From Of Plymouth Plantation
Bradford’s account of the Puritans (Pilgrims) voyage to the New World. The voyage was difficult. Passengers had to move from 2 ships to just one. The “proud and profane seaman” who cursed the sick passengers ultimately died of disease himself. As soon as the passengers arrived on Cape Cod they fell to their knees and blessed God. What is the “First Encounter?” What is the Mayflower Compact? What is the starving time? Squanto helped the settlers and taught them survival skills. What is the treaty of Massasoit and what were the conditions of this treaty? At the time of the first Thanksgiving the harvest was small but there were plenty of fish and game.
From Song of Myself
Celebrating oneself is equal to celebrating everyone. Alliteration is the repeated sound of the first letter in a series of multiple words. “Creeds and schools in abeyance” means setting aside prior learning to express what is natural. In section 6 of the poem the speaker refers to the dead as being alive and well. Parallelism is the use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter. The theme of compassion is relayed when the speaker says “I am the man, I suffer’d, I was there”. According to the speaker in the future you might find him under your boot-soles. Whitman uses the metaphor of a barbaric yawp to explain his poem in section 55.
The Minister’s Black Veil
How does Mr. Hooper respond to the parishioners first react to his veil? Mr. Hooper delivers a sermon on concealed sin and the parishioners feel that he is looking into their souls. Why does Mr. Hooper leave the wedding ceremony so quickly? Why does Elizabeth feel she should know about the clergyman’s veil? What is a desirable effect of the veil? Why does Mr. Hooper think that everyone wears a black veil?
Hamlet
What event troubles Hamlet the greatest? Hamlet believes he has been called upon to do God’s work and avenge his father’s murder. Why does Polonius believe Hamlet is insane? What dilemma do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern face? After spying on Hamlet and Ophelia what does Claudius realize? What concerns Hamlet the most during the production of the play? What is the significance of the play? What purpose does the play serve? Why can’t Claudius pray? How does Hamlet feel about Fortinbras attack on Poland? How does Fortinbras show respect for Hamlet? Why did Ophelia have a mental breakdown? Describe Laertes. Why did he join Claudius? What does he say to Hamlet in the end?
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby takes place during the 1920s. One major symbol is the billboard with the “Eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleberg” which are all knowing and always judging. Daisy represents Gatsby’s American Dream and the life he wants. Gatsby bought the house in on West Egg to be near Daisy and threw big parties in hopes of seeing her. Their love is a doomed love because it will be hard for Daisy to live up to Gatsby’s idea of her. The only character in the novel who knows the whole truth is Nick, our narrator. The Wilson’s live in the Valley of Ashes. When Myrtle thought Jordan was another girlfriend of Tom’s. George shoots Gatsby because he thinks Gatsby is Myrtle’s boyfriend. Nick describes Daisy and Tom as careless people at the end of the novel because they only care about themselves. After Gatsby’s death Nick returns West because he is disgusted with everyone he knows.