This Seat's Taken: AP Lit, December 17, 2012

"...I have been hurt to the point of abysmal pain, hurt to the point of invisibility. And I defend because in spite of all I find that I love. In order to get some of it down I have to love.  I sell you no phony forgiveness, I'm a desperate man--but too much of your life will be lost, its meaning lost, unless you approach it as much through love as though hate...So I denounce and I defend and I hate and I love." (Elllison 580)

Focus: Wrapping up the semester

1. Announcements and a little freewriting

2. Finish poetry project presentations

3. Return timed writings and applaud glorious thesis statements:

By depicting Eveline as unable to decide her fate, Joyce reveals her in a state of fear of the unknown as well as in a trance of longing for her home and family.  (Tanner)

...James Joyce conveys that Eveline's inability to leave ultimately stems from her watchful nature and need for security.  (Emily K)

Joyce foreshadows her eventual refusal by his inclusion of childhood memories, her placement next to a window, and the use of questions throughout the story. (Margot)

Shakespeare, in his play Henry IV, Part 1, uses the relationship between the King of England and his son, Hal, to reflect on the true meaning of pride and honor, in which lies power.  (Margot)

In the play Henry IV, Part 1, Shakespeare suggests that comparison, impatience and lack of authenticity are the heart of conflict...by depicting a crumbling kingdom caused by a young prince's unstable relationship with his father... (Anna)

4. Vacationing briefly at "Dover Beach"

• Reread with four readers, focusing on the slightly different purpose of each stanza (question #22).

• If you were a body of water, what kind of body of water would you be right now?  (3 min)

• Flushing out the extended metaphor/analogy/conceit (questions 20, 23, and 26)

OR

4. Treating ourselves to a little prose M.C. practice (p.269, questions 1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 14 and 15)

HW: Prepare for your final by perusing the different parts of your review book that you find most helpful (in particular, try out some prose and poetry multiple choice), looking back over your Tuesday writings and your class notes, and reading others' blogs on Invisible Man.  Our final is Wednesday from 8:56-Noon.