Since the last response to course material blog we have finished Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, started Ceremony, and worked on closed prompts. I felt like the most interesting part of R&G was the relationship between theater and real life. The play brought up the interesting point about how it is different if you experience something serious while watching a play rather than experiencing it in real life. I agree with this point and I think makes an interesting point about how people feel like they have experienced certain events just from watching them in a play. This is even more relevant today with movies because not only do they appear more realistic, but a popular movie can be seen by millions of people.
We have also just started reading ceremony and in class we have been introduced to Laguna Pueblo culture and I have found it very interesting. It is a refreshing change from the constant references to the bible in the literature we have read so far. I've barely started the novel, but so far I have enjoyed it even though it is difficult to understand. Trying to determine the meaning of the text is even more difficult because I am unfamiliar with the main character's culture.
In class we have also been working on closed prompts and its been rough. I have trouble figuring out the meaning of these passages when I have lots of time to analyze them, but with the 40 minute time limit it makes it even more difficult. The part that may be even harder fo me is actually translating my thoughts about the passage on paper. I'm used to using informal language when discussing literature during class, so using more formal language on the closed prompts has been to be difficult. Although I have struggled, Ms. Holms helping us during class and practicing has helped and I've started to see improvements in my writing.
The relationship between theater and real life was my favorite theme of R&G, too! I agree with Stoppard in that theater cannot be taken as reality, but as something else entirely whose ideas could be referenced in lieu of reality.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you said about closed prompts. Even though I understand the passage or poem, I have trouble translating that onto paper and I don't know why. It's really frustrating. Maybe it does have something to do with the use of formal language instead of informal like we use in class, but I hope it starts to make more sense before the AP exam...in like three weeks......
I really like what you said about trying to get a crash course on Laguna Pueblo culture, and I feel like if I had some of the knowledge that I had by the end of our study I would've been able to better understand the complex meanings and layers that Silko added to her book.
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with the time limit on closed prompts, especially with organizing my essay. I feel like as I start writing I realize that my planned organization isn't the best way to do it, but I am stuck with an inferior essay because I don't have time to change it.