Great job with the Vocab test today. Plan for our last discussion tomorrow. Topics for discussion: time and other motifs in Eyes and thematic interpretations. Remember where we started: Harlem Renaissance as an artistic period portray the complex lives of African Americans.
Here are the journal subjects due Thursday:
1. Minor Characters
2. Setting
3. Prep for Commentary: Intro to Joe
4. Commentary outline
5. Pastiche: Personification of abstract noun
6. Motif of Time
7. Commentary for Ms Turner Passage
8. Outline of Ms. Turner
9. Identify and discuss a motif and a theme from the last couple of chapters
To receive full credit, you should demonstrate an attempt at the following: supporting an idea with quotations, analyzing the quotations, identifying literary techniques, and independent thought concerning the topic.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Eyes Journal 6 and 7
Tuesday: Read chapters 10-13; Discuss the Motif of time in the chapter. Pull quotations with different techniques to discuss time. What does Hurston seem to suggest about time? What affects how characters view time? When does time move quickly or slowly?
Wednesday: Read chapters 14 and 15; Prep Ms. Turner passage for a commentary
1. Read and re-read the passage
2. Summarize the passage
3. Mark and annotate patterns. Consider: Speaker, Tone, Mood, Figurative Language, Allusions, Structure, Diction, Sensory Language etc.
4. Identify breaks or techniques to organize a paper
Passage begins with: "Janie tried that, but short of telling[...]" (144) and ends with "[...] findin' fault wid everything He made" (145).
Wednesday: Read chapters 14 and 15; Prep Ms. Turner passage for a commentary
1. Read and re-read the passage
2. Summarize the passage
3. Mark and annotate patterns. Consider: Speaker, Tone, Mood, Figurative Language, Allusions, Structure, Diction, Sensory Language etc.
4. Identify breaks or techniques to organize a paper
Passage begins with: "Janie tried that, but short of telling[...]" (144) and ends with "[...] findin' fault wid everything He made" (145).
Monday, September 16, 2013
Eyes Journal 6
Today we discussed outlining for a commentary. There are two options: Following the breaks or paragraphs in the passage from top to bottom or Organizing the paragraphs by techniques
As many of you noticed, commentary writing requires you to work backwards from how you would typically write an essay. Gather the techniques, analyze them and then build your topic sentences.
For tonight's journal, I'm asking that you create a rough outline of for two paragraphs. To do so, you will need to pull all of the quotations, create the analysis and organize the quotations in an order that supports an argument. Then clarify what you think the subject (technique or pattern) of the paragraph would be.
Here are a couple of helpful reminders and a model for a full outline
1. "Patterns lead to assertions" - identify a pattern and then identify the effect of that pattern (1 to 2 sentence)
2. Point (an aspect of the topic sentence) typically a specific aspect of the subject
3. Intro to quotation (context for quotation)
4. Quote (this may be one word or several words from different lines or an entire line or two)5. Identify the pattern - if you said there was a simile, reveal exactly what two things are being compared (this can be included in the sentence with your quote or at the start of your analysis but probably won't be more than 1 sentence)
6. Analysis (probably 2 to 5 sentences)
Please note that for many patterns you may be quoting multiple examples. This means your paragraph might look like this:
1.2.3.4.3.4.5.
or
1.2.3.4.2.3.4.5
or
1.2.3.4.5.2.3.4.5.5. (you would need an additional 5 for this one to tie your two pieces together)
or
1.2.3.4.5.3.4.5.5
or
1.2.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.5
or
you get the idea
example:
II. Janie's attraction to Joe
A. Janie rationalizing leaving with Joe
i. "[...] he spoke for far horizons. He spoke for change and chance"(16-17)
ii. Listing Joe's qualities in separate sentences creates a pause between ideas, suggesting that she struggles to clarify his strong points
iii. Alliteration of the "ch" sound increases the rhythm as if she is convincing herself of the benefits of change and change.
iv. Progressing from the figurative horizon to simple change and ending with chance suggests that the more she considers Joe the more risky the decision appears.
B. Janie's depiction of Joe
As many of you noticed, commentary writing requires you to work backwards from how you would typically write an essay. Gather the techniques, analyze them and then build your topic sentences.
For tonight's journal, I'm asking that you create a rough outline of for two paragraphs. To do so, you will need to pull all of the quotations, create the analysis and organize the quotations in an order that supports an argument. Then clarify what you think the subject (technique or pattern) of the paragraph would be.
