Duke & the King

Both the Duke/ King and Huck/ Jim lie, cheat and steal. What is the difference in their motivation/ reasons for doing so?

Mark Twain Racist?

How is Jim potrayed in "Huckleberry Finn"? Do you think it is a racist/ stereotypic depiction? Why or why not?

Lying and cheating...

Throughout the novel, Huck and Jim lie, cheat, steal, and engage in trickery to help Jim get to freedom. Think of an example when it is okay (good) to lie, cheat, or break the law (no drug stuff, please!).

Jim's mistake?

Do you think Jim makes a mistake in having Huck be his accomplice in the trip down the river? Explain your reasoning.

What surprised you?

What surprised you about the characters of Huck and Jim after you saw the movie? For example, many of you expressed surprise that Jim was much older than Huck (Jim: 19, Huck: 12).

Huck a girl?

Based on your recollection of Wednesday's reading, why does Huck dress up like a girl? What does he find out and what do he and Jim decide to do as a result?

Huck's dad

Describe Huck Finn's Dad. What kind of person is he?

A dollar

Why does Huck Finn sell his fortune to judge Thatcher for a $1?

Who is Huckleberry Finn?

Who is Huck Finn? What is his situation?

The opening words to the novel are:

NOTICE

Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot will be shot.

Why does Twain begin the novel that way?

Riverboat captain

1. Why was Twain's job as a riverboat captain a difficult one?

2. What happened to Twain's brother? What kind of effect did this have on him?

3. Why did Twain stop being a riverboat captain and go out west?

Samuel Clemen's early life

How did Sam Clemen's early exposure to slaves help shape his attitude towards African Americans?

Slavery

Do you think it remains important to learn about slavery and the issues faced by our country over a hundred years ago? Explain.

N- word in Huckleberry Finn

The Novel, Huckleberry Finn,\ is the story of a boy named Huck who helps an escaped slave named Jim up the Mississippi to freedom. In recent years, the novel has been controversial because of its frequent use of the "n-word". As a class, we will be reading much of the book aloud and must decide what to do when we come across it. Should we call it the "n-word", say it as it's written, or skip it altogether? Explain your reasons.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Mark Twain Controversy
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Link to story on sanitized Huck Finn

Five paragraph essay

What are three purposes you will need to write five paragraph essays?

What's in a five-paragraph essay?

Write down, to the best of your understand, what each of the five paragraphs in a five-paragraph essay contains in each paragraph:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Walter's change of heart

Why does Walter change his mind in Act III when Mr. Linder arrives at the apartment?

Raisin in Clyborn Park?

Should the family move to the all-white neighborhood of Clyborn Park or not? Explain your rationale.

Why Walter?

After making the down payment on the house, Mama gives Walter the rest of the money. Why does she chose to do so? What message is she trying to send?

How do Walter and Ruth feel about Mama's purchase of the house? What new problems does the purchase create?

Walter

What's the story with Walter/ Beneatha's Ethiopian King dance? Why does the mood go from comical to deadly serious- what do you think the author is trying to accomplish?

Usagi's complaint

Do you think Usagi is justified in suggesting that Beneatha tries to be too white? Explain your answer.

Ruth's baby

In Act I, Scene ii we find out Ruth is pregnant. Will she keep the baby? Why or why not?

Rat

We hear that Travis is part of a group of boys who beat a rat to death with sticks. Why do you think that this episode upsets Mama so much?

Plant

What do you think that the wilted, stunted plant that Mama tends to with such care represents?

What is mama's dream?

How do you think Mama (Walter and Beneatha's mother) will chose to use the life insurance money she is to receive for the death of her husband?

Make a prediction: Walter's store

In "Raisin in the Sun", Walter seeks money from Mama to open a liquor store. Make a predicition as to whether or not he'll get the money, and if his venture to open the liquor store will be successful.

Beneatha vs. Walter

Compare Beneatha's career aspirations with Walter. Which character's plan do you think is more likely to lift the family out of poverty?

Doubt

In Act I, Scene I of "Raisin in the Sun", Walter is upset because he feels that Ruth is not supporting him in his ambition to open a liquor store. Reflect on a time when you have wanted to do something, and someone you care about hasn't approved, or supported you. This could be job, a friendship, or anything.

Example:

"When I was young, I wanted to play guitar, but my parents insisted I play piano. I played piano for a couple of years because they forced me to, and finally, after a couple of years, they bought me my first guitar."

Small business

Think about yesterday's post, where you inherit $10,000. Pretend you have decided to open a small business in your community with 3 of your closest friends. What type of business would it be? What problems would you face working with another person?

English 301/401

Reflect on a time when you had too stay/ sleep in a place that was too crowded/ had too many people. How did it effect your mood? They way you acted? Did it bring the people in the situation closer together or did it make it difficult for those individuals to get along?

What would you do?

You just found out your family inherited $10,000. How would you spend the money? Would you blow it or think about the future?

Segregated Chicago

Publish Post
Fact: Chicago is the most segregated city in the nation.

What does that mean? What is your understanding of how it got that way?

Raisin in the Sun

Today we will begin working with the film "A Raisin in the Sun". Make a prediction on what this play will be about. Also, explain how a play is different from a poem or a novel.

Your American Dream

What is your dream for what you want to achieve by adulthood? What obstacles have you faced in reaching your dream? How have you dealt with these obstacles and how have they made you feel?

Thwarted dreams

Based on our discussion yesterday, what are some ways people act/ react when they find that the American Dream is out of reach to them? What kind of consequences do those actions have??

Dream deferred

What are some circumstances that makes the American Dream more realistic for certain people in society than for others? What happens to those who cannot achieve the American dream- how does this make them feel and how do they react?

American Dream, cont.

Is the “American Dream” achievable for all people in the United States? Why or why not?

What is the American Dream?

What is it that drove so many families to come to this country? What are their hopes for their children and families? What are your hopes for what you will be able to achieve in your own life?

What does it mean to be an American?

To you, what does it mean to be an American? What type of live does an American have the right to achieve?