Journal16 August 2010

Describe something you

did this past summer.

Journal17 August 2010

• Why do you think some people don't exercise their right to vote?

Journal18 August 2010

• Do you believe in love at first sight?

Journal19 August 2010

• Describe a dream that you had recently. Provide as many details as possible.

Journal20 August 2010

• Friday Free Write

18 August 2010

• In 20 years, I will be...

A Separate Peace1. To what extent should we

consider Gene to be an unreliable narrator? How does this concern affect our understanding of the story that he tells and our attitude toward him?

2. Discuss the relationship between codependency and identity in A Separate Peace and how these concepts help define the relationship between Gene and Finny

3. How does World War II function in the novel on a symbolic and thematic level? How does it relate to the title of the book?

4. What role does Leper play in the novel? What does the author suggest about the nature of his relationship to Gene and Finny?5. Discuss the importance of setting in specific scenes through-out the novel, especially in regard to what it reveals about characters and events. How do natural settings contrast with or complement the thematic content of certain scenes?6. Contrast Brinker and Finny. How do their personalities relate to the winter session and summer session, respectively?7. Discuss the symbolism of Finny’s fall. Is A Separate Peace a novel of sin and redemption? Is Gene redeemed in the end?8. Analyze the role of competition in the relationship between Gene and Finny. How does Finny’s invented game of “blitzball” work as a symbol of Finny’s approach to competition? Why is it significant that he excels at sports while Gene shines in academics?

• To what extent should we consider Gene to be an unreliable narrator? How does this concern affect our understanding of the story that he tells and our attitude toward him?

• Discuss the relationship between codependency and identity in A Separate Peace and how these concepts help define the relationship between Gene and Finny

• How does World War II function in the novel on a symbolic and thematic level? How does it relate to the title of the book?

• 4. What role does Leper play in the novel? What does the author suggest about the nature of his relationship to Gene and Finny?

• 5. Discuss the importance of setting in specific scenes through-out the novel, especially in regard to what it reveals about characters and events. How do natural settings contrast with or complement the thematic content of certain scenes?

• 6. Contrast Brinker and Finny. How do their personalities relate to the winter session and summer session, respectively?

• 7. Discuss the symbolism of Finny’s fall. Is A Separate Peace a novel of sin and redemption? Is Gene redeemed in the end?

• 8. Analyze the role of competition in the relationship between Gene and Finny. How does Finny’s invented game of “blitzball” work as a symbol of Finny’s approach to competition? Why is it significant that he excels at sports while Gene shines in academics?

http://www.leasttern.com/alice/aliceques.html

Down the Rabbit Hole

1. There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when

she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at

this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took

a watch out of its waistcoat- pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice

started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a

rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the

hedge. What does this tell us about Alice’s character? Also, notice how long and

complicated this sentence is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJrZla-Xa9Q

Down the Rabbit Hole

2. In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again. What does this tell us about Alice’s character?3. (Alice had no idea what Latitude was, or Longitude either, but thought they were nice grand words to say .) This seems to be a typical result of Alice’s learning.4. (and she tried to curtsey as she spoke-- fancy curtseying as you're falling through the air! Do you think you could manage it?) What does this tell us about Alice’s upbringing? Note, the 2nd person.

5. `Dinah'll miss me very much to-night, I should think!' (Dinah was the cat .) `I hope they'll remember her saucer of milk at tea-time.’ What does this tell us about Alice?6. `What a curious feeling!' said Alice; `I must be shutting up like a telescope .' Be careful of what you wish for.7. Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants. `Well, I'll eat it,' said Alice, `and if it makes me grow larger, I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep under the door; so either way I'll get into the garden, and I don't care which happens!' What does this tell us about Alice’s intelligence?