Week of 2-5 March 2015

Week of 2-5 March 2014 Monday / Tuesday – in-class essay on a topic from Beowulf. No notes or assistance. Wednesday / Thursday – Intro to Drama. Remember that missed in-class assignments must be made up within a week in the testing room and on the student’s time. I usually – usually – on campus a half-hour or more before class time, and you are welcome to come early; however, a missed test or in-class essay will not be worked during class time.

Tuesday, 24 February

23 February 2015 6:00 P.M. As of now, Jasper Schools (and, thus, you) are scheduled to begin at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday. Weather conditions can change, of course, so you must make a wise decision regarding your own safety. This is not a license to skip –attendance marking is predicated on an institutional decision made by Jasper schools or by Angelina college. Check the local radio and institutional web sites upon arising. Beware the possibility of ice, and always make a safe decision. And, hey, if the roads are icy and so unsafe for travel to class, they are equally unsafe for travel to Sonic.

Lessons, Week of 16-19 February 2014

13 February 2015

 

Dear Students:

 

I am advised that the seasonal virus predation is unusually virulent this year.  Do your best about handwashing, covering your mouth when sneezing and yawning, and all the other hygienic practices you were taught as a child.  

 

We are studying an excerpt from Beowulf at present.  If you do not yet have the excerpt I photocopied for you, numerous translations are available through the Orwellian Telescreen.  You need only the bits about Grendl (a symbol of absolute evil) and Beowulf’s defeat of that monster.

 

As with “The Seafarer,” Beowulf is predicated on a warrior culture making the transition from paganism to Christianity.  Some editors have been known to remove allusions to God and to Christianity from Beowulf, so you will want – for the sake of scholarly integrity, at least - to find an edition that retains them.  And, please, avoid the stupid movie: Beowulf is a Christian warrior, a hero.

 

“Beowulf” apparently means “Slayer of the Wolf,” another indication of our hero’s courage, strength, and skill.

 

Here are some notes on the concept of the epic as a poetic form:

 

 

 

Angelina College

M. Hall

 

Beowulf

 

 

Concepts:

 

1.  The Epic

               A.  Long narrative poem / tells a story of great adventures

               B.  Elevated / formal language

               C.  Epitomizes the values of a culture

               D.  Brave, good deeds

               E.  Heroism

               F.  Lots of long speeches

               G.  Catalogues – long lists of heroes, ships, battles

 

The term epic is still used to represent a great story representing the highest values of a culture. 

 

2.  The Epic Hero

               A.  Almost superhuman strength

               B.  Brags of his accomplishments

               C.  His accomplishments are worth bragging about!

               D.  Great warrior and leader

               E.  A just man

               F.  Protects women and children

               G.  Represents the highest values of a man in his culture

               H.  Fiercely loyal

 

3.  The Villain

               A.  Absolute evil with no redeeming values

               B.  The complete antithesis of a culture’s values

 

4.  Review the Anglo-Saxon poetic techniques you learned when studying “The Seafarer,” many of which are still found in poetry and music:  kenning, caesura, alliteration, and the four-beat line.

 

Be strong!

 

Cheers,

 

Mr. H

Week of 9-12 February 2015

Week of 9-12 February 2015

 

Monday and Tuesday:

 

Mrs. D from the Jasper Public Library – the nice folks who give us remaindered books – will make a presentation about sourcing books and research materials for free through various State of Texas and university databases via your computer and smartphone.

 

This is the sort of developing technology you will use at university and in your careers, so please attend to the presentation carefully.

 

Accessing the databases is accomplished through public and university libraries. If you have a Jasper Public Library card, you have this access.  If not, and if you live in the Jasper Public Library service area, you can apply for a Jasper Public Library card for free with identification and any piece of snail-mail (such as a utility bill) that shows that you live in the service area.  The library is open both tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

 

Wednesday and Thursday:

 

We will continue the lessons as per the handouts you were given Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

 

My Verizon / AOL / Toshiba continuum of poor service with a circle spinning pointlessly is become less and less reliable, so should you receive this information please pass it on to your classmates.

3 February 2015: In-Class Essays

3 February 2015

 

With a very few exceptions the in-class essays were very well accomplished and were a joy to read.  Almost everyone responded to the prompt with serious thought and often with creativity. 

 

I will return your essays to you tomorrow and Thursday.

 

Those of you who missed the essay must write the makeup essay (different prompt) on your own time in the testing room in the front office.  Accomplish this before the end of next week.  I have left the prompts with the office staff.  Remember to bring a few black or blue pens, and of course remember to say “please” and “thank you” to the office staff.

 

On Thursday (tomorrow) and Friday I will give a perfectly boring useful lecture, complete with handouts.  Happily, there will no in-class writing until late next week. 

 

Week of 2-5 February 2015

2 February 2015

 

Monday – your essays are excellent.  Thank you.

 

If you missed the Monday class you are welcome to join the Tuesday class for writing your in-class essay.  After that, you must write your essay – the topic will be different - on your own time in the testing room.  Check in at the office.  Complete this within a week.

 

Tuesday class – same opportunity.