Monday, August 27, 2012

Vocabulary Fall List #3

Accolade: any award, honor, or laudatory notice: The play receivedaccolades from the press.
Acerbity: sourness, with roughness or astringency of taste.
attrition:a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Ourclub has had a high rate of attrition because so many membershave moved away.
Bromide: a person who is platitudinous and boring.
chauvinist :a person who is aggressively and blindly patriotic, especiallyone devoted to military glory.
Chronic:constant; habitual; inveterate:
expound:to set forth or state in detail:
factionalism:of a faction or factions.
immaculate:free from fault or flaw; free from errors
imprecation:the act of imprecating; cursing.
ineluctable:incapable of being evaded; inescapable
mercurial:animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
palliate:to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate.
protocol: the customs and regulations dealing with diplomaticformality, precedence, and etiquette.
resplendent:shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid:
stigmatize:to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon:
sub rosa: confidentially; secretly; privately.
vainglory:excessive elation or pride
vestige: a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is nolonger present or in existence
volition:the act of willing, choosing, or resolving

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Beowulf Questions

Well I got into a group with Justin Thompson, Kristofer Green, Josh Ng, Ryland Towne, Bernardo Gonzalez, and William Veroski. We split up the questions and we all worked on them. Then we combined all of our problems together. We also went on skype to work things out.


Beowulf Questions

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34)

1. The way Shield became ruler of the Danes was unusual because he was an orphan that was adopted by the king of the Danes. Shield’s funeral was one of the most magnificent and noteworthy for a king because he was laid to rest on a ship covered in gold and treasure. Shield is Hrothgar’s great grandfather.

[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36)

1. Hrothgar undertook the responsibility to construct Heorot, it was a mead-hall, the greatest the world had ever seen. Grendel attacked the Heorot everynight for 12 years killing many men which brought sorrow to Hrothgar and the Danes. The Danes lost hope in God and went to temples, idols, and even tried praying to the Devil to rid Grendel from their land.

[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42)

1. When Beowulf learned of Grendel he gathered soldiers and set sail for the Danish nation that Grendel terrorized.
2. When the Geats first arrive in Denmark they encounter the sea-guard of the Danes. The sea-guard warns the Geats not to raid the Danes, however, Beowulf informs the guard that he has come to help Hrothgar slay Grendel.
3. Hrothgar’s messenger is named Wulfgar and he tells Beowulf and his men that he has never seen braver strangers as them. Wulfgar tells Hrothgar to exchange words with Beowulf because of his flabbergasting bravery and stature. Hrothgar tells Wulfgar to bring Beowulf to him so that they may discuss about Grendel. I am surprised Hrothgar knows so much about Beowulf.
4. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will slay Grendel if Hrothgar in return provides shelter and food to his men during his time in Denmark. Hrothgar paid off Beowulf’s father’s feuds and now Beowulf has returned to repay an old favor.

[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46)

1. Unferth accuses Beowulf of vanity and losing to Breca in a contest. Beowulf explains that he was busy killing nine sea monsters, and declares his strength. Then he accuses Unferth of being responsible for the death on his family. This does indeed show Beowulf's arrogance and will to prove himself to others.
2. During the feast Queen Wealhtheow greeted everyone including Beowulf, and she thanked god he had come.

[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49)

1. Instead of arming for battle Beowulf disarms for battle, removing his armor and putting away his sword.
2. Grendel kills a man grotesquely when he enters the room then goes after Beowulf. Beowulf grabs Grendel and Grendel thrashes around trying to break free. Beowulf tore off Grendel's arm as he tried to escape. He does escape, but loses his arm, a fatal wound.

