English 4

Exemplum

"The Pardoner's Tale"; story that tells an example

Archetypal Narrative Elements

1. Characters, events, and other things that come in threes. 2. Test of characters' moral fiber leading to their destiny. 3. A mysterious guider who helps point the way. 4. A just ending that rewards good or punishes evil.

Which pilgrim would you like to meet? Why?

I would like the meet the Knight. He values justice, so I know he would never backstab me. He is also humble, so I wouldn't have to deal with him bragging about his many great deeds. He is also a very well traveled man so I would imagine that he has a lot of great stories to tell about his life.

Explain how the allegory of the Pardoner's Tale proves that greed is the root of all evil?

It is because they all wanted bigger portions of money that they killed each other. If they had not been greedy, they each could have had 1/3 of the money and still lived.

What character is the tale-within-a-tale of Midas' meant to illustrate? In your opinion, does this inner story undercut the main point of the Wife's Tale?

It is meant to illustrate that women lie. This does undercut the main point of the Wife's Tale, which is that men should subjugate themselves to their wives as paragons of virtue and good wisdom.

Theme of On Spring by Samuel Johnson

Johnson sees happiness as a habit of mind in the present, not as a possible future result. Those who do not like themselves need to look around and get happiness from the newness of life, such as what Spring provides.

Beowulf is the story of a great ___ who goes to help the ___ with a terrible monster. First told around 500 A.D. and first manuscript written around 1000 A.D.

Swedish warrior; King of the Danes

Theme of A Modest Proposal by Jonathon Swift

Swift pressed satirical exaggeration to the limit. The result was one of the most memorable essays in English literature. Swift mocks the upper class and gives an idea on how to handle Ireland's poverty.

Identify two of the main characteristics of the Friar and of the Parson. What are some of the ways they differ?

The Friar has no ties to any monastery or specific church. He was ready to serve anyone at anytime because that was how he survived...not to mention he happily accepted the bribes that lined his pockets. The Parson, one the other hand, was a devout servant of God. He was a pastor in the local church, lives in poverty, and practices what he preaches. He is the complete opposite of the Friar in every way.

Mead

The drink of warriors; a sweet, alcoholic beverage made of honey, sugar, water, spices, and barley

Satirical Essay

a brief prose work that pokes fun at the flaws and shortcomings of human beings and institutions.

Short Story

a brief work of fiction that usually features a plot with a beginning, middle, and end that is between 500 words and 500 pages in length.

Essay

a short prose piece that explores a topic as if the author were letting you overhear his or her thoughts.

Frame

a story that brackets - or frames - another story or group of stories.

Bard/Scop

educated storytellers, and were treated as honored guests. Their tales of great warriors embodied the values of the culture.

Theme of Lady in the Looking Glass by Virginia Wolf

emptiness

Although this poem was written purely for ___ purposes, scholars have been able to pinpoint actual ___ that coincide with people, places and traditions of that area and time period.

entertainment; historical events

Iambic Pentameter

five stressed syllables

Two Common Plot Techniques

flashback- events that occurred in the past foreshadowing- likely to occur in the future

Personification

giving inanimate objects human qualities

Early Anglo-Saxons believed in ___. Their religion was very similar to the ___ religion.

many gods and goddesses; ancient Norse

The meeting place for each tribe was a building called the ___.

meadhall.

Stream of Consciousness

narration follows the flowing, branching currents of thought in a character's mind

Classifications of Essays

narrative- tells a true story about real people or events persuasive(argumentative)- tries to convince the reader to accept the writer's opinion or take action descriptive(observational)- sensory details create a portrait of a person, place, or object Expository- presents information, discusses an idea, or explains a process

Heroic Couplet

pairs of rhyming lines

Elements of a Short Story

plot- sequence of events that chows characters in conflict, builds suspense, reaches a high points, and general falls to resolution conflict- a struggle between two opposing forces setting- time and place of action (often a single setting) characters- often very few people protagonist- main character often develops a conflict that dominates the length of the story antagonist- against the protagonist (doesn't have to be human) Theme- central idea, message, or insight of the story. Usually only one theme in a short story.

