i was in germany with the orchestra, so i'm missing some class notes!
Monday, December 13, 2010
class notes (11.29-12.10)
these past weeks we mostly read and discussed hamlet.
we learned that Ophelia and Hamlet had a very intimate relationship, and it is possible that she was pregnant. this is evidenced by the fact that Hamlet comfortably went into her "closet", which was an extremely private room that no men would (ordinarily) be allowed in, so they must have a very close relationship. also, she gives herself the flower "rue", which symbolizes regret and aids in abortions.
I definitely didn't pick up on this when I read Hamlet, and it's an interesting thing to ponder when analyzing Ophelia and her decisions.
we watched many different versions of Hamlet. It was interesting to see how different directors interpreted the play. we saw what appeared to be a very incestuous relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, and also a gay Hamlet.
Then we discussed in our forums "Shakespeare in the Bush", which aided in discussion about these different interpretations of Hamlet. it was actually quite interesting to carry on these discussions about how different religions and cultural backgrounds affective our interpretations of Shakespeare.
(link http://apelit-okemos.spruz.com/forums/?page=t&fid=514C5A5E-8F50-4EF9-8219-AC21EBA06BB9 )
it does not claim:
we learned that Ophelia and Hamlet had a very intimate relationship, and it is possible that she was pregnant. this is evidenced by the fact that Hamlet comfortably went into her "closet", which was an extremely private room that no men would (ordinarily) be allowed in, so they must have a very close relationship. also, she gives herself the flower "rue", which symbolizes regret and aids in abortions.
I definitely didn't pick up on this when I read Hamlet, and it's an interesting thing to ponder when analyzing Ophelia and her decisions.
we watched many different versions of Hamlet. It was interesting to see how different directors interpreted the play. we saw what appeared to be a very incestuous relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, and also a gay Hamlet.
Then we discussed in our forums "Shakespeare in the Bush", which aided in discussion about these different interpretations of Hamlet. it was actually quite interesting to carry on these discussions about how different religions and cultural backgrounds affective our interpretations of Shakespeare.
(link http://apelit-okemos.spruz.com/forums/?page=t&fid=514C5A5E-8F50-4EF9-8219-AC21EBA06BB9 )
We also received a handout about existentialism.
existentialism is a philosophy based on free will, choice, and personal responsibility.
it claims:
-men have free will
-life consists of choices that create stress
-some things are irrational without explanation
-decisions must be followed through with
-decisions usually have some negative consequences
it does not claim:
-a good life consists of wealth, honor, pleasure
-society as a whole trumps an individual
-live life passively; accept what you are given
-science will make everything better
-people are inherently good; society corrupts them
major existentialists consist of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre.
also: the theater of the absurd. (TOTA)
characteristics include:
-extravagant humor to mask the horror of the meaninglessness
-anti-heros instead of a "great fallen man"
-people are bewildered, in an incomprehensible universe
common subjects include:
-a world where actions are meaningless
-lack of effective communications
-destruction of the individual
-lack of values
learning about these things will help us on the AP exam!
this segues into us reading "rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead", a theater of the absurd play by Tom Stoppard.
we've read this one day in class, but I've already seen some connections in the play with the common characteristics listed above; for instance, the characters seem pretty bewildered, and they have a definite lack of communication.
sparknotes is a helpful supplement to reading: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/rosencrantz/
Sunday, December 5, 2010
outside reading vi
Outside Reading VI-
a book review
by Scott Turow
Death Match
December 5, 2010.
Turow mainly critiques this book from a formalist view. He comments on the word choice and allusions that Ross creates in his book. For instance, he comments on how the policeman's name, Ward Hastroll, is an anagram for "'Lars Thorwald', the wife-killing villain in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'." He then draws similarities between the two characters. He also analyzes other characters' names, for instance, Mobius. He states, "Mobius’s very name, of course, invokes the inescapable repetitiveness of marriage, which can kill off relationships by inhibiting any opportunity for change."
Turow also comments on this book, briefly, from a feminist point of view, stating that "The point of view in this novel is overwhelmingly male," and that the wives in the novel "all tend to be withholding."
Turow overall seems to like this book, though he does have a few complaints. For instance, he finds it confusing and states that "'Mr. Peanut' requires considerable decoding. This can be annoying." To illustrate his point as to how the book needs decoding, Turow uses a simile- "like going to a dinner party where all the guests seem bright and amiable but insist on speaking another language." Setting the confusion of the book against this simile was a very relateable and effective way to illustrate his point. Turow also comments on how some parts of the book seemed comical, describing someone's "Yoda-like counsel." While this comparison is saying that the advice might be cliché and overused, it also makes the reader think of Star Wars, and the many fantastical instances in the trilogy. This seems to somewhat discredit the plausibility and realness of Mr. Peanut.
Though he has his complaints, Turow seemed to enjoy this book. He makes this point known using the power of three (placing three examples of something in succession.) For instance, he states "over all, the novel is an enormous success — forceful and involving, often deeply stirring and always impressively original.", and again at the end when he states "This is a brilliant, powerful, memorable book." Using this power of three, especially at the end when it's the last thing readers will remember, is a very effective way to drive the point home about how much he liked this book.
a book review
by Scott Turow
Death Match
December 5, 2010.
