tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post6845544209442194512..comments2014-05-09T08:23:34.951-07:00Comments on Leclaire's A.P. Literature Blog: 2013-2014: October 7, 2013: What's Happening in A.P. Literature?kleclairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-56299789346495094702013-10-15T10:37:37.568-07:002013-10-15T10:37:37.568-07:00This seems more focused, but be sure to get to a s...This seems more focused, but be sure to get to a statement about the book's meaning, its theme. The book isn't just about how promiscuity leads to moral decay. It's bigger than that, right?kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-11519131505064032212013-10-15T10:34:45.891-07:002013-10-15T10:34:45.891-07:00I like this! I hope you enjoy writing the essay. I...I like this! I hope you enjoy writing the essay. If you need to change the thesis as you move through the writing process, of course you may do that.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-63386094045639601422013-10-15T10:33:19.607-07:002013-10-15T10:33:19.607-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-25166049247366728812013-10-14T19:33:15.447-07:002013-10-14T19:33:15.447-07:00REVISION: Through the use of the influence the Com...REVISION: Through the use of the influence the Compson's daughter Caddy has on the three Compson sons, Benjy, Quentin, and Jason, Faulkner is able to reveal the effect promiscuity has on the moral decay of the family.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682954142797744741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-73458992618957237132013-10-11T21:11:52.382-07:002013-10-11T21:11:52.382-07:00In A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, th...In A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, the appearance of burqas and hijabs symbolizes a sacrificing of self and identity for the sake of others, which is the basis of true love and friendship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-21143410974185160742013-10-11T11:46:34.866-07:002013-10-11T11:46:34.866-07:00Time is quite broad. It's a concept, not reall...Time is quite broad. It's a concept, not really an image. A focus detail should be a concrete image (a watch or a clock, for example). What textual details are you planning to present? The seasons? Night versus day? Implements of time like clocks and watches? If so, good. If not, perhaps you need to look again at the novel's details.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-83594935731000463012013-10-11T11:38:12.242-07:002013-10-11T11:38:12.242-07:00And so...? What is Huxley saying, then? Why does h...And so...? What is Huxley saying, then? Why does he present us with a culture of escapists? What's his theme? Your thesis still doesn't state the book's meaning.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-59488136771967729672013-10-10T12:20:37.660-07:002013-10-10T12:20:37.660-07:00In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Hosseini us...In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Hosseini uses time to demonstrate the significant impact that one seemingly insignificant event can have on an individual. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-21149328348449068162013-10-09T16:54:53.080-07:002013-10-09T16:54:53.080-07:00Revised Thesis:
In Aldous Huxley's "Brav...Revised Thesis:<br /><br />In Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" the motif of drugs reveals that ignorant yet, blissful nature of Huxley's society; making them a culture of escapists. Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221134577626807034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-55589766331897669622013-10-09T11:35:56.769-07:002013-10-09T11:35:56.769-07:00And so what's your point? What insight does &q...And so what's your point? What insight does "reminiscing and story telling" give you about the meaning and purpose of this novel? Your thesis must not only name your focus detail, but it must also show insight into the meaning of the book.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-10206755193487624272013-10-09T11:33:29.751-07:002013-10-09T11:33:29.751-07:00It looks like your focus detail is the recurring r...It looks like your focus detail is the recurring reference to soma. A recurring image takes on symbolic qualities, so be sure to clarify what soma comes to represent in this book.<br /><br />In the above thesis, be sure to state Huxley's main idea--the book's meaning. Your statement that "Soma...portrays human's true nature" is very vague--not a proper thematic statement. What exactly is a "human's true nature," according to Huxley in this book? kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-53996664322654909782013-10-09T11:26:18.403-07:002013-10-09T11:26:18.403-07:00Your focus detail--the recurring image of birds--l...Your focus detail--the recurring image of birds--looks interesting. The thesis itself is confusing. In the thesis, say something like this: Kate Chopin uses the recurring image of birds to convey the idea......<br /><br />State the book's dominant theme--the one you will analyze by exploring the bird motif.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-77518184477588403572013-10-09T11:19:33.668-07:002013-10-09T11:19:33.668-07:00And so what are you analyzing in the novel? What q...And so what are you analyzing in the novel? What question are you answering for yourself and your reader? What is your point?<br /><br />The above thesis doesn't appear to have a focus detail. Neither does it convey the overall meaning of the book. Please reread the instructions I gave you and revise this thesis. You're welcome to see me for help.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-15658206256180743362013-10-09T11:16:20.844-07:002013-10-09T11:16:20.844-07:00Your focus detail is good, but your thesis is inco...Your focus detail is good, but your thesis is incomplete. What does the book mean? Your essay must analyze how the author uses the contrast between civilization and the wilderness to convey a particular idea, and you need to state that idea in the thesis.