Blog #1 - The Importance of Being Earnest

Based on the first act of Oscar Wilde's play, what is the meaning (and irony) of the title, "The Importance of Being Earnest"? What else is ironic in the first act of the play? (2 paragraphs - use quotes from the book!)

Blog #4 - The Things They Carried

What is a "true war story", according to O'Brien? Go through the final chapter we read together and think about our discussion on fact versus truth. O'Brien repeats what a true war story should be over and over again. Elaborate on what he means by each of his points. (3 paragraphs - Use online source and 2 quotes from the book.)

Blog #1 - Danny and the Deep Blue Sea

How are Danny and Roberta different? How are they similar? (2 paragraphs - mention specific passages from the play)

Blog #1 - James and the Giant Peach

Compare James and the Giant Peach to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. How are James and Charlie similar? How are they different? (1 Paragraph)

Blog #6 - Divergent

Tris's mom says, "Human beings as a whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps back in and poisons us again" (p. 441.) Do you agree or disagree? (1-2 paragraphs - use quotes from book)

Blog #3 - The Things They Carried

In what way does Elroy Berdahl change the course of O'Brien's journey? Support your opinion with at least 1 passage from the text.

Blog #1 - Marriage is a Private Affair

Comparing Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl" and Chinua Achebe's "Marriage is a Private Affair":
From which point of view is each story told? How does point of view shape your response to each work? Explain, using quotes from both stories to support your answer. (1-2 paragraphs)

Blog #5 - Perks of Being a Wallflower

Why do you think Bill doesn't tell Charlie from the beginning how smart he thinks he is? What kind of a role model is Bill to Charlie? (2 Paragraphs - Use quotes from the book!)

Blog #5 - The Great Gatsby

How are women portrayed in The Great Gatsby and what seems to be their role in society? Compare and contrast the novel to another work of literature that portrays women in a similar way. (2 Paragraphs - use quotes from the book!)

Blog #2 - The Things They Carried

Elaborating on what we spoke about in class, what are the differences between memoir and fiction? Is it acceptable to invent details and lines of dialogue when writing a memoir? Similarly, is it acceptable to incorporate real-life details in a work of fiction? Do you think the author should tell the reader what is factual and what is not? Explain. (2 paragraphs)

Blog #5 - Divergent

What do you think about Tris's thoughts about herself? She says "I am ___" quite a bit in the book. Does her self-description always match up with reality? In what ways are Tris and Four similar? (2 Paragraphs)

Blog #4 - The Great Gatsby

Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other? How are they similar and how are they different? (2 Paragraphs)

Blog #1 - The Things They Carried

Analyze the symbolic role of an item a solder carries with him in Chapter 1. What does it represent and how does it fit in the context of the Vietnam War? (1 paragraph)

Blog #4 - Perks of Being a Wallflower

Identify three of the themes in the book and elaborate on them. How is this an "atypical" novel, both in content and format? (2 paragraphs)

Blog #3 - Perks of Being a Wallflower

On page 37, Patrick calls Charlie a "wallflower" and says it's because "he sees things, keeps quiet about them, and understands." How do you think the title -- Perks of Being a Wallflower -- ties into this observation? Explain what you think the title means. What could the disadvantages of being a wallflower be? (2 Paragraphs - with specific references from the text)

Blog #1 - They're Not Your Husband

What are Earl's three biggest flaws? What are Doreen's three biggest flaws? Explain, based on the reading. (2 Paragraphs - use specific lines from book!)

Blog #2 - Perks of Being a Wallflower

Why do you think Patrick doesn't get upset at Brad for hiding their relationship? Are there ever instances where you should hide your love/feelings for someone? (2 paragraphs - use quotes from book.)

Blog #3 - The Great Gatsby

In chapter 5, we see a different side of Gatsby in his encounter with Daisy. How is this scene revealing in its portrayal of Gatsby's character? Is he in sync with the passage of time? Explain. (2 Paragraphs)

Blog #1 - A&P

Do you think Sammy's decision to quit his job at the A&P was justified? Would you have done the same thing in his position? Why or why not? In your response, use specific examples from the story. (2 Paragraphs)

Blog #2 - The Great Gatsby

Describe the valley of ashes. What does it look like and what does it represent?
Why do you think it is introduced in the same chapter as Nick/Tom's trip to New York City? Explain. (1 Paragraph)

Blog #4 - Divergent

During initiation, is it selfish of Tris to crave victory, or is it brave? How similar/different is she from Katniss in The Hunger Games? Explain, using specific references from the text. (2 paragraphs minimum)