Hamlet Prediscussion ?'s- Due November 25

1. Is revenge sometimes the right approach in dealing with someone that has wronged you? Why or why not?


2. Is it better to think before you act or act before you think? Why?


3. Is there one singular reality, or do each of create our own realities through our perceptions and attitudes?


4. What are the qualities of a good friendship? Is it ever okay to spy on a friend if you are concerned about them?


5. Should parents let their children make their own mistakes and let them learn from it, or should they keep a close eye on them?


6. Should children always be supportive of parents if they decide to remarry after their spouse’s death or divorce?


7. Is there ever a time when grieving process goes too far?

Links to Essays about the Matrix

Read one of the following essays on the links:

http://onwardoverland.com/matrix/philosophy.html

http://www.friesian.com/matrix.htm

http://www.arrod.co.uk/essays/matrix.php

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F00E3D71731F937A15756C0A9659C8B63

http://consc.net/papers/matrix.html

Be prepared to summarize orally the ideas of one of these essays in class.

Matrix Blog # 2

1. The character of Cypher makes a decision that returning to the Matrix and living in its alternative reality instead of being fully conscious of the reality. This goes against the decision made by the released prisoner from the Cave. Why do you think Cypher decided to go back to the Matrix instead of living fully aware? Is his reasoning valid? Is ignorance bliss? Why?

2. Neo is prophecized to be the one by Morpheus. Does Neo seem to accept this high profile role? What other character from literature you've read seems to be placed in this hero/savior role by others?

3. Humans are described by humans as a disease, imperfect, for a perfected technological program, yet the machine is viewed as the enemy/evil even though its reason and logic is supposed unflawed. What would the world be like if everyone was perfect and logical? What are other examples in movies and books where technology becomes the enemy/evil?

Matrix Blog- # 1

Answer the following questions for Wednesday

1. Explain how Neo's experience in and out of the Matrix parallels the Allegory of the Cave. Be specific using examples from each text.


2. Morpheus poses the question, "what is real? how do you define real?" We're going to read literature that poses that very question. What tools and indicator do we use to define and describe the world around us? Is reality a definite concept measurable and quantifiable, or is it a fluid concept defined by perceptions? Why?


3. The Matrix is part of the science-fiction genre, and while we may not be controlled by technology in the literal sense as The Matrix describes, does our current society in 2008 parallel the the world of The Matrix in certain ways? Has technology actually the lessened the quality of life in some ways? Why or why not?

"The Cave"

Go to the following website:

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/platoscave.html

Read the "The Cave"

If you want to watch a cartoon version, go here

Answer the following questions after reading it.

1. Summarize what the allegory is about in your own paragraph


2. What do you think Socrates is trying to say about the nature of reality/truth?


3. How does this allegory relate to the learning process and education in general?


4. Think about our modern day technological society; how does this allegory written thousands of years ago connect to our culture?

Sentence Composing # 7- Delayed Adverbs Practice 2

Single Delayed Adverb: They smiled, delicately, like weary children remembering a party.
--John Steinbeck, Cannery Row

Multiple Delayed Adverb: He worked himself to death, finally and precisely, at 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning
--Ellen Goodman, Close to Home

Practice 2: Unscrambling to Imitate

In the model and the scrambled list, identify the delayed adverb. Next, unscramble and write out the sentence parts to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify and delayed adverb.

Model: As I watched him, he seemed to adjust himself a little, visibly
--F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
a. a bit

b. she tried to excuse herself

c. when she told him

d. lamely

Own Sentence:

Practice 3: Combining to Imitate

In the model identify the delayed adverbs. Next, combine the list of sentences to imitate the model. Finally, write your own imitation of the model and identify any delayed adverbs.

Model: The cars traveled Reynolds Streets, slowly and evenly.
--Annie Dillard, An American Childhood

a. a girl crossed a street

b. The street was Washington Avenue.

c. She crossed the street confidently.

d. And she cross the street purposefully.

Practice 4: Imitating

Identify the delayed adverbs in the models and sample imitations. Then write an imitation of each model sentence, one sentence part at a time.

1. Still winder, Smith sat up, slowly,
--Robert Ludlum, The Moscow Vector

Sample: Almost finished, Peter speed up triumphantly.

Own Sentence:

2. We explored the streams, quietly, where the turtles slid off the sunny logs and dug their way into the soft lake bottom.
--E.B. White "Once More to the Lake"

Sample: We walked the streets, dreamily, where the sun set in the crystal sky and melted its way over the inky black skyscrapers.


Own Sentence:

3. He was clambering, heavily, among the creepers and broken trunks, when a bird, a vision of red and yellow, flashed upwards with a witch-like cry.
--William Golding, Lord of the Flies

Sample: She was running, desperately, between the road the railroad track, after a car, her hope for escape and rescue, passed by with an oblivious driver.

Own Sentence: