Pre Will Questions

a) I honestly no nothing about the story of Hamlet "the Meloncholy Dane" except for the fact that it was written by Shakespeare.
b) I know that Shakespeare was an ancient writer who wrote stories like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet and that he is really famous for his work. Im not a Shakespeare fan so i don't really know much about him.
c) I think that most students involuntarily frown when they hear Shakespeare because mostly it is given as an assignment and for starters most people don't like being given assignments but what i think makes it harder for students is the fact that Shakespeare can sometimes be difficult to interpret and so it seems as though it is impossible for the students.
d) I think that going into depth about the thinking behind Shakespeare's madness and the idea behind the Hamlet story could help make the experience more fun. Along with being able to understand why Shakespeare wrote this story the way he did could help us see the story more clearly therefore making it more fun to read.

Vocabulary List #7

1. aberration - (noun) an optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image; a disorder in one's mental state; a state or condition markedly different from the norm 
2.Ad hoc- (adverb) for the special purpose or end presently under consideration 
3.bane - (noun) something causes misery or death 
4.bathos - (noun) triteness or triviality of style; a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one; insincere pathos 
5.cantankerous - (adj.) having a difficult and contrary disposition; stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate 
6.casuistry - (noun) moral philosophy based on the application of general ethical principles to resolve moral dilemmas; argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading 
7.de facto - (noun) in fact; in reality 
8.depredation - (noun) an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding; (usually plural) a destructive action 
9.empathy - (noun) understanding and entering into another's feelings 
10.harbinger - (noun) an indication of the approach of something or someone; verb foreshadow or presage 
11.hedonism - (noun) an ethical system that evaluates the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good; the pursuit of pleasure as a matter of ethical principle 
12.lackluster - (adj.) lacking luster or shine; lacking brilliance or vitality
13.malcontent - (adj.) discontented as toward authority; noun a person who is discontented or disgusted 
14.mellifluous - (adj.) pleasing to the ear 
15.nepotism - noun favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)
16.pander - (noun) someone who procures customers for whores (in England they call a pimp a ponce); verb arrange for sexual partners for others; yield (to); give satisfaction to 
17.peccadillo - (noun) a petty misdeed
18.piece de resistance - (noun) the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction. 
19.remand - (noun) the act of sending an accused person back into custody to await trial (or the continuation of the trial); verb refer (a matter or legal case) to another committee or authority or court for decision; lock up or confine, in or as in a jail 
20.syndrome - (noun) a complex of concurrent things; a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease 

Literature Analysis 1

1.  The main characters name is Captain John Yossarian, who is a 28 year old bombardier stationed in Pianosa during World War II. The story starts out in a hospital with Yossarian faking liver pains in order to not fly any more missions. On almost every new chapter we are introduced to a new character in the story that is a part of Yossarian’s life. Yossarian is determined to not fly any more missions and will do anything to achieve that. His first thought was to fly all his required missions and attain a leave of absence, but every time he makes it the Colonel increases the number of missions. Since this motive seems impossible he then decides to try and stay grounded as long as possible by acting insane or having some sort of illness. We also find out that Catch-22 is a law imposing that in order for a man to be grounded he must say he is insane but if you say you are insane than you are actually sane to try and get out of flying missions. So it is a constant circle which no one can use. Yossarian constantly has flashbacks of his friend Snowden dying in his arms and further reminds him that he needs to get out of the army. Orr, another member of the bomb squad crashes his plane into the ocean and disappears. Another character Milo is part of the black market and is constantly trying to make profit using the planes as transports. Nately falls in love with a whore in Rome but doesn’t love him back. Some long time later they fly back to Rome where Yossarian informs the whore that Nately has died and she tries to stab him. He returns to Pianosa but starts to worry about the whore in Rome and returns. Here we hear of another version of Catch-22 to gives us the impression that it does not exist and is just a mere way of saying that there is no way out. Yossarian is then sent back to Pianosa because he does not have a pass. Yossarian makes a deal with the Colonels to be freed in return for his praise of them which he takes even though it seems wrong. As he leaves Nately’s whore stabs him again. He is in the hospital and he explains to a major Danby that he can no longer go through with the deal because he would almost be betraying his comrads and the Major says there is no hope of escape. But Yossarian hears that Orr was found in Sweden and so he regains hope of escape. He decides to run away to Sweden and as he leaves Natley’s whore tries to stab him again and the last scene is of Yossarian running away.

2.  I think the theme in Catch-22 is the inevitabily of death. The law Catch-22 was a law that basically prevented any man from merely avoiding death and although it was a nonexisting law it was still very real in the sense that it controlled the men. Since Catch-22 stopped men from merely escaping it was up to the men to decide their own fates in the war and try to survive as long as possible with the inevitable fact that they would eventually die.

