Dr. B's Reflections on AP English This Year

Pictured: Last day of AP English fun! We had a "Mad Hatter Tea Party" with all of the AP English students and some parents.  Thank you all for joining us!

Officially, today is the last day of AP English class this year (insert huge, sorrowful, sigh from your English teacher, Dr. B), and I still have a million things to teach you about Jane Austen, the Victorian novel, Lewis Carroll, and of course, tea.

If we had more time, here is what I would teach you:

1. Never, under any circumstances, stop reading Victorian novels! They are filled with incredible characters and can teach you a lot about being human.  Twenty years from now, I expect you to have read many more novels than the ones from our class.  Read them, learn from them, and repeat. (Here's another blogger's list to get you started!)
2. Fun facts like:
1. Lewis Carroll - 
1. Was an incredible mathematician.  I've mentioned this fact before, but we haven't discussed it at length.  (Did you notice how I didn't say, "factoid?" Did you know that factoid means, "an assumption or speculation that has been reported and repeated so many times that is now assumed to be fact?" That's something else I wanted to teach you!)
2. If you want to know about chess, theology, and math in the book, Alice in Wonderland, read "Chess and Theology in the Alice Books" by A. L. Taylor.  It's printed on pgs. 323-80 in our Nortons.
2. Jane Austen - 
1. Is fascinating.  There is so much about her life and writing you might find interesting, but I suggest starting with the cult of "Austenites" and going from there.  What are Austenites? They're fans of Austen (self-titled, "Austenites"), who go to festivals, wear Regency-era clothing, and read all of the novels again and again.  
2. Go to this link on IMDB and see all of the Austen adaptions, including weird, modern-day spoofs like Lost in Austen and Austenland with Keri Russell.
3. Charles Dickens - 
1. Completely captured the Victorian Age in our modern imagination! But, he also had an interesting personal life, kept two homes with two wives, and fathered tons of children.  I suggest watching the new movie, The Invisible Woman.  BUT: DO NOT BE PERSUADED BY THE UNFLATTERING PORTRAYAL OF DICKENS'S WIFE.  IT'S CRITICALLY INACCURATE AND VERY PROBLEMATIC.  (Trust your teacher on this.  She knows way too much about Catherine Hogarth Dickens!)
3. How to play backgammon.
4. How to do regency-style dancing (you never know when you'll need to waltz or quadrille).
5. How to talk to your professors in college.
6. How to write recipes.
7. What makes recipe writing so important (it's literature, did you know that?!)
8. How to make the perfect "cuppa" tea.
9. Everything.

Since I can be long-winded, I will stop my list there.  But, for now, let's think of what we have learned this year:

Lesson #1: Learn from the Characters in Major Works
Jane Eyre taught us autonomy (independence, freedom of will) and how important it is to think and choose a life path for yourself.

Lizzie Bennett taught us that wit may very well be an "amiable" virtue in the right circumstances, but first impressions are trickier than we think. You should never judge a book, or a person, by its/his/her cover.

Charles Dickens taught us to be charitable and kind.  By thinking about others and helping where we can, we can look back at our lives with a sense of fulfillment because we did what we could for our fellow man.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern taught us to see stories in a different light.  While we are all, actors, and the world is, indeed, a stage, we are on multiple stages at the same time, acting as major characters in our own production and minor characters in someone else's production.

Lesson # 2: Learn to Read, Write, and Think Critically
Poetry explication taught us how to read language in its most compact form, unpack what it says, and search for deeper meanings.  Twelve lines of poetry can yield dozens of pages of analysis, as demonstrated by our close reading of "Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Room" by William Wordsworth (read original post here)

The beauty of language.  We always knew language was important, but did we know how pliable it is? How beautiful? This realization happened again and again this year! Why would someone say, "This is a fact" when he/she could say this?:

"If this be error and upon me proved, 

I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

—William Shakespeare ("Sonnet 116," lines 13-14)

Language is just...so gosh...darn...beautiful.

We learned to write for a wide audience.  Admittedly, we spent most of our time writing practice essays for Part 2 of the AP Literature and Composition test, but when we weren't practicing the writing portion, we were writing for the blog.  Your experience in writing for an academic audience and a digital one is great experience!

Lesson #3: Have Fun
Lastly, we learned to have fun.  Literature doesn't need to be stuffy or boring.  In fact, it's pleasurable and engaging and one of the reasons I chose to spend ten years studying literature and getting a PhD—I was having a great time.

