Ooops somehow it did not post and stayed in the draft...
a) What do you know
about Hamlet, the "Melancholy Dane"?
Hm... I really don't know anything about Hamlet..
b) What do you know about Shakespeare?
I know his books are really really hard to understand and I personally don't like his book.However I also know that he is a real famous and well known writter. His books that I have read is : Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet. I have realized that all or most of his novels have tragedy.
c)
Why do so many students involuntarily frown when they hear the name
"Shakespeare"?
Becasue like I said in the last question, his novels are very hard to understand and because of lack of understanding of the novel, it is hard to read whole book of his. When I read books I usually sketch the story in my mind but his book, it is hard to picture what is happening in the story..
d) What can we do to make studying this play an amazing
experience we'll never forget?
Maybe do real acting? I like seeing real play! And maybe people will enjoy the story better!
1)aberration - (noun) A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome.
His plan is aberration, ... Ah don't know.... 2)Ad hoc- (adverb) for the special purpose or end presently under consideration The group met ad hoc, whenever the need to. 3)bane - (noun) A cause of great distress or annoyance. The neighbours’ kids are the bane of my life. 4)bathos - (noun) triteness or triviality of style; a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one; insincere pathos The story was brillian inthe beginning but it became bathos. 5)cantankerous - (adj.) Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
He has cantankerous brother and no one likes to talk to him. 6)casuistry - (noun) The use of clever but unsound reasoning, esp. in relation to moral questions; sophistry.
7)de facto - (noun) in fact; in reality She is the de facto manager of the company. 8)depredation - (noun) An act of attacking or plundering.
I need to defeat the depredation of Britain.
9)empathy - (noun) understanding and entering into another's feelings Identicle twins feel empathy of eachother. 10)harbinger - (noun) A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. Warm weather is a harbinger of spring. 11)hedonism - (noun) The pursuit of pleasure;The ethical theory that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life. 12)lackluster - (adj.) lacking luster or shine; lacking brilliance or vitality His first novel was very tedious and lackluster. 13)malcontent - (adj.) Dissatisfied and complaining or making trouble.
The usual malcontents turned up to the meeting and went to trouble. 14)mellifluous - (adj.) pleasing to the ear
His piano playing has been beautiful and melliflous. 15)nepotism - (noun) The practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, esp. by giving them jobs.
Government will become dictatorship if they allow nepotism on election. 16)pander - (noun) Gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit or a person with such a desire, etc.).
He was forced to pander to her every whim. 17)peccadillo - (noun) A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin.
It is good to forget about peccadillo, think about big mistakes. 18)piece de resistance - (noun) the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction.
Season one of Sherlock Holmes was the piece de resistance. 19)remand - (noun) the act of sending an accused person back into custody to await trial (or the continuation of the trial); verb refer (a matter or legal case) to another committee or authority or court for decision; lock up or confine, in or as in a jail 20)syndrome - (noun) a complex of concurrent things; a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
That child with Down's syndrome has a loving relationship with their parents.
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read. Our Town by Thornton Wilder is a famous play. Play is separated into three acts. Act I starts with stage Manager explaining the setting of the town and introducing town villagers. There are Gibbs family, Webb family, Howie Newsome, Joe Crowell Jr., Si Crowell, Samuel ‘Sam’ Craig, Simon Stimson, and more. The play start with ordinary life of Gibbs and Webb family. Afternoon, George Gibbs meets his neighbor Emily Webb. Act II takes place three years later. Emily Webb and George Gibbs is getting married! Both of Emily and George are nervous that they want to die, want to run away, and want to stay young. However, with their strong love for each other, they have successful romantic wedding. Act III takes place nine years later in a cemetery. We can see that there are tombstones for Mrs. Gibbs, Simon Stimson, Mrs. Soames, Wally Webb . Sam Craig and Joe Studdard appear and talk about their death. Shockingly, Emily also died during her childbirth. Now the story turns to the dead people. Emily thinks person’s life is very dark and she regrets her life. So she decided to go back to her life so she can find more happiness in her life. She goes back on Febuary 11th 1899, her 12th birthday. She was so happy to see everyone but soon she realized that human beings go through life without savoring their time on Earth. Emily decides to go back to 1913.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches. The main themes of the novel are natural cycle and value of life. Born, living, death is the natural cycle of life. Being worry about dying is useless thinking. It is a natural life cycle, no one can avoid them. Now going into value of life, we should appreciate every moment because we never get a second chance. Emily thought her life was very miserable and she wanted to go back to the life and find more happiness. But she suddenly realizes that it is a natural cycle, no one can change or mess with the cycle.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include three excerpts that illustrate your point(s). The author’s tone is mostly the narrator's tone, which is the stage manager. He has direct tone and very informative. He know everything.“In those days our newspaper come out twice a week-the Grover’s Corners Sentinel- and this Is Editor Webb’s house.”“Want to tell you something about that boy Joe Crowell there. Joe was awful bright-graduated from high school here, head of his class. So he got a scholarship to Massachusetts Tech. Graduated head of his class there, too.”“This time nine years have gone by, friends- summer, 1913. Gradual changes in Grover’s Corners. Horses are getting rarer.”
