Hello EhPs!

Just showing my students in 30-1 our Blog.

Where have you been???!!!!!!

It's about time. How about some good socialism/communism dialogue in regard to your favorite novel, The Grapes of Wrath!!!!!!

Very cool pictures!!!

Thanks to Manhattan Project for pictures. (And I know who you are!!) What about the rest of you? Find pictures, web sites, articles!!!

Cliff Hanger?

Well, history actually takes the cliff hanger category away. It is important to note that this was Depression/Dirty Thirties. Question of the day: What ended The Depression? This should cause you to ask some even more important questions. Your questions was essential to the understanding of the main point of the novel. The answer should clear up any ambiguity regarding Steinbeck's "point". Historical context is soooooo important.

By the way, there are about six more students in the class, but they have not come to get their books or blogging info. Bad, Bad, AP's.

BIG REQUEST!!!! PLEASE POST AS MANY DEPRESSION IMAGES AND URL'S TO THIS BLOG AS YOU CAN FIND. JUST THE GOOD ONES!!!!!!

The ending makes the novel!

Without giving away anything, I will say that the ending truly shows hope for all of mankind. Rose of Sharon's selfless act for the dying man shows she has gone from caring about herself, to caring for her family, and finally to caring for the family of man. Tom has taken over JC's cause. The rain may pour but the Joads and mankind will prevail. We will talk more about this as everyone finishes the novel.

Your first blog formal request.

By September 30th could everyone have Grapes of Wrath read. As you read, I want you to post any questions you may have. We will not worry about answering your questions until next month.

Who is Jerry Simpson?

Hey, fellow bloggers, I think we have blogger interloper. Who is this Jerry Simpson guy who is trying to sell us things? Do not respond to him/it/her.

Attention all ehpenglish bloggers!

I am guessing you are all ready to start up again. Our first formal blog activity will begin next week. On Friday, I would like you to pick up your some information from me regarding that activity. Also I have the HGG and Grapes of Wrath books available.

I need someone to agree to be a co- blog administrator for the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy. I do think it is an amazing piece of writing and I do think it offers some superb insights BUT I need to concentrate on Grapes. (No, I don't drink!) So, you people decide who would be the best person for the HGG blog administrator position and I will make the necessary blog changes.

Also, I have a finalized reading list for any of your friends who are in the course but didn't take it in my class last semester.

I'm experimenting with inserting links; if nothing shows, I screwed up!

I want you to read and internalize Johns Steinbecks nobel prize for literature acceptance speech. If the link doesn't work just google it. It is such a profound statement and something you need to read to understand why Steinbeck wrote what he wrote.

Cathlyn's understanding of religious allegory and allusions is amazing!

After you have read Grapes, please thoroughly read Cathlyn's post. Her knowledge of the bible has definitely enhanced her understanding of Grapes of Wrath. She has some brilliant points here (and they are beautifully supported.)

When author's use allusions they know that many people will not see the parallels so I ask you this question: Why use allusions if many people won't "get" them? Is this not a waste of paper? We are not all as knowledgeable as Cathlyn!

By the way ehP students the brand new copies of Grapes of Wrath are in. You can sign one out at any time now.

See you soon, people. (If any of you have time to help me put up an EhP display of your portfolio work, please drop by. I need someone with style, with pizazz, with a flare for the visual, with a stapler.)

Ah but the novel does have an amazing conclusion!

Z is questioning the ending of the novel. I don't want to say anything about it because it would spoil the novel for many other readers. But do remember to remind me at a much later date to discuss this. (Will probably be in class!)

Rose of Sharon is mentioned in the bible but I would like you botanists to figure this one out.

Avril and Z sittin' in a restaurant... you need to post the picture.

Say hi to my relatives in Kelowna, Z. (Pretty well every 2nd person on the street.)

(Re: Judas - could the gov't play that role? Just thinking....

MJ

ps. I have just bought (and somewhat mastered) an mp3 player. Very cool gadget. Tell me something...Is it worth signing up at Napster or one of those other download places. I am worried about getting a site with nothing but crummy music. Also, how do you delete a song? I have a MuvoC100.

SMART OBSERVATIONS! (I'm not yelling - just impressed!)

Cathlyn and Z have some great observations and questions. JC is a parallel to Jesus; as you read on, and if you read your bible, you will recognize some of the statements he makes. They are so closely related to passages from the bible. If JC is Jesus then that makes Tom (and many others) a disciple. Some great parallels here as well. Excellent points from Z about JC going into the wilderness and about resurrection.

Regarding Tom, note that initially he is a hesitant leader. JC helps lead him to a higher purpose.

Look for growth of character not only in Tom but in Rose of Sharon. She evolves into an incredibly interesting character. See if you can find out the symbolic significance of her name. (Interesting factoid: Steinbeck was asked to make certain changes in his novel regarding Rose of Sharon but refused at risk of not getting published; subsequently, this refusal led to one of the most controversial plot developments in 20th century literature.)

Salt Spring Island - How lucky are you!!!

Glad to see that Z is heavily engaged in the pursuit of great literature. Make sure you enjoy every bit of Salt Spring Island while there. If I could find a place that would let me bring my dogs I'd be there too.

Z, I want you to see what you can find out about the transcendental oversoul and try to figure out what that has to do with the novel.

Others who are tuning in, let me know how your reading is going. How many of you recognize the religious allusions in Grapes. Guess who Jim Casey represents.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer.