[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60)

1. Beowulf is like Sigemund because he is a hero who saved others from a monster and he's not like Heremod because Heremod was a selfish king who never protected his people, unlike Beowulf.
2. Hrothgar considers Beowulf as a son, and gives him a sword, a shield, a golden set of armor, and a helmet. Unferth has nothing more to say as Beowulf is clearly a hero.
3. Finn's (leader of the Frisians) step brother (leader of the Scyldings) dies in battle, and his second in command makes truce in the war with the Frisians. With the truce the Scyldings stayed with Finn over winter, eventually killing him and leaving back with his sister Hildeburh. Using a woman to heal relations is not a good idea.
4. Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give the throne to Beowulf.
5. The necklace Beowulf is given, Beowulf eventually gives to his uncle Hygelac. Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to look after and care for her sons.
6. So many men remain in the beer hall because they don't know the danger to come, that Grendel's mother is soon coming to find revenge.

[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62)

1. Grendel's mother has come to Heorot because she is angry about the death of her son. It is not for the same reason that Grendel had, she has come in anger and vengeance for her son.
2. Hrothgar is in great sorrow after Grendel's mother takes the kings advisor and close friend, Aeschere. Hrothgar offers Beowulf chests of gold and riches to slay the evil monster and free them yet again from evil.
3.  The mere is like a lake, except it has water that boils and is full of sea serpents and dragons. No man has ever reached the bottom of the mere and very few have ever gone near it. It is where Grendel and his mother have their den.

[Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother] (lines 1383-1650, pp. 63-68)

1. Beowulf tells Hrothgar to respond to Grendel's mother by sending Beowulf and his men to slay her so that they can be free from the demons.
2. Before Beowulf enters the mere, he shoots one of the serpents with an arrow that lives within the dark waters of the mere.
3. Beowulf prepares for battle by dressing in “noble garments”.  Unferth gives Beowulf the sword popularly known as Hrunting.  It is a sword which has failed no man in battle.
4. When Beowulf enters the mere he spends the majority of the day swimming to the bottom.  When he finally reaches the bed of the mere, Grendel’s mother feels Beowulf’s presence and grabs him.  Grendel’s mother lives in a cave at the bottom of the mere which is engulfed with the blood and gore of humans that the giants have killed.
5. The sword that Beowulf borrowed from Unferth becomes useless when trying to penetrate the skin of Grendel’s mother.
6. Grendel’s mother cannot penetrate the armor of Beowulf which allows Beowulf enough time to escape from yet another blow of her knife.
7. Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother by slicing at her neck with a sword made for giants.  When Grendel’s mother dies a light appears guiding Beowulf out of the cave.  Yet before he leaves he cuts off the head of Grendel’s body, and brings it to the surface.  The blood of Grendel melts the sword he used to kill Grendel’s mother.  The hilt of the sword is still intact however so he brings it to the surface along with Grendel’s head.
8. He finds his small group of Geats awaiting his return.  His men did not expect him to return.

[Further Celebration at Heorot] (lines 1651-1798, pp. 68-71)

1. Beowulf gives to Hrothgar the head of Grendel and the sword hilt he used to kill Grendel’s mother.
2. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will provide protection for him and that Beowulf must be good to his people.  Hrothgar tells us that Heremod was a terrible king who searched only for death and destruction.  He tells us this so that Beowulf understands how to be a just and fair leader.  Heremod dies alone because of the pain he beset on his people.  Hrothgar teaches us the example of how to lead when given an overwhelming source of power.
3. Unferth receives the sword he let Beowulf borrow when trying the kill Grendel’s mother.

 [Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)

1. He will be the king of Geats, receive many treasures, and make peace with other nations. It’s a very hopeful future.
2. Hygd is very young and beautiful. She is wise while Modthryth is very evil and merciless.
3. He wants to end the feud between the Danes and Ingeld. Ingled will devoice the daughter and attack Hrothgar. An old warrior will convince Ingeld to fight. No because hero’s are supposed to be always act with honor.
4. He reports his adventures in a very exaggerated way. He’s honest about the story but he explains it in a way that builds himself up more. It’s not that expected because he’s supposed to a noble hero but he is concerned about glory so it makes sense.
5. Beowulf gives most of his treasure to Hygelac and Hygd and in return Hygd gives him treasure and land for himself.

