Now then folks. The LIVE LESSONS are going okay with minimal technical problems and only some slight 'cat feeding' issues providing a barrier to learning. OBVIOUSLY, i have provided a LOT OF NOTES linked to DICKENS' novel and I expect ALL the class to be synthesising the content of the notes and considering the commentary that I have been offering students in the LIVE LESSONS.
The contribution of ROBYN and LEX is tremendous but I want to hear MORE VOICES. Next week I expect every student to offer at least ONE 'unmuted' response.
Next THURSDAY we will be considering the TWO QUESTIONS:
- 'HARD TIMES is an angry novel full of optimism.' To what extent do you agree?
- 'In HARD TIMES, Dickens presents Coketown as a place of unrelenting oppression and misery.' To what extent do you agree with this view?
We will be considering content for the 'angry/optimism' question in the first session and moving into the second question in the second session. One of these essays will be your HOMEWORK...SO you need to consider the possible content for these two essays. I will be expecting a response from ALL students. I expect students to show me that they have been reading my notes, reading the novel, and forming their own critical opinion. I DO NOT EXPECT SILENCE. Consider this a polite educational challenge.
If we have time I will be exploring the character of Sissy and why she is such a significant and symbolic character. For the past FOUR sessions I have been offering a lot of content. NEXT WEEK i expect your contribution to be informed and textually precise. REMEMBER...the big issue with our written work at the beginning of the course was the lack of clear analysis linked to textual reference. We have improved this area of our written work and this improvement needs to continue.
Today we examined GRADGRIND'S TRANSFORMATION and the significance of HARTHOUSE. I believe that some of our contemporary politicians could live inside the pages of a Dickens novel.
Look at Michael 'Wiggy' Fabricant, Jacob Reese-Mogg, and Sir Desmond Swayne! Incredible. Research their voting record. Reese-Mogg is a CHRISTIAN but has consistently voted to reduce benefits for the disabled, continually votes against raising benefits for the poorest people in our society, votes against raising taxes for people earning over £150 000 per year, and voted against financial support for 16/19 year olds still in education. He continually supported the UK leaving Europe whilst at the same time moving some of his own business concerns to Dublin to continue to trade with Europe without restriction. He voted against providing free school meals during the school holidays for children who qualify for free school meals during term time. These children belong to some of the most economically vulnerable families in the UK. He is a millionaire and son of an ex-Tory politician. ARE OUR POLITICIANS JUST AS REPULSIVE AS HARTHOUSE AND HIS BROTHER...???? Would Dickens attack the politicians responsible for guiding our existence?? How would Dickens view Reese-Mogg???
Jacob Reese-Mogg and British Fish....Fish are happier for being British....er...see clip below. Whilst we were discussing Reese-Mogg, he was making this comment in Parliament.
Piers Morgan interviews Matt Hancock...begin watching 13 minutes into the interview...Wow..