Death Match, by Scott Turow, is a review of Adam Ross' book Mr. Peanut. Mr. Peanut is about a computer game designer who tires of his wife, kills her (death by peanuts, she's allergic), and the two policeman that try to prove his guilt. Incidentally, these two policemen are also experiencing marital discord. The novel follows them on their journey to discover why this man killed his wife, and what they can do to fix their own marriages.
Turow also comments on this book, briefly, from a feminist point of view, stating that "The point of view in this novel is overwhelmingly male," and that the wives in the novel "all tend to be withholding."
Turow overall seems to like this book, though he does have a few complaints. For instance, he finds it confusing and states that "'Mr. Peanut' requires considerable decoding. This can be annoying." To illustrate his point as to how the book needs decoding, Turow uses a simile- "like going to a dinner party where all the guests seem bright and amiable but insist on speaking another language." Setting the confusion of the book against this simile was a very relateable and effective way to illustrate his point. Turow also comments on how some parts of the book seemed comical, describing someone's "Yoda-like counsel." While this comparison is saying that the advice might be cliché and overused, it also makes the reader think of Star Wars, and the many fantastical instances in the trilogy. This seems to somewhat discredit the plausibility and realness of Mr. Peanut.
Though he has his complaints, Turow seemed to enjoy this book. He makes this point known using the power of three (placing three examples of something in succession.) For instance, he states "over all, the novel is an enormous success — forceful and involving, often deeply stirring and always impressively original.", and again at the end when he states "This is a brilliant, powerful, memorable book." Using this power of three, especially at the end when it's the last thing readers will remember, is a very effective way to drive the point home about how much he liked this book.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
outside reading v
Outside Reading V-
an editorial
by Samantha Henig
When Smoking Scare Tactics are Accidentally Cool
December 4, 2010.
When Smoking Scare Tactics are Accidentally Cool, by Samantha Henig, is a short article that discusses the proposed changes for cigarette packages. The Food and Drug Administration wants to make warnings clearer and more grave by utilizing extreme and often grotesque pictures depicting the horrible effects of long-term smoking.
Henig uses witty personification to explain what the FDA is trying to do, writing that "In place of the current Surgeon General’s Warning, which politely taps smokers on the shoulder to whisper about risks of lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and pregnancy complications, these graphic labels, which would occupy half of the package’s surface area, shout that you are going to die." This was an effective way to establish what the article is about. But Henig soon makes her opinion known by adding a statement immediately after that: "That's the idea, anyway."
Henig seems to think that this new marketing campaign is not the best way to get the job done. While describing some of the new pictures to go on the packages, she uses words like "comic-book-style font" and "Superman-style." These words have youthful connotations, as comic books and superheros mainly kids hobbies. Therefore, choosing to use these words with regards to a cigarette package makes it seem as though the new ideas are childish and possibly ineffective. Also, by using these words, Henig draws a connection between the appeal of comic books to children, and the appeal of cigarettes to children. She states that "school-aged kids are part of the target audience." But comparing (what should be portrayed as horrible) cigarettes to fun and entertaining comics books, she is making a comment on the appeal that is added to cigarette packages with these new pictures. "The illustrations," she writes, "though less snicker-worthy than the photographs, carry the risk of being cool."
Another tactic Henig uses to get her point across is oversimplification. She talks about how other countries, on their cigarette warning labels, simply state the dangerous side-effects such as sperm damage and potential fatality. She says that these make the message clearer "than that of a comic-book arm getting injected with a cigarette." Her description of the picture makes it seem silly, using again the "comic-book" comparison, and not mentioning its symbolism. The fact that the cigarette is being injected into ones arm offers the obvious connotations of illegal and highly addictive drugs such as heroin. The comparison of smoking to these drugs is scary and could likely be effective in deterring people from smoking, but Henig looks past it in her criticism. However, her phrasing is nevertheless effective in making the new warning labels seem ineffective.
I think that this paper has a good tone for an AP essay. It is witty and makes a strong personal opinion known, yet still remains sufficiently formal.
In regards to the writer's voice and how it changes my response to the piece: I really like the writer's voice. It's casual and her use of similes and metaphors and comparisons make this a piece that is informative and easy to understand.
an editorial
by Samantha Henig
When Smoking Scare Tactics are Accidentally Cool
December 4, 2010.
When Smoking Scare Tactics are Accidentally Cool, by Samantha Henig, is a short article that discusses the proposed changes for cigarette packages. The Food and Drug Administration wants to make warnings clearer and more grave by utilizing extreme and often grotesque pictures depicting the horrible effects of long-term smoking.
Henig uses witty personification to explain what the FDA is trying to do, writing that "In place of the current Surgeon General’s Warning, which politely taps smokers on the shoulder to whisper about risks of lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and pregnancy complications, these graphic labels, which would occupy half of the package’s surface area, shout that you are going to die." This was an effective way to establish what the article is about. But Henig soon makes her opinion known by adding a statement immediately after that: "That's the idea, anyway."
