Choices

We all have choices to make. We can choose to bully and tease people or we can be friendly to each other and help one another up. We can choose to sulk and cry when a bad situation arises or we can choose to stand up and take on stressful challenges.
This was shown especially today. Today was Anti-Bullying day and many of us made the choice to stand against bullying today. Also, Lit 12 greatly emphasized this by our study of the poems, On My First Daughter and Why So Pale and Wan.
On My First Daughter was written by Ben Jonson and is written about his thoughts about his Daughter's death. Though he was in great grief, he also tried to look at the positive aspects like how she was going to go to Heaven. (Line 6) He chose to see the best in the situation.
Why So Pale and Wan was written by Sir John Suckling and is a poem of a friend telling his broken hearted friend to stop feeling pity for himself. It is seen that the poet's friend is sad because of rejection and instead of choosing to feed the fire and encourage his self pity, he bluntly tells his friend to move on and stop. (Line 11)
Today, we have been given the choice to choose what form we would like to write our essay in. We can choose to have it due after spring break, due before spring break, or have it as an in-class essay with a mystery topic. In my opinion, an in-class essay seems like the best idea. The fact that we have nothing to prepare will be taken into consideration as opposed to an essay that is due after spring break, which will be required to meet a much higher standard.

HW tonight

Read page 294: The King James Bible
Read page 303: On His Blindness
Answer questions on 304: 1a, 1b, 2

Ben Jonson

To start of this post, here is a little random fact of the day! In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator. Interesting!

In today's class, Janice started the day off with a devotion for us. We learnt that our life is like a quilt and God fits us together. We may only see parts of it and not like it, but it is the bigger pictures that counts. God does have a plan for each one of us, even though it may not seem like it.

We discussed Ben Jonson and how influential he was, even though he was somewhat violent and killed a man. Two poems of his that we looked at were On My First Son and On My First Daughter. As shown in these poems, Jonson had lost his son and daughter. He talked about how proud he was of his son and that he wish he could lose the feeling of being a father. While in On My First Daughter, he talks about how his daughter is going to heaven and will be with the virgin Mary.

The next poem of Jonson's that we analyzed was Song: To Celia. Celia is better than wine and he wants a drink from her since it is better than a divine drink from a god. He then sent her a wreath of roses, but Celia ended up sending them back. Whenever he saw the wreath, he would think of her and how it smelt of her.

For our homework:
- Answer the study questions on Song: To Celia (page 286)
- March 2nd (this friday!), poems due

Don't forget to wear pink tomorrow for anti-bullying day! And bring a donation!

Loconte Likes Literature

Devo's on Thursday were twice as nice as we heard from both Jeff and Joseph (Happy Belated, btw). Turns out some things are true and some things are not, that's just the way it is. And nobody likes taking tests. They are akin to getting your teeth pulled.

That being the case, you probably didn't like Thursday's class which was all test. I am currently reviewing the answers upon student request. Perhaps the marks will go up, perhaps not. We shall see.

Tonight's mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read George Herbert's Easter Wings. Seeing how he was a metaphysical poet, you should look for a paradox in this work.

Secondly, please read To His Coy Mistress. With this poem we move into the 'Carpe Diem' thinkers.

Answer the 'Study and Discussion' questions for both, and, as always, read their bio's.

Poetry assignment due date is fast approaching. Use this weekend to start outlining and rough drafting if you have not done so already.

Lastly, see if you can present a real-life paradox to the class on Monday.

Consider this: We get inoculations that give us an illness- in order to protect us from that illness.

Devo's for Monday: Me...Jeff, at ease, student.

Have a wonderful windblown weekend.

the title

Hey guys! Sorry for the late blog but I couldn’t figure out what to write about. I guess I’ll start with the devotions about the earthquakes and the inspiring meaning behind them. After devotions, we went straight into John Donne and his Holy Sonnet 10. His imagery of God breaking his very essence and asking him to free him from the devil is a testimony to his love for Christ.

Right after, we analyzed Meditation 17, also by John Donne. His vast amount of vocabulary was astonishing.

Today our homework is to study for the open book in-class essay tomorrow on Shakespeare, John Donne, and the Growth of the English Language (The part before the Rennaissance)

insert clever title here

As expected from regular morning routines, a devotion was to be shared but no one had anything prepared. Nevertheless, this allowed opportunity to share or reflect anything on anyone's mind. Kathleen kindly volunteered to share an experience her family went through, and the insight her family gained from it.

Right after devotions, we tackled the poem "Valediction; Forbidding Mourning" by Donne and analyzed the different literary elements and imageries of the poem.

The next poem we looked at was quite contrasting to the previous love poem, yet still written by the same poet, Donne. Holy Sonnet 6 is quite a powerful poem, in that it essentially mocks death's attempt at terror and agony. The attitude of the speaker in the poem is full of confidence and lives in no fear of death. It was interesting to read and perceive death in this perspective.

