Category Archives: English 11

Blackout Poem – “Death of a Salesman”

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In English we read a play called “Death of a Salesman” written by Arthur Miller in 1949. “Death of a Salesman” takes place in a post world war society and is about a man name Willy Loman, who is a Salesman, and his daily struggles. These struggles include work, family, dreams, and money. Throughout the play you get to see into Willy’s past and understand him, but also learn some unsettling information about the Salesman. “Death of a Salesman” can be considered a tragedy genre because Willy had worked his entire life for the American Dream. The Dream where the man goes to work and comes home to a doting wife and two kids. Willy had worked so hard to achieve this that he exaggerates about his success, had an affair with another woman, and raised two sons who didn’t know how to properly function in society. All of these factored to his eventual downfall. The blackout poetry project reflects the themes and keywords from “Death of a Salesman.” The poem focuses on the relationship of a father and his family, told through the eyes of one of his kids. Biff’s and Willy’s relationship was very strained because Willy always had high expectations for Biff and expected him to follow in his footsteps, but Willy never let Biff decide what he wanted to do. Willy seemed to be absent from his home and as years dragged on his job affected his mental health, which brought him to his downfall. The poem also contains an illustration of Biff at Willy’s grave while Willy is behind Biff trying to support and connect with him (the swirls connect to his head). On the far right above the grave is Linda. Willy will live on through his wife because she was unquestionably loyal to him and will be in her heart forever (swirls are within her). Willy Loman was not a conventional hero of tragedy, but Miller had made readers empathize for Willy and his situation, so when he arrived at his downfall we would feel his pain and understand.

 

Blackout Poem

Even without Dad.

Eerily quiet.

Intuited what was to come.

Mom rarely expected Dad.

Dad would wonder in late mindless, asleep, and harmless.

Tiptoe off to bed.

Dad his nightmares.

Mom’s undying love.

Dad under a blanket.

 

DOAS Monologues

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The following is an example I created of a monologue for the character Biff from “Death of a Salesman.”

This is a monologue because Biff is talking for a long period of time. This is a monologue because he is talking to Willy.

This monologue would fit into the current plot when Biff, Happy, and Willy are in the restaurant and Willy keeps interrupting Biff. Biff is trying to explain what happened with Oliver

Biff: You are not listening Dad! I am unhappy with the choices I have made in the past several years, so I returned home to this family. I returned from my life on the farm for family and myself even though my own father does not support that life, but still I continued to follow in your footsteps. My entire life my you had supported me especially my football career in High School. I should have tried harder and focused more in school specifically in math class. Mom has been a constant support throughout my life, even though I do sleep around. I went to Oliver like you wanted and he had no idea who I was. My entire life I have felt pressured to follow in your footstep’s and your career. So in the end that’s what I did; I pleased you and mom but sooner or later a man realizes what his true feelings are. I didn’t want or have any interest in a salesman’s career and that is why I stopped going to school and went to a farm. I would never be happy in that firm, I am sorry Dad but I can’t please you anymore.

LOTF Podcast

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The podcast above is about herd mentality and morality and how it relates to the novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding.

 

Work Cited:

By watching and imitating others, young children learn how to interact socially. They learn acceptable and unacceptable kinds of behaviour.
“Child Development and Early Learning.” Facts for Life – Child Development and Early Learning, www.factsforlifeglobal.org/03/4.html.

The years between 6 and 14—middle childhood and early adolescence—are a time of important developmental advances that establish children’s sense of identity.
Eccles, Jacquelynne S. “The development of children ages 6 to 14.” The future of children (1999): 30-44.

babies, children and teenagers tend to grieve in bursts, and at other times will look for reassurance and comfort in their normal routines and activities
Lissienko, Katherine. “Bereavement Reactions by Age Group.” Kidshealth, Kidshealth, 13 Sept. 2011, www.kidshealth.org.nz/bereavement-reactions-age-group.

