TODAY IN CLASS
Discussion of "The Storm" (briefly, really--focussing on the metaphorical and thematic implications of the literal storm) and public responses to both Chopin and Ibsen's work.  Tomorrow we move fully into The Awakening.

FOR TOMORROW
You should have read at least half the book.  (It is really a very short book; the B & N classics edition is 155 pages.) But since I can't deal in page numbers that will apply to everyone, we will say through the end of Chapter 19 (XIX).  By Monday, read through Chapter 32 (XXXII).  By Wednesday, you need to be finished with the book (XXXIII through the end).

Be sure that you are keeping the details of this story straight, but you should be very aware of Ibsen's play resonating in the back of your mind as you read Edna's story.  Don't stop with the obvious--press as far as possible in thinking of similarities, differences (but more importantly, the SUBTLE distinctions within the seeming similarities) between the two works.  Don't stop with plot and character, either . . .

Cajuns and Creoles . . .
Please bring both "The Storm" (big book) and The Awakening to class tomorrow.

If you've finished Chopin, you have no homework.  If you haven't, READ (at least 30-some pages from wherever you are now!). 

TODAY IN CLASS
Collected homework questions after students marked their strongest/best response.
Discussed Anne Marie and the concluding few lines of Act II, and a variety of topics from Act III

FOR TOMORROW
Continue to be reading The Awakening, but for Wednesday, also take a little time to read a short story by Kate Chopin entitled "The Storm" (p. 108 in your textbook).

Happy New Year to the Class of 2011

TODAY IN CLASS
Discussion of Act II and bits of Act III of A Doll's House, based loosely on specific Acts questions on p. 1084.  We didn't do too much with the Act III ones, though, because we will focus on a couple of scenes in detail tomorrow.

FOR TOMORROW
Prepare the "General Questions" on p. 1084 (the seven questions in the last section).  Although several of these are interpretive, your response should include strong and convincing textual evidence.  For question #4, double back to the beginning of the Drama section (806 ff.)  It is tied in with the one-act play Trifles, which I haven't assigned and don't expect you to read tonight.  However, look over the definitions of key dramatic terms on pp. 820-824--particularly for the discussion of crisis/turning point/climax on p. 822.  And for question #6, be sure that you have read the introductory material to Chapter 35 (1027-1031).

Elephants . . .

On Thursday several 3rd period people were asking about the fate of elephants in Africa, asking mainly about the consequences of the ivory trade.  Well, apparently last night's NBC news knew you were asking; due in part to on-going elephant poaching, these animals are still dying, and some cute little babies are being left in the lurch.  Take a look at this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40704375/ns/nightly_news-making_a_difference/

Transition to Ibsen

TODAY IN CLASS
OK--in all classes we finished HoD (last pictures, last scene, last thoughts on "meaning of the book as a whole).

And in all we BEGAN Ibsen's A Doll's House, getting to the entrance of Mrs. Linde in 1st period, not quite so far in 3rd (announcements . . .), and even less in 6th (a slower start--including a Holiday Sweater picture, which I'll post if someone sends it) plus of a couple of college returnees late in the period.  Sorry--but you too will be welcomed back some day.

FOR TOMORROW
SO--there's a 2 or 3 page difference in the homework, but everyone needs to finish reading Act I (p. 1053).  No "direction" needed--just read.

Bring Big Lit Book!!

Sadly, we are NOT quite done with the final scene. We're trying to compare/contrast the women, using close analysis of the text.  But we barely got started with My Intended. 

Tomorrow, we will 1) finish that briefly, 2) look at 2 or 3 final pictures of the Congo at the time of Conrad's trip, and 3) turn our attention to a woman living in Norway at the exact same time.