Wuthering Heights Vocabulary:
1. misanthropist 2. impertinence 3. prudential 4. sagacity 5. asseverated 6. curate 7. soliloquized 8. tacit 9. laconic 10. taciturn 11. lachrymose 12. vociferated 13. penetralium 14. physiognomy 15. churlish 16. miscreants 17. querulous
18 culpable 19. sundry 20. dispatch 21 assiduity 22. vapid 23. vindictive 24 execrations
These questions are to be asnwered in writing. This assignment will be worth 10 points:
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Chapter 1
1 . How does Lockwood describe the Yorkshire section of England?
2 What makes Lockwood enter the gate, despite Heathcliff’s rudeness?
3. Whose name does Lockwood see carved into the threshold, and why can’t he ask about it
4. What does Lockwood’s instinct tell him about Heathcliff’s reserved manner?
5. Why does Heathcliff leave Lockwood alone with his dogs?
6. What does Lockwood do to cause the dog to attack him?
7. How do Joseph and Heathcliff react to Lockwood’s cry for help?
8. What reasons does Lockwood give for deciding not to make a further issue about his attack?
9. What final impressions does Heathcliff have of Lockwood?
10. Does Lockwood give a reason for wanting to visit again?
Chapter 2
1 . Why does Lockwood decide to return to the Heights?
2. Who lets Lockwood into the house?
3 . How does Lockwood make himself look foolish to the young woman in the kitchen?
4. How does Lockwood respond when she asks him if he has been invited to stay for tea?
5. Who does Lockwood at first assume the young lady to be?
6. What does Lockwood intend to do when he incorrectly assumes she is married to
Hareton?
7. Who unexpectedly tries to accompany Lockwood home?
8. How is Cathy related to Heathcliff?
9. What causes Lockwood to run out of the house?
10. Who comes to Lockwood’s aid when he is again attacked by the dogs?
Chapter 3
1. What did Lockwood see on the walls around his bed in W. H.?
2. How did Lockwood find out about the life of Catherine Earnshaw?
3. What caused Lockwood to scream in the middle of the night?
4. How long did Catherine say she had been roaming the moors?
5. How did Heathcliff know that Lockwood was sleeping in that bed?
6. What did Heathcliff do when Lockwood left the room?
7. How did Lockwood see Heathcliff treat his daughter in law?
8. Who accompanied Lockwood as far as Thrushcross Grange Park on his way home?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
General Questions for Analyzing Poetry
General Questions for Analyzing Poetry
1. Who is the speaker? What kind of person is the speaker?
2. What is the occasion?
3. What is the setting in time (hour, season, year)?
4. What is the setting in place (indoors or out, city or country, land, or sea, region, nation)?
5. What is the topic of the poem?
6. State the central idea or theme in one sentence.
7. Outline the poem to show its structure and development or summarize the events of the poem
8. Discuss the diction of the poem. Write the dictionary definition for unfamiliar words.
9. Point out words that are unusual or particularly well-chosen and explain the possible purpose of their use?
10. Discuss the imagery of the poem. What kinds of imagery are used? Is there a pattern to the imagery?
11. Point out examples of metaphor, simile, personification, and metonymy, and explain their appropriateness.
12. Point out and explain examples of paradox, overstatement, understatement, and irony. What is their function?
13. Point out any allusions. What is their function?
14. What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?
15. Point out significant examples of sound repetition (alliteration, assonance, consonance or repetition of words) and explain their function?
16. What is the meter of the poem? Copy two stanzas or 14 lines of the poem and mark its scansion.
17. Criticize and evaluate the poem.
1. Who is the speaker? What kind of person is the speaker?
2. What is the occasion?
3. What is the setting in time (hour, season, year)?
4. What is the setting in place (indoors or out, city or country, land, or sea, region, nation)?
5. What is the topic of the poem?
6. State the central idea or theme in one sentence.
7. Outline the poem to show its structure and development or summarize the events of the poem
8. Discuss the diction of the poem. Write the dictionary definition for unfamiliar words.
9. Point out words that are unusual or particularly well-chosen and explain the possible purpose of their use?
10. Discuss the imagery of the poem. What kinds of imagery are used? Is there a pattern to the imagery?
11. Point out examples of metaphor, simile, personification, and metonymy, and explain their appropriateness.
12. Point out and explain examples of paradox, overstatement, understatement, and irony. What is their function?
13. Point out any allusions. What is their function?
14. What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?
15. Point out significant examples of sound repetition (alliteration, assonance, consonance or repetition of words) and explain their function?
16. What is the meter of the poem? Copy two stanzas or 14 lines of the poem and mark its scansion.
17. Criticize and evaluate the poem.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thesis Notes
English IV
Notes on the literary essay: Thesis
The thesis is what the writer wants to say—the writer’s opinion—boiled down to a single arguable statement. It is the answer to the question, “What’s your point?”
Synonyms for the word thesis: argument, claim, assertion
The writer’s first version of a thesis statement is often called a working thesis.
Strategies for formulating a strong literary thesis
1. Think of a general question or interesting observation related to the novel or play.
Examples:
How do the options for women today differ from those available to Soroya in The Kite Runner?
What is the effect of the culture of Afganistan on Amir’s actions?
Does Nora’s personality seem annoying and childish?
Is Nora really a strong woman when she is away from Torvald?
2. Narrow your chosen subject to a workable size by asking yourself, “What about it interests me most? Or “What is most likely to interest others?”
3. Put an argumentative edge on the narrowed subject
-by simply phrasing it as a statement:
-asking yourself questions about the narrowed topic (Why did this happen? What is surprising about this? What were the various causes? Which character shows this more clearly? How does this happen in the novel? What events are important? Do any symbols reinforce my idea? ) and using the answers as part of the thesis.
4. Gather evidence and information from the literary work. Copy the best 15 or so quotes related to any aspect of your topic. If you are finding too many quotes, narrow your topic further.
5. Look for outside information on the novel, the author, or the time period. Use library data bases for solid literary criticism, not the general Internet. Turn in print outs of these articles and use two or three quotes or paraphrased ideas from them in your essay.
6. Sharpen the “argumentative edge of your thesis by asking yourself, “What am I arguing against? What is the position of the ‘other side’? List any possible evidence from the novel to support the opposition.
7. Evaluate the potential of your decided-upon thesis sentence.
-How much evidence can you find to support this thesis? If you can find only one or two examples in the entire novel, or if you can find only one weak reason, or if you have to stretch the meanings of quotes to support your thesis, you probably need a better thesis.
-Is it a proposition worth supporting? Is it a major theme of the novel? A connection that not everyone will at first see? An interesting parallel? A clear explanation of a complicated idea in the novel? Not a plot fact
Amir’s primary goal of his youth is to gain the love of his father. (True, but this is a fact)
A Doll’s House gives an interesting portrayal of Norwegian Christmas customs. (true, but not the point of the play)
8. Many thesis sentences will benefit from the addition of an essay map, a brief statement attached to the thesis, or elsewhere in the introductory paragraph, that indicates the major points to be discussed in the essay. It will show your divisions.
How will you know you have a good thesis?
A good thesis typically has several key characteristics:
It says something significant about what you have read
It helps your reader understand the literary work better.
It is not obvious or something any reader would already know.
It is at least mildly contestable. Someone would support the other side.
It asserts something you can support in three to five pages.
Notes on the literary essay: Thesis
The thesis is what the writer wants to say—the writer’s opinion—boiled down to a single arguable statement. It is the answer to the question, “What’s your point?”
Synonyms for the word thesis: argument, claim, assertion
The writer’s first version of a thesis statement is often called a working thesis.
Strategies for formulating a strong literary thesis
1. Think of a general question or interesting observation related to the novel or play.
Examples:
How do the options for women today differ from those available to Soroya in The Kite Runner?
What is the effect of the culture of Afganistan on Amir’s actions?
Does Nora’s personality seem annoying and childish?
Is Nora really a strong woman when she is away from Torvald?
2. Narrow your chosen subject to a workable size by asking yourself, “What about it interests me most? Or “What is most likely to interest others?”
3. Put an argumentative edge on the narrowed subject
-by simply phrasing it as a statement:
-asking yourself questions about the narrowed topic (Why did this happen? What is surprising about this? What were the various causes? Which character shows this more clearly? How does this happen in the novel? What events are important? Do any symbols reinforce my idea? ) and using the answers as part of the thesis.
