Notice: All Assignments Now on Google Classroom

This site is no longer being updated. If you are one of Mr. Gauthier's current students, please check Google Classroom to access your assignments. If you need the class code, please email agauthier@govwentworth.k12.nh.us.

Virtual Back-to-School Night, Thurs. 10/29

Parents and Students: The link for the online open house for English 12 has been posted on Google Classroom and emailed to the students' "govwentworth" emails.  Please find the link there.  I can't post it here because this page is public.  See you there! 

Welcome Back KRHS Students!

Students: All at-home and remote lessons are posted on our Google Classroom page.  If you need an access code or have any trouble logging in, please let me know.     

Parents: To request access to your student's Google Classroom to view assignments and links, please email me at: 

     agauthier@govwentworth.k12.nh.us

(Note: I can only invite you to our English Class Google Classroom.  If you would like access to all of your student's classes, you'll need to contact the other teachers individually.)

Online Learning Starts Friday 3/20

D-Block English 10: 

All assignments for our class will be posted on our Google Classroom

A1 & A2 AP Lit:

We are going live with online learning on Friday, March 20.  I have invited you to a new Google Classroom.  We'll be discussing Ayn Rand's novella "Anthem," using the comments as we did for summer reading.  The first prompt will be posted Friday morning, and our class is scheduled to "meet" from 10-11am, which means that if you are posting "live" at that time, other people may be posting then as well -- making it somewhat like a real discussion.  I will be available to answer questions at that time, and throughout the day, directly through email or in the comments section itself if they are questions about the book.  Also, of course, I am hoping that you'll be supportive, helpful, and responsive to each other in the comments.  We're all in this together. 

I need to hear from you once a day for attendance purposes, by 2:30 each day.  You don't need to finish ALL of your work for me by that time, but I need to see something by then so I can share my attendance with the main office.  For grading purposes, our first few assessments will be a series of discussion prompts on Anthem, and then we're going to read the novel Invisible Man.  Obviously, we're into new territory here, and it is my hope that we'll all work together to make this work.  If anything isn't working for you, please email me. 

Anthem Reading Schedule

You might need to design your own bookmark for this one, or print this out if you have access to a printer :)

ANTHEM
     🔥
Reading Schedule

3/11 Ch. I (Part One if you are reading the pdf.)
3/12 Ch. II, III
3/13 Ch. IV-VII

3/16 Ch. VIII-X
3/17 Ch. XI-XII

HW 3/11: Ayn Rand's Anthem

For tonight, I'd like you to read the opening chapter of Ayn Rand's 1938 novella Anthem (Part One in this .pdf). 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1250/1250-h/1250-h.htm

Classwork 3/9: Writing Great Intro Paragraphs (Part Two)

"Literature explores [a question/subject] … through [a technique] … to create [theme/meaning]."     -- Mr. Gauthier                                                                                       

As we discussed on Friday, the quote above attempts to show the flowchart of ideas essential to demonstrating analysis in an essay.  If the introductory paragraph of your essay contains all three of these concepts, you are setting yourself up for success and real analysis in the rest of the essay.  To illustrate this idea, I've prepared a handout with successful student-written examples of 40-min essay introductions.  Please read through the attached .pdf packet (or obtain a printed copy from me), and try to see the "What? How? So What?" thinking in action.  When you are comfortable with the concept, read through the first prompt from the 2018 AP Lit exam below, and compose your own introductory paragraph.  

STEP ONE: SEE IT! 

Read the examples (see attachment ... whathowsowhat.pdf)

STEP TWO: TRY IT! 

Write an introduction for an essay on “The Landlady.”  Make it awesome.

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/apc/ap19-frq-english-literature.pdf

Pride and Prejudice Ending Questions

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This first line has become one of the most famous in English literature. In addition to setting the narrative in motion, how does this line alert us to the tone of the novel and our role, as readers, in appreciating it? What does the line imply about women? (From the Chicago Public Library’s One Book, One Chicago pamphlet on Pride and Prejudice, 2005)

2. Elizabeth is upset to learn that Charlotte has accepted Mr. Collins’s marriage proposal. Do you think Charlotte should have married Mr. Collins? Did she choose him or did he choose her? What do you think influenced her decision to accept him? Is Charlotte a romantic? Is Elizabeth?

3. How does Pemberley play a role in Elizabeth’s change of heart? Does she really fall in love with Darcy after seeing his estate? Trace the development of her feelings for him. Why is Darcy attracted to Elizabeth? Trace the development of his feelings for her.

