Idiots.

Taken from Google Images

 

Jenny states that everyone is an idiot; how is she an idiot?  How is Dan an idiot?  How are each of the characters idiots in their own way?

Also, what did you think about this novel?  Was it too outrageous for you?   Why/why not? What do you suppose Winston Groom's message was?

Jenny and Forrest

Jenny and Forrest
Taken from Google Images

 

We have discussed how Forrest has been taken advantage of in this novel by various people, but what do you guys think about Jenny's character?  Is she taking advantage of him, or is she actually a good friend?  Give reasons for your assertions.

On another note, what do you think about the events of this novel?  Is Winston Groom taking you where you thought he might?  Why/why not?

Poor Forrest

Taken from Google Images

 

In what ways has Forrest been mistreated thus far in the novel?  Why do you suppose it happens so frequently?  How have times changed since the 1960's for people with disabilities?

When in your life have you witnessed someone with a disability mistreated?  What did you do about it?  How did it make you feel? 

Gump-Speak

Taken from Google Images

In Gump-speak, write a journal entry that expresses your thoughts about the first three chapters of the novel. Have fun with this prompt!

Gruen's Message

Taken from Google Images

 

It seems as if most of you really enjoyed reading Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, which makes me soooo happy!  The time has come to analyze the work as a whole and determine what you took from it; what message did Gruen send to you?  If this story has a moral or a lesson, what is it?  What about the novel was particularly enjoyable for you as a reader?  Explain.

Crazy August

Taken from Google Images

There is a certifiably crazy character in Water for Elephants - August. For this journal entry, psychoanalyze August as a psychiatrist might analyze a patient. What makes him tick? Why does he act the way that he does? What is wrong with this guy? After you psychoanalyze and diagnose August, be sure that you prescribe him something that will even him out - he needs it.

W4E Journal Prompt

Marlena and her ponies.
Taken from Google Images

 

Since Sara Gruen's novel Water for Elephants is written in first person from Jacob's perspective, as readers we are constantly "inside" of his head.  But for this journal prompt I want you to think about what it would be like inside the head of a more minor character like Kinko, August, Camel, or Marlena.  What are each of these characters going through in the novel right now, and what would they have to say about it in a diary entry?  Ready...set...WRITE - character-diary-entry-style!

The Circus

Taken from Google Images

 



Write about a time in which you wanted to run away and join the circus (aka - a time in which you felt hopeless, angry, or needed a change).  Use your genre sheet!

Happy Halloween!

Taken from Google Images

In honor of Halloween, I want you to think about the scariest of scary movies you've seen.  What made it so terrifying?  What cinematic elements make a movie good 'n scary?  Use your genre sheet and write about this horrific flick!

Cautionary Tales

Taken from Google Images.

 

Cautionary tales are ones that warn us about something, and Brian Aldiss's short story "Super Toys Last All Summer Long" definitely contains a few warnings for readers. 

How is "Super Toys" a cautionary tale?  What do you think this science fiction story is warning readers of?  In what ways were the world which Aldiss created like our own?  How can we prevent the events in the story from happening? 

Use your genre sheet!

Rom-Coms & Sci-Fi

Taken from Google Images

 

We're about ready to switch genres, people - major genre shift!  Breakfast at Tiffany's turned out to be a romantic comedy, but you will find that A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is anything but romantic or comedic. 

For this journal prompt, I would like you to write about your favorite science fiction movie and explain what makes it so good.  Usually, science fiction movies (and the books from which the films are derived) have messages of warning for our generation - what warnings can you detect from the sci-fi movie you chose?  We'll talk more about these warnings or "cautionary tales" when we read "Super Toys Last All Summer Long" by Brian Aldiss!

And if you aren't a sci-fi person, you may choose your favorite romantic comedy and write about it instead! 

Ready...set...go!  Happy 1st Monday of Quarter 2!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

A Romantic Comedy?  Really?!
Taken from Google Images

 

After reading Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" I want you to think about the tone of the story; what mood did it create for readers - why?  Give examples from the text.

Now take that thought a bit further.  If you were to make "Breakfast at Tiffany's" into a film, in what genre would it fall?  Romance?  Drama?  Horror?  Thriller?  Comedy?  Give reasons for the genre you choose!