4. Gather evidence and information from the literary work. Copy the best 15 or so quotes related to any aspect of your topic. If you are finding too many quotes, narrow your topic further.
5. Look for outside information on the novel, the author, or the time period. Use library data bases for solid literary criticism, not the general Internet. Turn in print outs of these articles and use two or three quotes or paraphrased ideas from them in your essay.
6. Sharpen the “argumentative edge of your thesis by asking yourself, “What am I arguing against? What is the position of the ‘other side’? List any possible evidence from the novel to support the opposition.
7. Evaluate the potential of your decided-upon thesis sentence.
-How much evidence can you find to support this thesis? If you can find only one or two examples in the entire novel, or if you can find only one weak reason, or if you have to stretch the meanings of quotes to support your thesis, you probably need a better thesis.
-Is it a proposition worth supporting? Is it a major theme of the novel? A connection that not everyone will at first see? An interesting parallel? A clear explanation of a complicated idea in the novel? Not a plot fact
Amir’s primary goal of his youth is to gain the love of his father. (True, but this is a fact)
A Doll’s House gives an interesting portrayal of Norwegian Christmas customs. (true, but not the point of the play)
8. Many thesis sentences will benefit from the addition of an essay map, a brief statement attached to the thesis, or elsewhere in the introductory paragraph, that indicates the major points to be discussed in the essay. It will show your divisions.
How will you know you have a good thesis?
A good thesis typically has several key characteristics:
It says something significant about what you have read
It helps your reader understand the literary work better.
It is not obvious or something any reader would already know.
It is at least mildly contestable. Someone would support the other side.
It asserts something you can support in three to five pages.
Chapter 19 Questions
Chapter 19
1. What was the difference between Clerval’s and Victor’s purposes in London?
2. How does Victor feel about the task ahead of him?
3. What country did Clerval hope to visit and why?
4. What was the only deterrent to Clerval’s happiness in London?
5. What does Victor intend to do in the far reaches of Scotland?
6. How did Victor feel while he was in Oxford?
8. Why did Clerval’s mentioning Chamounix bother Victor?
9. What idea haunted Victor as he traveled north to Scotland?
10. What caused Victor to remain by Clerval’s side?
11. Where did they encounter Arthur’s seat? Do you remember who he is?
12. Why does Clerval travel alone to the Scotch person who has invited them?
13. How does the aspect of the place in which Victor decides to work resemble his unhallowed toil?
14. Why do the cottagers take no notice of Victor when he moves into one of the dilapidated cottages?
15. Victor’s approach to his task different is this time, and what caused him to complete it the first time?
16. What did Victor fear might happen any day and any time while he was working on his project?
1. What was the difference between Clerval’s and Victor’s purposes in London?
2. How does Victor feel about the task ahead of him?
3. What country did Clerval hope to visit and why?
4. What was the only deterrent to Clerval’s happiness in London?
5. What does Victor intend to do in the far reaches of Scotland?
6. How did Victor feel while he was in Oxford?
8. Why did Clerval’s mentioning Chamounix bother Victor?
9. What idea haunted Victor as he traveled north to Scotland?
10. What caused Victor to remain by Clerval’s side?
11. Where did they encounter Arthur’s seat? Do you remember who he is?
12. Why does Clerval travel alone to the Scotch person who has invited them?
13. How does the aspect of the place in which Victor decides to work resemble his unhallowed toil?
14. Why do the cottagers take no notice of Victor when he moves into one of the dilapidated cottages?
15. Victor’s approach to his task different is this time, and what caused him to complete it the first time?
16. What did Victor fear might happen any day and any time while he was working on his project?
Essay topics for Frankenstein In-Class Essay
Essay Topics for Frankenstein: Choose one March 29/30
Compare and contrast Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton.
Was Victor Frankenstein a victim?
Who could be considered the monster by the end of the book?
Compare and contrast Victor with his friend, Clerval.
Examine the women in the novel; what do you think Mary Shelley is saying about women in the novel
You may have nine quotes that you will use?
Compare and contrast Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton.
Was Victor Frankenstein a victim?
Who could be considered the monster by the end of the book?
