Notes Shakespeare 1982

Born 1564, Died 1616, Dad John - a glover, Married when 18, Anne Hathaway 26, 1st child 1583, twins 1585, between 1582-1600 no record of him, began to emerge as a playwright end of 1600's made money, died rich, invested in theatres, Part owner of Globe theatre, retired 1610, performance before Liz [Elizabeth I], used Hollinshed, Banquo + King James,

Tragedy unmarked by "pleasurable" language; comedy often in the vernacular.

37 plays    154 sonnets    4 long poems
acredited to Shakespeare

notes 1982

Allusion - a reference to something in history or previous literature.

Satire - a literary attempt to discredit vice or folly.

Sarcasm - a sharp, cutting utterance (perhaps ironical) but designed to give pain.

Irony - that which means the contrary of what is expressed; a contradiction of expectations.

Tragedy/Comedy ... tragedy in a dramatic sense is that which is generally sad and typically ends in death. Still there is often some gain in awareness near the end. The chief characters are noble, yet not perfect. It is the one flaw in the protagonist's character or judgement that leads to his fall.

    Comedy stresses human folly + weakness. The comedy is a social play, whereas tragedy tends to isolate the "Hero". Thus tragedies are often named after the protaganist (Hamlet, Macbeth) The comedy is less plausible; it is marked by greater use of disguises + coincidence. It usually ends in marriage.

notes 1982

Always stick with protaganist.

freewriting: Good friends 1982

I have a lot of friends who I believe are good people. I don't know a lot of people really well, but I do have a wide range of friends. I lost a friend. He and I went to school together from about kindergarten on and for most of that time we lived about a block apart. But something changed recently, he is cold and distant. I am sorry to have lost his companionship.

    I like people who speak their mind, who stand up for themselves on being different. People who do what they really feel like doing yet can also consider other peoples' needs. My friends can be gentle and caring and considerate without compromising their needs. I like independent people, people who will not be offended if I am busy or just don't feel like talking, people who will know that if something is wrong I will tell them and we will work it out. I like people who have qualities I like about myself, but complete identicalness doesn't sound very nice. I like to learn and I can learn from people with some things in common and some differences. The quality in common helps me to understand the differences.

[mooning over boys] 1982

He is awfully goodlooking. I hope I didn't screw everything up with that flower. I don't think I did. He told me this morning how he did on a test he took. Maybe he's actually shy!? How strange that is. I am so disgusted with Nathan D. He doesn't relax, he doesn't even eat chocolate chip cookie dough! He guilt-slings and I just can't handle much of his company at one time. He doesn't play, he's awkward and that creates tension in me. I guess I like the naughty boys better. You are too nice for me, Nathan.

---

Page #'s for Macbeth 1-7, 16, 94-102

freewriting 1982

I haven't been doing the topics; I have instead used this time to work out my heavy feelings. I need a chance to blow off steam in order to concentrate on the rest of my classes.

Quickie character sketch 1982

    She sat in the kitchen staring at a jar of "Mary Ellen's pure mixed fruit jelly" trying to figure out how it could be 'pure' and 'mixed' at the same time.

notes from English class 1982

techniques for revealing character

(1) action verbs

(2) tone

(3) name

(4) physical appearance

(5) setting

(6) dialogue

(7) incident, events, action

(8) author analysis (telling)

(9) the way others react to protaganist

(10) the way protaganist reacts to others

(11) symbol

(12) character change (but how do you show that change)

English 4x BNW [Brave New World] paper

    Write on 3 of the 5 choices

[checkmark] (1) Do you think we are in any danger of becoming the next "brave new world"? Compare and contrast today's world with Huxley's created society. (20th century planet Earth, including 1982 Mtz [Martinez] including Huxley's own 1930s world. Describe similarities + differences.

[checkmark] (2) What is the slogan, goal or motto of the brave new world? As per "Ford's" ideas, how was this goal in contrast with the notion of family? Describe the Bokanovsky process and explain how this helps the brave new world to achieve its goal(s).

(3) Compare + contrast the solidarity service "meeting" that Bernard attended ("orgy-porgy") and the sacrifice on the savage reservation. What do you think Huxley hoped to point out both about the brave new world and about today's society? (20th century, Earth, including 1982 Mtz)

(4) In spite of their obvious physical differences, Bernard and Helmholtz share a common need. Explain the psychological foundation fro this need in each of them and how its lack of fulfillment expresses itself in each of their lives.

