Discussion Question 2

Is Macbeth feminist - in that it has roles for strong, dynamic women, for its time - or is it troublesome in its treatment of women? Defend your answer.

Discussion Question - Macbeth

I forgot to remind you about this in class, so deadline this week will be Tuesday.

So far (up until midway through Act 3), what is the worst thing that any character does in the play? Defend your answer.

Discussion Question 2

We talked a little in class about why we still read Shakespeare, so many years later. I suggested that it's because many of the character's thoughts, feelings, and experiences still ring true hundreds of years later. Why do you think we still read Shakespeare? Should we still read Shakespeare?

Discussion Question 1

What kind of marriage do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have? Who has more power in the relationship?

Macbeth

This week, we began our study of Macbeth. We looked at prophecies: their nature, and whether there is any such thing as a true prophecy - or if all prophecies are self-fulfilling.
We read Act 1 out loud in class, and viewed the Polanski film version.

As you read through the play, you will be working on a Quotes assignment: you will choose one important quote from each act, and complete a brief analysis of it (why did you choose it? how does it contribute to characterization/theme?). Handout available at the side.

Shakepeare introductory notes are also available to the side.

Discussion Question

Macbeth Anticipation:

What do you already know about Macbeth? What questions do you have?

And if you don't know anything about Macbeth, what do you know about Shakespeare? What kinds of experiences have you had reading and studying his plays?

Essay Writing

Today we began a mini-unit on essay writing (see the plan linked on the side). You will be writing 3-300 word essays in class, and reading 5 essays of your choice from Models for Writers.
Please choose topics that you find interesting - and tell stories that you want to share - if you are bored writing, you can bet that I'll be bored reading. Enjoy!

Discussion Question

I see Into the Wild as a love letter to American values (and simultaneously, a cautioning against taking it to extremes) - freedom, westward movement, the open road. It's beautifully shot. What moments were your favourites? Why? What did they make you feel/think of?

Web discussion question 5.1

This is the last set of discussion questions for term 1!

Respond to the movie. Chris seems to be looking for what he calls truth. What do you think he's searching for? Did he ever find it?

Into the Wild

This week we've been watching Sean Penn's 2007 film, Into the Wild.
Into the Wild (as you now know) is the true story of Chris McCandless, a young college graduate who takes off to Alaska to live off the land. Roger Ebert describes the film better than I can:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/REVIEWS/709270305

So, why show this in English 11? As we move through the course, I've been thinking seriously about the relationship between freedom, happiness, and truth. In Brave New World, truth seemed to be found in confronting life in all of its joy and suffering. Huxley seemed to tell us: live, love, accept that hurt and pain will be a part of it, for there is truth in freedom. Yet John takes freedom and truth too far. Rather than living in moderation - sometimes accepting comfort, sometimes giving in to desire - he retreats to the lighthouse and punishes himself for any impure thought. But we are, of course, inherently impure.

I think Chris in Into the Wild is very similar. The questions I will ask you - what does he give up, in his search for truth? Is it possible that the very things he tosses away - family, relationships, love, work - are the things through which truth is found?

End of Term Roundup

Brave New World is finished (unless you still owe me a reading log or two), tests are in the marking pile, and I'm putting together your term 1 marks. They will be based on major, summative tasks: the test, the project, the essay, and reading logs. Also in the mix are the web questions and daily logs. All assessments are designed to measure where you are in terms of meeting the learning outcomes; however, marks are positively affected by good work habits and effort. The more you put in the more you can show me you've learned.

I'll have a mark ready to go for Thursday class. If you have handed everything in, it will stay the same for report cards. If you are missing items, please get them in by Friday.