Gridlock

TPCASTT:  Poem Analysis Method:  title, paraphrase, connotation, diction, attitude, tone, shift(s), title revisited and theme
Titleof poem means	Blackberrying: the act of picking blackberries, as the speaker of Sylvia's poem is doing
Paraphraseparts of the Poem	The first stanza the speaker (maybe Sylvia) is walking alone through blackberry fields, and she talks about the berries and how they look. The next stanza the speaker notices choughs that looks like bits of paper in the sky, and realizes she won't see the sea. She goes up to another blackberry bush and describes it. The last stanza she doesn't mention blackberries at all. She walks between two hills, calling them green and sweet. She turns and sees a huge orange rock, and hears metal clanging against metal.
Connotationof some of the words – changing literal meaning to implied or associated values	Blackberry alley - a single path surrounded by blackberry fields on both sides; dumb as eyes - the color of the blackberries are dark?; blood sisterhood - could mean like blood brothers, where you cut your thumb and press it against another person's thumb, squeezing blackberries would show something like that; bits of burnt paper wheeling in the sky - the choughs? are being referred to as bits of paper fluttering in the sky
AttitudeWhat is the attitude of the author, characters or yourself?	The attitude of the author is very solemn and observant. The author has a strong emotional tie to the blackberries at the beginning of the poem. But as it progresses, we don't see that attitude again. The rest of the poem seems to be more somber, and the blackberries aren't even mentioned in the last part.
ShiftAt first we think or feel one way – then there is a shift:  identify the shifts and explain them	The first shift happens between the first and second stanzas. The speaker ends the first stanza with "I had not asked for such a blood sisterhood; they must love me/They accommodate themselves to my milkbottle, flattening their sides." Very simple description of the blackberries. Then it shifts to "Overhead go the choughs in black, cacophonous flocks-/Bits of burnt paper wheeling in a blown sky/Theirs is only the voice protesting, protesting./I do not think the sea will appear at all." It is quite a change from the last two verses of the first stanza.
Title revisitedAny new insights on meaning or significance of title?	There is some deeper meaning of the title. "Blackberrying" isn't really about the literal action that the speaker is doing. Blackberrying means something more. But I'm just not sure what.
Theme	Nature?

Three Poems

BlackBerrying By Sylvia Plath

Helen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing By Margaret Atwood

Digging by Seamus Heany

Seventh Reading

Blackberrying by Sylvia Plath

At first, this poem confused me. The first stanza I seemed to understand a little, since it seemed to be referencing the title. But then the next two stanzas had nothing to do with it. After reading it for the seventh time, I was able to pick out the difference between the first and the last two stanzas. The first is so happy, and the last two have such a somber tone. Ordinarily I wouldn't have been able to find something like that reading a poem once. But reading it over and over again actually helps the comprehension of the poem!

Macbeth Presentation

I worked on the prezi with Micaela Hellman and Michaila Bohard it should be located on Micaela's Blog.

Act 5 Notes

• A dr. observes Lady MacBeth and her nocturnal walking
• They think she feels guilt for the murders of Banquo and Duncan
• Tyrants are protecting Dunsinane
• ten thousand soldiers approaching
• men are ready to fight and die
• MacBeth makes it knows that he is not afraid of death
• Lady MacBeth's illness is within her heart therefor it can not be cured
• Soldiers disguise themselves in the woods in other words they hide out
• Once told that Lady MacBeth has died MacBeth suddenly fears death once again
• Malcolm and his army finally reach the castle
• MacBeth is Macduffs only target

The Crossroads Between Should and Must

Looking at my life I always choose must. People constantly tell me what I should do but I don't like having things decided for me. It's no way to live life being told what to do all the time. I think that making your own desicions is what sets you apart from other people. I like to take risks which is very useful because you never know what could happen most of the time if you do it right you end up exactly where you want to be. Nothing is better than having exactly what you want in life in the palm of your hands. As Ella Luna said "Must is who we are, what we believe, and what we do when we are alone with our truest, most authentic self. It’s our instincts, our cravings and longings, the things and places and ideas we burn for, the intuition that swells up from somewhere deep inside of us. Must is what happens when we stop conforming to other people’s ideals and start connecting to our own." 