4. Describe five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthen your understanding of the theme and/or your sense of the tone. Include three excerpts (for each element) that will help your reader understand each one. Tone of the play strengthen my understanding of the theme. It is humorous many times but when it talks about life, the tone changed into very direct and informative tone.“and as you watch it, you see the thing that they-down there-never know. You see the future. You know what’s going to happen it’s all I had.” Also narrator of the story lead to the theme. Narrator, stage manager, appears often in the play and he brings out the theme. "Do human beings ever realize life while they live it?- every, every minute?" " no, the saints and poet,, maybe-they do some." Dialogue also strengthen my understanding of the theme. Since this is a play, the whole thing is in dialogue form. Since it is dialogue form, it is easier for us to understand what each person is trying to say. "I didn't realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed. Take me back -up the hill- to my grave. But first: wait! One more look. Good-by, good-by, world...." Symbolism is also used to help us understand the theme. In the play, they go back in time often. In the beginning, they explained the death of mrs and doc Gibbs and then goes back to the past where all of Gibbs family were living happily. With Emily and George's wedding, narrator take us to year before to show us how they met and what happened to them. "...You see, we want to know how all this began-this wedding, this plan to spend a lifetime together. I'm awfully interested in how big things like that begin." Lastly, think?, character helped me. The characters in this play is all villagers in the town. They are all ordinary people, no one is more or less special than anybody. They were just regular ordinary people. Through out the play, characters lead the theme of the story. At the end of the play, Emily did not like her life so she wanted to go back and find more happiness however other adults told her "don't." Emily realizes that they were right. There's no way anyone can change the natural life cycle. "I can't go back there and live all those days over again... Why not?" "All I can say is, Emily, don't."
CHARACTERIZATION 1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of
indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what
end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
Direct characterization.:
“Want to tell you something about that
boy Joe Crowell there. Joe was awful bright-graduated from high school here,
head of his class. So he got a scholarship to Massachusetts Tech…”
“Mrs. Webb, a thin, serious, crisp
woman, has entered her kitchen, left, tying on an apron.”
Indirect characterization:
I could not find it.. Maybe I do not
understand what indirect characterization is. I will add on to it when I find
it!
Actually, this play used direct
characterization more than indirect. Most of the time, the narrator describe
the character while introducing them. And I like direct characterization way
more than indirect because it directly explain their characterization so it is
easier to understand.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on
character? How? Example(s)?
This play is about ordinary people so
it does not have much of difficult, long, and tedious words like those in big,
thick books. The whole story is basically dialogue except when the narrator is
describing the characters. It becomes informative. No big syntax or diction
change.
When characters are talking,
JOE CROWELL, JR.:
Fine, doc, I never think about it at
all. Only like you said, it always tells me when it’s going to rain.
DR. GIBBS:
What’s it telling you today? Goin’ to
rain?
But when the narrator describe characters,
STAGE MANAGER:
Want to tell you something about the
boy Joe Crowell there. Joe was awful bright- graduated from high school here,
head of his class. So he got a scholarship to Massachusetts Tech..
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
Like I said before, this play is about
ordinary people’s life. So there are no dynamic or protagonist characters. They
are all flat characters. All of the characters stay the same beginning to the
end.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or
read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
It feels like I met those characters. They
were not like those fiction characters that has big dynamic characteristics. They
were just like people from my neighbor. They were the people that you can find
just by looking around your neighborhood. Some of the characters actually remind me of
my family!
MRS. GIBBS:
“Children! Children! Time
to get up.”
HOWIE NEWSOME:
”Come on, Bessie!”
