1.For my Individual Oral Presentation, I discussed the protagonist and antagonist in the novel The Rock of Tanios. My argument and thesis statement was that they are foils. In order to introduce this, my hook was a skit of a scene between the two characters, Tanios and Raad, which portrayed a major conflict between them. I presented my argument through a Power Point presentation and supported it with evidence and quotes from the text.
2. Before I started working on my presentation, I scanned the book for quotes to make sure that my argument could be well supported. By doing this, I also came up with another argument based on the events in the story which was that the major events in the novel happened because of the conflicts between Tanios and Raad. This argument also supports my thesis which is that they are foils since that is the reason conflicts arose between them. I then came up with my hook. I picked a passage which included a major conflict between Tanios and Raad and also showed how they were foils, and I used it as a skit for my hook. During the presentation, I rushed through my points because I didn’t want to go over the time limit, and as a result, it was shorter than it should have been. In addition, I hesitated a lot. I know that I should have been more confident in giving my presentation since I had a well supported argument. After, I watched my presentation, and I found it very helpful since I was able to see the way I presented, its effectiveness, and the weaknesses I had in my argument.
October 12, 2008
September 8, 2008
My Reaction to Oracle Night
2. How did you like the multi-layered plot? Was the plot too complicated or did you find it engaging? Which plot did you like the best: Sid and Grace's story or Nick Bowen's?
One of the main reason's I enjoyed reading Oracle Night was because of the unique style it was written in. I found the plot engaging rather than complicated. However, since it was a multi-layered plot, it was annoying when the plot would switch since I would be so curious to continue the plot line I was reading first. Since Nick Bowen's story is shorter and with no plausible solution, I prefered that of Sid and Grace. Ang even though many of the characters in both stories were similar, since the ones in the book were based on people in Sid's life, I liked the main plot much more.
May 25, 2008
My Reaction to " The Rock of Tanios"
1. In what way or ways do you "connect" with the book The Rock of Tanios by Amin Maalouf? In what way is it accessible or familiar to you?
While reading The Rock of Tanios, I really enjoyed it. One of the reasons for this is because I could really connect with the characters, their daily life styles, and the setting, having lived in Lebanon all my life. The names of the characters were mostly very familiar and easy to remember. In addition, I was familiar to many of the traditions, such as making “meghleh” when a child is born or the idea of a Sheikh ruling over a certain region. Also, some Arabic words are used throughout the novel, some of which are slang. Because I can understand them, they give the novel a more familiar feel and make the setting seem more realistic.
While reading The Rock of Tanios, I really enjoyed it. One of the reasons for this is because I could really connect with the characters, their daily life styles, and the setting, having lived in Lebanon all my life. The names of the characters were mostly very familiar and easy to remember. In addition, I was familiar to many of the traditions, such as making “meghleh” when a child is born or the idea of a Sheikh ruling over a certain region. Also, some Arabic words are used throughout the novel, some of which are slang. Because I can understand them, they give the novel a more familiar feel and make the setting seem more realistic.
April 20, 2008
Byron and his Poetry
3. Compare the poetry of Lord Byron with the poetry of another famous poet (e.g. Shakespeare's sonnets). How does Byron's poetry rate in comparison? Whose poetry do you prefer and why?
Lord Byron and Shakespeare are both poets and play wrights with famous works, for example, Byron's Don Juan, and Shakespeare's sonnets. Both of these works are made up of sonnets written in iambic pentameter. However in Don Juan, they are all linked in an epic poem about a character Don Juan, and also satirizes humanity in general. The individual stanzas are made up of 8 lines each, with a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-a-b-c-c and are written in ottava rima. On the other hand, Shakespeare's 154 sonnets are not meant to be as part of a story. They are put into groups and touch upon themes such as love, beauty, procreation, and mostly revolve around a young boy and a dark lady. Each one consistes of 14 lines (3 quatraines and a couplet), the 9th one being the volta or turning point. And they follow the general rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d-e-f-e-f-g-g. In comparison to Byron's Don Juan, personally they are not as engaging to read and have harder language to understand. Because Byron's poetry has a plot and characters, it is more interesting and quicker to read.
Lord Byron and Shakespeare are both poets and play wrights with famous works, for example, Byron's Don Juan, and Shakespeare's sonnets. Both of these works are made up of sonnets written in iambic pentameter. However in Don Juan, they are all linked in an epic poem about a character Don Juan, and also satirizes humanity in general. The individual stanzas are made up of 8 lines each, with a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-a-b-c-c and are written in ottava rima. On the other hand, Shakespeare's 154 sonnets are not meant to be as part of a story. They are put into groups and touch upon themes such as love, beauty, procreation, and mostly revolve around a young boy and a dark lady. Each one consistes of 14 lines (3 quatraines and a couplet), the 9th one being the volta or turning point. And they follow the general rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d-e-f-e-f-g-g. In comparison to Byron's Don Juan, personally they are not as engaging to read and have harder language to understand. Because Byron's poetry has a plot and characters, it is more interesting and quicker to read.
April 6, 2008
March 30, 2008
My Reaction to Disgrace
What is your reaction to the novel? What did you like about it and what did you dislike about it? Does it deserve the international acclaim it has received? Would you recommend it to others?
