Summer Reading and Thoughts about A.P. Lit.
What was the second book that you read last summer for A.P. English Literature? Give the title and author and explain what you want to explore in your literary essay.
Also, please share your reactions to the Socratic Seminar information and discussion that we had yesterday.
Also, please share your reactions to the Socratic Seminar information and discussion that we had yesterday.
posted by Cheryl Makovsky at 11:35 AM
26 Comments:
I read The Tempest by William Shakespeare this summer. I'm not quite sure what exactly I want to explore in my essay yet. So far I'm considering focusing on one of the many minor characters Shakespeare utilizes, but that is subject to change.
I thought that the Socratic Seminar yesterday was much more interesting and engaging than I had anticipated. Normally, long discussions result in people blurting out nonsense for the sake of talking. I think we kept a good pace and shared good ideas that helped me better understand the first four books of The Oddysey.
Hullo Mrs. Makovsky! This is Katie Scroggs which you shall see if you glance down at my signature. I figured I would start the conversation here though. Ahem!
Ummm...the socratic seminar was okay. I never seem to manage saying anything I want to when I should. *sighs* I did think that people were precise and and knowledgeable before speaking which was sweet. Good job people! Hoefully, we can all become as elqoeunt and articulate.
I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini over the summer. My goal in my first literary essay, is to explore the in-depth perspective of first-person narrative in the novel and how it opens the mind to emotions unexpressable when using the third person focusing on envy/jealousy, inner turmoil and the like.
I'm not certain of this however because the more I think about it, the more I dislike the idea, but I couldn't discover any other element that really intrigues me or is important to me. Oh well. Just some ideas for now. Cheerio!
I read Plainsong by Kent Haruf over the summer. I thoroughly enjoyed his ideas and his unique format (he doesn't use quotation marks!), and it actually takes place in Colorado! Sweet eh? Anyway he begins with 5 or 6 different people who have totally different lives but in the end all become acquaited.This actually happens a lot in real life but it is interesing to see it from every individuals' perspective.
I hope to explore in my literary essay, and narrow in on, what Haruf is implying about life and the effect other people have or the impact a minor character has on other characters.. (Ok.. I'm not really sure yet).
About the Socratic seminar yesterday, I really enjoyed it, it really brought me back to the days of Socrates.
I was intrigued by the part of the discussion about the relationship between the gods/goddesses and the humans and I can't wait to hear more ideas about that topic.
I read East of Eden by John Steinbeck for my second book last summer. I really enjoyed the book. The beginning was pretty boring and kind of hard to get into, and all I could think about was why he kept talking about so many people's childhoods and backgrounds. Eventually it all came together and every character he introduced was significant in another's life. I was so impressed with how every detail showed up later in the story and had an important meaning, but because of these I couldn't help wondering what exactly Steinbeck was getting at. With so many characters and life stories told in the book, I think that one of Steinbeck's major themes was human nature as a whole. He discussed mankind's evils, their desiire to learn, their desire to help others, their work ethic, their search for truth, and their search for love. In my paper I plan to discuss Steinbeck's views of human nature.
I thought the Socratic Seminar yesterday went very well. There was never a lull in the conversation and everyone had really good contributions. I am SO glad we discussed it because I got so lost when I read it on my own and had a hard time understanding it. The discussion made the story seem a lot more real and important to me.
This summer, I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It was one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I am thinking about writing about the eye motif. Everytime a new character is introduced, it seemed like Amir always mentioned the way their eyes looked. The eyes were the window to each character's soul. The eyes exuded the true spirit of each character. There also seemed to be other motifs connected to eyes and seeing. Amir had to find his own path, his father couldn't "show" him anymore (p. 174). Amir describes the "look" of Hassan (p. 55). He mentions Baba's glare on p. 31. Also, they phrase, "for you, a thousand times over," appears a lot. I don't know if that could be considered a motif, but it sure comes up a lot. I think the theme of the book is on page 302, "And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when guilt leads to good." It just seems like everything that happens in the book is connected to that.
Oh, I forgot the socratic seminar. I really liked it because I always feel like I understand books so much better after talking with a lot of people. Especially becuase I never seem to pick up on motifs. I just wish Mrs. Makovsky would have said more, but that's probably becuase I 'm always looking for the one right answer, instead of accepting multiple ones.
Nathan--some of the characters in The Tempest are very interesting and some are quite symbolic, so that's a good topic. Be sure to have a clear, precise focus--and a unique perspective.
Brett E--Maybe some of the comments that other students made about this novel will help you find a topic. Check the other A.P. English classes also!
Megan--I like your topic. Be sure to find some textual details that reveal symbolic layers of meaning. Study various fascinating details about Victoria that a good reader might miss. Open up new layers of meaning.
Jesse--You have chosen two very broad topics. Narrow your focus to a single element--something that you can cover in a brief essay. For example, select one "natural force" or one minor character.
Katie--Be sure that your topic takes you beneath the obvious layer of the novel. I can't really tell what you are trying to figure out about the first person point of view. Be sure to select a topic that will open up new layers of meaning--both to yourself and to your reader.
Jonathan H.--Your topic looks interesting. I can't wait to see your thesis and the textual details that you've collected
Aly W.--Fences and walls certainly appear throughout the book and seem to function as symbols. Perhaps the symbol is rather obvious, however. Be sure to delve below the surface--and to open up ideas that a good reader might miss. If you write about fences, find a unique, fresh angle.
Jimmy N.--Your topic is much too broad for a small essay. Narrow your focus and refine your thesis idea.
Julie S.--Any one of these topics might work. Select one and be sure to delve beneath the obvious layer of meaning. Find a fresh, unique angle.
Matt L.--Sorry, but I don't recall which character Sohrab is...Is he a minor character? The father? Your thesis could be interesting. Be sure to keep your focus on textual details involving this character. Probe the symbolism. Unlock ideas that a good reader might miss.
Rachel <3--Narrow your focus to a single element. You need to decide what interests you or perplexes you and spring from that.
Sarah E.--The kite is obviously a huge symbol in the novel. It may be too obvious. If you write about the topic, be sure to find an angle, a fresh, unique perspective.
Emma V--Comparing these two books is challenging, but unique. Try to find an angle, an argument. Focus on a single element. Maybe the "journey" idea or the "hero quest" idea. Keep thinking!
Betsy--Be sure that you find a single topic. Refine your focus and find a unique angle. Avoid a topic that is too obvious.
Kelly--You have a bunch of interesting ideas here. Clearly, though, you need to select one idea and focus it. This is a small paper, so you can't hit everything!
Aly A.--You need to narrow your focus to a single element. The book is rich and profound. The challenge will be to zero in on only one element. Think about what interested you or perplexed you about the novel. THis might lead you to a topic.
Danait--Select a character whose purpose in the novel might not be very obvious. Get below the surface and open up ideas and details that a good reader might have missed.
Haley--Your ideas are interesting. Avoid using the cliche "window to the soul," however. Find a fresh angle!
Haley--Your ideas are interesting. Avoid using the cliche "window to the soul," however. Find a fresh angle!
Megan M.--Your topic is much too broad. Be sure to narrow your focus to a single element. Avoid merely stating what the theme is; instead, write about how an element conveys the theme.
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