Compare and contrast Victor with his friend, Clerval.
Examine the women in the novel; what do you think Mary Shelley is saying about women in the novel
You may have nine quotes that you will use?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
23-24 Frankenstein
Chapter 23
1. Why does Victor ask Elizabeth to go to bed before he does?
2. What horror occurred for Victor as promised on his wedding day?
3. Why does Victor want to return to Geneva as soon as possible?
4. Why is it ironic that Victor says “no creature had ever been so miserable as I was”?
5. What further sorrow awaited Victor after he returned to Geneva?
6. Why does Victor finally tell his story?
7. What does the magistrate promise Victor?
8. What does Victor commit the remainder of his life to doing?
9. What does the magistrate think of Victor’s story now?
Chapter 24.
1. What is the incentive that keeps Victor alive?
2. What promise does Victor make on his family’s grave?
3. Why do you think the creature is satisfied?
4. How does Victor know where the creature is going at all times?
5. Why does Victor think he was able to continue following the creature despite terrible torments?
6. How did the nights aid Victor in his pursuit?
7. When does Victor say he will give up his search?
8. How does Victor feel when he reaches the land of ice and snow?
9. Why were the villagers glad when the creature left them?
10. What gave Victor a burst of energy after one of his dogs had died and all seemed hopeless?
11. What promise does Victor ask Robert to give him?
12. What really convinced Robert of the truth of Victor’s tale?
13. What gives Victor some sense of peace as he relates his tale to Robert?
14. When does Victor say he will die?
15. Why does Robert grow frightened?
16. What realization does Robert come to about his men?
17. What part does Victor play in Robert’s life at this time?
18. Why was their ship in danger, and what did his men want Robert to do?
19. Why is Victor’s tirade to the sailors so completely unexpected? What does it tell about him?
20. What happens to Victor after his speech?
21. What is Robert’s decision and how does it differ from Victor’s?
22. Why does Victor relent and free Robert from any promise he may have enjoined on him?
23. What is Victor’s last bit of advice to Robert?
24. How does the creature react to Victor’s demise?
25. Why does Robert’s compassion turn to scorn?
26. What does the creature think of himself?
27. What does the creature say he will do after he leaves Robert?
28. Who is the monster? Do you feel any sympathy for Victor? For the Creature?
1. Why does Victor ask Elizabeth to go to bed before he does?
2. What horror occurred for Victor as promised on his wedding day?
3. Why does Victor want to return to Geneva as soon as possible?
4. Why is it ironic that Victor says “no creature had ever been so miserable as I was”?
5. What further sorrow awaited Victor after he returned to Geneva?
6. Why does Victor finally tell his story?
7. What does the magistrate promise Victor?
8. What does Victor commit the remainder of his life to doing?
9. What does the magistrate think of Victor’s story now?
Chapter 24.