3.  Catch-22 is written in a very mocking or satirical tone. It is interesting to me that even though it is about the hardships and death of war Heller still seems to turn it into a mocking novel which I guess of course adds the satirical portion to it. A great line is when they are describing Major Major. “Even among men lacking all distinction he inevitably stood out as a man lacking more distinction than all the rest, and people who met him were always impressed by how unimpressive he was.” There are many more examples of satire in this novel. “You know, that might be the answer – to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That’s a trick that never seems to fail.” Catch-22 is also a mocking part of the story to. Its mocking the idea and military ideas of honor.

4.  Setting – The setting plays a big role in novel because World War II was a time of hardship and troubles. “What is a country? A country is a piece of land surrounded on all sides by boundaries, usually unnatural… There are now fifty or sixty countries fighting in this war. Surely so many counties can’t all be wrth dying for.”  “They couldn’t dominate Death inside the hospital, but they ceratily made her behave. They had taught her manners. They couldn’t keep death out, but while she was in she had to act like a lady. People gave up the ghost with delicacy and taste inside the hospital.” “But that was war. Just about all he could find in its favor was that it paid well and liberated children from the pernicious influence of their parents.”

Dialogue – The dialogue helps to convey the personalities and the theme of the novel. “The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he’s on, and that includes Colonel Cathcart. And don’t you forget that, because the longer you remember it, the longer you might live.”  “You’re inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age?”

Tone – The tone is very mocking of the war and ideas throughout the story. “Actually, Major Major had been promoted by an I.B.M. machine with a sense of humor almost as keen as his father’s.”

Symbolism – The law catch-22 was a great symbol of the roundabout between life in the military. “There was only on catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind.”

Style – Hellers satirical voice helps to convey the inevitability of death.

Vocab List #6

Beatitude – supreme blessedness

            He never gave up searching for the feeling of beatitude.

Bête Noire – a detested person

            The man was  a bête noire who didn’t have any friends.

Bode – be an omen of a particular outcome

Dank – damp or musty

            The food at the one star restaurant was reviewed as dank and unappealing.

Ecumenical – universal

            The flat hand out directed to a person is the ecumenical sign for stop.

Fervid – intensely enthusiastic or passionate

            He was very fervid about his artwork.

Fetid – smelling extremely unpleasant

            The skunk sprayed a fetid smell which lasted all week.

Gargantuan – of great mass

            Mt. Everest is the gargantuan of all mountains.

Heyday – period of a persons or thing’s greatest success or popularity

            High school can be the heyday of many students, but so can college.

Incubus – cause of distress or anxiety

            His nightmare about clowns has been the incubus of fear his entire life.

Infrastructure – the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for operation

            The infrastructure of the paper company demanded workers to be on task.

Inveigle – persuade to do something by means of deception

            Its easy to be inveigled by someone if you don’t completely know them.

Kudos – praise and honor received for an achievement

            Everyone said “kudos to you” to John for getting into Cal Berkeley.

Lagniappe – something given as a bonus or extra gift

            The was offered a lagniappe for purchasing multiple paper towel rolls.

Prolix – using or containing too many words

            Normally if a sentence is prolix it becomes boring to read.

Protégé – a person who receives support and protection from an influencial patron

            He was a protégé in the skill of drawing to the great master.

Prototype – a first or preliminary model of something, from which other forms are developed

            The showing of the new prototype ended in an explosion of flames.

Sycophant – a person who acts obsequiously toward someone in order to gain advantage

            Many sycophants are also known as suck ups, or kiss a**es.

Tautology – the saying of the same thing twice in different words

Using tautology in essays is a lot better than using the same word over and over again.

Truckle – submit or behave obsequiously

            The man was acting like a truckle.

Obsequious – showing servile complaisance or deference

            Obsequious service is given, one generally leaves a tip. 

AP Essay Rubric Notes

Question 1.
9-8
offers persuasive analysis of literary devices used by Lee
offers a range of interpretations and references are apt and specific
is perceptive and written in clear and sophisticated language.
7-6
less thorough and precise and is less convincing
uses references but not to the extent of the 9-8 scores
7s core better based on consistent commands or elements and effective3 compostion
5
plausible reading of Lee's diction and syntax to develop father and son, but may be superficial
may paraphrase often
analysis of relationship between father and son of use of literary devices may be vague or formulaic
4-3
fails to offer an adequate analysis of poem
evidence may be misguided, misconstructed
lack of control over convention of compostion
2-1
compound on weaknesses of 4-3 range essays
students assersions presented with little clarity or support
contain serious grammatical errors
0
no more than a reference to the task
--
is left blank or is completely off topic

Question 2
9-8
persuasive analysis of Eliots portrayal of two characters and complex relationship beween husband and wife
make strong case for interpretaion of characters
7-6
offer resonable analysis of Eliots portrayal of characters and complex relationship
provide sustained competent reading of passage
attention to devies like narrative perceptive
5
respond to assigned task with plausible reading but tend to be superficial intreatment of Elitos portrayal of husband and wife
demonstrate adequate control of language but may be scarred by surface errors
4-3
fail to offer adequate analysis of passage
may be partial or irrelevant
may ignare complex relationship of husband and wife
characterized by unfocused repetitive presentation of ideas
2-1
may be persistently misread
contain persuasive errors interfering with understanding
ideas are presented with little clarity
0
no more than make reference to task
--
completely off topic and left completely blank

