English 11: THE LOTTERY

 Here are some themes!

1. The female identity is subverted in a patriarchal society.  
2. Society needs someone to blame in order to escape their own irrational thinking and guilt. 
3. Traditional values are blind.  
4. Mob psychology disempowers the individual. 
5. Cruelty and violence can take place in any setting (peaceful and dangerous contexts alike)

Welcome English 11 and ELL3 SS!

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Snow Updates

 Greetings all!

With two snow days in a row, all English 11 classes are missing a PLT day to finish act V of Macbeth and begin work on the handout. There have been many emails, so I'll put up some updates here, and send out a blast to all English 11 students. These are the updates:

1. The Creative Project and ACT package will be due on PLT days next week rather than the 23rd. This means January 24 for block A and January 25 for block C/D. Soliloquies must remain January 26 since this is the last day of the semester. There can be no further extensions since we'll be going into a new semester the following week.
2. There are many versions of Macbeth out there on the internet. This is the closest one I could find to the text we're using. Feel free to read this and begin work on the Act V package. There will be more act 5 packages on Friday.

Some notes about Act V: things move very quickly. Though some scenes are only a few lines long, they give us the goings on of both sides of the main conflict. We go back and forth between Macbeth's castle, and the invading English forces with Malcom at the helm. Try to pick up on the elements of the Witch's updated prophecy through the act.

Macbeth

 Greetings all!

In our final weeks, we have much to do. There are many sources for the play online - from No Fear Shakespeare, to a closer look at the original text. Our work is with the original text, so simply knowing a summary of events will not be enough for some of the work of the unit. 

We've been talking about a bonus assignment - one where you stand to gain if your grade goes up. If it would cause your grade to drop, I will not count the mark. 

Speaking of which, here's the work:

• ACT Assignments (Assignment - REQUIRED)

There's a package of work for each act. Some questions and writing work is involved. Four acts means four packages. Due January 23.

• Creative Project (Project - REQUIRED)

There are only three options this time around. With less time available than expected, our options have been trimmed down. Please check the round table for the handout. Due January 23. 

• Soliloquy (Project/Assignment, whichever offers the greater gain - BONUS)

Pick one of the soliloquies below. Memorize it and perform it. Bring a prop. A couple reminder lines are ok. Show your understanding by your performance. Dress up. Slay. Depending on interest, we'll do these on January 24-26.

1. Act I, Scene 5, Glamis thou art: Glamis thou art…
2. Act I, Scene 5, Unsex me here: The raven himself is hoarse
3. Act I, Scene 7, Vaulting Ambition: He’s here in double trust…
4. Act II, Scene 1, The Dagger Speech: Is th is a dagger which I see before me?
5. Act III, Scene 1, A Fruitless Crown: To be thus is nothing; but to be safely thus…
6. Act IV, Scene 1, The Ruthless Tyrant: From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand.
7. Act V, Scene 1, Insanity: Out spot.