class on Friday.
NEXT READING ASSIGNMENT: Chapters VIII-XIV (pages 67-120). Due by the beginning of class (8th period) on Tuesday, November 4th. Questions for those chapters will be posted here shortly... stay tuned! ; )
Lucy and Beethoven: Revolutionary Comrades in Arms?
Revolutionary, or Romantic? Or are they one and the same...?
We touched on this in class the other day... some interesting information here:
http://www.fanfaire.com/beethoven/revolution.html
Give it a look. Hard to think of Beethoven, today, as anything more than "just another stodgy, old, boring classical composer." But in his day, and for his time, he was radical; he turned the world of music completely on its head, and changed the rules forever.
In other words, he dared to defy convention and tradition and the "status quo," and move more into the world of thinking and feeling...
Not to suggest that there's any relevance to Lucy Honeychurch, or ARWAV in general, but I offer the following:
"If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting -- bot for us and for her." [Mr. Beebe remarking after listening to Lucy playing... you guessed it -- Beethoven.]
"It so happened that Lucy, who found daily life rather chaotic, entered a more solid world when she opened the piano. She was then no longer either deferential or patronizing; no longer either a rebel or a slave." [emphasis mine]
"Like every true performer, she was intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes: they were fingers caressing her own; and by touch, not by sound alone, did she come to her desire." [talking about playing the piano, right...?!?]
"Mr. Beebe was right. Lucy never knew her desires so clearly as after music."
We touched on this in class the other day... some interesting information here:
http://www.fanfaire.com/beethoven/revolution.html
Give it a look. Hard to think of Beethoven, today, as anything more than "just another stodgy, old, boring classical composer." But in his day, and for his time, he was radical; he turned the world of music completely on its head, and changed the rules forever.
In other words, he dared to defy convention and tradition and the "status quo," and move more into the world of thinking and feeling...
Not to suggest that there's any relevance to Lucy Honeychurch, or ARWAV in general, but I offer the following:
"If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting -- bot for us and for her." [Mr. Beebe remarking after listening to Lucy playing... you guessed it -- Beethoven.]
"It so happened that Lucy, who found daily life rather chaotic, entered a more solid world when she opened the piano. She was then no longer either deferential or patronizing; no longer either a rebel or a slave." [emphasis mine]
"Like every true performer, she was intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes: they were fingers caressing her own; and by touch, not by sound alone, did she come to her desire." [talking about playing the piano, right...?!?]
"Mr. Beebe was right. Lucy never knew her desires so clearly as after music."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sad.
I'm so sorry.
Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you all.
And, at the risk of sounding like a teacher, if you need something to do to keep busy, and keep your mind off of things for a bit, read some ARWAV. Not because it's for this class, or because it's "important" in any way, shape or form. But because it's a book that, above all else, reaffirms the importance of life and love and sharing life and love with others you care about. About living each day to the fullest, and looking for joy and happiness in the world around you, because it's there.
Take care of yourselves, and of each other, OK? You're all very important to me.
Mr. B
Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you all.
And, at the risk of sounding like a teacher, if you need something to do to keep busy, and keep your mind off of things for a bit, read some ARWAV. Not because it's for this class, or because it's "important" in any way, shape or form. But because it's a book that, above all else, reaffirms the importance of life and love and sharing life and love with others you care about. About living each day to the fullest, and looking for joy and happiness in the world around you, because it's there.
Take care of yourselves, and of each other, OK? You're all very important to me.
Mr. B
Monday, October 27, 2008
ARWAV: Assignment 2 (and 3).
Hey, that rhymes! Notice my cleverness. If you read it aloud as the full title, you get "View" and "2." If you read it as an acronym, you get "V" and "3." And also notice how sad it is that I noticed this, and actually feel some degree of self-satisfaction at it. ; (
Here's the deal. Read over the questions posted under the COMMENTS for Assignment #1. Choose two different comments/questions (from two different classmates), and respond to each of them. You can attempt to answer their question, offer some additional commentary/feedback, or both! Please try to expand and prolong the discussion, as opposed to ending it with something like "Good question, dude. I think the answer is X." Please be sure that you clearly identify/label which question you're answering, and from who(m), as there is a bit of a catch here... ONCE A QUESTION HAS BEEN ANSWERED VIA POST, IT IS OFF-LIMITS. In other words, "first come, first served."
Your answers/comments/responses are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, October 28th. Please note that by "beginning of class," I mean that point at which the class STARTS. This would preclude the "Mr. Berardi, my computer/flash drive/printer/abacus wasn't working last night, so I just have to finish up..." Thank you so very much.
And while I'm at it...
Assignment #3 is to read Chapters V--VII. You need to have this read (thoroughly and completely) by the end of 8th period on Wednesday. This means I'll be giving you time in class tomorrow and 8th period on Wednesday to read -- if you can't have it done through this in-class time alone, plan accordingly, because we'll start our discussion of those chapters Wednesday 9th period. Be ready, and have good sections noted/glossed/underlined in your copy of the novel to toss into the "stuff for discusssion" pile.
Here's the deal. Read over the questions posted under the COMMENTS for Assignment #1. Choose two different comments/questions (from two different classmates), and respond to each of them. You can attempt to answer their question, offer some additional commentary/feedback, or both! Please try to expand and prolong the discussion, as opposed to ending it with something like "Good question, dude. I think the answer is X." Please be sure that you clearly identify/label which question you're answering, and from who(m), as there is a bit of a catch here... ONCE A QUESTION HAS BEEN ANSWERED VIA POST, IT IS OFF-LIMITS. In other words, "first come, first served."
Your answers/comments/responses are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, October 28th. Please note that by "beginning of class," I mean that point at which the class STARTS. This would preclude the "Mr. Berardi, my computer/flash drive/printer/abacus wasn't working last night, so I just have to finish up..." Thank you so very much.
And while I'm at it...
Assignment #3 is to read Chapters V--VII. You need to have this read (thoroughly and completely) by the end of 8th period on Wednesday. This means I'll be giving you time in class tomorrow and 8th period on Wednesday to read -- if you can't have it done through this in-class time alone, plan accordingly, because we'll start our discussion of those chapters Wednesday 9th period. Be ready, and have good sections noted/glossed/underlined in your copy of the novel to toss into the "stuff for discusssion" pile.
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