Beowulf and Godsylla Translation

Meanehwæl, baccat meaddehæle, monstær lurccen;
Fulle few too many drincce, hie luccen for fyht.
Ðen Hreorfneorhtðhwr, son of Hrwærowþheororthwl,
Æsccen æwful jeork to steop outsyd. Þhud! Bashe! Crasch! Beoom! Ðe bigge gye
Eallum his bon brak, byt his nose offe;
Wicced Godsylla wæld on his asse.
Monstær moppe fleor wyþ eallum men in hælle.
Beowulf in bacceroome fonecall bamaccen wæs;
Hearen sond of ruccus sæd, "Hwæt ðe helle?"
Graben sheold strang ond swich-blæd scharp
Stond feorth to fyht ðe grimlic foe. "Me," Godsylla sæd, "mac ðe minsemete."
Heoro cwyc geten heold wiþ fæmed half-nelson
Ond flyng him lic frisbe bac to fen
Beowulf belly up to meaddehæle bar,
Sæd, "Ne foe beaten mie færsom cung-fu."
Eorderen cocca-cohla yce-coeld, ðe reol þyng.

Meanwhile, back at the mead hall, a monster lurking;
Full of few too many drinks, he looks for a fight.
The name, son of name,
Asks the awful jerk to step outside. Thud! Bash! Crash! Boom! The big guy
All of his bone broke, bit his nose off;
Wicked Godzilla wailed on his ass
Monster mopped the floor with all of them men in the hall
Beowulf in the backroom phonecall was;
Hearing sound of ruckus said, "What the hell?'
Grabbing a strong shield and a sharp switch-blade
Stood forth to fight the grimlic foe. "Me," Godzilla said, "make the mincemeat."
Hero quick got hold with famed half-nelson
And fling him like a frisbee back and forth
Beowulf belly up to the mead hall bar,
Said, "No foe beaten my fearsome Kung-fu."
He ordered them coca-cola ice-cold, the real thing.

Wolverine

Wolverine is probably one of, if not my favorite heroes, and which he happens to be super because lets face it, Wolverine is awesome. He grows indestructible claws out of his knuckles and is practically invincible. Anyway like every other hero in history he was called to his adventure through a life changing event and although reluctant he had to go in order to fully live with himself. Its cool because one of his enemies was his brother which happened to have the same powers as him and he had to fight multiple super mutants in his journey. And when he returned he had a personality and belief about the world mindset change. Anyway he's such an awesome super hero.

Vocabulary List #4

Apostate - person who forsakes his religion, cause, party
     Although he used to be a republican, people saw him as an apostate when he became a democrat.
Effusive - something or someone showing unrestrained emotion or thankfulness
     She was so effusive toward her boyfriend because of the necklace he bought her.
Impasse - something which there is no escape
     The dungeon was an impasse of death.
Euphoria - great happiness
     Everyone at the party was feeling a lot of euphoria.
Lugubrious - someone who is depressed or sad
     The lugubrious man lost all his money to a thief that day.
Bravado - behavior by a scared person
     She was very bravado during the horror movie.
Consensus - agreement made by a group
     Joey was to be elected president of the club by popular consensus.
Dichotomy - division of things into contradictory parts
     The pizza was dichotomized.
Constrict - to become narrower at a point
     The snake constricted the mouse to death.
Gothic - related to medieval style or mystery horror in 18th, 19th century
     People who dress mostly in black are profiled as gothics.
Punctilio - precise observance of petty formalities
     He was very punctilious while grading essays.
Metamorphosis - change in form, transformation
     The caterpillar went through a metamorphosis into a butterfly.
Raconteur - someone whom tells anecdotes or stories in an amusing way
     During the night the raconteur liked to make fun of people through his stories.
Sine qua non - essential condition, qualification
     In order to get a job you need certain sine qua non.
Quixotic - following beliefs even if they are foolish or unreachable
     He was quixotic into thinking he could go to college with a 2.0.
Vendetta - lingering grudge or felling of hatred
     Batman always had a little vendetta toward the person who killed his parents.
Non sequitur - reply that has nothing in common with previous comment
     His reply to the question was non sequitur and made no sense.
Mystique - aura of mystery
     She was so mystique and mysterious.
Quagmire - complex difficult situation with no easy solution
     The rubix cube although all algorithms, seems to be a quagmire.
Parlous - Perilous, risky, dangerous
     Beowulf went on a parlous journey across the sea.

AP Literary Analysis Book

The book I am choosing to read is Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. I chose this book for a couple reasons. One it looked like that it had been on a lot of the AP tests, which is what we are preparing for. But also I did a little research on the book and it looked like it would be a lot of fun to read, because it is about a war hero.