Here are a couple of helpful reminders and a model for a full outline
1. "Patterns lead to assertions" - identify a pattern and then identify the effect of that pattern (1 to 2 sentence)
2. Point (an aspect of the topic sentence) typically a specific aspect of the subject
3. Intro to quotation (context for quotation)
4. Quote (this may be one word or several words from different lines or an entire line or two)5. Identify the pattern - if you said there was a simile, reveal exactly what two things are being compared (this can be included in the sentence with your quote or at the start of your analysis but probably won't be more than 1 sentence)
6. Analysis (probably 2 to 5 sentences)
Please note that for many patterns you may be quoting multiple examples. This means your paragraph might look like this:
1.2.3.4.3.4.5.
or
1.2.3.4.2.3.4.5
or
1.2.3.4.5.2.3.4.5.5. (you would need an additional 5 for this one to tie your two pieces together)
or
1.2.3.4.5.3.4.5.5
or
1.2.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.3.4.5.5
or
you get the idea
example:
II. Janie's attraction to Joe
A. Janie rationalizing leaving with Joe
i. "[...] he spoke for far horizons. He spoke for change and chance"(16-17)
ii. Listing Joe's qualities in separate sentences creates a pause between ideas, suggesting that she struggles to clarify his strong points
iii. Alliteration of the "ch" sound increases the rhythm as if she is convincing herself of the benefits of change and change.
iv. Progressing from the figurative horizon to simple change and ending with chance suggests that the more she considers Joe the more risky the decision appears.
B. Janie's depiction of Joe
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Eyes Journal 4
Read chapter 7
As you read search for and tab oppositions that Hurston explores in the chapter. For example
women: men
still: active
silent: outspoken
illusions: reality
ambitious: content
Journal: Discuss three oppositions in your journal. One opposition must be from chapter 7, but the other two can be from previous chapters. Remember that you don't have to have all of the answers, but you need to show that you're trying to discuss what you see and understand about both sides of the the opposition. You'll also want to discuss how the tension the oppositions create.
As you read search for and tab oppositions that Hurston explores in the chapter. For example
women: men
still: active
silent: outspoken
illusions: reality
ambitious: content
Journal: Discuss three oppositions in your journal. One opposition must be from chapter 7, but the other two can be from previous chapters. Remember that you don't have to have all of the answers, but you need to show that you're trying to discuss what you see and understand about both sides of the the opposition. You'll also want to discuss how the tension the oppositions create.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Eyes Journal 2
No reading
tonight, but you do have a commentary journal. Also, make
certain you complete your literary term project.
The Journal: Read and read the passage. Summarize the passage identifying the speaker and the subject of the passage. Identify techniques and patterns: Figurative Language, Mood, Tone, Diction, Syntax, Structure, Allusion and Sensory Language. Try to develop ideas concerning the effects of the techniques you find. You do not have to write in paragraphs or in complete sentences, but you should have notes concerning the information you found. We'll use this passage for our discussion tomorrow and to begin our discussion about commentary essays.
"You behind a plow! You ain't got no mo' business wid uh plow than uh hog is got wid uh holiday! You ain't got no business cuttin' up no seed p'taters neither. A pretty doll-baby lak you is made to sit on de front porch and rock and fan yo'self and eat p'taters dat other folks plant just special for you"
Janie laughed and drew two quarts of syrup from the barrel and Joe Starks pumped the water bucket full of cool water. They sat under the tree and talked. He was going on down to the new part of Florida, but no harm to stop and chat. He later decided he needed a rest anyway. It would do him good to rest a week or two.
Every day after that the managed to meet in the scrub oaks across the road and talk about when he would be a big ruler of things with her reaping the benefits. Janie pulled back a long time because he did not represent sun-up and pollen and blooming trees, but he spoke for far horizon. He spoke of change and chance. Still she hung back. The memory of Nanny was still powerful and strong.
"Janie, if you think Ah aims to tole you off and make a dog outa you, youse wrong. Ah wants to make a wife outa you."
"You mean dat, Joe?"
"De day you puts yo' hand in mine, Ah wouldn't let de sun go down on us single. Ah'm uh man wid principles. You ain't never knowed what it was to be treated lak a lady and Ah wants to be de one tuh show yuh. Call me Jody lak you do sometime."
"Jody," she smiled up at him, "but s'posin' -"
"Leave de s'psoin and everything else to me [...]" (29)
Example (in progress)
"Folkses, de sun is goin' down. De Sun-maker brings it up in de mornin', and de Sun-maker sends it tuh bed at night. Us poor weak humans can't do nothin' tuh hurry it up nor to slow it down. All we can do, if we want any light after de settin' or befo' de risin' , is tuh make some light ourselves. So dat's how come lamps was made. Dis evenin' we'se all assembled heah tuh light uh lamp. Dis occasion is something for us all tuh remember tuh our dyin' day. De first street lamp in uh colored town. Lift yo' eyes and gaze on it. And when Ah touch de match tuh dat lamp-wick let de light penetrate inside of yuh, and let it shine, let it shine, let it shine[...]" (45)
Euphemism: for God
Analysis:
Connecting God and nature - I wonder if this is a pattern?
