Key Facts
full title · The Handmaid’s Tale
author · Margaret Atwood
type of work · Novel
genre · Anti-utopian (or “dystopian”) novel; science fiction; feminist political novel
language · English
time and place written · Early 1980s, West Berlin and Alabama
date of first publication · 1986
publisher · McClelland & Stewart in Canada, Houghton Mifflin in the United States
narrator · Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead
point of view · The Handmaid’s Tale is told from Offred’s point of view. She tells the story in the immediate present tense but frequently shifts to past tense for flashbacks to life before Gilead and to her time in the Red Center. Much of her narration is concerned not with events or action, but with her emotional state, which is often affected by the memories that well up from her happier past.
tone · The novel’s tone is dark, and at times elegiac for the lost world before Gilead. Consistently unhappy, Offred finds both refuge and pain in her memories. A sense of fear and paranoia also pervades the novel, since all the characters live under a ruthless, totalitarian government.
tense · Offred describes her life in the Commander’s home in the present tense but frequently shifts to the past tense to describe flashbacks and memories.
setting (time) · The not-too-distant future
setting (place) · Cambridge, Massachusetts
protagonist · Offred
major conflict · The Republic of Gilead has subjugated women and reduced Handmaids like Offred to sexual slavery. Offred desires happiness and freedom, and finds herself struggling against the totalitarian restrictions of her society.
rising action · Offred’s evenings with the Commander; her shopping trips with Ofglen; her visit to Jezebel’s
climax · After learning that Ofglen committed suicide to avoid arrest, Offred returns home and Serena confronts her about her trip to Jezebel’s.
falling action · Offred’s arrest or escape at the end of the novel
themes · Women’s bodies as political instruments; language as a tool of power; the causes of complacency
motifs · Rape and sexual violence; religious terms used for political purposes; similarities between reactionary and feminist ideologies
symbols · Cambridge, Massachusetts; Harvard University; the Handmaids’ red habits; a palimpsest; the Eyes
foreshadowing · Offred’s kiss with Nick foreshadows their eventual affair; the attempted kidnapping of Offred’s daughter foreshadows Offred’s eventual loss of her child; Ofglen’s arrest foreshadows Offred’s own arrest.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Alchemist information for data sheet (AP lit)
The Alchemist (for data sheet)
author: Paulo Coelho
Genre: novel/fable
Author Information
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947
Educated in a Jesuit Catholic school
Committed to a mental institution as a teen
Worked in theater and journalism
An admitted “spiritualist” and activist for free speech and individualism
Author of several other novels
Started writing seriously after an encounter with a stranger who told him to return to the church and walk a medieval pilgrim’s path
Background
Originally written in Portuguese
Published in 1988
First published in English in 1993
What is alchemy? (definitions and history just fyi)
Alchemy is the precursor of modern chemistry. It began in ancient Egypt and moved to the Greeks when they invaded the area. Arabs and ancient Chinese also followed this science and it was born in Europe as the Arabs moved into Spain in the 8th century.
Definition and Premises
Alchemy is best known for its goal of turning base metals into gold. The ancients also desired to use the science as a philsophical and spiritual one by searching for “the philosopher’s stone” or technically when an alchemist’s substance turned red or the achieving of the goal.
Carl Jung was the first to look at alchemy in a spiritual sense, suggesting that alchemy was not a search for actual gold, but that it was the transformation of the human from lead into the gold of spiritual enlightenment.
Other Ideas
Alchemy branched into other areas of study including art and spiritual enlightenment. Alchemists believed in the significance of specific elements, such as air, water, and even specifics such as sulfur. These all had symbols referencing them, which were used in art, etc Many of these beliefs were used allegorically in literature.
Characteristics of this novel
1. Use of dialogue (between characters)
2. Dreams (Santiago’s)
3. Historical and Biblical allusions (King is a Biblical character; Salem is a true Biblical city, etc.)
4. Repeated imagery and symbolism (pyramids, stones, jewels, animals, etc.)
Characters
Gypsy woman: the first to tell Santiago to go
Crystal merchant: helps boy earn money
Englishman: in search of answers to alchemy; on the caravan with Santiago
Merchant’s daughter: she’s the merchant’s daughter!
Fatima: girl at oasis; Santiago falls in love with her
Characters
Melchizedek: king of Salem; gives him the 2 stones; never stop dreaming and follow omens
Alchemist: supposedly over 200 years old; Santiago meets him in the desert; he seems to think he must help Santiago achieve his dreams;
Santiago: shepherd; protagonist; makes mistakes; learns to have dreams and follow through; perseveres and has faith;
Settings
Andalusia:southern Spain; Santiago’s original homeland
Tarifa: Northern Africa
Al-Fayoum: the oasis in the desert
Sahara: the desert Santiago must cross
Tangier, Morocco: city of the crystal merchant; north Africa
Time: late 17th-early 18 century
Symbols
Dreams: the manifestation of the character’s dreams, goals, fears, etc.