Henig seems to think that this new marketing campaign is not the best way to get the job done. While describing some of the new pictures to go on the packages, she uses words like "comic-book-style font" and "Superman-style." These words have youthful connotations, as comic books and superheros mainly kids hobbies. Therefore, choosing to use these words with regards to a cigarette package makes it seem as though the new ideas are childish and possibly ineffective. Also, by using these words, Henig draws a connection between the appeal of comic books to children, and the appeal of cigarettes to children. She states that "school-aged kids are part of the target audience." But comparing (what should be portrayed as horrible) cigarettes to fun and entertaining comics books, she is making a comment on the appeal that is added to cigarette packages with these new pictures. "The illustrations," she writes, "though less snicker-worthy than the photographs, carry the risk of being cool."
Another tactic Henig uses to get her point across is oversimplification. She talks about how other countries, on their cigarette warning labels, simply state the dangerous side-effects such as sperm damage and potential fatality. She says that these make the message clearer "than that of a comic-book arm getting injected with a cigarette." Her description of the picture makes it seem silly, using again the "comic-book" comparison, and not mentioning its symbolism. The fact that the cigarette is being injected into ones arm offers the obvious connotations of illegal and highly addictive drugs such as heroin. The comparison of smoking to these drugs is scary and could likely be effective in deterring people from smoking, but Henig looks past it in her criticism. However, her phrasing is nevertheless effective in making the new warning labels seem ineffective.
I think that this paper has a good tone for an AP essay. It is witty and makes a strong personal opinion known, yet still remains sufficiently formal.
In regards to the writer's voice and how it changes my response to the piece: I really like the writer's voice. It's casual and her use of similes and metaphors and comparisons make this a piece that is informative and easy to understand.
outside reading iv
Outside Reading IV-
a reflective essay
by Charlie Hopper
When the Zebras Kneel
December 4, 2010.
When the Zebras Kneel is a narrative essay describing a man listening to a song, and the feelings that that song evokes. It's Alan Jackson's country song "Drive," and it's making Hopper cry. He listens to the lyrics and remembers how he felt while learning to drive; he listens to the melody and thinks about how the pitches affect a good song. He spends the rest of the essay trying to determine why he is crying, what makes a good song, and how he tries to evoke such strong emotions in his own songs.
Hopper adopts a very casual tone in this essay. This is evident from many lines, like "But get me: [sob sob]." The way these action words are inserted in his writing would most likely not be used in a formal essay. The casual air of Hopper's paper also allows him to create a very personal feel to it; the reader feels as if he is looking into Hopper's mind. In addition to being written in first person, Hopper also intersperses many rhetorical questions to himself, like "Why am I crying? Really, why?" and "Hey. How did I miss that?" It's as if the reader is reading Hopper's diary as he analyzes his reaction to the song; we are able to follow his ideas and follow his thought process. This definitely kept me more engaged while I was reading this piece.
a reflective essay
by Charlie Hopper
When the Zebras Kneel
December 4, 2010.
When the Zebras Kneel is a narrative essay describing a man listening to a song, and the feelings that that song evokes. It's Alan Jackson's country song "Drive," and it's making Hopper cry. He listens to the lyrics and remembers how he felt while learning to drive; he listens to the melody and thinks about how the pitches affect a good song. He spends the rest of the essay trying to determine why he is crying, what makes a good song, and how he tries to evoke such strong emotions in his own songs.
Hopper adopts a very casual tone in this essay. This is evident from many lines, like "But get me: [sob sob]." The way these action words are inserted in his writing would most likely not be used in a formal essay. The casual air of Hopper's paper also allows him to create a very personal feel to it; the reader feels as if he is looking into Hopper's mind. In addition to being written in first person, Hopper also intersperses many rhetorical questions to himself, like "Why am I crying? Really, why?" and "Hey. How did I miss that?" It's as if the reader is reading Hopper's diary as he analyzes his reaction to the song; we are able to follow his ideas and follow his thought process. This definitely kept me more engaged while I was reading this piece.
Near the middle of the essay, Hopper goes from talking about his personal experiences related to the lyrics of Jackson's song to the notes of the song themselves. Usually, analyzing the various melodic leaps and chord progressions of a song would bore me to tears, but Hopper's descriptions of how they brought him to tears actually managed to hold my attention. I think this was through his allusions to pop culture that I knew about. For instance, while describing a particularly moving section of the song, Hopper describes a "'I Wanna Hold Your Hand'-ish melodic leap". I found myself singing that well-known Beatles song in my head, and doing the jump: I wanna hold your (pause) haaand! Hopper's comparison to this part in Jackson's song "Drive" forced me to be a more active reader, and definitely got his point across in a much more memorable and effective way than had he just said "a melodic leap." He also makes reference to the epic part in The Lion King, when the "Circle of Life" song is playing. In my mind, I see the moving picture of the zebras kneeling to Elton John's song,I hear the music in my head, and it truly does help me comprehend the respect and emotion Hopper gains from the music.
Though while I enjoyed the casual tone and fun references,I do not think this tone would be appropriate for an AP essay. The tone is far too nonchalant for the formal essays that the AP board prefers.
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