Trying to raise a responsible, cooperative child without age-appropriate boundaries is like trying to raise a goldfish outside its fishbowl. Far from squelching the spirit, rules are needed for kids to flourish
“Why Kids Need Rules.” Parenting, 18 Mar. 2014, www.parenting.com/article/why-kids-need-rules.

living in an environment affected by chaos and poverty can lead to changes in the brain’s stress system that increase a child’s vulnerability to chronic diseases later in life.
http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/sites/all/files/databooks/TUCI_Data_Book_VII_2012.05_family.pdf

Acting out reduces stress. It’s often a child’s attempt to show otherwise hidden emotions.

Attention issues: Children often seek attention from parents, peers, or other authority figures. If they don’t get the positive attention they want, they will act out to get negative attention.

Desire for power: Children often feel powerless. They’re usually unable to control their situations and environment. They act out because it allows them to feel in control of their actions.
https://www.healthline.com/health/acting-out

Mob mentality/ herd mentality
how people are influenced by there peers to be involved in certain behaviours
Contagion theory – uncontrolled wild frenzy – the beast
Convergent theory- choosing the correct answer from said choices
Emergent – norm theory – combination of like minded individuals

The theory adapted this idea in a sociological basis and stated as the transmission of ideas or even irrational behavior collectively displayed by an individual when engaged in a group. It is stated that large number of people are influenced by the contagious behavior of the group and avoids their individual responsibility.

CONTAGION THEORY

 

There are two main strands of convergence theory. One strand focuses on the shared traits of all humanity and argues that explosive crowd behavior is a result of latent tendencies that are often violent. The other strand emphasizes that crowds are homogenous in their makeup and are a result of like-minded individuals coming together to take action collectively.
https://www.enotes.com/research-starters/convergence-theory

Instead, norms emerge through a process of social interaction in which people look to others for cues and signs indicating various possibilities of what they might expect.
https://www.thoughtco.com/emergent-norm-theory-3026305

A natural desire to be part of the ‘in crowd’ could damage our ability to make the right decisions, a new study has shown. – University of Exeter
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141216212049.htm

“Lord of the Flies”- Island Description

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The Island:

“It was roughly boat-shaped: humped near this end with behind them the jumbled descent to the shore. On either side rocks, cliffs, treetops and a steep slope: forward there, the length of the boat, a tamer descent, tree-clad, with hints of pink: and then the jungly flat of the island, dense green, but drawn at the end to a pink tail. There, where the island petered out in water, was another island; a rock, almost detached, standing like a fort, facing them across the green with one bold, pink bastion” (Golding 26)

Scar:

“Behind this was the darkness of the forest proper and the open space of the scar”. (Golding 4).

Lagoon :

“lagoon was still as a mountain lake—blue of all shades and shadowy green and purple” (10)

Shore:

“The shore was fledged with palm trees. These stood or leaned or reclined against the light and their green feathers were a hundred feet up in the air” (4)

Beach:

“The beach between the palm terrace and the water drew to a point at infinity; and always, almost invisible, was the heat” (Golding 4).

 

 

Mountain :

“rock of the cliff was split and the top littered with great lumps that seemed to totter” (Golding 113)

Forest:

“Flower and fruit grew together on the same tree and everywhere was the scent of ripeness and the booming of a million bees at pasture” (Golding 77)

Reef:

“The reef enclosed more than one side of the island, lying perhaps a mile out and parallel to what they now thought of as their beach” (Golding 38)

Platform:

“Here the beach was interrupted abruptly by the square motif of the landscape; a great platform of pink granite thrust up uncompromisingly through forest and terrace and sand and lagoon to make a raised jetty four feet high. The top of this was covered with a thin layer of soil and coarse grass and shaded with young palm trees.”(Golding 13)

Jungle:

Ralph disentangled himself cautiously and stole away through the branches. In a few seconds the fat boy’s grunts were behind him and he was hurrying toward the screen that still lay between him and the lagoon. He climbed over a broken trunk and was out of the jungle. (Golding 10)

Walter Mitty Daydream Six

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“To hell with the handkerchief,” said Walter Mitty scornfully. He took one last drag on his cigarette and snapped it away. Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last. The firing squad aimed, Walter Mitty kept his head high waiting to greet death. A woman jumped through the crowd as the firing squad had their fingers on their tiggers, ready to shoot. She opened her mouth to say something, but she was too late and Walter knew it as the he heard the guns go off “Aaaaaah!”…

“What is wrong dear?” Mrs. Mitty asked the young lady who had just screamed for no apparent reason.

