ENGLISH 1B: READING JOURNAL QUESTIONS
Answer the critical thinking questions provided in a few sentences each. When possible, use or refer to specific quotes and passages to justify your answers. Be sure to identify each day’s reading with the title of the work, the section(s) read, and number each question being answered.
UNIT 1: DRAMA
Hamlet
8/27: Act 1
1. What do you think King Claudius’ purpose is in his speech to the court in 1.2.1-39? What is he trying to accomplish?
2. What does Hamlet seem to be most upset about in his “solid flesh” speech? Do his feelings seem justified to you?
3. From the interactions of Polonius and Laertes with Ophelia, what can you glean about her character and her status as a woman? Does she seem to be independent or obedient? What are her brother and father’s biggest concerns about her relationship with Hamlet?
9/3: Acts 2 & 3
1. In Act 1, Scene 5, Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus that he will “put an antic disposition on” (1.5.181). Based on Hamlet’s actions and words, do you think he is pretending to be crazy, or has he really gone mad? Point to scenes and lines in the text that justify your position.
2. What is ironic in Hamlet’s entrance and speech at the end of 3.3?
3. Does Hamlet’s preoccupation/obsession with his mother’s sex life seem unnatural or wrong? Or do his feelings about her “incest” seem justified? Is her relationship with Claudius incest?
9/8: Acts 4 & 5
1. How do Fortinbras and Hamlet compare as sons? Princes? How do they relate to each other as characters? (Try to use some of your drama vocabulary to help you answer this question.)
2. Is there any sense in Ophelia’s mad singing? If so, what might the songs indicate about what has caused her madness?
3. How has Hamlet’s attitude toward death changed now that he has returned from England? How is his attitude reflected in his actions and speech in the remainder of the play? Point to a couple quotes that indicate a change in his attitude toward death.
9/15: Plato and Aristotle
1. Plato and Aristotle have very different views on the purpose, use and place of drama in society. Do you agree with either of them? Why or why not?
2. Do you think either of their views are still valid today? Use examples from your experiences or modern society to justify your answer.
Ruined
9/17: Act 1
1. What does the term “ruined” suggest about women’s worth or value in Congonese society? Do all of the characters in the play seem to believe the same way?
2. How have outside countries effected the situation in Congo? What is the significance of Mr. Harari’s character?
3. Is there a clear villain in the war in the Congo? If so, who/what is it?
4. What does the story of Mama’s raw diamond indicate about her character and her attitude towards others? Does this story make you change the way you view her? If so, how?
9/22: Act 2
1. Is Mama’s place a refuge, completely separated from the war, or is it just as effected by it, or even part of its atrocities? Can she keep the outside world away from her bar or has it already encroached?
2. In 2.4, why do you think Nottage had the rebel leader leave only to immediately bring in Osembenga? What is the effect?
3. Analyze the significance of the proverb that Mama shares with Mr. Harari in 2.6. What does it reveal about her character and beliefs?
4. What is the significance of Salima’s decision to abort her baby? Her last words?
9/24 “Nine Ten”
Please answer the following Reading and Reacting questions from Portable Literature: #3, 6 and 7.
8/27: Act 1
1. What do you think King Claudius’ purpose is in his speech to the court in 1.2.1-39? What is he trying to accomplish?
2. What does Hamlet seem to be most upset about in his “solid flesh” speech? Do his feelings seem justified to you?
3. From the interactions of Polonius and Laertes with Ophelia, what can you glean about her character and her status as a woman? Does she seem to be independent or obedient? What are her brother and father’s biggest concerns about her relationship with Hamlet?
9/3: Acts 2 & 3
1. In Act 1, Scene 5, Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus that he will “put an antic disposition on” (1.5.181). Based on Hamlet’s actions and words, do you think he is pretending to be crazy, or has he really gone mad? Point to scenes and lines in the text that justify your position.