[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86)

1. Part 2 takes place forty winters (forty years) later. Hygelac has died and there is now a dragon.
2. Thief has stolen his gold (cup). The man was poor and hungry. It was left there by a man from an ancient race who realized he like his ancestors would die and therefore buried the treasure.
3. The dragon just rampaged through the land trying to find the thief and destroys his throne hall.
4. He believes he has angered God. He makes a new shield to fight the dragon. He will fight it alone. He will die.
5. He dies against the Frisians. Beowulf was able to get away but he mourned for his death. He was offered the thrown. He did not out of respect for Hygelac.
6. Heardred is killed while fighting the Swedes.  Beowulf avenges him by killing Onela, the Swedish king.7.  Beowulf brings eleven men (he is “one of twelve”) with him to meet the dragon.
8. Hygelac’s oldest brother Herebeald was killed by a relative (Haethcyn).  An arrow missed its target and him Herebeald, killing him.  King Hrethel was devastated.  There is a lengthy portion detailing his lamentations.  War breaks out between the Swedes and the Geats.  Beowulf avenges Hygelac’s death by defeating Daeghrefn in front of “the legions”.

 [Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp. 86-92)

1.  Beowulf tells his companions to wait back while he fights the dragon.  He reasons that he is the only one among them that has any hope of killing it.
2.  The first time Beowulf faces the dragon, his shield, helmet, and sword fail him, and he is wounded.  His companions all flee the dragon, except for Wiglaf, who stays to help.  He tells the others that Beowulf chose them as his companions because he believed them to be great warriors, and that they should not abandon him now in his time of need.  He rushes in to aid Beowulf.
3. The second time Beowulf meets the dragon, the dragon bites him on the neck—leaving a mortal wound.  Wiglaf ultimately impales the dragon.
4.  Beowulf tells Wiglaf to bring the dragon’s treasure to him.  Beowulf thanks God for the treasure.  Beowulf wants to be buried in tower on a high cliff by the water.  He wants sailors to see the tower and remember his name.

[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp. 92-99)

1. The warriors see Wiglaf trying to reviveBeowulf. Wiglaf gets mad at them for leaving Beowolf. Wiglaf expects the Geatsto be attacked and their nation destroyed.
2. The messenger announces that Beowulf is dead.Ongentheow and his men make fun of the Geats. Hygelac comes to the Geats with reinforcements.Ongentheow retreated once he saw more men. Ongentheow was cornered by Hygelacand was killed. The messenger says that the treasure is cursed. Beowulf can’tbe cursed because he had never been greedy. The final image is of a dragon.
3. Wiglaf tells the crowd how great Beowulf was atfighting.
4. The dragon was pushed off the edge of the cliffinto the ocean because it was evil.
5. The Geats mourned and sung and everyone was sadduring the ten day burial.
6. The Geats say that Beowulf was a kind man. It isnot something you would usually call a war hero who is killing a lot of people.

Peer Feedback #1

Well now that you have read my essay. I welcome any and all feedback about it. Anything you say will help.

Essay Question 1


Essay 1

            The “old leisure” that the author is referring to is only the improvement in our own technology. If we look at what the people did back when she is saying they had leisure we would see that they only did what they could with their limited technology. Compared to how things are now a days if there was this technology back then I feel like nobody would have done anything different than we do now.

            With all of the available technology they had back then they really couldn’t do much which the author thinks is the “old leisure”. She thinks that because they had less technology and more time that the people from the old had more leisure time when in reality they just didn’t have anything better to do with their time. For instance, when people tried to do things at night it was hard because there was not as much to do like going online or anything like that.

            The author has a point though that now a days we don’t really have much “leisure” because we are always using technology. If you look at people today you will see that everyone has some sort of technology that they use every day, for most people it’s their phones. When people are bored rather than thinking of something to do they just get sucked into their technology and this is what the author is referring to as people losing their “old leisure”.