Allusion: "This Little Light of Mine" is a gospel children's song written
by Harry Dixon Loes
Analysis:?
Symbol: Street lamp symbolizes the economic progress of the town
Time: This could also be about the beginnings and endings
Analysis:?
Symbol: Street lamp symbolizes the economic progress of the town
Time: This could also be about the beginnings and endings
Tone: Sermonizing
Is there a connection between the "sun-maker" and
the man-made lamp -possibly a connection to a theme?
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Welcome and Eyes Journal 1
Welcome to IB Junior English Fall 2013
The blog is a place for you to review the nightly reading and journals entries. You might also find hints and be asked to respond directly to a journal.
We'll officially start the reading on Friday, but if you would like to get a head start, here you go.
Due Monday 9/9:
Reading: Eyes Chapters 1-4
Hurston describes the porch sitters as insolent when Pearl Stone "opened her mouth and laughed real hard" and Mrs. Sumpkins "snorted violently" as Janie walks by (2-3). These characters also appear uncouth as Pearl laughs because "she didn't know what else to do" and as Sumpkins "snorted" and "sucked her teeth"(2-3). Through her depiction, Hurston implies that people who never move past their "porch" will remain ignorant and appear ridiculous, especially as they fall over each other without cause. In contrast, Janie appears strong as her hair is a "great rope" suggesting flexibility and strength. As the hair"unravels in the wind," Hurston compares it to a "a plume" (2). Thus, the hair becomes a symbol for Janie's honor and respect. Her return to Eatonville with her hair as the item of respect suggests that the events since her exodus created her self-acceptance.
The plume simile is interesting to me. Usually the plume is associated with militaristic conquests - I wonder if there are more words surrounding the military? Also, what about the bodily noises? Sucking teeth and snorting - rather grotesque. Why does Hurston create the porch sitters as a foil to Janie as natural vs unnatural? Does this connect to the stereotypes of the 1920's? Did the white audience see black characters like Janie or the porch sitters regularly? Did other black authors portray their characters like this?
Note: Yours can appear more clearly organized than mine and a lot less like an essay. Consider listing the quotations of interest, asking questions, and then analyzing the quotations.
The blog is a place for you to review the nightly reading and journals entries. You might also find hints and be asked to respond directly to a journal.
We'll officially start the reading on Friday, but if you would like to get a head start, here you go.
Due Monday 9/9:
Reading: Eyes Chapters 1-4
Journal 1
As you read, you will look for lines or phrases that develop the minor characters and lines or phrases that describe Janie's relationship with power (think, people, situations, things, ideas etc). From your interesting lines, try to find
language or patterns that you didn't notice the first time you read.
Discuss one minor character and two of Janie's relationships with power, supporting your ideas with quotations and analysis. After writing your three points of discussion, offer a couple of questions that develop from your reading and/or writing.
Minor character example: Discuss one minor character and two of Janie's relationships with power, supporting your ideas with quotations and analysis. After writing your three points of discussion, offer a couple of questions that develop from your reading and/or writing.
Hurston describes the porch sitters as insolent when Pearl Stone "opened her mouth and laughed real hard" and Mrs. Sumpkins "snorted violently" as Janie walks by (2-3). These characters also appear uncouth as Pearl laughs because "she didn't know what else to do" and as Sumpkins "snorted" and "sucked her teeth"(2-3). Through her depiction, Hurston implies that people who never move past their "porch" will remain ignorant and appear ridiculous, especially as they fall over each other without cause. In contrast, Janie appears strong as her hair is a "great rope" suggesting flexibility and strength. As the hair"unravels in the wind," Hurston compares it to a "a plume" (2). Thus, the hair becomes a symbol for Janie's honor and respect. Her return to Eatonville with her hair as the item of respect suggests that the events since her exodus created her self-acceptance.
The plume simile is interesting to me. Usually the plume is associated with militaristic conquests - I wonder if there are more words surrounding the military? Also, what about the bodily noises? Sucking teeth and snorting - rather grotesque. Why does Hurston create the porch sitters as a foil to Janie as natural vs unnatural? Does this connect to the stereotypes of the 1920's? Did the white audience see black characters like Janie or the porch sitters regularly? Did other black authors portray their characters like this?
Note: Yours can appear more clearly organized than mine and a lot less like an essay. Consider listing the quotations of interest, asking questions, and then analyzing the quotations.
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