An Uncommon Commonplace Book

Blog entry due Tues April 3

2008-04-03T18:09:49Z

Discuss your thoughts on the ending of Brazil. Should the film have ended differently? At a different point? Would this change the meaning of the film? If so, would changing the ending be preferable? Why or why not?

Blog due April 3 (NOT April 1!)

2008-03-27T17:17:32Z

Choose TWO of the following critical approaches:
New Criticism
Archetypal Criticism
Psychoanalytic Criticism
Feminist Criticism
Marxist Criticism
Reader-Response Criticism
Cultural Studies
New Historicism

and explain how you could use them in writing your paper. What other questions could you ask? What research could you do? Be sure to choose two critical approaches that are relevant to your topic.

Explanations of these critical approaches are in "Critical Theory" located in the Readings folder on Blackboard.

Please add-

2008-02-21T17:38:46Z

jamigo

to your friends if you have not done so already!
Thank you!

Intro to Literature: new TV version of Raisin in the Sun

2008-02-19T04:37:24Z

airs next week.

From http://abc.go.com/specials/raisininthesun/index?partner=rm

Sean Combs, who reprises the role of Walter Lee, Jr. which brought him acclaim, stars in the highly anticipated, special three-hour television movie adaptation from Sony Pictures Television of "A Raisin in the Sun," along with the cast of the award-winning Broadway revival who recreate their roles for the new film, including Emmy and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan, plus "ER" star John Stamos. Based on Lorraine Hansberry's play that inspired a generation, "A Raisin in the Sun" will air as an "ABC World Premiere Movie Event," MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network, the night after ABC's live telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards.

I will probably offer a written extra credit assignment in conjunction with watching this movie.

Also- if any of you have access to a DVD recorder and can record it for me, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Every Year Brings Us Closer to 1984

2008-02-14T04:46:33Z

From the Miami Herald:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/76684/

Origins of the dystopian impulse in literature

2008-02-03T01:45:06Z

Pelwell sent me a message with a question, and we've been discussing these issues. We decided it would be better to post it here so that everyone else may participate as well. Feel free to reply with your own ideas.

Pelwell wrote:
It seems as if most dystopian literature, as Booker points out in his introduction, is less about the question of whether utopia CAN exist and more about whether it SHOULD exist. This leads directly to the nearly impossible question of, "What is Utopia?" I claim it is unanswerable due to the fact that ever person will have a different definition and most, if asked, will admit that they do not know what they would truly call utopia.

amclanton wrote:
There are other writers who argue that utopian fiction can promote positive change in society without advocating a totalitarian approach.

I think the key is that both utopia and dystopia indicate genres of literature, not actual societies. The goal of authors of both types of literature is generally to call attention to characteristics in their own societies-- either positive or negative. In a way, both utopian and dystopian fictions have the same goal: to critique the society in which the author lives.

Pelwell wrote:
I understand the idea that many authors approach the idea of utopia in a positive light, but the idea that utopia is a negative, that it is undesirable, seems to be the prevalent idea in our culture today. From movies like _The Matrix_ through to writings by authors like William Gibson, Timothy Zahn, George Alec Effinger, and Robert Heinlein, all of these showcase the idea that the tools exist to create a utopic society. They all point out, though, that the idea of utopia is so individual, so deeply personal, that there is no true manner in which to approach it as a universal concept unless you accept the idea of "world as fiction" or "perception = reality".

In terms of literary genre, what do you think makes most SF present dystopia as a background theme for their stories. Dick, Sterling, Wells, Bradbury, Heinlein, Gibson, Williams, all of these authors present their thoughts on what our not-too-distant future is going to be like and all of them seem of the opinion that it will not be a pleasant place for most people. What do you think causes this leaning?

amclanton wrote:
Even though some of the things that have been described in these works have come to pass, I don't think that they are trying to predict the future as much as critique the present. Both utopian and dystopian literature functions this way. Utopian fiction shows how good a future (or simply distant) society might be, and thus, by implication, what current society lacks. Dystopian fiction does the same by describing the worst possible society, thus highlighting the worst aspects of current society. And yes, as Booker points out, dystopian literature also critiques the utopian impulse, and often argues that the drive to create a "perfect" world results in precisely the opposite.

