MR.STEVENSON'S YEAR 13 LESSON [5th NOV 10]: Homework.

The Goth slaves [students] were introduced to a banquet of POE. Students were encouraged to explore the 'Gothic style' through Poe. Students were encouraged to move beyond a consideration of the Gothic as a collection of simplistic conventional devices and Poe's 'Tell Tale Heart' was decapitated/deconstructed. Feedback was impressive with TC delivering so much quality feedback that the rest of the class became mute.

Homework: Big session next week when Dracula goes head to head with Wuthering Heights as we search for the key attributes of each text...Gothic or not.

AS.

MR.STEVENSON'S YEAR 12 LESSON [2nd NOV 10]: Homework.

Students were encouraged to offer a rather more academic approach to 'Streetcar.' Essay advice was followed by some exploration of the nature of tragedy. Students were asked to consider Scene 6 and were introduced to 13 areas for some deliberation. The class will gather evidence and feedback next week. The Auden essays were a big improvement.WELL DONE.

Homework: Gather 'Streetcar' evidence for feedback next lesson.

AS

YEAR 12 LESSON SEVEN [Nov 2nd 10]: Homework.

Students discussed issues raised in chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby. Specific focus was placed upon Jordan's narrative and the significance of Wolfshiem. Students considered how Fitzgerald is attempting to develop the narrative in this key chapter. The word 'sinister' was used by one student to describe the effect that Wolfshiem has upon the tone of the novel. Students were asked to consider the significance of Wolfshiem's 'cuff buttons', Gatsby's use of the medal and the photograph, the significance Wolfshiem's manipulation of the 1919 World Series, and the significance of Daisy's 'drunk as a monkey' moment.

Homework: Read the novel. I will be offering students a written test on Tuesday that will allow me to discern who is reading the novel in an appropriate manner. The test will consider the narrative content of the first five chapters. READ THE TEXT.

Tuesday's lesson will also examine the significance of chapter 5.

JAMES WHALE'S 1931 Version of FRANKENSTEIN.

Click on link below to access the original trailer for James Whale's famous adaptation of Shelley's novel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTNN5h8CG_Y

Click on link below to access the scene within which Victor reanimates the creature:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3dFh6GA-A&feature=related

Victor speaks to the creature. Note complete disinterest in presenting any recognisable feature of Shelley's original narrative. Click on link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBzONIqutBA&feature=related

Note how Whale's version transforms chapter four/five into an unrecognisable interpretation of the novel but presents a visual representation of the monster that still resonates in our culture.

YEAR 13 LESSON SEVEN [1st Nov 10]: Homework.

Students were 'taken by the hand' through chapters four and five of Shelley's Frankenstein. Students were asked to consider how Shelley develops the narrative in these two crucial chapters.Specific focus was placed on how Shelley develops the thematic nature of the novel in these chapters, how Victor's character is developed, how key images such as the significance of light and darkness are presented to the reader, and how Shelley offers a sense of the Gothic.

Homework: Read Chapters 5 to 11 as the content of these chapters will be the focus of the next session. Students must also consider the text that will be the analytical focus of their Anthology related coursework. You will be attempting a coursework response this half-term. Furthermore, students must consider the following questions as these questions will be offered as a written homework next Monday:

1. In what way is Victor similar to Walton and why is Shelley emphasising their personal symmetry?

2. Do chapters 4 and 5 conform to the conventions of the Gothic?

3.What is the key moment in chapters 4/5 and how does this moment relate to author's aim?

We will discuss content next week and I will expect the written response to be thrown at me in lesson nine.

Below is a link to the Robert Oppenheimer clip I was 'banging on about' in today's lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8w3Y-dskeg

I also referred to a character I saw at the weekend who was wandering home from a Halloween Party where he had dressed as Papa Lazarou. You all seemed unaware of this strikingly visual comic ghoul.This character was a key figure in the outstanding BBC comedy 'The League of Gentlemen.' This show used conventions associated with the Gothic to produce some incredibly terrifying comedy. Click on link below to experience the gothic magnificence of Papa Lazarou:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM9x5tefjcY&feature=related

SLEEP TIGHT.

MLR

MR.STEVENSON'S YEAR 12 LESSON [19th OCT 10]: Homework.

During the session AS gave advice on how to improve the essays. AS spoke at length regarding expectations at AS level. The session moved on and Auden became the central focus.Auden's main techniques were highlighted and the class were invited to work on producing an essay response.

Homework: Essay deadline is the 2nd November.

How does Auden present ............ [you choose the theme/character] in ........................... [you choose the poem] ?

AS introduced the unedited Kazan version of 'Streetcar'. This is available from a leading supermarket chain for £5.

The class must prepare detailed notes on Scenes 1 to 5 of 'Streetcar' for the 2nd November. The notes should focus upon how TW enhances the dramatic genre in scenes 1 to 5. This allows you scope to consider comedy etc.....

AS.

MR.STEVENSON'S YEAR 13 LESSON [15th OCT 10]: Homework.

Students were introduced to Lord Larkin of Hull. AS spoke at length about the beauty and darkness within dozens of the poems and attempted to navigate the group towards a re-evaluation of some of the rather negative interpretations of Big Phil's work.

The session then morphed into a gothic frenzy with Helena, Rob, Lauren, and Holly staking their claim to the gothic crown.Some splendid quote gathering.Elsewhere, some obvious symbol spotting makes AS think that some of the Lit slaves need to read the book.

Homework: Draft essays [coursework] due 5th November.Failure to submit will result in a gothic ritual involving a bloke from York and Bev Westwood. Mr. Adam D play your piano like a fiend and stop worrying.

AS