2. What is ironic in Hamlet’s entrance and speech at the end of 3.3?
3. Does Hamlet’s preoccupation/obsession with his mother’s sex life seem unnatural or wrong? Or do his feelings about her “incest” seem justified? Is her relationship with Claudius incest?
9/8: Acts 4 & 5
1. How do Fortinbras and Hamlet compare as sons? Princes? How do they relate to each other as characters? (Try to use some of your drama vocabulary to help you answer this question.)
2. Is there any sense in Ophelia’s mad singing? If so, what might the songs indicate about what has caused her madness?
3. How has Hamlet’s attitude toward death changed now that he has returned from England? How is his attitude reflected in his actions and speech in the remainder of the play? Point to a couple quotes that indicate a change in his attitude toward death.
9/15: Plato and Aristotle
1. Plato and Aristotle have very different views on the purpose, use and place of drama in society. Do you agree with either of them? Why or why not?
2. Do you think either of their views are still valid today? Use examples from your experiences or modern society to justify your answer.
Ruined
9/17: Act 1
1. What does the term “ruined” suggest about women’s worth or value in Congonese society? Do all of the characters in the play seem to believe the same way?
2. How have outside countries effected the situation in Congo? What is the significance of Mr. Harari’s character?
3. Is there a clear villain in the war in the Congo? If so, who/what is it?
4. What does the story of Mama’s raw diamond indicate about her character and her attitude towards others? Does this story make you change the way you view her? If so, how?
9/22: Act 2
1. Is Mama’s place a refuge, completely separated from the war, or is it just as effected by it, or even part of its atrocities? Can she keep the outside world away from her bar or has it already encroached?
2. In 2.4, why do you think Nottage had the rebel leader leave only to immediately bring in Osembenga? What is the effect?
3. Analyze the significance of the proverb that Mama shares with Mr. Harari in 2.6. What does it reveal about her character and beliefs?
4. What is the significance of Salima’s decision to abort her baby? Her last words?
9/24 “Nine Ten”
Please answer the following Reading and Reacting questions from Portable Literature: #3, 6 and 7.
UNIT 2: FICTION
10/6 “Hills Like White Elephants”
1. What type of operation do you think the characters are discussing? How does each character feel about the operation in question?
2. What do you think the woman means by her last quote?
10/8
“The Story of an Hour”
Please answer the following questions from Portable Literature: #5 & 8.
“The Yellow Wallpaper”
1. How does the narrator describe the children who once lived in this room? How might her descriptions influence our understanding of her attitude toward her own child and the traditional role of motherhood?
2. What do we learn is the actual cause of the damage to the nursery in which the narrator stays? Based on the reality revealed in the end of the story, does the narrator seem to be reliable? Why or why not?
10/13 Brokeback Mountain
1. What do you think of Proulx’s introduction of Jack’s homosexuality? Why do you think she did it so suddenly? What is the effect?
2. Why do both men claim not to be “queer?” Do you believe them? Why or why not? How do Ennis and Jack differ in this respect? What is Ennis if not gay?
3. What is the symbolic significance of the hailstorm that mixes up the sheep?
4. How does the story’s time period effect your understanding and interpretation of the story? How does the setting/motif effect your understanding?
5. Why do you think Ennis punched Jack on their last day on the mountain (p. 17)? Why do you think Proulx neglects to give us the full story?
6. What does Ennis’s impregnating his wife within a month of their marriage suggest about their sex life? Does it suggest anything about Ennis’s sexuality? What do we learn about his sex life from the description on page 19? Why do you think Ennis refuses to wear condoms with Alma?
7. What is the significance of the frequency at which ranches fold in this story? What does it suggest about the world in which Jack and Ennis live?
8. What does Brokeback mountain mean to Jack? To Ennis? Is it the same for both?
9. Is what Jack and Ennis share love or just sex? Find evidence in the text to support your claim.
Brave New World
10/20
Utopia
Answer the following questions after you have begun reading Brave New World
1. After having read a portion of Utopia and started Brave New World, what seems to be the definition or defining characteristic of a utopian society? In other words, what do utopian societies strive to create?
