One Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey. The story mainly takes place in a mental institute where the reader follows the journey of Randall Mc Murphy a newcomer in the ward. We also see the story of the other Acutes in the ward with Mc Murphy who is like the new element disturbing all the routines pre-established by Nurse Ratched. In this novel, the author wanted to show the effects of the restrictive society in which we live in. To represent the society, Ken Kesey used the character of Nurse Ratched to show how the influence of the society can be a bad thing to people who are different.
Nurse Ratched represents the restrictive society in many ways. First of all, she establishes certain routines and rules that must be followed by everyone, just like in our society. At page 25 in the book, she tells Mc Murphy: “(…) everyone … must follow the rules.” She emphasize the word “everyone” because Mc Murphy didn’t wanted to go and take the first compulsory shower. Like in the ward, everyone in our society must follow the rules. For example, everyone under 16 must go to school. That means that even if school isn’t made for everyone (some doesn’t find the educational system well fitted for them and their needs) every child under 16 is forced to go to school. Just like everyone in the ward is forced to follow Nurse Ratched’s rules.
Nurse Ratched also represents our repressive society. When Mc Murphy arrives and starts to disturbs Nurse Ratched‘s routines, she gets really angry about it. She even tells her assistant that: “Sometimes a manipulator’s own ends are simply the actual disruption of the ward for the sake of disruption. There are such people in our society.”(p.27) Like in society, usually people who want to disturbs established routines are not really appreciated and they are seen as crazy persons. For example, we are all used to getting up in the morning, going to work, eating lunch, going back home, watching television, and finally going to sleep before we do the same routine again and again. What if someone decided one day that we would sleep during daytime and go to work at night. He would sure be considered as crazy and people wouldn’t like him at all. As Chief Bromden explains to the reader at the end of page 41: “And like I explain, the Big Nurse gets real put out if anything keeps her outfit from running smooth.” This is a metaphor where Nurse Ratched’s outfit represents the ward, and where the ward represents society for Ken Kesey.
Finally, the work of Nurse Ratched really is to remodel the occupants of the ward to normalize them and then release them in society. She gets really proud when she succeeds in transforming a “deranged” Acute into a well behaved citizen. “When a completed product goes back out into society, all fixed up good as new, better than new sometimes, it brings joy to the Big Nurse’s heart; something that came in all twisted different is now a functioning, adjusted component , a credit to the whole outfit and a marvel to behold.”(p.40)
In conclusion, this novel written by Ken Kesey really represents how the society represses and restricts everyone to make a perfect unity. The character of Nurse Ratched and her ward are used to show on a small scale, the elements and the effects of a repressive society. In this book, the author also show the reader how there can be good figures of authority, like Randall Mc Murphy, and bad figures of authority just like Nurse Ratched.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Self assessment on One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
I give myself 7/10
1. My speaking was not as fluid as I would have liked it to be. I searched for some words and at some point I lost myself in my sentences.
2. My argumentation was good. The points that I made were coherent and well structured.
3. I didn't go far enough in my argumntation. I didn't have quotations from the book, and my argumentation was a little bit too shallow. I didn't go deep enough.
1. My speaking was not as fluid as I would have liked it to be. I searched for some words and at some point I lost myself in my sentences.
2. My argumentation was good. The points that I made were coherent and well structured.
3. I didn't go far enough in my argumntation. I didn't have quotations from the book, and my argumentation was a little bit too shallow. I didn't go deep enough.
Introducing a literary essay
1. Biographical information
2. Quotation
3. Definition
Insanity is doing the same thing all the time and expecting different results.
4. Element of fiction.
5. Life experiences
6. Very brief plot summary
7. Philosophical concept
Everyone seeks ................
8. Historical background
Read the opening lines of student essays. Write the number of the suggestion that fits best.
__5____ Human emotions are complex and sometimes inexplicable, as are our behaviours. It is hard to understand why people often try to impose themselves on others, taking others` freedom, as the main the husband does in this story.
__7____ It is in human nature to seek freedom. And we have no control over the fact that we are born to be free. That is what the author realizes in this story.
____1__ The author was a young widow. And so she was able to understand the many emotions of a woman who learns that her husband has died unexpectedly.
___8___ In the story, the author presents the role and the feeling of women in the nineteenth century. As the author suggests, women at the time had very few rights.
____2__ ‘Free! Body and soul free!’ Every human being is born free, according to the author.
___3___ What is freedom? According to The American Heritage Dictionary Dictionary, freedom is ‘the capacity to exercise choice.’ In this story, the author presents the main character as a woman without freedom, one who could not make her own choices in life.
____6__ The story by the author shows us the unexpected reaction of the main character after she loses her husband. She grieves at first, then surprisingly becomes cheerful at the thought of her husband being around no longer.
