"Between the Pages" -- Period 4

W12, #6: What Would Your Paperweight Be?

As you all remember, Winston purchases a glass paperweight -- with a piece of coral in it -- from the antique shop...and sneaks it home.  When he later rents the apartment to hide with Julia, he keeps it there, too.  It becomes a symbol of something he is trying to understand/remember, even more than just being something beautiful.

For Winston, his glass paperweight represents a link to a 'missing history' he does not want to forget. It is also a link to an 'imaginary future' he dreams about.  In some ways, it helps him keep sane when everything around him seems beyond understanding.  Maybe this is what matters most to him.

Imagine this:

• Imagine you suddenly woke up to find yourself in an apartment like Winston, with a blue uniform on, listening to a telescreen in the background.  In other words, you found yourself as a character in the book itself.  And there is no escape.
• Imagine that you knew the 'truth' about Big Brother's world...but you also realized that you'd be a 'thought criminal' (and killed) if you told anyone what you knew.  There would never be a way to change this. Again, there is no escape.  Your only choice is to find some way to let your imagination continue to live.
• Imagine you could buy or find (1) object -- like Winston's glass paperweight -- that would help you remain 'sane' and maintain 'hope' for the future.

Challenge:

• Identify what the (1) object would be.  Be creative.  Anything is possible.
• Explain why this (1) object would help you keep sane and maintain hope.
• 5+ sentences.

W12, #5: Bringing the Book to Life

We'll soon be reading Goldstein's secret book -- The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism -- let's take a look at how Hollywood tries to explain this part of the novel (including when O'Brien gives Winston the book):

Challenge:

• Do you think that this part of the film is an accurate portrayal of the book as your mind is picturing it?
• Did they explain enough of Goldstein's book (and ideas) to help a person watching the film (who has never read the book) understand what you now know?
• What should they have added?  What should they have left out?

Here's the clip (about 10 minutes long):

W12, #4: Going Back in Time

Speaking of movie versions of 1984 (see W10, #3), I'm curious what you think of the way Hollywood advertised the original film version of the novel back in the year 1956.

Certainly an interesting visual way to attract people to watch the film.

Challenge:  In 5+ sentences, analyze this film poster. 

Does it work? 

Does it surprise you? 

Why do you think this is the way they tried to advertise the film back in 1956, only 7 years after the novel was first published?

W12, #3: Did Hollywood Get It Right?

While we haven't read the entire novel yet, all of you have a certain 'image' (in your heads) of what this story 'looks like'.  You might even have a vision for how you'd create a film version, too.

A few years ago, Hollywood created their own film version of the novel, 1984.  Note: the film was originally done decades ago (see W10, #4 to learn more).

Below is the original 2-minute trailer/advertisement. 

I'm curious what you think.

Challenge: In 7+ sentences, do you think that this film trailer accurately portrays the 'atmosphere' and 'ideas' of the novel as you understand them?  How did Hollywood get it right?  And how did Hollywood get it wrong?

W12, #2: A Surprising Pop Culture Moment

Almost a decade before you were born, a young technology company released one of the most famous television ads in modern history as an 'attack' on a larger technology company:

It featured a striking visual image that almost riveted viewers to the screen.

It featured a familiar film theme (can you name it? he smiles).

It also featured a stunning 'message' to customers of a competing technology company (that many of you may also be familiar with) that they should 'revolt' and consider a different company's technology (that many of you are also very familiar with).

Challenge:  5+ sentence reaction to the video (on YouTube) that includes...

part 1:  what you think of the actual television ad

part 2: any connections to 1984 that catch your attention

W12, #1: What is Orwell Trying to Say?

We're soon going to be learning a bit about the historical creation of the 'party' and Big Brother's government. In fact, we're actually going to read one of the documents that helped create this world -- the 'book' by Goldstein, for those of you 'in the know'. 

With that said, what is the one rule, Big Brother slogan, or piece of 'party' propaganda that you'd like to learn more about? 

Challenge: In 5+ sentences, tell us.

Image:  One of Orwell's original hand-written manuscript pages.

Results of "Stump the Chump!"

If you get time, take a look at the answers to the "Stump the Chump!" questions that were submitted in each of the 3 Hon Eng II classes.  Thanks for your patience as Mr. Long's brain tried to look at a wide range of angles for each question, especially when there was 'bias' embedded in the Q to begin with.

I'm pretty impressed by the quality of the Q's sent my way even though it only accounted for about 30% of of the students in each class.  See for yourself.

• Take a look at Period 2
• Check out Period 3
• Consider reading Period 4

BTW: Feel free to challenge any of Mr. Long's answers. Comments/Challenges will be published if they arrive.

They are not meant to be perfect, nor irrefutable.  Instead, they are a matter of his 'thinking out loud' with the idea that students will add new ideas, challenge assumptions, ask clarifying questions, etc.

Look forward to your feedback.   Or perhaps just hearing the rumors that students may eventually take a 2nd look before the 2nd Semester Exam in the coming weeks (grin placed appropriately right about here).

Hon Eng II Students Gone (Oscar) Wilde!

We will be starting a new work of literature in the coming week. 

With that in mind, please bring Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest to class on Tuesday. 

Here are the reading assignments:

• For Wednesday's class (5/7), read page 27 (the beginning of Act I) to page 84 (stop when Jack enters the room). 
• For Thursday's class (5/8), read pages 84 to 112 (stop at the beginning of Act IV)
• For Friday's class (5/9), read pages 113 to 131 (the end!)
• For Monday (5/12), come in ready to put it all together (if any loose ends are still left over)

As a helpful reminder to those who were in class on Friday (5/2) (and to tell those who were absent or involved in SPC) so that everyone can be as successful as possible as we very quickly read Wilde's play:

• There will be NO reading quizzes on this play.
• There will be NO end-of-book test on this play.
• There may be 1 in-class essay over a pretty 'big picture' topic re: this play; the focus will be on writing technique (not testing you on knowledge of the play).
• We will show part/all of the film along the way; for those who have read, this will be illuminating; for those who have not read, this will merely be a mindless popcorn-eating, stare-at-pretty-lights, stay-awake-if-you-can experience.
• It is quite possible to 'tread water' all week without reading a single page; I will never check to see if you have read.  In fact, I have NO interest in seeing if you have read.  The only recommendation I can offer you is that you do NOT speak about the play during class if you have not read.  Silence may be your best ally at this point. 
• The semester exam, however, WILL require that you have read EVERY page of the play.  Relying on SparkNotes (et al), merely listening in class, watching the movie 25 times, and copying someone else's notes will NOT help you.  In fact, you will NOT be able to answer a single question re: this play on the Semester exam if you haven't read the play.
• Bon chance; only read -- along side the rest of us -- if you want to (he smiles).