Synthesis of Course Material - Post 2

After learning about DIDLS and how to attack literature with a critical eye, it came time to learn how to annotate. It seemed a crime to write in books but to annotate them correctly and effectively it had to be done. With annotating we learned about what  we should write in the margins, underline, circle and pay special attention to as well as how to apply and look for concepts we learned about; DIDLS, T+E=M (technique+effect=meaning) and how to find mood/tone from them. By finding the techniques we could delve deeper into each novel and focus on the question of "what is its meaning?"

After learning what these techniques were and how to find them, we began reading books/plays to begin applying our new skills. So far we have read four very different novels:

1.      The American Dream - Albee 

• Characters: Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Mrs. Barker, Young Man 
• Type of Drama: Theater of the Absurd
• Plot: Mommy and Daddy talk discuss putting Grandma in a nursing home while she has already piled up boxes of her belongings by the door. When Mrs. Barker comes to their home, Grandma tells her a story of a child who Mommy and Daddy had addopted and killed. When the Young Man enters Mommy and Daddy are thrilled and talk about how he is everything they wish he could be: The American Dream. Grandma comes  up with a plan to fool Mommy and Daddy leaving them all alone with what they believe is the true "American Dream"

2.      Ceremony – Silko

• Characters: Tayo, Auntie, Emo, Grandma, Harley, Josiah, Rocky, Robert and others
• Plot: Tayo has just returned from fighting in an American war. Being away from his reservation has made him an outsider to his own culture, language and people that he grew up with and loved. Tayo now drinks, swears, sleeps with many white and Native women and has flashbacks to his days in the war. He must learn about his culture again and remember all the stories of his people and the ceremonies that go with them.

3.    Pride  and Prejudice – Jane Austin

• Characters: Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Collins, Wickham, Jane, Mr. Bingly, Lydia, Charlotte, Mary, Kitty and others
• Plot: Mrs. Bennett is determined to marry off as many of her daughters to wealthy men as she can, and Mr. Bennett agrees. Many balls and gatherings are held, one where the newly single and rich Mr. Bingly dotes upon Jane and where Lizzy meets the much too proud Mr. Darcy. Shortly after this ball the girls are introduced to Mr. Collins who is next in line for their estate. Mr. Collins quickly falls for Lizzy after learning that Jane is almost already engaged and after a few weeks proposes. Lizzy refuses and vows to her mother and father that who she marries will be because of love rather than money or title.

4.      Hamlet – Shakespeare

• Characters: Hamlet, King, Queen, Ophelia, Horatio, Laertes, Polonius, Old Hamlet (Ghost), Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Player, Fortinbraus, Osric, Clown One, Clown Two and others
•  Plot: The old King of Denmark is dead and his brother has taken the throne and married his queen. One night outside the palace, watchmen are confronted by the Ghost of the dead King and they know that it will speak to Young Hamlet. While his father and mother are content with their marriage and life, Hamlet is disgusted and makes his feelings about it known to all. When he is told that his father ghost has been seen, he goes to see it himself and speak with it. When this happens, the ghost tells him of how he was murdered by his brother who has now taken his throne and his queen. Hamlet vows to revenge his death and sets on a journey to fulfill this deed by any means possible, even if it means losing sight of himself and his mind on the way.    

After reading these books and annotating in small groups and on our own, we moved to the next step; discussion.Class discussions have always been a riot. Fifth hour has never had trouble discussing these novels and their many possible meanings. I love class discussions because they can get very heated and bring up a lot of good points that I didn't pick up on while reading. Class discussions give me the chance to see what other people find in the text and give my opinion/elaboration on their points.