___4___ Spring is the time of year when nature becomes vivid again after long months of cold, gray, sad weather. In this story, the spring scene offers a parallel to a personal situation.
2. Quotation
3. Definition
Insanity is doing the same thing all the time and expecting different results.
4. Element of fiction.
5. Life experiences
6. Very brief plot summary
7. Philosophical concept
Everyone seeks ................
8. Historical background
Read the opening lines of student essays. Write the number of the suggestion that fits best.
__5____ Human emotions are complex and sometimes inexplicable, as are our behaviours. It is hard to understand why people often try to impose themselves on others, taking others` freedom, as the main the husband does in this story.
__7____ It is in human nature to seek freedom. And we have no control over the fact that we are born to be free. That is what the author realizes in this story.
____1__ The author was a young widow. And so she was able to understand the many emotions of a woman who learns that her husband has died unexpectedly.
___8___ In the story, the author presents the role and the feeling of women in the nineteenth century. As the author suggests, women at the time had very few rights.
____2__ ‘Free! Body and soul free!’ Every human being is born free, according to the author.
___3___ What is freedom? According to The American Heritage Dictionary Dictionary, freedom is ‘the capacity to exercise choice.’ In this story, the author presents the main character as a woman without freedom, one who could not make her own choices in life.
____6__ The story by the author shows us the unexpected reaction of the main character after she loses her husband. She grieves at first, then surprisingly becomes cheerful at the thought of her husband being around no longer.
___4___ Spring is the time of year when nature becomes vivid again after long months of cold, gray, sad weather. In this story, the spring scene offers a parallel to a personal situation.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Book review - One flew over the cuckoo's nest
The story written by Ken Kesey takes place in an asylum in Oregon. All the story is being narrated by a patient that has been there for a long time. This patient, called Chief due to his impressive and big stature, is half-indian and he pretends all along to be deaf and mute. The story really begins with the arrival of Randal Patrick McMurphy a strong headed character with a will of his own.
He has been transfered from prison to the institute because he fakes insanity wanting to finish his sentence in the asylum. The ward where all the action takes place is run by an head nurse wich is Nurse Ratched also known as the "Big Nurse". She is a very cold person and she enjoys having a lot of authority and power on her patients. She controls every aspects of the patient's life including their own personnal liberty. She likes to organize everything and she has already established a strict routine for the patients of the ward.
When McMurphy arrives, he realizes how tyrannical Nurse Ratched is and his goal is to change all the routines previously established by the "Big Nurse". He first starts by creating some kind of gambling between the patients with tables of card games and with some betting. But this is only a small part of McMurphy's rebellious act. He also decides one day to take the Acute on a fishing trip, wich are the more active people that still have a kind of logical thinking. He takes the bus of the asylum and drives them to an area filled with fishing boats. Of course all of those provocative acts really scares and frustrates Nurse Ratched. She then decides to send McMurphy for a little shock therapy, to"reset" his deranged mind. But the elctro shock therapy doesn't doesn't really alters McMurphy's fierce temper. He then continues to disturb the perfect harmony of the ward by getting into a fight with the black boys, wich are the guards, and with Chief who is fighting by his side. Nurse Ratched who is really exasperate by his behavior, sends both Mc Murphy and Chief for another shock treatment. They develop a mutual friendship and they elaborate a plan to escape from the asylum.
The nigth where McMurphy and Chief are supposed to escape, they throw a big party in the ward with alcohol and two prostitutes. Instead of escaping, the two of them falls asleep. The next morning, Nurse Ratched finds the ward in disastrous condition. She also finds one of the patients in a separate room alone with one of the prostitutes. She makes him feel ashamed of his act. Feeling guilty, he commits suicide. McMurphy who blames Nurse Ratched for the patient's suicide tries to kill Ratched by chocking her. He is stopped before Nurse Ratched totally suffocates and he is sent for intense electro shock therapy. After a long stay in the intensive care McMurphy returns to the original ward. But all the shock treatments have transformed him into an empty shell. Chief, who doesn't recognize him anymore decides to suffocate him with his pillow, wanting to preserve McMurphy's dignity. He then escapes alone and travels towards Canada.
That is what happens in the story One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
He has been transfered from prison to the institute because he fakes insanity wanting to finish his sentence in the asylum. The ward where all the action takes place is run by an head nurse wich is Nurse Ratched also known as the "Big Nurse". She is a very cold person and she enjoys having a lot of authority and power on her patients. She controls every aspects of the patient's life including their own personnal liberty. She likes to organize everything and she has already established a strict routine for the patients of the ward.