Worst Adaptation

One Day - this movie didn't "wow" me at all.
But the book - ah, the book was great!
Taken from Google Images

I think that we can all agree that F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was adapted into a pretty stellar movie.  For this journal prompt, I want you to think about an adaptation of a children's book, short story, novel, novella, graphic novel (etc) that fell short, leaving you disappointed.  Be sure to explain why the movie fell short and what the director, screenwriters, actors (etc) could have done to make it better.

Benjamin Button Top 10 List

Taken from Google Images

 

For today's journal prompt, I want you to consider the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" into a film. 

Clearly, the film was far different from the story and a lot was done in the film-making process to turn this tiny story into a full-length blockbuster movie. 

Think about what the screenwriter, director, producers, costume designers, make-up artists, and casting crew did well and make a Top 10 List of things that were done to make this film such a success.  Along with the list, be sure to give explanations for each, elaborating and giving specific examples from the film.

Mr. King's Message

Taken from Google Images

 

If you had to determine what moral or lesson Stephen King was attempting to convey by writing Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, what would that lesson be?  What message did this story send to you?  Support your argument by using examples from the novella!

 

Remember your movie permission slips - you must have them Monday if you want to watch the film!

Wednesday Journal Prompt!

Taken from Google Images

 

Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is a story about Andy Dufresne, but another man tells it - Red.  What do you think about Red as a narrator?  Is he reliable?  Can we trust what he tells us?  Give specific reasons for your written response!

Journal Prompt!

Taken from Google Images

For today's journal prompt, choose one of the quotes below that speaks to you. Free-write.

"A river, though, has so many things to say that it is hard to know what it says to each of us" (102).

"You can love completely without complete understanding" (103).

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it" (104).

Paul - What's His Deal?

Taken from Google Images

 

As we read, you all should be "getting to know" Paul a bit better - maybe.  For this journal prompt, you are no longer a student at SGHS - you are now a certified psychiatrist! Your task this morning is to psychoanalyze the Paul's character (and perhaps prescribe him something to help get him "on track" in his life).  Consider the following questions: 

- Why does he act the way he does?

- What makes him tick?

- What does he really want?

Draw some conclusions about this complex character as we get closer to the end of the novella. Be sure to use support from the text to back up your psycho-analysis. Be creative!

8/29 Journal Prompt

Taken from Google Images

Maclean describes fly fishing as an "art" and his brother Paul as an "artist" for mastering this difficult hobby and making it his own by what he calls "shadow casting".

What is something you do that could be considered artful? What special touches do you put on this art to make it your own so that no one else may replicate it?

Keep in mind that this "art" doesn't have to be an enormous deal; perhaps you make one wicked grilled cheese sandwich because of some special ingredient you add!

Use one of the writing styles from the genre sheet for this journal prompt.  And remember: be creative!

Reading for Thursday 8/30 - pages 22-48

Prepare for a Reading Quiz!

Reading for 8/29

Hello, my F&F Friends!  Tonight, make sure that you:

a. Finish your vocabulary list!

b. Read pages 1-22 in A River Runs Through It.

c. Come to class prepared for discussion tomorrow!

Monday, August 27th

Taken from Google Images

 

1. Journal -

The majority of the time we hear people say, "The movie is never as good as the book."  For this journal prompt, write about a movie that you consider to be better than the text from which it came.  If you are a believer in the idea that the movie is never better than the book, write about a book that you would like to see made into a film; give reasons why!

2. A River Runs Through It vocabulary list

3. Blogging Rules/Set-up (blogs due by Friday!)

Things you would like to learn/do in Film & Fiction this semester:

- read GOOD books
- not have an "ordinary" English class
- how to make a movie
- compare books and movies intelligently
- how to write papers comparing books and movies
- watch some good movies
- understand why movies are changed from the books
- character analysis (book vs. movie)
- go beyond the usual genres
- the book to film process
- make a movie
- punctuation and grammar
- understand different types of literature
- fantasy/science fiction
- few tests/quizzes - more writing

Things you expect of me this semester:

- learn something useful
- have fun while learning
- be a teacher who I can go to comfortably for help
- allow food and drink when we watch movies
- I expect you to still be awesome :)
- provide help when needed
- stay classy
- avoid "dull" books and movies
- be understanding
- don't give endless amounts of homework
- allowing caffeinated beverages (that are sealed)!
- listen to your students

Thanks for your feedback, crew!  I look SO forward to this class!