Week 4 homework

"Everythin' I told her was true"

 

 

Olive believes that Pearl's view of the lay off was a mis-judgement caused by the fact that it "was all different" this year. If she could have seen "just somethin'" of the way it normally was, she would have understood.

 

Do you agree with Olive? Support your view with evidence from the text, including two quotations.

 

You might consider the following in making your decision:

• In what ways is this year different?
• Is Olive's view of the lay off supported by anyone else?
• Why did Nancy get married?
• What does Johnny Dowd have to say about the house?

Make sure that you provide an argument with evidence. Post to your blog before Monday's lesson.

 

 

 



Act 2 Scene 1

1.      Compare  this New Year’s Eve to previous ones. How and why is it different? In what ways are the characters trying to make the best of things? What does this scene tell us about the themes of tradition and change.

Week 3 homework

Write a paragraph in which you compare the attitudes of  Pearl and Olive to relationships as seen during Act 1.

Do you think the audience is positioned to agree with either character? If so, how is this achieved through the aesthetic features of the play?

Make specific reference to the play and include two quotations, one within a sentence and one which is separate.

"Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" Act 1 Scene 1

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is categorised as modern realism. Write a paragraph explaining the characteristics of this style of drama and giving examples of how language is used in Act 1 Scene 1 in a way that is consistent with this style.  

Mr Collins

How important a character is Mr Collins? Write a paragraph in response, clearly arguing your point of view. In developing your thesis, include a discussion of the way the reader is positioned to respond to him and the importance of this for dealing with at least one of the ideas underpinning the novel. Consider the work we have done in class on satire and irony as you plan your response.

The importance of Charlotte Lucas

How important a character is Charlotte Lucas?

Write a paragraph in response, clearly arguing your point of view. In developing your thesis, compare her with Elizabeth and Jane. How is the reader positioned through this comparison? Consider ideas, attitudes and values in your response. Post to your blog by Wednesday.

Notes on Charlotte Lucas

Charlotte Lucas

Accepts the views on marriage for women of the era

o “When you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Pg 123

 Privileged – value on being married

o Lizzy cannot believe Charlotte is to be married to Mr Collins

 Binary Opposition

o Surrenders to society and does not persist in her principles
o Also believes that Mr Collins is the best man for her
o “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…”

Sensible

o Accepts her status and bravely tells Lizzy about her marriage
o She waited for a long time to find the right husband

 She had her own thoughts on what the good husband should be like

o Under great pressure because her family does not have large amounts of money or with good appearance
o Introduced as; “sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven”

 The reader immediately feels sorry for her because we know that she has not married

 27 is considered an old age to be unmarried

o  She knows that she does not have much of a chance of winning the hand of another man and is therefore happy that she is able to get married and not end out as an old maid or spinster.

“I ask only a comfortable home … I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”




 

Notes on Mr Collins

MR COLLINS: 

·      Patronizing

o   During his proposal to Elizabeth he states: ‘it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications.’ (p.106)

à He is describing why he cannot take Elizabeth’s refusal seriously because he cannot believe that Lizzy would not take this opportunity because she cannot expect to marry well due to her lack of wealth and connections

o   Mr Collin’s writes to come and visit in preparation for taking over the Bennet’s estate, a very touchy topic for the Bennets, but signs the letter ‘your well-wisher and friend.’ (p. 62)

·      Socially inept and insensitive

o   Mr Collins has barely exchanged pleasantries before has bagan talking of marriage to one of the Bennet daughters. As a guest and the principle reason why the Bennet daughters must marry well, his choice of conversation is very insensitive as such a topic is the cause of much grief for the Bennet family

o   However, we are positioned to believe that he is unaware of his socially unacceptable behavior

o   He compliments Mrs Bennet on the meal, asking which member of the family cooked it, inferring unknowingly that the Bennets are not in a financial position to employ a cook.

à He believes he is paying a compliment, but is actually insulting Mrs Bennet

‘Mr Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome.’ (p.120) – Narrative voice

à Occurs when charlotte was convincing herself as to why she accepted his proposal

·      False Modesty and arrogant/self important – his self-regarding nature makes a mockery of his position as a minister.

à Ministers are expected to be humble men of honesty who seek to do good because it is the right thing to do, however Collin’s motives for his role as minister are revealed when he describes himself as ‘distinguished’ and ‘highly commendable’ (p.62)

à ‘I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable.’ (p.62)

à This quote is taken from the letter Mr Collins writes to the Bennet family before he comes to visit them for the first time.