MRS. GIBBS:
“George! Rebecca!”
DR. GIBBS:
Washing and drying his hands at the sink. MRS. GIBBS is busy at the
stove.
1. Beatitude: (noun) supreme blessedness or happiness
He wasn't a guy of all beatitude and perfection.
2. bête noire: (noun) something that is particularly disliked
Doing homework is bête noire for me.
3. bode: (verb) to be an omen of, predict or foretell
It seems like this will not bode well for
the future.
4. dank: (adj.) unpleasantly damp and chilly
It was so gloomy and dank day.
5. ecumenical: (adj.) universal
It is hard to find a person who is ecumenical.
6. fervid: (adj.) intensely passionate
He made a fervid speech in front of thousands of people.
7. fetid: (adj.) having a stale nauseating smell, as of decay
My brother's room has fetid smell that no one likes to go in.
8. gargantuan: (adj.) sometimes capital huge; enormous
Improving your grade in C to A is gargantuan.
9. heyday: (noun) the time of most power, popularity, vigor, etc; prime
When hard situation come, think about heyday you will get later.
10. incubus: (noun) something that oppresses, worries, or disturbs greatly, esp a nightmare or obsession
I think waiting for the SAT date is incubus, just terrifying!
11. infrastructure: (noun) the basic structure of an organization, system, etc ?
12. inveigle: (verb) often fall by into or an infinitive to lead (someone into a situation) or persuade (to do something) by cleverness or trickery
?
13. kudos: (noun) functioning as singular acclaim, glory, or prestige
Our class president received kudos for
his outstanding work.
14. lagniappe: (noun) something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus, small trinket
When I bought a cereal, I got lagniappe with it.
15. prolix: (adj.) so long as to be boring; verbose
It is important to write an essay that are not prolix.
16. protégé: (noun) a person who is protected and aided by the patronage of another person
If someone is getting threaten by someone, get protégé.
17. prototype: (noun) one of the first units manufactured of a product, which is tested so that the design can be changed if necessary before the product is manufactured commercially
Before new car comes out, they need to have prototype that can test if there is anything wrong with it.
18. sycophant: (noun) a person who uses flattery to win favor from individuals wielding influence; toady?
19. tautology: (noun) the use of words that merely repeat elements of the meaning already conveyed
When writting an essay, try not to use tautology.
20. truckle: (verb) to yield weakly; give in
Fighting for too long might make you truckle easily, so have some rest!
1)acumen-The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain
Laura handles her business with great
acumen.
2)adjudicate-Make a formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter He adjudicated upon the
case of murder.
3)anachronism-A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists It is almost an anachronism to use dictionary these days.
4)apocryphal-(of a story or statement) Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.
His story always seem to be apocryphal, even though they are true.
5)disparity-A great difference.
There is a disparity between what he says and
what he does.
6)dissimulate-Conceal or disguise (one's thoughts, feelings, or character)
Superman dissimulate himself as a regular person.
7)empirical-Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
To find the percentage error, empiricle - experimental over empirical times 100.
8)flamboyant-(of a person or their behavior) Tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness.
Everyone wants flamboyant life.
9)fulsome-Complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree
His new book has received fulsome praise from readers.
10)immolate-kill or offer as a sacrifice, esp. by burning.
Long ago, many people were immolated for Gods.
11)imperceptible-Impossible to perceive. The difference between their opinions is imperceptible.
12)lackey-A servant
Many people used to have lackey to clean the house and make meals for them.
13)liaison-Communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations. He’ s a liaison between the two groups.
14)monolithic-Formed of a single large block of stone.
15)mot
juste-The exact, appropriate word.
"What the.." is mot juste when you see something awkward.
16)nihilism-The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
**I don't get this word...:(
17)patrician-An aristocrat or nobleman
He has the style and
manner of a patrician
18)propitiate-Win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them. Immolation were made
to
propitiate the gods
19)sic-intentionally so written
There is no farther explanation about this quoute, it is just sic. ?????
20)sublimate-(esp. in psychoanalytic theory) Divert or modify (an instinctual impulse) into a culturally higher or socially more acceptable activity.