4. What might have happened if Elizabeth had accepted Darcy’s first proposal? Do you think he really expected her to accept? How does the first proposal change their feelings for, and opinions of, each other? 5. Several letters are reproduced in full in the text. What is the effect on you as a reader when you read a letter instead of getting the information contained in it from the 3rd person narrator? Why do you think Austen might have used letters so often in this novel? (There are 59 references to letters in the book.)

6. How does the title Pride and Prejudice relate to the original title Jane Austen used for the novel, First Impressions? Do you think Pride and Prejudice is a better title? Why? How does it relate to Elizabeth? Darcy? Does it relate to other characters in the novel?

7. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet do not agree on very much, especially when it comes to their daughters’ futures. Who is the better parent—Mr. or Mrs. Bennet? What role does family play in this novel?

8. Darcy says that Wickham tried to elope with Georgiana for revenge. Does revenge play a part in his elopement with Lydia?

9. Lady Catherine’s visit to Elizabeth to persuade her not to marry Darcy actually has the opposite effect and propels them toward the final conclusion, their marriage. What is it about this use of dramatic irony that is so appealing to readers? What other examples of irony do you find in the novel?

Classwork 2/21

For chapters 25-30 in Pride and Prejudice:

Answer thoughtfully, using specific details and direct quotations (with page #'s!) wherever possible. 

1. How is it that Charlotte manages to be happy in her marriage to Mr. Collins?

2. What three words best describe Lady Catherine?  Explain your thinking. 

3. Jane always wants to see the best in everybody.  What does it take for Jane to finally realize that Miss Bingley (Caroline) is a false friend?

4. Mr. Wickham's plotline seems to be all wrapped up.  Evaluate Lizzy's response to learning that Mr. Wickham has started paying attention to another woman. 

The Trouble With Mr. Collins

Our fourth reading assignment in Pride and Prejudice is mainly concerned with wrapping up the plot line involving Lizzy and Mr. Collins — with a nice surprise twist!  The following quotes from last night’s reading have been carefully curated — by me — to represent some of the more important developments.  Your task today is to identify each speaker and explain the quote in the context of both characterization and plot development.  Good luck!  — Mr. G.

1. "She said, ‘Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. -- Chuse properly, chuse a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.’”

2. “An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. -- Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.''

3. “I see what you are feeling,'' replied ______________, -- “you must be surprised, very much surprised, -- so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.''

Classwork 2/19

Answer the following Q's for Ch. 15-18.  Please use quotes from the book (with page #'s!) wherever possible to support your answers. 

1. There is a fine line sometimes between being a character and being a caricature.  Which one is Mr. Collins turning out to be?  Explain with examples from the text. 

2. Good readers recognize ambiguities.  What occurs when Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham meet on the street in Meryton?  What narrative choices does Jane Austen make to underscore the idea that this is a significant ambiguity that will matter later in the story?

3. Dancing with Darcy (!).  That's certainly not what Lizzy had in mind when "[before the Netherfield ball] she had dressed with more than usual care, and prepared in highest spirits" (Ch. 18).  In their tense and awkward attempts at conversation while dancing, what topic does Darcy himself bring up?  Why is he interested in this topic?  What earlier conversations does it relate to in the novel? 

4. Mr. Collins literally walks right up to Mr. Darcy and introduces himself.  Lizzy is -- for the zillionth time in this novel -- mortified.  Aside from Lizzy's own protests to try to talk him out of such an action, what details from this scene does Jane Austen give us to show that such a self-introduction is considered inappropriate in the world of this novel?

Classwork 2/18

For students who were absent 2/18:

Pride and Prejudice Ch 8-14 questions:

1. According to Mr. Bingley, what kinds of things are all young women "accomplished" at?

2. Evaluate the back-and-forth verbal interactions (subject matter, power dynamics, implications, etc.) between the following:

Lizzy and Jane
Lizzy and Miss Bingley
Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy
Lizzy and Mr. Darcy

3. The entire Bennet family fortune is set to be inherited by the girls' male cousin, Mr. Collins.  He'll get the house and everything else, and they will get -- well, nothing.  This puts a great deal of importance on the idea of the girls needing to find a wealthy young man to marry.  If any one of them succeeds in marrying Bingley (or Darcy or someone else like them who is very very wealthy), basically all of them can rest a little easier knowing that their sister's wealthy husband can help take care of them.  [This isn't really a question, I guess.  I just needed to make this point :) --Mr. G]

4. How do we learn about Mr. Collins's impending arrival?  How much lead time does the family have before he arrives?

5. What subject does Mr. Collins talk about in Ch. 14?  Hint: it was also a central subject in his letter.

Classwork 2/17

Here are some Pride and Prejudice Ch. 1-7 questions for students who were absent on 2/17:

1. The opening line is famous.  Write it down and consider it.  Learn it by heart.  As yourself who thinks this way, and why?  What kind of line is it?  Be specific: if you think it is humorous, what kind of humor is it?

