Today we read a slightly disturbing poem by Robert Browning (I know he's not an American author but you have to admit the poem was worth the switch) and a individual practice poem about Keats. The easiest way to work with poetry is just to dive in and get your hands dirty. Poems should be read multiple times and you should try to interact with them in whatever way you can--even if you relate them to weird suicide-cults. On a classroom note, the class is also far more enjoyable if you get your hands dirty and participate. I swear if you say something completely wrong or absurd I will only laugh for a few minutes :0)
Upcoming: Papers due tomorrow. I was really pleased to see so many people come in for help. Bueno!
Don't forget to read Huckalicious
P.S. Does anyone read these or am I wasting my time? I have no "followers" or comments...sad.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Helen Poetry
Today we looked at the AP poetry essay.
Main things to keep in mind:
Main things to keep in mind:
- answer the prompt in a clear specific thesis
- read the poem(s) at least three times
- look at structure, word choice, images, symbols to get yourself started
The first week in December will be a time poetry essay in class so if anyone would like to write the Helen one for practice I would be happy to score it for you :o)
Upcoming Work: Papers due Wednesday. If you haven't talked to me about your paper I highly suggest that you do so. Remember you have to answer the "so what."
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Poetry Taste
Friday we had our first taste of poetry. Tip of the day--don't let poetry intimidate you. It isn't supposed to make sense on the first reading, just give it a few reads and keep an open mind. By the way the title of the poem was Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath. I think one group cheated.
Okay so here is my paper on Turn of the Screw. Sorry I tried to keep it under three pages but I went just a little bit over. This was done quickly so don't be too harsh but it should help you get an idea of what a straight analysis paper looks like. Also notice the correct formating for everything.
Superficially, Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw seems to reinforce the status quo of American literature as male, whereby men are viewed as having power over women leaving women to become mere objects. James creates a nameless female protagonist whose story is told through the guise of a male narrator. She becomes an object viewed by Douglas’s audience and is used simply as means for the master on Harley Street to avoid being bothered by his charges. She is then set up as naïve and love-struck, willing to do just about anything, including risking her own sanity, for the sake of keeping the master undisturbed. However, on closer examination, James actually creates a novella that subverts the traditional idea of men having power over women as it is the governess who has the final word in her story, not the male Douglas, and it is the male heir Miles who becomes the scapegoat leaving the governess free, “awfully clever and nice” (24).
James’s unfinished frame tale creates frustration and confusion but his experiment with form also draws attention to what has largely been left unconscious. Through Douglas’s initial telling of the governess’s story she is reduced to a nameless object that they all raptly listen about rather than listen to. While at the start, Douglas does have power over the governess’s story, in the end it is the governess who has the final word and Douglas, who disappears after only the first seven pages, is never to be heard from again. James relinquishes power to the governess and allows her to participate as there is no need to return to the male voice once she takes over. Furthermore, as the governess does remain nameless throughout her own narrative this hardly is a power issues as both the master on Harley Street and the narrator remain nameless as well.
In addition to his manipulation of form, James also uses the content of his story to portray patriarchal ideals but only as a means of later subverting them. The governess is described as “the youngest of several daughters of a poor country parson” implying inexperience and naiveté (26). The weak female stereotype is further developed as Douglas reveals, “She was in love” with the unobtainable master on Harley Street (24). Her youth, inexperience, and blatant desire to the please the master set her up to be the traditional sacrificial scapegoat in which the purified survivor is the husband/male. However, James twists the patriarchal content in the end when he gives power to the governess and spares her from the enactment of man’s power over woman. In the end, as with the frame structure, it is the female governess who has usurped the power from the males around her. Instead of becoming the sacrificial scapegoat it is Miles, the male heir, who becomes sacrificed and the governess who remains the cleansed survivor. Furthermore, she both fulfills her role as a female and rises above it as she leaves the master “disburdened, delighted […] thanking her for the sacrifice” (29). The question of who profits, and how are crucial to understanding sexual power issues and in this sense it becomes clear that James is giving power to the females as it is Miles who pays the cost but the governess who “already felt rewarded” and Flora, who is now the heir, who profit (29).
