Awakening # 1

Is Edna likeable? How important is the like-ability of a character in literature? Does a likeable character make the central idea of the text easier to understand, or does it take away from the meaning?

Explain.

Check out this video link: John Green (author of Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns) briefly hits on the like-ability of Holden Caulfield. He also talks about the function of metaphor and symbolism. Good stuff!

Ethan Frome

Please post your favorite example of Edith Wharton's use of imagery throughout Ethan Frome. Post the entire passage and be sure to include a page number. In addition to the passage, tell us why you chose it!

The passage that you choose will not count toward your word count for this blog. The explanation of why you chose it should be a minimum of 150 words.

This blog is due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, 5 December.

The Yellow Wallpaper

Please provide an analysis of symbolism in "The Yellow Wallpaper". Pick a symbol or two, such as the yellow wallpaper and the woman behind the pattern and discuss symbolic meaning as you see it.

300 words. Due Wednesday, 24 November by 11:59 pm.

When this blog is complete, you may give thanks.

Gatsby Film Awards

The results are in!

Best Actor-Nate Zobrest
Best Actress-Sarah Rung
Best Costumes-Fox, Rung, Airey
Best Video Quality-Sekera, Kranick, Panek, Keenen
Best Editing-Emily Sekera
Best Special Effects-Zobrest, Arnold, McCormick
Creep Award-John Cena
Worst Actor-Tyler G
Worst Costume-Alyssa Cascio
Most Humorous-Kocher, Fusco, Cascio, Tomasello
Best All-Around - Sekera, Kranick, Panek, Keenen

Congratulations to our winners! Great work.

Wrapping up Gatsby

So, now that you have finished reading the text, what was the foul dust that floated in the wake of Gatsby's dreams?

I'd also like to hear your thoughts on this question:

Did Gatsby die for his dream or because of his dream?

This blog is due on Tuesday, 2 November by 11:59 pm - 300 word minimum

Help Lindsey Kocher

Please post one compliment about Lindsey Kocher here. Lindsey Kocher, just post anything so that you can try and understand how this blaaahhhg works.

The Great Gatsby # 2...Daisy, Tom, and Jordan

You've had at least five chapters to observe the words, actions, and mannerisms of Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, and Jordan Baker. Let's psychoanalyze them a bit. Why do these characters act the way that they do? Why does Jordan lie? Why is Tom aggressive? Why is Daisy insincere? Offer suggestions. Don't worry about using a passive voice.

Minimum length: 300 words
Due by Sunday, 24 October 2010 by 11:59 pm EST

Gloggie Results!!!

Here they are:

Wow Award - Jen Schmidt
Aesthetic Award - Casey Arnold
Multimodal Award - Lindsey Kocher
Best Video - Emily Sekera
Best Song - Sara Fox
Best Image - Maegan Tomasselo (Hair Dryer)
Almost There Award - Lindsay Kranick
Creep Award - Emily Sekera
Back to the Drawing Board - Nate Zobrest
Best in Show - Casey Arnold

It turned out to be quite a big night for Casey Arnold and Emily Sekera. I look forward to future glogs with this group!

Congratulations to all of our winners, with the exception of Nate Z, whose glog was awful. In all honesty, Nate experienced a number of technical issues while creating his glog. I thought that you all did a nice job. If you have time to explore the glogs a bit further, please do so. I think that there is a great deal to learn from your work! If nothing else, please watch the video provided on Emily's glog. Well done, gang.

Please post your reactions to the winning glogs here. Do you agree with the winning glogs? Is anyone angry or upset about the results?

The Great Gatsby # 1

"...Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men." - The Great Gatsby, pg. 2

Please explain this passage to the best of your ability. What might this foul dust be?

Minimum length requirement - 300 words

THIS BLOG IS DUE ON MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER by 11:59pm EST.

GOAT Rubric in effect.

Welcome!

Welcome to the official Alden High School AP Literature and Composition blog!

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