Response to Course Material Sept. 22

The first few weeks in AP lit have been interesting. I feel that all of my lit classes thus far have really been a joke, an easy A, and not serious. Last year my class completely skipped annotation because people said they were having a hard time with it. So, it is refreshing to have a class that will actually challenge me, and has already. I like how we have several different elements of  different classes at play here. We are doing note taking on our own time, group discussions, and blog work. This class appeals to a lot of different learning styles which is good. My learning style is more of a "see it, learn it." So i like that we have the AP to refer back too and add to our notes in class.
In class we have spent our time learning about DIDLS. At first, i wondered how much time we could spend on what seemed like a topic of little importance. Then, However, I realized that this is the basis of Literature. You must be able to understand work to analyze it, and this is what DIDLS is all about. DIDLS is about looking at what might be considered the minuscule elements of the authors writing, and interpreting them to use toward a greater understanding of meaning. After learning how to properly start to use these techniques, i wonder how much i have missed in passed readings. I have started to pull the information we learned in class, not only for assignments but for pleasure reading as well. I now feel that i am understanding literature at a much deeper level than i was before.
This is the first year i have taken AP classes, so i was unfamiliar to the timed essay writing. I was very nervous when i heard we had our first in class essay and did not think i would do well. And while that was somewhat true, i realized that i did do something things well, like finishing. Grading my own essay was also very helpful, because i got a better understanding of what i need to write. I was able to see what i did well, and what i needed to work on and how i could improve it. I am now looking forward to our next essay, to see if i can implement those improvements.
Im looking forward to see what else this class has to offer, cant wait! :)
~Dana Page

Prompt-Septemeber 16, 2011

Prompt – September 16, 2011

1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

The Character Huck Finn, In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a complex one.  On the surface of the story the readers see a rebellious young child being mischievous and misbehaved.  However, when we put in the context of the story, we tend to sympathize for Huck.

                Most often societal views determine the definition of right and wrong, so therefore if you are disobeying society it is considered immoral or wrong. That is exactly what Huck does in Huckleberry Finn. This book is about throwing societies views out the window and developing one’s own free style of thinking. Back in the pre civil war era when the story takes place, assisting a runaway slaves was an especially heinous crime.  For Huck to commit this crime at such a young age is almost unthinkable.  But that is not the only way Huck defies society, he also disagrees with the ideals of Christianity. Huck dislikes church and G-d. For many adults in the time period, this risk was much too large. Most did not have the courage to stand up to society and promote their conflicting point of view.

                Throughout Huck’s dangerous journey, he did not remain completely honest. In fact, Huck told a lot of lies. For example, Huck lied and pretended to be a girl in order to gain information and he also lied and said he was tom sawyer , in order to stay with Tom’s Aunt and Uncle.  Lying is a characteristic that automatically gives the reader of sense of mistrust and weariness about the character.  Although, this may be true, the reader can understand that  Huck only lied in order to help Jim, it was not to benefit himself. Lying is immoral when it is used in a selfish, malicious way, but Huck was not harming anyone else with his lies.

                Huck and Jim were on a raft floating down the Mississippi river for several days at a time, of course they would need supplies like food for the trip. The only way to get these necessities was stealing them, because they had no actually money to pay for them themselves. Stealing is frowned upon and punishable by law, but when it depends on life or death stealing a piece of fruit here or there doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Huck did what he had to do to survive and in order to complete his overall goal of freeing Jim. 

                Even though Huck exemplifies several immoral or evil characteristics in this story, the readers come to see that in the context they are understandable actions. As a reader one even begins to sympathize with Huck, and many wonder how he did not commit more wrong doings on such a journey. We commend he for his bravery and independence from society because it is something that many of us, even now, could not achieve.

~Dana Page

Close Reading- Septmeber 9

A Day That Stands Alone

Diction - 10 years ago today, a horrific terrorist attack occurred that shook the faith of the entire American nation.  Whether you directly lost loved ones or not, everyone was affected by this tragedy.  Even though I was only in the second grade and barely could comprehend the events of the day, I understand the pain that millions suffered.  This article helps people truly feel the emotion and grief surrounding today’s 10th anniversary memorial.  It is easy to relate to the survivors or those grieving because the author of the article, Robert D. McFadden, uses the genuine voices of real people speaking from their hearts about their losses.  One man McFadden quoted said, “It was real inspirational to come here after all these years and finally see his name.”  The quote is by no means grammatically correct, but the diction of the article has an impact. It’s real: real people; real emotions. Nothing scripted or corrected about it. The diction provides a natural, genuine and intimate tone to the article.

Imagery- McFadden seems like a genius when it comes to using imagery.  The way he wrote the article gives you such a strong mental picture that makes you feel as if you are part of the memorial.  He amplifies all of your senses with his powerful descriptions. Sound – “Bells tolled,” and “They played the bagpipes again and recited the names of the dead like poetry.” Sight- McFadden describes where the ceremonies are taking place, carefully noting colors and textures.  Phrases like “gathered in a parklike structure of white oaks and emerald lawns” and “surrounded by a gouged wasteland” draw the reader into the scenery. Touch – “Many families bent low over the parapets to touch or kiss the names, and to weep.” The strong imagery and descriptive language makes the reader feel like a participant in the memorial ceremony, standing right beside thousands of other people experiencing similar emotions. Discriptions like “the parapets were soon thick with colors and with red and yellow roses “or “the twin towers smoking and disintegrating” make the article come alive.

Details- “The day’s centerpiece unfolded at ground zero, where more that 10,000 members of the victims’ families gathered.” Can you even picture what a crowd of 10,000 people in one place looks like? Probably a sea of movement, and a soundtrack of noise.  McFadden adds in very specific details like the number of people attending to put into perspective the number of people this event affected. He even notes the specific color and sizes of the Ground Zero site, “Precisely spaced trees rising from a five acre granite floor.” and  the “bronze parapets.” Detail is an important element to include when the author is writing about something that many of the readers have never experienced.  The specific information gives authority and depth to the subject. 

Article:

A Day That Stands Alone

~ Dana Page