When I first started reading Disgrace, I enjoyed it. Its uncomplicated plot and ability to be read quickly made the novel light and kind of enjoyable. However as the story progressed and reached the turning point in David Lurie's life, it became really slow and boring. When the setting was at Lucy's farm, everything was so routine and the plot was very slow, I felt as if I was living at the farm too. After finishing it though, I didn't like it at all. I felt that the ending was too abrupt and that there was no real solution. Also, even though the characters were very realistic, I didn't like their personalities, which is another reason why I didn't like the novel. If I don't like the main characters, I can't really empathize and feel with them, making the novel dry and boring. On the other hand, one thing I did like was the writing style of JM Coetzee. I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone, I didn't find it worth reading, however I'm sure there is someething about it that I missed, it did get the Booker Prize.
When I first started reading Disgrace, I enjoyed it. Its uncomplicated plot and ability to be read quickly made the novel light and kind of enjoyable. However as the story progressed and reached the turning point in David Lurie's life, it became really slow and boring. When the setting was at Lucy's farm, everything was so routine and the plot was very slow, I felt as if I was living at the farm too. After finishing it though, I didn't like it at all. I felt that the ending was too abrupt and that there was no real solution. Also, even though the characters were very realistic, I didn't like their personalities, which is another reason why I didn't like the novel. If I don't like the main characters, I can't really empathize and feel with them, making the novel dry and boring. On the other hand, one thing I did like was the writing style of JM Coetzee. I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone, I didn't find it worth reading, however I'm sure there is someething about it that I missed, it did get the Booker Prize.
March 25, 2008
Is William Shakespeare overrated?
One of the criteria for being an educated person is knowing William Shakespeare, and having read at least one of his works. He is the most famous writer to have lived, with famous plays poetry, and is considered to be one of the greatest writers to have lived. However, in my opinion, I think he is overrated. His works are entertaining and contain good diction and puns, but I don't think he deserves all the praise he gets. He was extremely successful because he wrote plays and poems which revolved around everyday issues and problems. Hence his audience was able to identify with plays such as "Romeo and Juliet" about forbidden love, and "Julius Ceasar" and "Macbeth" about power and ambition. In addition, Shakespear's sonnets all have similar themes and are grouped together. He was good, but not THAT good, and I don't think he deserves all the praise he gets.
March 16, 2008
DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME OKAY? I was FORCED to write a sonnet
Indecisive
Our existing condition is a result of before,
Decisions we have made lead to now,
Choosing paths we thought best and were for,
The present is a result of what we allow.
How, where, when, and who,
The response of which is your pick,
Not to mention what and why too.
The extent of what you can select is mystic.
But I must confess,
That I would rather not make any decisions at all.
For this power and control we possess,
Will only lead us to fall.
Any choice I make may be harmful,
Thus to make up my mind I am too fearful.
March 11, 2008
Sonnets
How do you feel about sonnets as a poetic form? Do you like their structure or do you find them too limiting? Use one of the sonnets we have discussed in class or one that you have read on your own as an example of what you mean.
Sonnets have very specific requirements, making them a bit limiting. Typical sonnets are written in iambic pentameter, and are made up of fourteen lines, specifically three quatrains, a couplet, and the ninth line serving as the turning point or Volta. In addition, sonnets usually have rhyme schemes of abab cdcd efef gg, giving them a certain rhythm to read aloud. Shakespearian sonnets are categorized in different groups since they fall under specific themes, making them a bit repetitive. For example, in English class, we discussed sonnets 1 and 2, both addressing the same them of procreation versus masturbation. They were very similar and had the same ideas. The structures of sonnets are very restrictive, since it is necessary for them to follow the rhyme scheme, have a certain theme, and include a Volta. Hence most of the poem is already done, the way the poet puts everything together is where his/her creativity is shown.
March 4, 2008
Disgrace Chapters 1-4
1. The first line of the novel begins with "For a man of his age, fifty-two, divorced, he has, to his mind, solved the problem of sex rather well." What is the "problem" that he has solved? Has he really solved it?
The novel Disgrace begins with the sentence "For a man of his age, fifty-two, divorced, he has, to his mind, solved the problem of sex rather well." Throughout the novel, we learn about the protagonist David Lurie, and discover what his problem is. He isn't as proficient in attracting women as he used to be, has been married and divorced twice, and his success, pleasure, and purpose in life all revolve around the 90 minutes a day he spends with a prostitute. He tries to fill his emotionless life with various affairs with different women such as prostitutes, people he works with, and even his students. But he isn't able to love them, and can only feel affection for them. In addition, he has no passion for anything, not women, friends, or his job. However, I don't think that he solved his problem, since he is emotionally unattached and is satisfied by affection alone.
The novel Disgrace begins with the sentence "For a man of his age, fifty-two, divorced, he has, to his mind, solved the problem of sex rather well." Throughout the novel, we learn about the protagonist David Lurie, and discover what his problem is. He isn't as proficient in attracting women as he used to be, has been married and divorced twice, and his success, pleasure, and purpose in life all revolve around the 90 minutes a day he spends with a prostitute. He tries to fill his emotionless life with various affairs with different women such as prostitutes, people he works with, and even his students. But he isn't able to love them, and can only feel affection for them. In addition, he has no passion for anything, not women, friends, or his job. However, I don't think that he solved his problem, since he is emotionally unattached and is satisfied by affection alone.
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