Part 3: Beloved

After finishing the whole book, reflect on one of the following questions and how it relates to the overall meaning of the book. As usual, respond in 1-2 paragraphs, and use at least 2 quotes to support your answer.

• Consider one character who has grown or changed over Part 3. Specifically, how have they changed, and how does it affect our understanding of the book as a whole?
• What was Beloved and what happened to her? Consider both when she disappears and also the final chapter of the book ("disremembered and unaccounted for"). Who does she represent?
• Look at Sethe and Paul D together. Especially focusing on this last part of the book (pg. 310-322) how and why are they compatible? How do they see each other, and how does this relate to our understanding of the book as a whole?

Please read other people's answers and challenge them. Also, make sure to always put something new and original. If you need to, write your response, then read other people's, then revise yours to make it new and original.

Beloved: Ch. 2-5 (pg. 24-67)

In Ch. 2-5, choose one of the following questions to respond to in 1-2 paragraphs + one quote:

-What are the histories that are too heavy a burden for Sethe and Paul D to carry? In what way is the past, present and future intertwined for them?

-Who is the woman who emerges fully dressed from the water and calls herself Beloved? What is her plan?

-What is the significance of storytelling in the book so far? Specifically for the characters of Beloved, Sethe and Denver, in what way is it important?

Answer the question to the best of your ability, and showing what you know about chapters 2-5 (pages 24-67).

Beloved: Chapter 1

There is a lot going on in this chapter. We are simultaneously meeting the characters and learning about the conflict of the baby ghost in 124 Bluestone Road.

For this blog choose a quote and write two full paragraphs addressing either:

-how the narrative structure is related to the content (easier than it sounds)

-one specific character (Sethe, Paul D, Denver, baby ghost) and what's going on with them so far

Please read each others blogs! Be prepared to discuss your blog entry on Friday!

Gurov's transformation?

Gurov, towards the end of the story, has changed from the beginning:
"He had two lives: one, open, seen and known by all who cared to know, full of relative truth and relative falsehood, exactly like the lives of his friends and acquaintances; and another life running its course in secret. And through some strange, perhaps accidental, conjuction of circumstances, everything that was essential, of interest and of value to him, everything in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, everything that made the kernel of his life, was hidden from other people; and all that was false in him, the sheath in which he hid himself to conceal the truth-- such, for instance, as his workin the bank, his discussions at the club, his "lower race," his presence with is wife at anniversary festivities-- all that was open." (pg. 5 of the handout)

In 1-2 paragraphs, respond to the follow questions:
Why has Gurov undergone this change and ultimately what does it mean for him? What does the ending mean, for him and Anna S?

Choose 1-2 quotes to incorporate into your response.

Raz! What's the point of it all?

Now that we've finished the book, your job is to figure out what it's all about.



In 3 paragraphs (maybe something like an intro, body and conclusion) and analyzing at LEAST 2 quotes, your job is to explain what you see as the main message/lesson/point of the book Crime and Punishment.



Consider this semi-exploratory, semi-formal.

raz´s schism

schism (skzm, sz-)
n.
1. A separation or division into factions.
2. A formal breach of union within a Christian church; the offense of attempting to produce such a breach.
3. Disunion; discord.

In 1-2 paragraphs make an assertion of what Raz´s schism is. Be specific. Use at least 1 quote to back up your analysis.

Be prepared to talk about his schism tomorrow. Read other people´s entries!

basing our feelings on textual details

This week, as we begin Crime and Punishment, I want to know how does it make you feel and why. Your assignment is:

-Choose 2-3 quotes from Crime and Punishment, at least one each from Ch. 2 and 3
-Type the quotes into your blog entry
-Then explain, based on the quotes, the feeling you get so far from C & P-- this is your gut reaction to the mood that is being set so far, by characterization, description, imagery, etc.

Objective: To both react/analyze the text based on concrete specific passages.

Try not to repeat quotes that have already been selected.

Comment on someone else's thesis

Hey guys, today's blog post is simply to go to the previous entry (Topic + Opinion = Thesis) and 1) post a thesis and explanatory paragraph if you have not; then 2) comment on the next thesis after your post. If you are the last person (the 16th to post your thesis) comment on the first thesis (Andres').

To comment on someone else's thesis, consider the following: Does it make sense? Do you like it? What could that person add to it? What specific passages could they investigate in their paper?

Also, just for fun, take a look at this website:
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7847/title,Pride-and-Prejudice-and-Zombies/

We should read this next. ;)

Good luck!

Thesis = Topic + Opinion

Today your blog post is to write a small paragraph, and a thesis. We are getting ready the Jane Eyre essay you will be writing. The paragraph could be an intro paragraph, or you could just explain what your plan is for your essay. The thesis is your opinion about some topic from the novel. For example:

Topic: Symbols

Opinion: Fire is a symbol for Jane's independence

Thesis: In Jane Eyre, fire becomes a symbol for Jane's independence. From her defiance of Mrs. Reed, her passion for Mr. Rochester, and finally to her encounter with ice king St John, we see how the symbol of fire represents Jane's unique character, and, ultimately lends itself to the theme of the novel.


You can write about any topic you want (ex: symbols, themes, metaphors, characters, religion, feminism, classism, etc) and you can even mix and match two things that are related somehow. Be creative, and say something new!

Who is Jane Eyre?

As we pass through Jane's formative years and her subsequent blossoming at Thornfield Hall, I want you to consider how far Jane has come. What defines her as an individual? Basically, who is she? You can also compare her to Rochester if you want, to look for similarities and differences.

Make sure to:
Write 2 to 3 paragraphs
Include at least 1 quote supporting your ideas

Also, try to read other people's posts as well!

New Chapter in Jane´s Life

Please post the classwork from Friday if you didn´t already turn it in: Exploratory essay (possibly with a thesis at the end) looking at how Jane´s new setting and characters convey a change in mood. (focused on Ch. 11). Remember to read Ch. 12-19 for homework for Monday.