[checkmark] (5) After John's arrest, he and Mustapha Mond engage in a long conversation about the new civilization. How does Mond explain the emergence of science and the repression of beauty, art, and religion? What is John's response and why does he feel that way?

    Criteria 1/2 to 1 page long: - the same criteria for all writing assignments - thoroughness - comprehension of book + assignment - support opinion - examples (specific, page #'s) degree of detail

freewriting 1982

Oh foo or phoo or phew I'm bothered and bewildered today. Just another John Dodson groupie. I'm so flighty lately. I miss [current boyfriend] I wonder if I'll be able to get close again with him. It's just a bad time for me I guess, the down end of my cycle.

Topic Writing

1) [current boyfriend] is like a good steak; I never get tired of having him over for dinner.

2) John is like a cat, he will sit there and look as though he's going to wait for you to come over to him and then he will run away.

3) I am like a rainbow, reflect on many different colors and display them all.

4) Mr. McNeely is a hurricane.

Back to me

oh well no time

freewriting 1982

    Relationships are confusing. [Current boyfriend] lives in Novato. I haven't seen him for a month and he asked me to go steady with him then. That isn't working. I never see him, he doesn't write or call. I just hope he wants to break up as much as I do. I think it may have just been a really superficial attraction. I don't think we have that much in common. His father doesn't like me. So I want to break up with him. I'm not ready to go steady. I want to be able to go out with people I like and not worry about whether it's o.k. or not because of their sex. I have been attracted to so many people who are older and more experienced than I, that it is very strange to spend a lot of time with someone who is younger and as cautious and worried as Nathan [not old-pal, gaming buddy Nathan; some other guy] is. I have more in common with him than with [current boyfriend], but, despite it's being flattering, being admired that much is a little unnerving. And what about John [kicker from the football team who would wear shorts to class, *sigh!*], if there was ever a purely superficial attraction there it is. Or Greg, he's just a friend, but he seems awfully fond of me. I'm not used to being so flattered.

Homework notes 1982

Showing not telling    comp/contrast

Maybe write about Ren faire lady (use Luisa? [who played Queen Elizabeth])
customer chick

Solving Problems + complaints 1982

1. I'll talk to him about what his needs are and see if we can find a way to meet both of our needs.

2. I can stay the whole year, relax and have fun. [Instead of trying to finish high school early]

3. I can get my easy homework done at school leaving time at home for anatomy.

4. My paper for American Problems is now due Monday.

5. I can go to bed earlier or just live with being tired.

6. I will see him this weekend.

7. I don't need to.

8. I don't have to decide until next month.

9. I can pick fleas in my spare time.

10. I can get it done at school.

11. I can call him.

12. I can wait until Saturday.

13. I don't "have to" do anything.

14. I can relax, slow down and enjoy life more.

15. I can stop buying candy.

16. I can change that.

17. I can pay it.

18. He doesn't have to spend a lot of money on me, I just need some of his attention.

19. My hair is still pretty.

20. I can wait 'til I get home.

21. I still have to ask my parents and talk to [current boyfriend] about it.

English class 1982

Use action verbs to describe a person.

Problems or complaints 1982

1. [Current boyfriend] doesn't call or write enough.

2. I need a 1/2 a unit of U.S. History. [Oh, just realized that I must at this point be in public school not the private school writing classes I've been picturing as I transcribe this old spiral notebook.]

3. Anatomy isn't easy.

4. My paper for American Problems is due friday.

5. I'm tired.

6. I miss [current boyfriend].

7. I don't know what I want to do with my life.

8. I don't know whether or not to stay the whole year here at Alhambra or not.

9. Our dogs have fleas.

10. I have homework.

11. I need to talk to [current boyfriend].

12. I need to hug [current boyfriend].

13. I "have to" do work.

14. I haven't been having enough fun.

15. I haven't got a steady source of money other than allowance and babysitting.

16. I am getting greedy about money.

17. I am going to have a big phone bill.

18. [Current boyfriend] won't (at least not from calls to Martinez)

19. I have split ends.

20. I need to take a shower, I feel grubby.

21. I want to go to the movies and the party on Halloween, but I'm not sure if I'll have time to do both or if my parents will let me go to the party.

My English Teacher 1982

How does Mr. Johnson judge his basements?

Spoonerism barely avoided by Mr. J. whilst trying to say how he bases his judgements.