à Austen uses Collins to satirize the type of clergyman who grovels before the aristocrats on whim his livelihood depends. Instead of worshipping God, Collins is preoccupied with social status and wealth

à ‘My situation in life, my connections with the family of de Bourgh, and my relationship to your own are circumstances highly in my favour.’ (p.106)

àThis quote occurs soon after Elizabeth refuses Mr Collin’s proposal, and it is the voice of Mr Collins

·      POSITIONING TECHNIQUES – NARRATIVE VOICE, IRONY, CHARACTERISATION 

Notes on Jane Bennet

JANE: 

·      Finds it difficult to see the flaws in others

à Jane seems shy and less confident than Elizabeth

à She reads social situations differently to her sister

à As a result, Jane does not realise the nastiness of the Bingley sisters, but it also allows her not to be so quick to believe Wickham’s story about Darcy, when Elizabeth immediately takes Wickham’s side

o   ‘With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others’ (p.16)

o   You never see a fault in anybody.’ (p.16)

à Both quotes are said by Elizabeth after the ball at Netherfield when they both encounter Darcy and Bingley for the first time

à Elizabeth argues that Jane can only see the good in others, but Jane believes she should not be quick to judge someone else (as Elizabeth does) before she understands everything about a person

o   ‘But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood’ (p.260)

à Occurs when Elizabeth receives a letter from Jane that Lydia has run off with Wickham

à Despite all the evidence suggesting that Wickham has ulterior motives for running away with Lydia, Jane still wants to believe that he has good intentions

·      Modest and unassuming

o   ‘I was very much flattered by his asking to dance a second time.’ (p.16)

à From the voice of Jane, after the Netherfield ball. Elizabeth is complimenting Jane of attracting the attention of respectable Mr Bingley

à Everyone knows that Jane is likeable and very beautiful, and yet she is still surprised that Bingley would ask her to dance again 

·      Well-liked 

o   ‘I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But, with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid that there is no chance of it.’ (p.36)

à Even though the Bingley sisters obviously look down on the Bennet family, and want to dislike Jane, they genuinely like her, despite her family and low connections.

 

Notes on Elizabeth Bennet

ELIZABETH:

• Sees other’s flaws – not her own  chapter 4, after the Ball, Elizabeth reasons that Jane can only see the good in others, while Elizabeth mainly notices the negative traits.

o ‘More quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister’ (p.17)

 Narrative voice

o ‘Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her father’s behavior as a husband…She endeavored to forget what she could not overlook.’ (p. 228)

Narrative voice, occurs soon after Elizabeth confronts Wickham once hearing the truth from Darcy

 The narrative voice describes Mr Bennet as being a bad example of a husband and Elizabeth is aware of this, but is willing to overlook her father’s flaws for her own comfort (a flaw of her own in that she can recognize issues, but does nothing about it)

o ‘There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.’ (p.133)

 This occurs after Elizabeth returns to see Jane, Jane is heartbroken over Bingley’s behavior.

 Elizabeth admits that she focuses too much on people’s flaws and as a result is not close to many people

o POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION

• Strong willed - despite her family’s wish and need to marry Mr. Collins, she refuses as the marriage would not be based on love

o ‘She is a very head strong, foolish girl.” (p.108)

 Mrs Bennet, cannot understand Elizabeth’s view that marriage should be based on love, rather than financial security, thus Mrs Bennet perceives Elizabeth as foolish and headstrong, when in reality, Elizabeth is standing up for what she believes in. (The reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie on this point, although, given the way society operated, Mrs Bennet has a point! Lizzie turns down two offers of marriage and could have put herself and her family in danger of grave poverty in doing so. Because we are positioned through characterization to admire Lizzie and see Mrs Bennet as foolish, the reader is positioned to agree with Lizzie’s attitudes to llove and marriage and her values.)

o ‘Mr. Darcy with grave propriety requested to be allowed the honor of her hand; but in vain. Elizabeth was determined.’ (p. 27)

 Narrative voice

o ‘Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had.’ (p.32)

 Narrative voice, just before Elizabeth walks Netherfield to visit Jane, who is ill and staying with the Bingley

Despite the possibility of falling sick, or appearing ‘unsightly’ Elizabeth is determined to see her ill sister, and is not phased by what others may say or think about her actions.

