April 22, 2014: MSND Question

Every one needs to answer this question: Pick out a line that shows Nick Bottom's idea of himself as an actor.

April 21, 2014 - Midsummer Night's Dream

Directions: If you have not created a facebook profile for class or haven't been able to, comment on here. 

Question: What conflicts do your parents create when it comes to your romantic relationships?

March 19-20, 2014 - News Report

Directions: Complete the News Report Template than record yourself and upload the video to YOUTUBE. 

YOUTUBE LOGIN INFO:

username: achsryan@gmail.

password: ACHSACHS

Note* Be sure to scroll down and click private before you publish your video. 

Click here for News Report Template and Instructions

March 17-19, 2014 - Creative Short Story (Photo Project)

Directions: Over the next three days you will be writing a creative short story about your photo.  The story can be fictional, but you should include details that you found during your research to help create your setting and to establish your character. DUE MARCH 19!

Grading: You will graded on word count, setting, characterization, strong diction, conflict, and resolution.

Word Count

A = 800+
B = 600-799
C = 400-599
D = 300-399
F = Below 300

Mr. D's Example:

The Most Beautiful Suicide

Even her fiancé didn’t suspect anything, and then she was gone. Floating, falling gracefully into the metal shroud that draped around her lifeless body.  Just three hours before she stood on the ledge of the 86^th floor of the Empire State Building she was sitting across from the man she was expected to marry in a few short weeks.    Her fiancé, Barry Rhodes, told reporters the next day that “when I kissed her goodbye she was happy and as normal as any girl about to be married.” 

Before that fateful kiss, they sat at a clichéd red and white checkered table that looked like a bad prop in an Italian restaurant near Easton, Pennsylvania. A red-haired, freckled teenager brought out their lasagna and house wine.  Sometime between the garlic bread and their second glass of wine, Barry caught Evelyn’s gaze. He saw something in her eyes at that moment, devoid of the sadness and confusion that usually occupied the chestnut space of her irises. This most simple and natural form of body language even made him forget the eyes that set the bridesmaid dress on fire a year prior at his brother’s wedding.  We all forget the things we don’t want to remember, but Barry believed in the eyes that sat across from him.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Barry asked wistfully.

“How could I forget? There were a million open seats on the bus, and you sat right next to me. I remember thinking ‘oh great’ because I just wanted to be left alone, but you made me forget about all that when you asked me to tell you about the book I was reading.”

“You were reading As I Lay Dying, and you said that you couldn’t understand why anyone would be so obsessed about their burial.”

Evelyn looked up from her lasagna, said nothing, and then looked apologetically at Barry. Barry perceived this glance as an invitation to compliment his bride to be.

“I remember you had on this beautiful dress, and a bright red coat. And even though you were quite bundled up, I knew you were stunning from head to toe,” Barry smiled at his intuitiveness. From a distance, you would think that they were in love or at the very least happy to be engaged. 

“Aw. Thank you, Barry,” Evelyn said as her gaze went back to focusing on the layers of lasagna, an Italian wedding cake. As she concentrated on cutting a piece with her fork, the sauce and meat spilled out the other end and on to the white space of her plate.

Never once did Evelyn ask if Barry was sure about getting married next month. And never once did Barry inquire about Evelyn’s feelings. He quietly accepted this nice evening together as a reminder that their relationship was normal, not flaming bridesmaids’ dresses.

The next morning while the sun was still sleeping Barry drove Evelyn to the train station, so she could start making her way back to New York City.  As he told reporters, he kissed her goodbye; everything seemed normal, and she seemed happy.  Evelyn thought about that kiss, the army, her mother, and the night Barry walked outside and saw her standing next to a pile of flames. When Barry ran to her, he saw fire reflected in her eyes, but what scared him most was the glaze that made her eyes seem like nothing but dead marbles.  In that ashy pile of charred dress, he saw no normal, and instead saw everything he thought he would never be married to.

We can’t blame Barry for not running away; he was a nice, normal guy, who had a gift for seeing past the horrors of reality.  With each relatively normal date, Barry’s uneasiness abated until he had even convinced himself that she had just been having a bad night.

Evelyn peered out the window of the train.  The sunrise reminded her of the army uniform she burned before she met Barry, glowing orange on top of olive green. She held a pearl necklace like a rosary between her thumb and forefinger as she watched the sky catch fire.  

She listened to the train come to a stop as it approached Penn Station, metal on metal, screeching its way to the platform.  When everyone had gotten off the train and started to make their way to wherever they were expected, she stood up and started walking.  You can usually tell so much about a person from the way they walk, but if you saw Evelyn exit this train, you would be able to make no assumptions.  

It is a five minute walk from Penn Station to Governor Clinton Hotel.  Evelyn kept her eyes straight as she walked down 34^th Avenue. She did not look up. She did not look down. She did look at any one until she said, “I’d like a room for the evening, please.”