2. How does the portion about how chickens are raised in Utopia relate to the way humans are raised in Huxley’s work?
Brave New World Chapters 1-6
1. How do you think “Bokanovsky’s Process is one of the major instruments of social stability” (7)? (Chapter 1)
2. What is the significance of the deference to Ford (“Our Ford”)? Why would he, of all historical figures, be the one that this society most looks to? If you are not already aware of Ford’s contribution to the process of manufacturing, look up some information on him online in order to help you answer this question. (Chapter 2)
3. What do you make of the compulsory “pregnancy substitutes” for women? What does this indicate the society believes about women? Do you think this attitude is more a product of the beliefs of Huxley’s time, or is it a projection of future beliefs in this futuristic society? (Chapter 3)
4. What is the difference between Bernard and Lenina’s views of “freedom?” (Ch. 6)
5. What does the Director’s story about his trip to New Mexico indicate/suggest? (Ch. 6)
10/22 Brave New World Chapters 7-12
1. What is the effect of the human sacrifice on the reservation? How does this scene of the “savagery” on the reservation compare to Lenina and Bernard’s civilized life? (Ch. 7)
2. The title, Brave New World, is a reference to Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. John learns to read through a copy of Shakespeare’s complete works. Why do you think Huxley had Shakespeare in mind while writing this novel? What is the effect of having a character familiar with Shakespeare in this world? (Ch. 8)
3. Why do you think the Director chose to dismiss Bernard publicly? What does his need to make a public example of Bernard suggest about his faith in society’s conditioning? (Ch. 10)
4. Why do you think being called a “father” is met with ridicule while being a “mother” is obscene? Why do you think there is a difference in how the two titles are viewed? (Ch. 11)
5. Why do you think Helmholtz is happy in his adversity? What does it mean to him? (Ch. 12)
10/27 Brave New World Chapters 13-18
1. What does the nurse mean by her use of the word “antisocial”? How, in this world, is forming personal attachments to loved ones antisocial? (Ch. 14)
2. Are you surprised by Helmholtz joining John in his rebellion while Bernard remains indecisive? Why or why not? (Ch. 15)
3. Do you agree with the Controller’s claim that “you can’t make tragedies without social instability” (220)? Can there be art in a world like this? (Ch. 16)
4. How does the Controller seem to feel about society? Does he fall within it, or is he somehow above or exterior to it? (Ch. 16)
5. Do you agree that if people didn’t have old age or fear death, then they wouldn’t need a god? (Ch. 17)
6. React to the following quote: “But industrial civilization is only possible when there’s no self-denial. Self-indulgence up to the very limits imposed by hygiene and economics. Otherwise the wheels stop turning” (237). Do you agree or disagree? Do you see any signs of this in our own modern, industrial world? (Chapter 17)
7. Does John’s self torture and incessant prayer seem better than the alternative that he experienced in the utopian society? (Ch. 18)
10/29 Communist Manifesto
1. How might the ideas put forth in the Communist Manifesto relate to those expressed in Brave New World? Do you sense any tensions with Communism being expressed in BNW? Find two quotes from the Communist Manifesto that support your thesis and analyze them in reference to Huxley’s novel.
1. What type of operation do you think the characters are discussing? How does each character feel about the operation in question?
2. What do you think the woman means by her last quote?
10/8
“The Story of an Hour”
Please answer the following questions from Portable Literature: #5 & 8.
“The Yellow Wallpaper”
1. How does the narrator describe the children who once lived in this room? How might her descriptions influence our understanding of her attitude toward her own child and the traditional role of motherhood?
2. What do we learn is the actual cause of the damage to the nursery in which the narrator stays? Based on the reality revealed in the end of the story, does the narrator seem to be reliable? Why or why not?
10/13 Brokeback Mountain
1. What do you think of Proulx’s introduction of Jack’s homosexuality? Why do you think she did it so suddenly? What is the effect?
