Free Read

Post your "free read" novel choice here by 12pm Friday, November 2.

The Open Window

Write 3-7 sentences for each of these questions about "The Open Window" in your literature textbooks.

1. What is the importance of first impressions in life?

2. What is significant about first impressions in this story?

3. What is the plot twist at the end of this story?

This blog is due no later than 8am Monday October 29.

Animal Farm: on learning lessons

What have you learned from reading and studying Animal Farm? What should our society learn from this book?

Write a fully thought-out paragraph on this topic. I want to know your honest opinions.

This blog is due no later than 8am Wednesday, October 10.

Animal Farm: on discussion

Choose ONE of the following questions that we discussed in class today to respond to. The questions are listed below. Identify which question you are choosing to respond to by writing the question number. Answer using specific references to the book (page numbers and quotations). Respond in paragraph form (responses should be thorough and well-thought out ).

This blog is due no later than 8am, Tuesday October 2.


1. Compare and contrast Napoleon and Snowball. What techniques do they use in their struggle for power? Does Snowball represent a morally legitimate political alternative to the corrupt leadership of Napoleon? (i.e., is Snowball a good leader, or just better than Napoleon?)

2. Why do you think Orwell chose to use an allegory in his condemnation of Soviet communism? Fiction would seem a rather indirect method of political commentary; if Orwell had written an academic essay, he could have named names, pointed to details, and proven his case more systematically. What different opportunities of expression does an allegory offer its author?

3. From whose perspective is Animal Farm told? Why would Orwell have chosen such a perspective?

4. How does Orwell explore the problem of rhetoric in Animal Farm? Paying particular attention to the character of Squealer, how is language used as an instrument of social control? How do the pigs rewrite history?

5. Discuss Boxer. What role does he play on the farm? Why does Napoleon seem to feel threatened by him? In what ways might one view the betrayal of Boxer as an alternative climax of the novel (if we consider Napoleon’s banishment of Snowball and the pigs’ initial consolidation of power as the true climax)?

6. Do you think Animal Farm’s message would come across effectively to someone who knows nothing about Soviet history or the conflict between Stalin and Trotsky? What might such a reader make of the story?

7. Of all of the characters in Animal Farm, are there any who seem to represent the point of view of the author? Which of the animals or people do you think come(s) closest to achieving Orwell’s perspective on Animal Farm?

Animal Farm: connecting with the characters

What character from Animal Farm reminds you most of yourself? What about this character is like you? 

Write at least 150 words. Due by 8am Monday.

Character Analysis: how descriptive can you be?

We've been discussing character analysis in class recently. One crucial part of character analysis is description, particularly physical description. In order to appreciate how skillfully authors are able to describe a character, I want you to practice your own descriptive skills. Pick a shoe out of your closet at home. I want you to describe that shoe in painstakingly thorough detail. Tell me every visible detail you see on that shoe. What shade is each color? Are the laces tied or not? In a bow? How new do they appear? How can you tell? Are there any scuffs? What do the scuffs look like? Is it the left or right shoe? Be over-the-top in your descriptions. 

This blog should be at least 150 words.
This blog is due by 8AM tomorrow, Tuesday August 21.

Question Six: Animal Farm

Animal Farm

1. 
   Explain the significance of the quotation, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Who says this? Whose attitude is it? Does everyone agree with it? Why is this ironic? How does this idea shift throughout the novel? 

You will respond to this question by leaving a comment on this post. 

Responses should be at least 200 words each.

Remember: you must respond to at least 5 questions per novel. 

Extra credit will be awarded if you respond to more than 5 questions.