So, go have a great time, and never stop reading!
-Dr. B

Stuart Tave's "Limitations and Definitions" (p. 315-19)

Stuart Tave brilliantly analyzes Jane Austen's writing style by comparing it to her skill and adoration for dancing. Just as dancing drives "enjoyment and ability in moving with significant grace in good time in a restricted space," Austen's writing also behaves beautifully and gracefully for she writes with no restrictions. Austen tends to not worry about what others thought of her work, because when she was writing, she was limited to what resources were available. Her writing was accused for having no dimension for she did had her limits; however, the illustrious author certainly has reached her goal of expressing originality and her own meaning to many topics, such as human relations.  Each character Austen had introduced to us has been assigned their own part to live, just as dancers have their own choreography to perform. Characters acted in the way they were expected to during that time period. Within their "boundaries" the characters would "feel what should be felt, think what should be thought, do what should be done, neither too quickly nor too slowly for the occasion. There is no choice of standing still. One cannot 'dwell'" (p.317). Tave believes that Pride and Prejudice is slightly narrow for its worth for her story is about “messy lives, and most people are leading them, even when the surface of life seems proper; but custom is not the first fact of life.” (p. 318). Austen opens the blind eye by raising awareness of the social aspect of life in her own refreshing style. 

2. How else did Jane Austen "move with meaning?" 

1. Which significant character that Jane Austen created do you believe has the most spirit and "movement" in her novel? Explain.

Guest Post by Sarah James - Tara Ghoshal Wallace

Getting The Whole Truth in Pride and Prejudice

Wallace starts her review with explaining that Pride and Prejudice has a “serene” conclusion.  Wallace points out that we never seem to know the “whole truth”(376) of the tale.  The few points that Wallace discuss changed the way I thought about the novel.  The first example that she discusses is how Mrs. Bennett’s thinks she won over Darcy and the Gardiner’s departure from home during holidays; these not well known parts of the story show that the ready of Austin’s time understood what she meant when she was talking about the “untrustworthy talkers” (376).  Another example of not showing the whole truth in the novel is by silence: Austin seems to want us to make out own conclusion up about each character (377).  I agree with Wallace that there is a lot that is hiding throughout this novel. 

1. Do you think if you knew more about the characters, you would understand the book more?

2. Would you rather know more about the characters? Why or why not?

The Men of Austen's Life

Jane Austen

Prospects of Marriage 

by William Austen-Leigh, Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh and Deirdre Le Faye

Through Jane Austen's life she had a men express interest in her hand and another who highly regarded her. The name of her prospects were Harris Bigg-Wither and Henry Eldridge. Jane had said yes to Bigg-Wither's proposal on the second of December 1802, but took it back the next morning. Henry Eldridge never proposed, but very much liked her until they had to part ways. 

1. Why do you think Jane Austen took back her proposal?

2. What Character in Pride and Prejudice does Jane most remind you of in regards to marriage and why?

         Susan Fraiman on "The Humiliation of Elizabeth Bennet" (p356-367)  Caroline Philbrook


                                                  

The Humiliation of Elizabeth bennet, is more about Elizabeth and her relationship with her father, Mr. Bennet and how their relationship is special, also talking about Elizabeth's marriage proposal and money in general.
This passage also widely talks about how women don't get to hear everything, and are the last to know from the men. These are a few of Elizabeth Bennet's "Humiliation" passage, also talking of course about her embarrassing moments.

1. Why do you think Elizabeth and Her father have such a close relationship?

2. Why do you think Elizabeth is so headstrong and does her own thing, rather then giving in to marriages that would help her financially?

D.W. Harding on "'Regulated Hatred' : An Aspect in the Work of Jane Austen" (p296-299) Hannah Noyes

"Regulated Hatred" 

Harding begins by acknowledging that Austen provides a place of escape and refuge with her writing for the sensitive when “the contemporary world grew too much for them” (p296). His interpretation is that her books are meant to be read and enjoyed by the people whom she disliked. He believes that thinking of her work as “satire” is misleading. Instead, she uses satire as a means of existence for her critical attitudes. She was required to remain on good terms with those in her everyday life, and knew that her existence depended on the values they implied. According to Harding, it is in this way that her novels gave her a way out of that dilemma through her use of satire that was unobtrusive and allowed for “spiritual survival” (297). 

Her method, as stated by Harding, is as follows: She offers her readers every excuse for regarding the people whom she detests and fears as exaggerated figures of fun. For example, Mr. Collins is given a bit more comic exaggeration than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is a “possible human being” (p298). Comic effect is gained when she brings the caricatures into direct contact with “real people.” For example, when Mr. Collins visits the Bennets and brings his proposal to Elizabeth. 

In addition to the proposal scene being comic fantasy, it is also a glimpse of Elizabeth’s nightmare in which economic and social institutions  have power over the values of personal relationships and that the “comic monster” is almost able to get her. (p298) 

In short, he sees Austen’s use of satire as a means of self-preservation, that her caricatures are a criticism of real people in real society, and that people turn to her books not for escape, but for an ally against things and people which were to her “hateful” (299). 

Harding presents Collins as a caricature who is not necessarily “real.” However, his second marriage situation would be considered a “real” event of that time. Similarly, do you think Darcy is a “real” caricature? Is his proposal another glimpse into Elizabeth’s nightmare? Or the “real thing?” 

