Classwork...
In class today we discussed the elephant in the room: controversy that many people want to ignore, or at least wish that everybody simply agreed with them.
As a class we were able to see some things related to the Multicultural/New Historical Literary Theory approach to reading Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant." We saw that
As a class we were able to see some things related to the Multicultural/New Historical Literary Theory approach to reading Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant." We saw that
- the elephant means much more than a physical elephant
- right and wrong often seems to us to be function of a given set of facts and circumstances
- our choices are always coupled with consequences
- our choices are always open to the scrutiny of others
- looking at the world through the eyes of others may help defend against "narrative hijacking"
- the historical event of "shooting an elephant" seems to have real-life connection with current events transpiring even in our own society
- Does Orwell succeed in justifying his choice to shoot to the elephant? Does this seem to be the point of his ending? or...does the ending of the essay seem to be more a confessional?
- What assumptions did Orwell make about the Burmese people?
- How were the events that occurred in Orwell's narrative shaped by the history that the people shared with Orwell?
Homework...
For homework tonight, log-in to the online textbook and read the essay by Aldous Huxley, "Words and Behavior" (page 1265). In a journal entry, respond to the following prompt:
In the essay,"Words and Behavior," author and thinker Aldous Huxley suggests that people often use words not to reveal truth but to hide or mask it. What connection can you make with Huxley's arguments in "Words and"Behavior" and the point(s) that Orwell makes in "Shooting an Elephant"? Does Huxley's essay have anything to say to Diddy's hip-hop piece in honor of Michael Brown, "Don't Shoot"? Lights. Camera. CONNECTION.
Vocabulary for Friday: quizlet.com/hhseng4 - list 12
In the essay,"Words and Behavior," author and thinker Aldous Huxley suggests that people often use words not to reveal truth but to hide or mask it. What connection can you make with Huxley's arguments in "Words and"Behavior" and the point(s) that Orwell makes in "Shooting an Elephant"? Does Huxley's essay have anything to say to Diddy's hip-hop piece in honor of Michael Brown, "Don't Shoot"? Lights. Camera. CONNECTION.
Vocabulary for Friday: quizlet.com/hhseng4 - list 12