O Brother, Where Art Thou?

We are in the process of reading the Greek play Oedipus and will transition into reading The Iliad by Homer.  As a transitional piece, please read the following passage about the Trojan War and the life of Odysseus.   

"After the Trojan War, Odysseus (also known as Ulysses) is imprisoned by Poseidon because of an offense he had committed. The gods decide he should be released and he begins his journey home. He and his men experience a wide variety of adventures including encountering a Cyclops and Sirens. When he returns home he must prove his love to his wife and vanquish her suitors."

Also, please complete the following discussion questions and view the film with the questions in mind.  

Film Discussion Questions:
1. What elements make this film a period piece (set in a particular time and place)?

2. When the stranger warns Everett Ulysses McGill, Delmar, and Pete that they’ll “find treasure, but not the sort they’re looking for," what treasure is he referring to?
What treasure are the three characters hoping to find?

3. Where does the title O, Brother Where Art Thou originate?

4. The movie is loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey in which the Greek warrior Odysseus ( known as Ulysses) spends ten years of his life enduring bizarre adventures as he tries to return home to his wife Penelope after the Trojan War. What similarities do you see between the Odyssey and O, Brother Where Art Thou?

5. Bluegrass music is an important part of the film. What role does it play and what does it add to the movie?

6. A road movie is one in which character(s) embark on a journey of self discovery on the road or through travel. How does this movie do that?

7. What elements of humor are evident in the movie?

8. What is your favorite scene of the movie?

9. Some critics of the film say that O, Brother Where Art Thouconsists of great bits and pieces rather than a cohesive or complete film. Do you agree/disagree with this?

http://www.manitowoc.lib.wi.us/readers/criticschoice/obrother.htm

Oedipus

Based on the following prompts, state whether you agree or disagree and cite examples for each. 1. It is possible to escape your fate. 2. We should not attempt to justify our actions. 3. Family secrets should be kept as secrets. 4. Society blames the child for the sins of his parents. 5. There is more than one way to see. 6. There are no coincidences.

Gatsby Questions

Gatsby Aphorisms



Chapter 1

1. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
2. Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind of a narrator do you think he will be?
3. What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
4. How does Nick react to Jordan?
5. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?

Coolhandlukeessay

Cool Hand Luke Essay Prompt

Koch

 

“What we’ve got here is… failure to communicate.”

 

Paragraph #1

 

Explain the significance of media in our world today.  Internet, film, radio, television and print media have massive influence; explain why it is important to study the messages delivered in the media for their meaning as well as for their intent?

 

What do you see the primary message of Cool Hand Luke being?

 

Paragraph #2

 

Symbolism is the use of a seemingly unrelated item to stand for something beyond the obvious context.  For example a flag is a piece of cloth, but it carries various symbolic meanings like America, Freedom etc. Many people wear crosses around their neck to symbolize their belief in Christian religion.  In the film Cool Hand Luke, there are many symbols which are use to create a theme or message. Choose three symbols from the film and explain what they stand for and why the symbolism is significant. 

 

Paragraph #3

 

There are various groups in the film with specific of sets of rules.  Choose three examples of rule makers or rule making bodies in the film.   Explain what their rules are and why they are important.  What is the point of so many rules from so many groups?  How do the rules work for the people who have to follow them – how are they enforced?

 

Paragraph #4

Luke is the protagonist of the film, choose two examples of antagonists.  How do these characters affect Luke and how does he respond to their influence.  What are the pivotal scenes in which the antagonists’ and the protagonist’s conflicts reach a climax?

 

Paragraph #5

 

Choose on meaningful quote from the film and explain why it is significant.  How does it relate to the film producers main message.  How do you think films like this one should be viewed; as simple entertainment or as a piece of literature with socially redeeming value?  Finally, how should films be used in schools?  Does an assignment like this one have merit for an educational setting?