The key turned and the door opened to a sterile, standard room. There was no clutter, the bed was perfectly made and stiff, and Evelyn sat down at a little table next to the window. She gazed out the window and thought about coming home to Barry and a family in some suburban Pennsylvanian farmhouse. She thought about her own family and what her father had to come home to when her Mom was still around. Then she began to write . . .

She left the note on that table and gently closed the door behind her.

There is nothing quiet about Ten-thirty in the morning outside the Empire State Building.  The city blocks speak their own language: street lights bing, vendors accost, foot-longs sizzle, and policemen shout. Evelyn walked right through this noise and into the towering high-rise.

“One ticket to the observation deck, please,” she said casually.

Evelyn squeezed into the elevator and tried to block out the touristy family’s excitement to see the whole city.  She wished she were alone. At the ding of the 86^th floor, she exited behind the giddy family. 

The fire in the sky had been put out by clouds, and she looked out at the city. She took off her red coat and draped it over the banister. There was no hesitation.

She flew . . .

They found her letter later that day, alone of the table.

“I don’t want anyone in or out of my family to see any part of me. Could you destroy my body by cremation? I beg of you and my family – don’t have any service for me or remembrance for me. My fiance asked me to marry him in June. I don’t think I would make a good wife for anybody. He is much better off without me. Tell my father, I have too many of my mother’s tendencies.”

March 12-13, 2013 - Independent Research (Photo Project)

 you were asked to find a photograph (from one of the links in yesterday's tab) and write a paragraph discussing why you chose it.  Remember if you post your picture and paragraph on Facebook, I will give you an automatic "A." 

Today, you will be researching your photo.  Start by answering the questions below. (Example of expectations provided).

Questions:

1.      Who took the picture?

2.      Who is in the picture?

3.      What is happening in the picture?  

4.      What is the title of the photograph (if there is no tiltle, simply write untitled?)

5.      When did the picture take place and in what year (era)?

6.      Where is the photo taken?  If possible, where are they now? or What has changed since the photo was taken?

7.      How does the photo effect you?  

8.      How does the photo contribute to making the world a better place?

9.      What is the major conflict within the picture?

10.  What is the theme (at least the theme topic) of the photograph?  

Hemingway Posing with a Shotgun

Who took the picture? There is no official photographer for this picture.  This picture was on the internet courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Library.  He was living with his fourth wife Mary Welsh Hemingway, so it could have been her taking the picture.

Who is in the picture?  In the picture Ernest Hemingway is holding a 12 gauge Scott double barrel rifle. 

What is happening in the picture? Hemingway is posing with his gun.  He is holding the gun in a ready-to-attack mode.  He also appears to have two types of bandages on his arm and he isn’t wearing a shirt. He seems to be very serious.  Probably drunk.

What is the title of the photograph (if there is no tiltle, simply write untitled?)

I could not locate the title of this photograph.

When did the picture take place and in what year (era)? The photo was taken in 1952 while Hemingway was living in Cuba.  Supposedly a few nights after this photograph was taken Hemingway heard some noises outside his place, grabbed a .22 and fired into the night.  Supposedly there was blood on the ground the next morning but there were no official reports of him killing anyone that night.

Where is the photo taken?  If possible, where are they now? or What has changed since the photo was taken? The photo was taken in Cuba in what appears to be the livingroom of Hemingway’s place.  10 years after this photo was taken, Heminway would kill himself in Ketchum Idaho with this gun. I think today, someone in Hemingway’s condition would not be allowed to own/possess guns. 

How does the photo affect you?  Hemingway shot himself with this rifle in Ketchum, Idaho in 1962.  Hemingway was one of, if not, the greatest writers ever to live.  I think overall, I love the irony of this picture.  Hemingway was just a bad***. 

How does the photo contribute to making the world a better place?

This photo could serve as both an anti-suicide photo and a gun control photo.  Hemingway, in 1962, should not have had access to guns.  If a license is granted, it should be able to be revoked similar to a driver’s license.  Hemingway had a history of depression and was a severe alcoholic, two aspects that should have caused his family to remove him from guns. 

What is the major conflict within the picture?

The major conflict of this photograph comes from what I researched above.  The major conflict is person vs. self.  I believe struggled with his manliness.  Not to say he was gay (though that has been written about), but Hemingway appears to go above and beyond what it means to be a “man.”  He fought in wars, he reported for wars, he hunted in Africa, he married four times, he was drunk in Paris all the time and he had guns, guns, guns.  To protect himself?  Did his wife like that?  Did she feel safe?  Did he know that one day he would kill himself?  

What is the theme (at least the theme topic) of the photograph?

The theme of this photograph is the end is always near.  Much like the poem “Auto Wreck” in that when the end will come is completely unknown.  Also, how the end will come may seem surprising, but may be in front of your face all along.  When Hemingway bought this gun I imagine that he didn’t say, “Well yes, this will be a good suicide weapon.”  But that’s exactly what it was.  

