Here is a prayer for students by Thomas a Kempis. He was a medieval devotional writer who wrote the famous book The Imitation of Christ, which many Christians have read and profited from. While I do not agree with some things that Thomas wrote, I do like and often use this prayer: "Grant, O Lord, to all students, to love that which is worth loving, to praise that which pleases you most, to esteem that which is most precious to you, and to dislike whatever is evil in your eyes. Grant that with true judgment they may distinguish things that differ, and, above all, may search out and do what is well-pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord."
In the midst of all the disruption and uncertainty, be faithful in your prayer life and in your walk with the Lord.
On the academic side of things, yesterday was the last day of the grading period. I have been impressed with the quality of the work I have regularly received from most of you. Keep up the good work!
However, I have several students who have turned in very little. Students with unexcused late work from yesterday and before must get it in by noon tomorrow or you will receive a zero for it. If you have questions or difficulties, email me.
Literature 7-8
More questions on "Lochinvar." Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
1. Each line of the poem has 4 strong beats. Choose any 4 lines that illustrate this well, write out the entire line, and mark the accented (strong) beat.
2. Every stanza has the same rhyme pattern. What is it?
3. Sir Walter Scott likes to use repetition. Write out 2 examples of different repetitions.
4. Sir Walter also likes to use alliteration. Write out the following lines and mark the alliteration: 34, 37, 42, 47.
5. Define these words as used in the poem: "woo" (19); "goblet" (25).
6. What is the conflict at the heart of the story?
7. What is the main way in which Lochinvar and the bridegroom are different?
8. What was Lochinvar returning from?
9. Lochinvar decides to attend the festivities before Ellen's wedding.
a. What pretext (false reason) does he give?
b. What is the real reason?
10. How do you know that Ellen is happy to see him but unhappy to be engaged to this other man?
11. How does the father react to seeing Lochinvar? How about the mother?
12. Why are readers glad the poem ends the way it does?
American Literature
Let's take a little break from Red Badge of Courage to review another "red"--"The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe. Write a paragraph in which you summarize the events of the story. Then in another paragraph discuss how the story does or does not related to our circumstances in the pandemic. Each paragraph should be no fewer than 100 words. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
British Literature
Although Christianity and all other traditional religions no longer exist in the dystopian future of 1984, another religion has established itself--Bigbrotherism, let's call it. Let's creatively explore how well that parallel works out. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
1. Which people would correspond to a) upper clergy (bishops, archbishops, etc.); b) clergy (priests); c) laymen? Briefly explain your answers.
2. Who is their god? Briefly explain.
3. What corresponds to iconography (crucifixes, pictures of saints, etc.)? Briefly explain.
4. Is there a holy book? Explain briefly.
5. Who are the heretics? Who is the Satan figure?
6. What corresponds to daily prayers and weekly worship services? Briefly explain.
7. They also have annual festivals. Name one.
8. The "clergy" wear special vestments. Explain.
9. They have a three sentence creed (statement of faith) that repeatedly appears. What is it?
10. They hear a lot of sermons. Explain.
11. They also sing hymns. Explain.
12. Reread Part 2, ch. 8, where O'Brien meets in person with Winston and Julia. How might this be seen as a sacramental meal like the Lord's Supper or Eucharist? (50 words minimum.)
13. People regularly take an offering of money. Explain.
14. Winston goes through a compulsory membership class in the Ministry of Love. What happened there? (50 words minimum).
15. By the end of the book, Winston has undergone a total conversion experience. Retell in your own words what is happening in the last paragraphs. (50 words minimum).
16. To a "true believer", what is hell?
17. For extra credit, are there any other religious parallels not addressed above? If so, explain.
C.S. Lewis
Answer the following questions about characters. Due no later than noon on Friday, March 27.
1. Starting at the top, what do you know about Maleldil the Younger?
2. What is the Oyarsa?
3. Tell me what you know about the eldila.
4. Hrossa
a. What do they look like?
b. What activities do they value most?
c. How does Hyoi show friendship towards Ransom (2 specific actions)?
5. Sorns
a. What do they look like?
b. What activities do they value most?
c. How does Augray help Ransom?
6. Pfifltriggi
a. What do they look like?
b. What activities do they value most?
c. How does a pfifltrigg use Ransom at Meldilorn?
7. Weston and Devine
a. They are very "bent." List 4 "bent" things they do.
b. They are not, however, bent in exactly the same way. Briefly explain.
Luke and Acts
Let's pause for a review. Read the following notes and answer the numbered questions within the body of the text. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
Saul's experience on the road to Damascus can be compared to Jesus' death and resurrection. At Saul's "death," he fell to the ground and was blinded for three days. Three days of helplessness and blindness points to Jesus' three days in the tomb. When he met with Ananias, that man blessed him and healed him of his blindness. After he was healed, Saul "rose." These actions remind us of Jesus' resurrection. Then Saul was baptized and he ate. 1. When did Jesus eat after his resurrection?
These events are a turning point for Saul. The man who hated Christians is now a servant of Christ and his church; he is a new apostle. These things are also a turning point in the book of Acts. 2. Write out Acts 1:8. The church that was centered in Jerusalem has now begun to spread out, because of the persecution following Stephen's death. 3. How did Stephen die? The gospel has been brought to Samaria. 4. Who first brought it there? The good news has miraculously come to the Ethiopian eunuch, and now it has been established in Damascus. 5. Describe the geographical location of Damascus with respect to Jerusalem. 6. Why did the Christians go there? 7. What does it tell you about Saul that he would pursue them there?
Not only is the gospel spreading geographically, it is spreading ethnically also. The Samaritans have received from the Lord the same gift that was given to the 120 at Pentecost. 8. What gift was that? As you remember from class discussion, most Jews had a low view of Samaritans. 9. What was one reason for that? But the gospel has taken firm root in Samaria, despite people like Simon the Sorcerer. 10. What did he do?
As the church continues to expand ethnically and geographically, we will also see a change in leadership beginning to develop. Peter and the other apostles will continue to serve the Lord, but Luke's focus is going to turn more and more to Saul, also known as Paul. peter and the others won't disappear, but Saul/Paul will be the single person Luke spends most of his time writing about.
Poets and Prophets
Read Isaiah 14:3-23 and answer the questions. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
1. v. 5: What does this action mean?
2. Why are these trees singing?
3. Sheol is the abode of the dead. What does this taunt-song say about it?
4. v. 11: What disgusting image is here?
5. Rhetorically speaking, why would Isaiah use such an image?
6. What image is used in v. 12 to describe Babylon?
7. Babylon will be the victim of ironic reversal. Explain.
8. Who is the victim of ironic reversal in Is. 2?
9. vv. 18ff.: How is this "branch" different from the messianic Branch?
10. There are (alas) no badgers in this chapter. There is, however, a hedgehog--and a broom (vv. 22-23). What is the point of these images?
Introduction to French
Read and know ch. 10. Write down and translate all the words you didn't know on sight. Due no later than noon tomorrow, Thursday, March 26.
Intermediate French
Reread the whole ghost story. Write down and translate 20 words or phrases that students at your level would probably not know the first time.
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