List of Opposites!

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

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. ; )

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.

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! ; )

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."

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

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.

ARWAV Chapter I Notes

A Room with a View * Chapter I – The Bertolini

Who’s Who:
· Lucy Honeychurch
· Miss Charlotte Bartlett
· The Reverend Cuthbert Eager ( M.A. Oxon.)
· The (Cockney) Signora (and her children, ‘Enery and Victorier)
· The Reverend Mr. Beebe
· The Clever Lady (aka Miss Eleanor Lavish)
· Mr. Emerson
· Mr. Emerson’s Son (George)
· Freddy (Lucy’s brother, back home at Windy Corner)
· Baedaker (and, more importantly, his Handbook to Northern Italy)

Initial Questions for Consideration:
· What is the Pension Bertolini, and where is it located?
· Why are Lucy (Honeychurch) and Miss (Charlotte) Bartlett there?
· Who are the other clientele, and where are they from?
· Where and how does the title of the novel come into play?
· What’s the irony of the “Cockney Signora?”

Key Words/Terms in (or of importance to) this Chapter:
· Decorum
· “obligation”
· Beauty vs. Delicacy
· Snub (verb)

Significant/Interesting Quotes for Discussion (most of which reveal the humor in/of the novel):
· “ ‘You must have it,’ said Miss Bartlett, part of whose travelling expenses were paid by Lucy’s mother – a piece of generosity to which she made many a tactful allusion” (3).

· “Miss Bartlett, though skilled in the delicacies of conversation, was powerless in the presence of brutality. It was impossible to snub anyone so gross” (5).

· “The Pension Bertolini had decided, almost enthusiastically, that they would do. Whichever way they looked, kind ladies smiled and shouted at them. And above all rose the voice of the clever lady, crying: ‘Prato! They must go to Prato. That place is too sweetly squalid for words. I love it; I revel in shaking off the trammels of respectability, as you know.’
The young man named George glanced at the clever lady, and then returned moodily to his plate. Obviously he and his father did not do.”

· [Mr. Beebe speaking of Mr. Emerson] “ ‘He has the merit – if it is one – of saying exactly what he means. He has rooms he does not value, and he thinks you would value them. He no more thought of putting you under an obligation than he thought of being polite. It is so difficult – at least, I find it difficult – to understand people who speak the truth’ ” (7).

· [Lucy speaking of Mr. Beebe] “ ‘He is nice,’ exclaimed Lucy. ‘Just what I remember. He seems to see good in every one. No one would mistake him for a clergyman’ ” (8).

· “ ‘About old Mr. Emerson – I hardly know. No, he is not tactful; yet, have you ever noticed that there are people who do things which are most indelicate, and yet at the same time – beautiful?’
‘Beautiful?’ said Miss Bartlett, puzzled at the word. ‘Are not beauty and delicacy the same?’ ” (9).

· [George Emerson, speaking to Miss Bartlett] “ ‘My father,’ he said, ‘is in his bath, so you cannot thank him personally. But any message given by you to me will be given by me to him as soon as he comes out.’
Miss Bartlett was unequal to the bath. All her barbed civilities came forth wrong end first. Young Mr. Emerson scored a notable triumph to the delight of Mr. Beebe and to the secret delight of Lucy” (10).

· “It was then that she [Miss Bartlett] saw, pinned up over the washstand, a sheet of paper on which was scrawled an enormous note of interrogation. Nothing more.
‘What does it mean?’ she thought, and she examined it carefully by the light of a candle. Meaningless at first, it gradually because menacing, obnoxious, portentous with evil. She was seized with an impulse to destroy it, but fortunately remembered that she had no right to do so, since it must certainly be the property of young Mr. Emerson. So she unpinned it carefully, and put it between two pieces of blotting-paper to keep it clean for him” (11).

Check out this link!

If you want to see what Lucy and Charlotte saw from their window(s), go to:

http://italophiles.com/room_view.htm

Some interesting information about the setting, and the novel itself, including a link to an online text version of A Room with a View, in case you leave your book somewhere, or prefer reading online.

Check it out, especially the pictures (posters) down towards the bottom.

No, really. Scroll down. Keep going...

First assignment for ARWAV!

Hopefully, we'll be reading the first chapter of the novel in class today. Once we do that together, you're on your own for getting through Chapters II, III and IV. I'd like you to have those read, and the assignment below completed and posted here by the beginning of class on Friday, October 24th.


Find three spots, from three different chapters (I, II, III and IV), that struck you as you were reading. Spots that confused you. Things you didn't understand. Questions you jotted down in the margins of the page. Moments in the text that made you smile, or scratch your head, or say something out loud...

ASSIGNMENT: Write three (3) questions or comments that you had from Chapters I -- IV(from three different chapters) dealing with specific parts of the text. Quote where necessary, and please include specific chapter and page references for each question/comment.

DUE: By the beginning of class on Friday, October 27th.

Please note that you should submit your assignment as a COMMENT (via the link below), as opposed to creating a new post or topic. I'm not sure if you'll even be able to create posts or new topics, but if we stick with the COMMENT section for our entries, we'll be in good shape. I hope... ; )

I shall call you... "A Blog with a View."

Or maybe "A Novel with a Blog?" Whatever. Welcome!

Welcome to the online home of AP English Literature & Composition at Hornell High School for 2008-09. And to our first blogging adventure...

In a nutshell, we're going to read E.M. Forster's A Room with a View. And as we do, we're going to discuss it, both in class and here, online, in/on this blog.

A couple of ground rules:

1. Read and follow all directions and deadlines carefully.
2. Remember that even though this is online, and you're likely doing some/most of it from home, and behind the veil of internet anonymity, you're still responsible for everything you post -- both what you say, and how you say it. In other words, if you wouldn't say it out loud in class, don't write it here. Okey-doke? That doesn't mean that you can't be spontaneous, and have fun with this -- that's the whole freakin' point.
3. BE SPECIFIC. Provide examples from the text (with page numbers) to back up what you think and say. If and when you challenge other people's postings and ideas, be specific with regards to your questions and concerns.
4. The only big "no-no" is somehow altering or tampering with someone else's posts. Not allowed in any way, shape or form. Not even sure if you can do that or not, but I want to make it clear that it is out of bounds.

Other than that, have fun! I'll be putting up the first assignment shortly -- maybe even tonight. See you soon!

Oh, and one favor. I sent out e-mail invites to everyone in class. Here's the list I had:

kidneykyle@yahoo.com
schiedni@yahoo.com
shh10@aol.com
charisejj1221@yahoo.com
djseqoya318@yahoo.com
yrlamont@live.com
spritfire@gmail.com

I typed exactly what I saw on the index card. If you know that one of these above is incorrect, please let me know ASAP (tberardi1@stny.rr.com, or call me at 382-3055) so I can correct it tonight. Thanks!

-- Mr. B.