Not too much homework today, thankfully!

Simply, read Meditation 17 (page 271) and also these four questions for Holy Sonnet 10 (page 270) :

1. What longing is expressed Donne in this poem? Give examples.
2. Why has he been uable so far to obtain his wish. Illustrate.
3. Show how this poem is an effective (or not) reflection of metaphysical poetry.
4. In what way does the imagery in this poem suggest a story of medieval romance. Appropriate?

"Batter My Heart..."

1. What longing is expressed by Donne in this poem? Give examples.
2. Why has he been unable so far to obtain his wish. Illustrate.
3. Show how this poem is an effective (or not) reflection of metaphysical poetry.
4. In what way does the imagery in this poem suggest a story of medieval romance. Appropriate?

Impressing Blogging

Just a quick compliment:

Wonderful looking blogs thus far, Ladies & Gents.

Ms Hutton: Devos Monday, please.

Friday February 17 p.s. TGIF

Hello Classmates!

After taking about 20min to find out how to create a post, and with the help of Kellie, I found out how!

Today's devotional was by Mrs.Loconte, and was about not being proud, and knowing that everything we do is because God has allowed us too.

In today's class we had our in class essay based on Shakespeare's sonnets. I wish you all the best in the test, and let us hope that we all did well.

We also had two presentations today. Jeff presented a power-point on the crusades. A bit of a recap on that.
-First Crusade was in 1099 and was disorganized but in the end the French won.
-Second Crusade was a Rescue mission, and the Muslims won.
-Third Crusade was the Kings Crusade, and not much was won because in the end they were betrayed.

Janice presented us information about the plagues.
-During the time, people thought the plague could be contacted through contact with lepers and Jews.
-People during this age did not shower often, because their fear of water. The high class changed often, and wore substantial amounts of perfume to appear as if they were clean.
-The Plague killed half of Europe.

Homework:

Read pages 261-264
Elizabethan age
Jacobean Age
John Donne

Cheers,
Rachel Van Andel

February 16th, 2012

To start off this grey rainy day, we had devotions from Janice who talked about Revelations 12. We learned that we need to stay strong as well as pray. Next, we had two lovely presentations from Emmett and Kharis about chivalry. A person who is chivalrous is someone who is humble, loyal to the king and to God, protects the weak from the stronger, and is a gentlemen to women, especially widows.

Mrs. Loconte also brought us in an article about a couple who had been married for 73 years. Wow! This is proof that love does not fade with age and keeping a social life can actually help the elderly live a longer life.

We also looked at a few sonnets about love. In sonnet 130, we can see that the man loves the woman for who she is, even if she doesn't have the greatest break, or the reddest lips. Sonnet 116, tell us that love does not fade, and it will not end and that when faults are found, love will not change. Love is eternal.

Homework:

- Read page 259, the bio about Francis Bacon.
- Prepare for our in-class essay tomorrow. You may bring notes, but not your complete essay.
- Tomorrow is the last day for the bonus project.

Devotions for Friday: Tayler
Blogging for Friday: Rachel

Have a wonderful night!

Kellie

PowerPoint: Renaissance

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AUubO714wTjoZGY1ejdienNfNzdyc3JubXFkOQ

Wednesday (otherwise known as hump day)

Hello fellow Lit 12 members! We had a good start to the class with an interesting devotion from Kathleen. Her devotion really reminds us that we should not be lukewarm in our faith. Not being on fire for God sets us away from him. Instead we should stay strong and really work to have a strong faith.

Today was also spent learning about the sonnet. Sonnet originates from the Italian word "Sonetto", which means little sound. Many of the early sonnets had a common theme. Boy falls in love with girl. He gets rejected and then writes a sonnet about it.

We spent some time reading two poems. The first one was "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and the second was "The Nymph's Reply To The Shepherd". Though they were written at different times, the second one was intended to be a reply to the first. The two poems are a conversation, and in this conversation, we can see that the Nymph is very sceptical of the Shepherd. She challenges his love and whether he is telling the truth.

Shakespeare was also reviewed in class. In addition to plays, Shakespeare also wrote many sonnets. As we were talking about Shakespeare's sonnets, an interesting discussion came up. Kharis brought up her opinion about how studying Shakespeare's works was redundant. She said that many of his plays followed general patterns and outlines when writing his plays. In response, Mrs. Loconte asked Kharis to write an essay about this to receive ten extra percent on any test she wanted. Overall, it's not too bad of a deal!

