Extra Credit: Pirates

I just finished watching "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl." Let's review the major sections of a short story or novel, i.e. climax, exposition, dialogue, protagonist, etc. Also if you recognized a Biblical allusion, please share with the group. As always don't be afraid to refute another's post but be sure to use textual evidence to support your opinion.

Here's my idea to get us started:

The first scene of "Pirates" is shown like a prologue to a novel. It provides the background necessary to understand the different attitudes towards the pirates: Elizabeth is fascinated, Norrington is disgusted, and Gibbs uses for his own purposes.

Assignment 2: Things Fall Apart

Let's build our MWDS by providing items for the blocks. Remember that you may or may not agree with other submitted items. Feel welcome to refute another's item but be sure to support your comment with evidence from the text. Also some blocks of the MWDS are things that will need to be researched. (Note: I read cliff notes before assigning a book, do not copy these notes, but if you are struggling you may use as a resource.)

Here is a character:

Unoka, Initial Antagonist, Although Unoka does not actually appear in the book as a major character, as Okonkwo's father he presents the initial conflict by not providing for his family and helps begin the explanation to the reader about Okonkwo's attitudes toward laziness and manliness.

Extra Credit: Romeo and Juliet

One of your additional assignments is to read or reread and then watch Romeo and Juliet. What is your favorite line from the play and why?

One of my favorite lines is from the scene where Juliet runs to the Friar after hearing that she must commit bigamy by marrying the County Paris. The line shows the beauty of Shakespeare's parallelism:


"O! shut the door! and when thou hast done so,/Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past help!"

I look forward to hearing yours.

Assignment 1: Of Mice and Men Theme 2

A second possible theme for Of Mice and Men could be as follows:

"The loneliest people are the weak preyed on by society."

If you agree, find a quote that supports this theme and explain why you have chosen it.

If you disagree, find a quote that refutes the theme and suggest your own.

If another student posts your quote, you must provide additional commentary for the quote.

Assignment 1: Of Mice and Men Theme 1

One possible theme for Of Mice and Men is as follows:

"Working towards a dream gives a purpose and hope in life."

If you agree, find a quote that supports this theme and explain why you have chosen it.

If you disagree, find a quote that refutes the theme and suggest your own.

If another student posts your quote, you must provide additional commentary for the quote.

Welcome to my Spartan APEs!

This blog will be used to work through our summer reads. Questions and ideas about literature will be discussed in depth here. I am so glad you have chosen to be a part of Southeast High School's AP Literature & Composition class. What fun we will have together exploring the ideas of the people who have come before us and who are living with us today.