When McMurphy arrives, he realizes how tyrannical Nurse Ratched is and his goal is to change all the routines previously established by the "Big Nurse". He first starts by creating some kind of gambling between the patients with tables of card games and with some betting. But this is only a small part of McMurphy's rebellious act. He also decides one day to take the Acute on a fishing trip, wich are the more active people that still have a kind of logical thinking. He takes the bus of the asylum and drives them to an area filled with fishing boats. Of course all of those provocative acts really scares and frustrates Nurse Ratched. She then decides to send McMurphy for a little shock therapy, to"reset" his deranged mind. But the elctro shock therapy doesn't doesn't really alters McMurphy's fierce temper. He then continues to disturb the perfect harmony of the ward by getting into a fight with the black boys, wich are the guards, and with Chief who is fighting by his side. Nurse Ratched who is really exasperate by his behavior, sends both Mc Murphy and Chief for another shock treatment. They develop a mutual friendship and they elaborate a plan to escape from the asylum.
The nigth where McMurphy and Chief are supposed to escape, they throw a big party in the ward with alcohol and two prostitutes. Instead of escaping, the two of them falls asleep. The next morning, Nurse Ratched finds the ward in disastrous condition. She also finds one of the patients in a separate room alone with one of the prostitutes. She makes him feel ashamed of his act. Feeling guilty, he commits suicide. McMurphy who blames Nurse Ratched for the patient's suicide tries to kill Ratched by chocking her. He is stopped before Nurse Ratched totally suffocates and he is sent for intense electro shock therapy. After a long stay in the intensive care McMurphy returns to the original ward. But all the shock treatments have transformed him into an empty shell. Chief, who doesn't recognize him anymore decides to suffocate him with his pillow, wanting to preserve McMurphy's dignity. He then escapes alone and travels towards Canada.
That is what happens in the story One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tryst
What is the writer's purpose? To play on the viewers emotions.
What is the writer's tone? The writer is being serious but at the same time, quite humorous.
How does the story begin? The character is the main point of the beginning. The author gives the setting by the lines of the first character appearing on stage. The main character explains who he is where he lives and what he does.
How does the story develop? The story is told very chronologically. Except for one or two scenes where the characters goes back in their mind in past stories.
How does the story end?The story ends with a big twist. The writer really plays with the viewer 's mind.
Who tells the story?The story is told by the two main characters,the only two characters of the play. Each of them tells the story by their separate point of view because the story is only between the two of them.
What is the language and style like? The writer uses a proper english with some older words.
What is the writer's tone? The writer is being serious but at the same time, quite humorous.
How does the story begin? The character is the main point of the beginning. The author gives the setting by the lines of the first character appearing on stage. The main character explains who he is where he lives and what he does.
How does the story develop? The story is told very chronologically. Except for one or two scenes where the characters goes back in their mind in past stories.
How does the story end?The story ends with a big twist. The writer really plays with the viewer 's mind.
Who tells the story?The story is told by the two main characters,the only two characters of the play. Each of them tells the story by their separate point of view because the story is only between the two of them.
What is the language and style like? The writer uses a proper english with some older words.
What images are used? In the play the female character, Adelaide, represents fear and weakness with her posture and the way she dresses. Opposite from her, M. Love really gives the image that he is strong and really minded.
What are the characters like? Adelaide: She doesn't really know what she wants, she just follows her everyday schedule made by her parents. She really fears the unexpected. She is represented as really plain and conservative.
M.Love : He is the exact opposite of Adelaide. He lives on the money he made by marrying some women. He doesn't have any kind of planned life. He goes on day by day. He is very charming and has a lot of assurance.
How important is the setting in conveying the ideas and mood of the story? The story takes place in England in the early 19th century. The setting is important because it explains a lot of things. In that time, it was normal for an adult to still live at her parent's house.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Mid-term wtiting test (10%) - "The story of an hour"
Part A- Short-answer questions
1-What is Louis Mallard’s opinion of marriage?
Louise's opinion on marriage is that it is a will between the man and the woman, the husband and the wife, binding them sometimes against their own choices. Her opinion is in the 12th paragraph.
2-Why is there so much description of what is outside the window when Louise is alone in her room?
There is a lot of description to show that Louise is like born again. Being a widow, she feels just like new and now she can really live for herself. The description is there to show how she enjoys every single details.
3-Why did the author make the story so short?
The story is short because it only happens in an hour. The title : "The story of an hour" clearly indicates that all of the action takes place in an hour only.
4-Why does Louise Mallard suddenly stop crying? Indicate the place in the text?
Louise stops crying because she is beginning to feel something else, something new. She is beginning to feel freedom and joy. This is indicated in the 10th paragraph and the 11th one.
Part B- Developement questions
1-What is Louis Mallard’s opinion of marriage?
Louise's opinion on marriage is that it is a will between the man and the woman, the husband and the wife, binding them sometimes against their own choices. Her opinion is in the 12th paragraph.
2-Why is there so much description of what is outside the window when Louise is alone in her room?
There is a lot of description to show that Louise is like born again. Being a widow, she feels just like new and now she can really live for herself. The description is there to show how she enjoys every single details.
