Native Son - Week of December 5th

1. Describe some of the many ways in which Bessie Mears, Bigger's girlfriend, is trapped in a life that is not of her own choosing (use concrete details).

2. Describe the way Bigger is hunted down after he has fled the Dalton home. How would this manhunt have been different if Bigger were white?

3. Mr. Dalton's private investigator, Mr. Britten, alternately expresses his hatred of African Americans and of Communists. After he interrogates Bigger, Bigger thinks to himself that "Mr. Britten was familiar to him; he had met a thousand Brittens in his life." What is it about Mr. Britten's thinking that makes him so easy for Bigger to understand, and how does Bigger intend to use Mr. Britten's prejudices to his own advantage?

Week of November 28th--Native Son!

1. Compare and contrast Bigger's attitude toward the world around him and Mrs. Thomas'.

2. Mr. Dalton and Jan Erlone both profess to be friendly towards African Americans, yet they are hostile to each other. Compare and contrast their attitudes towards African Americans and explain their mutual hostility?

3. How is really fear to blame for the muder of Mary (this is a comprehensive question, be thoughtful and think of all aspects of fear that lead to the murder of Mary)?

Native Son - Week of November 16th

1. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to the Thomas family. Describe this family and the conditions in which they live? Be descriptive and use concrete details!

2, The title of Book One is Fear, how is this title symbolic and prophetic at the same time? What was Wright's intention with this title? 

3. What initial event happens in the beginning of the novel that is clearly a foreshadowing of events to come? 

4. How does Bigger feel about his home and its surroundings? 

5. Who are Bigger's friends and what event takes place that creates a level of aggression with these friends?

6. Who are the Dalton's, and where and how do they live?

Week of November 7th--Native Son!

1.       In the introduction, written by the author Richard Wright, Wright discusses at length the making of his protagonist, Bigger Thomas; he reflects on his childhood all the way up to his adulthood, and outlines specific examples of when he met a Bigger and the informing aspect of each incident. Please discuss the many Biggers that Wright experienced in the course of his life, and what did they ALL have in common. Please use concrete details to support your analysis.

2.       Analyze the following quote from the introduction to Native Son, written by Richard Wright:

From these items I drew my first political conclusions about Bigger: I felt that Bigger, an American product, a native son of this land, carried within him the potentialities of either Communism or Fascism. I don’t mean to say that the Negro boy I depicted in Native Son is either a Communist or a Fascist. He is not either. But he is product of a dislocated society; he is a dispossessed or disinherited man; he is all of this, and he lives amid the greatest possible plenty on earth and he is looking and feeling for a way out.

3.       What is at the heart of Bigger’s fears?

The Ring, by Amelia

The ring, that dreadful ring, that hated ring. She is a lovely woman, but no, no. Not for me. 

“Take this ring”, my father says, “You are now a man, growing older.”

“Marry her”, my mother says,” Start a new part of your life.”

They are aged, too close to death. What do they know? Nothing, wasting their lives, just counting down the days till death. But not I, no, not I. I will stay young, mark my words.

I have plans for life, not for death. I am meticulous in my movements, decisions, and promises.

The ring is tarnished and ancient. I am young and vibrant. I take the old piece of metal in my hands, to please them. But this ring will not take my life. Marriage is not for me. My life will not be drained away by vows and engagements.

Days pass. Taking the ring was not enough, now my father is impatient.

“The time is now”, my father says, “The marriage is already planned.”

“Be grateful”, my mother says, “She is a beautiful young woman.”

Young. Exactly. Young for now. But that is not enough for me. But every day the ring looks darker, stained. I now know what I must do to stop the progression of these events.

I acquire each of the items I need slowly, as to not arise suspicion. My plan is perfect, with me playing the part of a heartbroken young man.

I put together a nice dinner. I tell my parents that tonight is the night; I’m going to give her the ring. They believe me, and my plan to become a free man starts.

I invite Adelaide over, telling her I have a proposal. She is a beautiful woman, sweet, poised. I feel a bit ill at the thought of the coming hours, but I must move on. Nothing can impede my progress now.

I take that ring, archaic and dull, and coat it in a poison. No sooner do I slip it into her wine and set it on the table, Adelaide is escorted into the room. Her face is-upset, scared? - suspicion? No, it must be my mind playing tricks. The end of my plan is near, merely nerves.   When I look back up, she is smiling once again.

