Mar. 28, 2008: Homework

Level English IV
Don't forget to complete your fishbowl questions for Monday (Mar. 31, 2008); those of you who were not in class today, refer to the assignment and questions below. Choose to complete either the odd or even questions. We will conduct our fishbowl discussion on Tuesday (April 1, 2008). Remember to type these questions out in complete sentences with textual references (page numbers) to facilitate your discussion.

fishbowl discussion
Come to class on Monday (03/31/08) ready to participate in a fishbowl discussion. Your duty is to prepare answers to the following questions. When I say prepare, I mean actually type out your answers complete with references to the text so you can intelligently discuss these questions as a group next week. I will check your answers for completion before you begin the class discussion. Only those who have completed this first half of the assignment will be allowed to participate and receive credit for the second half of the assignment (the discussion).

1) What role does nature play in this novel for Frankenstein? For the creature? For Robert Walton? Be very specific here. What romantic perspectives of nature are evidenced in the novel? How does this relate to the theme of the noble savage?

2) How does the concept of revenge play a part in this novel? Is revenge ever justified? What’s the difference between revenge and justice? Is murder ever justified? Does the creature seek justice or revenge? What about Frankenstein? Who do you think is justified in their desire for justice (or revenge)?

3) What question(s) does Frankenstein ask when he attempts to create a second creature that he should have asked the first time? What does this say about Frankenstein? How does this relate to the thematic concept of Promethean ambition? Has Frankenstein really changed by the end of the novel? What about Walton? Has Frankenstein successfully steered Walton clear of disaster?

4) Which force is more powerful, nature or nurture? What power does society have to change (or corrupt) an individual? How does this relate to the theme of the noble savage?

Use the entire novel to answer these questions!!!!!!!

Practical Writing
Your rough draft is due Tuesday (April 1, 2008) at the end of class. We will give you time in class both next Monday and Tuesday to work on this draft. If you still have not completed an outline, conducted an interview, or produced your note cards, this weekend would be the time to do it.

Spring Break: Homework

Level English IV
All students, regardless of where you are or what you're doing, you must read Frankenstein chapters 7-15 and complete the theme worksheet for Monday, Mar. 24 (if you weren't in class on Friday, then refer to the form below for the theme worksheet). We most likely will have a quiz over chapters 7-15 on Monday.

spring break homework
Over Spring Break please read Frankenstein chapters 7–15 and complete the following assignment. All of the following themes are present in Frankenstein:

1. Promethean ambition/the dangers of unrelenting pursuit of knowledge
2. the destructive power of revenge
3. observance of and/or disregard for traditional familial relationships and structures
4. society’s rejection of the “other” and its consequences
5. Victor and his monster as Byronic heroes
6. the “noble savage,” the corruptive power of society and civilization, and the roles of nature
and nurture in human development

Choose one of these themes. Over the break you will trace the development of your theme through chapters 1–15. As you trace your theme, take note of two instances in particular that you feel contribute most to the development of this theme. Below, provide a quote from each instance and commentary to accompany these quotes; please discuss how these quotes relate to the theme and reveal Mary Shelley’s conclusion regarding the theme.

theme: ______________________________________________________

quote 1: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
commentary:
________________________________________________________________________

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quote 2:
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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commentary:
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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Practical Writing

Remember, your interview is due the Tuesday (Mar. 25) after you get back from Spring Break. Be prepared to turn in a list of the questions you asked your interviewee as well as the answers provided by the interviewee, of course. Stay alive over Spring Break!

March 5, 2008: Announcement

Practical Writing

For those of you who will not be with us Thursday (March 6) morning in the 1322 computer lab, please be sure to complete some research on your own before Friday (March 7).  Remember, Choices Planner and www.bls.gov are both excellent websites to get you started.  Ms. Tutt and I expect you to complete at least one source card and four note cards by the end of class on Thursday.  For those of you who will be absent, we'll expect to see those cards on Friday.

Feb. 29, 2008: Homework

English IV
All students must finish reading "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" for Monday.