            All in all, technology has come a long way from what it used to be and has provided many benefits but also taking away something that we could all enjoy. If the people she is referring to had this technology I am sure that they would do the same and use it rather than keep their ways of using “old leisure”.

The Laughing Heart



Monday, August 20, 2012

Reflections on Week 1

1. There is not much that is going to affect my participation in this class. The only things that are really going to be major is all the homework from other classes which will take up a decent amount of time and effort. Another thing that will affect it is the fact that I play sports, I currently am doing some physical activity everyday after school.

2. The best place that I ever learned something was during soccer. My Dad was the coach at the time and he showed us many different things about soccer that I am going to remember for the rest of my life. It was his way of combining fun with learning in games and activities that really helped teach me and my friends.

3. I am excited about this class for one reason and one reason only. Getting a better GPA. For me I really dislike the English subject, I have no interest in it and I just don't enjoy it. With you teaching it really does help by not making it as bad though.

YouTube Boredom

Ok well we all know everyone looks at random YouTube videos and sometimes they stumble on really good ones. This video is one that i really enjoy because its so funny with all of the puns. I thought I would share this to anyone who likes "nerdy" things.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Pride and Prejudice Notes


Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen

Characters:
The characters in this book are all very colorful in the way they act compared to one another. The way Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet relationship is compared to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet is one that is very distinct. As Mr. Bingley is all joyful and happy Mr. Darcy is the complete opposite because he only thinks down on society and all of the people that are in it. Elizabeth and her sister Jane are pretty similar except for the fact that Elizabeth is someone who speaks her mind with her sharp mouth that can sometimes lead to things she does not actually mean to happen. Jane however is a just a sweet woman who tries to not get sad at things she cannot control. Mr. Bennet is someone who has subtle sarcasm in his wit. Mrs. Bennet is an over-dramatic mother who is super ridiculous because she wants everything her way even if it is crazy. Mr. Wickham is a soldier who once was friends with Mr. Darcy but then lied and took money that he never paid back. Mr. Collins is the uncle to the Bennets daughters, he is very snobbish and always talking about Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh who is equally as snobbish and super rich.
Story:
Pride and Prejudice is a book based off the idea of social conduct back in the 1800's. It starts off where we learn about the Bennets household and that they are in need of finding husbands for their 5 daughters. They would lose their house to their uncle Mr. Collins when their father dies if his daughters do not have husbands. There are several balls and social gatherings where Jane and Mr. Bingley begin to talk and like each other. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth on the other hand start to dislike each other. Mr. Darcy begins to be more attracted to Elizabeth Bennet when she is looking after her sister Jane at Mr. Bingley's house. Mr. Collins Proposes to Elizabeth and she refuses him due to the fact that she does not like him at all. Elizabeth's friend Charlotte soon marries Mr. Collins for financial reasons. Mr. Darcy makes several visits to Mr. Collins house because Elizabeth is staying there for a little while. Mr. Darcy Proposes to Elizabeth but she refuses him because she thinks he is arrogant. Elizabeth is given a letter from Mr. Darcy that changes her opinion about him because he says what Mr. Wickham really is. Elizabeth then goes on a trip with her Aunt and Uncle to Pemberley which is Mr. Darcy's house. She runs into Mr. Darcy and they meet his sister who is a really good pianist. Elizabeth receives a letter that her youngest sister Lydia was eloped with Wickham. She feared for her families disgrace this could bring them. Lydia and Mr. Wickham get married because of Mr. Darcy paying all of Mr. Wickham's previous debts. Mr. Bingley returns to the Bennets and marries Jane. Elizabeth is confronted by Catherine de Bourgh that she doesn't want Elizabeth to marry Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth refuses any promise that she will not marry Mr. Darcy. Finally Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy go on a walk and confess their love and in the end both Jane and Elizabeth get married.
My Thoughts:
This book is not a book that I would see in a book store and think of reading at all. Since I had to read this for school I thought it was going to boring like most every book, but after getting passed the different diction of older English I found it to be an entertaining story. It reminds me of how there is gossip and people lying just like in High School. I related to Mr. Bennet in this story because I enjoyed his sense of humor and wit that he used throughout the story. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Essays of Michel de Montaigne Notes

