To Kill a Mockingbird - Debate #2: What caused it?

When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow [...] When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out." (Lee 3)

A strange way to open a book, for certain. But who is correct? Did the events leading to Jem "[getting] his arm badly broken at the elbow" (and PLEASE look at the sentence structure there! How do we normally phrase that!) begin with the Ewells or with Dill & Boo?

Would the course of events have remained the same if Dill had not entered the picture?

Debate #1: Name that Protagonist!

Obviously, Jean Louise Finch narrates the story...but is she the protagonist? Which character does Harper Lee put the most emphasis on in terms of character development and growth? Dialogue with each other...just remember to be courteous with your classmates!

Random Musings - Quarter 2 PART 2

My goodness, you guys are verbose! In order to make everyone's life easier, let's do a second Random Musings for the quarter so you will not need to scroll through over 200 posts!

Oedipus Essay - Student Study / Collaboration Group

Use this thread to discourse with one another as you plan out your AP essay. Share ideas; ask questions; try out thesis statements; get help and offer some in return.Use this thread to discourse with one another as you plan out your AP essay. Share ideas; ask questions; try out thesis statements; get help and offer some in return.

GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR

Please use this forum to ask questions, seek help, or pose challenges for your classmates concerning the wonderful world of grammar.

Random Musings for Quarter 2

Please use this forum to ask questions about an unclear assignment, to ask for help from your classmates, or to continue a discussion from class.

Favorite Classroom / Literary Moments

It happens to everyone: words get jumbled between the brain and mouth, we enter into a conversation a moment too late... or we are simply confused. Ironically, these are the moments that help us remember the important information from class; laughter is a powerful learning tool. This is an opportunity to remember the special moments, lessons, activities, characters, and, of course, the miscommunications from our class. Help me to keep track of them and I will compile these into a booklet at the end of the year. Please remember that class rules apply: I will not tolerate any malicious attacks on any student or teacher. This is not meant to poke fun at anyone; it is meant in a spirit of reliving the occasional happy moment in our very special circle of hell :-)

Did Wargrave Get It Right?

In his confessional letter, Wargrave claims that he killed off the guests in the order of their crime (from least to worst -- with the exception of Marston who was incapable of feeling guilt). Do you think his calculations were correct? Or, would you have arranged the murders in a different order? Explain and support your response.

Most Romantic Myth - or Worst Romantic Ending EVER!

I realize that Edith Hamilton's Mythology is laborious reading. Let's focus on the love stories: those that succeed and those that, well, end in absolute disaster.
Please share your favorite romantic tale or vent about one that was just too miserable to have ever been created.
Don't forget to think about the purpose of the myth: is there an element of nature that has been immortalized by the lovers (such as a flower, tree, etc.)?

The Mythology Exams: A Blog-Based Study Group

Participate in a study group! Here, you can ask or answer questions....and even try to get into the warped mind of your insane instructor. What questions do you think will appear on the tests? Can you guess what the essay prompts might be?
Prepare for the review game by posting some questions for your classmates to answer!

Random Musings

Questions about an assignment? An unfinished debate from class? Something you wish to share? This is the place! We can also use this site as a way for you to ask and to respond to questions that you might be having with the homework or readings ( but I think that I might need a separate post for grammar!).


As always, this does count for participation credit (B-squares).

Most Evil

As you read And Then There Were None, you will find yourself judging the character's actions, both present and past. Who in your opinion is the most evil character or has committed the most heinous acts? Be certain to support your response with textual details. DON'T GIVE AWAY THE ENDING!!!

Summer Reading SOS: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please feel free to ask (and answer?) any questions you might have concerning summer reading. These questions may be about the content of the text, the format of novel notes, or understanding literary terms. Remember to identify who you are when you post so I know to whom I must respond ... and continue to check the website for updates.