Blog 29: A Good Man Is Hard to Find

One of the major themes in Flannery O'Connor's short story, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," is largely represented in The Misfit and The Misfit's speech on page fifty-six: "...I call myself The Misfit...because I can't make what all I done wrong fit what all I gone through in punishment" (O'Connor 56). O'Connor is critical of societal pressures and how forgiveness for some individuals seems almost impossible; her main argument being that perhaps one of the reasons that "a good man is hard to find" is due to society itself.

For your blog posting, choose TWO of the four questions to answer in short-paragraph form [at least four-five sentences per question].

1. Do you agree with O'Connor that societal criticism is difficult to overcome? In other words, do you think finding forgiveness in the U.S. society is difficult? Why/ why not? Bring up a specific event from U.S. current events/ history that supports your view.

2. What crimes or actions do you find to be devoid of your forgiveness? What crimes or actions do you think U.S. society is too quick to judge? Explain and incorporate specific instances from current events/ history.

3. Are you sympathetic to The Misfit's case? Do you think if he were given a fair chance and forgiveness he would be able to be a better man? Why/ why not? Cite a specific quotation from the short story to support your answer.

4. What do you think the last line of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" means? The Misfit states: "It's no real pleasure in life" (O'Connor 57). How does this statement connect with O'Connor's main theme of the short story? Attempt to make connections in your answer and cite a specific quotation from the story.

[10 POINTS, Posted by class time, Thursday, June 3, 2010]

Blog 28: Interpreter of Maladies

Choose ONE of the three blog post questions to answer in one-two paragraphs. Be as detailed as possible to demonstrate your knowledge from reading the Interpreter of Maladies.

1. On page sixteen of Lahiri's short story, Mr. Kapasi makes observations of the Das's children: "Mr. Kapasi noted that this boy was slightly paler than the other children" (16). What is "foreshadowing"? Why does the author focus on this moment and how does it foreshadow what may occur in the story? What did you first suspect when you read this line?

2. As with many of Lahiri's writing, the theme of "displacement" runs throughout this short story selection. Displacement is the feeling of loyalty to not one, but two different cultures, so there is no allegiance to one culture. Cite two examples of this "displacment" from the story. Why does Lahiri include this theme in her work?

3. Explain the significance of the story's title. How is the title linked to Mr. Kapasi? Cite a quotation from the text that supports your explanation. Why does Mrs. Das take an interest in Mr. Kapasi? How does Mr. Kapasi react to the information she shares about herself?

[5 Points, EC. 4 Points for attempting to answer all three questions, posted by end of class 5.06.10]

Blog 27: TBCC, The End

Our reading of The Body of Christopher Creed is done! For each class period, there is a writing prompt; you may only complete the questions for your class period. Be sure your response is at least TWO paragraphs in length. Pull a quotation from the book where applicable. If you finish early, try writing on one of the other questions for review.

Period 1: What are Torey's "awards"? Which award do you believe represents Christopher Creed's? Provide reasons for your belief and cite a line of text from the book for support.

Period 2: How does the book end?!?! Did you enjoy how the author, Carol Plum-Ucci, concluded the story? Why/ why not? If you were the author, how would you have ended everything? Be very specific in your answer, and pull a quotation from the text as to what you liked/ did not like.

Period 3: What happened down in the Lenape Indian burial ground's cave? How do geologists at Stockton College explain the events? Why is it clear that Torey is still profoundly bothered by what he saw down there? In your opinion, is Dr. Fahdi have Torey's best interests in mind? Cite a quotation from the text to support your conclusions.

Period 8: What mysteries were solved at the end of the book? What became of Christopher Creed? ...Mrs. Creed? ...Torey? ...Haines Family? What mysteries do you feel were left open for the readers' interpretations? As an author, why would Plum-Ucci intention be to leave people in suspense? Pull one quotation from the text to support your views about the writer's style.