“That m-man ju-just took m-my purse,” the lady replied with tears in her eyes threatening to fall. Mrs. Mitty wrapped her arms around the girl and tried her best to comfort her. Telling her that everything is okay, and that someone will get the police.

Once the police arrived Walter and his wife headed home. The drive home was quiet; when they finally arrived home Mrs. Mitty headed to the kitchen to begin dinner.

“Walter, did you eat all the bread?” Mrs. Mitty called rather insinuatingly.

“No, there should be more in the cabinet.” replied Walter as he headed into the living room.

“Where is that dog?” He thought to himself as he checked under the coffee table, that is when he spotted the blonde cocker spaniel coming down the stairs. The little dog came into the living room; her tail began wagging once she spotted Walter. He bent down and reached into his pocket for the puppy biscuit. The spaniel spotted the puppy biscuit and jumped at him…

“Roooaarrrr” he jumped out of the way as the beast lunged for him. When he turned back to face the beast, but the lion jumped again and had Walter pinned. He frantically looked around for anything to hit the her with. The insolent animal bit his arm as he went to strike it in the side, this distracted the beast long enough for Walter to grab a log and hit it in the face. He then reached for some dirt and threw into her face. Walter got up and started running , he needed to find it before this beast kills him. He stopped at a small little pond to clean the bite mark on his arm. He looked in his reflection and saw a haggard looking man. That’s when he saw it out of the corner of his eye, the cave entrance he has been looking for, for three weeks now. As he stepped into the cave he he quietly whispered to himself, “The life of an archeologist was gonna get him killed.”

This was the second time this trip a wild animal has tried to make him a meal. He heard the soft breathing of the lion as she entered the cave stalking her prey. He stepped behind a large rock and noticed there was gap with the slightest bit of light flowing through it. Walter hurriedly stepped into the gap, as the lion stepped around the boulder. He heard a growl and started running as fast as he could through the narrow space. The light getting brighter as he sprinted through. The sun is setting he does not have much time till he looses daylight. As he neared the end of the tunnel he noticed there was a ledge and looked back at the lion which was getting closer. Once he got to the edge he saw his next clue, the waterfall, so he jumped.

 

 

Plot Point Photos – “Father and Son”

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The short story “Father and Son,” by Bernard MacLaverty is about the broken relationship of a son and his Father. The Photo Compilation Plot Point project analyzes the plot of the story and gives a visual aspect. MacLaverty alternates the point of view between the Father and son throughout the story. This style of writing lets the reader inside both the character’s heads. Through the duration of the story it is obvious that there is a strain the relationship, that is not one or the others fault. MacLaverty hints at previous issues the son has had as well as the problems the father is now going through. The hope of this project is to break down key points in the plot and analyze them to give greater detail.

 

Exposition-

“He will stand in his bare feet, his shoes and sock is in his hand, looking at me” (MacLaverty 165)

From the start of story MacLaverty shows right away how much the father cares for the son. It introduces the topic of the father observing the son and the son knows but doesn’t react. These actions lead into the bigger picture of their relationship and their future together.

 

Initiating Incident-

“‘Wake up, son. I’m away to my work. Where are you going today?’ ‘What’s it to you?’” (MacLaverty 165)

This shows how little emotion and reaction the son shows to his Father. The Father is trying to show an interest and care for the son, but the son pushes him away. Even though the Fathers actions seem normal, but it shows the first sign of his paranoia. Throughout the story it becomes more apparent that the Father is paranoid.

