Death of a Salesman Reading Guide

Thoroughly answer ALL of the questions from the reading guide, which you can find here. Thorough means at least one paragraph.  Bring your completed guide to class on 1/5 and be ready for a test.

Metamorphosis Intro

In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka introduces the existential character, Gregor Samsa, who turns into a gigantic bug.  Eventually this causes another metamorhophosis to occur to his younger sister Grete.  While Gregor undergoes a physical change, Grete transforms from child to adult.  Gregor and Grete's metamorphoses contribute to Kafka's overall meaning, which is:  in the end everyone is alone and will die that way.

Poetry Essay Revisions

For today, you are to complete revisions from yesterday and then follow the same steps for your poetry prompt.

Metamorphosis Writing Prompt - Peer Revisions

Your assignment today is to:

1. Type your Metamorphosis essay as a blog post.

2. Read, make extensive comments on, and score yours and 3 of your colleagues' essays using the AP General Rubric and the Writing Commandments.

Here are the groups:

1
Rebecca B.
Brian C.
Jahleia C.
Kelley

2
Jaclyn
Gil
Nicole F.
Jazz

3
Michelle
Nikki
Ranika
Brittaney M

4
Charles
Shantanique
Elle


5
Alexis
Elaine
Alex
Brittany O.

6
Jacqui P.
Biance P.
Charleen S.
James T.

7
Virginia
Brittanie W.
Kristal W.
Lorena W.

The Metamorphosis - Ch 3 questions

1) Post detailed, thoughtful answers to 10 of the following questions to your blog. When completed, print your answers, which will be your ticket for tomorrow's discussion.

1. Why was his family so selfish that they couldn’t help him when he needed them the most?
2. When Gregor was working his parent’s dept off he was thinking about them so why did they exclude him?
3. Do you think that they move the furniture in the room to kill him faster?
4. Does Gregor's family blame him for their present situation?
5. Why does Gregor feel depression at his family's reaction to him?
6. Does Gregor's family feel sadness at his death? Relief?
7. Why does Gregor want to kidnap his sister when he hears her playing the violin?4.Why does Gregor's family stop believing that the bug Gregor is really Gregor?
8. How does Gregor's family get over losing Gregor so quickly?
9. What was the significance of Gregor dying?2. Why did the whole family just get up and leave? Does Gregor's father feel any remorse at all?
10. Why did Grete call Gregor a monster?
11. Why is the family more quiet at meal times?
12. Why does Gregor stop eating?
13. How does this chapter satirize American families today?
14. Why does Grete all of the sudden start playing her violin now?
15. If Gregor is a bug, why do his feelings tend to be more humane than when he was a human?
16. Why does the family abandon Gregor?
17. Why does Gregor still have love and affection for his family even after they start to forget about him?
18. How long has Gregor been in the room before he dies?
19. What is the significance of the violin? Of all the choices of instruments, why does Kafka choose the violin for Grete to play?
20. Why does Grete NOW choose to get a job? Both her parents are getting them so what is the point?
21. Is there significance why the Maid finds Gregor dead and not one of his family members? After Gregor turns into a bug, he mentions that his family sometimes go on walks together.
22. The third paragraph from the end of the chapter says that once the 3 family members left, they all went on a walk together and that they "absolutely needed one". Is there a tie between the first and last thought of the family walking?
23. Why did Kafka make Gregor die?

2) Go to Quizlet and search "AP Poetry Terms." Then take the test until you get 100%. Make sure the test is 56 questions.

The Metamorphosis Reading Guide

Dear AP Student-

Please download and print The Metamorphosis study guide here and complete over Thanksgiving break as you read.

I took another look and you will be completing ALL activities.

Poetry Questions

Choose 10 to answer for each of the poems in the packet and be prepared to discuss Monday. 

Find the questions here.

"Why The Future Doesn't Need Us" By Bill Joy

Read link here: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html

What is Joy's thesis? How/can humans avoid becoming obsolete and/or unnecessary? How are institutions contributing to this "inevitability?" How would Huxley respond to Joy's article? What rhetorical strategies does Joy employ in his piece? Do you think Joy is a fear monger? Comment on Joy's use of literary devices. How do they contribute to the message/meaning of the piece as a whole? How does this article connect to BNW?

Welcome to AP English 2008-2009

Task #1:

1.  Create a Google Account.

2.  Comment on this post with your name and three college choices.

Schedule for next two weeks

AP Lit & Comp Students-

You have 6 days in school to accomplish the following:

1. Finish Their Eyes Were Watching God.
   
2. Post an AP Style question appropriate to the book.
   
3. Post an answer the the question.
   
4. Score yourself using the 9-point AP Scale.
   
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for a book of literary merit.  You can find these at apcentral.collegeboard.com or you can email me for approval.

The final will be a mini-version of the actual AP Test.  I'm trying to get you guys in the lab every day so you can do college app stuff if you finish early.

HAPPY 2008