Lockdown Literature 12

Hi folks,

Well, there’s no avoiding it. It’s time for a practice essay. 

This is the one that we would have given you in the end of year exam slot. It’s quite a nice extract and task. The key thing here is that we practise doing the following:

1) annotating extracts

2) writing analytically about the extract

3) making links to the wider text / context and the themes of the book

Let’s do that today. Here’s your work for this week:

ESSENTIAL:

1) Revise Pip and Estella’s relationship by using these resources:

• your notes page on Pip and Estella’s unequal relationship (in your ex.book)

• this set of Quizlet cards

2) Then try this quick quiz and survey. I’m not asking for email addresses this week, so you can answer the survey questions anonymously.

3) Make your own copy of this Google doc.

4) Annotate the text like you would in the exam. Think about:

• Dickens’s methods (e.g. language, structure, characterisation, repetition, imagery, motifs etc. See here for more help)
• JILES themes (esp. love and social class)
• Links to the wider text /context

5) Write your answer to the question. 

This is a 45 minute essay task. As the extract is the first time Pip meets Estella, it makes sense to do the extract first, then discuss what happens later in the text.

Other key moments to think about:

• Chapter 29: The return of Estella
• Chapter 44: Pip declares his love
• Chapter 59: Final meeting

You can write on the next page of the Google Doc, on a separate doc, or in your book. Whatever’s easiest.

OPTIONAL:

These are the same as last time. I’ll keep adding these as optional extras. Ignore if you’ve done them or don’t have time.

6) Watch Great Expectations (2011) (aka ‘Fit Pip’) Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3. (Remember, you’ll need your school log-in details.)

7) Have a read of another section from the study guide which I’ve sent to your email.

8) Revise your vocab on Quizlet (or just revise generally on Quizlet).

That’s all for this week. Remember, you’ve got until next Tuesday to get this essay done. I’ve already done it and will share mine with you when you’ve had a go. I’ll also share my version of the ‘Allusions’ doc soon (when I’ve done it.)

After this week and this essay, we’ll park Great Expectations until 2021! So give it your best shot! Next week, we’ll be planning for your presentation.

As ever, let me know if you need anything.

Mr M

Lockdown Literature 11

Hello Year 10,

There’s a bit of a mixed bag of work this week. My thoughts for the last four weeks of term are:

• This week – some tidying up and conclusions about the big ideas.
• Next week – practice essay (we have to do at least one!)
• Week after – planning your presentation + revision
• Last week – writing your presentation + revision

I hope that sounds okay. We really have to have a go at a practice essay before the summer; we can’t just finish the book and then start Macbeth in September, leaving GE  alone until January or February.

Here’s the work for this week:

ESSENTIAL:

1) Do this mixed recap quiz.

2) Read my JILES conclusions in the document below:

3) Look at this list of useful words for discussing Pip’s journey and bildungsroman. Make a note of these words and definitions in your book. Then read the paragraph in the image below the list.

Write three sentences about how Pip has changed, using a different word from this new vocab list in each one.

Here’s the list:

• romance - a story featuring a chivalric hero, set in an idealised world which is far removed from reality and everyday life
• egotism - obsession with one's ego, or self; self-importance
• solipsism - the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist; the quality of being self-centred or selfish.
• quixotic - extremely idealistic, romantic, impractical and unrealistic
• humility - the quality of being humble, modest.
• altruism - unselfish behaviour; devotion to the welfare of others
• redemption - being saved from (or to make up for) sin, error, or evil

4) Have a look at this discussion question:

Read the section entitled ‘Is Great Expectations a misogynist novel?’ in your copy of the Connell Guide (it’s in your inbox).

Remember, a misogynist is someone who hates women or has contempt for women. What do you think? Is Dickens one?

RECOMMENDED:

5) Do the following ‘because, but, so’ sentences (make sure you write out three sentences in full, with perfect punctuation, then send them in an email to me):

Great Expectations could be considered a misogynistic novel because

Great Expectations could be considered a misogynistic novel, but

Great Expectations could be considered a misogynistic novel, so

6) Think about some of the allusions that Dickens has made in Great Expectations – you’ll find the key ones on this document.

Fill in the boxes on the doc with ideas about how each allusion connects with the novel. You’ll need to do a little research into the allusions and think of some connections. I’ve done the first one for you. Don’t worry if you get stuck on one, I’ll help you with it later.

OPTIONAL:

7) Watch Great Expectations (2011) (aka ‘Fit Pip’) Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3. (Remember, you’ll need your school log-in details.)

8) Have a read of another section from the study guide which I’ve sent to your email.

9) Revise your vocab on Quizlet (or just revise generally on Quizlet).

That’s all for this week. Remember, you’ve got a week to get this done.

As ever, let me know if you need anything.

Mr M

Lockdown Literature 10

Hi folks,

So, from this week, school is partially re-opened for Year 10. This week, up to seven of you will be in on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m in next Tuesday. A few of you will have to wait until the middle of July.

I think this calls for a slight change of approach. Happily, this falls at the perfect time as we’re no longer having to blast through the book to a strict timetable (it’s almost as if I had it all planned out!). Here’s what I suggest:

• Instead of sending work on Tuesday and Friday morning, I’ll just send it on Tuesday. That way, if it’s your turn to be in school, you’re not rushing against an unfair deadline. This will give you the flexibility to fit in our work with what you’ve got on.

• I’ll sort future blogposts into essential, recommended and optional tasks. Again, this should allow you to manage your workload when you’re in school, and give you more options when you’re not.

• I’ll still be here to answer questions and give feedback any time you need it.

I hope that makes sense. Please let me know if you can see a problem with this.

This week, we’re going to consider the ending of the book, the other ending of the book (!) and we’ll try to draw conclusions on the themes and Dickens’s intentions.

Here’s the work for this week:

ESSENTIAL:

1) Do this recap quiz on the final chapter of Great Expectations.

2) Read the original ending of Chapter 59 in the document below, then consider the questions at the bottom of the doc.  (Dickens was persuaded to change his original ending to the one you have already read. A friend (possibly several friends) told him he needed to write something more optimistic.)

3) Write a paragraph weighing up the arguments about the two different endings and giving your view about which is better.

Alternatively, you could just answer the questions at the bottom of the above doc.

You can write in your book and send a pic, or you can put your paragraph straight into an email.

If you want some help getting your ideas together, have a look at these:

• Sparknotes: What Does the Ending Mean?

• The Two Endings

• The Two Endings – The Arguments

RECOMMENDED:

4) Consider the JILES themes we discussed in class and jot down some conclusions on this document. (You’ll need to make your own copy of it again.)

Think about what Dickens is trying to say about each theme, and how you know. This about how the final stages of the novel tie up each theme.

OPTIONAL:

5) Watch Great Expectations (2011) (aka ‘Fit Pip’) Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3. (Remember, you’ll need your school log-in details.)

6) Have a read of a section from the study guide which I’ve sent to your email. (E.g. the introductory sections or ‘Is Pip a snob?’)

By the look of this poll, we need to show Pip some love. The article above will help. Good call on Herb, Joe and Wemmick though!

That’s all for this week. Remember, you’ve now got a week to get this done.

As ever, let me know if you need anything.

And if you’re in school tomorrow, enjoy! I’m well jel.

Mr M