[10 Points, Two paragraph minimum, Posted by end of class period: 4.21.10]

Blog 26: Dishonesty Breeds Dishonesty/ Ch. 17

Choose ONE of the writing prompt below to react in a one to two paragraph response. Be prepared to share your answer with classmates and the class.

1. In life, many cynics believe that the only person that an individual can completely trust is oneself. Why do you agree/ disagree with this philosophy? After reading chapter seventeen, do you think Torey should adopt this philosophy? Provide evidence from the book for your response.

2. In previous chapters, Mrs. Adams has emphasized the value of being honest with Torey and Ali. In what way does Torey recognize the hypocrisy in his mother's words in the events of chapter seventeen? How is the book's theme further developed in this chapter? Include a quotation to support your answers.

3. Reflect on the dynamic between adults and children in The Body of Christopher Creed. Besides covering up the truth, how else do the adults set a poor example for the children in this novel? Have you ever been let down by an authority figure/ role model that you trusted or respected? No names on this one.

4. Do you sympathize with Mrs. Creed at this point in the book? Explain your reasoning. What characters are aiding her in the search for her son? Who possesses the power in the situation and why? Include a quotation with your opinions.

[Posted by end of class period, 4.13.10, 8 writing points]

Blog 25: Chapter 6: Torey's Lyrics

In chapter six, Torey shares some of the lyrics from his band on pages 66-68. Choose two of these lyrics and explain what their significance is for Torey's life. Then, finish the song that Torey started--use any details about Torey's characterization or life in South Jersey to help you. Attempt to develop ten-fifteen lines for the song, and be sure to include a title. The song can be serious, silly, a rap, etc., as long as the lyrics are school appropriate and demonstrate aspects of Torey's characterization.

Be prepared to share the band's new jam!!

[Post by the end of class, 3.23.10, 5 class points]

Blog 24: Chapter 1 in The Body of Christopher Creed

Complete the questions below, for your respective class period, based on your reading of chapter one in The Body of Christopher Creed last night. Be sure to include as much detail from the story as possible and your opinion, if asked. Do not be shy in including a quotation! One-two paragraph writing requirement.

Period 1:

How is Torey familiar with Christopher Creed? What does it mean when Torey says, "People can love their lies, tell their own lies, believe their own lies until hell pays a visit"? Explain the quotation in terms of what Torey shares in chapter one.

Period 2:

According to some advice he received, what is Torey writing? Who gave him this advice? What is Torey's relationship to this person? In what way is this another connection to The Catcher in the Rye? Be specific in your response, and pull a quotation from the text.

Period 3:

What do you think of Torey as a character? Does he remind you of Holden Caulfield? Why/ why not? Speak to the reliability of both narrators and make a comparison of the two.

Period 8:

What does Torey reveal in chapter one's italicized font? What details are shared about Steepleton, Creed, and Torey's own family? Cite one or two examples from the document. What is Torey's perception of himself?

[1-2 Paragraphs Required, Posted by end of class 3.17.10, 7 points]

Blog 23: Issues in Our American Society

Choose TWO of the four New York Times: Upfront magazine articles to read: "Should I take a job promoting cigarettes?", "Driven to Distraction", "Is your lunch causing Global Warming?', or "Locked away forever?" All of the articles introduce controversial subjects highly debated in our current American society and provide data to support the argument being made.

After reading two of the articles, write a one-paragraph response to each. Consider the following questions for each editorial [your commentary need not be in this order]:

-How does the author of the news article support a specific position on the issue? Provide an example of this slanted perspective.

-What is your personal opinion on the subject under debate? Why do you support/ refute the article's points? [ex. Cigarettes- Why would you take the job/ not take the job?; Locked away- How old do you think an individual needs to be to tell right from wrong?; Global warming- What does your diet mostly consist of?; Distraction- Who do you know that texts while driving?]

-What statistics/ collected data/ pictures/ etc. does the author choose to make his/ her point(s) in the editorial? How are they effective?

[Posted: 3.12.10, end of the period; two paragraphs; 10 points]

*If you are absent, see me to get the articles and make up this blog.