Devotions                                           Blogging
Thursday - Janice                              Thursday - Rachel
Friday - Tayler                                   Friday - Kellie


HW
Remember to finish your PSA projects


Prepare for the essay writing activity which will take place this Friday


Start studying for the Renaissance Test


If you still want to complete the bonus assignment, you are still able to do so until Friday 

Lit 12

Hello everyone,


Today we started of the class with devotions from Donna about how Valentines Day originated. It was interesting to learn that the start of Valentines Day relates to religion as the king outlawed marriages fearing men would not want to leave their wives, a Catholic Bishop Valentine who understood love, began secretly marrying couples. After being put in jail he began evangelizing to the guards and other inmates. 


We continued on with the presentations of The Canterbury Tales... The class listened to multiple parodies on modern occupations, we heard some about lawyers, doctors and gynaecologists to name a few. We also heard a comical skit about a talk show host interviewing some of the people who went on the pilgrimage. 


We went over the 10 questions that were for review on the Renaissance period. We continued to go over the poems that were for homework: Whoso List to Hunt and Sonnet 67. Whoso List to Hunt was very relative to Valentines Day as it was a poem about a man at the back of the line attempting to win the love of this woman. Unfortunately for him, the woman did not choose him, and he was left broken-hearted. Sonnet 67 ended much differently than the first poem. This man is also chasing a woman but decides to stop, and the woman realizes he has stopped and comes to him. This is a common occurrence of a girl being chased by a guy, completely ignorant to him, until she realizes that he has stopped chasing her, and she then begins to chase after him.  Both poems both fit with the theme of Valentines Day and love.


Homework: Read The Sonnet on pages 152-153
Read the two poems: The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe and The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd by Sir Walter Raleigh... (supposed to be read together) Page 162


Have a great Valentines Day!


Funny Quote: Today is Valentine's Day - or, as men like to call it, Extortion Day!Jay Leno

February 13th, 2012: Saying Goodbye to the Middle Ages and Hello to the Renaissance

Evening Lit. 12.
This morning in class, we started the day off with a wonderful devotion from Jaclyn about not storing up earthly treasure where moth and rust destroy, but rather storing up heavenly treasures.

Afterward, we took turns reading aloud the section called The Middle English Period (pages 122-123), which provided us with an in-depth analysis about the growth of the modern English language and the differences between Modern and Middle English.  We also went over the story of Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, highlighting the fact that though Sir Gawain failed in that he showed cowardice and a greed for his own self-preservation (through accepting the belt and kisses from the Green Knight's wife), ultimately he repented after realizing and being ashamed for what he did.  In turn for his honesty and honour, the Green Knight allowed him to keep the belt and did not raise his axe to kill Sir Gawain.

We also briefly went over the section called The Renaissance, which gives a lengthy introduction to the Renaissance (which means 'rebirth'), the beginning of the humanists, and the major political and literary events/achievements of England at the time.

Tonight for homework:
1. Do the ten review questions for The Renaissance if you have not already done so.
2. Read Whoso List a Hunt (page 150) and Sonnet 67 (page 156 begins Like a Huntsman...)
3. Also, remember to read the biographies for the poets who wrote these poems too (this is a given for every poem/literary work we read)

Schedule for Devotions and Blogging this week:

Devotions                                           Blogging
Tuesday - Donna                               Tuesday - Ciera
Wednesday - Kathleen                       Wednesday - Emmett
Thursday - Janice                               Thursday - Rachel
Friday - Tayler                                   Friday - Kellie

Links for Thinks

Here is both the PowerPoint and guiding questions for your Renaissance reading:

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AUubO714wTjoZGY1ejdienNfNzVjOWJ3eHZjYw

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R14jzRiGkF11YqomhuKMsCezVg0jzZ8G0qinOPKs8fM/edit

We will discuss "Gawain" on Monday and elaborate of the PP, we will review the HW, and continue into week three's work.

For Your Knowledge (though that too shall pass)

Greeting and salutations!

It is finally Friday, and thank goodness for that! We began our day with high nerves as we anxiously prepared last-minute for the first quiz (perhaps “test” is the better word) of the course.

The quiz took longer than expected, so we did not get around to reviewing “Sir Gaiwan and the Green Knight.” A powerpoint on the story will be posted by Mrs. Loconte on the blog over the course of this weekend for us to read and review.

We reviewed “Everyman” in further detail and collaboratively answered an in-class worksheet. It is interesting to be reminded that although worldly objects and attributes can serve us here on earth, they will be rendered useless the moment we pass into the realm of the dead. Our faith and good deeds are all that will follow us to the grave.

Homework:

Remember that the project for “The Canterbury Tales” is due this Monday.

We are also required to read the section on “The Renaissance” and answer the questions regarding the readings, which will be posted on the blog this weekend. This is to be completed for class on Monday.

Finally, we have a week left to complete the bonus project, due at latest February 17^th.

I am on for Monday’s devotions.

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend free from stresses and (excessive) studying!

