The 80s

Now that you've seen some video footage and read some articles, I'd like you to write a reaction, something you didn't previously know, about the 80s. Then read through some other posts and write a reaction to his/her post.

Conditioning BNW

From the following prompt, write your best thoughts and ideas to each of the questions. Once you've written your own original thought, read through what others have written and respond to another person's post.

Prompt: How does society condition us? Our parents? Teachers? Is conditioning good, does it serve a purpose, and if so, what? At what point is conditioning bad?

HAMLET Act 3 scene 4 film

Pick one of the following 2 prompts (February 10th)

1. Compare and/or contrast the Mel Gibson scene with the David Tennant scene we watched in class. Why do you think the directors made the choices they did? Once you write your response, check out what other people have said and reply to at least one other post.

2. Write a reaction to the two different versions of Act 3 scene 4. Once you write your response, check out what other people have said and reply to at least one other post.

The Lives of Others 2017

Write about one of the following prompts and then read through posts and respond to another person's comment(s):
Here's a link for more info on the film.

http://www.filmeducation.org/livesofothers/LivesofOthers.pdf

1. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus urges Scout to "try stepping into another person's shoes and consider things from their perspective" to keep her from getting into fights. In the film, Wiesler does just that. Why is that important for each of us to do?

2. What changes Wiesler, the spy? 

3. Consider the Minister, a man of power, and the corruption of that power (This is one of the major themes that tie to Hamlet) and/or think of key moments where characters use their power to serve their own interests. How do these men contrast with Wiesler?

4. O.Scott, A New York Times writer commented, in his review of the film that, "'The suspense comes not only from the structure and pacing of the scenes, but also, more deeply, from the sense that even in an oppressive society, individuals are burdened with free will. You never know, from one moment to the next, what course any of the characters will chose.'" Respond to his critique.

5. Would you agree or disagree that Christa- Maria is a Christ figure?

6. When we first meet the characters of Georg and Wiesler, we can understand them as opposites. Georg is a radical playwright and Wiesler is a member of the Stasi Party and as such works to police the output of people such as Georg. However by the end of the film we see that these characters have become less polarised, and through Wiesler’s actions the two men have an important connection. Why did the film-makers do this? What's the message, or function?

7. What did you learn about history that perhaps you didn't know before?

8. React to any aspect of the film you want.

Inferno and Seven

Inferno and Seven

Choose any one of the following prompts, or feel free to create your own prompt.:
1. If you watched the movie, how do you suppose Seven is related to The Inferno by Dante. Include any parallels in relation to sin, theme, character biblical allusions and/or any reactions you have to the film and poem. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts, so if you venture off topic, feel free to do so.
2. Write your reactions to the film
3. Define "sin" what do you suppose the word means?
4. Hell and Sin. Is there a hierarchy of sin? What is the very worst sin an individual can commit? 
5. Is there such thing as a place called Hell? If so, what does it look like? If not, why not? Why do some people believe in Hell and others do not?  

Beowulf

1. Reflect on the movie Beowulf vs. the Epic of Beowulf. If no particular thoughts come to mind, answer my questions. Did you prefer one over the other? What do you think was the message in each version? Why do you think so many changes were made in the movie?

2. Read through other people's posts and respond to at least one other person's comments.

"Should You Spy On Your Teen?"

Read “Should You Spy on Your Teen?” Write a post (on Ms. Ene’s EURO Lit Blogger) in which you defend, challenge, or qualify the idea that parents have a right to spy on their adolescent children. To support your position, use arguments from logic, your personal observation, your reading, or your personal experience. In a second blog post, be sure also to respond and answer another person's argument that is opposed to your own position; the task of making the case for your own side also involves, respectfully, showing how the other side is flawed.