Along with a restructuring of the typical gendered scapegoat, James also inverts the power roles associated with looking . Women are frequently seen as passive lookers and males are active. While there is pleasure in being looked at, the passive object is usually at a disadvantage. In a traditional sense the governess is an object viewed by both the guests and the ghosts of Quint and Jessel. This lack of power is further revealed through her first encounter with Quint as “he never took his eyes from [her]” and “even as he turned away still markedly fixed” her (41). In this case, it is clearly Quint who is the active male subjecting the governess to a controlling gaze in the same way that Douglas subjects her story to the scrutiny of his audience. Yet, once again while James superficially appears to be following the status quo, he is in fact inverting it. While the governess is being looked at she does gains some power in the sense that it is her story that entertains the guests and she clearly hold some sway over Douglas as he admits “I liked her extremely” (24). With Quint and Jessel the governess has some initial power in the fact that she is the only one capable of both seeing and being seen by the ghosts, besides the children who are themselves still questionable as to what they are able to see.
The governess gains even more power with each sighting as she is no longer passively viewed but instead becomes an active viewer herself. This reversal beings with only her second sighting of Quint as she is able to watch him “through the glass and across the room” and observes that “it was not for [her] he had come” (44). The governess’s new active role is again emphasized with her encounter with Jessel across the lake. In this instance, with her active looking the governess “became aware that on the other side of the Sea of Azof [they] had an interested spectator” (54). Through her acquired power of adopting the active/male role the governess is able to see what Mrs. Grose, the passive/female cannot—that they children “They know—it’s too monstrous: they know, they know!” (55). Furthermore, at Mrs. Grosse’s incredulity, the governess can only reply “I was there—I saw with my eyes” confirming her power as an active viewer (56). The governess’s final stance of power comes in the standoff with Quint as she tries to save Miles from his Quint’s “view like a sentinel before a prison” (116). In a final act of active viewing, the governess denies Quint his power and pleasure in looking as she shields Miles from his view and forces the presence to “move and shift its posture” until finally “the air was clear” (116-117). In this way the governess is able to reverse the roles of passive/female and active/male as she denies Quint the power of his gaze and instead forces him to be the object of her gaze.
Through his distortion of traditional male dominated structures and ideas, James is able to not only draw attention to the inequality of men’s power over women but he also uses the same devices to subvert this binary opposition. Through a distortion of the assumed patriarchal order the governess is able to adopt male characteristics in order to wrest back some of the power initially taken from her. Whether consciously or unconsciously James’s unfinished frame, disturbing death of Miles, and the disappearance of Quint’s ghost all point to a hidden power within the governess allowing her to survive long after her weaker male counterparts.
Okay so here is my paper on Turn of the Screw. Sorry I tried to keep it under three pages but I went just a little bit over. This was done quickly so don't be too harsh but it should help you get an idea of what a straight analysis paper looks like. Also notice the correct formating for everything.
Kristin Meister
Ms. Meister
AP English
November 22
Ms. Meister
AP English
November 22
Manipulating the Norm: Gender Power Issues in The Turn of the Screw
Superficially, Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw seems to reinforce the status quo of American literature as male, whereby men are viewed as having power over women leaving women to become mere objects. James creates a nameless female protagonist whose story is told through the guise of a male narrator. She becomes an object viewed by Douglas’s audience and is used simply as means for the master on Harley Street to avoid being bothered by his charges. She is then set up as naïve and love-struck, willing to do just about anything, including risking her own sanity, for the sake of keeping the master undisturbed. However, on closer examination, James actually creates a novella that subverts the traditional idea of men having power over women as it is the governess who has the final word in her story, not the male Douglas, and it is the male heir Miles who becomes the scapegoat leaving the governess free, “awfully clever and nice” (24).
James’s unfinished frame tale creates frustration and confusion but his experiment with form also draws attention to what has largely been left unconscious. Through Douglas’s initial telling of the governess’s story she is reduced to a nameless object that they all raptly listen about rather than listen to. While at the start, Douglas does have power over the governess’s story, in the end it is the governess who has the final word and Douglas, who disappears after only the first seven pages, is never to be heard from again. James relinquishes power to the governess and allows her to participate as there is no need to return to the male voice once she takes over. Furthermore, as the governess does remain nameless throughout her own narrative this hardly is a power issues as both the master on Harley Street and the narrator remain nameless as well.
In addition to his manipulation of form, James also uses the content of his story to portray patriarchal ideals but only as a means of later subverting them. The governess is described as “the youngest of several daughters of a poor country parson” implying inexperience and naiveté (26). The weak female stereotype is further developed as Douglas reveals, “She was in love” with the unobtainable master on Harley Street (24). Her youth, inexperience, and blatant desire to the please the master set her up to be the traditional sacrificial scapegoat in which the purified survivor is the husband/male. However, James twists the patriarchal content in the end when he gives power to the governess and spares her from the enactment of man’s power over woman. In the end, as with the frame structure, it is the female governess who has usurped the power from the males around her. Instead of becoming the sacrificial scapegoat it is Miles, the male heir, who becomes sacrificed and the governess who remains the cleansed survivor. Furthermore, she both fulfills her role as a female and rises above it as she leaves the master “disburdened, delighted […] thanking her for the sacrifice” (29). The question of who profits, and how are crucial to understanding sexual power issues and in this sense it becomes clear that James is giving power to the females as it is Miles who pays the cost but the governess who “already felt rewarded” and Flora, who is now the heir, who profit (29).