Direct Characterization

presents direct statements about a character

Indirect Characterization

uses actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal a character's personality

Social Commentary

writing that offers insight into society, its values, and its customs

A)List three characteristics of the Nun. B)What details does Chaucer include in his description of the Nun to make gentle fun of her? Explain

A) modest, quiet, charitable and compassionate. She is the Prioress of her convent, and she aspires to have exquisite taste. Her table manners are dainty, she knows French (though not the French of the court), she dresses well. B)The nun or "Prioress" attempts to look dainty. She does things like sing through her nose and eating carefully to look like a proper lady. At the same time she feeds raw flesh to her dogs. There is a paradox here or rather the Nun is putting on an act to seem something she actually isn't. She is a rather large woman in girth and Chaucer has some fun with this at her expense. I think much humour is mined by Chaucer out of the Nun's attempts to appear like a dainty courtly woman even though she is not.

How does Addison define the spectators of society? What is Addison's attitude towards the blanks of society and towards women? Is he sympathetic, mocking, or both? Explain. Describe Addison's attitude towards his audience. Give three examples.

Addison defines the spectators as those who live in the world without having anything to do in it, either by affluence or laziness. I think Addison feels sympathetic towards blanks and women, because they are at the mercy of those who they meet and forever relegated to useless conversation. I think that Addison thinks of his subjects as devoted students or his adoring fans. He refers to them as disciples, and refers to his newsletter as their instruction. He says that he tries to enliven his essays with wit and then temper his wit with morality. He hopes to instill life-altering principles in them, not just fleeting one-offs.

When the story opens, what are the rioters doing, and what captures their attention? What sort of people are they? Explain how you know.

At the beginning of the story, the rioters are day drinking. A coffin passes by with the corpse of a friend of one of the rioters. They are told that he was slain. They are drunkards and fools. One, they're drinking in the morning. Two, they impulsively go to avenge another drunk friend, despite warnings not to. Three, "drunken rage".

___ is the only complete story that exists today from Anglo-Saxon time culture.

Beowulf

Johnathon Swift (1667-1745_

Born in Dublin, ordained a priest. Attracted to England, but cared for Ireland and hated their treatment. Spent half his income on charitable causes in Dublin, founded St. Patrick's hospital. A Modest Proposal was his last essay.

What does Chaucer seem to dislike about the skipper? What does he seem to admire? Describe Chaucer's overall attitude about him.

Chaucer seems to try and gaze over the physical features of the skipper, probably because they're really gross and the skippers least liked traits. He also dislikes how ruthless he is and disapproves his foolishness. The Skipper was known for stealing wine while the ship's captain sleeps. Chaucer seems to respect him though. He is a well-traveled and well-tanned veteran sailor. He has seen a lot in his life.

Hoes does Chaucer's attitude of the Monk differ, if at all, from the Friar?

Chaucer takes a satirical approach to the Monk, but a criticizing tone with the Friar. He admits that the Monk does not follow the rules of his position, but questions, "Why should he?" because he is not actually doing anything wrong. With the Friar, however, Chaucer criticizes him because he is doing something wrong-stealing from the poor, fraternizing with barmaids, and sleeping around.

Identify an example in which Chaucer uses mild sarcasm to describe a character.

Chaucer uses sarcasm when describing the summoner. He calls him gentle harlot and says that he is a drunkard who screams in Latin and that children are terrified of him. He says that there would be no better fellow if you went to find one because, for only one quart of wine, he would allow young men to sleep with his concubines.

Who is the master of the short story?

Edgar Allen Poe

According to Johnson's descriptions, how does Spring give us joy in relation to the past, the present, and the future?

Every man has hopes for the future. When the future comes, generally without what was hoped, we press forward to new prospects. By referring problems to next spring, a person can be happier. Often spring brought no solutions, but people can believe the next spring will, and the present spring would satisfy him until the middle of summer, to speak of spring as coming til it was past. in conclusion, look to the the future spring, hold out in the present, and look on past springs fondly.