Should is just an excuse for putting off your dreams. I think that must is always the way to go. Must means you are finally making your dream a reality and no one can stop you. It's because you set your mind to it that it's actually happening. For me, I take must seriously. It's not always easy and a simple process but it's worth it. Everyone has always tried to tell me what to do with my life and where to go and what to be. I never wanted any of the options people laid out for me. I was always thinking of something different something that I would enjoy. I see myself headed the right direction. I am headed to a cosmetology school because I want to be a makeup artist. I've also done makeup tutorials on YouTube and taken steps to get my work out there. 

In conclusion, must is always a better option that should. Taking a step toward must means you are doing what you want. You are doing what you know is right instead of listening to what other people are saying. It's scary but it's right. 

Act 4 Notes

• the third apparition says Duncan and Malcolm may be able to harm MacBeth
• there were 8 kings
• the witches disappear
• Macduff abandoned his family and fled to England
•  a messenger tells Macduffs wife and son to leave because "danger is near"
• They don't leave and they are killed
• Malcolm doesn't trust Macduff
• One dr. can cure patients just by touching them
• Ross reports that Macduffs whole family is killed
• Malcolm and Macduff are going to fight back

Act 3 Notes

• witches prophecy's come true
• MacBeth doesn't want Fleance to become king
• MacBeth views Banquo as a threat
• Lady MacBeth and MacBeth become King and Queen
• Banquo is killed
• Fleance fled
• MacBeth worries about Fleance revenge
• MacBeth saw Banquo's ghost
• King Edward and Duncan's son are preparing for war against MacBeth

Essay prompts

Writing Prompt: Discuss the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo. Is it based on genuine respect and friendship at the beginning of the play? How is it affected by the prophecies of the witches? Does Banquo ever doubt Macbeth’s loyalty to his country, king, and fellow soldiers? What other factors contribute to their increasing distrust of one another? Find evidence in the text to support your answers.

Writing Prompt: In this scene, Macbeth is discussing hiding his true self. This same idea is expressed several times in the play as wearing “masks.” Describe a time when you weren’t yourself. What was the result? Is there ever a situation where it’s good to be a little deceptive or hide your true self/intentions?

Writing Prompt: How do you see the Porter’s role in the play? Does he provide comic relief? Is he a messenger of sorts? Does his character serve some other function? In some productions, the Porter’s part is omitted from the play. What effect do you think leaving the Porter out has on the play?

 

Act 2 Notes

• MacBeth decided to kill Duncan
• Lady MacBeth drugged the Chaimberlains of kings
• Macduff tells everyone of kings murder
• Donalbalin goes to Ireland and Malcolm goes to England
• MacBeth is ready to be officially crowned king
• MacBeth's soliloquy
• He feels like he's in a dream or nightmare
• Feels uneasy about his actions and the consequences that follow
• Other people are framed for the murder
• MacBeth and his wife act it out almost perfectly
• No one suspects the Macbeths at this point
• People begin to suspect the MacBeths
• Macduff and Ross accuse Macbeth
• MacBeth is to become King
• MacBeth will start plunging into evil
• according to witches plans

Look At My Brain

My masterpiece and work in general to me is going well. I am really getting in touch with my creative side and thinking of more makeup looks and ideas to contribute to the masterpiece. My work in general is pretty good to me at least. I am really putting in a lot of hard work into my blog and work. 

What About My Masterpiece?

I think our progress is good. I have had some new ideas to contribute to the blog which I will be posting very soon. We are discussing making a social media site for our masterpiece to help get the word out there and make it easier for students to access the information from their smartphones or tablets. Shakespeare had all day to write and perfect his work but we have so many hours to make our work perfect or at least up to our standards and none of us are Shakespeare.

Love is Blind

Macbeth sees Lady Macbeth as his devoted queen. He will do what he needs to make her happy because he loves her. Although the audience gets a different vibe from her like she's evil. They are right. Lady Macbeth is the reason the king ended up dead. She drives Macbeth to think evil thoughts.

Macbeth Act 1 Notes

• the 3 witches are introduced
• the bloody battle occurs
• a wounded captain tells about the battle and of MacBeths bravery
• witches are dark and evil
• MacBeth asks the witches about his future
• his child will be king
• the witches say no more and vanish
• Duncans oldest son is now in line to be king
• Lady MacBeth has planned to kill the king
• Lady MacBeth makes her plan obvious
• MacBeth is hesitant to follow her plan