2. The Bennet girls are very pretty, especially Jane.  How do we know? 

3. Compare and contrast the physical descriptions of Bingley and Darcy on p.7.

4. What are the precise words Darcy chooses in his slight against Lizzy at the Meryton Ball on p.8?

5. How does Lizzy react to Darcy's slight in the subsequent chapters?

6. At which point(s) do you realize that Darcy might actually be attracted to Lizzy?

7. Who is the protagonist in the novel, and what steps have been taken to show this?

HW 2/14: Pride and Prejudice Ch. 1-7

It's a new book day!  For those of you who were absent, here is an online version of Pride and Prejudice to get started.  http://www.online-literature.com/austen/prideprejudice/

Here's the reading schedule: 

2/14 Ch. 1-7

2/17 Ch. 8-14
2/18 Ch. 15-18
2/19 Ch. 19-24
2/20 Ch. 25-30
2/21 Ch. 31-35

2/24 Ch. 36-41
2/25 Ch. 42-44
2/26 Ch. 45-47
2/27 Ch. 48-52
2/28 Ch. 53-57

3/2  Ch. 58-end

Reminder: Hamlet Test Tomorrow!

It would be a good idea to complete your ELS page before class tomorrow.  Not that you can use it during the exam, but it should be a good, comprehensive review.

Crash Course: Hamlet Part 1

In case you were absent on 2/12:

Assignment: Please watch John Green's Crash Course: Hamlet Part 1.  Write a response delineating three ideas from this video about Hamlet that were new (or seemed important).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My14mZa-eq8

HW 2/10: Hamlet Essential Literary Synopsis

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a2f8uB8ZqAN2RdACeizhBz3nIz8CScakoLJGb4s9fgo/edit

A1/A2 Makeup Classwork for Absent Students 2/10

Please finish reading Hamlet  https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/html/Ham.html#line-5.2.0
and answer the following questions:

1. Hamlet shows Horatio the "commission [death warrant]" (30) that asked England to kill Hamlet upon arrival, signed by Claudius.  What did Hamlet do in response to finding this document?  Hint: start at Hamlet's line:  "I sat me down / And devised a new commission ..." (34-35)

2. Hamlet reverts to his "mad in craft" voice when speaking with the messenger Osric.  Provide an example of Hamlet trying to keep up the charade of seeming crazy.

3. Osric is announcing the proposed fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes.  What are the details of the wager?

4. Create a sketch of the ending of the play, at the point where Fortinbras walks in and sees the entire royal family dead.  Label all of the dead people and the murderous weapons involved.  Be sure to include the Ambassador from England, who shows up at the same time as Fortinbras.  Show a look of surprise on Fortinbras's face, if you can :)

A1/A2 Makeup Work for Absent Students 2/5

Please read ACT V, scene i in Hamlet and answer the following:

1. Why are the Clowns/Gravediggers questioning the correctness of burying Ophelia?

2. What kind of answers does the First Clown/Gravedigger give to Hamlet's questions?

3. Whose skull does Hamlet hold, and what was their relationship?

4. What does the Queen confirm in her graveside comments?

5. What does Hamlet confirm about his feelings toward Ophelia?

A1/A2 HW 2/3: Finish Act IV in Hamlet

Use your fine sketching skills to interpret the scene depicted by the Queen at the end of IV.vii. (Ophelia’s Fate).  Label significant details. 

QUEEN:

One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,
So fast they follow. Your sister’s drowned, Laertes.

LAERTES: Drowned? O, where?

QUEEN:

There is a willow grows askant the brook

That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream.
Therewith fantastic garlands did she make
Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do “dead men’s fingers” call them.
There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds
Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke,
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide,
And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up,
Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,
As one incapable of her own distress
Or like a creature native and endued
Unto that element. But long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,
Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay
To muddy death.

LAERTES: Alas, then she is drowned.

QUEEN: Drowned, drowned.