AP Literature and Composition

In Acts I and 2, we have seen King Lear, who begins the play as a vibrant, powerful king, literally brought to his knees, questioning the very nature of his being. “Who am I?” he asks both himself and those around him:
Does any here know me? This is not Lear.
Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus? Where are his eyes?
Either his notion weakens, his discernings
Are lethargied —~ Ha! Waking? ‘Tis not so.
Who is it that can tell me who I am? (1.4.216-20)

Part of his problem is that he begins the play with faith in material evidence (of love, of power —the trappings of identity). As more and more of his “things” are taken away, he is stripped down to the basest essence, or nature, of man. Who is Lear — who is man —when everything that he clings to as exemplifying “me” is gone?

To begin, look at the manner in which Shakespeare plays with the meaning of the term “nature.” Trace the evolution of the word by noting the different definitions of “nature” as given in the amazing Oxford English Dictionary. Then look through the text and find places where Shakespeare plays with these varied meanings. What does each passage say about “nature” in relationship to humankind? Also, note Lear’s incremental descent into seeming dementia — is he really becoming mad, or is he finally learning the truth of himself and life?

As always, find (and cite) specific passages to support your ideas. Feel free to make connections to other texts we’ve read. Have at it!

Hint: If you want to read ahead in the play in order to answer this, feel free : )

You have been handed a tree’s worth of handouts. We have thrown around numerous ideas, historical connections, and speculations regarding this dense little book. Now, you are going to take one of those ideas and run with it. The key to this essay is to use the book as the basis of your essay, but to then use at least two other resources that I have given you (and others as needed) in order to explore a particular idea. By Sunday at midnight, everyone should have chosen his/her specific topic and posted it here (one topic per person). Here are some possibilities — first come, first served.
p.s. By Monday, everyone should have searched through the Heart of Darkness book in order to find quotes and references to his/her topic.
1. Comparison of the Intended and the African woman
2. Historical connections (Imperialism, King Leopold, etc.)
3. Evolutionary theory’s contribution to the advancement of genocide
4. Heroic cycle
5. The temptation of evil
6. Mythological allusions
7. Conrad’s characterization of the natives
8. Connection to current conditions in the Congo
9. Comparison with colonialism in America
10. Exploitation of natural resources (Ivory trade, etc.)
11. Conrad’s characterization of “Iron Age” or pre-Edenic world
12. Connection with War of the Worlds
13. Is the book racist? Anti-racist?
14. Use of the n-word within cultural/historical/literary context
15. Current philanthropic activity in Africa
16. Formal literary analysis based on light/dark
17. Literary allusions from novel in the modern world
18. “Sacred fire” — both good and bad
19. Characterization of women
20. Characterization of specific characters/setting

Voltaire was an angry man. Today, he’d probably have his own radio show and a large Twitter following. However, he was not “blessed” with the marvel of modern communication; thus, he turned his anger into written satire. While you are reading, locate his specific political, religious, cultural, and societal targets. Do we still have the same problems today? Identify his targets (as always, please include page numbers), and see if you can make connections to today’s world. Due Thursday.

In As You Like It, we’ve discovered another type of paradisal “garden,” wherein upper-class sybarites cavort in a timeless “nature,” far from the intrigues of a corrupt court. Although this is a comedic escape, you will find a snake in the midst of the garden, and only a few people will choose to remain in this carefree Shakespearean Woodstock. For this post, I would like you to make specific connections to the pieces that we have read up till now (Genesis, the various and sundry poems, “The Four Ages of Man,” Waiting for Godot, “Myth of Sisyphus,” Pandora/Prometheus, etc.). Also, feel free to comment regarding how Shakespeare mocks the pastoral ideal. As always, be specific (include Act, Scene, and line numbers). Look forward to reading your ideas!

“I take the word and move
through it, as if it were
only a human form,
its lines delight me and I sail
in each resonance of language:
I utter and I am
and across the boundary of words,
without speaking, I approach silence.”
~excerpt from “The Word” by Pablo Neruda

This blog is dedicated to “the word” — a space where we can experiment with language, express our ideas, stuggle through the readings, and ponder (and respond to) each other’s thoughts. Here, we are unencumbered by rubrics; rather, we are a community of thinkers engaging in dynamic discussions that may or may not stay on topic : ) You are free to bring up your own questions that may, at first glance, seem unrelated to the given post. (Let me know if you would like a new, separate topic for discussion.) The only “rules” are that you respond by midnight, that you respond thoughtfully, that you read all of your classmates’ posts and respond to at least one of them, that you give yourself a pseudonym, and that you type in your actual email address (so that I can give you credit for posting). If you would like to create your own avatar, you can do so by setting up your own blog. If you have limited access to the internet, please let me know and we can work out an alternate plan.

For this first post, please ponder the poem “Warning to Children” (found here: http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/warning.html).
Read through the poem several times (it helps to read the words out loud). What do you think the poet was trying to say? What images come to mind? What connections can you make to other texts? (There is no “right” answer — just offer your ideas.) I look forward to this discussion!

p.s. It is prudent to actually write your answer in Word and then paste it into the box. Many howls have been heard across the aether when a respondent has lost his/her response in mid-creation. Remember to type the spam blocker word or your post will disappear!