Critical Thinking and the Appreciation of Literature
Read the posted chapter summaries and analysis iof Fugitive Pieces above. What is the difference between plot summary and analysis? What literary elements does an analysis entail (characterization, setting, metaphors, symbols, author's vision and figurative language elements? What more have you learned about the book from the analysis of the chapters?
Discuss with a small group your readings so far and thoughts about the film adaptation of the book. Post a response to questions 4 and 5 from the previous post and a summary of your group's thoughts here.
Continue to work on your own story.
HMK: Read to pg. 149 for Tuesday (of course you can read further!)
Check out this web site for contest information:
http://www.youngarts.org/apply
Bennington College--deadline Nov. 1
www.bennington.edu/NewsEvents/YoungWritersCompetition.aspx
Hollins Poetry--Nancy Thorpe
www.hollins.edu/academics/english/thorp.shtml
(only last year's info posted, deadline Nov. 15? You did very well with this one last year!)
Consider applying this year to these contests. Any poetry inspired by Fugitive Pieces?????
Taylor and Mariah
ReplyDelete4. Yes, we agree with their theory that violence is like an illness that can be caught, and that the Greeks caught it from the Germans. Abuse, physical and verbal, spreads like a wildfire, because one “fights fire with fire.” The Greeks could not match the Germans’ violence with peace, thus they began to react in violence as well, falling into the same destructive ways. Another explanation for the Greeks’ violence could be that they simply realized that there was no other way to fight the Germans’ than to match their violence.
5. One of the most powerful instances in the novel that displays the destructive power of language is on page 12-13: “I screamed into the silence the only phrase I knew in more than one language, I screamed it in Polish and German and Yiddish, thumping my fists on my own chest: dirty Jew, dirty Jew, dirty Jew.” This represents how powerful this phrase was that it was the first thing that Jakob said when he came into the light and met Athos. Similar to most writers, the writing of poetry and of translations is a release for Jakob. In addition to this, it provides an outlet for Jakob to share his experiences and read works that are based off of experiences similar to his own. It’s gives a sense of commonality and belonging, which is so important to a young boy who had been through what he has. In some circumstances, silence is the most appropriate reaction to something and it fills the space, so you don’t need words. And in other situations, silence is the best way to mourn at your own pace, such as Jakob mourning for Bella but never speaking of her aloud.
Just Carolyn. Yay.
ReplyDelete4. I agree with their theory. It seems like it’s easy for someone to pick up bad habits, especially in times of crisis. One may feel the need to defend their-self, so they may seek the quickest form of violence. (i.e. buying a gun to protect them-self from a thief) so violence even self defense is like an illness that can be caught. Perhaps the Greeks did catch it from the Germans. With the Germans invading and murdering mass people, the Germans probably felt the need to protect themselves, so violence would be inevitable, especially in a war. Another explanation that could be offered is perhaps the Greek people wanted to take a preemptive strike against the Germans. Possibly.
5. The instances the novel gives of the destructive power of language is the part where Athos finds Jakob in the forest. Jakob, who is panicked, cold, and starved reacts by yelling “Dirty Jew!” in Yiddish. It seems the horror and destruction of the German attacks were so disruptive to normal life that it would cause a Jewish child to yell something so obscene like so. The way those writing methods help heal and restore Jakob by helping relieve him. For instance, learning English and Greek helped him bury the dreadful memories of his past. Silence has the function of causing tension and making things harder to cope with. it is scientifically proving the shunning someone and giving the silent treatment causes actual pain (seriously).
I don't know if we were supposed to do the questions you asked on today's blog post, but I took the initiative and did it anyway. Extra credit? Yeah?
There is a very obvious difference between plot summary and analysis. Plot summary is more dense. It’s much more descriptive and goes over nearly every inch of the book with specific details. Whereas analysis is more taking things step by step and breaking down the book. Analysis goes over themes, such as death and loss, and motifs, like Jakob imagining his sister playing musical instruments throughout the book. From analyzing the book, I have learned that Jakob and Athos story is even more complicated than at first, and is much more than the words on the page, but perhaps one may have to read between the lines to understand through true trials and tribulations they have faced throughout the course of the novel.
Briyanna & Samantae
ReplyDeleteThe summary is telling us what is happening in the story while the analyst is breaking it down piece by piece for the reader. We felt as though the analyst was most helpful because throughout the novel we didn’t really understand what it was that we were reading. After reading the analyst it was easier to relate to the character.
Desire’ Giddens Angela Rollins
ReplyDelete4.) I do believe that violence is like an illness that can be caught. The behavior of the Greeks was dramatically different before and after the war. Being the victim of consistent aggression and oppression creates a growing sensation for similar behavior. This has become apparent throughout history, including in Greece. When the Germans were oppressing the Greeks, they laid out a pattern for Greeks themselves to oppress each other.
5.) Instances in which language is destructive in this novel include various things. For example, in the beginning when Jakob first found Athos he called himself, “Dirty Jew” in every language he knew. This simple phrase had been enough to cause the genocide of Jewish people. This idea had propelled the Holocaust onward. It was on this basis of language that thousands were brutally murdered. Another example is the graffiti people tried to create, and if found out were killed. This is another form of language, which was destructive in a different way. It gave a little power to the people, but destroyed many for that power. Writing for Jakob is a method of healing. It allows him to go over what happened, to ponder the events of his life and make it something beautiful, although sad. Creating beauty from atrocity is a restorative process. Silence makes you dwell on what has happened previously. It allows room for pondering and discovery, especially within yourself.
Summary is telling the plot of a book, and listing obvious facts who anyone who read the book would know. It is brief, and simple. It is events, not causes or understandings. Analysis on the other hand is more in depth thought about things like literary elements like motif of theme. It is more complex and reveals more understanding than a summary.
The difference between plot summary and analysis are that they are two different words.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, the difference between plot summary and analysis is that a plot summary is a overview of the entire plot of a novel, short story, etc. An analysis is the interpretation of a text with the use of literary elements, such as metaphors, symbols, etc. An analysis will delve into the deeper meaning of a literary work, whereas a plot summary is a synopsis of the most important events in a work with limited detail.
- Taylor and Mariah