The reasons authors have turned to this sort of critique are various, but as we've discussed in class, the events of the 19th and (especially) 20th centuries seemed to betray the idea of "progress."

However, I also think it's important to point out that dystopian works, when read as warnings, can be used to show the way to a better society as much as utopian works.

Pelwell wrote:

I am not claiming that these works are predictive or that they are absolute on what it is that will come, but with the authors I've mentioned they tend toward the extremely pessimistic when it comes to the direction our society is headed. The ideas that each of them puts forth as "what will come about if..." seem to be holding up a very large, red sign that says STOP! Heinlein has his theocracy, Gibson, Effinger, Sterling, Dick and others all present a bleak, dismal future that has - in many ways - already come to pass.

I realize that part of the Cyberpunk genre, along with its dystopian roots, is to present a view of what dangers society is in based on what is happening at the time the work was written and the direction that seems to lead. What I cannot help but wonder, though, is what sort of impact these writings have had in causing parts of their visions to come true merely by writing about them?

A few notes about your blog entries:

2008-01-29T05:13:32Z

Overall, I'm quite impressed with the quality of your blog entries. I see a great deal of thought being put into a lot of these posts.

Also-- to answer a question-- yes, when the topic is "your choice" your entry still needs to somehow relate to works we're reading or the theme of the course.

And one more note--

I don't mind at all when students offer negative criticism of the works I've assigned. It would be impossible to design a course in which everyone would like everything! However, if you don't like a work that we're reading, please give it some thought and explain your reasons. Such analysis would demonstrate the critical thinking skills I am looking for in your blog entries.

My own introduction...

2008-01-24T04:12:20Z

After reading everyone's introductions, I thought I should add my own. Yes, I'm your teacher, but not your "professor"-- at least, not yet. I've been working on my doctorate in English literature for about three years now, and I estimate I have about two more years to go. Then you can call me "Dr. Clanton"!

As much as I love my job, teaching and studying literature was not my original plan. My first major in college was music (I play the bass guitar), and then I switched to fine arts (with a concentration in painting and computer animation). But I always knew I'd be a teacher (my mother and grandmother were teachers), and so I earned my M.A. in art education. I taught elementary art for eight years, and I taught art history and computer graphics at Hillsborough Community College for six years.

Unfortunately, being an art teacher is like being the Rodney Dangerfield of the education system-- "No respect." (I hope I'm not so old now that none of you get that reference!) I've always loved books and reading, so I decided to become certified to be an English teacher. One thing led to another, and here I am, almost finished with my coursework toward my Ph.D.

On a more personal note, I have two kids: a fifteen-year-old daughter, and a (recently, and not-officially, adopted) twenty-year-old son. We have three cats, a gecko, and a horse.

My goal is to move to Ireland (I plan to start job-hunting there this summer) and become a professor of humanities.
Why Ireland? I visited Ireland last August and fell in love with it. I plan to write my dissertation on the Irish poet William Butler Yeats.
Why humanities? In humanities, I can study and teach all of the arts- music, painting, sculpture, literature, film...

You might also be wondering why I chose "dystopia" as our theme. First of all, I have a passionate love for dystopian literature, and a teacher should always teach the things he or she cares about most deeply. I also think that dystopian literature is important because our freedoms are so important-- and yet, so tenuous. Dystopian literature reminds us how easily people can surrender their rights, sometimes without even knowing.

Please add

2008-01-24T03:21:55Z

lhtaylor
fchea

to your friends list.

Corrections to usernames

2008-01-19T06:16:31Z

elphie_vt should be elphie_vr

mmward should be mmward2

and please also add morganlit

Thank you!

Please add these people to your friends

2008-01-18T19:52:56Z

Go to "Friends," then "Manage Friends," scroll to the bottom of the page and type the usernames in the boxes. Click save. Repeat until you've added everyone.