2. Why do both men claim not to be “queer?” Do you believe them? Why or why not? How do Ennis and Jack differ in this respect? What is Ennis if not gay?
3. What is the symbolic significance of the hailstorm that mixes up the sheep?
4. How does the story’s time period effect your understanding and interpretation of the story? How does the setting/motif effect your understanding?
5. Why do you think Ennis punched Jack on their last day on the mountain (p. 17)? Why do you think Proulx neglects to give us the full story?
6. What does Ennis’s impregnating his wife within a month of their marriage suggest about their sex life? Does it suggest anything about Ennis’s sexuality? What do we learn about his sex life from the description on page 19? Why do you think Ennis refuses to wear condoms with Alma?
7. What is the significance of the frequency at which ranches fold in this story? What does it suggest about the world in which Jack and Ennis live?
8. What does Brokeback mountain mean to Jack? To Ennis? Is it the same for both?
9. Is what Jack and Ennis share love or just sex? Find evidence in the text to support your claim.
Brave New World
10/20
Utopia
Answer the following questions after you have begun reading Brave New World
1. After having read a portion of Utopia and started Brave New World, what seems to be the definition or defining characteristic of a utopian society? In other words, what do utopian societies strive to create?
2. How does the portion about how chickens are raised in Utopia relate to the way humans are raised in Huxley’s work?
Brave New World Chapters 1-6
1. How do you think “Bokanovsky’s Process is one of the major instruments of social stability” (7)? (Chapter 1)
2. What is the significance of the deference to Ford (“Our Ford”)? Why would he, of all historical figures, be the one that this society most looks to? If you are not already aware of Ford’s contribution to the process of manufacturing, look up some information on him online in order to help you answer this question. (Chapter 2)
3. What do you make of the compulsory “pregnancy substitutes” for women? What does this indicate the society believes about women? Do you think this attitude is more a product of the beliefs of Huxley’s time, or is it a projection of future beliefs in this futuristic society? (Chapter 3)
4. What is the difference between Bernard and Lenina’s views of “freedom?” (Ch. 6)
5. What does the Director’s story about his trip to New Mexico indicate/suggest? (Ch. 6)
10/22 Brave New World Chapters 7-12
1. What is the effect of the human sacrifice on the reservation? How does this scene of the “savagery” on the reservation compare to Lenina and Bernard’s civilized life? (Ch. 7)
2. The title, Brave New World, is a reference to Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest. John learns to read through a copy of Shakespeare’s complete works. Why do you think Huxley had Shakespeare in mind while writing this novel? What is the effect of having a character familiar with Shakespeare in this world? (Ch. 8)
3. Why do you think the Director chose to dismiss Bernard publicly? What does his need to make a public example of Bernard suggest about his faith in society’s conditioning? (Ch. 10)
4. Why do you think being called a “father” is met with ridicule while being a “mother” is obscene? Why do you think there is a difference in how the two titles are viewed? (Ch. 11)
5. Why do you think Helmholtz is happy in his adversity? What does it mean to him? (Ch. 12)
10/27 Brave New World Chapters 13-18
1. What does the nurse mean by her use of the word “antisocial”? How, in this world, is forming personal attachments to loved ones antisocial? (Ch. 14)
2. Are you surprised by Helmholtz joining John in his rebellion while Bernard remains indecisive? Why or why not? (Ch. 15)
3. Do you agree with the Controller’s claim that “you can’t make tragedies without social instability” (220)? Can there be art in a world like this? (Ch. 16)
4. How does the Controller seem to feel about society? Does he fall within it, or is he somehow above or exterior to it? (Ch. 16)
5. Do you agree that if people didn’t have old age or fear death, then they wouldn’t need a god? (Ch. 17)
6. React to the following quote: “But industrial civilization is only possible when there’s no self-denial. Self-indulgence up to the very limits imposed by hygiene and economics. Otherwise the wheels stop turning” (237). Do you agree or disagree? Do you see any signs of this in our own modern, industrial world? (Chapter 17)
7. Does John’s self torture and incessant prayer seem better than the alternative that he experienced in the utopian society? (Ch. 18)
10/29 Communist Manifesto
1. How might the ideas put forth in the Communist Manifesto relate to those expressed in Brave New World? Do you sense any tensions with Communism being expressed in BNW? Find two quotes from the Communist Manifesto that support your thesis and analyze them in reference to Huxley’s novel.
