Masterpiece Academy Question

Looking back on all of my years of schooling, I have espoused learning. You learn something everyday that benefits you and to me that is really special. There is nothing quite like learning and becoming familiar with something and being able to expand and have a great discussion on it. Learning makes you great at what you're passionate about. It helps you take the next step towards what you love and your bright future. I took this course very seriously we were given a lot of freedom, which I felt I deserved and earned. I was up-to-date on my work and never missed an assignment. School and learning is what you make of it. You are going to have to want to get good grades and pay attention to be where you want to be.

Plato's Allegory of the Cave really says something about my journey. I have a comfort zone well, where I am comfortable. The shackles in the Allegory of the Cave represent how far we let our thoughts go while the cave represents our imagination and the reality we want to believe. I think many of us do this and stay put where we think it is safe instead of letting ourselves and imaginations run free and give ourselves more of an opportunity. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is another one that spoke to me. It was about a pilgrimage and whoever told the best tale on the way there got a better treatment. I think it made them work harder and it was like me. I worked harder not to "get" anything but to get farther in life. Lastly, Sartre's No Exit, spoke to me as being "stuck". It reminds me of being in a place no one wants to be. It's like being stuck somewhere for the rest of your life knowing the only way to escape is to just do what you were meant to do.

A passion that drives me is makeup and how you can show artistic ability through eyeshadow. You can do so much with so little. Creating a whole theme with eyeshadow, lipstick, and eyeliner to me is mind-blowing! I will continue my learning by continuing research and go to a cosmetology school. It is insanely important to me because I know I will go somewhere because of what I can do. Switching gears a little bit reminds me of how we never actually spent time on poetry. I laugh when I think about it because I remember how important it was my sophomore year. 

A constant theme I noticed while watching the masterpiece presentations was a sense of pride. Everyone was pleased with what they had accomplished. No one was happy to be done they were happy to show what they had done and many including my group are continuing with our masterpieces because it is something we are proud of. It is a great feeling to show something that you can look at and say "yeah I did that and I'm proud of it".  I noticed pride in of course my groups masterpiece and a couple people in my group wanted to go into business and I wanted to go in cosmetology so I was able to incorporate what I was passionate about in the masterpiece. Allyson Brown was very proud to show everyone her pictures from her summer program in Michigan where they learned all about genetics and got a hands on experience with a professor. Jose showed us about his football career and how he wants to motivate people to do better. Ashley and Bianca are really into comics and showed us some of their work. Edmond wants to be a writer and he was able to show us a little bit of the book he has been writing.

I would say that I am a hero I stepped out of my comfort zone a lot and did more than I expected I would which was a good step for me. Basically everything that the project called for my group and I accomplished one way or another. Micaela and Sarah found a mentor while they were in Long Beach. We talked about it and we felt pretty good with the results of everything. This final project was one of the best ones we could have done, it completely challenged us to push ourselves and get to know people, offer assistance, and get our word out there. Every student seemed to have avoided clichés when creating their masterpiece which made them all very unique.

Masterpiece Update

My masterpiece is going very well. My group and I are very confident with the work we have done. In class we discussed everyone's project and offered our assistance. We are just not sure how we will present our masterpiece. There are many ways to go about the project presentation. 

At Least Two Poetry Essays

Helen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing by Margaret Atwood

Helen of Troy, a woman whose beauty ultimately caused the Trojan War, is a figure many people know of. These two poems seem to take this single woman and change her into two by the very way they describe her. One poem is full of admiration for her, and the other despises the person she is. Diction, imagery, form, and tone help create a completely different picture of Helen of Troy in the eyes of the spearers.

In the poem To Helen by Edgar Allan Poe, it begins with such a love and admiration of her beauty, comparing her to the "Nicean barks of yore." Poe goes on to use more imagery to describe her beauty, such as "hyacinth hair" and "statue-like." The tone and form of the poem also convey his sense of admiration of Helen. The poem is written in the way a love letter is written to a loved one. His tone shows how in awe Poe is of Helen's beauty, how her beauty has brought him to her. Even the title itself "To Helen" shows how he's writing this poem not only about her, but to her, as he would want her to see how he thinks of her.

The other poem is completely different when it comes to Helen. Strictly titled Helen, this author speaks in a very solemn tone, with a slight hint of disgust and hate for her. The author uses imagery to describe the way she looks, with "still eyes in the white face," "the wan face when she smiles." This changes the description of Helen of Troy as to someone with a pale, sickly unattractive look about them. The author even goes on to explicitly saw how Greece hated this woman, is reviled by her, and would only love her if "she were laid, white ash amid funereal cypresses." The tone and imagery show how strongly Helen is disliked by not only by Greece, but by the author.

