YEAR 13 Wednesday 23rd March 2016..last lesson of the term.

The last few lessons have confronted Marlowe's Faustus and the focus of our analysis has moved away from the coursework back to the examination. The lesson began with a consideration of the question:
'The power of religious faith is the central concern of the play.' To what extent do you agree with this assessment of the play?
Class discussion considered possible content for this essay and the quality of class discussion was superb. I have used your notes and comments to construct a version of this essay so check your emails before we return to The Pauline Quirke Academy Of Corporate Horror.
The second section of the lesson considered three moments from Macbeth and linked content to Frankenstein and Faustus. This is the beginning of our Section B work.

HOMEWORK:
Complete the final sections of the Anthology Coursework. The first lesson back after the Pagan Celebration will be the deadline. I expect students to be sending me drafts over the break. HARRY...I need an essay asap to check that you are accessing the assessment objectives. Students have had plenty of guidance and nearly all students have made the effort to discuss work in detail. Most of the essays are fantastic. Well done. Most students just need to tweak an argument or two.

One week after we return to school students will be expected to produce two timed essays. One essay will be a Section A response and the other will be a Section B response. Therefore students need to digest Frankenstein, Faustus and Macbeth. This TWO WEEK period is the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY to READ READ READ all the exam texts. There is a multitude of audio/visual resources to help inform your understanding of the text so students need to be working. THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY. Have some fun, be human, embrace the freedom of being alive...but don't forget that you are students and you are approaching some rather important exams. Your reading will inform our class discussion so...READ READ READ. LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN. WATCH WATCH WATCH.
Below are a few resources that may help you to comprehend the content of our key texts. I will be posting a podcast before we return to work so keep perusing the blog.

Some useful resources:

John Green discusses Shelley's novel...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyyrwoCec1k 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDjmyEvmBI
Danny Boyle and his version of Frankenstein at The National Theatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkYgCZ0DWwc
This is a 40 minute interview but is is FANTASTIC. Lend it your ears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_GA8SX5Qw0
BBC article that offers TEN possible meanings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12711091
Readers' interpretations in response to BBC article.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12737956
BBC Documentary...The strange affair of Frankenstein.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p027w85f/the-strange-affair-of-frankenstein#group=p0287yq9


Interview with theatre director Dominic Hill. He makes some really interesting points about Faustus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rkl2dBPN_4
Trailer for performance of Faustus in Manchester in 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJ4q8aPsoI
Creating the roles of Faustus and Mephistpopheles in Manchester production.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnkoD267PvU
AUDIO version of the play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05_MuudRt6k
The spectacle of the Seven Deadly Sins..Globe Theatre version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6dOhduhJfM
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1960s Film version...seduced by evil...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Wa4NOiiQ4

The Gothic..British Library.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNohDegnaOQ

YEAR 12 Monday March 21st 2016..Last lesson of the term.

Today's session was a timed essay. Consider this task a Pagan gift. A celebration of the new season.

HOMEWORK:
Students obviously need to READ READ READ The Great Gatsby and consider how Fitzgerald shapes meaning. Students need to revisit their essays and notes and think about the issues that are being explored within this novel and why Fitzgerald is presenting these ideas.
Reading focus should be:

• The significance of Carraway's narrative. Why does Fitzgerald use Nick as the narrative voice?
• How Fitzgerald uses symbolism to shape meaning.
• Consider the novel within the context of tragedy. For example, Miller has stated that tragedy 'points the heroic finger at the enemy of man's freedom'..so what is the enemy of freedom in this novel? D.H.Lawrence states that tragedy allows the discovery of 'truth' so what is the truth being exposed by Fitzgerald in this novel?
• What is the significance of the final page? How does the conclusion of the novel link with the first few pages of the opening chapter?

KEEP USING THE RESOURCES POSTED TO THIS BLOG. USE THE SPRING BREAK TO REVISIT SOME OLD BLOG ENTRIES AND CONSIDER THE ISSUES BEING RAISED WITHIN THE RESOURCES. 

THIS TWO WEEK BREAK IS MASSIVE AS THIS IS THE TIME TO READ THE NOVEL AND CONSIDER ALL THE ISSUES WE HAVE DISCUSSED SINCE SEPTEMBER.

THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY. I EXPECT STUDENTS TO BE ENGAGING WITH THE TEXT.

YEAR 13 Wednesday 16th March 2016

Today's session began with a consideration of the 'GOTHIC VILLAIN'. What are the characteristics of a gothic villain? Class discussion was excellent and the word VICTIM appeared when exploring this concept. The discussion then moved on to consider the significance of THE CHORUS in Marlowe's play. Again, class discussion was excellent. The final section of the session considered the THREE KEY MOMENTS within the play and why these moments are so dramatically important. Once more, class discussion was impressive.
Today's session was a reintroduction to Faustus after placing the focus on the completion of the coursework.

