Monster Book Comments #3 Due by midnight Wednesday 1/7Three sections
* Label your response to this section 3a
Briefly explain any changes in the monsters, beast, or demon since your first comment. How are the changes in the monster, in the monster's experiences, or in the monster's situation significant? (A paragraph: 7+ sentences.) I'm not looking for plot summary; I'm looking for connections to and development of the monster theme. Along the way convince me that you understand how the monster's situation has developed since "Comments #2" which were due before the holiday break.
*Label your response to this section 3b
Respond to someone else's comment about the book. If no one else is reading your book then compare your thoughts about your monster to someone else's thoughts about the monster in her or his book. Write at least seven sentences.
*Label your response to this section 3c
Write another journal entry as if you were the monster of the book. Write in the monster's voice about the monster's experiences and situation. Convince me that you understand the monster's situation and feelings about the situation. Use at least three details from the last section you have read. Mark the details (1), (2), (3). Write at least seven sentences.
Monster Book Comments #2 Due by midnight Wednesday 12/11
Three sections
* Label your response to this section 2a
Briefly explain any changes in the monsters, beast, or demon since your first comment. How are the changes in the monster, in the monster's experiences, or in the monster's situation significant? (A paragraph: 7+ sentences.) I'm not looking for plot summary; I'm looking for connections to and development of the monster theme.
*Label your response to this section 2b
Respond to someone else's comment about the book. If no one else is reading your book then compare your thoughts about your monster to someone else's thoughts about the monster in her or his book. (A paragraph.)
*Label your response to this section 2c
Write a journal entry as if you were the monster of the book. Write in the monster's voice about the monster's experiences and situation. (A paragraph.)
Monster Book Comments #1 (300+ words) Due by midnight Wednesday (12/10)
Using the definitions of “monster,” “beast,” and/or “demon,” explore how the theme of monstrousness is developed over the first 100+ pages of the book you have been reading.
You might begin by showing how a character or entity fits a particular definition or set of definitions. But do not limit yourself to proving that so-and-so is a monster. Also, do not merely summarize all of the “monstrous” or “beastly” or “demonic” events in the book. That is plot summary. Instead, write an exploratory, explanatory, expository essay.
Show how the author explores ideas about monsters. Here are some possibilities:
- physical monstrousness can be used as a (false?) projection of man(un)kind’s internal monstrousness,
- external beauty (or success, or noble words, or other facades) can mask monstrosity,
- humanity’s inner nature can be seen as naturally and unavoidably “beastly,”
- our intellect (theory-making, pattern-making, meaning-making, civilization-building) can be seen as the source of monstrousness,
- fictional monsters can be interpreted as projections of human fears (about scientific or other progress, about our own inner desires, about nature’s senselessness, about the fragility of our existence, etc.),
- monsters can be used as a way of defining what is human (humane) and what is not-human (inhumane, beastly),
- overcoming monsters (or monstrousness) can be used as a way of defining human heroism, nobility, and even goodness,
- monsters (or monstrous behavior) can be used to explore the issue of nature (innate characteristics that humans are born with) versus nurture (learned behavior): is the monster born or made?,
- monsters can be used as a way to explore the effects of isolation, rejection, exclusion, etc.,
- monsters can be used as a way of exploring whether good and evil are absolute or whether they are only a matter of perception (Hamlet says, “nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so,”
- and on and on and on…
3 comments:
Dracula is a monster but he really isn’t. I know that makes no sense but I will explain it to you. Dracula is a normal guy who lives in a castle all alone. He looks like a normal human being. Except for the fact that he has pointy white teeth, pale face, juicy red lips, and craves the blood that runs through our veins. Although inside is a cruel and evil thing that we describe as a monstrous beast. He uses his kind words and hospitality to draw people to his castle and then sets them up for a horrible death no one wants to go through. The thing is they don’t really die. They live on and haunt people for the rest of their death. Sucking the blood out of people’s necks and watching their life drain away. While he is talking to his victims in his generous, deceiving voice. The wheels inside his head are turning. Thinking of ways to get away with his life sucking scheme. He also enjoys locking his victim into their room and letting them suffer. While they think about their friends and family. Wondering what will happen to them. He has plenty of rooms in his castle. Some of which are locked and the victim may not enter at any time. This brings curiosity and suspicion upon the victim. They wonder what type of house they’re in and what type of thing lives in it. Dracula is a very peculiar and strange person. So what does this make him? This definitely makes him a monster. He has a huge castle. He barely eats if though he says he does. He invites random people to stay at his house. He has guests that want to eat his main guest. Dracula just isn’t normal. Main thing is he has bars on his windows. Dracula is a very strange and unusual person. What will he do next?
2a. Since the last part that I wrote about my monster hasn’t really changed. He is still keeping the guy in his house. Acting all nice when he has an evil plan cooking up in his mind. When you first meet him you would think he is really kind and generous but he has you fooled. He is a dark demon that would eat you in his sleep if he had the chance. He’s a deep dark beast that will suck all your blood. Laugh as he watches the life seep out of you.
2b. I would like to respond to David Osier’s piece about “In Cold Blood.” First I would like to say that it makes absolutely no sense. He says that there are two monsters. Then he says that the book doesn’t portray and monsters. Second of all he says that the two monsters are monsters because they committed a murder. Murdering someone doesn’t make you a monster. It makes you a criminal. I also thought it was too short. If I was looking into this book to read and I read David’s paragraph I wouldn’t be interested in the book. It needs more detail. Sorry David but it’s true.
3b. Dear Journal,
Jonathan is a very sneaky individual and I’m afraid is up to no good. What if he catches on to my plan? I’ll be forever ruined. After all the generosity and hospitality that I’ve shown him. After I let him into my domain. What do I have to worry about? He is just a living specimen. He’s not as smart as the undead. I will never let him out of my wrath. He can never escape my power. He will never forget me even in his afterlife. He will thank me and together we will create a whole army of undead.
-Dracula
3a. The monster in my book has definitely changed from the last time that I posted. The last time he had disappeared and never read about him again. This time he is making himself more visible. Buying a house in London so he can stalk his victims and attack when he has the chance. Preying on poor and innocent Lucy who is soon to be married by her true love. Leaving a scar of two holes on the necks and leading them to a life of misery. Leaving her with no other choice than to prey on others.
3b. I would like to comment about Manuela’s entry. I thought that it was a good example of how the character had changed. I can see how he would feel regret even though he had such strong feelings about the idea. If someone didn’t fell regret there’s something wrong with them. It was a good paragraph. However, it could have been a little bit longer. Maybe a little bit more detailed. Other than that it was a very good and structured paragraph. I’m just a little confused by what the last sentence means.
3c. Dear journal,
My house in London is finally bought and complete. (1) I am finally able to live in it. I have finally let Jonathan go home to his wife. Fortunately a new victim walked into my path. (2) Her name is Lucy Westenra. She is engaged to Arthur Holmwood. (3
) Not if I can help it. She won’t live to see what’s ahead of her. After she is dead she will join me and take the lives of other victims in London. I will see to it.
-Count Dracula
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