Innocence and Experience

This week as you read keep in mind how we see our characters remove their rose colored glasses.  What do I mean by this?  Often times we go through life thinking that the way we live is the truest and clearest perspective possible.  Sometimes, we do not see the evil that exists in the world or we do not see the world from outside our small glimpse. 

Think about how in the Harry Potter series Professor Snape was perceived.  Throughout the entire collection, unless you read very closely, you see him as a villain.  He is seen as evil.  This is our innocence in this world.  We are unable to see the world for what it is.  At some point, the curtain is pulled back and we are able to see the entire picture.  When that happens, we see that Snape was really looking out Harry and only had his best interests for him as a result of his love for Harry's mother.  

The same would hold true for those who did not believe that He Who Must Not Be Names was still alive.  They only saw the world in a certain light.

For this week's post, look at how a character in your book gains an element of experience in the book.  They move from being innocent to seeing the world more clearly;they gain experience.  Provide the context for how this happens and then write  about the result of this happening.  

Government and the Individual

As you begin reading this week from A Clockwork Orange and 1984, think about the governments presented in your texts.  What is the government like?  How does the government impact the lives of those who live within/under that government?  Who has power and who does not?  How is it different from your government?  

In your post this week, explain the government in your book and how it impacts the individual thus far.  Give examples from the book and then explain how you would feel if you had
to live under that government rule.  

Movies and societal problems

Over this break, I am sure you watched at least one movie or show that addresses a societal problem the writers wanted you to take note of.  I had entirely too much screen time.  It was nice to just veg out while watching the television.  Of the shows I watched, these are some of the social problems observed: society's reliance on technology and how it will destroy culture; bullying and its long term effects; drug use and how drugs destroy the lives of those who use, distribute, and are in the lives of users; the corruption of power and man's desire to acquire it.  

I want you to think about what you have watched over the last two weeks.  Identify the societal problem presented within the film and what message is being conveyed through this medium.  In your post, include the following information: a brief summary of the film or show, how the problem is presented, and the overall message conveyed.  

Anthem

In reading Anthem, you have been exposed to a world very different from your own. Choose one aspect of Equality's world and comment on it. For your post this week, include the following information:

1. Type out a quote from the book that addresses the part of the world in Anthem you wish to comment on.
2. Explain how this world impacts the characters and their lives.
3. Contrast this world with the world you live in.
4. Give your thoughts on why the government in the book would create this type of society, and what they hope to accomplish.  

Reflection

The world we live in is often forgotten because we are so busy looking at our computer screens, cell phone screens, or television screens.  Conversations get lost and we disconnect from one another.  Last week you had the opportunity to listen to the stories of others.  These stories were not prepared or preplanned.  They happened as a result of being engaged with others.  

For this week's blog, I want you to recall one aspect of the interview you participated in and tell us about it.  Once you have described this story, tell us what the story has taught you.  What do you take away from these stories.  How did the experience affect you?  I know we talked about these briefly last week.  Now that you have had time to digest it all, it is time to write about it.  

War: the Individual or family

      We have been looking at how war affects the individual, the family, the community, and the country.  Look at your world.  What songs, poems, books, movies have I not shared with you?  Choose one of those and then write about how war affects the individual or the family. 
     You need to explain a little about it so we have a context and then you can explain how war is working in the genre.

Book Passage

In looking at the book you read the last four weeks, The Things They Carried or The Yellow Birds, I want you to choose a passage that you think is significant.  In order to choose, you need to think about the following:

1. The passage should influence the entire book.
2. Your explanation should unpack the passage by looking at what is written and how it is written? (This means lit terms.)
3. It should affect the reader

Type out your passage and explain how the passage you chose fits in with the above three items and why you think it is significant.