<br /><br />What's the point of the book?kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-40806100526184718132013-10-09T11:13:32.839-07:002013-10-09T11:13:32.839-07:00Your focus detail--scars--is fine. Find direct ref...Your focus detail--scars--is fine. Find direct references to scars that recur in your novel and use those details as support for your ideas. <br /><br />The above thesis is incomplete. What is the function/purpose of the scar motif? What larger idea does it point to and reinforce? State Steinbeck's theme in your thesis, and in your essay show how references to scars help to convey that theme.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-18426913331574679642013-10-09T10:39:26.193-07:002013-10-09T10:39:26.193-07:00A motif is a recurring image--something concrete t...A motif is a recurring image--something concrete that appears throughout a work of literature and that takes on symbolic qualities. "Marriage" is more of a concept, not really a concrete image. (A wedding ring or a bridal veil would be images.) Marriage is a goal for the women in this novel...and I suppose you could treat it as a symbol....but be sure you bring in concrete textual examples and plenty of quotes that specifically mention marriage. Avoid broad generalities.<br /><br />In the above thesis, are you saying that through marriage, one grows and is transformed? I'm not sure I understand your idea. <br /><br />I like your statement about Emma being confined. Are there images of confinement that you could study as a motif?<br /><br />In general, your thesis has some great ideas, but it isn't fully unified or clear.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-34359130156620520282013-10-09T10:28:18.874-07:002013-10-09T10:28:18.874-07:00It's probably best to focus on only one recurr...It's probably best to focus on only one recurring image. Blood is very specific and could function as a symbol. "Sin" is a broader concept--not really an image, not really a symbol. Also, your thesis must state Marlowe's big idea a bit more clearly. Don't merely list two thematic topics (power and redemption). Instead, tell what the play reveals about power (eg., power corrupts) and about redemption. Ideally, your thematic statement should express one balanced idea, not two.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-46008552221642497422013-10-09T07:55:29.281-07:002013-10-09T07:55:29.281-07:00In Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, remin...In Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, reminiscing and story telling reveals the truth about people, especially after these people have died. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-32643458468366132702013-10-09T07:53:40.516-07:002013-10-09T07:53:40.516-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-21201795196388031452013-10-08T14:35:35.421-07:002013-10-08T14:35:35.421-07:00This thesis lacks a focus detail. Please reread th...This thesis lacks a focus detail. Please reread the instructions I gave you. Select a particular literary element to analyze. Your thesis is far too broad.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-77894511552351364712013-10-08T14:32:31.704-07:002013-10-08T14:32:31.704-07:00This is a very ambitious topic, one that may requi...This is a very ambitious topic, one that may require much more than two or three pages of writing. Is there a way to narrow your focus? Instead of three characters, can you focus on one? Or can you focus on a recurring image that suggests time (clocks, maybe??). I like your ideas--and I admire the fact that you read this challenging book. Perhaps this thesis will work, as long as you can keep the essay specific and focused on text. Point to various passages where time is being "interpreted." kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-84354407541648951652013-10-08T14:25:34.283-07:002013-10-08T14:25:34.283-07:00Focus detail looks good, as long as it will challe...Focus detail looks good, as long as it will challenge you and isn't too obvious. What is the book's meaning, and how does the recurring image of the butterfly help to convey that idea? Your thesis and essay must answer these two questions. Look for and interpret patterns that occur with the imagery.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-54850552005348030512013-10-08T14:20:00.327-07:002013-10-08T14:20:00.327-07:00Fate isn't really a symbol. (A symbol is somet...Fate isn't really a symbol. (A symbol is something concrete--an object or a character or a recurring image--that represents a broad idea.) Fate would be very difficult to trace as a focus detail. Cowboys might be too broad because every practically character in the book is a cowboy (What about horses? Would that take you anywhere?) Your thematic statement is also quite broad. It could apply to practically any book ever written. My suggestion is to keep thinking. You don't appear to have a topic yet. Think about things in the book that confused you, or questions you still have about the characters and what happens to them. A thesis should answer a question.kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-80320658297505288462013-10-08T14:14:03.759-07:002013-10-08T14:14:03.759-07:00Interesting focus detail. Your thesis sets up the ...Interesting focus detail. Your thesis sets up the structure of your essay, but doesn't state the point. What meaning does the Virgin contribute? State the big idea that Alvarez's book conveys to us. (You might need to write a few paragraphs and then come back to the thesis. Your understanding will grow as you explore the topic, and then you can sharpen your thesis before handing in a final draft!)kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2621541723616649729.post-21093060309245711482013-10-08T14:09:46.753-07:002013-10-08T14:09:46.753-07:00The focus detail you've selected looks promisi...The focus detail you've selected looks promising. As you write, come back to the thesis to polish and improve it. "Impacts" is rather vague, for example. What kind of impact is the book talking about? "Alters" is also rather vague. Exactly how is the sense of right and wrong altered?kleclairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942217584894176389noreply@blogger.com