Subjectivity and Representation at the end of Book 1 of Beloved

In the first part of class today, you read and discussed chapters 16-18, and how each one represents a different perspective on the same event.
Then you did a close reading of some of those passages, keeping track of key details, descriptive words, figurative language, structure, and the "goal" of each perspective.
Now, you will put that information together in a Venn diagram.
Click here for a template for your group to use.
Your group will need only one computer to enter the evidence you found.
Be sure to print out a copy for each member of your group and one to sumbit to us.
(20 minutes)

Then, individually, you will write a paragraph response, exploring the ways in which values and identity shape the ways in which a narrator recounts an event.  Be sure to make use of the evidence on your diagram as a way of naming the similarities and differences.
(30 minutes)

Baby Suggs - Her Sermon and Ways to Hear It

In class last Friday, I played several video clips to suggest ways of imagining Baby Suggs's sermon in the clearing.
First, to think of it as gospel music, I played this song from Mahalia Jackson, one of the greatest gospel singers of all time.
Next, to think of it as revolutionary ideas communicated through the power of the spoken word, I played this song from Gil Scott-Heron.
Last, to think of it as a dance and celebration, combining elements of both of the above examples, I played Kanye West's "Jesus Walks."
I also shared with you a short clip from the film version of Beloved - it captures a powerful combination of these ideas. 
What did you think?  Did you find these clips to be helpful?  Share your thoughts below.

Beloved - Memory, Rememory, and the Power of the Past

After you complete your reading for today, we'd like you write your journal entry for chapter 9 as a blog post.  The focus of it revolves about the issue of Memory, Rememory, and the Power of the Past - what is the novel saying about these topics at this point?  What are the challenges and issues that arise when the past is either raised or specifically avoided?  When is it embraced - when is it hidden - why?

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance"

First of all, here are a few resources you might find helpful: various definitions of Transcendentalism, and some background information about its history.

For today, you will write a new blog post about Emerson's essay focusing on this question:

How does (and should) a person define his/her place in society? (what does Emerson mean by "society" anyhow?)

Please be sure to use a quotation from Emerson in your response.

After your initial post, please go to the two blogs above your name on the list and post a comment in response to that person's post on this topic.

Thoughts about 9-11 and the First Amendment

With the 9th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks upon us, we thought it would be important for use to think about its meaning to us, as well as to explore the ways in which it continues to play a role in conversations about freedom, security, and liberty.

For today, we'd like you to visit the web site of the First Amendment Center.  Once there, please select and read one of the articles about the church in Florida that plans to burn copies of the Quran as part of their remembrance of 9-11.  Then, please post a response to the article on your blog. 
What are the Constitutional issues it raises? 
What is your personal response? 
Feel free to include any thoughts or memories about 9-11, from that day 9 years ago or any anniversary of it, or about its meaning to the United States overall.

Then, return to the main class blog and locate the "Blog Roll."  Here you will find links to everyone's individual blogs.  Please click on the link to the two blogs below your name, read their post about 9-11, and write a response (i.e. you are reading two different postings and writing two different responses).

Daily Updates

Want to know what is going on in our class?
Want to know what you missed on a day?

Each day one student will write a blog entry describing what happened in class on that day (each student will write one or two per semester).

After that, anyone can add in further comments about that day.