January
26
January
13
Peace Like a River 108-166
For this section you will have to come up with your own ideas and analysis. I will give you some guidance. Learning to analyze literature on your own is important. 1) There are memorable characters in this book. Describe any of these characters–how does Enger create them? 2) Comment on any event in this section and its possible significance. Please post by January 18, 2008 by 10:30 pm.
January
13
Peace Like a River 1-107
Pick any of the below and post a comment by Friday, January 16 by 10:30 pm. 1)Davy comments on Finch and Basca’s third offense by saying “How many times does a dog have to bit before you put him down?” (36). Do you agree/disaagree with Davy’s assessment of the situation? 2)Analyze the conversation on p. 43 between Reuben and Davy. Davy asks Rueben if he thinks God looks out for them. then he asks Reueben if he wants Him to. Reuben thinks this is an oddball question. What do you make of this conversation? How does Davy exemplify something larger (or just a drastically different way of thinking) in this novel? 3)Several “miracles” (or really lucky/fortuitous events) happen in this section, often followed by Reuben teling us to “make of it what you will.” Are believing in miracles necessary to follow this book or “get” this book? Please explain. 4)After the court scene, has your opinion of Davy changed?
December
9
The Glass Castle 90-end of the novel
Please read the requirements for this post carefully. Last post to this blog is due by Monday 12/15/08 by 10:30 p.m. HOWEVER, you must post three times by Monday. Your post must appear from Wed-Mon (12/9-12/15); you may not post all three reponses on the same day. I will check your progress daily. I want to see you actively thinking and writing about your final blog to TGC. This post will be graded for: content (originality/insight), quantity, and mechanics/punctuation. Please be thoughtful in your response. You may post more than three times. CHOICE AS ALWAYS! Some may be possible essay questions. Please feel free to bring up any questions or comments in class. A high school teacher may clarify; a college professor may not…it is up to you to clarify! Do your best and remember this test will be all essay.
1) Discuss any moments when her parents came through, were there for her or supported her. 2) How did the Walls children escape poverty? To help you you need to know what resources the Walls children had? I’m sure they have more than 1-2. Which ones do they have and explain how the resources helped them escape Welch/their “old lives”? 3) Re-read pg. 216. How is chaos/turbulence a motif in the novel? Think about when it is mentioned. What do you think it means? 4)a Re-read pgs. 256-257. Obviously this scene is ironic, but what do we know now or did we learn about the hardship and obstacles that the underclass face? Be specific. 4)b. Prof. Fuchs suggests both sides of the homelessness argument. Is it as the conservatives suggest a “result of drug abuse and misguided entitlement programs” or is it as the liberals argue, “cuts in social-service programs and the failure to create economic opportunity for the poor that “created this problem? State your opinion, nuance how you deem necessary, and hey! what do you think Jeanette Walls thinks? 5) What motifs/symbols have you noticed in the novel? Do you have any ideas on what message Walls is trying to convey?
November
17
The Glass Castle 91-125
Pick one of the below prompts. Please respond by Sunday, November 23, 2008 by 10:30 p.m.
- Feel free to comment on any motifs or symbols that you have noticed so far. Make an inference (give an educated guess) and see what you come up with on your own!
- Rose Mary says she is an “excitement addict.” How does this addiction or Rex’s addiction further complicate their turbulent lives? How do the childrens’ reactions to their parents’ addictions exacerbate the situation? Think about Christmas if you need help on this one.
- When Brian, Lori and Jeannette tell their dad about thier placement in the gifted program, their dad tells them that he had always told them they were special. With a “sideways look”, Brian says “If we’re so special,” he said slowly, “why don’t you…” and stops (95). What does he not say? Give your best guess. Think about Brian (his character) and how he differs from Jeannette, especially in his relationship with his dad.
- Roach massacres, pervert hunting, patching termite infested floors with chickenwire to violent drunken church disruptions….these are some of the tragic and comic tales Walls relates. Post an insightful comment on any that stood out to you.
November
17
The Glass Castle 1-66
Please respond to any of the below prompts. You must respond by Thursday, November 20, 2008 by 10:30 pm. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! Please do not procrastinate. A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part-anonymous sage.
