It definitely doesn't seem like it's been a month since the latest response to course material. As of October 7th, we finished discussing and annotating The American Dream. We watched The Death of The Salesman and started prepping for the multiple choice questions of the AP exam. Moreover, we referred back to our textbooks for chapter 4 & 5 and wrote a thesis-driven essay connecting two pieces of writing. New material and old, I find myself learning new things each day in this class.
At first, (I think I mentioned it in the previous course material) understanding The American Dream was hard. There was no relevance to the repetition and pointless dialogue in the play until we started relating literary techniques to it and discussing it. I now understand the whole theme of consumerism and materialism that Albee displays. I liked how we had a class discussion on each character and their purpose in the play; it helped me think deeper in-depth of the symbols and uncommon dialogue.
The movie Death of the Salesman was more appealing that starting a new play. I was able to pay attention and actually see for myself, what was going on. I didn't have to imagine my own setting and physical looks of the characters. Death of the Salesman seems quite similar to the American Dream. Similar in a sense that Willie also has his own idea of the American Dream. He cares more for the appearance rather than what it's made up of. He's also very strong willed and controlling like mommy from American Dream; I was surprised to see all these connections between the two plays.
A thesis-driven essay isn't my strongest point. In American Lit, we had to write numerous personal anthologies and I think that I got into the habit of a personal narrative structure. I find myself writing in first person with a lot of my essays, which doesn't sound formal. I'm hoping to get back on writing more thesis-driven essays to prep for the AP exam along with the multiple choices we practiced.
That being said, our class is on a roll with new plays and everyday-practice with DIDLS. I'm sure that I know what each of the DIDLS are and how they're used, but the practice exercises can sometimes be challenging for confusing. I don't participate much on the exercises, but I do find it very helpful.
Hey Gloria, it's nice to read your posts again! But this is a well written and informal post. I agree that discussing all of these works really help with our understanding of them. As for writing essays, I completely agree with you 100%. I have the same problem with writing in first person, and it probably is from all of those personal anthologies we had to write. I didn't even think about that! I hope everything has set in for Salesman though, because Hamlet seems like it might be a little bit harder to grasp than both the American Dream and Death of a Salesman
ReplyDeleteGloria, this post is very thorough. I feel like you covered every thing we did between the two responses to course materials. Still, you don't just list the things that we've done in class, but you also discuss what made things hard or easy, memorable or helpful, and I think this will help you to learn the information better. I don't think I had drawn many connections between American Dream and Salesman at this time, although I thought they had to be related through some idea about capitalism or American values, so your response impresses me there. Really just a great response all around.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised by all of the connections between American Dream and Salesman! And watching the movie for Salesman first was definitely helpful to physically see the people and how they interact with each other. Also, it would've been tough to visualize a house without the corners without seeing it first. It's great that you find the DIDLS activities helpful and participating in them might make them even more helpful! Good job keeping it informal and fun to read, but it sounds like this the writing you prefer. Your discussions of each topic show you're reflecting on them not just saying what the assignment is. Good job!
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