Possible Future #1 1982

After taking Night School, I Graduate from High School in January and begin at DVC [Diablo Valley College, community college] for the first 9 week spring courses. I get a job at the library and work there until the end of May when Mo [my aunt], Aimee [???], [current boyfriend], and I go to Europe. I am able to resume my job at the library when I get back and I continue to live with my parents until the fall of 1984. I then go to a 4 year college for my Junior and Senior years. [current boyfriend] graduates in Spring of '85 and gets a job by Christmas. I graduate in '86, continue working part time at a library, and get a Part-time bookkeeping or programming [I think I was learning Basic around this time] job. In the fall of '86 [current boyfriend] has gotten fairly secure in his work and I get just the kind of job I want in November. We make plans to marry in April 1987. David Patrick [last name of current boyfriend] is born August 10, 1987.

[Hoo boy am I glad this didn't come true. I'd have a 22 year old and a mother-in-law who may or may not have ever learned to like or trust me. Brrr. Reading it is like a goose walking over my grave. - August 2009]

freewriting 1982

[in cursive] Blah blah blah [end cursive] {ornate blahs} I don't want to be here; I want to go home and go to sleep. I want to watch Dr. Who. Ah ha, freewriting topic...

My Own Channel

    My perfect television channel would always have on what I wanted to watch. It would show the programs I like and run them again in case I missed a show. Channel 9 comes closest to my ideal; it seems that every week there is something I want to see.

    Perhaps the perfect channel would be like a computer program. Every week you would receive a tape of the weeks programs. When you wanted to see a particular show you could fast forward or rewant until you got to it.

Showing, not telling 1982

    She sat on the porch of the cabin for the third day in a row. Across the road flowed the river where here husband had spent each day fishing. He was there now. She got up and went into the tiny cabin. There was nothing in the cabin to amuse her. Her knitting, her books, all were at home. He had needed the room in the car for his fishing gear. As usual, all but one rod and one tackle box remained in the car. He never used the other gear. She looked around the room; it was as clean as it could be. Not suprising as she had cleaned it 8 times already this trip. The door creaked sullenly as she walked outside again. She sat down in her chair on the porch and watched what she had never learned to see.

I don't wanna write about that. 1982

I want to go home and hide in my room. I could get so much done if I didn't have so much homework. I could work on my weyr [Incredibly complex project at tracking imaginary statistical history of an Anne McCaffrey inspired world]. I could go to the bank. I'm so tired these days. Overloaded with homework, not doing all the chores I should at home. Certainly not getting enough sleep. What are they doing up there? They are banging things around all over. What class is that? I'm going to talk to [boyfriend of the moment] tonight. We should start to write each other: it would be a great dealer cheaper than phone calls.

    I'm worried about his operation tomorrow. I hope he isn't in too much pain over the weekend. I'd like to send him flowers, maybe Jinx [my mum] can deliver them during her lunch break or on her way home. I would like to send him flowers and cookies and loving letters to tide him over until next weekend. I don't want him to be alone and hurting. I feel so helpless, like I can't do anything to make it easier for him. I'll buy stamps this afternoon and write him letters every day or every other day. Hopefully he will write me too. I think he will.

Assignment notes 1982

Detail (but don't overdo it)

"The Room was vacant."

Develope - explain - expand    Show not tell

create a vacant room without saying "The room was vacant" (1) Show what isn't there (2) Show it, don't say how it looks to me (3) If abstract, show why, show what creates your impression.

thoroughness 1/2 page

Why don't we cover 3 opinions? 1982

I don't agree that men or women are superior over each other. I believe there is a basic equality. I am angry that this is so funny a topic (Women better than Men) On Thursday will that topic seem much more acceptable? I am afraid it might be to both the males and females in the class. Sure I'm hedging, I don't like the idea of one sex being better than the other so I don't really want to start writing about that. I believe that women are Naturally equal to men, but socially inferior. This discrimination seems to be almost out of use, but when some males can't come up with one area where women are superior I start to get worried. Women are naturally superior at long-distance running, at enduring pain, men are naturally stronger and are better at lifting and carrying. Women have stronger legs, men have stronger arms. It's all in the limbs.

Notes 1982

real vs. really    a real(ly) classy place

[over the real(ly) was written:] should be adverb

Don't split infinitives

Argument 1982

[9/17/82]

   On awaking in the morning John discovered he had accidentally slept on Marsha's pet cat. Sadly, it was dead. Marsha was in the kitchen making waffles. John decided that he would take the dead cat outside and pretend that it had run into the street and been run over. With cat in hand he slipped out the debroom door and down the hall. He had to pass by the kitchen in order to get outside, unfortunately Marsha looked and saw the cat. John ran back down the hall and into the bathroom with Martha screaming after him.