 

Rising Action –

“‘What do you be doing out to this time?’ ‘Not again’ ‘Answer me.’ ‘Talking.’ ‘Who with?’ ‘Friends. Just go to bed, Da, will you?’ ‘What do you talk about?’ ‘Nothing much’ ‘Talk to me, son.’ ‘What about?’“ (MacLaverty 166)

This quote shows the more paranoid side of the Father and also the troubled relationship he has with his son. The son gives short answer and is unresponsive to the conversation. The Father pushes really hard on the son to have communication but it’s clear the son doesn’t want that.

 

Rising Action-

“The door swings open and he pushes a hand gun beneath the pillow seen long enough, black and squat, dull like a garden slug. He sits, my son, his hands idling empty, staring hatred” (MacLaverty 169)

The Father constantly checks up on his son to see that he’s alive and to know what he is doing. It’s clear in the story that the son does not like the Father knowing what he is doing. The sons actions bring himself into dangerous situations which could justify the fathers paranoid actions.

 

Rising Action-

“There is a ring at the door. The boy answers it, his shirt-tail out. Voices in the hallway. My son with friends. Talking. What he does not do with me”

 (MacLaverty 169)

The son is more trusting of his friends and acquaintances than he is of his own Father. At this point in the story the father is obsessing with the sons lack of communication and that overtakes his paranoia. It’s surprising that the father is more jealous of the relationship the son has with the person at the door, rather than being paranoid about who is at the door.

 

Climax-

“There was a bang. A dish cloth drops from my hand and I run to the door. Not believing…” (MacLaverty 169)

The father knows that a gun was shot and he doesn’t hesitate, he just runs toward the door where the sound came from. All the paranoia is gone his is only worried about his sons well being. He is aware of the gun shot but doesn’t want to believe his son is hurt.

 

Falling Action-

“Blood is spilling from his nose. They have punched you and you are not badly hurt. Your nose is bleeding. Something cold at the back of your neck” (MacLaverty 169)

The father finds his son and he does not let himself believe that his son is dead. He tries to convince him self that they just punched him and that he imagined the gun shot. The father is still trying care for him even though he knows the son is dead.

Denouement-

“I take my sons limp head in my hands…My son, let me put my arms around you” (MacLaverty 169)

The Father is still looking for the connection even when his son is dead. When he puts his arms around his son he is trying to comfort him. The Father still wants to give him love.

Character Sketch – Two Fishermen

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K. Smith, is a character from the short story to fisherman by Morley Callaghan. He is

also known as Smitty. He is a simple, shy person who wants very little from other

people; however many people choose not to talk to him because he is a hangman. The

town reporter, Michael Foster, approaches Smitty to get information for his article.

Michael soon discovers that Smitty is misunderstood, and people give him a quick

judgment. Smitty thinks, “Somebody’s got to do my job. There’s got to be a hangman.”

(Callaghan 2) he is detached from his job; Smitty prefers to, “… never read about them.”

Because it would make the job too hard for him (Callaghan 2). K. Smith, is a

misunderstood character who has simple beliefs and a simple life, but many people

would rather judge him then get to know him.

 

https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/photo/rowboat-fishermen-silhouette-royalty-free-image/514236885

Capital Punishment in “Two Fisherman”

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Capital punishment in Canada started in 1865, with only a handful of crimes eligible for the punishment. For the next hundred-ten years, the crimes that had to be committed to get the death penalty varied. Arthur Lucas and Robert Turpin were the last people to be executed in Canada. The executions took place in 1962, however Capital Punishment was finally removed in 1976 from the Canadian Criminal Code. So if Thomas Delaney’s, from Morley Callaghan’s, “Two Fisherman” execution took place in Canada, it would have had to prior to 1976.

The execution of Thomas Danley is controversial because people’s opinions are dependent on their morals. I think Thomas Danley should not have been executed. He was defending his wife when he caught Rhinehart molesting her, so it wasn’t a premeditated murder. Just because someone takes a life doesn’t give others the right to take their life, that doesn’t make it any better. Thomas should have been left in jail because he did commit a crime that he should have pay for, but not with his own life.