HOMEWORK: Complete coursework and read/listen/watch Marlowe's Faustus. Read the key soliloquies in Macbeth...especially MACBETH'S 'She should have died hereafter ' [Act 5 Scene 5]... 'Is this a dagger  I see before me..' [Act 2 Scene 1]...LADY MAC'S 'The raven himself is hoarse..' [Act 1 Scene 5].

YEAR 12 Monday 14th March 2016

EXPLORE THE VIEW THAT THE 'EYES OF T.J.ECKLEBURG' IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SYMBOL WITHIN THE NOVEL.
Remember to include in your answer relevant analysis of Fitzgerald's authorial methods.
or
Explore the view that the 'Valley of Ashes' is the most significant symbol within the novel.....
or
Explore the view that the motor vehicle is the most significant symbol within the novel......
or
Explore the view that the colour green is the most significant symbol within the novel....
or
Explore the view that Gatsby's House is the most significant symbol within the novel...

YOU decide which key symbol you would like to be the focus of the essay question and produce a THREE PARAGRAPH and CONCLUSION response. If some students are feeling a but intellectually 'frisky', produce four paragraphs and a conclusion and we can use this essay as a significant revision resource.

Potential essay structure for the 'Eyes of T.J.Eckleburg' question focus:

The eyes are incredibly significant as they link to George Wilson's comments. See the handout that I gave the class today. When Wilson states that 'God sees Everything' when he is staring at an advertisement, he allows Fitzgerald to present one of his key ideas. The absence of a moral and religious framework within the novel is a deliberate omission. Wilson mistakes a feature of consumerism for religious iconography and many critics believe that this moment allows Fitzgerald to suggest that religious faith has been replaced by a faith in consumerism and the pursuit of financial gain. Christian attributes such as forgiveness and empathy have been replaced by the idea that the purpose of life is to consume products and make money. This ethos of greed inspires moral chaos. It is at this point in the critical paragraph that reference needs to be made to the views of Father Barron. See link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLSVx84uPrY 
Barron states that this film is 'a sermon' and argues that this is a very moral novel. He refers to Gertrude Stein's view that this is the 'Lost Generation' and that the post-war world was dealing with the 'collapse of meaning.' There is a lot of detail in this resource that you can use to shape the final third of the paragraph. Barron describes Fitzgerald as 'a clear eyed moralist that preaches a very good sermon that is still worth hearing.' Author's aim???

The second paragraph could deal with the symbolic significance of Gatsby's House. The evolution of this symbol seems to reflect the movement of Gatsby's dream from optimism to the death of his obsessive dream. Gatsby's house is vibrant and full of human energy as he attempts to gain Daisy's attention but when the dream is dead the house is described as being dark and 'having an inexplicable amount of dust everywhere'. In the final pages the house is described as being 'an incoherent failure of a house'. Perhaps Fitzgerald's aim is to attack the myth of the American Dream as Gatsby's dream of social mobility results in his death. He can never escape the fact that he is 'Jimmy Gatz' from 'Minnesota'. He attempts to reinvent himself completely but he can never escape his past. In some respects his dream of escape is similar to Myrtle's as both characters receive the same fate and seem to be unable to escape the Valley of Ashes. They are both chasing a lie; the lie that wealth will bring happiness, and they both perish. The evolution of Gatsby's house as a symbol could be compared to the changing significance of the colour green as the 'green light' of hope at the end of Daisy's dock becomes the 'light green' of the 'death car.' Fitzgerald could be presenting the view that the American Dream of social mobility is impossible in this polarised world of rich and poor.

The third paragraph could deal with the symbolic significance of the motor vehicle....YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. SHOW ME YOU WERE LISTENING.

The conclusion needs to consider the novel through the filter of tragedy.

Students have a mass of exemplar material and we have been considering the significance of symbolism for two weeks. I expect the essays to be detailed and to confront all the assessment objectives. THIS IS A BIG ESSAY.

HOMEWORK: COMPLETE ESSAY FOR MONDAY'S LESSON. Send me an email if you complete the essay before Saturday and I will try and mark the essay before Monday's session. Any problems...drop me a line.


Tally Ho Old Sports!!

YEAR 13 9th/11th March 2016

One on one tutorial sessions linked to coursework.

Charles...here are some Hardy resources:
http://thedimofdawn.com/the-darkling-thrush/
www.hardysociety.org/files/download/223
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LmuxsdpZ30 
http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-3422200017/darkling-thrush.html
http://www.cprw.com/thomas-hardys-artistry-in-the-darkling-thrush
Look at the symbolism of the thrush in Orwell's 1984...
Look at George Herbert's Easter Wings....
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/apr/28/poets-birds-poetry

These are just a few resources to inspire you to offer a more sophisticated reading of the text.

HOMEWORK: Complete the Anthology coursework.

YEAR 12 Monday 7th March 2016

Today's session considered the significance of symbolism within the novel. Fitzgerald clearly shapes meaning through symbolism therefore students need to be aware of this authorial method. This session asked groups to consider key symbols and explain how this symbol allows Fitzgerald to shape the key ideas within the novel.