UNIT 3: POETRY
11/17
“Negro”
What does the use of the pronoun “I” by the speaker seem to indicate? Is this usage literal or figurative, and if it is figurative what is the poet trying to convey by its use?
“My Last Duchess”
What do you think the tone of the speaker is in the poem? How does he seem to feel about his last duchess? How does he seem to feel about himself?
“The World Is Too Much with Us”
What is the speaker’s attitude toward the contemporary world? How is this attitude revealed through the poem’s tone?
“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”
This poem is developed like an argument. What is the speaker’s main point? How does he support it?
“Porphyria’s Lover”
What is the effect of the rhyme pattern on the tone of this poem? How does it make you view the actions described?
“Ozymandias”
What point does the poet seem to be making about time in this poem and how does he make it?
11/19
“My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun”
How does this sonnet seem to go against the norms of sonneteering?
“In a Station of the Metro”
How does the image of the metro station relate to the image of “Petals on a...bough?”
“The Road Not Taken”
Does Frost mean his poem to be taken literally? What seems to be the figurative argument/claim that Frost is making in this poem?
“Stopping by Woods”
What seems to be Frost’s attitude to nature in this poem?
11/26
“Shall I Compare thee to a Summer’s Day?”
Why does Shakespeare write, “But thy eternal summer shall not fade?” Why does Shakespeare think that his beloved will not fade?
“Harlem”
How does Hughes’s title relate to the poem? How does the title help you understand the poem’s message more?
“Daddy”
How does Plath’s hyperbolic analogies describing her father contrast with her use of the endearing term “Daddy?” What is the effect?
“To His Coy Mistress”
How does Marvell’s poem relate to Robert Herrick’s poem, “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”?
“Out, Out--”
Please answer question #1 following the poem in your text book.
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
What seems to be the speaker’s attitude toward death?
“Negro”
What does the use of the pronoun “I” by the speaker seem to indicate? Is this usage literal or figurative, and if it is figurative what is the poet trying to convey by its use?
“My Last Duchess”
What do you think the tone of the speaker is in the poem? How does he seem to feel about his last duchess? How does he seem to feel about himself?
“The World Is Too Much with Us”
What is the speaker’s attitude toward the contemporary world? How is this attitude revealed through the poem’s tone?
“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”
This poem is developed like an argument. What is the speaker’s main point? How does he support it?
“Porphyria’s Lover”
What is the effect of the rhyme pattern on the tone of this poem? How does it make you view the actions described?
“Ozymandias”
What point does the poet seem to be making about time in this poem and how does he make it?
11/19
“My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun”
How does this sonnet seem to go against the norms of sonneteering?
“In a Station of the Metro”
How does the image of the metro station relate to the image of “Petals on a...bough?”
“The Road Not Taken”
Does Frost mean his poem to be taken literally? What seems to be the figurative argument/claim that Frost is making in this poem?
“Stopping by Woods”
What seems to be Frost’s attitude to nature in this poem?
11/26
“Shall I Compare thee to a Summer’s Day?”
Why does Shakespeare write, “But thy eternal summer shall not fade?” Why does Shakespeare think that his beloved will not fade?
“Harlem”
How does Hughes’s title relate to the poem? How does the title help you understand the poem’s message more?
“Daddy”
How does Plath’s hyperbolic analogies describing her father contrast with her use of the endearing term “Daddy?” What is the effect?
“To His Coy Mistress”
How does Marvell’s poem relate to Robert Herrick’s poem, “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”?
“Out, Out--”
Please answer question #1 following the poem in your text book.
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
What seems to be the speaker’s attitude toward death?