Heroism in Dances With Wolves

Taken from Google Images

 

One of the themes of Michael Blake's Dances With Wolves is what it means to be truly heroic.  What heroic qualities does Dunbar possess?  What has he done throughout the novel that makes him truly heroic?  Provide textual evidence and support to back up what you state!

DWW Questions - Chapters 24-25

Love - sigh.
Taken from Google Images

Answer the questions below, and be sure to provide textual evidence (QUOTES!) to support what you state or argue!

 

a. How do the war tactics of the Native peoples differ from that of the US Army?  What message does Blake send regarding how each go about waging war?

b. “It was difficult for Kicking Bird.  He wished it was not happening.  His affection for Dances With Wolves was deep.  The white soldier had been his responsibility, and the white soldier had shown himself to be worthy of the risks Kicking Bird had taken. He was more than worthy.” 

If Dunbar is "worthy", why does Kicking Bird make him stay behind when they go to fight the Pawnee?

c. An objective correlative is when an element in a novel mirrors the mood or emotions of the characters.  How does the weather mirror the relationship between Dances With Wolves and Stands With A Fist in chapter 25?

Again, make sure that you provide textual evidence for each question!

Dichotomous Dunbar

Taken from Google Images

 

John Dunbar is considered to be a dichotomous character, meaning that he possesses two sides of himself that contrast one another, as illustrated in the chapters we read for today. 

Using specific evidence from the novel (find quotes!) give examples of Dunbar's dichotomous nature - his side that is white and his side that is Indian.

How do these two sides of his character create conflict within himself?  Which side do you feel illustrates the true nature of Dunbar?  Why?

Two Socks

Taken from Google Images

 

What is the purpose of Two Socks in Dances With Wolves?  The wolf is constantly hanging around and continually comes back to Dunbar.  How has their relationship changed, and what could this animal symbolize?

Quote of the Day...

Taken from Google Images

 

For this prompt, choose one of the quotes below and write a journal entry that explores how this quote ties in with a theme (or themes) of Michael Blake's Dances with Wolves.
 
The following are themes within the novel:

• Relationship between whites and Native Americans
• Native American culture and life
• Fear of the unknown
• Harmony within nature and the soul
• What it means to be truly heroic



“As much as he disliked Indians, Timmons knew virtually nothing of their ways.” 

 

“Wind In His Hair could have cared less about the white man.  But he cared greatly about what the white man represented.  It was every warrior’s most constant enemy.  The white man represented fear.” 

 

"She alone, among all the Comanches, knew that the white man was not a god."

 

"He knew it was an Indian, but he had never expected anything so wild, and the shock of it had stunned him surely as a blow to the head."

 

"Lieutenant Dunbar had fallen in love.  He had fallen in love with this wild, beautiful country and everything it contained."

Predict the Ending

Taken from Google Images

 

We have reached Part IV of the novel - the final part - so you know something will soon go down between McMurphy and Ratched.  For this journal prompt, predict what will happen to the characters of McMurphy and Nurse Ratched - who will come out on top, and how will this champion of the ward end up getting the other's "goat"?


Also, why do you think the way you do?  Give reasons for your prediction. 

Nurse Ratched

Taken from Google Images

 

McMurphy is proving to be quite a pain for Nurse Ratched, and he will only continue to get worse from here on out.  Based on last night's reading, write a journal or diary entry from Ratched's point of view regarding her dealings with McMurphy (include specific evidence from the novel that further illustrate her frustration with him). 

Take your reader into Ratched's  innermost thoughts concerning this new patient, and explain how she plans to get him to comply with her rules.  Make sure that you adopt her manner of speaking, too! 

Asylum Dynamics

Nurse Ratched - scary.
Taken from Google Images

 

Why do you think that McMurphy and Nurse Ratched have such a problem with one another almost instantaneously?  Do you think that they have more in common than they realize?  Explain.

In addition, why do you think Harding so vehemently sticks up for Ratched?  Why does he do this?

McMurphy

Taken from Google Images

In Cuckoo's Nest, McMurphy is thrown into a world in which he is not familiar, and his personality sticks out amongst the Chronics and the Acutes that reside in the asylum - brainwashed, drugged up, and severely mentally ill. 

Since the novel is from Chief's perspective and we know little about what others may be thinking, write this journal from McMurphy's perspective. What does he think of this place where he doesn't seem to belong?  Try to adopt his manner of speaking in your writing!

The Complexity of Holden

Oh, Holden.
Taken from Google Images

 

Today in your journals, address any (or all) of the questions below; make sure that you use your multi-genre sheets!

• How would you describe Holden and Jane's relationship?
• In what ways does Holden view life differently than people his age?
• Why do you suppose Holden has such a hatred for the performing arts (movies, music, etc)?
• Do you think that Holden has an inflated opinion of himself?  Why/why not?
• Reassess: does Holden respect women?  Back up your assertions with evidence!

The Catcher in the Rye

Whether you know it or not, JD Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye (the novel we are going to begin reading today!) has been banned in libraries throughout since it was published in 1951.

For this journal prompt, I want you to write about your thoughts on book-banning and censorship.  Why do people ban books from libraries?  Is it right?  Why/why not?  What are the pros of banning books in a given situation?  What are the cons? 

Take at least 10-15 minutes on this prompt, and be ready to share your thoughts and opinions with your peers!

Your Thematic Hopes and Dreams :)

What you hope to learn...

-how themes are successfully used in literature
-how themes affect the story/book
-learn more about writing - different styles
-how to distinguish themes
-expand my knowledge of written word
-learn better ways of how to tell what the author is conveying to the reader
-how to get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper
-learn why Catcher in the Rye is a banned book
-understand how themes relate to our lives
-learn how to decipher themes in an easier manner
-how to identify themes in literature
-learn about what a theme is and what purpose it serves
-learn about how themes relate to one another in the massive world of imagination

What you hope to do...

-watch some movies to go with the books
-fun end-of-the-semester projects
-do fun projects with food and movies
-read good books and learn something new
-pass the class with exceptional grades
-be introduced to new kinds of literature
-have fun in class
-always do my reading
-good class discussions
-improve on my writing and post good blogs
-read exciting books
-be challenged in my thinking
-prove myself this semester
-improve my writing and critiquing skills

Your expectations of me...

-be fun and nice
-make us learn a lot
-be fair with due dates
-challenge me
-continue to teach in fun and different ways
-have a fun last semester!
-excuse my terrible penmanship
-have a fun-filled semester
-help me understand books better
-be fun, easy-going, and random
-do what you do!
-don't overload me with homework
-keep my attention
-be friendly
-reward us with food and/or candy
-maintain your awesomeness (I will try!)

What is a Theme?

 

For this journal prompt, there are a few parts:

Part #1 - In your own words, what is a theme?  Why are themes important in literature?

Part #2 - Make a list of 10 themes...ready - go!

Part #3 - Write about a novel or short story that you have read and enjoyed.  What are its themes?  How did the author make these themes known to the reader?

Be sure to answer all parts of this prompt, and be ready to share your thoughts with the class!