Point of View

First Person- narrator uses first person pronoun Third Person- voices outside the action using third person pronouns. Can be omniscient (all knowing) or limited (sees only through one person's eyes)

Two Main Categories of Essays

Formal- serious tone, dignified language, often analyzes public issues or important events Informal- casual tone, everyday topics in a relaxed conversation style

How would you sum up Johnson's idea of happiness? Do you think Johnson's ideas offer a practical prescription of happiness? Explain.

Johnson's ideas of happiness revolve around the ideas represented by spring rather than the season itself. He specifically states that men are happiest when they remove their worries that are out of their control and push them into then coming spring. He thinks that people can find happiness in the newness that spring provides, especially after hard times. Johnson's own personal happiness probably revolves around nature and personal reflection. He states that not many people know how to properly take walks, and that people should try and allow their thoughts to mirror their surroundings. I find Johnson's idea very practical because it is something that everyone can do. It doesn't require a lot, just nature and your own thoughts. It may not be for everyone, as everyone has different interests, but it most certainly something that everyone can try. No harm is going to come from taking walks either.

Literary Elements of Beowulf

Kennings Parallelisms- Beowulf and King Scyld Epithets- Descripted phrases repeated over and over Alliteration-The repetition of initial sounds, the repetition of certain sounds, helped the poet to remember the lines

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-4000)

Known as Father of English Poetry. Middle Class, worked as a page. Served in the English Army and captured and taken prisoner. Married a Lady-In-Waiting. Began writing in his late 20's. First book "The Book of the Duchess". Wrote Canterbury Tales late. Buried in Westminster Abbey. Poets Corner establish around him.

Allegories

Narratives that have both a literal and deeper, symbolic meaning.

Do you think Swift went too far with his satire in his essay? Why or why not?

No. His satire is what drew people in. People kept reading because they were in disbelief of what he was saying. In that respect, it was a plot device. It was shocking. It got readers riled up against Swift only for him to redirect their anger towards the real issues. It was incredibly effective.

Theme of Homeless by Anna Quindlen

Not all homeless people are without shelter, but they are without homes. Some will refuse anything less than what they desire: a place to call their own.

Why do we study Beowulf?

Origin of our Language Ancestral Heritage Themes that are Still relevant today Literary Masterpiece that began with oral tradition around 500 A.D. and transcribed until 1000 A.D. (3,182 lines)

How does the old woman define true gentility? How effective are her arguments about about gentility, poverty, and old age? Do her arguments still relate to today's world? Explain.

The old woman says that true gentility does not come from noble birth or beauty but from being kind. The old woman argues that poverty is a virtue. She supports her argument by saying that God chose a life of poverty, and if God chose that life, how can man condemn it? She goes on to say that those who accept poverty are rich. Those who don't are poor: "But truly poor are those who whine and fret/And covet what they cannot hope to get." She argues that old age in a wife can be an asset. With an old wife, a husband need never worry about her faithfulness: "You say I am old and fouler than a fen./You need not fear to be a cuckold, then." These arguments are effective because the knight submits himself to her will after wards. Yes, they still apply to modern society because people are still judged by outwards appearances alone.

What pledge do the rioters make to one another? Do the rioters try to keep that pledge? Explain.

The rioters pledge to be brothers in their quest to avenge their dead, drunk friend. They vow to defend each other and kill Death. They do not. They end up turning against each other, and all three of them end up dead by the end of the tale.

Theme of A Shocking Accident by Graham Greene

The triviality of death.

What do the rioters find under the tree? The old mas has said that death is under the tree. In what sense is he telling the truth?

They find a pile of money under the tree. What the old man said is accurate because it is because of that money that they turned on each other and killed each other. If the money had not been there, they would have had no reason to kill each other.

Theme of the Aims of the Spectator by Joseph Addison

To educate the bourgeoisie; Addison wants to make mini hims out of everyone.