    "My cat! My cat!" she shrieked in rage. John locked himself in the bathroom.

    "What have you done to my precious kitty?!"

    "You inhuman fiend, how dare you hurt my precious fuzzy-baby?!!"

    John tried to flush the cat down the toilet.

   "What are you doing to my cat? Come out here this instant," her voice was taking on sinister tones.

   "I'm just giving it a little fleabath, Marshie-honey" he soothed and then, to the cat, "Flush, dammit, you god-damned furball."

[9/20/82]

Marsha went away from the door, John thought perhaps everything would be alright. He took the dripping feline out of the toilet and put it in the sink. Then he opened the window. Marsha returned, she started to force the door open with a crow bar. John grabbed the cat and climbed out the window onto the roof.

    "I've got you now," cried Marsha as the door splintered open. John scurried along the roof top and eyed the distance to the neighbor's roof. Marsha was struggling out the window. John decided to go for it. He leaped and landed on the other rooftop, the cat remained in one piece. Marsha came after him and, with grace surpassing Indiana Jones, sailed after John and the much abused cat. John high-tailed it away across the tar and gravel still holding the damp cat in his hand.

    "Come back here you cat-murderer! I'll rip your lungs out!" Marsha was gaining on him. John doubled back around some chimneys.

    "Now, now, dear. Be reasonable. We can give kitty a nice funeral. Everything will be just fine," John shifted the cat to his other hand while he talked.

    "I'll give you a nice funeral, you creep!" Marsha tried to grab the cat by reaching across the chimney.

    John feinted to the left with the cat and as Marsha dived he transferred the cat to his right hand and threw it down the chimney.

[9/23/82]

    They both stopped and stared down the sooty black hole.

    "You just threw a dead cat down Mrs. Entwhistle's chimney."

    "Yeah, I guess I did. Maybe we better go back inside before anyone sees us."

    "Oh, you're right. This is a little strange."

As they clambered back to the bathroom, John tried to make amends.

    "Marsha, I really am sorry about the cat, it's just, well, you know how it is. I didn't want you to think I'd done it on purpose."

    "That's ok. She was getting old anyhow. Besides I've always wanted a dog."

    "I'll buy you one right away, my sweet."

    "Alright dear, but it's not sleeping on the bed."

Moral: A cat down your chimney is worth two in your bed.

Comments:

My word, but that moral turned out much lewder than I intended. What would Dr. Freud say?

notes 1982

F + SF

roots of SF goes way back.

"Speculative fiction is the only fiction that deals with modern society."

Originally all fiction was speculative fiction. Up to 18th century people weren't sure what was true. Old writers didn't think they were writing absolute fiction.

The meanest thing I've ever done 1982

    I don't know why I did it. They were nice children, but I couldn't stand it anymore.

    It all began on one of those wonderful lazy summer mornings. I was sleeping, it was about 7:30am and I planned to sleep for at least 3 more hours. When the noise began. It started slowly, they got ready in silence without much splashing or yelling. Then at the pool across the street, it began.

"SWIM YOU JERKS!"

"huh? what? what time is it? where am I?" I woke up. It was the swim team. Now they did this every morning: shouting, firing starter guns, splashing. Early in the morning they would began [sic] and I wouldn't be able to sleep late.

    First, in order to stop them, I vaselined the diving boards, especially the rungs. I figured that if they broke enough limbs they would stop swimming. Unfortunately their feet were so ripped up by the bottom of the pool that they could still get traction.

    I decided to cut up their lane dividers. They had replacements. So I tried padlocking the pool gates shut. They climbed over the fence. I was becoming desperate. In my last frenzied moments I procured a 1/2 a ton of lime jello. In the dark of night I went to work. Soon the pool was one quivering green mass.

    I waited, watching, grinning fiendishly until they arrived. They had those dumb goggles on and so they couldn't tell the difference. They jumped in and got stuck. It was like those artists conceptions of the dinosaurs getting sucked down into tar pits. It was incredible, 37 people were 'jello'ed to death. The police caught up with me in less than 3 hours. I was the only person in Martinez who had bought such a quantity of jello. I don't know what they will do to me, but I would do the same again. I hope that all who read this will learn to be more mysterious when buying jello.