Pride and Prejudice and the Pursuit of Happiness by Claudia L. Johnson Emily Baird

The Pursuit of Happiness is considered to be a fundamental part of our lives.  It is written in the Declaration of Independence, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."  What we choose to pursue as our happiness is another story.  The book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen follows the tale of the Bennet family as the matriarch Ms.Bennet attempts to marry off her five daughters.

Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia are tremendously different characters, therefore what they pursue as their happiness differs between all five girls.  For this blog post I am examining what the five sisters pursue as their happiness.

The eldest sister, Jane, is one of the characters we become the most acquainted to throughout the book, and is probably the most "agreeable" of all the sisters.  In the beginning of the book she immediately attaches herself to the eligible suitor Mr. Bingley, with whom she gets along with quite well.  I believe that Jane's pursuit of happiness is a wholesome marriage, unlike others who pursue riches or passionate love, she is searching for a loving and mutually loving marriage.

The second eldest sister, Elizabeth is the focus of the story, and arguably the most interesting character in the book.  Upon meeting Mr. Darcy, she finds him to be a pompous, prideful jerk, but after spending time with him, her feelings begin to grow.  I believe that Elizabeth is looking for an intelligent, passionate love.  Her relationship with Mr. Darcy is formed on their shared intelligence, and creates the perfect platform for a strong love.

Mary, the middle child and plain jane of the family is portrayed as a tranquil, studious girl.  I believe that Mary is really in the pursuit of knowledge, rather than love.

Kitty, one of the younger sisters, around the age of 16 or 17, is chiefly intrigued by the young officers who work in Meryton.  At this point in her life she doesn't seem to be in pursuit of anything but a romantic fling with an officer.

Lydia, the youngest of five, is like her elder sister Kitty, and at this point in her life, she is really just occupied with the fantasy of having a handsome officer court her.












All in all, while the five sisters are very different, their pursuits of happiness are all true to their personalities and fitting for their ages at the time of the story.

(I realized after posting this I never included questions...)

1. What are your thoughts on the pursuits of happiness of the sisters?  What about other characters in the story?
2. What do you deem your pursuit of happiness?  Is it similar to any of the sisters?

Blog Post Assignment #2 (50 Points): Pride and Prejudice Ancillary

Due: Friday, May 27, 2016

Weight: 50 points

Below is a list of ancillary articles you selected in class Monday, May 23, 2016.  Please read your ancillary article and write a short blog post about it with discussion questions for Friday, May 27, 2016.

·      Ivy: “Prospects of Marriage” (262-64)
·      Polina: “Limitations and Definitions” (315-19)
·      Emily: “Pride and Prejudice and the Pursuit of Happiness” (348-55)
·      Hannah: “Regulated Hatred”: An Aspect in the Work of Jane Austen (296-99)
·      Liam: “Jane Austen and the War of Ideas” (319-26)
·     Sarah: “Getting the Whole Truth” (376-83)

Still need to pick:

·      Caroline

Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice (1813)

For today's class, I wanted to discuss the powerful impact Jane Austen has on readers today.  Undoubtedly one of the most successful women writers of the nineteenth century, Austen--unlike Dickens--has actually been out of print, falling out of vogue in the decades immediately following her death (1820s and 30s) and returning to prominence in the 1850s with the introduction of cheap "Yellow-Backs."

Questions for discussion (please post in the comment box): 
1) Why do you think Austen is still so popular today?
2) Why do you think Austen "fell out of favor" with Victorian readers?

Counting Corvids: Erica Hansen's Visit with Vinalhaven School Students

Counting Corvids Report April

This fall 30 HS students participated in a series of multi-disciplinary workshops sponsored by Vinalhaven Land Trust and PIE, examining historical, scientific and philosophical research on CROWS.

Emma Baker’s Environmental Science Class created a series of experiments investigating the Gifting Behavior of local crows.  Student’s created gifting stations around town where crows were encouraged to take a gift and/or leave a gift.  Gifts to the crows included various snacks and trinkets, and in return the students were gifted various pieces of plastic, shells etc.

                         Jasmine, Doug, Brianna and Skyler count the remaining crabs

The final experiment was designed to determine if local crows could be encouraged to eat VH’s Notorious Green Crabs!

The result: YES! Vinalhaven’s Crows will eat just about anything, including Green Crabs (if they are smaller than 4 cm in diameter).  This result created a hailstorm of ideas for further exploration, namely: Could the Crows solve the crab problem?  Could they help collect and mediate other environmental threats like plastic waste?  

Further experiments will continue this fall in collaboration with a national Crow Box vending machine project designed by hacker Joshua Klein (www.thecrowbox.com).

In the meantime be sure to send your own reports on Gifting by Crows to the database:

http://ericahansen.net/counting-corvids-database/