I found this revision tool on the Bitesize website and I think it could be really helpful.
You all know that I'm a fan of spider diagrams and this tool allows you to create printable, customisable ones for any of your subjects, and any topic within those subjects. For example, if I create a spider diagram on Carol Ann Duffy's poetry I can add branches (legs?) for each of her poems, then use the drop-down menus to select the attributes of each poem, such as structure and imagery, and comment on these.
It's a great way to make sure you're covering all the bases when you're studying.
Sunday 31 October 2010
Thursday 21 October 2010
Homework for the half-term, plus Historical Context of TKAM
Your homework for this half term is as follows:
To Kill a Mockingbird Background
Tkam Revision Pack
Some of the formatting of the revision pack hasn't come out too well but these issues will be resolved in the hard copy. In the meantime, all the necessary content is there - it just doesn't look as neat and tidy as it should.
1. Complete the essay question you were given in class. It would be beneficial for you to do this under timed conditions; however, I still expect to be given a full essay to mark on the Monday we return.
2. Take notes on the social and historical context of the novel. To help you do this I have attached a powerpoint dealing with the topic; I have also attached a video. The links on the sidebar (e.g. the link to Wikipedia) will also be useful. You should take notes in your jotter under the heading 'Social and Historical Context of the Novel'.
3. Revise for the mock exam. The sheets you were given in class today will contain suggestions on how best to go about doing this, and I've also given guidance below. The revision pack, although not yet available in hard copy, is also attached to this post.
To Kill a Mockingbird Background
Tkam Revision Pack
Some of the formatting of the revision pack hasn't come out too well but these issues will be resolved in the hard copy. In the meantime, all the necessary content is there - it just doesn't look as neat and tidy as it should.
On My First Sonne
Here is the powerpoint we used today in class. It should help you to understand the context of this poem in more depth.
On My First Sonne
On My First Sonne
Wednesday 20 October 2010
My Last Duchess: Context & Newspaper Article
After studying 'My Last Duchess' today I thought that a bit of background information would help you to understand the poem in more depth. This is a PowerPoint about Robert Browning and the people it is based on (Lucrezia and Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara).
I've also attached a copy of a newspaper article I wrote to introduce the poem to another class. A quick read of this should help you to consolidate your knowledge of the poem's events.
My Last Duchess
Big Al Unveils New Wing of Ferrara Art Gallery
I've also attached a copy of a newspaper article I wrote to introduce the poem to another class. A quick read of this should help you to consolidate your knowledge of the poem's events.
My Last Duchess
Big Al Unveils New Wing of Ferrara Art Gallery
Central Concerns: The Importance of a Moral Education
Moral Education is one of the central conerns of the novel. There is a lot of information on this theme in your revision packs, including some key quotations (although, as always, these should be supplemented with your own study).
Below is a PowerPoint presentation exploring the topic.
The Importance of Moral Education
Below is a PowerPoint presentation exploring the topic.
The Importance of Moral Education
Monday 11 October 2010
Central Concerns: Motifs & the Mockingbird
A motif in literature:
"... but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
Mockingbirds represent innocence; to kill a mockingbird, which is a harmless, giving creature, destroys that innocence. Several characters in the novel can be described symbolically as mockingbirds.
Boo Radley: Boo is one obvious choice. He was badly treated by his father but still doesn't lose his kind and generous spirit. Boo gives gifts to the children and saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell. At the end of the novel, Scout acknowledges that publicising this fact would be like shooting a mockingbird as Boo is a quiet and intensely private person who would be upset by the intrusion of neighbours, however kind they may be. This moment also signifies how Scout has grown up over the course of the novel - she is more understanding of human nature.
Mayella Ewell: We suspect that poor Mayella may be dreaming about something beyond her own painful life when we see that she cultivates flowers in the garden of her family home. Mayella is harmless, but she has been corrupted by her neglectful father, who is sexually and physically abusive towards her. In this way Mayella has lost her innocence - she is like a mockingbird who has been shot.
Tom Robinson: Tom was trying to help Mayella, and his evidence at the trial lets us know that he is a loving and kind person. He is innocent in the legal sense; however, he is also innocent in the sense that he is somewhat naive and actually harms his own case by admitting that he 'felt sorry' for Mayella. This turns the white jury against him as a black man has no place pitying a white woman. Tom is literally shot when he tries to escape from jail, but he is also robbed of his innocence when the guilty verdict of the trial is returned.
There are other examples of mockingbird characters in the novel, too.
Mockingbirds also help to alter the atmosphere in the book; for example, at moments of tension they are silent (e.g. when waiting for the verdict of the trial) and at times of beauty and peace they can be heard.
It is worth noting that the mockingbird motif appears in the names of certain characters - the Finches, for example (a mockingbird is a type of finch) and Tom Robinson (a North American robin is a songbird, as are mockingbirds).
- has symbolic value
- is recurring
Mockingbirds represent innocence; to kill a mockingbird, which is a harmless, giving creature, destroys that innocence. Several characters in the novel can be described symbolically as mockingbirds.
Boo Radley: Boo is one obvious choice. He was badly treated by his father but still doesn't lose his kind and generous spirit. Boo gives gifts to the children and saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell. At the end of the novel, Scout acknowledges that publicising this fact would be like shooting a mockingbird as Boo is a quiet and intensely private person who would be upset by the intrusion of neighbours, however kind they may be. This moment also signifies how Scout has grown up over the course of the novel - she is more understanding of human nature.
Mayella Ewell: We suspect that poor Mayella may be dreaming about something beyond her own painful life when we see that she cultivates flowers in the garden of her family home. Mayella is harmless, but she has been corrupted by her neglectful father, who is sexually and physically abusive towards her. In this way Mayella has lost her innocence - she is like a mockingbird who has been shot.
Tom Robinson: Tom was trying to help Mayella, and his evidence at the trial lets us know that he is a loving and kind person. He is innocent in the legal sense; however, he is also innocent in the sense that he is somewhat naive and actually harms his own case by admitting that he 'felt sorry' for Mayella. This turns the white jury against him as a black man has no place pitying a white woman. Tom is literally shot when he tries to escape from jail, but he is also robbed of his innocence when the guilty verdict of the trial is returned.
There are other examples of mockingbird characters in the novel, too.
Mockingbirds also help to alter the atmosphere in the book; for example, at moments of tension they are silent (e.g. when waiting for the verdict of the trial) and at times of beauty and peace they can be heard.
It is worth noting that the mockingbird motif appears in the names of certain characters - the Finches, for example (a mockingbird is a type of finch) and Tom Robinson (a North American robin is a songbird, as are mockingbirds).
Useful Video Links
I found these videos on YouTube and they appear to be pretty good. They'll give you a bit of a break from reading, too.
Introduction
Themes
Characters
Summary
Introduction
Themes
Characters
Summary
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