Jawdance Spoken Word Event

Hello year 12s,

Why not check out this spoken word event for FREE?
http://www.applesandsnakes.org/page/108/JAWDANCE/1879

It features performances from established poets and an open mic slot for anyone to get involved and have a go at spoken word.

See you there?

Miss Ryall and Mr Gun-Why

The American Dream @ The British Museum

Hello year 12s,


Understanding the concept of the America Dream is extremely important in preparing for your coursework on The Great Gatsby next term.


There is a lecture at The British Museum you might be interested in.


http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/event_detail.aspx?eventId=3508&title=Unresolved%20histories:%20whose%20American%20Dream?&eventType=Lecture
It is Friday 24^th March at 6.30pm.


Tickets are only £3!


Miss Ryall

Hamlet and Revenge

Hello year 12s,


You can access the article that Mr Soar used in his last intervention session on 'Hamlet' here: https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/hamlet-and-revenge


Miss Ryall

The Handmaid's Tale - Final Reading Group

Hello year 12s,


For those of you who were unable to attend, this is what we discussed in our final reading group on The Handmaid's Tale:

• We were disappointed with the ending - we would have liked something more 'dramatic' or even tragic to happen to Offred at the end. We found it frustrating that the historical notes didn't offer us an idea of where she ended up after her escape.
• We were also disappointed that we weren't told what had happened to Luke. He seems to be the character that we 'care' most about, despite his existence being limited to Offred's memories.
• We were pleased to find answers to some of the questions we had on the structure and rules of Gilead in the historical notes. E.g. why Offred and Luke were split up when others were seemingly allowed to stay together.
• We had mixed opinions on the actions of the commander. Largely though we felt sympathy for his wife and felt that he had taken advantage of Offred and the other handmaids.
• We were also unsure of how we felt about Nick. We thought it was slightly far-fetched that he turned out to be a member of the resistance and was able to help Offred escape. We were also unsure of his true motives for forming a relationship with her in the first place - we didn't believe it was completely genuine.
• We re-visited our discussion of Moira and spoke again of our disappointment in her character and frustration at not knowing what happened to her after Offred left her in Jezzabels.
• We ended by considering Atwood's motive for writing The Handmaid's Tale and how its message is relatable to current world politics.

I have thoroughly enjoyed discussing this text with you week by week. Independent reading is an important aspect of A Level English Literature and having already read the text once will allow you gain access to a much richer and deeper understanding of it when we study it next term. Well done and thank you to those of you who managed the reading schedule well and were able to discuss and critique the intricate plot.


Next half term we will be meeting to discuss The Great Gatsby. Our first reading group will be on Monday 27th February with Ms Lindsay.


Have a lovely week,


Miss Ryall

Hamlet - SparkLife Blog

Hello year 12s,


I came across this blog on 'Hamlet' that I think you might enjoy. There are six parts so far; here is the link to the first one:


http://community.sparknotes.com/2016/12/13/blogging-hamlet-part-1


Have a lovely week,


Miss Ryall

A Streetcar Named Desire - Scene One

Hello year 12s,


We have had some brilliant discussions surrounding the introduction of the main characters this week. We discussed the contrast between Blanche and Stella, and I was pleasantly surprised to find my sympathy for Blanche fluctuating as we dissected her interactions with Stella and you convinced me of some of the more interesting layers to her character.
We also looked at the reasons for Williams' lengthy stage directions and physical descriptions of the characters and considered the possibility of the setting as a 'character' because of it's huge importance to the plot and its apparent 'life'.
You can find a link to the PowerPoint I have been using in lessons below. You are completing the extended writing task for homework - due next week.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByjTQpSbakfiX1FDRGZEbGk0Y2M/view?usp=sharing


You can also find the link to the PowerPoint I used for 'Hamlet' here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByjTQpSbakfiSXFWUzBsaUJxNlk/view?usp=sharing

The Handmaid's Tale - Reading Group One

Hello year 12s,

Although it was a shame Ms Boyle couldn't make our reading group today, I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the novel so far. I was particularly interested to hear your criticisms of the plot and narrative structure, and I was impressed by your mature approach to considering the sensitive issues the author raises around identity and sexuality.
Here are a few of the things we discussed:

• A few of you were frustrated with the non-linear structure of the narrative. We spoke about the confusing nature of Offred's flashbacks.
• We were all concerned about Luke's welfare and are eager to learn more about Offred's past, and what has happened to her child and Luke.
• We discussed the dark humour surrounding the ceremony and birthing day. We did this sensitively with an understanding of the complex emotions experienced by the wives and handmaids.
• Most of you found the commander (Fred) to be a likeable character. We found his desire to form an emotional attachment to Offred endearing and are curious about where their relationship will go.
• We understood Offred's decision to decline the doctor's offer of help, and admired her courage in wanting to 'survive' without complying completely to the new regulations of Gilead. 
• We wondered what had become of Moira and discussed her possible role in the plot.
• We considered the conditions in the colonies, what it meant to be an 'unwoman' and whether it was better to be a handmaid, a wife, a martha, or an econowife. 
• We discussed the significance of the handmaids' uniform, with the religious connotations and the irony of their role. We also thought about the associations of menstruation, communism and lust with the colour red.
• We hope that Offred survives, that Luke comes back to save her (or possibly Moira). 
• We aren't sure of the significance of Nick's character yet, although we recognised the risks he is taking to flirt with Offred.
• I was also impressed by the links you were able to draw between the novel and the political landscape of the 1980s. You recognised a fear of communism and support for the feminist movement in Atwood's text. 

Thank you for your enthusiasm so far; please make sure you have read up to page 267 for our next meeting in two weeks time.

Miss Ryall