Due 10/17: The Stranger

October 13, 2016 By

1. The Stranger–Read and annotate Chapters 3 and 4 of Part II. Complete the novel by Tuesday!

2. (Due 10/19) Class Forum–Remember, bring a printed copy of your response into class.

2. THE STRANGER ESSAY
First Draft due Monday, Oct. 24
Final Draft due Wednesday, Oct. 26
3-4 page literary/philosophical analysis of The Stranger. You are expected to use The Myth of Sisyphus as a complement to your discussion.  Sisyphus is a philosophical commentary on The Stranger–Explore.  How does Sisyphus help us to understand Camus’ philosophy as communicated through Meursault?  IMPORTANT: While Sisyphus is used to give some form to the discussion (i.e. helping to shape the thesis), the discussion is focused on exploring Camus’ message and how he develops that message. While not necessary, I would encourage you to research Camus further to give you further context.  Folks, I expect this essay to demonstrate great thematic/philosophical control of  both texts.  Waiting till the night before is probably not a good idea.  Your reading responses and annotations should prove to be quite beneficial here.  This should be typed in font size 12 (times new roman  or arial).  You should have a title!!!  The title should reflect your thesis.  If you have any questions, please email me.

Sample Intro (with thesis):

The Hour of Consciousness: Understanding God’s Judicial System

Albert Camus’ The Stranger juxtaposes the importance of God’s morality and the impact it has in the judicial system of an absurd reality, in which social code is rigid and behavior that strays from protocol is subject to scrutiny. In presenting this environment, Camus emphasizes a universal morality, swayed by God and superimposed over an individual’s unique perception of the world, such as Meursault, the protagonist. Others condemn this tragic hero to an unfortunate fate, validated by the belief that because an atheist is subordinate in the eyes of God, he must gradually come to understand the ubiquity of this singular morality. Much like Meursault, in Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus, Sisyphus is condemned to a fate he cannot control due to the social constructs of an absurd reality. Only when Sisyphus has reached the top of the hill with his boulder does he amount to what Camus calls, “the hour of consciousness”: essentially, the understanding of the absurdity of life. Camus’ placement of biased judicial figures gradually strengthens Meursault’s understanding of absurdity, illuminating the importance of the “hour of consciousness” in both articulating and refuting God’s ubiquitous morality.

Due 10/13: Thesis Posting

October 11, 2016 By

1. The Yellow Wallpaper–Post your thesis on the class forum. Keep in mind:

We need to consider how multiple devices/elements work in concert to create greater meaning and lead to your argument.  An analysis of the use of symbolism is great and critical to a discussion of The Yellow Wallpaper as a whole, but you demonstrate greater mastery of the short story if you are able to discuss how multiple devices/elements work together to develop theme. Note: Your argument does not have to be a thematic statement. This is only a reference to the template presented in class.

For instance, one could argue that the theme of this story is only revealed once one explores how Gillman uses the symbolism of the house to inform/affect Jane’s evolving internal conflict. Here, we would see a student demonstrating control over how a device interacts with an element.

Or, one could suggest that the evolution of the narrator’s perception of the wallpaper illustrates (one point of analysis (shout out JG) fleshed out in depth revealing the nuance of its use in the short story) the effects of patriarchy on the nuclear family. This is just an idea that could lead to a thesis. In the actual thesis statement, you would not use language like: “illustrates the effects of” or “comments on” etc. Rather, in the actual thesis, state the effect and state the commentary.

So, based upon the above, a sample thesis  may  be:

Jane’s evolving view of the wallpaper illustrates how the nuclear family inhibits the narrator’s creativity and consequently her identity.

Ultimately, while I am interested in your thesis, I am also interested in seeing your thesis process. So, bring in the process as well Thursday.

Post by midnight on Wednesday! Enjoy your day off tomorrow…

Due 10/5: The Stranger and Class Forum

September 30, 2016 By

1. (Due 10/5) The Stranger–Read and annotate the first three chapters.

2. (Due 10/5) Class Forum–Discuss either Meursault’s characterization or the juxtaposition of these two relationships: Raymond/Mistress and Salamano/Dog. Keep the discussion pithy and focused (200 words). Quote the text.

3. (Due 10/6) The Stranger–Read and annotate the next three (4-6). This will take you to the end of Part I.

4. (Due 10/10) Class Forum

Due 9/27: Class Forum

September 26, 2016 By

1. Class Forum–Please be sure to post in YOUR class forum.

2. Remember, if you need to email me, please send the email directly to sleon@beaconschool.org

Due 9/21: Sexton and Plath

September 20, 2016 By

1. Class Forum–Post your topic sentence to the appropriate class forum.

2. Reading–45 Mercy Street by Anne Sexton and Mad Girl’s Love Song by Sylvia Plath.

3. Research and take notes on Sylvia Plath. More than most authors, the writer’s life (context) is key to fully understanding her work.

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