The Great Gatsby

We are beginning  to study The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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Speed Search Assignment - an introduction to the Roaring 20's and The Great Gatsby


Investigate the 1920's and the time surrounding the story of Nick, Jordan, Gatsby, Daisy and Tom. 


What was this time period like?  What was it like living on Long Island at that time?  Were there really mansions like Gatsby's on Long Island then?  What types of things did people do for fun?  What were speakeasies and what role did they play in the social scene?  What kind of music was popular?  Did guys like Gatsby really exist? 


The indicator that you have completed your research is a collection of visuals representing different facets of the 1920's.  Be creative!  Use any visual material to complete your assignment.  You will share your visuals with the class at the next meeting.  This is an individual assignment:

The images represent events and items from the 1920's 

The images are colorful and neatly done 

The images are size appropriate for classroom viewing 

The images are presented to the class in a clear manner 

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Read exerpts and a preview of the book here .


Full eText of The Great Gatsby

The Crucible Review Questions

1.  Analyze the play's theme, or what you consider to be its major insight into life.  Be sure to discuss how the elements of plot, setting, conflict, and characterization contribute to the theme.

2.  Analyze John Proctor as a tragic hero.  Can John Proctor be regarded as a tragic hero?  Is he a person of sufficient stature and are the issues leading to his death sufficiently universal?  Define a tragic hero first, then discuss whether Proctor meets your requirements.  Support with specific examples from the play. 

3.  The Crucible presents various views of the nature of authority.  What are some of these views, and which characters represent or promote them?  As opposed to some of the flawed concepts of authority, what does Miller imply through the action is the source of true authority?  Explain and Support with quotes.

18.  Did John Proctor reach the right decision at the end of the play?  What other decisions could have been reached?

16.  Although the play centers on the subjects of hypocrisy and hysteria in the court proceedings, we are also presented with several examples of courage and the assertion of integrity.  How are the following characters linked with the subject in this act:  Mary Warren, John Proctor, Giles Corey, John Hale?

14.  This play contains many legalistic scenarios, filled with claims and counterclaims.  Many of the arguments and decisions in the Salem court depend on faulty logic and result in a perversion of justice.  Miller wants the audience to see parallels between many of these actions and the events of the McCarthy witch-hunts of the 1950's.  For example, Danforth's order to arrest "for examination" those who signed the deposition in favor of Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, and Elizabeth Proctor might be regarded as parallel to the notorious smears of the McCarthy period.  When Danforth rejects Hales's request that legal counsel present Mary Warren's deposition, how is the governor's logic faulty?  What do you think about the propriety of Danforth's insistence that Giles Corey name the anonymous informant who accused Thomas Putnam?  How might John Hale be said to identify the major underlying problem with the court's justice when he says, "The is a prodigious fear of this court in this country."

Speed Search - The Crucible

Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible opened to audiences in 1953.  The story line recounts a forgettable period in American history, the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690’s.  This time period is remembered with fear because it defies the very principles of freedom that Americans have come to hold dear.  Unlawful accusation and imprisonment, corrupt and biased courts and judges, and a severe misuse of the justice system to achieve a personal end are some of the issues that The Crucible recounts.  Sadly, Arthur Miller wrote with inspiration from another “witch trial.”  In the 1950’s Senator Joseph McCarthy sought to prosecute anyone deemed “un-American” or communist.    These trials serve as a frightening reminder of Massachusetts in the 1690’s.  

Research one of the following:

1. Arthur Miller’s world – Who was this guy?
2. I spy something red – The Red Scare in the 1950’s
3. Which witches are which – The Salem witch trials
4. Starring Wynona Ryder as Abigail Williams… - The Crucible on stage and screen.

Presentation Rubric                                                   Max        I say…          Koch says…

Each member of the group participates during the presentation.	5
The group uses a size appropriate visual aide to accent their presentation.	5
The members of the group speak clearly using eye contact in delivering the information.	5
The group covers a minimum of 10 important facts about the subject.