March 11, 2014 - Photo Project - "W" Questions

Yesterday you were asked to find a photograph (from one of the links in yesterday's tab) and write a paragraph discussing why you chose it.  Remember if you post your picture and paragraph on Facebook, I will give you an automatic "A."

Today, you will be researching your photo.  Start by answering the questions below. (Example of expectations provided).

Questions:

1.      Who took the picture?

2.      Who is in the picture?

3.      What is happening in the picture?  

4.      What is the title of the photograph (if there is no tiltle, simply write untitled?)

5.      When did the picture take place and in what year (era)?

6.      Where is the photo taken?  If possible, where are they now? or What has changed since the photo was taken?

7.      How does the photo effect you?  

8.      How does the photo contribute to making the world a better place?

9.      What is the major conflict within the picture?

10.  What is the theme (at least the theme topic) of the photograph?  

Hemingway Posing with a Shotgun

Who took the picture? There is no official photographer for this picture.  This picture was on the internet courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Library.  He was living with his fourth wife Mary Welsh Hemingway, so it could have been her taking the picture.

Who is in the picture?  In the picture Ernest Hemingway is holding a 12 gauge Scott double barrel rifle. 

What is happening in the picture? Hemingway is posing with his gun.  He is holding the gun in a ready-to-attack mode.  He also appears to have two types of bandages on his arm and he isn’t wearing a shirt. He seems to be very serious.  Probably drunk.

What is the title of the photograph (if there is no tiltle, simply write untitled?)

I could not locate the title of this photograph.

When did the picture take place and in what year (era)? The photo was taken in 1952 while Hemingway was living in Cuba.  Supposedly a few nights after this photograph was taken Hemingway heard some noises outside his place, grabbed a .22 and fired into the night.  Supposedly there was blood on the ground the next morning but there were no official reports of him killing anyone that night.

Where is the photo taken?  If possible, where are they now? or What has changed since the photo was taken? The photo was taken in Cuba in what appears to be the livingroom of Hemingway’s place.  10 years after this photo was taken, Heminway would kill himself in Ketchum Idaho with this gun. I think today, someone in Hemingway’s condition would not be allowed to own/possess guns. 

How does the photo affect you?  Hemingway shot himself with this rifle in Ketchum, Idaho in 1962.  Hemingway was one of, if not, the greatest writers ever to live.  I think overall, I love the irony of this picture.  Hemingway was just a bad***. 

How does the photo contribute to making the world a better place?

This photo could serve as both an anti-suicide photo and a gun control photo.  Hemingway, in 1962, should not have had access to guns.  If a license is granted, it should be able to be revoked similar to a driver’s license.  Hemingway had a history of depression and was a severe alcoholic, two aspects that should have caused his family to remove him from guns. 

What is the major conflict within the picture?

The major conflict of this photograph comes from what I researched above.  The major conflict is person vs. self.  I believe struggled with his manliness.  Not to say he was gay (though that has been written about), but Hemingway appears to go above and beyond what it means to be a “man.”  He fought in wars, he reported for wars, he hunted in Africa, he married four times, he was drunk in Paris all the time and he had guns, guns, guns.  To protect himself?  Did his wife like that?  Did she feel safe?  Did he know that one day he would kill himself?  

What is the theme (at least the theme topic) of the photograph?

The theme of this photograph is the end is always near.  Much like the poem “Auto Wreck” in that when the end will come is completely unknown.  Also, how the end will come may seem surprising, but may be in front of your face all along.  When Hemingway bought this gun I imagine that he didn’t say, “Well yes, this will be a good suicide weapon.”  But that’s exactly what it was.  

March 10, 2014 - A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

PHOTOGRAPHS!

Websites for the Photographs you will need to chose from for your

Pre-Spring Break Project.

Look at as many or as few as you like, but chose only one.  No person in each period can have the same photo, so if you see one you like and are sure you want to stick with this one, call it.

Directions: After you have selected a photo for your two-week project, write a paragraph discussing at least three reasons why you chose it.  If you wish, you can post your paragraph and picture on Facebook for automatic "A."

Romantic Photographs

If your kind of burned out on the often depressing nature of what we have read and studied this year (Nazis, Auto Wreck, Racism, etc) and you’re looking for a little light in your life I suggest you choose this option:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/the-50-most-romantic-photographs-of-all-time

Powerful Photos

If you loved reading about how the devastating the world can be really what horrific things have happened, then this one is for you.  Many of these pictures are not easy to look at.  They may make you cry, become sick or they may even make you realize just how lucky you are and realize that yes, there are some very good people in this world.

http://www.boredpanda.com/must-see-powerful-photos/

Photos From The Past

If you’re looking for something in between the above to and you like history (almost all the photos are in black and white) this sight is for you.  Some of these photos are weird, some are sad, but all of them are intriguing.  (if the hyper link doesn’t work, copy and paste the link below into your web browser).

http://pulptastic.com/40-photos-from-the-past/