Pyramids: the object of the quest
Urim and Thummim:the stones; represent a physical object of luck and the source of answers
Gypsy woman: the catalyst that begins the journey
Ruined church: Santiago’s treasure in “material” form
Themes
Follow your dreams…
True love will last…
Faith and spirituality as significant…
An individual’s quest for meaning in life…
Discovering what is really important in life…
Author’s Terms (could use this in genre or examples, too)
Soul of the World: the world’s morality
Unspoken language: what all humans know and understand
Philosopher’s stone: search for “life”…
The language of the world: what we all get from each other just by being human
Literary Devices in style (could use for characteristics of genre)
Personification: Santiago “hears” his heart; his dreams take on a reality
Irony: didn’t become a priest because he didn’t need God with his sheep, but he “finds” spirituality in his journey
Use of fables/allusions: other stories make the same point and are connected to Santiago’s journey or religious texts
Other Devices (could use for examples of author’s style)
Foreshadowing: Santiago’s dream, etc.
Allusions: King M of Salem…his story is in Genesis as he served Abraham…
Setting: as the story progresses, the setting becomes more unfamiliar but also more detailed in some respects
Discussion As We Begin reading…
“Simple things are the most valuable…” What about this statement seems true?
“When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true.” Do you agree? Does the universe conspire against you?
In what way are “dreams” and “omens” significant in today’s world? Are these believeable ideas?
Discussion as we begin reading…
Have you ever had a non-waking dream that was so significant that it caused you to follow through or not follow through with something?
What controls a human life, fate or destiny? Why?
Are humans in control of all aspects of their lives?
“People are afraid to pursue their dreams because they feel they don’t deserve them.” Is this a a true statement?
Discussion as we begin reading…
What other stories can you think of that deal with dreams and following dreams?
author: Paulo Coelho
Genre: novel/fable
Author Information
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1947
Educated in a Jesuit Catholic school
Committed to a mental institution as a teen
Worked in theater and journalism
An admitted “spiritualist” and activist for free speech and individualism
Author of several other novels
Started writing seriously after an encounter with a stranger who told him to return to the church and walk a medieval pilgrim’s path
Background
Originally written in Portuguese
Published in 1988
First published in English in 1993
What is alchemy? (definitions and history just fyi)
Alchemy is the precursor of modern chemistry. It began in ancient Egypt and moved to the Greeks when they invaded the area. Arabs and ancient Chinese also followed this science and it was born in Europe as the Arabs moved into Spain in the 8th century.
Definition and Premises
Alchemy is best known for its goal of turning base metals into gold. The ancients also desired to use the science as a philsophical and spiritual one by searching for “the philosopher’s stone” or technically when an alchemist’s substance turned red or the achieving of the goal.
Carl Jung was the first to look at alchemy in a spiritual sense, suggesting that alchemy was not a search for actual gold, but that it was the transformation of the human from lead into the gold of spiritual enlightenment.
Other Ideas
Alchemy branched into other areas of study including art and spiritual enlightenment. Alchemists believed in the significance of specific elements, such as air, water, and even specifics such as sulfur. These all had symbols referencing them, which were used in art, etc Many of these beliefs were used allegorically in literature.
Characteristics of this novel
1. Use of dialogue (between characters)
2. Dreams (Santiago’s)
3. Historical and Biblical allusions (King is a Biblical character; Salem is a true Biblical city, etc.)
4. Repeated imagery and symbolism (pyramids, stones, jewels, animals, etc.)
Characters
Gypsy woman: the first to tell Santiago to go
Crystal merchant: helps boy earn money
Englishman: in search of answers to alchemy; on the caravan with Santiago
Merchant’s daughter: she’s the merchant’s daughter!
Fatima: girl at oasis; Santiago falls in love with her
Characters
Melchizedek: king of Salem; gives him the 2 stones; never stop dreaming and follow omens
Alchemist: supposedly over 200 years old; Santiago meets him in the desert; he seems to think he must help Santiago achieve his dreams;
Santiago: shepherd; protagonist; makes mistakes; learns to have dreams and follow through; perseveres and has faith;
Settings
Andalusia:southern Spain; Santiago’s original homeland
Tarifa: Northern Africa
Al-Fayoum: the oasis in the desert
Sahara: the desert Santiago must cross
Tangier, Morocco: city of the crystal merchant; north Africa
Time: late 17th-early 18 century
Symbols
Dreams: the manifestation of the character’s dreams, goals, fears, etc.
Pyramids: the object of the quest
Urim and Thummim:the stones; represent a physical object of luck and the source of answers
Gypsy woman: the catalyst that begins the journey
Ruined church: Santiago’s treasure in “material” form
Themes
Follow your dreams…
True love will last…
Faith and spirituality as significant…
An individual’s quest for meaning in life…
Discovering what is really important in life…
Author’s Terms (could use this in genre or examples, too)
Soul of the World: the world’s morality
Unspoken language: what all humans know and understand
Philosopher’s stone: search for “life”…
The language of the world: what we all get from each other just by being human
Literary Devices in style (could use for characteristics of genre)
Personification: Santiago “hears” his heart; his dreams take on a reality
Irony: didn’t become a priest because he didn’t need God with his sheep, but he “finds” spirituality in his journey
Use of fables/allusions: other stories make the same point and are connected to Santiago’s journey or religious texts
Other Devices (could use for examples of author’s style)
Foreshadowing: Santiago’s dream, etc.
