The Supporting Cast

This is a reminder that if you are one of the select few that have not taken the District MC Post-Test, you need to do so a.s.a.p. so all of that data can be accrued, and we won't have to worry about that next week. This takes 35-ish minutes to complete.

In the Geneva and Ingolstadt world, all classes worked with the supporting players of Victor Frankenstein's life: Caroline, the epitome of motherly caregiving, tragically lost to the fever, the reason Victor vows to supplant God as creator; Daddy F, the apotheosis of the male provider, the supporter of Victor's education, the older, wiser figure keeping the Frankenstein family aloft; Henry Clerval, the buddy with the soul of a poet, the travelling spirit, the one left behind as Victor moves into his scientific adventures; Elizabeth Lavenza, the foundling, the angelic sprite, the substitute caregiver taking over for the loss of the family matriarch, the "gift" of Victor's life. While Victor completely forgets about all of those people in his role as "pioneer" of humanity, these four have a significant role in his past and future - as you shall see in the upcoming chapters, which include 5-8 for tomorrow.

To conclude chapters 1-4, we did look at Victor's "project" and his "materials" amassed for his eight foot baby. As foreshadowed by lightning-effaced trees, the assumption remains that this is not going to end up well for anyone in the story. 

Possibly away from the realm of Frankenstein (you could choose this text for later purposes), we looked at free response prompts - the one where you select the text for analysis and you don't need any direct evidence. I would highly recommend having one novel/play that you know backwards and forwards with author, era, plot, characters, setting, motifs, significant lit elements, cultural criticisms. This one text will probably fit about 95% of the prompts, and you can practice analyzing this book in our class before the actual exam. I would also recommend having two more texts that you know about 75% - just in case you end up with that one prompt that does not work with your favorite. (One text should be a novel and one should be a play to cover all bases.)

You now have all of the free response prompts from 1970-2013, which you will use to complete 2 free response practices. Choose 2 prompts from across that spectrum, and compete the boxes for each one. While you are welcome to use the same text for both of these handouts, you may want to do one with a novel and one with a play to make sure you have the background for both texts. The free response work will be due on your next block day, but you don't have to wait until next week to complete them. 

And speaking of next week, we will be finishing Frankenstein, and we will have an in-class writing prompt at some point next week. I've decided to give you the prompt the class before the writing hour. You will be able to close read the given passage, but you won't be able to write the essay in advance. Happy March!

Still Testing, Testing, Testing

2 & 4: We had the opportunity to learn more about the AP Lit exam, which, of course, we have worked all year on to improve your prose, poetry, free response, and close reading skills. I'm not biased or anything, but it seems to make sense to take the exam after all of your hard work and preparation.

Afterwards, second hour embraced our team Walton and team Victor situation and how those two fellas seem to have a similar hubristic trajectory, which Victor seems to understand and Walton seems oblivious to pursue. Then, you had the pleasure of the second district MC exam - those 2 passages to see how you do with another poetry and prose work. We will deal with the data part tomorrow. Meanwhile, you have reading to do: chapters 1-4. Plus, you have a character chart to make for your selected character.

In fourth hour, we moved from the AP test to the district AP MC test, which is one more indicator of all of your knowledge regarding literature! Then, we did a very quick Team Walton and Team Victor back-and-forth discussion, which clearly indicated that these 2 characters have quite the parallel lives. For homework tomorrow, you have chapters 1-4 and a character chart for one of the supporting characters. Grant, you have Henry Clerval as your assigned character.

Testing, Testing

The start of seventh hour revolved around the plethora of reasons, or the compendium, for taking the AP Lit exam this May. With all the commitment to breaking down close readings, learning all those funky poetic terms, reading a wide variety of literature from Grendel's provocative diction to Frankenstein's attempts to become God, and completing so many multiple choice passages, you have definitely prepared for the exam. As always, if you choose not to take the exam, you will still have an alternative assessment at the end of the year.

Next up on the docket happens to be another MC test, this one courtesy of the AP Lit program via the district. If you miss this event, you will need to make it up very soon since data needs to be collected. This should not involve missing class, if at all possible, so make sure to schedule study hall time or possibly after school (probably not many days left to do so).

We will have time for more of Walton and Victor character analysis on Thursday, but in the meanwhile, you need to read Chapters 1-4. Each of you will follow one character from these chapters and make a character chart. Henry, you will analyze Henry Clerval (yes, we chose that for you on purpose); Faith, you will analyze Elizabeth; Jazz, you will analyze Caroline.

That Walton - Whatever Purpose Does He Serve?

While not all classes had the opportunity to chat about Walton, those that did seem to find it quite a coincidence that this non-protagonist happens to have hubris, a self-taught education, and a wanting of becoming almost a "god" capable of acts no other man has ever done! Hmm...sounds familiar?

F.Y.I. If you happened to have not presented your Wollstonecraft chapter, this needs to be competed by the end of the week after school. Make sure to schedule your 4 minutes - otherwise, you lose out on the points.

2: We wrapped up the Wollstonecraft presentations, which means tomorrow will be the opportunity to talk about Walton - and not just letter one! Make sure to read letters 2-4, adding Walton quotes and characterization AND setting up a chart for the newly arrived Victor Frankenstein.

4 & 7: After our presentations, we had a fascinating discussion regarding Walton - and with non-repeating quotes - and his characterization (hence, the above comments regarding hubris, education, and dreams of grandeur to create a mythological figure and reputation). For next time, add to your Walton charts in letters 2-4 AND create a chart for Victor Frankenstein to amp up his characterization.

The Wollstonecraft Repetition

In all classes, we had the pleasure of hearing many chapters and sections of Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman, which definitely repeats motifs, literary elements, allusions, Rousseau trashing, morality's importance, and education to improve the future generations. I always enjoy the audience reaction to each 4 minute synopsis, and how you are hearing the consistency of argument throughout the chapters. Second hour has 9 presentations left, fourth hour with 4, and seventh hour with ? (typing this during sixth hour, but odds are somewhere in the vicinity of 5-7).

Meanwhile, you already have what you need for classwork tomorrow: Frankenstein, reading the introductory material for info, reading analytically Letter 1, filling out the character chart for Robert Walton. All of that will be needed for after the presentations on Monday, so make sure you are ready to talk about Walton - and why he might be the starting figure in a novel that is not about him.

And don't forget that you have the Proxy Penguin, the Gianini Giraffe, the Omniscient Owl, and the Zenith Zebra to keep you company!

Prepping Day

Today was a prep day for the Wollstonecraft presentations, which will be timed for a four minute maximum. Make sure to include responses to the 4 questions and include evidence with citations (of course). Since we will probably not finish all the presentations in one day (fourth hour has the best chance), any remaining Wollstonecraft chats will resume Monday. And, don't forget that you will be turning in your close reading and written portions afterwards. 

Since I will be out and about on Friday, you also have that day's classroom assignment in your possession. Read the background material, introduction, and preface to set you up for Frankenstein. Then, read - with an analytical eye - letter one, filling out the characterization chart for Walton with quotes from the text and analysis. More is better. 

The World of Wollstonecraft

In every hour, we had a lengthy discussion on Mary Wollstonecraft's life and the start of Vindication via the opening letter and introduction sections. You also have the Vindication assignment and chapter (or section of chapter for bigger classes) to complete the close read, written paragraphs, and preparation for presentations. If you were absent, don't worry! I sent you the overall assignment, your individual assignment, and the chapters so that you are ready for next class!