The readings for Monday

Those of you who had me this past Tuesday have my class again on Monday. (For those of you who are new to MPH, that may be confusing, which is why you should always look both here and at the schedule. The cycle of days moved on, even though we were away at Bryn Mawr.)

For Monday, read Chapter 11 up through verse 9. Then read chapters 12 and 13, plus 16 and 17. What arrangements or deals are made between God and Abraham? Next week, we'll finish with the Bible, for now, and move over to Greek literature.

Calendar

Always check the calendar (link at the right) for assignments.

Writing: The Inheritors

Please note that the calendar link will always be updated to provide you with dates for assignments.

Writing on The Inheritors
Assigned: Sept. 5, 6
Due: Sept. 9,10

Part 1: We discussed genre in class today. What genre or genres (it could be several) is The Inheritors? Fully explain your answer.

Part 2: What is one important idea the author wants to convey to readers? Fully explain the idea and what the writer does to make sure this idea gets across.

Each of these parts should be one clear and well-organized paragraph. Type, double-spaced, 12-pt. font (preferably Times Roman). Spell check. Reread. E-mail me or talk to me at school if you have questions.

Welcome

Yes! It's English 9!

Always check the calendar link. Homework will always be listed there.

Summer Reading

In case you didn't see this information elsewhere: The summer reading (for English, history, and biology) consists of two books. [NOTE: Be sure to check the school's website for all summer assignments.] Come to school in the fall prepared to discuss and write about those books. Annotate them; that is, take notes—in the books as well as, if you like, in a notebook. Your English, history, and biology teachers all thought there was value in both books for all of our classes. We would like you to read the books from the point of view of each of our classes.

For the English perspective, consider the following:
What is the point of view for each book? That is, what person is shaping the perspective of the book?
What kinds of information does each book present?
What ideas—both small and large—does each book convey (or try to convey)?

Neanderthals Rediscovered: How Modern Science is Rewriting Their Story, by Dimitra Papagianni and Michael Morse

• ISBN-10: 0500292043
• ISBN-13: 978-0500292044

The Inheritors, by William Golding

• ISBN-10: 0571329098
• ISBN-13: 978-0571329090

[NOTE: Check at Amazon first for the Golding book. B&N does not seem to carry it. You may have to buy a used edition or a different edition, which is fine. Sorry for the inconvenience, but Amazon does seem to be running short on copies. Don't wait to track one down!]

Complete end of the year schedule

In case you can't locate your handout, here's the complete schedule.

Assignment Schedule: Night

May 22-23: Read to p. 97; expect a brief quiz

May 24, 28: Finish the novel; there will be time in class to work on writing (see writing prompts below)

Show draft work: May 29 or 30

Further review of writing, if needed: See me again any time after that.

Final version: Any time during finals week (ends June 3-6)

Writing: Choose one of the following prompts for a five-paragraph essay that includes an introductory (thesis) paragraph and a conclusion. Every body paragraph must include details from the book, including direct quotations.

1. Reread the preface that starts on p. vii. Wiesel says, “I needed to give meaning to my survival.” What are three “meanings” or ideas that a reader should take from the book? That is, what abstract ideas, not ideas about Wiesel himself.

2. In the preface, Wiesel includes passages that he removed from the first draft of the book. Beginning on p. xi, he tells us more about his father’s death, and he says he cannot forgive himself. On p. 91 in the memoir, Elie sees a rabbi’s son abandon his father, and Elie worries that he will betray or abandon his own father. To what extent does Elie both betray and stay faithful to his father?

3. We discussed how Wiesel utilizes various motifs in his memoir. Explore how his use of motifs helps to develop characters and the book’s main ideas.

A brief survey

Follow the yellow-brick road . . . uh . . . I mean, the bluish link.





https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7f3i1duN6e8icBN0hsqk5As-YHmR82oRvDZgJVUZ4Y_IYZQ/viewform?usp=sf_link