NOTE: I am still waiting on about six people to send me their usernames!

jst_read
hcope
pixiepirate627
felker1215
xgolding
mgosnell
bvhaber
drod18
hawaiianbrian78
bellaluna1029
fowlfeet
swirlyvortex
nnewland
rpassmore
molly_face41
pellybelly
elphie_vt
cdscott
dseiden
muse_electric
worth2kwords
jedipirate89
pelwell
adriennerm
jojacko
kanrrigu
lebateman
jbradsh2
angellilpooh
jelie2
ejeanpi3
jaysq89
vnicholas20
brittpayne
spederso
sroeper
baronvonsaklani
lsanjavier
jdpisag
jspar3
sstuckey
mmward
redrocketR6
ms_whitney
wjwilso2
usfdelight

testing

2008-01-17T16:45:44Z

testing

Intro to Fiction and Intro to Literature- Blogging Guidelines

2008-01-17T14:07:16Z

1. Sometimes I will post a specific question for discussion in your blog.If I post a specific question or topic, it will be posted here in my blog on LiveJournal approximately a week before it is due. More often, you will be expected to write about a topic of your own choice- as long as it relates to this course and the works that we are reading. If I do not post a question, assume that the topic is your choice.

2. Blogs must be completed each week before class begins on Tuesday. Comments/Replies to your classmates' blogs must be posted before class begins on Thursday.

3. Organize your blog in paragraphs just as you would with a regular essay. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors should be minimal. Ideas should be clearly expressed and on-topic.

4. Write for a world-wide audience, not just your classmates; don't assume that all your readers will know what book, story, or article you are talking about. Post a link to any source that is on the Web, or provide an MLA-style citation for any source that is not on the Web.

5. Blog entries must be at least 250 words long. Shorter blogs will not receive full credit. Very short blogs will receive a zero. There is no word count requirement for comments/replies. However, comments must be substantial, stating a claim or opinion and giving reasons for it.

Commonplace Books- links to more info

2008-01-17T13:59:00Z

http://www.assumption.edu/users/lknoles/commonplacebook.html

http://www.digitalmedievalist.com/it/archive/000007.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonplace

http://www.yale.edu/opa/v29.n34/story3.html

http://notesaboutnotes.com/Notes/CommonplaceBook.html

Intro to poetry- add this username

2007-09-06T16:11:11Z

kellenbegley

Intro to Fiction- please add this username

2007-09-06T14:32:44Z

bookworm1012

Intro to Poetry- presentation sign-up

2007-09-04T20:10:34Z

Poet Presentation: This 5-6 minute presentation should briefly describe the life of the poet, the major cultural and historical events of the time in which he or she lived, and list the poet’s major works. Each presentation should include visual and/or audio materials, or involve the class in a related activity.

OR

Poem/Art Presentation: This 5-6 minute presentation will link a particular poem with a particular work of art. The student will read the poem aloud and lead a brief discussion on how the chosen work of art connects to the ideas in the poem. Please try to avoid obvious connections- for example, showing a painting of a swan with Yeats’ poem “The Wild Swans of Coole” does not require enough (or any) thought or interpretation. Choose images with connected ideas, not ones that simply illustrate objects in the poem.

Post a comment/reply to this post stating which poet or poem you would like to present. Only one person may present on each poet or poem; however, students may present different poems by the same poet.

Do not choose Dylan Thomas as your poet, as I will be giving a sample presentation on Dylan Thomas. (You may choose a poem by Dylan Thomas if you wish.)

First come! First served!

Intro to Fiction- presentation sign-up

2007-09-04T20:01:06Z

Author Presentation: Working in groups of two or three, students will create a presentation on an author. The presentations should last 8-12 minutes. The presentation should briefly describe the life of the author, the major cultural and historical events of the time in which he or she lived, and list the author’s major works. Each presentation should include visual and/or audio materials, or involve the class in a related activity.

Here are the presentation topics. Please choose your partner/s and post a comment/reply to this entry stating your and your partners' names and which topic you want. (If you know which topic you want, but don't know who to partner with, you can just post the topic and then others can partner with you.)

First come! First served!