3-Why did the author make the story so short?
The story is short because it only happens in an hour. The title : "The story of an hour" clearly indicates that all of the action takes place in an hour only.
4-Why does Louise Mallard suddenly stop crying? Indicate the place in the text?
Louise stops crying because she is beginning to feel something else, something new. She is beginning to feel freedom and joy. This is indicated in the 10th paragraph and the 11th one.
Part B- Developement questions
In this short story, the author uses irony to show some important elements to the reader. Irony is often used in english language to say one thing but to mean the exact opposite. For example, one could say " The weather is so nice today ." but he would actually want to say that the weather is really bad. It is used to create a certain importance on some themes the author wants the reader to pay a good attention.
At first, the author uses irony to show exactly how the main character, Louise really feels about her marriage with her supposely loved husband. When she is in front of everyone, Louise cries and weep after hearing that her husband is now dead, but when she is alone in her room, Louise starts to feel a lot of joy and freedom, while she is thinking that now "she would live for herself" as if while she was married, she was trapped in something she didn’t really wanted. What is ironic about this is that Louise thought she was happy in her marriage with a man she loved, but while really thinking about her ended marriage,she can also feel very free, joyful, and relieved. The author is trying to show that even if mariage is supposed to be a great thing and that everyone sees it as wonderful, there is another point of view about marriage wich is not that optimistic.
Second of all, the author uses irony when Brently, Louise’s husband, who is supposed to be dead, comes in alive and unaware of everything that happened. When the main character sees that her beloved husband is in reality alive, while she has been imagining her new and bright future alone and free, she is in real shock. After such a shock, Louise dies of "of heart disease--of the joy that kills"The author really used irony when she wrote the final line. She wrote that Louise died from the "joy that kills" wich means that she died in horror and despair of seeing her husband alive when she was so excited of his death, imaginning a whole new life living alone and free.
In conclusion, the author uses irony to show the reader some very important element of the story in which there is two main themes explored by the author, wich are marriage and love. Those two themes are very close but still different. The use of irony really helps the reader to reflect on the purpose of marriage, and on love in general.
At first, the author uses irony to show exactly how the main character, Louise really feels about her marriage with her supposely loved husband. When she is in front of everyone, Louise cries and weep after hearing that her husband is now dead, but when she is alone in her room, Louise starts to feel a lot of joy and freedom, while she is thinking that now "she would live for herself" as if while she was married, she was trapped in something she didn’t really wanted. What is ironic about this is that Louise thought she was happy in her marriage with a man she loved, but while really thinking about her ended marriage,she can also feel very free, joyful, and relieved. The author is trying to show that even if mariage is supposed to be a great thing and that everyone sees it as wonderful, there is another point of view about marriage wich is not that optimistic.
Second of all, the author uses irony when Brently, Louise’s husband, who is supposed to be dead, comes in alive and unaware of everything that happened. When the main character sees that her beloved husband is in reality alive, while she has been imagining her new and bright future alone and free, she is in real shock. After such a shock, Louise dies of "of heart disease--of the joy that kills"The author really used irony when she wrote the final line. She wrote that Louise died from the "joy that kills" wich means that she died in horror and despair of seeing her husband alive when she was so excited of his death, imaginning a whole new life living alone and free.
In conclusion, the author uses irony to show the reader some very important element of the story in which there is two main themes explored by the author, wich are marriage and love. Those two themes are very close but still different. The use of irony really helps the reader to reflect on the purpose of marriage, and on love in general.
Number of words: 427
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Poetry
Poem:
Setting: geographical, temporal
Subject/theme/thesis
Genre:Lyric, ballad,sonnets,ode,epic
Voice/personna
Distance from poem: historical, cultural
Diction: use of words, imagery,fugures of speech,simile,metaphor
Setting: geographical, temporal
Subject/theme/thesis
Genre:Lyric, ballad,sonnets,ode,epic
Voice/personna
Distance from poem: historical, cultural
Diction: use of words, imagery,fugures of speech,simile,metaphor
Notes on "An occurence at owl's creek"
Takes place during the american civil war.
Industrialized north against 11 southern states( economy based on agriculture, slave labor)
The southern states decided to secede from the USA and to form a conferency
Northern soldier known as union soldiers (blue)
Southern soldiers called confederate soldiers(gray)
500 000 soldiers died
Industrialized north against 11 southern states( economy based on agriculture, slave labor)
The southern states decided to secede from the USA and to form a conferency
Northern soldier known as union soldiers (blue)
Southern soldiers called confederate soldiers(gray)
500 000 soldiers died
Book review
5 choices:
1- Tell what happened plot/stroyline
2- Describe your favorite part
3-Write a letter to the author
4-Tell how you would react if you were a character
5-Choose several "quotes " from characters and say why they're meaningful
6-Why the book is awesome or not
7- Suggest a different ending for the story
1- Tell what happened plot/stroyline
2- Describe your favorite part
3-Write a letter to the author
4-Tell how you would react if you were a character
5-Choose several "quotes " from characters and say why they're meaningful
6-Why the book is awesome or not
7- Suggest a different ending for the story
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sentence pattern #2
IC + Colon (:)
Statement: explanation (specific)
Eg1: Bernard Shaw Told a writer
" There a three things I disliked about your story : they are the beginning,middle and end."