Z'ds flawed logic

Or one could look at it through the publisher's point of view. Why bother stocking the shelves of numerous books stores with books other than those that are perennial favorites. And what makes a book a perennial favorite, you ask? Well, rich characters, powerful imagery, universality of theme, exciting plot...need I go on.

By the way, I would like to go on record as saying that I am enjoying HGG. It is funny and does have moments of brilliance. I just want to see if you are appreciating what I appreciate.

Hope everyone is having a great summer.

MJ

EPIC SCHMEPIC!

Well, perhaps epic in the proper literary sense of the word. Tom Joad perhaps at chapter 2 appears to be a homicidal maniac but you will also see that he is a great observer of human nature, a man capable of manipulating/leading, and, yes, he is not perfect. If a fault is to be found at this point of Tom's journey it is that he believes in minding his own business - and in others minding their own business. Is that good or bad? It is important that close attention is paid to Tom's behaviour at the beginning of the novel. Why do you think this is so???? Read on.

Speaking of Hitchhikers Guide, I am still waiting for a profound quote or at the very least a line that shrewdly observes human nature.

Good to hear from you, Z!

MJ

Thanks to Ducks!

Thank you very much "ducks"; aren't you just ducky!!! Hope all is well in the pond.

Note to Ducks!

Could you please post your sign up and download instructions to the blog so new people can see them.

Future blogger having trouble.

Could someone tell me what it is you do once you have been invited into the blog. A future blogger doesn't know how to get on to the blog. Give very clear instructions.
Also how do you download (upload?)pictures?

You do have an argument, but that doesn't negate the power of Steinbeck's words.

Good explanation, Josh. Defensible and eloquently stated. But I think what Steinbeck says is equally profound; in fact, part of its profound meaning comes from the fact that he is brave enought to state that war/fighting/debate/arguing are necessary, that if that "step were not taken", if "that stumbling forward ache were not alive", if "Manself will not suffer and die for a concept" the foundation of what it is to be human would be lost. The fact that you, Josh, are willing to argue the merits of HGG does, in fact, make you a valuable member of the human race. (And the fact that your English teacher loves to argue makes her part of "Manself" as well - or should we call it Womanself").

What has just happened on the Blog supports my appreciation for Grapes and for HGG.
Good literature reflects the human condition. If the messages don't become part of your psyche, it's not literature; you might as well be reading Ikea bookcase assembly instructions.

What about proof, of profound thought.

Yes, I agree that HGG is witty, cute, entertaining but does it comment on the human condition? Find me one example. AND, unlike Josh I AM READING HGG.

Happy birthday, Kira!

I'm sure you can hear all of us singing Happy birthday. And a one, and a two....

Grapes of Wrath sucks eh!!!!! This is war!!!

I present you with a quotation from Grapes of Wrath. I challenge you, bloggers, to find a line or passage from Hitchhikers G2G that parallels this in profundity.

Quote 1: Fear the time when the bombs stop falling while the bombers live - for every bomb is proof that the spirit has not died. And fear the time when the strikes stop while the great owners live - for every beaten strike is proof that the step is being taken. And this you can know - fear the time when Manself will not suffer and die for a concept, for this one quality is the foundation of Manself, and this one quility is man, distinctive in the universe.

ps. This is my 5th favorite quote from Grapes. Prepare to be humbled, Josh.

pps. Note! That I did not express my opinion of HGG.

Kira Rules the Blog

Kira is the winner of the first EhPenglish Blog prize! (Heather, this could have been you!)

Let's start talking about Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Okay, my first impression of the novel is that it is funny. I need you people to find some of the best observations about mankind that are made in the novel and/or I would like you to find some interesting critiques, comments, analyses of the book. Who will be the first to ever burst into that silent sea. (5 points to whoever gets the literary allusion I just made.)

Who are you scasian and how did you get in?

Hello everyone:

First of all I have no idea who scasian is and how he/she got into the blog. Identify yourself, interloper!

Also, I have ordered Grapes and Galaxy books but they are slow in coming. I do have some old ratty copies of grapes if you want to borrow those. See me just before you leave for holidays. Well, back to marking portfolios (which are amazing!)

.


With the help of Devon and Adrienne and Amanda and Bill Gates, I have managed to post an image. They will be moving in to my house for the summer until I master this horribly complicated procedure.

This is a picture of Tom Joad, the main protagonist of The Grapes of Wrath. You will soon learn to love him.

How'd you do dat????

Hey Technogenius!

How did you get the picture onto your comment?? Already the student surpasses the teacher....
Ms. J.

Imagine this is really interesting info on Hitchhikers...

Hi Kira:

Well, well, it looks like things are working. What I anticipate our AP class doing is posting comments on our novels, importing relevant web sites and pictures, and making it an all around informative site. But let's not get too serious yet. Have a great weekend. Thanks for your post.

Are you there, Kira?

I'm waiting for my first student comment.

Shona, are you there?

What is going on?

what's so great about Grapes?

I'm very pro union. As a teacher, I know the importance of the collective call to action. There was a time when teachers were not allowed on the street after 4:30 in the afternoon. Grapes talks about this - about the power of people coming together. I also just love the intercalary chapters.

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Grapes of Wrath

Ok, I want my AP English Class to read Grapes of Wrath but they are all excited about Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I know I can persuade them to LOVE "Grapes" never mind just read it. I promise to LOVE "HGG" in return.