Heartfelt at the Holidays

It's a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite films (the American Film Institute agrees that it is a wonderful film, rating it routinely near the top of their 100 Years, 100 Films lists).  Every year, I watch George Bailey take on Mr. Potter in this holiday classic on Christmas Eve.

While It's a Wonderful Life is a classic, the themes of the film are contemporary.  The Family Man contains similar elements and is a nice comparison, as are the many versions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  It's hard to miss the supernatural elements and Scrooges in all of the works.

Because of the similarities (and I'm always in a pleasant mood after Frank Capra's wonderful film - my wife has found it funny that I'm giddy that we are watching it in class) your task is to compare both films.  How are they similar?  How are they different?  What character elements are the same? Different?  Are the themes similar?  How do you know?  How do they compare to Dickens' work?

Remember, you need to write at least 300 words and utilize good writing conventions for your blog.

Intertwined Stories

In Love Actually, there are many intertwined stories that focus on different types of love.  Not all of the stories may resonate with you, but that doesn't lesson the theme of the film.  What is the theme of the film?  Which of the stories does resonate with you?  Which story seems to be the most far fetched?

Be sure to support your thoughts with specific examples for all of these questions and use at least three hundred words. 

Is He a Hero?

We've watched quite a few films by this point that would be considered hero films, but how well do they fit the archetype?  You've heard me babbling on about how Luke Skywalker is this, Princess Leia that, and R2-D2 (along with C3PO) the comic relief, but do you agree?  Your task is to pick one of the films that we've viewed on this topic (The Hunger Games, Star Wars: A New Hope, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Here Comes the Boom, The Natural) and determine if the film, in fact, fits the archetype. You do not want to simply write simple sentences and/or a list of how the characters and elements fit, but instead a well thought-out essay discussing a film within the archetype.

If you lost the handout on the archetype, you can find it here.

The Hero Archetype

Both George Lucas and J.K. Rowling obviously understand the hero archetype; simply look at their major works (Star Wars and Harry Potter respectively).  And because of this archetype - we can thank Odysseus for being the leading hero - all hero stories contain certain elements.  Your task is to compare both Star Wars: A New Hope and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in terms of the hero archetype.  If you lost the handout, you can find it here.  Remember to use good writing conventions and at least three hundred words.

Searching for Approval

In both Catch Me if You Can and October Sky we encountered a protagonist who was desperately searching for his father's approval and also was searching to carve out his place in society.  It is also worth noting that both of the films is based on a true story.  Your task is to discuss the motivating factors of both Frank Abignale Jr. and Homer Hickam and what these factors drove them to accomplish.  Did either earn their father's approval?  How do you know?  Make sure to use specific examples and good writing conventions in your response (and also three hundred words).

Hollywood and the Absent Father

While it's clear that the films we're currently watching (Trouble with the Curve, Field of Dreams, Catch Me if You Can) have an absent father figure and a son (or daughter) that is striving for their affection or, at the very least, acceptance, other films (The Godfather and Road to Perdition for instance) also address this topic.  Kate Carraway, in her article "Absent dads - Hollywood rarely gets the story right" attempts to explain the issues with the absent father in both film and television.  Is she right?  Is fatherhood (and by extension manhood) on trial?  The Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative offers programs that try to raise the importance of fathers up; they even schedule a Fathers' Walk to School.   Your task is to discuss why you think that the absent father motif is common in film.  After doing this, you then need to discuss which of the films resonated the strongest with you.

Remember that you need to use at least three hundred words and good writing conventions.  Also remember that you will have a stronger post if you use specific examples.

2015 or 2015?

October 21, 2015: two versions of Marty McFly will be roaming Hill Valley and hilarity will be experienced by all.  While Robert Zemeckis attempts to predict what 2015 will be like, he does get some things wrong.  Your task will be to compare and contrast 2015 to Zemeckis' fictionalized version.  It may be helpful to to discuss each of the 2015s individually in their own paragraphs and then discuss the similarities in a separate paragraph.  Remember that you need to write at least three hundred words and demonstrate good writing conventions.  Oh, and BE SPECIFIC!

Modern Film Noir?

Road to Perdition is one of my favorite films and a stellar depiction of depression era gangsters, and The Godfather is the quintessential gangster film, but are they film noir?  We have already viewed two films in The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon that fit this category, and we know that there are modern films that also fit this category: the question is, does either Road to Perdition or The Godfather?  Certainly there are differences in the films and film making (our two primary examples come from the early and mid forties while Perdition comes from 2002 and The Godfather from 1972) among others.  Your task is to determine if Road to Perdition and The Godfather qualify as film noir.  


Remember that you need to use at least three hundred words in your post and that I will be grading writing conventions as well.  It may be helpful to prewrite and also to use Roger Ebert's "Guide to Film Noir" which can be found here. One final note: you will want to use specific details, as generalizations will not give much strength to your argument.

Mr. Deeds, Gary Cooper, and Adam Sandler

Certainly no one would argue that Gary Cooper and Adam Sandler play Longfellow Deeds the same; however, after viewing both Cooper's Deeds (Mr. Deeds Goes to Town - 1936) and Sandler's Deeds (Mr. Deeds - 2002), it is obvious the similarities.  Beyond the obvious differences, such as actors and the latter film being in color, there are many subtle differences.  Your task is to discuss both the similarities and differences between the films and then decide which one you thought was a better example of film and storytelling.  Keep in mind that you are not arguing for your favorite film, but rather the film that told a more cohesive story.  Another word of advice: when comparing the films it will certainly be helpful to explain which directorial choices were more effective (for instance Babe Bennett working for a print tabloid vs. Babe Bennett working for a tabloid news program).


As always I will be looking at writing conventions and the development of your post.  While you are required to write at least three hundred words, I doubt that you will be able to thoroughly compare the films without exceeding this minimum.

Classic Cinema? Does that mean it has to be black and white?

We've recently viewed Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and That Thing You Do.  And I've talked about classical cinema; there as even been a power point (you can find it here).  The question is, do each of these films fit this moniker?  Your task is to discuss the relevance of this moniker for these films.  Make sure that you include specific examples as to how each film fits into the classical cinema category and that you write at least three hundred words.  It may be helpful to include a definition of classical cinema with your response.

How will the future be affected?

Back to the Future is the quintessential time travel film in most libraries.  It deals with ones effect on history.  You will note that there are many cliche 1950s references as well as those to time travel.  In Back to the Future Marty goes to 1955 while fleeing the Libyans.  Your task is to discuss the plot, setting (it may be helpful to do a comparison here), protagonist, and antagonist.  Furthermore, you will need to compare reality prior to Marty's trip to reality post trip.

You will need to write at least three hundred words and demonstrate good writing conventions.  Every time that you start a new paragraph, you do not need to indent, but instead use a line break (hit ENTER twice).

Why Blog?

I spend a lot of my free time attempting to come up with new ways to interact with texts and materials.  This is my most recent endeavor.  While my English classes may not be happy to be creating blogs so that they can interact with texts and each other in a technological setting, they are Surely Out of Luck.

Using blogs in education is beneficial to the students' critical and analytical thinking, it increases students' interaction with one another while discussing content and texts, it will increase students exposure to quality content, allows for students to interact while outside of the classroom, and also offers a means for students to express their thoughts on a topic completely.

Obviously, some may try to take their blogging to a new level and even try to push the envelope on what is appropriate for the school-based use.  The things that students need to know about their blog posts are: 1. If I deem their post inappropriate they will be asked to remove it and receive no credit for their work. 2. Their interactions with other students' blogs will be treated the same way.  3. Writing conventions are certainly going to be graded.  4. Each blog post must be at least 250-300 words and will be worth 10 points.  5. they will earn an additional five points for interacting with at least five of their classmates' blogs.  These interactions need to be academic interactions that question, comment on, and advance the discussion/ideas that the blog has presented.

A final note: I will post your blogging topics on this blog.

We're not quite done with Fahrenheit 451!  The webquest project dealing with censorship follows and you can find the project handouts on my website in the English 10 folder.