Eg2: There is one rule in my life: always be well-dressed at work.
Statement: explanation (specific)
Eg1: Bernard Shaw Told a writer
" There a three things I disliked about your story : they are the beginning,middle and end."
Eg2: There is one rule in my life: always be well-dressed at work.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sentence pattern #1
Sentence = complete idea/subject + verb+ object
independent clause
Clause= incomplete idea / subject + verb
phrase= Preposition ( in, on ,at), no verb,
Could have a participle present:(ing) past:(ed)
Eg: Csl(subject) has(verb) 3200 students(object).
Eg: FS wrote many short stories; he filled 23 volumes
#1 a) IC semicolon+conjunctive adverb+comma+IC
FS started as a wood engraver; however , he became a famous writer.
#1 b) IC+comma+coordinating conjunction (fanboys)+ IC
The story has no ending, so the reader is left wondering what happened.
independent clause
Clause= incomplete idea / subject + verb
phrase= Preposition ( in, on ,at), no verb,
Could have a participle present:(ing) past:(ed)
Eg: Csl(subject) has(verb) 3200 students(object).
Eg: FS wrote many short stories; he filled 23 volumes
#1 a) IC semicolon+conjunctive adverb+comma+IC
FS started as a wood engraver; however , he became a famous writer.
#1 b) IC+comma+coordinating conjunction (fanboys)+ IC
The story has no ending, so the reader is left wondering what happened.
Thesis statement
1- Clear, avoids vague language
2- Avoid I
3-Reflects what the text is about
4-Connects all the subelements of the text
5-Makes a "claim"
6-Passes the "so what " test
7- Directs the structure
8- Introduces an essay
9-Determines the type of paper you write
10- Uses literary elements
11- Make use of "quotations"
Three components:
1- What: Claim about the text (interpretation)
2-How: The literary elements( figures of speech, symbolism,theme)
3- Why: The significance of your claim answers the question: so what
Bad thesis statement:
1-This poem shows the narrator comparing his love to a summer's day (plot summary)
2-The poem presents the power of love to conquer death. (too universal)
3-The poem shows how narratives can last while nature cannot. (too general)
4-The poem proves that the pen is mightier than the sword. (cliché)
5-The structure,character and dialogue in the poem show us how human search for knowledge. (list of themes)
Good thesis statement:
Despite it's emphasis on love and physical beauty, the poem reveals the ways in which human can triumph over the vagaries of nature.
Qualities:
-specific
-arguable
-provides a structure for your argument
-Goes beyond "so what?"
2- Avoid I
3-Reflects what the text is about
4-Connects all the subelements of the text
5-Makes a "claim"
6-Passes the "so what " test
7- Directs the structure
8- Introduces an essay
9-Determines the type of paper you write
10- Uses literary elements
11- Make use of "quotations"
Three components:
1- What: Claim about the text (interpretation)
2-How: The literary elements( figures of speech, symbolism,theme)
3- Why: The significance of your claim answers the question: so what
Bad thesis statement:
1-This poem shows the narrator comparing his love to a summer's day (plot summary)
2-The poem presents the power of love to conquer death. (too universal)
3-The poem shows how narratives can last while nature cannot. (too general)
4-The poem proves that the pen is mightier than the sword. (cliché)
5-The structure,character and dialogue in the poem show us how human search for knowledge. (list of themes)
Good thesis statement:
Despite it's emphasis on love and physical beauty, the poem reveals the ways in which human can triumph over the vagaries of nature.
Qualities:
-specific
-arguable
-provides a structure for your argument
-Goes beyond "so what?"
Monday, February 9, 2009
An occurence at Owl Creek Bridge
Questions :
1- Who is the main character of the story ?
2-What is the climax ?
3-What is the point of view ?
5 intersting facts about the author:
1- Ambrose Pierce has been in the army for about 2 years and his experience has influenced him in his writting
2-He gets married in 1871, in the same year, he publishes his first story
3- His first son kills himself in 1889
4- His second son dies from alcolism in 1901
5- No one has seen Ambrose since 1910
1- Who is the main character of the story ?
2-What is the climax ?
3-What is the point of view ?
5 intersting facts about the author:
1- Ambrose Pierce has been in the army for about 2 years and his experience has influenced him in his writting
2-He gets married in 1871, in the same year, he publishes his first story
3- His first son kills himself in 1889
4- His second son dies from alcolism in 1901
5- No one has seen Ambrose since 1910
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Lady or the Tiger ?
