The Elephant Man

Discuss your reaction to the Elephant Man considering the behavior of the following characters:
Bytes
Treves
The night guard

In the beginning of the film, a police officer who is closing Bytes's show down says, "freaks are one thing, but this..." suggesting that displaying John Merrick as a circus attraction is inhumane because he is worse than a freak.

The night guard says he is happy about what he did and feels no shame for his abuse of John Merrick.

Treves asks if he is a good man or a bad man.

And Bytes...

What are your thoughts? Reactions? How do you feel?

Which is your favorite film and why?

Discuss the film that you have most enjoyed AND explain what it is that you most appreciate about the film. Be LOFTY and reflect upon what you have learned through the story of the film and the ideas discussed in the group presentations.

Thicker than Blood

Both Kent and the Fool are determined to stand by the King, even when he banishes Kent and abuses the Fool with insults. Meanwhile, his daughters conspire to ruin him. Is the old adage that "blood is thicker than water" true? Discuss someone outside of your family whom you trust would never betray you.

But my daddy didn't love me...

It's clear to all in the King's family that Cordelia is the favorite daughter. In the eyes of Regan and Goneril, their father played favorites and his demise was their revenge. Do you agree? Is it the fault of a neglectful father that these two daughters behaved the way they did? Did dear old dad get what he deserved for loving Cordelia more?

Day Time Drama and King Lear

The story of King Lear is full of dramatic story-lines often found in day time dramas (or evening dramas for that matter). Discuss one of your favorite juicy/trashy/soapy shows and how the drama of your modern TV series is similar to the betrayal, tangled-love web, lust for power, back-stabbing events in King Lear.

Siddhartha

Discuss your favorite anecdote from the philosophy packet.
What does it say?
What does it mean?
What does it matter?
Why did you choose it?

Please do not write as if you are answering questions.

Night Blog # 2 due 12/8

what are your thoughts on the Nuremberg Laws vs. the Jim Crow laws? Are they equally offensive to you? Think about the context in which you have learned about each of these historical events. Are they similar? Different? how?

Night Blog # 1

discuss a time when you felt really annoyed, angry, or frustrated with someone. How did you handle your feelings? How could you have dealt with the situation differently?

What is the value of friendship?

Aristotle suggests that we form social relationships for three reasons.
1. usefulness--I need a ride to school. You have a car. Let's be friends.
2. entertainment--you're funny. I like to laugh. Plus, if we're friends, I can go to parties with you.
3. goodness--when I need advice or comfort or just to know that someone understands me, I turn to you. You have integrity and a goodness that I admire and strive to develop in my own character. I value you as a person and need you as a friend because you enrich my life.

What are your thoughts and how does this relate to your outside reading book?

Antigone

Is might always right?

Archetypes in Haroun

Discuss your favorite "archetypal character" from the novel. Identify which archetype the character is, how s/he depicts aspects of the definition of this achetype, and what you like most about this character and why.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories

please discuss your second blog assignment provided to you on the reading schedule sheet. You should also comment on how much you wish that I were there teaching you today instead of having a substitute. I miss you all terribly, and I can't wait to hear all of the impressive comments you have prepared for your seminar discussion THURSDAY! Rise my people...rise!

Animal Farm

Benjamin is completely apathetic (does not care enough to say anything or warn the animals even though he knows what is happening). Mollie is completely vain. She doesn't want to work and only wants to be worshipped and spoiled for her beauty. Which is worse? Why?

Favorite Hero?

Blog about your favorite hero's story. Is it a book or a film? What do you like most about the story? The journey, the adventure, the hero?

Like a God Among (Wo)Men

Which god are you? Discuss how are like one of the gods we have read about. If you don't see yourself as possessing any of the traits of a particular god, which one would you most like to be?

Blog #5 (10/15)

What did this text teach you about the subject? What did it teach you about yourself? Did it teach you anything about reading?

Blog #4 (10/14)

What questions do you still have about the story?

Blog #3 (10/9)

Which ideas did you find most compelling?

TFA #2

Which character or event did you find the most compelling?

Ordinary People blog #1

Discuss what parts of the novel are most difficult to forget and why? What has affected you? In what ways? For what reasons?