Essays of Michel de Montaigne

Montaigne thinks that customs are not good for the mind because they can change the way you think. Montaigne believes he cannot be referred to as a great thinker due to the fact that he was not educated. He believes that one will not understand the world until one is closest to death. He believes that humans see things as being bad before we comprehend them. Montaigne is at ease when he rides horses and he also believes in a difference in class based off of horses. Montaigne said that dying of old age is rare considering that most people die of other things, and says that losing the mind before the body is more of a danger than losing the body before the mind. Montaigne very much dislikes people getting drunk. Montaigne says how people only care about what others see them as rather than them seeing themselves for who they are. Montaigne expresses his belief of why he thinks thumbs are the masters of the hands. Montaigne describes how most every time something negative will come out of everything. Montaigne says we are born richer than we think but we are taught to use another person's more than their own. Montaigne loves imagination and thinks its really good. Montaigne believes that we are all commenting on one another about how we act and portray ourselves.

The Poisonwood Bible Notes

The Poisonwood Bible
By Barbara Kingsolver

Characters:
Nathan Price is a Baptist minister who has a strict code that he lives by, he is also very self-serving. Orleanna Price is Nathans wife and used to be carefree but then was beaten out of her by her husbands views. Rachael Price is their daughter who is very materialistic and good looking. Leah Price is another daughter who idolizes her father until she starts into the political environment. Adah Price is Leah's twin and was born with "hemiplegia" which makes it so she can't use the left side of her body. Eeben Axelroot is a mercenary that only delivers mail if he gets a bride from Nathan. He also has a fake marriage with Rachael.
Story:
Nathan Price drags his wife and daughters into the Congo to help people. Nathan starts by making a garden called his "demonstration garden" to show how to make a garden and supply food to his family. It never supplied any fruit though because there were no bees or anything that could pollinate the plants. Nathan's helper Mama Tataba leaves because of how much he insisted on baptizing people. Nobody wants to be baptized because of a recent crocodile that killed a little girl. Nathan is unwilling to give up even though the teacher Tata Ndu says that Christianity will lead to the moral decline of his people. Nathan still clings to his mission even though the Congo is about to become independent and will probably clear the country of its westerners. Nathan refuses to leave and his wife become bedridden leaving his daughters to make food for themselves. Orleanna tries to get her daughters out by bribing the mercanary but he wont unless he gets paid before he takes them. A drought hits Kilanga and so they make a really big hunt for food. Leah is a great shot and wants to join in the hunt and she does even though some people think it will change the order of the world by having a woman join a hunt. Anatole has an evil sign outside his hut along with a poisonous mamba next to him when he wakes up. Nelson finds an evil sign outside his hut after the hunt and so they put ashe outside of the hut to catch the person who is placing the snakes. The footprints are of a six-toed person of Tata Kuvundu. The snake slithers out and on its way kills Ruth May. With the commotion of Ruth's death Orleanna takes her daughters out of the town. Adah and Orleanna make it to Georgia while Rachael marries three men one of which owns a hotel. Leah stays in the Congo with Anatole and they have 4 sons while they try to create independence for African Nations. Orleanna is filled with guilt and then is forgiven by Ruth May.
My Thoughts:
This book was interesting about the African world. I was not that entertained though because to me it was just another boring English book that I needed to read over the summer.

Assignment #1

I picked to be in this class because I want to challenge myself. I really enjoyed being in your sophomore class, it really changed how I thought a class should be. I am also taking this class because if i was to take CP English it would not challenge me at all and would not help me. The increased GPA is also very important as it helps colleges see you and want to have you at their college.

My goals for this year are really not big at all. I only plan on doing well in this class to get an A, and i also am hoping to pass the AP exam. I believe I will be able to do this when i am done with your class and have learned a lot.