Merry Christmas

The ending to the Pit and the Pendulum is the last blog entry for this semester. You have a research paper and finals to deal with and don't need extra work. We will resume blogging in 2011. If you have blogs to make up, this would be a good time to do them because they have to be made up before the semester ends.

What were you thinking, Edgar?

The Pit and the Pendulum is my favorite Poe story, but I hate the ending. I would like you to write a new ending for the story. It doesn't have to be long, and it can be really gory, but something more creative than
"There was a discordant hum of human voices! There was a loud blast as of many trumpets! There was a harsh grating as of a thousand thunders! The fiery walls rushed back! An outstretched arm caught my own as I fell fainting into the abyss. It was that of General Lasalle. The French army had entered Toledo. The Inquisition was in the hands of its enemies."

That ending seems way too contrived. You can have the narrator live or die, your choice, but do it in your best Poe manner and have fun with it.

Gothiclight

Team Poe or Team Irving, which do you choose and why?


BTW I really liked the Romantic Poem reflections. I like to know how you feel about what we study, and sometimes that is hard to find out in class, especially from those of you on the quiet or shy side. I'm happy that some of you connected with the poetry. For those of you who are not "happy romantics," perhaps you will connect on the dark side. :D

Romantic Poem Reflection

Write a reflection on one of the poems we study this week.

Connection to Nature

Get a Voki now!

Crucible Paper

Because you all have a Crucible paper due next Monday, take a week off from your blog to write your paper. Check back here next Sunday. :)

Political climate of the 1950s

This week research the political climate of the 1950s. There are excellent places on the Internet to learn about Joseph McCarthy, HUAC, black listing, Arthur Miller, Elia Kazan, Charlie Chaplin, Paul Robeson, etc. Remember to post the address of the site you use for your post.

Post a summary of the information you find and a reflection about it.

or

Find a video that is appropriate to the topic and reflect on the contents.

or

Post information on the effect of the McCarthy Hearings on ordinary life
in the U.S. and reflect on what you learn.