“Come here my dear, take a drink.” I offer her the glass.

She nears the table. My heart beats faster. I can hold on to my youth.

But she falters and stops, a few paces from the table. My heart skips a beat. I lean in and try to hand her the glass.

“Oh, no thank you. I don’t drink”

My breath quickens. Things are falling apart.

“Why don’t you drink it?”, she questions, “Seems like an awful waste.”

I have no choice. If I don’t take it she will know.

Maybe a sip. Just a taste. By chance the poison has not mixed with the wine yet.

I lift the glass to my lips hands shaking. Adelaide stares straight into my eyes.

I taste. I swallow. The ring brushes my lips. I feel my chest grow tight.

And then, she smiles.

“I too have plans for life, my dear.” She grabs the glass and pours the content on the floor.

The ring clatters to the ground. So do I. The poison is taking affect.

I gasp. I writhe. She knew the whole time.

And as I die, I see the ring, that dreadful ring, that hated ring, lying upon the floor by my side.

October 25th - DIY Gothic Literature

Directions: Each member of each blog group must write their own Gothic Literature short story using their understanding of the tenents of Gothic Literature. For this week only, you have to write and post your Gothic Literature stories for your members to read and discuss. Good Luck!

Amelia's Amontillado Picture

I really like this picture for the portrayal of Fortunado. He is in the jester costume, directly symbolizing that he is a complete fool. Different from the story however, this artist portrayed Fortunado as angry, while in the story he was too drunk to realize what was happening.

CARTER

This picture shows how Montresor was able to easily chain up Fortunado and nearly finish the wall before he was able to realize what was happening. This shows how Fortunado's love for alcohol quickly became his downfall.

Week of 10-18 Cask of Amontillado

Directions, please create 2 level 2 questions and 1 level 3 question pertaining to your current reading of Stone Diaries. The expectation remains the same for responses, you will go in at least 3 times throughout the week to inform and refine your responses. Use lots of details!

Amelia's Black Cat Picture

While this picture is beyond creepy, is is an excellent portrayal of the protagonist walling "the monster up within the tomb" (Poe 70). Upon the corpse's head, "with red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast whose craft had seduced me into murder" (Poe 70). The black cat was screeching, leading the police to the wife's body. The protagonist is trying to escape and put some distance between himself and the repressed emotions of shame and hatred he has for who he is, but the police are stopping him, preventing him from ignoring these feelings.

ROY- Black Cat Picture

I believe that this picture is an accurate represensation of the cat because it is depicted on top of the narrator's wife with the one eye punctured and the white spot on his chest. This signifies the final scene of the poem in which the narrator's convictions finally win over his repressing of his own emotions. There is a dramatic sense of irony in which the white spot slowly turns into the gallows on which the narrator will be hung for trying to kill his cat, or more over, hanging his cat.

Black Cat Picture Lauren Steiner

i think this picture represents the story best

1. its the second cat     2. its missing an eye     3. its got the picture of pluto on its chest

4. it looks like its coming out of the wall of the cellar like at the end of the story

Picture #1 for Cat from Carter

                                
CARTER

I think this picture represents the mind of the narrator in The Black Cat. The one-eyed cat is shown as a monster, as the narrator perceives it. Also, in the cat's mouth is his wife, which represents the cat's meow reveals his wife's corpse.

October 11th - The Black Cat

Discuss who could be the protagonist and antagonist in The Black Cat; explain your logic and reasoning for why? Please remember to use details and specifics from the story to support your response. 

What Gothic Literature that we've read so far is your favorite, explain why? (The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, The Minister's Black Veil, or The Black Cat)

What are some similarities between all the Gothic Literature stories we've read so far? Again, be specific and use details in your response.

Tell Tale Heart Picture Amelia

I like this photo because it shows, not just tells, the eerie like quality of the eye. The narrator is driven insane by the eye, thinking it is all-seeing, a separate entity from the man himself. He believes the eye has powers unlike anything else. His "blood ran cold", it looked like a "vulture eye", and he always referred to it as the "Evil Eye" (Poe 121). The eye could see what a normal eye could not; he felt like the eye could see within him, see his mistakes and sins.

