"What is the point?"
There comes a time in a person's life where hands are thrown into the air, a big sign is huffed, and this statement comes splashing out.
"What is the point?"
Our study of literature this summer attempts to answer that question. You must first define the question: What is the point of what? Life? Love? Relationships? God? Existence? This is for you to decide. Your summer reading will attempt to help you define and answer this question.
You will begin by reading more about the literary movement which attempts to answer this question. Please visit Wikipedia to read more about this movement; check out Bohemian Ink, as well, for another overview.
Our study of literature this year will not be chronological, i.e., from old writing to newer writing. We will skip between genres, styles, and time periods. We will connect the written and spoken word across time through the universal themes most important to the human race - family, love, travel, solitude. Our culminating question - "What is the point?"
Your summer reading will provide you with the foundation of intellectual curiosity and academic rigor required for success throughout the rest of the course. As you read, continually monitor your understanding of each piece of literature. Do this through frequent writing in your notebook.
TASK: After you have read the above introductions to the literary movement called Absurdism, please answer the following questions in your notebook:
1. Have you heard of the Absurdist literary movement before this reading? If so, in what context (where)? If not, what literary movements or periods are you familiar with?
2. Do you agree with the ideas of Absurdism? Do you feel that humans are essentially alienated from each other, or do you feel that people are connected to each other? Do you feel that people are all alone in this universe, or do you feel that there is a "higher power" that takes care of humans? If you agree with the ideas of Absurdism, why? If you don't agree, what are your points of contention? What do you disagree with?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Habits of Mind
Do you consider yourself a smart person? Are you thorough in your academic work? Are you curious about the world and the people in it? Do you try to learn something new every day?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then CONGRATULATIONS! You are in the process of developing what is known in the grown-up world as HABITS OF MIND (HOM). These are a set of skills used to solve problems when a solution or answer is not immediately apparent. HOM can be used to identify, analyze, confront, and conquer dilemmas personally, professionally, academically, and ethically.
Please read Chapter 2 from Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind. It can be found by clicking here. You may want to print it out and highlight it, but that is not required.
TASKS: After you have finished reading the article, please answer the following questions in your notebook:
1. Of the 16 Habits of Mind discussed in the article, which three do you already do? Provide examples of how you have applied these three habits of mind in your life (inside or outside of school). Write one page.
2. Of the 16 Habits of Mind discussed in the article, which three would you like to work on to improve during the school year? Why are these three habits of mind important to you? Write one page.
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then CONGRATULATIONS! You are in the process of developing what is known in the grown-up world as HABITS OF MIND (HOM). These are a set of skills used to solve problems when a solution or answer is not immediately apparent. HOM can be used to identify, analyze, confront, and conquer dilemmas personally, professionally, academically, and ethically.
Please read Chapter 2 from Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind. It can be found by clicking here. You may want to print it out and highlight it, but that is not required.
TASKS: After you have finished reading the article, please answer the following questions in your notebook:
1. Of the 16 Habits of Mind discussed in the article, which three do you already do? Provide examples of how you have applied these three habits of mind in your life (inside or outside of school). Write one page.
2. Of the 16 Habits of Mind discussed in the article, which three would you like to work on to improve during the school year? Why are these three habits of mind important to you? Write one page.
Reading: The Myth of Sisyphus
Return to our original question of "What is the point?" In this reading assignment, you will meet a man and engage in a philosophical debate about the purpose of work.
The story of Sisyphus is an ancient one - a mere mortal who dared to challenge the Gods by refusing to die. Using cunning and trickery, Sisyphus lived long after his predetermined fate. However, his wiles eventually caught up with him, and when he faced the Gods, Sisyphus received a punishment of difficult and futile labor. Please read about the story of Sisyphus here.
TASKS: Open a page in your notebook. As you read through the story of Sisyphus from the above link, please complete the tasks embedded within the text. These tasks will ask you to define words, draw inferences, make guesses, and come to conclusions. The tasks are numbered 1-13 within the story.
Recall now the introduction you previously read about Absurdism. Sisyphus is, indeed, THE absurd hero, for one can only ask of his hard toils, "What is the point?"
French philosopher Albert Camus (whom you may read about in greater detail here) addresses the plight of Sisyphus in his brief article entitled "The Myth of Sisyphus." Please read the article by clicking here. You may want to print this out and highlight it.
TASKS: In your notebook, please complete the following:
1. Define the following words and phrases: prudent, futile, levity, benediction, impudent, consciousness, proletarian, surmounted, melancholy, Gethsemane, Oedipus, myriad, negate.
2. Write an essay in which you determine whether Sisyphus is truly happy, as Camus claims him to be. Aim for one full handwritten page in your notebook.
TASKS: Cartoon Analysis: Each of the cartoons below contains an allusion (a reference or mention of) to the story of Sisyphus. Choose of these cartoons and analyze how it connects the struggles of man to the legend of Sisyphus. Write 1/2 page in your notebook.
(NOTE: You will need to click on each of the cartoons to enlarge them for closer inspection!)
The story of Sisyphus is an ancient one - a mere mortal who dared to challenge the Gods by refusing to die. Using cunning and trickery, Sisyphus lived long after his predetermined fate. However, his wiles eventually caught up with him, and when he faced the Gods, Sisyphus received a punishment of difficult and futile labor. Please read about the story of Sisyphus here.
TASKS: Open a page in your notebook. As you read through the story of Sisyphus from the above link, please complete the tasks embedded within the text. These tasks will ask you to define words, draw inferences, make guesses, and come to conclusions. The tasks are numbered 1-13 within the story.
