Thinking Sensibly

Do you think that Jane Austen was a feminist? Jot down the characters from Sense and Sensibility that Austen admires, and those she ridicules. What does this tell you about her values?

Recommend a Read

I am reading some great books at the moment (I have nine on the go!) A list of my good reads from this year (completed) are at the bottom of this blog. If you have read anything of note that you would recommend to your reading friends, or me, leave a comment on this post.

Sense and Sensibility

Which one best defines you? I think I am a healthy balance of both; Jane A would have no doubt admired me greatly!

We will begin by viewing the 1995 film version (directed by Ang Lee) to jog your memory about the events in the novel. Watch out for inaccuracies because these will undo you when it comes to writing about the novel in the weeks to come.

There are lots of resources on the net, not the least of which are listed right here:

Gradesaver
Bookrags
PinkMonkey
Bibliomania

Don't worry so much about the chapter summaries; concentrate on the commentaries and background notes. If you find any other good sites, please let me know.


Read these, make notes and start working on your close analysis of the text itself.

Like Elinor, you are now "at liberty to think and be wretched." p129

Creative Responses - other aspects of text

The use of language is one thing that needs to be considered, but there are many other techniques and strategies that affect the way we read and interpret texts. Consider these:

1. Narrative Viewpoint - 'who' is telling the story.
Narrative point of view works like a camera shot in a film. You are directed to look at things from a particular angle, although the experience is often heightened because you are also sharing the narrator's emotions. We are more likely to be sympathetic to the concerns of the narrator, as we are allowed to get to know them quite well.

If you were writing a creative response consistent with
the style of the original text you would be unlikely to change the
narrative point of view, although you could change the character if
it's first person.

2. Characterisation - the way in which characters are portrayed throughout the text.
Mannerisms, way of speaking, actions and appearance all contribute to the way a reader interprets the texts.

Hanging by a thread .....

No responses to the last Antigone question. Too hard? Or haven't you even been here to look? The idea of author's purpose and audience underpins every piece of reading that we do in English and Literature, yet it is the most difficult question for students to answer. The only time that many students have a clear sense of both, is when, in despair, they put pen to paper and write a poem or letter - to the one they love and who is unaware of it, the one(s) who rejected them, the one(s) who did them wrong, the world (when everything goes wrong.) How do we get you to move from thinking only of yourself, and your personal concerns, to viewing the world through the eyes of someone else?

Creative SAC - Book of the Beach

You should now be thinking about what you could write for this SAC (worth 60/100).

Original Piece of Writing
Your thinking needs to be set at the beach. What stories does this beach setting hold? Have a look at the themes of the stories in the Penguin book; they're not all about going to the beach per se. They're about things like relationships between people, and dealing with the past, grief or loss, and healing. What does the seaside mean to different people? What does it mean to you? Why do people head to the water other than for 'a holiday'? What does the surging ocean represent, or make us feel? Is it cleansing? Or does it overwhelm us with its indomitability?
Don't start with the plot. Begin with some ideas about central concerns, and then consider your characters (minimise the number)before you work out your storyline. It needs to be condensed - you don't have time for an epic. Keep the time span short, and the action minimal.

Adding to an existing story
Your other option is to 'add' to one of the stories already in the anthology. You could flesh out an incident that happens in the story and is not described in detail. You can create an entirely new 'scene' for some of the characters. You could write a 'prequel' or a 'sequel'. The possibilities are endless. Can you see any of the stories from the point of view of a character other than that whose view is presented? In 'Learning to Swim' for example, could you see the story from Paul's point of view? What limitations would there be? How would you avoid simply writing from your own perspective?
Could you perhaps add another scene to one of the existing stories? What happened to Jenny and Alice? This could be a descriptive piece that takes the story just a couple of pages further.

It is most important that you actually spend some time reflecting on what you are going to do, rather than rushing in with a half-formulated idea. You should discuss your ideas with others, with me! Put some thoughts down on paper - don't just keep it all in your head. Start a notebook, and jot down the things you need to consider. Just remember that the 'why' is where you want to start, followed by the 'who' and 'how'.

Super Important Post

What did Sophocles think about the laws of man, and the laws of God? Which did he think was more important? What does Sophocles have to say about 'Man' (in general, and specifically?) Did Sophocles hate women? And more importantly, HOW DO WE KNOW THIS? (since we can't ask him personally!)

If these questions sound familiar, the only person who would be surprised is me, since I am marking your SAC essays and you haven't actually answered these questions in your response.

Hows about you have a shot at it now, and then when I see you later in the week (I'll do my darndest) we can discuss what to do about it.

Something to think on

I borrowed these thought-provoking questions from this website for you to think about.

How about you give me some thought-provoking answers........


Is there always room for compromise in your life?

On what issues would you never compromise your feelings or thoughts?

Do you think this is an attractive or challenging part of your personality?

Does it make you more likeable?

Do close friends know what your driving principles are?

Or do you keep them well hidden from view?

Interesting Reading

An interesting essay on the place of female slaves in ancient Greek society.
Female Slaves in Ancient Greece 500 B.C. - 400 B.C.

and another thing.....

How do you think the play of 'Antigone' would have been different if the main character had not been a woman?

Antigone - the next 27 questions

Just joking, although there are many more than 27 questions for you to consider about this play!

Your new question for today: To what extent do you think we are meant to sympathise with Antigone?

Answers need not be long, but must display use of brain matter........

Antigone - Study Question

What is Hybris (hubris)? Do Antigone and Creon have hybris? Are there passages as well as events that provide evidence for them having hybris? May there have been a political message in Creon's downfall?

Leave a long and thoughtful comment, by next Wednesday, if you wish to do well........

Antigone - Scene 1 question

How old do you think Antigone is? Give a reason for your response (I will never write this instruction again; you can take it as a given from now on.)

Answers must by posted by Friday 18th May.

Antigone - 442 B.C.

Here are some web resources that you can use to help you with your study of Antigone.

Antigone (ablemedia)
Gradesaver notes - Antigone
Novelguide - Antigone
PinkMonkey - Antigone
Study Guide - Temple University
Theatre History - The Antigone
Conventions of tragic Greek theatre