English Essentials: Understanding How Characters Change

In yesterday's class, we discussed some of the ways Chris Kyle has changed over the course of the book (and movie).  Because round characters can be seen from all sides, we get a sense of the emotions they experience as they go through major life changes.  For example, when Kyle's wife says that his "hands feel different" after his first tour of Iraq, the audience is getting a clue that Kyle is not the same man that went off to war.  His physical change represents his actual change as a soldier (and sniper).  This change is further emphasized when Kyle becomes a father only a few minutes later in the movie.

Writing Activity:
For today, find a specific example of how Kyle changes in the book American Sniper and explain how he has changed from the man he was before that incident took place. Make sure to use a quote, cite your page number, and discuss the way Kyle changes in the quote.  Give your reader an explicit explanation ("word for word") and an  implicit explanation (implied meaning in the quote).

When you have explained Kyle's change, compare it to the movie. How is this change represented in the movie? Is it different (or the same) in any important ways?

Post your response in the comments section below. Be sure to check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.  You will receive a summative score for L1 (rubric here) and RL3 (rubric here).

Then, respond to your classmates with a specific and meaningful comment.

English Essentials: Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs

Writing Activity:
Rewatch the scene in which Chris Kyle's father tells him an important piece of advice: in life, some people are sheep, some people are wolves, and some people are sheepdogs; each animal plays an important role in a society.

1) What does Kyle's father mean by calling some people sheep, wolves, and/or sheepdogs?
2) What theme (central idea) do you see emerge from this early lesson?
3) Give one example in which you see Kyle acting as a "sheepdog."  Who are his sheep? How does he protect them?

Formative Assessment for RL2, "I can determine theme and analyze how it develops over the course of a work." (Rubric here.)
L2, "I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard written English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing."  (Rubric here.)

English Essentials: Chris Kyle and Complex Characterization

Respond to the questions below in the comments section.  Please number your answers and write in complete sentences.  Be sure to read your post over before you hit "publish!" You will be receiving a score on L1 and L2 (capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and mechanics).

Activity:

1. Define complex characters. Then, list the qualities that make Chris Kyle "complex." 
2. Are these characteristics represented well in the movie? Or, does he seem "flatter" or "less complex" in the movie?
3. Why do you think the movie chose to open with Kyle behind the lens of his sniper rifle rather than his childhood?