Questions:
1.What is the point of view?
2. What is the climax of the story?
3. What is the theme ?
5 intersting facts about the author :
1- He was the son of a prominent methodist minister who discouraged him from being a writter
2-His first fairy tale was called "Ting-a-ling"
3-Stockton married Mary Anne Edwards Tuttle in 1860
4- He was forced to stop writting because of eyes problem
5-"The Lady or the tiger" is his most remembered short story
Possible thesis statement:
The story revolves around two dilemnas. The first conflict is the external one between the young man and the two doors. The second conflict is internal involving the princess's feelings: jealousy or love, selflessness or altruism.
1.What is the point of view?
2. What is the climax of the story?
3. What is the theme ?
5 intersting facts about the author :
1- He was the son of a prominent methodist minister who discouraged him from being a writter
2-His first fairy tale was called "Ting-a-ling"
3-Stockton married Mary Anne Edwards Tuttle in 1860
4- He was forced to stop writting because of eyes problem
5-"The Lady or the tiger" is his most remembered short story
Possible thesis statement:
The story revolves around two dilemnas. The first conflict is the external one between the young man and the two doors. The second conflict is internal involving the princess's feelings: jealousy or love, selflessness or altruism.
The Tell-Tale Heart
A ) Interesting facts about the author:
1. He lost his parents when he was very young.
2.He was married to his 13 years old cousin.
3.His first book was published under the name of " A bostonian "
4.The cause of his death is still unknown.
5.He lied about his age to get in the army.
B) Plot of the story
This story is about a servant who is obsessed by the eye of his master. He sees it everywhere and he is always thinking about "the eye". For seven days, the servant is thinking about killing his master to be releaved from the hypnotizing effects of "the eye ". One night, the servant finally decides to deliver himself of his obsession, and he kills his master. He then hides the body under the floor of the master's bedroom.
1. Setting
It takes place in the house of an old man where the narrator of the story lives. It takes place in the 1840 in the U.S.A. and probably in Boston. The story last 8 days.
2. Characters
The servant, he thinks he is sane but he is a madman. we dont know he is really a man or not. But Poe always writes with men's point of vue.
Old man: He has the evil eye.
The neighbors: They hear the scream and they call the police
The policemen: They investigate and the arrest the servant.
3.Themes (reader interpretation)
A) A human being has a perverse,wicked side-another self-that can provoke him to doing evil things without an apparent motive.
B) He was afraid of being discovered, wich lead to his discovery.
C) The evil within is worse than the evil without.
4. Point of view
1st person narrator.
5. Sentence style
"Object there was none, passion there was none, I loved the man..."
6. Figures of speech
A) Anaphora (repetition) : "I heard thongs in heaven, I heard things in hell..."
B) Personification: "death" becomes a person .
C) Simile: "a single ray of light like the thread of a spider"
D) Aliteration(repetition of sound): "Heardden ! Observation how heartily how calmly."
E) Irony " I was never kinder to the old man during the week before I killed him. "
1. He lost his parents when he was very young.
2.He was married to his 13 years old cousin.
3.His first book was published under the name of " A bostonian "
4.The cause of his death is still unknown.
5.He lied about his age to get in the army.
B) Plot of the story
This story is about a servant who is obsessed by the eye of his master. He sees it everywhere and he is always thinking about "the eye". For seven days, the servant is thinking about killing his master to be releaved from the hypnotizing effects of "the eye ". One night, the servant finally decides to deliver himself of his obsession, and he kills his master. He then hides the body under the floor of the master's bedroom.
After few minutes, three policemen arrive at the house and explian that the neighboors just heard a scream and they alerted the police. The narrator lets the policemen in and they begin searching in the house. Everything seems normal so the are ready to leave but the narrator asks them to stay and to have a cup of tea with him. While sitting and discussing, the servant becomes very nervous because he can't stop hearing the thumping of the heart of his dead master. He goes through a psychotic moment and he confesses the murder.
C) Analysis1. Setting
It takes place in the house of an old man where the narrator of the story lives. It takes place in the 1840 in the U.S.A. and probably in Boston. The story last 8 days.
2. Characters
The servant, he thinks he is sane but he is a madman. we dont know he is really a man or not. But Poe always writes with men's point of vue.
Old man: He has the evil eye.
The neighbors: They hear the scream and they call the police
The policemen: They investigate and the arrest the servant.
3.Themes (reader interpretation)
A) A human being has a perverse,wicked side-another self-that can provoke him to doing evil things without an apparent motive.
B) He was afraid of being discovered, wich lead to his discovery.
C) The evil within is worse than the evil without.
4. Point of view
1st person narrator.
