THEME #8: Which writer had the most effective method to communicate his/her message?

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

THEME #7: Writer's Central Message

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

THEME #6: Connection to Author's Life

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

UNIVERSAL THEME #5: How People Struggle to Cope with a Changing World

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

UNIVERSAL THEME #4: Power of the Community

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

UNIVERSAL THEME #3: Importance of Invisible People

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

UNIVERSAL THEME #2: Power of the Human Spirit

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

UNIVERSAL THEME #1: Human Suffering

Enriched by our reading experiences, sharing specific examples from the novel and the short stories provides the chance to internalize key themes. Dig deep. Provide an example from one work that reflects the theme listed. Establish the context of your example. Quotes are ecouraged. Be sure to read through the entire post; do not use the same examples as classmates.

Grapes of Wrath Movie: Other thoughts

I found myself somewhat inspired by the film version of Grapes, perhaps due to the music? Use this blog to comment on your thoughts about the movie overall, or comment on any of these prompts:

a) Was life in the government camp true to Steinbeck's story?
b) What do you think about these camps? Should the government have made more? Pros/cons to camp life?
c) What do you think happens to Muley?
d) How might you change the ending of the film? Would you want a closer match to the novel?
e) If you could write the closing chapters of the Joad story, how might things be portrayed?
f) Overall, would Steinbeck like the film? Why/why not?

Capitalism: A Love Story

Michael Moore's movie is intriguing. Use this blog to respond to the movie and raise questions. Ideally, we would link the ideas expressed in the film to the Great Depression & New Deal concepts we have studied in Ac-Dec:)

Movie: Grapes of Wrath Day 1

IDEAS for Blogging:

A) The opening scenes of the movie seemed to miss much of what was in the book. Agree/disagree? Examples?
B) How did the characters on the movie screen correspond with the images your mind formed as you read the book?
C) Casy and Tom Joad seem to have such an easy rapport in the movie and in the book. Do you think two men "bond" this quickly? What factors affect their relationship?
D) The darkness and wind add an element of sensory drama. Does the film have more impact than the book because we can see and hear the story?
E) Flashback techniques shape the story of the big screen. How does this method compare with the written story?
F) The visual impact of adds much to understanding the characters. Yet, the movie skips some critical characterization written in the book (i.e. the scene when Tom arrives). What do you notice? Comment on which format is best for characterization.

Bonus Blog: Emperor of the North video

Set in the Depression-era Northwest, director Robert Aldrich's gritty, intense railroad drama stars Lee Marvin as legendary tramp A No. 1, who sets out to prove his "King of the Hoboes" title to protege Keith Carradine by hopping an "unridable" freight train patrolled by sadistic, chain-wielding conductor Ernest Borgnine. http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D68341&gclid=CKiAgd6SvKQCFd9n5QodxUWGzg

Blog Post Ideas:

• How realistic do you find this movie?
• How does the action in the film compare to what you read in The Grapes of Wrath?
• The opening song compares the train to a man....compare/contrast men and trains.
• How do the characters you meet in the film compare with characters from Grapes?
• What can we learn about the Great Depression from this film?

Bonus Blog: FDR

Use this blog to comment/discuss aspects of Franklin D. Roosevelt that you found interesting. You may write about any period of his life. Keep the information interesting and fresh!

• This blog is OPTIONAL.
• Potential bonus points for those who show evidence of research, going beyond the packet, following the blog faithfully, insightfully commenting, and displaying high level thinking.

City, West, South-Where to be and why?

During the Depression people everywhere were challenged to survive. If you had to pick one of the locations we talked about in class to live, which area would you choose and why? Be SPECIFIC!

Grapes of Wrath-Favorite Character(s)

WHO did you find most memorable from the novel? Why?

Grapes of Wrath-Favorite moment(s)

What was your favorite/most memorable scene from the book? Why?

Grapes of Wrath-Overall thoughts

Use this blog communicate your reflections on reading the novel.

IDEAS:

• Did you read the introduction? How did this information shape your reading experience?
• The book has received both acclaim and criticism. How do you perceive Steinbeck's novel?
• How did the book enrich your understanding of history?
• Other overall thoughts, ideas, questions?