Welcome

Today is the day we make our choices for tomorrow. English IV will be your last language arts class prior to graduation. This is the time to gain as many skills in writing, reading, and analyzing as you possibly can. Here on this blog spot, you are free to express yourself about the things we are studying. You are reminded about being appropriate to the school environment. I welcome your mature comments.

Expressing our views

Expressing our views

Saturday, April 13, 2013

We need names...

We have met all the principle characters/boys on the island.  Which character are you tracking and what are your overfeelings about him?  Give a line/quote from the book that has helped you create this image of him?  (The deadline to post is Sunday, April 14, 2013.)

Friday, April 12, 2013

Then man was given to the world...

With its benign climate, fresh water and abundant fruit, the island setting of Lord of the Flies could be seen as a modern Garden of Eden until... a little boy comes forward in Chapter 2 and asks the assembly questions. What element does he introduce to the island? How does he describe it? How does the descriptive phrase, "the small boy twisted further into himself" hint at a theme? Which theme? How does this theme connect to societies of today and of all times? Give specific examples. (This post closes at midnight on Friday, April 12, 2013.)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Our land...

As Ralph looks down from the top of the bastion of the island, he exclaims, "This belongs to us!" Much like an explorer discovering a new land, Ralph has found himself in charge of a new world--an island of boys. What advice would you give Ralph to keep in mind as he is chief? What is the main thing he must do? Why? (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Wednesday, April  10, 2012.)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

...and the winner is...

Now that you have heard/read several tales from the Canterbury Tales, which story do you feel is the best and deserves to win the prize?  Give 2 reasons why.  (We read or heard "Pardoner's Tale,"  "Wife of Bath's Tale,"  "Nun's Priest's Tale," "Franklin's Tale,"  "Skipper's Tale," "Merchant's Tale," "Prioress's Tale," "Manciple's Tale" and "Oxford Cleric's Tale.")  (The deadline to post a response to this blog is midnight, Thursday, April 4, 2013.)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

What a girl wants...

In the "Wife of Bath's Tale,"  the old crone tells the lusty and haughty knight that what women most desire is mastery over their husbands.  Do you agree?  If so, why?  If not, what do you think most women desire?  Give at least two reasons for either view that you take.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, March 15, 2013.)

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Pardoner's Tale

One of the most famous of the Canterbury Tales is the "Pardoner's Tale," which we read today.  Why do you think Chaucer had a character such as the Pardoner tell a story about greed? What does the story reveal about the Pardoner and do you think it was a good idea for Chaucer to have the Pardoner tell this story?  Why?  (The deadline to post a response is midnight Thursday, March 14, 2013.)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

On the way to Canterbury

Although we have only met a few of them, which of Chaucer's pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales do you find most interesting? Why? (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, March 6,2013.)