Congratulations to all of you who earned an A this semester prior to taking the semester exam.  Your hard work, adaptability, intelligence and perseverance paid off.

For everyone else, keep pushing yourself to make it to that tier, or at least to the next tier.

I hope you made wise decisions on how you prepared for your semester exam and the resources you employed in taking it.

Have a nice break.

If you still have a book (Glass Castle, F451) checked out, you will need to bring it to me when we return from break or you will need to sign a hold slip for $10. 

Students:

My apologies, but over the weekend I became extremely ill and have not been out of bed in almost 24 hours.  As a result, I am playing catch up on finalizing pre-exam grades, especially recently turned in make up work.  I hope to get this caught up tonight.  If you are someone who is on the border between A and B, you should prepare to take the standard final exam, no matter which side of the line you fall on.  While this may change, it is an unfortunate circumstance that is out of my control so being prepared is your best bet. 

Mr. Baranowski

Just for the sake of clarity, Cultural Enrichment extra credit is not applied until after the final exam has been taken.  It will not affect your pre-final exam semester average.  It will be applied in the form of a two percentage point increase on your final exam.  So an 88% (44 out of 50) becomes a 90% (45 out of 50) if you have done Cultural Enrichment extra credit.  This, paired with the modified grading scale, can make for a very significant increase in your overall semester grade.

Semester Exam Guiding Resources for exam images

Kindred Spirits:

Crystal Bridges Museum's background on Kindred Spirits

NY Times article on Kindred Spirits

Questions will focus on, but not be limited to:
-The relationship between man and nature
-The scale of humans to the world around them
-Connections between the Hudson River School's values and the literary works


American Gothic (Gordon Parks photo)

Article on American Gothic's influence on American photography

Article on historical significance of AG

Questions will focus on, but not be limited to:
-The contrasting imagery of the foreground and background of the photo
-Symbolism of objects presented in the photo
-Historical implications of the photo in connection with themes from the literary works

Semester Exam Guiding Questions Part 3

The World is too Much With Us; Late and Soon

Although written around 1800, what modern universal problem does Wordsworth seem to see in how people interact with the world around them?

Based on the choices he says he would make if forced to, what does Wordsworth seem to think is the best way for people to live?

Although it still retains intense symbolism today, what elements of the sea does Wordsworth focus on and how does it fit into his vision of the world?

When Wordsworth references the "sordid boon" in the poem, what does this seeming contradictory statement refer to and what tone does he approach it with?

1990 Special

There will be a heavy emphasis on tone and voice for this poem, as well as a focus on the passage of time and how Bukowski illustrates it.

How does Bukowski use these elements to convey the message of his work, and what is that message?

How does Bukowski use the passage of time, or elements of time, to symbolize his life and the direction it has taken?

How does Bukowski juxtapose the presence of his cat and the presence of Death?

Who is "The Suicide Kid" and what is the significance of him having "gone gray?"

Notice:

Cultural enrichment extra credit may be turned in as long as I am still here before break.  The bad analogy/metaphor option must be turned in by Monday, December 11.  I will not accept any after that date.

Semester Exam Guiding Questions Part 2

Ode to My Socks

This poem plays a lot with the difference between literal and figurative perspective in its treatment of the concept of gift-giving and gift receiving.  Identify some different levels of this dynamic and how they function in the poem.

How does the author use things we tend to take for granted as metaphors in this poem?

How does the metaphorical use of these things tie into the first question?  How can we expand our perspective through metaphorical value?

While feet and socks are not things we tend to glamorize, there are mention of several things that are considered rare and sacred.  How does this contrast in voice and imagery function in the poem?

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

This story comes from the genre known as magic realism.  How does the contrast between how the angel is portrayed in the story and how our culture typically thinks of "angels" work in regard to this genre?

Why do the people of the village lose interest in the angel?  What cultural commentary might the author be making about what we value in life?

Although a small detail, there is some subtle, but biting, commentary about human values and modern society in the section in which Father Gonzaga's former profession is identified.  Expand on this.

Does this story fit the mold of an "angel story?"  How do alternative perspectives on widely used models of storytelling retain or lose their original values?

I will not be in class on Friday, Dec. 1.  Many of you have makeup work that you need to schedule or take care of.  Check Skyward for that.  Guiding questions for "Ode to my Socks" and "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" will be posted in the next few days.  Otherwise, take advantage of this time to read and prep for the semester exam.