Along with a restructuring of the typical gendered scapegoat, James also inverts the power roles associated with looking . Women are frequently seen as passive lookers and males are active. While there is pleasure in being looked at, the passive object is usually at a disadvantage. In a traditional sense the governess is an object viewed by both the guests and the ghosts of Quint and Jessel. This lack of power is further revealed through her first encounter with Quint as “he never took his eyes from [her]” and “even as he turned away still markedly fixed” her (41). In this case, it is clearly Quint who is the active male subjecting the governess to a controlling gaze in the same way that Douglas subjects her story to the scrutiny of his audience. Yet, once again while James superficially appears to be following the status quo, he is in fact inverting it. While the governess is being looked at she does gains some power in the sense that it is her story that entertains the guests and she clearly hold some sway over Douglas as he admits “I liked her extremely” (24). With Quint and Jessel the governess has some initial power in the fact that she is the only one capable of both seeing and being seen by the ghosts, besides the children who are themselves still questionable as to what they are able to see.
The governess gains even more power with each sighting as she is no longer passively viewed but instead becomes an active viewer herself. This reversal beings with only her second sighting of Quint as she is able to watch him “through the glass and across the room” and observes that “it was not for [her] he had come” (44). The governess’s new active role is again emphasized with her encounter with Jessel across the lake. In this instance, with her active looking the governess “became aware that on the other side of the Sea of Azof [they] had an interested spectator” (54). Through her acquired power of adopting the active/male role the governess is able to see what Mrs. Grose, the passive/female cannot—that they children “They know—it’s too monstrous: they know, they know!” (55). Furthermore, at Mrs. Grosse’s incredulity, the governess can only reply “I was there—I saw with my eyes” confirming her power as an active viewer (56). The governess’s final stance of power comes in the standoff with Quint as she tries to save Miles from his Quint’s “view like a sentinel before a prison” (116). In a final act of active viewing, the governess denies Quint his power and pleasure in looking as she shields Miles from his view and forces the presence to “move and shift its posture” until finally “the air was clear” (116-117). In this way the governess is able to reverse the roles of passive/female and active/male as she denies Quint the power of his gaze and instead forces him to be the object of her gaze.
Through his distortion of traditional male dominated structures and ideas, James is able to not only draw attention to the inequality of men’s power over women but he also uses the same devices to subvert this binary opposition. Through a distortion of the assumed patriarchal order the governess is able to adopt male characteristics in order to wrest back some of the power initially taken from her. Whether consciously or unconsciously James’s unfinished frame, disturbing death of Miles, and the disappearance of Quint’s ghost all point to a hidden power within the governess allowing her to survive long after her weaker male counterparts.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sorry I forgot
Wednesday in class we finished up presentations and talked about satire. If you missed the War Prayer by Twain I highly suggest you read it online.
Thursday we did peer editing with the outlines. It went okay but we need to get better at really giving some helpful feedback. With the outlines I looked at the number one thing I noticed was still some trouble with organization and people missing the "so what" question. Remember to come in and see me if you want help. I will also write a paper myself this weekend and post on this blog so you have a sample of what I'm looking for.
Upcoming work: Paper due 11/26
Huck Finny finish 1 through 22 for 12/1
Thursday we did peer editing with the outlines. It went okay but we need to get better at really giving some helpful feedback. With the outlines I looked at the number one thing I noticed was still some trouble with organization and people missing the "so what" question. Remember to come in and see me if you want help. I will also write a paper myself this weekend and post on this blog so you have a sample of what I'm looking for.
Upcoming work: Paper due 11/26
Huck Finny finish 1 through 22 for 12/1
Monday, November 17, 2008
Presentations
We had some very "interesting" presentations today and there was also a new set of vocab dealing with poetry.
Remember outlines are due Thursday. The more complete your outline the easier it will be to write your final paper. Also don't forget to bring two copies of your outline.
(Hannah if you are reading this you can email me a copy of your outline if you would like some feedback).
Remember outlines are due Thursday. The more complete your outline the easier it will be to write your final paper. Also don't forget to bring two copies of your outline.