Kurt Vonnegut
Ayn Rand
Plato
Aldous Huxley
Shirley Jackson
Ursula LeGuin
Margaret Atwood
Thomas More
Phillip K. Dick
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Dorothy Bryant

Usernames- please add your class to your friends

2007-09-04T19:31:46Z

Intro to Fiction
Group A
rlalderm
aathanasatos
kbeachy1106
Lbennett86
cmborges
Kristen2589
jcourel
kmdeshon
aestrad3
tferguso
phil318
jmgibso2
BrittanyNG329

Group B
pixiestixz16
boomoon
cantbesaved11
kkefauve
pkuzlo
adriennerm
lmascherin
Mizuno347
grkomorfitsa
puppy_lover3
ktierney

Intro to Poetry
Group A
poetrystudent11
IntricateMethod
Josh434
epicureanapex
soccer_freak_21
boston_jorge
cated5
llfranci
akral

Group B
flippinkla
LawLadi07
aelovela
sarah_mostafa
fathiya_rajya
tperkin2
apettinato
ladylazarus333
JJSAINTE
chucky457
benevolent28
rchrdwnmker
brice13yag

From Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

2007-08-25T19:33:02Z

Until they become conscious, they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.

...

Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbors, films, football, beer, and, above all, gambling filled up the horizons of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult.

-----

This is very similar to the way all classes are controlled in Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

From "Adam's Curse" by W.B. Yeats (1904)

2007-08-25T19:14:32Z

We sat together at one summer's end,
That beautiful mild woman, your close friend,
And you and I, and talked of poetry.
I said, 'A line will take us hours maybe;
Yet if it does not seem a moment's thought,
Our stitching and unstitching has been naught.
Better go down upon your marrow-bones
And scrub a kitchen pavement, or break stones
Like an old pauper, in all kinds of weather;
For to articulate sweet sounds together
Is to work harder than all these, and yet
Be thought an idler by the noisy set
Of bankers, schoolmasters, and clergymen
The martyrs call the world.'

Compare this with Wordsworth from "Preface to Lyrical Ballads":
"I cannot, however, be insensible to the present outcry against the triviality and meanness, both of thought and language, which some of my contemporaries have occasionally introduced into their metrical compositions; and I acknowledge that this defect, where it exists, is more dishonourable to the Writer’s own character than false refinement or arbitrary innovation, though I should contend at the same time, that it is far less pernicious in the sum of its consequences. From such verses the Poems in these volumes will be found distinguished at least by one mark of difference, that each of them has a worthy purpose. Not that I always began to write with a distinct purpose formerly conceived; but habits of meditation have, I trust, so prompted and regulated my feelings, that my descriptions of such objects as strongly excite those feelings, will be found to carry along with them a purpose. If this opinion be erroneous, I can have little right to the name of a Poet. For all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: and though this be true, Poems to which any value can be attached were never produced on any variety of subjects but by a man who, being possessed of more than usual organic sensibility, had also thought long and deeply. For our continued influxes of feeling are modified and directed by our thoughts, which are indeed the representatives of all our past feelings; and, as by contemplating the relation of these general representatives to each other, we discover what is really important to men, so, by the repetition and continuance of this act, our feelings will be connected with important subjects, till at length, if we be originally possessed of much sensibility, such habits of mind will be produced, that, by obeying blindly and mechanically the impulses of those habits, we shall describe objects, and utter sentiments, of such a nature, and in such connexion with each other, that the understanding of the Reader must necessarily be in some degree enlightened, and his affections strengthened and purified."
http://www.bartleby.com/39/36.html

Links to more information about commonplace books

2007-08-25T18:54:17Z

amclanton @ 2007-08-25T14:40:00

2007-08-25T18:41:17Z

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Blog due July 9

2007-07-05T12:31:21Z

Find a cartoon on the web (http://cagle.msnbc.com/ is a good source) that discusses the same issue you are writing about for project three. (If you can't find a cartoon on the exact issue, find one that discusses something similar.)

Post a link to the cartoon, and write a paragraph to answer the following questions:

What mini-narrative (story) does the cartoon tell?
What is the cartoon arguing?
How does the cartoon use caricature, exaggeration, or distortion to convey its perspective?

Blog due July 2

2007-06-28T20:38:12Z

Find a short advertisement that focuses on one political or social issue. You may find it anywhere on the Internet, but one good source is YouTube: http://www.youtube.com .

I suggest clicking on "categories" and then "politics," or searching for "psa" (public service announcement).

The advertisement you post can be made by professionals or amateurs. To post the advertisement directly on your page, look to the right of the YouTube video. Copy the code in the box where it says "Embed." Paste that code into your blog entry.

If you can't figure out how to do this, just post a link.

Write a brief evaluation of the advertisement. How persuasive is it? Comment on at least one classmate's ad.