ACC English IV, Blog Four

... if you have not already done so, please read pp. 81-139 by next Wednesday 11/5/08 and answer THREE of the following five questions.

There are many consistent themes running throughout the novel Catch-22, several in the chapters covered this week. For each question below that you select, discuss how that particular theme is exemplified in that chapter and explain the context of meaning behind the provided quotation (as well as who said it and to whom they were speaking).

1.) Chapter Nine
Theme: Appearance vs. Reality
Quotation: "With a little ingenuity and vision, he had made it all but impossible for anyone in the squadron to talk to him, which was just fine with everyone, he noticed, since no one wanted to talk to him anyway."

2.) Chapter Ten
Theme: Isanity as the Sane Choice of Action
Quotation: "There is no light. I don't feel like starting my generator. I used to get a kick out of saving people's lives. Now I wonder what the hell's the point, since they all have to die anyway."

3.) Chapter Eleven
Theme: Hyperbolic Patriotism
Quotation: "The important thing is to keep them pledging," he explained to his cohorts. "It doesn't matter whether they mean it or not."

4.) Chapter Twelve
Theme: Rationality vs. Superstition
Quotation: "The enemy ... is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on, and that includes Colonel Cathcart. And don't you forget that, because the longer you remember it, the longer you might live."

5.) Chapter Thirteen
Theme: Sense of Guilt
Quotation: "You know, that might be the answer - to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That's a trick that never seems to fail."

AP Language & Composition, Blog Four

... please finish reading up to p. 80 and answer FOUR of the following six posts on your blog page by next Wednesday, 11/5/08.

1.) In a well-organized paragraph, describe the society in which Anthem is set. Some areas to consider are the political structure, degree of technology, social relationships, quality of life, and education. Would you want to live in this society? Explain why or why not.

2.) When does this novel take place—in the past, the present, or the future? How do you know? Please provide specific clues from the text.

3.) What does Equality discover in this Chapter III? How important is this discovery? Describe 4–5 ways in which it would help society, and make life easier or more enjoyable.

4.) How would your teachers react if you had Equality’s “curse”? Why do Equality’s teachers disapprove of his quick mind? At this point in the novel, does Equality accept the moral teachings of his society? If so, why doesn’t he initially feel shame or remorse when he knows that he’s committing a crime? Find textual evidence to support your answer. Does this change as the novel progresses?

5.) Outline four of the Council’s reasons for rejecting Equality’s invention in Chapter VII. What are the real reasons behind the Council’s rejection and fear of the gift? Also, what does Equality mean, at the beginning of this chapter, when he says, “We are old now, but we were young this morning” (p. 68)?

6.) What is Equality experiencing for the first time in Chapter VIII, and what does he feel as a result? Also, explain why Equality laughs when he remembers that he is “the Damned.”

ACC English IV, Blog Three

Read up to p. 81 and answer three of the following questions by Tuesday 10/14/08.

1. Some critics have said that Yossarian is one of the first characters in modern American literature to fight against a powerful system. Imagine yourself in his position. Would you make the same choices he did? Why or why not? Does it make sense to fight powerful systems like the military? Can you think of any causes that might be worth fighting for?


2. According to Joseph Heller, “The only freedom we really have is the freedom to say no.” Explain what you think he means by this statement; then debate its philosophical merits. Do you agree or disagree with him? Support your opinion with examples from historical and personal experience. For example, how does the above statement compare with the “just say no” catchphrase from the war against drugs?


3. Analyze the impact of Heller’s choice of a satiric writing style on his novel. Would the book have been as effective if it had been written in a more serious manner? How might readers’ responses to the novel have been different? Would the book have the same meaning if the style were different?


4. Think about the novel's use of setting and scene. What effect do the rapid shifts between the base and the hospital, or between Pianosa and Rome, have on the presentation of the story? What does each location seem to represent?

AP Language & Composition, Blog Three

Read up to p. 51 by and answer three of the four questions below by Tuesday 10.14.08

1.What might it be like to live in a society where there are no “selves”, and “we” has replaced “I”?

2. The Equality 7-2521 intellectual activities are illegal in his society. Throughout history, many great innovators, such as Copernicus, Galileo, Watt, and Fulton have faced ridicule and even legal attacks. Research the struggle faced by one of these individuals. Write a short dialogue between that person and Equality 7-2521 .

3. Explain the significance of the names Rand chose to give to her characters. Why were these particular names used?

4. On p.51, Equality 7-2521 discussed the Unspeakable Word. What do you think this word is any why would it be considered unspeakable in this society? What would happen if this word was used and how would it change the way people think of their fellow people and theirselves?