- Jaclyn Loewen

From Bonny Lass to Everyman

Class:
Today began with a very touching story related by Ciera about a father's love within a storm.  Out of pure curiousity, who would you have saved?  (Sadly to say, I would have chosen my own son)

Next we stepped to Bonny Barbara Allan and discussed how lovesick Sir John Graeme died with Barbara Allan to blame.  She had been ignored by him before and was not ready to say I love you.  Thus his death also broke her heart and she died the next day with their true love joining together in death.  Nice story to read just before Valentine's day.

Now on to the morality play named Everyman!  Reading about how life is short and every man eventually dies is a good reminder about living our lives.  We will not take Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, Goods, Strength, Discretion, Beauty or Knowledge to our graves but only Good Deeds.  Remember to complete the 10 questions on page 121 if you have not already done so.

Homework:

~ Read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (pg 89) - We will be discussing it TOMORROW.
~ Quiz on Beowulf, The Medieval Period, Canterbury's Tale and Pardoner's Tale is TOMORROW.  - all multiple choice
~ Canterbury Assignment due MONDAY
~ Bonus presentation LATEST next FRIDAY

Kharis is on devotions for tomorrow!

Blessings,
Kathleen Lieuson

*Oh and we decided on our blog's identity today! "Your Lit Here!" shall defines us for the rest of the year.  Mrs. Laconte will have the honour of changing it.  (and thanks to Emmett for suggesting it)*

HELLO WORLD. aka Lit 12. today is Feb 8, 2012.

in class:

- We went over the homework, which were the questions from Wife of Bath to the Miller from The Canterbury Tales. We then finished the rest of the questions in small groups, each assigned to a character, and then compiled answers after. We then proceeded to read The Parson's Tale, and discussed about it after. At the end of the class, with minutes to spare, Mrs. Loconte assigned the below questions.

homework:

- read pages 105 and 108. No questions.

That is all! Have a great evening.

The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales

Joseph, Today in class we reviewed some of the characters from "The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales", written by Geoffery Chaucer. The homework is to answer questions for: The Parsons, The Plowman, and The Miller.

This one's on me!

This morning John shared with us the importance of reserving judgement.

We reviewed the medieval period and discussed everything from the difference between miracle and morality plays to how the English language got its humble beginnings.

Good copies of Riddles were handed in and if you were not in that number do please hand those in straightaway.

Then it was off to discover the man second only to Shakespeare . None other than Mr. Chaucer himself. His Prologue to Canterbury Tales was amusing and informative. You need to answer all questions for the pilgrims read in class and the following three after that.

There was a bonus assignment handed out as well. I was convinced to permit presentations for that assignment to be on next Friday at the latest

There was a real assignment on Canterbury and that is due a week from today.

Kellie is doing devos tomorrow and Joseph still is next in line to blog.

Don't judge me,

Mrs. Loconte

p.s.

“English: A language that lurks in dark alleys, beats up other languages and rifles through their pockets for spare vocabulary.”
― James Nicol

Today we finished reading the epic of Beowulf. In summary, we can agree that Grendel is uncontrollable, selfish, and heartless. However, he is intelligent. We find out that Grendel cannot approach Hrothgar's throne because it is protected by God. (Grendel cannot comprehend the love of God) We learn of Beowulf's plans to aid the Danes. Our first impression of him reveals Beowulf's courage, bravery, and confidence. Lines 138-139 state that none of the wise ones regret Beowulf's going. They understand it is his duty to fight evil. We read of Beowulf and Hrothgar's meeting, concluding that Beowulf addresses Hrothgar with respect and explains his plan to defeat Grendel. However, Beowulf faces a challenge. Unferth attempt to shame Beowulf. We can agree that Unferth is fearful, cowardly, and jealous of Beowulf's bravery. Beowulf proves he is the only one capable of defeating Grendel. Hrothgar agrees to allow Beowulf to fight Grendel. We read, "The Battle with Grendel," which allows us to hear Grendel's point of view. (Insight on the antagonist of the poem) We read that, in the end, Grendel learns that evil is always defeated by God. 

Important notes: 

-An aphorism is a pithy observation that contains truth. 

-A kenning is a phrase that describes nouns using a metaphor. (Line 96 is an example of this)

Homework: 

-Read page 39 in the text. Create your own riddle to share with the class. 

-Juliana Garrone

Hello there classmates and friends. Today is Hump Day, better known as Wednesday. The middle of the week is always a chore to barrel through, but it was an enjoyable day.

We continued reading the epic of Beowulf, and were introduced to the fearsome monster of Grendel. Our discussion concluded that he embodied everything that was possibly evil and had no mercy for any of the Vikings he was slaying.

Tonight's homework is to read the chapter on Unferth's Taunt and answer the questions associated in the package. Also, happy to announce, Emmett found his textbook near my (Jeff's) locker.

Welcome Lit Students to Your Forum

I am looking forward to reading your blog instead of it being the other way around!.