Fahrenheit 451 – WebQuest Project

A WebQuest project uses the resources of the Internet to explore and answer questions pertaining to a particular topic. We are going to explore the issue of censorship – past and present.

Introduction

You have been appointed to the Government's Freedom of Speech Commission. The Commission is studying issues related to Censorship and has asked you to investigate some of the history of censorship and to use the information to help the Commission make judgments about contemporary censorship issues. You will be using the WebQuest to find information about some of the instances of censorship the Commission is interested in.

Task

The WebQuest will have two parts: To complete Part I, you must explore Web sites on censorship in the past and the present. You will be given a selection of web sites related to these issues from which to choose. Part II is an essay on a contemporary censorship issue. The essay must use information from the Web sites, so you will need to take notes as you explore the sites. (Remember to record reference/citation information.). Your essay should be 2-3 pages, must follow the MLA format, and must include a Works Cited page.

Process

Part I:

Explore these sites for information on the kinds of historical censorship Ray Bradbury discusses in Fahrenheit 451.  The sites that you need to use are included after each set of questions. You will need to answer these questions on your blog using good writing conventions. 

Step I: The burning of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley:

Why were they burned at the stake?

Why was Latimer confident that they were doing the right thing?

Why would it be important to remind people of this history?  

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Latimer_Ridley_Cranmer.htm

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/269.html

Step II: Nazi Book Burning:

In what way might these images have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?

http://www.ushmm.org/information/exhibitions/online-features/special-focus/american-responses-to-the-holocaust/book-burnings

http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/gallery/01622.HTM

Step III: McCarthyism and Blacklisting in Hollywood:

Why did it happen?

Was it right or wrong?

Could it happen again?

How might it have inspired Bradbury to write Fahrenheit 451?

http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/blacklist.html

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/mccarthy/blacklist.html

http://www.hollywoodmoviememories.com/articles/hollywood-history/hollywood-blacklist-witch-hunt.php

Part II:

Explore these sites to look at censorship issues that are in the news today. These questions are designed to guide your thinking for the essay you will write in Part III. These questions will need to answered and turned in with your paper.

Questions to consider as you prepare your paper:

Who is in favor of these limitations on freedom of speech?

Why are they in favor of them?

Who is opposed?

Why are they opposed?

Which side do you agree with? Why?

Warning Labels on CD’s http://www.riaa.com/toolsforparents.php?content_selector=parental_advisory

The V-Chip and Movie Ratings: Controlling access to violence and sexuality in the Media http://www.fcc.gov/vchip

Decency and the Public Funding of the Arts http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=10906

Book Banning

http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/book-banning.htm

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/banned-books

Additional Sites

Banned Books: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/banned-books.html

Banned Books: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banned_books

Banned Books: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/winter96/pubCONN.html

Banned Books: http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin157.shtml

Banned Books: http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/censorship.htm

Banned Books: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmccarthyism.htm

Book Burning: http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/China/BookBurn.html

Book Burning: http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/arts/artDegen.htm

Book Burning: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005852

Book Burning: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1014-21.htm

Global Media: http://www.serendipity.li/cda.html

Global Med.: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Media_control_propaganda/CensorinDemoSoc.html

Global Media: http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0217-32.htm

Global Media: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/bookmarks/zenger/

Global Media: http://www.cybercollege.com/span/internet.htm

Music: http://www.jmm.org.au/articles/14759.htm

Television: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/v-chip-putting-restrictions-what-your-children-watch

Television: http://mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/mediaviolence/violence.php?pageID=censor

Video Games: http://www.actiontrip.com/features/videogameindustry.phtml

Part III:

Part III is an essay on a contemporary censorship issue. You have been appointed to the Government’s Freedom of Speech Commission. The Commission has been studying issues related to censorship, and has asked you to write a report explaining one of these controversies and making a recommendation for action. The essay must use information from the Web sites, so you will need to take notes as you explore the sites. (Remember to record reference/citation information). Your essay should be 2-3 pages, must follow the MLA format, and must include a Works Cited page.