As with Hole in My Life, there are some good quotes in The Glass Castle. Here are some that I noted, please feel free to comment on any of them, or mention your own and discuss what you think it means and/or why you chose it.
- You can’t live in fear of something as basic as fire (15).
- She disapproved of chewing gum…[i]t was a disgusting low-class habit…(12).
- I wasn’t use to the quiet and order, and I liked it (11).
- Your values are all confused (5)
- You’re way too easily embarassed. Your father and I are who we are. Accept it (5).
- A cloud sprayed out behind the plane, and a fine white powder came sprinkling down on our heads (46).
- I didn’t have the answers to those questions, but what I did know was that I lived in a world that any moment could erupt into fire. It was the sort of knowledge that kept you on your toes (34).
A motif is an recurring event, image, or situation that an author uses to convey a deeper message. Motifs work much like symbolism, except they are not objects. Pick any of the below and discuss how they are motifs. What is Wall’s message? (hey…this would be great practice for an essay or a short answer:))
- the Joshua Tree
- building the glass castle
- prospecting
- doing the skedaddle
- loss of pets
Rex and Rose Walls have unique outlooks on parenting, society, conformity and basic “middle class values.” Pick any of these aspects and critique (discuss the positive/negative aspects) them.
October
1
HIML/ Reflective Essay Ideas
October
1
Hole in My Life Final Blog
This last blog is due Sunday, October 5, 2008 by 10:30 p.m. This could be a great spot to find some future essay questions. Here are your options: 1) Both Jack’s horrific abuse of his face and the “hole” are symbolic*. Pick one/both and enlighten us…what is Gantos message? 2) Yellow! Yellow! Yellow! What is the significance of this color? It is all over the novel. Look at the various instances, settings, and events where this color is mentioned. Examine the cover of the book, too. What do you think about when you think of the color yellow. Any insights? 3) Throughout the novel, Jack looks for “stuff” to write, tosses down a plethora of famous writers, artists, and cultural icons; yet still feels uninspired what are the stories he eventually writes and what is the underlying message of this? 4) What about Jack’s dad (and parents) should they share in the “blame” (or later his success) for where Jack ended up? What do you think of his parents’ parenting skills? 5) I love this book for seniors. Tell me why it’s a good senior book or tell me why it is the worst. When would this book be a bad idea or could anyone relate/connect etc. ? 6) I love hearing the quotes you found that resonated with you. Share those with us! 7) Any other comment, insight or observation on the novel would be appropriate to share on this blog as well.
Hey! Don’t forget to come back and check out your peers’ responses. This collaborative effort could help you on the test (essay test…remember!!)
*If you need help with the “hole” symbolism click on the link under blogroll….Jack Gantos website. It should take you to his biography.
October
1
Hole in My Life 118-186
Here are your options for this blog:1) Jack wants a clean slate, but this seems virtually impossible. What does this quote mean “After all, it didn’t matter who I was, it was what I had done that now defined me” (177) Isn’t it our actions that define us? Can we undo this? Under what circumstances are our actions “undoable”? 2) The psychiatrist calls Jack a “situational psychopath” who would rather “give answers that attempted to redefine himself” than be honest( 178)? How do we know when we are truly being honest about ourselves? How can we be sure we aren’t painting a rosier picture of ourselves than reality warrants? This blog is due Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 by 4:30 p.m. I will be stringent about this deadline.
September
22
Hole in My Life 57-118
This blog is due Friday 9/26 by 10:30p.m. You have three choices for this blog:
1) Gantos says “Like any book about mistakes and redemption, the mistakes are far more interesting to read about (and write about)–so I’ll start with where I think I went around the bend” (8). What are his most interesting mistakes and/or where do you think he “went around the bend”? 2) I mentioned to you in class that there are several quotes in this novel that resonate with me. You can respond to the below quotes or pick your own and write your own response. “Anyone can be great under rosy circumstances, but the true test of character is measured by how well a person makes decisions during difficult times” (8). OR “Once you cross that line, there’s no coming back”(7). 3) Hamilton is an insane character. What does he add to this story?