5. Sentence style
"Object there was none, passion there was none, I loved the man..."
6. Figures of speech
A) Anaphora (repetition) : "I heard thongs in heaven, I heard things in hell..."
B) Personification: "death" becomes a person .
C) Simile: "a single ray of light like the thread of a spider"
D) Aliteration(repetition of sound): "Heardden ! Observation how heartily how calmly."
E) Irony " I was never kinder to the old man during the week before I killed him. "
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Movie project
1. What questions
What are you reviewing? The Reader
What is it about? A love story and in the meantime a crime war
What is the plot or storyline? It all starts with a young boy, Michael, who falls in love with an older woman, Hanna. Years later, he discovers that she was involved in certain war crimes during the Second World war.
What is the theme? Treason
What is the director's purpose? ???
What genre or classification does it fit? Romance, Drama, Thriller
What is the tone? ???
What is the point of view? ???
What is the mood? ???
2. Who questions.
Who wrote, directed, or acted it? Director : Stephen Daldry Writers:David Hare (screenplay)Bernhard Schlink (book) Actors: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Jeanette Haine
What else have they done? Kate Winslet :The Holiday (2006), All King's Men(2006), Titanic(1997), Hamlet(1996)... Ralph Fiennes: The Duchess(2008), The Constant gardener (2005)...
Who are the main characters in the story? Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes), Hanna Schmitz( Kate Winslet)
Who is the intended audience? Young adults and adults
Who has said what about this?Why? «The Reader is off to a brilliant start with convincing characters, superb acting and looming tragedy, but seems to lose its sure footing as it heads toward a conclusion that feels partly carelessly planned and mainly lacking direction. It decreases the most potent revelations and resides on a powerful love that was successfully sustained only during the beginning. Once again the order of events are jumbled on the timeline and an unexpectedly long ending detracts from the impact of the most poignant moments, not least of which is an undying love story that overshadows the historical importance of the war crime trials that set up a heartbreaking reunion. » Mike Massie
3. Where and when questions.
When does the action take place? In 1958 and later in 1966
Where does the action take place? In West Germany
What are you reviewing? The Reader
What is it about? A love story and in the meantime a crime war
What is the plot or storyline? It all starts with a young boy, Michael, who falls in love with an older woman, Hanna. Years later, he discovers that she was involved in certain war crimes during the Second World war.
What is the theme? Treason
What is the director's purpose? ???
What genre or classification does it fit? Romance, Drama, Thriller
What is the tone? ???
What is the point of view? ???
What is the mood? ???
2. Who questions.
Who wrote, directed, or acted it? Director : Stephen Daldry Writers:David Hare (screenplay)Bernhard Schlink (book) Actors: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Jeanette Haine
What else have they done? Kate Winslet :The Holiday (2006), All King's Men(2006), Titanic(1997), Hamlet(1996)... Ralph Fiennes: The Duchess(2008), The Constant gardener (2005)...
Who are the main characters in the story? Michael Berg (Ralph Fiennes), Hanna Schmitz( Kate Winslet)
Who is the intended audience? Young adults and adults
Who has said what about this?Why? «The Reader is off to a brilliant start with convincing characters, superb acting and looming tragedy, but seems to lose its sure footing as it heads toward a conclusion that feels partly carelessly planned and mainly lacking direction. It decreases the most potent revelations and resides on a powerful love that was successfully sustained only during the beginning. Once again the order of events are jumbled on the timeline and an unexpectedly long ending detracts from the impact of the most poignant moments, not least of which is an undying love story that overshadows the historical importance of the war crime trials that set up a heartbreaking reunion. » Mike Massie
3. Where and when questions.
When does the action take place? In 1958 and later in 1966
Where does the action take place? In West Germany
[ LEL #4 ]:Grammar Practice 1
1. Interest level
The course was really interesting because it had more than one aresa of grammar, there was capitalization, verbs, punctuation, etc.
2. Difficulty level
The difficulty level was very good. It was balanced, the questions weren't too difficult for me nor were they too easy.
3. What I learned
I learnerd certain rules of capitalization specially for certain words like Constitution and that The first letter of a direct quotation takes a capital.
4. My score
26/40
5. Course rating /10
I would rate this course 10/10 because it was a really interesting course to take. The questions were balances, theyr weren't too much questions on capitalization or punctuation. Every of my grammar skills were practiced.
The course was really interesting because it had more than one aresa of grammar, there was capitalization, verbs, punctuation, etc.
2. Difficulty level
The difficulty level was very good. It was balanced, the questions weren't too difficult for me nor were they too easy.
3. What I learned
I learnerd certain rules of capitalization specially for certain words like Constitution and that The first letter of a direct quotation takes a capital.
4. My score
26/40
5. Course rating /10
I would rate this course 10/10 because it was a really interesting course to take. The questions were balances, theyr weren't too much questions on capitalization or punctuation. Every of my grammar skills were practiced.