Evaluation

Your WebQuest Project will be evaluated in two ways: 1. Your blog will graded for writing conventions and thoughtfulness with the questions (you will need to evaluate and explore the websites provided for you in order to do this).  2. Your essay will be graded using the following rubric.

Rubric

Blog: Writing conventions                                                                                /10

Blog: Thoughtfulness                                                                                        /10

Essay: Part II questions completed and turned in                                         /5

Essay: Outline                                                                                                      /5

Essay: Works cited contains 5+ sources in MLA format                             /10

Essay: Rough draft                                                                                             /10

Essay: Writing conventions                                                                              /10

Essay: Introduction                                                                                             /5

Essay: Conclusion                                                                                               /5

Essay: Focus                                                                                                         /5

Essay: Makes a reasonable recommendation to the Commission                /5

Essay: Meets all other requirements                                                                 /10

Total                                                                                                                       /90

Crutcher and Censorship

"Dark" literature seems to be the most often challenged.  Why this is, I'm not sure.  Crutcher examines this notion with a blog on the Huffington Post titled "How They Do It."  I think that you will find this article interesting and also appalling to realize that this type of censorship continues.  There are countless stories of books (Crutcher's and others) being challenged and eventually banned. (Some of you may recall my story about Barbara Ehrenreich's non-fiction work Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America while I was student teaching.) 

Amongst a great deal of readers out there (and specifically English teachers and librarians), there is a pride in reading banned books.  So much so that there is a week set aside each year to celebrate these banned books, along with merchandise to support the cause.

Why do we read banned books?  What purpose do they serve?  Why are they banned to begin with? 

Think about Crutcher's Deadline, his most oft challenged book.  Why might this be so? Why, then, is it beneficial to read such a book?  Remember to respond with at least three hundred words and good writing conventions.

Oh, and here's Chris Crutcher reading a passage from Deadline for 2011's Banned Books Week.

Beginning Crutcher's Deadline

Of all the books that have entered my classroom, there is not one by which students have been more moved.  Students have laughed, cried, yelled, and smiled during the novel as well as encountered real-life problems.  I am, of course, talking about Chris Crutcher's novel Deadline. 

I recently read and article by If I Stay author Gayle Forman titled "Teens Crave Young Adult Books on Really Dark Topics (and That's OK)" and couldn't help but agree with her.  Hoping to find out more on this (I know squarely where I stand on this so-called "dark" literature), I read the New York Times: Room for Debate feature "The Dark Side of Young Adult Fiction" which is a collection of short essays debating the nature of young adult literature.  Of the experts writing for this piece, when Michelle Ann Abate wrote "Such elements permeate even the Victorian era, commonly credited with romanticizing children and 'sanitizing' children’s literature. Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz all are loaded with social commentary and sharp political satire," I couldn't help but smile.  Routinely in my classes (not just the English ones) we will discuss the social implications of these works.  I also read Mary Elizabeth Williams' article "Has Young Adult Fiction Become too Dark?: A scorching Wall Street Journal editorial rips apart the genre -- and lights up the Internet" and again found myself agreeing with the author.  And because I read the rebuttal to Meghan Cox Gurdon's Wall Street Journal article "Darkness Too Visible," I read it, too.

Would Crutcher's work be considered "dark?"  Sure.  And worth while. 

You need to write a blog post of at least 300 words that demonstrates good writing conventions on the following statement:

You have a year to live.

Go.

Jerry's Masque

There may be no writer that incorporates elaborate symbolism in his work than Edgar Allan Poe; this is not to say that others do not try.  In her piece "Through the Tunnel" Doris Lessing incorporate some explicit symbolism that helps to clarify the theme of the work.  The question is, what is the theme?  You will need to utilize the symbols of the work (and possibly the plot) to explain the theme of "Through the Tunnel."  Remember to use specific examples in explaining the theme; think: what is this a symbol of?, how do I know?, and why is it important?

Remember that you need to use at least three hundred words and good writing conventions in your explanation of the theme. If you get stuck, think about what we did when we read "The Masque of the Red Death" together.