L 7-8
Read ch. 8. Notice how Kit goes from being miserable to being joyful. Write and answer 10 how/why questions about the chapter. Due Friday, 12.11.
L 9-10
One more day on "The Devil and Daniel Webster." Please respond in complete sentences for Friday, 12.11.
1. Although the story makes a serious point, it does so with humor. Benet was inspired by the exaggerations of American tall tales about Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, and Davy Crockett. Write out 3 quotations from the story that show exaggeration for humorous effect.
2. Naturally, the whole notion of arguing a case against the Devil is intended to be humorous also, especially as Scratch claims to be an American who abides by the Constitution. But the whole case seemed stacked against Daniel Webster.
a. What sort of evidence does Scratch use to make his case?
b. What sort of men serve on the jury?
c. Judge Hathorne (an ancestor of the writer Nathaniel Hawthorne) is a notorious figure. How so?
3. What was the principle that Webster argued for throughout his political career?
4. In this story, how was he able to gain the sympathy of a prejudiced jury and judge?
5. According to the story, why is it good to be from New Hampshire?
WL
Please update me Friday, 12.11 on your progress and ask any questions you have. Finish the book for Monday.
TK
Send me your essay Friday, 12.11. Read the following notes on "Treebeard."
Students of Tolkien regard the Ents as one of his most successful invENTions. Like the philologist Tolkien himself, they are enchanted by language. Though rightly suspicious of strangers, they are hospitable, wise, and brave. They are not "hasty," and by taking their time and deliberating carefully, they arrive at the right response. (They do not, as in the movie version, have to be shamed and badgered into doing the right thing. Once the hobbits acquaint them with the facts, the Ents come to the right conclusion. Movies are hasty, as a rule.)
The story of the Entwives helps us feel pity for these beings. Like the Elves--with whom they share so much history--they seem to be fading at the end of the Third Age. They are growing sleepy, and there are no younger Ents to take their place.
Those of you who are familiar with the Narnia books of Tolkien's good friend C.S. Lewis will remember the waking of the trees (and the walking of the trees) in Prince Caspian. But it is an idea much older than Lewis or Tolkien. Mankind has an almost mystical bond with trees that is not true of other plants. Trees figure largely in pagan religion and superstition, but so do they in the Bible, going back to our first parents in the Garden. Something to think about.
Please share your own thoughts about ch. 4 and my comments above. What did you enjoy? What do you have a question about? Do you know of other stories about sentient trees?
Please respond on Friday, 12.11. For Monday, read and know ch. 5.
B 7-8
Turn in your II Kings 3 questions on Friday, 12.11.
B 9-10
Read and know Gen. 41:1-40. Due Friday, 12.11.
F1& F3
Study questions on the Christmas in France article are due Friday, 12.11.
F2
For Monday, 12.14, send me your journal entries and text notes from this week.
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