Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Poem Interpretations

1. Dramatic situation- It doesn't clearly say weather the speaker is young or old, but by the way the poem was flowing and messages portrayed I think they are young. They are sitting on steps looking across at the lake and thinking about life. Thinking about the good times but also thinking about how fast everything could be gone.
2. Structure- This poem makes me think of stream of consciousness. It's very reflective but then grows into the person realizing what they need to do based on the conclusion they just reached.
3. Theme- I definitely think the theme is no regrets. Basically to live like there's no tomorrow. Don't take life for granted because you never know what could happen. I think the idea of love and not forgetting to show people you love them before it's too late is also a big part of this poem.-" Today may be the last day I'm able to hold you tight." The idea of loss makes you realize what you still have. -you never know what you have until it's gone...
4. Grammar and meaning-  The author uses a lot of commas and questions to get the point across.
5. Important images and figures of speech- Rhyming, sitting on the steps, the lake.
6. Important single words- life, change, loved, living, tomorrow, regret.
7. Tone- The author seems very concerned. She cares and wants to best for the readers.
8. Literary or rhetorical devices- The author does a really good job of painting a picture in the readers mind from the very first line. She does a lot of comparing and contrasting: Life changing compared to a blink, comparing the young to the old.
9. Prosidy(flow)- There is a lot of rhyme throughout this piece. There's infasis put on the idea that the reader should come away with a different outlook on how they should live their lives. It's basically the one idea of life going by too fast and not having any regrets that flows through the entire poem. By the end the author reaches a sense of acceptance-" I accept my life, for what it's been worth."
 
 
© Amy D. Liskey
Sitting on the steps, looking across the lake,
Wondering why, life at times, can seem great.
But in that second, it took me to just think,
My life could change, faster than a blink.

Is this a reason why we should always cherish?
Not knowing when loved ones may suddenly perish.
Living everyday, like it was our very last,
for our days could be very long or go by very fast

So I'll cherish and take nothing for granted,
not say things that shouldn't be chanted.
If this is the last day I have on this earth,
I accept my life, for what it's been worth.

Tomorrow isn't promised to young or old alike,
Today may be the last day I'm able to hold you tight.
Don't wait for tomorrow, do it all today,
If tomorrow never comes, you'll never regret a day


Source: Like It Is My Very Last, Dream Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/like-it-is-my-very-last#ixzz1kGTfMG8g
Family Friend Poems

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Micro-AP part I (Essay)

Welcome!  Questions/comments?  Email: dpreston.learning@gmail.com   Course mapClose
Open
  • What was easy/expected?
  • What was difficult/unexpected?
  • What did you learn about the AP questions?
  • What did you learn about your own performance under pressure?
  • How will this experience influence your preparation for the actual exam?

I already knew that I was going to be writing about the two Dickens novels we have been working on. That was expected and easy in the sense that I didn't have to rack my brain and think of another random novel, I knew it was either going to be about A Tale Of Two Cities or Great Expectiations. 
It was difficult for me trying to think of a character and enough examples so fast. There have been so many characters that we went through these past few days that it was hard to choose from. Also I tried to write on Great Expectations because we went over it so much in class but once we got started I would realize that I didn't know enought to turn itinto a whoeld subject.
I learned that the AP questions are not going to be too bad if I am relaxed and feel prepared.
The time limit wasn't too bad for me. I just tryed to stay relaxed and basically told myself it didn't matter how far I got. I learned that a little pressure isn't bad and I can still perform under it.
I feel like this gave me a really good idea of what the actual exam will be like. This makes me a little more calm. I also realize now that you need to not only understand in depth, all the many characters in a story but also the historical background and the authors life. I'm realizing that so many things in real life tie in and relate to what is going on in the books as well.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A Tale of Two Cities

What is it that made Charles Dickens write the novel you're reading? What in your analysis of literary techniques led you to this conclusion? (Make sure to include textual support illustrating Dickens' use of at least three techniques.)


I'm sure Dickens had many reasons for wanting to write this book. The main one I could think of was that he wanted to show conflict in an extreme scale. Durring the time period he wrote it in, a lot of conflict was going on in history. I think authors often put a lot of themselves into books they write and the characters in them. There were a lot of symbols in A Tale of Two Cities that relate to the fighting and death Dickens had probably lived through. Such as Mr. Lorry's dream and the person writing blood with wine. It's all foreshadowing to the blood bath we suspect is coming up. On the very first page of the book Dickens used anaphora to compare and contrast basically the extremes of light and darkness. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." The story as a whole is about politics, war, and human nature. I hear all the time how politics can bring out the worst in someone..(mudslinging). I think this is what Dickens is also trying to show through all these textual clues. What things are like when they are at its best.. and what its like at the worst.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Discussion Notes: A Tale of Two Cities

There was a coach driving Mr. Lorry from London to Dover when a messenger on horseback wants to speak to Lorry. The person gives him a note that we think said Lucie's dad was still alive. Lucie's dad was a prisoner of war and as a result had become a little crazy. While on the coach Mr. Lorry was drifting in and out of a dream that somehow resembled death. When Mr. Lorry arrived at the Royal George hotel, he met Lucie and they went to the wine shop to go get Lucies dad. Because he was a prisoner of war, they had been under the impression that he was dead. When Lucie and Lorry were at the wine shop to find her dad, the wine broke into the street. This showed how poor the people in Paris were, because they all ran out and started drinking it off the ground.  Finally Lorry and Lucie meet her dad and at first he mistakes her for his wife because of her golden hair.

Some of the litereary elements Dicken's used:

Anaphora- "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Tone- Made story more understanding. Serious/somber -Dark ominous tone

Gothic Literature- The entire mood of the story is dark and has to do with fighting and mystery.

Diction- Victorian/English

Allusion- Dickens expects you to know and basically understand the entire French Revolution in order to really grasp what's going on at the time.

Foreshadowing- Mr. Lorry's dream is foreshadowing death.

Suspense- There was suspense in the dream and with Mr. Lorry digging a grave.

Stereotype- When they go into the wine shop they just assume everyone is Revolutionaries.
(Lucie and Lorry)

Protaganists- Mr. Lorry and Lucie

Assumption- They assumed Lucie's dad was dead.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Reading Questions: A Tale of Two Cities

1. Explain what you think this quote means, and why it was significant to the story.

"It was the best of times, It was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way."

2. Where does this novel take place?

3. Compare and contrast the difference between England and France at this time.

4. Describe what Lorry looks like as a person.

5. Explain who Lucie Manette is and what she looks like.





A1: This quote hints at the novels central tension between love and family on one side, and depression and hatred on the other. The use of anaphora shows that the idea of good and evil are equally matched in thier struggle.

A2: England and France in 1775

A3: In England the public was worried about religious prophecies, paranormal phenomena, and a colony of British subjects in America has sent to king George. Where in France, there is spending and extreme violence.

A4: Lorry changes to put his suit on and he looked like a well dressed business man when he has it on. Around 60 years of age.

A5: Lucie Manatte is short, slight, pretty figure. Her love is so powerful in can be referred to as the "Golden Thread".