Ministers Black Veil Picture- Lauren Steiner

i like this picture because it shows Mr. Hooper in his setting: the church. he is acting normal like any Reverend, except that he has on his black veil. this picture really causes the viewer to focus on the big black thing on his face. it helps me feel what the townspeople in the story were feeling because it is so odd.

The Minister's Black Veil Picture ROY

I believe that his picture symbolizes the townspeople and how they fight against their repressed emotions. They are denying their sins by going off to fight Mr. Hooper. Although this didn't happen in the real story, I think it is an apt adaptation to the people's mental battle that they faced.

Picture #1 for Veil from Carter

CARTER

This picture shows how the townspeople do not understand the meaning of Mr. Hooper's veil. They all stop talking and turn to stare at him as if he is a freak.

Veil Photo Amelia

The Minister's Black Veil

I like this photo because it shows the irrational fear that the townspeople have for the veil. Just because of appearance, the people discriminate and are scared of the unknown. Just like in the story, the children yell and cower, and the women turn away.

Picture #2- ROY Tell Tale

Picture of Tell Tale Heart

I believe this signifies the narrators fall from dignity. It symbolizes the narrator's murder and therefore fall from precursory innocence. It could also symbolize the narrator's mind gett

Picture for Tell-Tale Heart

Lauren

this picture is a good representation because you can see the old man with the evil eye sleeping and then the protagonist/narrator creeping

September 26th - The Minister's Black Veil

With your blog group, develop 2 level two questions that reflect your reading of Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil"; you must also respond thoughtfully to these 2 level two questions! Remember, you should post these 2 level two questions, then respond to them. You are expected to refine and inform your blog at least three times throughout the week.

Picture #1 for Heart from Carter

CARTER

This is a representation of the old man's pale blue eye. It symbolizes things that the narrator does not want the world to know. Therefore, it also becomes a symbol of the narrator's rage, and destroying it becomes the sole want of the narrator.

September 20th - Tell Tale Heart

Discuss who could be the villain (antagonist) in Tell-Tale Heart? Consider your many options for the villain and discuss your rationale for your final choice. 

What is the narrators motivation in reciting the crime? Consider the details he provides as he recites the crime from the beginning to the end. 

What is the ultimate irony in Tell-Tale Heart and how does it relate to the title of the story?

Picture #1- ROY

This image represents the Red Death. The Red Death is in a dark room, or winery casket. The Red Death in this image, I believe, is very realistic and shows a skull. He is shaded and dark, and inspires fear in the hearts of even the bravest.

Picture #2 for Mask from Carter

CARTER
This is another representation of the Red Death. It perfectly represents the description from the story. It has the "habiliments of the grave" and "the mask which concealed the visage was made so nearly to resemble the countenance of a stiffened corpse" (Poe 259). It also shows that there is nothing behind the mask, as there is nothing behind death, controlling its movements and actions. The midnight clock is stained red with blood, as it tolls for the last time with the deaths of the revelers.

Masque of the Red Death Photo - Amelia

Illustration for Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" by Harry Clarke

This is a beautiful illustration of the moments after Prince Prospero's death.  I believe it is after he died, for his dagger is laying on the floor, meaning the prince's power has already been lost. I notice the extravagant details of the decorations the prince used for his twisted masquerade ball. The costumes, the masks, the drapes, the magnificent room, all in the prince's attempt to escape mortality. The Red Death is in the black room with the clock, with the party-goers in the background, cowering in fear. I believe the pieces of cloth unraveling out of the clock symbolize the time running out for everyone at the party. All of their lives are about to end, their mortality finally accepted.

Picture #1 for Mask from Carter

CARTER
This picture shows the Red Death in its personified form. His face is strewn with lines of blood, showing the effect that he has upon his victims. His hands are also covered in blood, black from death. He holds a flower, showing how he does not want you to fight death, but embrace it as a part of life, something that Prince Prospero and the revelers failed to do.

The Masque of the Red Death--Week of September 13th

i think this picture represents all the different ways red death could be portrayed well. the first one he is more human like. in the other the masks are really dramatic and scary.- lauren steiner

Describe the internal and external workings of the Protagonist (Prince Prospero).

Why does Prince Prospero voluntarily isolate himself?

Who does Prince Prospero invite to his great fete?

Describe Prince Prospero's great fete and the physical description of each of the seven apartments (chambers).


Who is the villain and how does he represent the "repressed emotions" of Prince Prospero?