These two poems are examples of how literary elements such as tone and imagery can make such a difference. Helen of Troy, one woman, went from being a most beautiful woman who a man adored, to being a woman most hated by an entire country. A single person can be drastically changed by a few words, for words are more powerful than one thinks.

Blackberrying By Sylvia Plath

The poem commences with a somewhat content and peaceful attitude as the poet ambles through the winding  'hooks' of rows upon rows of blackberries. She describes the rows of berries as  'blue-red' with  'ebon,' suggesting ripeness and perfection.
The blackberries are accommodating and  'squander' on her fingers like  'sisterhood', which gives the feeling of bonding, bringing together and fitting in. This proves to be quite ironic as the tone of the poem is one of solitude and loneliness.

The first stanza conveys to the reader a message of ambition and hope, as she talks about the sea,  'somewhere at the end of it'. This stanza could have a double meaning, either in describing the berries, as they appear to cluster together or could symbolize a finishing stage or a checkpoint in her life following her long journey. With knowledge of her suicide, which followed later after she wrote the poem, I believe that the poem could provide a harsh metaphor for her life. The three stanzas contribute to her journey of solitude and loneliness, but, when she arrives at the sea, after a seemingly endless walk, there is  'nothing but a great space.' Her journey, which appears aimless could also symbolize her attitude to life because she must have had nothing to live for, with no objectives in life, as we see her hopes of desire raised, then thwarted, as her viewing of the sea disillusions her.

The poem's somewhat harsh tone is not the only used by Plath. Firstly, natural beauty and serenity is the theme whilst a strongly contrasting third stanza strikes a definite bitterness and pathos.
The poet uses figurative language as the medium to convey her thoughts to the reader. There are a few similes used, for example  'dumb as eyes' and 'din like silversmiths'.

Groupthink

As much as talking with others is supposed to help, it doesn't. I enjoy figuring the poems out on my own, and even though their grids helped explain their poems a bit better, I'm sure I didn't understand it on the same level as they did, since they spent more time reading it. But I did see some interesting types of poems, and some familiar ones as well from my group. We also agreed on how the poetry part will probably be the most difficult on the AP exam, but using the grids helped organize the poem into parts so we can understand it better.

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

Meet Macbeth

How is Macbeth introduced through in/direct characterization?

The first time that Macbeth is mentioned in the play is through indirect characterization by the witches and later the Captain, who praises him as a brave warrior. This is shortly followed by Duncan referring to the tragic hero as ‘noble Macbeth’. However, when we meet Macbeth ‘in person’ for the first time in the third scene of Act 1, he almost immediately notices the presence of the three witches and based on his reactions to them and the message that they uncover about him becoming Thane of Cawdor and King, more is revealed about who he is. This occurs repeatedly throughout the script.

What elements of foreshadowing do the witches provide?

In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the three witches as main sources foreshadowing. In the play they are conveyed as prophecies. The audience experiences a little of these prophecies almost immediately in the opening scene and act of the play. When they talk about meeting Macbeth they say they will greet him, "when the battle's lost and won." (Shakespeare, pgage1) And then they yell together, "fair is foul, and foul is fair."(Shakespeare, page1) These two examples foreshadow that some sort of evil will be coming and that there will also be a victory of sorts, but the audience doesn't know specifically what yet. These also suggest a great battle is to be fought against good and evil and the events that follow will unfold at a rapid pace. This foreshadowing can be detected by the audience because they can feel the emotion of doom and evil rising.

How does Shakespeare's approach to exposition give the reader background information about the setting and characters and a sense of what's to come without spoiling the play?

Shakespeare is good at providing a sense of what is going to happen without exactly telling you what is going to happen. He goes around the subject to give you more of a sense of the next big thing that is going to happen.

How does Shakespeare's characterization of Macbeth reflect a sense of tone (i.e., the author's attitude toward the character/s, audience, and/or subject matter)?

The attitude Shakespeare has toward the audience and characters is more somber or sinister. This play is not a happy play and always has something that will definitely go wrong.

What themes appear evident in Macbeth's character and conduct?  To what extent do you think these themes will drive the rest of the play? 

A theme is between cruelty and masculinity. I am sure everyone will end up hurt or dead or wishing they were dead. I am sure something will happen whereas everyone will regret it.

Seeking Mentor

Well my mentor is not exactly identified yet. Although I do have questions prepared for them. Some questions would be is my blog and work appropriate for how my masterpiece going? How did you get to where you are today? What steps did you take to achieve your goals?