• POSITIONING TECHNIQUE – NARRATIVE VOICE, BINARY OPPOSITION, CHARACTERISATION

• Doesn’t fit the mold for women of the time

o Her view on marriage:

- Women should have choice
- Choice based on love

“ I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies… who are so daring to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… You could not make me happy.” - Lizzy (p.105)

Other women’s views:

- Expected to marry for family (babies, help larger family)
- May find love
- Doesn’t matter if you don’t
- Security (financial)

Positioning techniques - Dialogue & language choices:

- Lizzy’s conversations with Jane or Charlotte
- With the mother and father (regarding Collins’ proposal)
- Charlotte marrying Mr Collins – Lizzy visiting her – conversation

• Opinionated

o She refused to marry Mr Collins

- “You forget that I have made no answer … except for the thanks of the compliment you paid me … but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them” – Lizzy pg 104

o Talks cruelly to Mr Darcy when he is rude to her

o Points out her own opinion at every possible moment

• Independent

o Walked to the house where her sister was sick

- “I hope you saw her petticoat, 6 inches deep in mud, I’m absolutely certain” – Ms Bingley pg 36
- “It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing” – Mr Bingley pg 36

o She doesn’t listen to her mother especially about being presentable

- “How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit so seen when you get there.” – Mrs Bennet pg 32

Positioning technique -

Point of view – by giving both Mr and Ms Bingley’s point of view, as well as Mrs Bennet’s, in relation to this, we see that society views Lizzie’s independence negatively but it can be seen as a positive. Mr Bingley, and eventually Mr Darcy, see it this way positioning readers to do the same.

Pride and Prejudice homework - Elizabeth Bennet

Read through the notes we have made on Elizabeth Bennet and write a well-structured paragraph response to the following:

"Elizabeth Bennet is a character to whom today's young women can relate very easily because of her attitudes to love and marriage."

Do you agree?

Term 2 Week #2

Some questions from two stories in Growing up Asian in Australia.

 Hot n Spicy (p. 81)

 

·         What aspects show us that Albert is an ‘average’ kid?

·         How does Albert feel about his own food? His own culture? Make sure you use evidence from the novel.

·         Why do think Albert wants ‘Aussie Food’?

·         What are some of the representations about Australians, Immigrants in the story?

·         What journey is being represented in the story? Use evidence from the text to support your discussion.

·         What values, attitudes and beliefs are being expressed? Use evidence from the text to support your discussion.

 How to be Japanese? (p. 227)

•  What message or purpose does the author have in writing this story?

•  What journey is the protagonist on? Explain with examples?

•  What are some of the obstacles she faced on this journey?

•  How (techniques) has the author presented this to us?

 •          What values, attitudes and beliefs are being expressed? Use evidence from the text to support your discussion.

 

Term 2 Week 4

In pairs, choose one of the stories from the section, Pioneers, and answer the following questions. Be prepared to discuss with the class.

Pioneers

“The sum total of what I knew about Australia came to three things: it had an opera house, kangaroos and Australians spoke the dreaded English.” Simon Tong.

            Each of the stories in Pioneers looks at the first members of the family to leave the homeland and journey to Australia.  Each comes with differing hopes, dreams and reasons for their leaving their homeland. What they expected and what they have lost become major themes in the tales.

 DIY

1.    Do the second generation of migrants have an easier time than the first? 

2.    Why do the pioneers choose to come to Australia? Do you think that their reasons are always clear, even to them?

3.    How do the pioneers’ lives change when they come to Australia?

4.    What elements do they choose to bring with them when they migrate? And which do they reject? Why?

5.    What tricks do the pioneers learn to assist them in belonging to Australian culture?

Term 2 Week 1 "Growing Up Asian in Australia"

Tuesday's lesson

Question: How important is the issue of language in the migrant journey?

In answering, consider the effects of language issues on the first generation (the migrants), the second generation (the children born here) and on the relationships of the two. Draw on the information in the story you have read in support and present your discussion to the class. We will begin by hearing each group and then compare the issues raised in all four stories.

Homework: Remember to complete the imaginative response to the poem "The Road No Taken" from last term and post to your blog before Thursday's lesson.

Tuesday's lesson

The Arrival


What does the book say about journey? List

How does it say it? Identify aspects of plot, character, symbols, composition of pictures, juxtapositioning and repetition.

If you want to set this up as a table, that's fine. After reading, work in a small group. Be ready to lead the class through one aspect of journey.