Allusions: King M of Salem…his story is in Genesis as he served Abraham…
Setting: as the story progresses, the setting becomes more unfamiliar but also more detailed in some respects
Discussion As We Begin reading…
“Simple things are the most valuable…” What about this statement seems true?
“When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true.” Do you agree? Does the universe conspire against you?
In what way are “dreams” and “omens” significant in today’s world? Are these believeable ideas?
Discussion as we begin reading…
Have you ever had a non-waking dream that was so significant that it caused you to follow through or not follow through with something?
What controls a human life, fate or destiny? Why?
Are humans in control of all aspects of their lives?
“People are afraid to pursue their dreams because they feel they don’t deserve them.” Is this a a true statement?
Discussion as we begin reading…
What other stories can you think of that deal with dreams and following dreams?
Notes on J. Swift and satire (for honors)
Satire: What exactly is it?
Copy any slide that says COPY
Definition *Copy
Satire: using wit and sarcasm to make a point about an issue or event
Irony: when the opposite of what is expected happens (verbal, situational, dramatic)
What is the satire here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
So, why satire?
It’s funny, and when something is funny, people pay attention. The fine line is keeping the balance between humor and making a point and harming someone.
Tina Fey’s “30 Rock” was in its second season; then Fey created her Palin character and SNL’s ratings took off. Her own show, which has nothing to do with Palin, had an increase of over 30% in its newest season.
So, why Jonathan Swift? *COPY
When Swift lived in the 18th century, Britain controlled other countries like Ireland and the rich in Britain lived lavishly while the poor lived under the control of others in squalor.
Swift used satire to make a point of poverty, wealth, politics, culture, etc. By using humor, people paid attention, and he couldn’t be jailed because he just had to say it was “satire.”
The First Political Satirist: Jonathan Swift
Swift satire *COPY
Gulliver’s Travels: The entire novel is a satire of his society. “Lilliput” satires war, politics, and political parties. “Brobdingnag” satires what it takes to be a politician. “Modest Proposal” satirizes eating babies because the government won’t take care of the poverty issue in Ireland.
Copy any slide that says COPY
Definition *Copy
Satire: using wit and sarcasm to make a point about an issue or event
Irony: when the opposite of what is expected happens (verbal, situational, dramatic)
What is the satire here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
So, why satire?
It’s funny, and when something is funny, people pay attention. The fine line is keeping the balance between humor and making a point and harming someone.
Tina Fey’s “30 Rock” was in its second season; then Fey created her Palin character and SNL’s ratings took off. Her own show, which has nothing to do with Palin, had an increase of over 30% in its newest season.
So, why Jonathan Swift? *COPY
When Swift lived in the 18th century, Britain controlled other countries like Ireland and the rich in Britain lived lavishly while the poor lived under the control of others in squalor.
Swift used satire to make a point of poverty, wealth, politics, culture, etc. By using humor, people paid attention, and he couldn’t be jailed because he just had to say it was “satire.”
The First Political Satirist: Jonathan Swift
Swift satire *COPY
Gulliver’s Travels: The entire novel is a satire of his society. “Lilliput” satires war, politics, and political parties. “Brobdingnag” satires what it takes to be a politician. “Modest Proposal” satirizes eating babies because the government won’t take care of the poverty issue in Ireland.
Restoration history notes (for honors)
Restoration 1660-1798
England is weak after the war with the colonies, but toward the end of the period, strengthens itself.
Science dominated by explaining with scientific observation what was happening in the natural world.
Writing during this time period became more no-nonsense, precise, exact, and very plainspoken.
Restoration
New religious ideas came into being such as Deism, which meant that God created the world and then left it to run itself.
Charles II allowed only the Anglican Church; others were persecuted and left England because of this.
Restoration
There began to be a huge rift in social classes as the poor became very poor and the rich became very rich. This led to new types of literature, the essay and the novel; both often were in the form of satire, or political and social mockery.
Journalism also was born, as well as newspapers and magazines.
Restoration
Toward the end of the time period, issues and literature changed as people became more focused on industrialization, social inequality, and poverty.
Writers: Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Pepys, William Wordsworth, Samuel T. Coleridge
England is weak after the war with the colonies, but toward the end of the period, strengthens itself.
Science dominated by explaining with scientific observation what was happening in the natural world.
Writing during this time period became more no-nonsense, precise, exact, and very plainspoken.
Restoration
New religious ideas came into being such as Deism, which meant that God created the world and then left it to run itself.
Charles II allowed only the Anglican Church; others were persecuted and left England because of this.
Restoration
There began to be a huge rift in social classes as the poor became very poor and the rich became very rich. This led to new types of literature, the essay and the novel; both often were in the form of satire, or political and social mockery.
Journalism also was born, as well as newspapers and magazines.
Restoration
Toward the end of the time period, issues and literature changed as people became more focused on industrialization, social inequality, and poverty.
Writers: Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Pepys, William Wordsworth, Samuel T. Coleridge
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