The Impact of Written Works

Mark David Chapman is seen here in the far right of the photo, with the famous John Lennon signing Mark's album - dated December 8, 1980. Little did John know how obsessed Mark was with him - and with Holden Caulfield. Just a few hours after this signing, Mark David Chapman will shoot John Lennon dead. Mark was patiently reading The Catcher in the Rye while he waited for the police to arrive. Chapman said that he first thought of going back to his hotel after the signing, but he had to wait until Lennon came back because "he knew where the ducks went in the winter, and I needed to know this" (wikipedia). After his arrest, Chapman sent notes to various media, stressing how important it was for everyone to read Salinger's novel.

It truly is amazing how much of an impact a novel, or any other written work, can have on the reader. Think of other various examples - from Harry Potter to Twilight to Lord of the Rings...to the Bible...what about songs? What about The Grateful Dead followers? Wow - amazing...think of musicals, plays, speeches (oh, William Wallace - "Will you fight? Run - you'll live...for a little while...")...you name it. You will be writing a comparison/contrast piece, discussing at least four written pieces - you are comparing and contrasting the impact of the written word! One of these pieces must be Catcher, extremely affecting Mark David Chapman. (You can use the movie Chapter 27 as the source, or anything else you find - there are plenty of articles out there). You need to have support for each work you discuss (therefore, you need at least four sources). Have fun - your tone can be humorous, sarcastic, serious...I am sure there is plenty of shocking info/stories out there.

Sources: news articles, journals, etc...try SirS, ProQuest, EBSCO, Facts on File, ABC-CLIO History...YouTube clips, your own interviews with people, your own experiences...Info for Chapter 27: J.P. Schafer, Dir. Chapter 27. Artina Films Production, 2006. Dvd.

Keep note of all source info for internal citations (yes, you must cite your sources within - directly quote or paraphrase) and a Works Cited page. 2 pages typed, dbl. sp., MLA blah blah blah...due sometime over vacation...50 pointers...you may print it up, email me, or post it on your blog! Your choice.

**You must either use the divided (subject-by-subject) pattern OR the alternating (point-by-point) pattern**

Post #3: Holden is killing me, just killing me...

Holden Caulfield is known, by many literary critics AND many readers alike, to be representative of the universal teenager. As we all know, the years of a teen's life come with many ups and downs, stress, anxiety, wonders, fears, angst, dares, craziness, vulnerabilities...and lots more. Thank goodness we only have to live through these years once!!

Please explain, in Post #3, how Holden represents the universal teenager. Use specifics from the novel, incorporating at least two quoted textual passages (and cite properly - Salinger pg #). Length: at least two paragraphs.

Due date: by Sunday, December 4th. (15 pts)

Post #2: It creates a major 1975 Oscar sweep, but Mr. Kesey does not approve??

Hopefully you have reflected on why Ken Kesey never approved/endorsed/enjoyed the Hollywood interpretation of his famous novel while actively viewing the film in class. Now, please type up your thoughts on this, incorporating at least one quote from the film, one quoted passage from the text, and one quoted passage from an outside source on Ken Kesey. Be sure to cite correctly - use the director's last name in parentheses (Forman) after a film quote; use Kesey's last name and page number for the novel, and use the author's last name OR if there is no author, then the title of the outside source. Please give the rest of the source info for your outside source at the bottom of your post. Length: two paragraphs; 15 pts - due by Wed., Nov. 2

Please check out my first post below - click on the Kesey link to read up on Kesey's life, the Beat Movement, his bus Further, and more interesting hippie info!!

Post #1 - The Cuckoo Battle: Big Nurse vs. Big Mac

Ken Kesey's bus, 'Further.' See link below! McMurphy and the guys "watching" the

World Series on TV...

"...any of you sharpies here willing to take my five bucks that says that I can get the best of that woman - before the week's up - without her getting the best of me?...A bee in her butt, a burr in her bloomers. Get her goat" (Kesey 68 - 69).

In two well-developed paragraphs, explain the battle between Nurse Ratched and R.P. McMurphy. Who has the upper hand? Who is stronger in this fight at the present moment, and who is going to win in the long run? Refer to specific examples from the text, and include at least two quotes, citing correctly. Post is due by the weekend - October 9, 2011 (15 pts)

After you are done with Post #1, check out the link below. Read about Kesey, the Merry Pranksters, their crazy life and travels and their impact on America.

http://www.lonestar.edu/library/kin_CuckoosNest.htm

Happy Summer!

Have a great summer, and good luck getting ready for college. Remember: cold water wash for those colored garments...:) please stay in touch. I will miss you all very much.

Take a moment to You Tube a song or two from any Bruce Springsteen and the E Streeters concert over the forty plus years that they have been rockin' together - please be sure to really get a sense of how amazing and powerful the Big Man was - Mr. Clarence Clemons...he really is irreplaceable.

Check this one out - The Big Man is too cool in his red suit and also a very sharp white one! Oh, those eighties - fun times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxuThNgl3YA

The Magic of Storytelling

The art of storytelling...so powerful and magical. Consider the movie Forrest Gump and the novel The Things They Carried. Search for a source on the film, and peruse Tim O'Brien's lecture (up top left of my blog) for a part to listen to/read. Make connections; in a post, type up a personal two paragraph discussion about storytelling and blending truth with fiction. You are to incorporate at least one line from the movie, some text from an outside source on the movie, and some text from O'Brien's lecture. Be sure to cite. (20 pts; due by Fri., Feb. 18)