(Hannah if you are reading this you can email me a copy of your outline if you would like some feedback).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Test Day
Took the fourth vocab test today and then gave students a chance for revenge. After the test, students had a chance to do anonymous evaluations of me and then there was some final work time on the presentations.
Upcoming: Outline 11/14 (see yesterday's post)
Upcoming: Outline 11/14 (see yesterday's post)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Work Day Part Two
Today was just a work day and I'm looking forward to some engaging presentations.
Upcoming Work: Big Vocab Test tomorrow.
Full Outline 1-2 pages typed (2 copies) 11/20
Upcoming Work: Big Vocab Test tomorrow.
Full Outline 1-2 pages typed (2 copies) 11/20
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Oops
I forgot to post yesterday but it was just a group work day so nothing super exciting was missed.
Today we went over the first official multiple-choice test and scores were amazingly high. Maybe too high....
We also talked about the Turn of the Screw paper and decided the outline would be due next Thursday with the paper due 11/26. Main tip for the paper is to come up with a "defendable" claim that you actually believe in. It is much easier to write a paper on something that you agree with.
Thanks goes to girl Sam today for keeping me on my toes and asking some good questions about how you can tell if something really has a purpose. If you are ever confused or disagree don't be afraid to ask (despite the reaction of the class).
Upcoming Stuff: Vocab test Friday--its a doozy!
Today we went over the first official multiple-choice test and scores were amazingly high. Maybe too high....
We also talked about the Turn of the Screw paper and decided the outline would be due next Thursday with the paper due 11/26. Main tip for the paper is to come up with a "defendable" claim that you actually believe in. It is much easier to write a paper on something that you agree with.
Thanks goes to girl Sam today for keeping me on my toes and asking some good questions about how you can tell if something really has a purpose. If you are ever confused or disagree don't be afraid to ask (despite the reaction of the class).
Upcoming Stuff: Vocab test Friday--its a doozy!
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Turn Continues
Today The Crucible papers were passed back. The main areas of concern were lack of strong organization and support. Main Tip: Don't be afraid to come talk to me about your papers. If you got a C or lower you should be bringing me drafts to look at.
Discussion Overview: Still debating about if the Governess is mad or if the ghosts are real. I think both sides can be supported but you have to go back and look at the text for proof.
Hopefully some things will be cleared up during the presentations next week. It should help once we look at some specific passages.
Upcoming Work: Multiple-choice for Wednesday and start thinking of your paper topics.
Discussion Overview: Still debating about if the Governess is mad or if the ghosts are real. I think both sides can be supported but you have to go back and look at the text for proof.
Hopefully some things will be cleared up during the presentations next week. It should help once we look at some specific passages.
Upcoming Work: Multiple-choice for Wednesday and start thinking of your paper topics.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Turn of the Screw
Well we answered some questions about the novel but we created more. I hope I at least wet your appetite for more. We will discuss it a lot more next week. We also took a reading check quiz.
Upcoming Work: Multiple-choice test next Wednesday!
Upcoming Work: Multiple-choice test next Wednesday!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Best Friend Day
Today everyone in class got a new best friend (Rhetorical Diagram) and we practiced analyzing some essays. Remember for all essays you must read the prompt carefully.
Upcoming Work: Finish the novel.
Upcoming Work: Finish the novel.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Battle of the Classes
Today we had a multiple-choice competition between the massive 4/5 and the underdogs per. 9
In a surprising upset per. 9 beat 4/5 by one question. It was also interesting to watch class interactions.
Upcoming work: Finish Turn of the Screw by Thursday!
In a surprising upset per. 9 beat 4/5 by one question. It was also interesting to watch class interactions.
Upcoming work: Finish Turn of the Screw by Thursday!
Monday, November 3, 2008
"It's tha 1st of tha month"
Today was another fun filled day in AP English (at least for me). The infamous Crucible papers were turned in with an estimating correcting time of 14 hours!
We got new seats--always exciting and the first real AP test was given out due 11/12
Then we ended the hour with a wonderfully helpful analysis cheat sheet. Since I can't figure out how to attach documents on her you will just have to go to my website to print it out or be daring and speak to me in person.
Finally, I'm testing to see if anyone even reads these... so if you are reading this and are the first person to tell me where the above song lyrics come from a free late voucher awaits you!
We got new seats--always exciting and the first real AP test was given out due 11/12
Then we ended the hour with a wonderfully helpful analysis cheat sheet. Since I can't figure out how to attach documents on her you will just have to go to my website to print it out or be daring and speak to me in person.
Finally, I'm testing to see if anyone even reads these... so if you are reading this and are the first person to tell me where the above song lyrics come from a free late voucher awaits you!
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