[ LEL #3 ] : Vocabulary & Spelling Practice 1
1. Interest level
I was really interseted because I wanted to see where was level of hability in spelling, antonyms ans synonyms.
2. Difficulty level
I was suprised in how difficult the test was in certain points like in the synonyms because there were some words I didn't know at all.
3. What I learned
I learned knew words such as astute, muse, ponder, panacea, etc. and there meaning and how to place it in sentences.
4.My score
31/50
5. Course rating /10
I would rate this course 8/10 because it is good if you wnat to learn new words and synonyms but you only learn thm at the end when you look at your corrected answers.
I was really interseted because I wanted to see where was level of hability in spelling, antonyms ans synonyms.
2. Difficulty level
I was suprised in how difficult the test was in certain points like in the synonyms because there were some words I didn't know at all.
3. What I learned
I learned knew words such as astute, muse, ponder, panacea, etc. and there meaning and how to place it in sentences.
4.My score
31/50
5. Course rating /10
I would rate this course 8/10 because it is good if you wnat to learn new words and synonyms but you only learn thm at the end when you look at your corrected answers.
[ LEL #2 ]: Synonyms and Antonyms
1. Interest level :
I was interested in this course because I wanted to test my knowledge on synonyms and antonyms
2. Difficulty level :
It was normal, not to easy ,not to hard
3. What I learned
- I lerned new synonyms to words I already know
-I learned more antonyms, I had more difficulties in that
-It helped me diferenciate some of them, which where very similar
4.My score
No score
5. Course rating /10
8/10
I was interested in this course because I wanted to test my knowledge on synonyms and antonyms
2. Difficulty level :
It was normal, not to easy ,not to hard
3. What I learned
- I lerned new synonyms to words I already know
-I learned more antonyms, I had more difficulties in that
-It helped me diferenciate some of them, which where very similar
4.My score
No score
5. Course rating /10
8/10
[ LEL # 1 ] : Using punctuation in sentences
1. Interest level :
I was intersted because I have difficulties placing the commas in the right places.
2. Difficulty level :
This course was not difficult at all. It was very easy
3. What I learned :
- Where to put my commas
-Where to avoid commas
-The right capitalization
4.My score :
There was no score
5. Course rating /10
7.5/10
I was intersted because I have difficulties placing the commas in the right places.
2. Difficulty level :
This course was not difficult at all. It was very easy
3. What I learned :
- Where to put my commas
-Where to avoid commas
-The right capitalization
4.My score :
There was no score
5. Course rating /10
7.5/10
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What is the Learning Express Library? Self learning tasks
Where is Mr. B's office? c-150
What percentage of the course is writing and speaking worth? 50%
How many students are registered in the class? 35
What are Mr. B's office hours? tuesdays:1:30 -2:30, wednesdays: 1:00- 5:00
What is the 48 hour rule? A student who missed a evaluation must talk to the teacher before the next 48 hours.
What is the first assignment? Read the tell-tale heart
How many references are made to "thesis statement"? 10
How many threads are found in the discussion forum? 77
Do you have to go to the Grande Bibiliotheque to register? No
What is the blog URL of the last student on the class list?http://follspantyhoses.blogspot.com/
How many pages on the site refer to "grammar"? 24
How many items are listed in the Student Contract? 10
What are the summative writing assignments? Journal
How many items are there in the "Writing Correction Code"?25
Where is Mr. B's office? c-150
What percentage of the course is writing and speaking worth? 50%
How many students are registered in the class? 35
What are Mr. B's office hours? tuesdays:1:30 -2:30, wednesdays: 1:00- 5:00
What is the 48 hour rule? A student who missed a evaluation must talk to the teacher before the next 48 hours.
What is the first assignment? Read the tell-tale heart
How many references are made to "thesis statement"? 10
How many threads are found in the discussion forum? 77
Do you have to go to the Grande Bibiliotheque to register? No
What is the blog URL of the last student on the class list?http://follspantyhoses.blogspot.com/
How many pages on the site refer to "grammar"? 24
How many items are listed in the Student Contract? 10
What are the summative writing assignments? Journal
How many items are there in the "Writing Correction Code"?25
In my english class, I've been introduced to Félix one of my classmate. He is a student in architecture and he is very passionate about mountain biking. By being outside all the time biking, Félix is a nature lover. One of his dream is to go live for a long period of time in Vancouver where the green spaces are aboundant and where he could enjoy biking in the mountains. But first, Félix wants to finish his college studying. Beside achieving an higher program of education in high school, this student also won many mountain biking competitions. He has a close-knit cicrle of friend wich includes his best friend Jacob and some of his classmates in architecture. Being good in biking is not the only skill Félix has, he also very good in drawing wich his current program requires. I've been very happy to meet Félix today.
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