Meanehwæl, baccat meaddehæle, monstær
lurccen; Fulle few too many drincce, hie luccen for fyht. Ðen
Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hrwærowþheororthwl, Æsccen æwful jeork to steop
outsyd. Þhud! Bashe! Crasch! Beoom! Ðe bigge gye Eallum his bon brak, byt his
nose offe; Wicced Godsylla wæld on his asse. Monstær moppe fleor wyþ
eallum men in hælle. Beowulf in bacceroome fonecall bamaccen wæs; Hearen
sond of ruccus sæd, "Hwæt ðe helle?" Graben sheold strang ond swich-blæd
scharp Stond feorth to fyht ðe grimlic foe. "Me," Godsylla sæd, "mac ðe
minsemete." Heoro cwyc geten heold wiþ fæmed half-nelson Ond flyng him lic
frisbe bac to fen Beowulf belly up to meaddehæle bar, Sæd, "Ne foe beaten
mie færsom cung-fu." Eorderen cocca-cohla yce-coeld, ðe reol þyng.
Meanwhile, back at mead hall, monster lurked;
full of few too many drinks,he looked for a fight.
Then Hreorfneorhtðhwr(I gave up..), son of Hrwærowþheororthwl(you too..),
Asked the awful jerk to step outside. Thud! Bash! Crash! Boom! The big guy
All of his bone break, bite his nose off;
Wicked Godsylla wailed on his ass.
Monster mopped floor with all the men in hall.
Beowulf in bathroom phonecall bamaccen(what??) was;
Hearing sounds of ruccus said, "What the hell?"
Grabbing sheld strange and switch-blade sharp.
Stand forth to fight the grimlic foe. "me,"Godylla said, "make the mince-meat"
Hero quickly gotten hold with famed half-nelson
And flying with lick Frisbee back and forth Beowulf belly up to the mead hall bar,Said,
"No foe beaten me fearsome kung-fu." Ordered Coca-cola ice cold, the
real thing.
Prince Philip (from Sleeping Beauty)
He, the Prince Philip, came into my eyes when I watched Sleeping Beauty. And I was 6 years old when I first saw that movie. It is not like he had some kind of super power, like other super heroes. He had courage and strenght to fight the dragon and the evil witch! When everyone was afraid of fighting them to save beautiful princess Aurora, Prince Philip was the brave one to fight all those evil creatures. You know the saying, Faint heart never win fair lady.The brave get the beauty. Yeahh!!
1)apostate-A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
The Angelican leadership has
been apostate for
decades. ( I couldn't think of it, so I borrowed one from dictionary :^(
2)effusive-Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Beowulf made effusive remarks about his victory.
3)impasse-A road or passage having no exit;A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made
It is very crucial that there is no way out of the impasse.
4)euphoria-strong feeling of happiness
He was full of euphoria when
he
heard the good news.
5)lugubrious-looking or sounding sad or dismal.
The homeless looks so lugubrious.
6)bravado-a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
Sharron's behavior was just sheer bravado.
7)consensus-general agreement
The consensus of the people was against the
new law.
8)dichotomy-division into two parts
There is often a dichotomy between what politicians say
and what they do.
9)constrict-to make narrow as by squeezing
My shirt is too tight. I feel
like I'm constricted!
10)gothic-of or relating to the Goths, which provides the earliest manuscript.
I like the Gothic style of architecture.
11)punctilio-A fine or petty point of conduct or procedure.
Some teachers are punctilio that they don't allow any little mistakes.
12)metamorphosis- the preocess of transforming from an immature to an adult form in two ore more disctict stages.
After his metamorphosis, he began to keep his manner.
13)raconteur- a person who tells enecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.
It is fun to listen to raconteur than the bad story teller.
14)sine
qua non- an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessay. Everyone's opinions are a sine qua non for better future.
15)quixotic-exceedingly ideallistic; unreaistic and impractical
I love movies with quixotic ending!
16)vendetta- a blood feud in which the family of a nurdered person seeks vengeance on the murdered or the murderer's family......?
17)non
sequitur-a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
That was a complete non sequitur for the victim's side.
18)mystique- a fascinating aura of mystery and power surrounding someone or somthing.
Her face emanates a curious mystique.
19)quagmire- an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation.
Everyone wants to avoid quagmire.
20)parlous-full of danger or uncertainty.
Beowulf went through parlous adventure.
For the literary analysis, I chose Our Town by Thornton Wilder.
I have a lot of books in my house becasue my older sister had to get them for her english class. So I asked her which book she liked or better, she said Our Town was short and easy to read.
Luckily, it was n the reading list so decided to read this one!