• Journey serves a purpose
• Sometimes a form of escape – journey to a better place and a better life
o Escaping from danger
o Oppression
o Persecution
o War

• Involves promises
o Promises of a better life
o The fact that you may be able to be with your family
o Living up to your responsibilities
o Promises to your family
o Promises to yourself
o Promises to your country
o Promises to the country to are immigrating to

• New, different and unfamiliar
o Lifestyle
o Atmosphere
o Culture
o Food
o Language
o Employment
o Community
o Animals
o Religion
o Safety

• When you get there: you have to…
o Break down barriers
o Language
o Culture
o Meeting new people
o Need to be determined to make a new life – be prepared to work from the bottom up
o Assimilate to new cultures

• Journey is affected by
o The people we meet
o Kindness makes the experience positive
o Transportation

• Journey can be very challenging
o Road-blocks
o Weather
o Distance
o Loneliness
o Communication barrier
o Danger

• The people you meet will have their own journey
• Can often be a long process
• Facing the unknown – need hope
• Journey means separation from people and loved ones

Thursday's lesson

1. Read the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”.

Answer the questions.

Read the poem, “The Road Not Taken.” What aspect of journey is common to both poems? What does each one say about this?

2. Write a response which is based on the same aspect of journey – choices. You might choose a narrative, a journal, a letter etc. Create a character or characters and a situation which will allow you to present a point of view about the way choices affect our journeys. Aim to use some specific language devices.

Post to your blog as soon as you have done each section of the work. Part 2 due no later than Monday.

CSP Lesson - personal response

Choose one of the articles you have read during today's CSP English lesson and write the following two responses:

1. A paragraph response in present tense. To be effective use of present tense, you might want to consider writing in first person and describing your actions, thoughts and feelings at a particular point in time. You might also consider giving your opinion in first person on a particular issue. Identify the article you are responding to in your title.

2. A paragraph response in past tense. Your choice of writing in first or third person but be sure to stay in past tense.

Sky-High activity

In class, you read "Sky-high" which was written from the point of view of an adult looking back on a childhood experience and considering where she is now in her life journey.

 Write about a memory of a childhood event or object (like the experience with the clothes line in Sky-high).

You should aim to use language effectively in your description and to incorporate an element of the idea of journey in your writing. Write about 200 words and post this on your blog by Tuesday's lesson. We will be working with this piece during the lesson so make sure it is on your blog in time.

Thursday's lesson

In Term 2, we will be focussing on the concept of journey. Go to the Term 2 folder and then into Short Stories.

Read the story Thuc Tu and answer the questions. The story and questions are in two different documents. Post the answers to your blog for tomorrow's lesson.

Monday's lesson

 "Be a Proud Aussie Quietly"

 

 

1. Read the article again. Your supervising teacher should have given you a hard copy. Highlight the positioning techniques and annotate the text - that is, make notes on what the techniques are that you have highlighted.

 

 

2. Now write a paragraph in which you identify the representation of Australia constructed and discuss the use of one positioning technique and its effectiveness.

 

3. What would you want to say about Australia Day and what representation of Australia would you want to construct? Plan an article by writing a headline, finding a picture, writing an opening paragraph and deciding what you might want to put in a puff box. In the article you have read the puff box says, "Most Australians have plenty to be thankful for. We won the lotto of life." Post this plan to your blog before next lesson.

 

 

 



Thursday's lesson

Editing Checklist

“Imaginative response”

1. Sentence length – varied length or deliberately chosen length.

2. Sentence openings – varied openings.

3. Punctuation – used correctly?

4. Have you tried to use something other than commas and full stops?

5. Vocabulary – try to find two or three places where you can use a more effective word – look at verbs particularly.

6. Can you identify clearly what the response says about your neighbourhood? Write a sentence summarizing this. Post this to your blog with the new version of your imaginative response.

Thursday's class work

Go into the folder "Australian Short Stories" on Blackboard. Read the story "Neighbours" by Tim Winton. This story presents a clear representation of a neighbourhood. Try writing a response which consructs a clear version of your neighbourhood or of a neighbourhood you know well. You will need to be clear in your own mind about what that representation is before you start. You may choose to just write a description of the neighbourhood and the people in it or you may choose to construct the repsresenation as Winton has done through the medium of another genre such as a story. Post to your blog before next lesson.

Wednesday's homework

Write a paragraph comparing the way country Australia is represented in "Clancy of the Overflow" with the way it is represented in the opening scenes of "My Brilliant Career". Provide a thisis in your topic sentence. Then refer to the texts to support your thesis. In the poem, you might mention specific words or phrases and in the film, you might mention particular shots or dialogue.

Representations of Australia

Write about 300 to 400 words analysing the representation of Australia and Australians promoted by the "ibelieve" advertisement which we have watched in class. Aim for 300 to 400 words in a well-structured response. Draw on examples from the advertisement to support your view. Post to your blog by Thursday's lesson.