HOMEWORK: The next session will present an essay to be completed for homework. The essay will be a consideration of symbolism therefore students need to guide their reading towards this aspect of authorial method.


These resources can be applied to themes and issues being explored within THE GREAT GATSBY:
I don't believe a word that escapes her mouth but the sentiment is...WE NEED MORE LOVE AND KINDNESS...Hilary Clinton speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bMO7qH49fU

President Obama reacts to Trump's popularity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIdvEUxCN5o&list=PL1A-B3NfIQbN0psNpi3aW2dlf1hpBzw66

Bernie Sanders' SUPER TUESDAY speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7MQQ3jrpzQ

Bernie Sanders' promo material. This is called 'PROGRESS':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyee_sxJpXc&ebc=ANyPxKr4sOtPoFYYk0IiBdWPV9POWZ1725VbEDlWNFT4Uuzl9jnNeHIozmvrBQcqUsXn6rwsAFVj-ASbBej4X6qWqQoVgJgO2Q

The President We Need...more Bernie promo material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7L9V7oGRv8&ebc=ANyPxKr4sOtPoFYYk0IiBdWPV9POWZ1725VbEDlWNFT4Uuzl9jnNeHIozmvrBQcqUsXn6rwsAFVj-ASbBej4X6qWqQoVgJgO2Q

The President we've been waiting for...more Bernie promotional material:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=645mtthz8Io&ebc=ANyPxKrtro1infxvhpCfgwZ5zPZDzcHbO6T5Qudms_kzcpSD71fwxJFlOh_IXKI7y8XpEagLnAPPzrRmLb6G5-wQX19Ooj4L5g

The Koch Brothers Documentary...obviously this is a very subjective film that is incredibly critical of the Koch brothers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N8y2SVerW8
News item exploring influence of the Koch Brothers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6zSy5lAxd0

YEAR 13 Friday 4th March 2016

Today's session continued to examine the significance of the final two scenes of the play and considered whether Faustus is a sympathetic figure at the end of the play. Class discussion considered the view that the play is much more shocking and terrifying within the context of the sixteenth century as the representation of HELL would have been extremely challenging for a Christian audience. The class watched a version of the play and discussed the director's motivation.

HOMEWORK: Complete Coursework. Next Wednesday is a series of one to one tutorials. See you there chimps.

YEAR 13 Wednesday 2nd March 2016

This session consisted of the Fat Bloke offering the usual Hull accent-based reading of Marlowe's Faustus. The last session considered the significance of the penultimate scene and explored the symbolic significance of the Old Man. Today's session contained a reading of the final scene and students were encouraged to compare the defiant death of the Old Man with the helpless fear and terror that Faustus experiences before he is dragged screaming into his eternal hell. Students need to be aware of the need for this final scene to be visually dramatic and shocking. Imagine witnessing a character being dragged to HELL in the 1590s!! This should be a terrifying conclusion to the play.
The class were asked to consider the symbolic significance of soliloquy, the fact that Marlowe subverts the narrative expectation of the morality play, the significance of Faustus' final words [..I'll burn my books. Ah, Mephistopheles!], and the significance of the final Chorus.
It is really important that students listen to an audio version of the play or grab a video of performance as, obviously, reading the play in E4 is hardly the most appropriate way to appreciate the genius of Marlowe.

HOMEWORK: Students need to be creating second drafts of the coursework. Students also need to keep visiting Marlowe's magnificent play.

YEAR 12 Monday 29th February 2016

Today's session considered the significance of the final page and explored possible interpretations. Class discussion also considered why Fitzgerald presents Carraway as a more self-assured character as he organises Gatsby's funeral, confronts Wolfsheim, confronts Tom, and concludes his relationship with Jordan. His character, unlike Tom's character, appears to transform. WHAT IS AUTHOR'S AIM HERE?
The final section of the lesson considered the key symbols used by Fitzgerald to shape meaning. Class discussion included reference to the the following symbols:

• The Green Light and the colour green.
• The motor car.
• The symbolic nature of character.
• The symbolic significance of location.
• Gatsby's house.
• The eyes of T.J.Eckleburg
• The symbolic significance of Music.

HOMEWORK: Our next essay will explore the significance of symbolism so students need to read the book, consider how Fitzgerald uses symbolism to shape meaning, and bring some opinion to the next session. If your last essay was a D grade, you need to send me one paragraph of rewritten material from the essay. I want to see students responding to my marking and improving the quality of the paragraph.

Some resources to digest.

John Green Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehjTS6AhMJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VhYMdnAsyM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw9Au9OoN88

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn0WZ8-0Z1Y

My podcast from a time now forgotten:

https://soundcloud.com/fishymedia/literature-podcast-an-as-level

GUARDIAN article:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/30/great-gatsby-movie-fashion-wealth

Baz Luhrmann discusses Gatsby:

http://www.channel4.com/news/baz-luhrmann-the-great-gatsby-film-director
The Washington Post: Why Gatsby is the great American novel:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/achenblog/wp/2015/03/20/why-the-great-gatsby-is-the-great-american-novel/