The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/bhm/literature/bluest_eye.htm
Above is a synopsis of the next novel we will be studying that addresses issues such as:
racism
beauty
abandonment

We are going to try to get copies of the novel. Once we know what edition we are getting, I will let everyone know so if you would like to purchase it yourself, that is an option.

Defining Romanticism

Judging by what you may or may not know from American History during the early to mid 19th century (1800s - 1860), what do you know about Romanticism? What themes are relevent to it?



Please think about romaticism, transcendalism and gothic writing. Who is associated with each of these big movements in our history?



Comment on this blog post - Discuss a definition of each of the above and find one author who may exemplify what each is about.



I look forward to reading what you write.

Romanticism and Transcendalism and Gothic novels, oh my

We have concluded our study of The Crucible by Arthur Miller and we will now be moving on to a survey study of Romanticism and the off shoots of it (transcendalism and gothic)
By the end of this unit, you will understand what Romanticism is and how it helped to shape our American literature... and in essence how beliefs during this time period helped to shape the writing.

I am hoping to have each of you complete a bunch of readings, and writings (original poetry in the style of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass and an original short story using romantic elements)
Throughout we will continue our work with writing essays

The next full length novel we will be reading is Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. I am shooting to have you have it before the break so that you can possibly read it over break. It is a modern book that examines our concept of beauty.

In Class Essay tomorrow

Please make sure to get to class on time tomorrow as we have an in class writing assessment of the Crucible. You will be expected to interpret the quote, agree or disagree with your interpretation and then use 3 specific examples from the play to support your interpretation.

Bring a pen and some looseleaf paper.

Portfolio pulling

Your portfolio pulling for first trimester should be done by tomorrow.
You should have selected your 3 best pieces of work from the first trimester.

You should reflect on each piece specifically discussing the following:

1. what standards does this piece show you have mastered?
2. what have you learned about yourself as a learner from this assignment?
3. what do you still need to work on to make yourself a better learner for future assignments based on this assignment?
4. how can you adjust your learning to get your needs met based on your experience with this assignment?
5. how do the standards and skills used in this assignment connect to other assignments you have done in this class as well as other classes?
   

Cite examples from your work to support all of your answers to the above questions... write a narrative reflection for each piece. I will want to see your selections...

Moving forward, you will be expected to reflect on your work whenever you get work returned to you graded. It should always address the above information.

Questions from class discussion today for thought

Please post your ideas to these comments:

What is Miller's purpose in having 2 characters like Danforth and Hathorne?

Why is Parris so threatened by Proctor? What does Proctor represent and how can that expose Parris?

How would you characterize the characters? Flat? Round? Stereotypical? dynamic?

Homework for tonight

Draw out a plot diagram of the play:

• exposition
• rising actions
• climax
• falling actions or denouement
• resolution

review: plot - the main actions that move a story

exposition: the background info or bulding information for the story

rising actions - usually start with the conflict and are the events that lead up the climax

climax - the turning point

falling actions or denouement - the events which lead to the resolution following the climax

resolution - how the story ends or concludes...