1. What is the incentive that keeps Victor alive?
2. What promise does Victor make on his family’s grave?
3. Why do you think the creature is satisfied?
4. How does Victor know where the creature is going at all times?
5. Why does Victor think he was able to continue following the creature despite terrible torments?
6. How did the nights aid Victor in his pursuit?
7. When does Victor say he will give up his search?
8. How does Victor feel when he reaches the land of ice and snow?
9. Why were the villagers glad when the creature left them?
10. What gave Victor a burst of energy after one of his dogs had died and all seemed hopeless?
11. What promise does Victor ask Robert to give him?
12. What really convinced Robert of the truth of Victor’s tale?
13. What gives Victor some sense of peace as he relates his tale to Robert?
14. When does Victor say he will die?
15. Why does Robert grow frightened?
16. What realization does Robert come to about his men?
17. What part does Victor play in Robert’s life at this time?
18. Why was their ship in danger, and what did his men want Robert to do?
19. Why is Victor’s tirade to the sailors so completely unexpected? What does it tell about him?
20. What happens to Victor after his speech?
21. What is Robert’s decision and how does it differ from Victor’s?
22. Why does Victor relent and free Robert from any promise he may have enjoined on him?
23. What is Victor’s last bit of advice to Robert?
24. How does the creature react to Victor’s demise?
25. Why does Robert’s compassion turn to scorn?
26. What does the creature think of himself?
27. What does the creature say he will do after he leaves Robert?
28. Who is the monster? Do you feel any sympathy for Victor? For the Creature?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Chapters 20-21
Chapter 20
1. What three fears does Victor have about this new creation?
2. What greater fear did Victor have when he gave the second creature to his first?
3. When the first creature looks through the window, what did Victor eventually do?
4. Where has the creature been while Victor was traveling to Scotland?
5. Why is it ironic that the creature calls Victor his slave?
6. Why does Victor say he will not keep his promise to his creature?
7. What does the creature say he will do to Victor?
8. How did the creature leave the place where Victor was?
9. Why did the creature manage to get away from Victor?
10. What had the creature said to Victor that caused Victor to be sad for Elizabeth?
11. Why is the following sentence particularly ironic? Victor is describing himself: “I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation” (174). [Chapter 20 Five pages from the beginning]
12. What came for Victor that served as an impetus for him to leave his lonely island?
13. What did Victor do with the new creature he had destroyed and why?
14. Why do you think Victor is able to sleep soundly in the boat?
15. When Victor faces the fact that he may die on the sea, what greater horror occurs to him?
16. Where does Victor land and how do the people greet him?
17. Of what do the people accuse Victor ?
Chapter 21
1. What had the fisherman tripped over on his way home?
2. What about the fisherman’s story bothered Victor?
3. Why did the people say they had seen one boat with one man in it push off from that part of the shore and then return to almost the same place later on?
4. What conclusion had the people come to about Victor?
5. What causes Victor to become ill again, and what does he rave about during his illness?
6. What is the condition of the place in which Victor finds himself when he gets well?
7. What wish did Victor express?
8. Why is the treatment that Victor receives significant?
9. How had Mr. Kirwin shown kindness to Victor?
10. How did Mr. Kirwin learn of Victor’s innocence?
11. Why did Victor recoil in horror when he was told he had a visitor?
12. Why did Victor have to remain in prison after Mr. Kirwin realized he was innocent?
13. What prevented Victor from taking his life this time?
14. What caused Victor to live through his despair/
15. How did Victor feel about leaving Ireland and why?
16. What was his nightmare before his father awakened him on the boat?
1. What three fears does Victor have about this new creation?
2. What greater fear did Victor have when he gave the second creature to his first?
3. When the first creature looks through the window, what did Victor eventually do?
4. Where has the creature been while Victor was traveling to Scotland?
5. Why is it ironic that the creature calls Victor his slave?
6. Why does Victor say he will not keep his promise to his creature?
7. What does the creature say he will do to Victor?
8. How did the creature leave the place where Victor was?
9. Why did the creature manage to get away from Victor?
10. What had the creature said to Victor that caused Victor to be sad for Elizabeth?
11. Why is the following sentence particularly ironic? Victor is describing himself: “I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation” (174). [Chapter 20 Five pages from the beginning]
12. What came for Victor that served as an impetus for him to leave his lonely island?
13. What did Victor do with the new creature he had destroyed and why?
14. Why do you think Victor is able to sleep soundly in the boat?
15. When Victor faces the fact that he may die on the sea, what greater horror occurs to him?
16. Where does Victor land and how do the people greet him?
17. Of what do the people accuse Victor ?
Chapter 21
1. What had the fisherman tripped over on his way home?
2. What about the fisherman’s story bothered Victor?
3. Why did the people say they had seen one boat with one man in it push off from that part of the shore and then return to almost the same place later on?
4. What conclusion had the people come to about Victor?
5. What causes Victor to become ill again, and what does he rave about during his illness?
6. What is the condition of the place in which Victor finds himself when he gets well?
7. What wish did Victor express?
8. Why is the treatment that Victor receives significant?
9. How had Mr. Kirwin shown kindness to Victor?
10. How did Mr. Kirwin learn of Victor’s innocence?
11. Why did Victor recoil in horror when he was told he had a visitor?
12. Why did Victor have to remain in prison after Mr. Kirwin realized he was innocent?
13. What prevented Victor from taking his life this time?
14. What caused Victor to live through his despair/
15. How did Victor feel about leaving Ireland and why?
16. What was his nightmare before his father awakened him on the boat?
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