Recall now the introduction you previously read about Absurdism. Sisyphus is, indeed, THE absurd hero, for one can only ask of his hard toils, "What is the point?"
French philosopher Albert Camus (whom you may read about in greater detail here) addresses the plight of Sisyphus in his brief article entitled "The Myth of Sisyphus." Please read the article by clicking here. You may want to print this out and highlight it.
TASKS: In your notebook, please complete the following:
1. Define the following words and phrases: prudent, futile, levity, benediction, impudent, consciousness, proletarian, surmounted, melancholy, Gethsemane, Oedipus, myriad, negate.
2. Write an essay in which you determine whether Sisyphus is truly happy, as Camus claims him to be. Aim for one full handwritten page in your notebook.
TASKS: Cartoon Analysis: Each of the cartoons below contains an allusion (a reference or mention of) to the story of Sisyphus. Choose of these cartoons and analyze how it connects the struggles of man to the legend of Sisyphus. Write 1/2 page in your notebook.
(NOTE: You will need to click on each of the cartoons to enlarge them for closer inspection!)
Reading: "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett
The main feature in the Theater of the Absurd (click here to learn more) is the play "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett.
This play is deceptively short and simple, yet it is rife with mystery and complexity. It has been known to leave its audience wondering, "What is the point?"
Your goal, as you read this play, is to determine THE POINT. You can click on Samuel Beckett's Official Page to reach the full text of the play. Please note that there are two acts in the play - be sure to read both.
As you read through the play (you may want to wrangle up another classmate or your little brother/sister/cousin to act it out with you), please create the following pages in your notebook:
1. Waiting for Godot Characters: Name the characters and their key personality traits.
2. Waiting for Godot Plot Summary: As best as you can, describe the plot of the story.
3. Waiting for Godot Conflict: Describe the conflict within the play.
4. Waiting for Godot Vocabulary: Define a list of at least ten words within the play that are new to you.
Once you are done reading the play and completing your pages on character/plot/conflict/vocabulary, write an essay (one page in length) in which you determine, to the best of your ability and using your personal experience, the point of the play Waiting For Godot.
Once you are done your reading and writing, take a moment to enjoy this video from Sesame Street:
Deep, yes? You had no idea what you were REALLY watching when you were little, did you?
If you are interested in the serious rendition of this play, watch below:
PART ONE:
Visit YouTube for the rest of the play!
This play is deceptively short and simple, yet it is rife with mystery and complexity. It has been known to leave its audience wondering, "What is the point?"
Your goal, as you read this play, is to determine THE POINT. You can click on Samuel Beckett's Official Page to reach the full text of the play. Please note that there are two acts in the play - be sure to read both.
As you read through the play (you may want to wrangle up another classmate or your little brother/sister/cousin to act it out with you), please create the following pages in your notebook:
1. Waiting for Godot Characters: Name the characters and their key personality traits.
2. Waiting for Godot Plot Summary: As best as you can, describe the plot of the story.
3. Waiting for Godot Conflict: Describe the conflict within the play.
4. Waiting for Godot Vocabulary: Define a list of at least ten words within the play that are new to you.
Once you are done reading the play and completing your pages on character/plot/conflict/vocabulary, write an essay (one page in length) in which you determine, to the best of your ability and using your personal experience, the point of the play Waiting For Godot.
Once you are done your reading and writing, take a moment to enjoy this video from Sesame Street:
Deep, yes? You had no idea what you were REALLY watching when you were little, did you?
If you are interested in the serious rendition of this play, watch below:
PART ONE:
Visit YouTube for the rest of the play!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Reading: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
In the warmth of a summer dusk, the insects take control - mosquitoes, lightening bugs, Japaneses beetles, ants. Bugs rule the outside.
Imagine yourself in the role of this natural ruler, your human body transformed into a giant bug. How would you handle it? "Why did this happen to me?" you might ask yourself. More importantly, how will you survive in the world of humans when you are no longer one?
In your final reading assignment, you will read "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka, one of the pioneers of the Absurdist movement. Click here to access the full text of the story.
As you read this novella, please create the following pages in your notebook:
1. Metamorphosis Characters: Name the characters and their key personality traits.
2. Metamorphosis Plot Summary: As best as you can, describe the plot of the story.
3. Metamorphosis Conflict: Describe the conflict within the story.
4. Metamorphosis Vocabulary: Define a list of at least thirty words within the story that are new to you.
Once you are done reading the story, please write a two-page essay in your notebook in which you address the following prompt:
Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main characters may likewise be guilty of treachery or may betray their own values. "The Metamorphosis" includes such acts of betrayal. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the nature of the betrayal and show how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot of the story.
For a visual interpretation (e.g., cartoons!), you should visit Random House.
Imagine yourself in the role of this natural ruler, your human body transformed into a giant bug. How would you handle it? "Why did this happen to me?" you might ask yourself. More importantly, how will you survive in the world of humans when you are no longer one?
In your final reading assignment, you will read "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka, one of the pioneers of the Absurdist movement. Click here to access the full text of the story.
As you read this novella, please create the following pages in your notebook:
1. Metamorphosis Characters: Name the characters and their key personality traits.
2. Metamorphosis Plot Summary: As best as you can, describe the plot of the story.
3. Metamorphosis Conflict: Describe the conflict within the story.
4. Metamorphosis Vocabulary: Define a list of at least thirty words within the story that are new to you.
Once you are done reading the story, please write a two-page essay in your notebook in which you address the following prompt:
Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main characters may likewise be guilty of treachery or may betray their own values. "The Metamorphosis" includes such acts of betrayal. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the nature of the betrayal and show how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot of the story.
For a visual interpretation (e.g., cartoons!), you should visit Random House.
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