Julius Caesar

Have people changed?

During Act III. ii., Brutus and Antony demonstrate how easily people can be persuaded when addressed with language that inspires emotion. Each character, through emotive language, moves the audience (Romans) into a gentle submission with an ability to make people believe in their ideas.

Your question:

• Can this still Happen?
• Does it still happen?
• Provide an example from our world in which people are easily persuaded despite what the facts might say

Julius Caesar

Understanding Themes

Through the first III Acts, a themes have emerged based upon the events in the play, and character choices. After Caesar's death, what is learned through his inability to listen to the one's around him? Why is it false to see him as "excepting death".

Strengths and Weaknesses of Leaders

Post your answers and information about the leaders you researched today in class.

Dramatic Irony

Our next piece of literature, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, uses the literary device dramatic irony for several specific reasons. Without knowledge of the play, and only the literary device, try to attempt to answer the following questions:
What is dramatic irony?
Why do you think author's use it?
What does it do for our experience as readers?
Please give an example of dramatic irony from either literature , drama or movies.

Who is to Blame?

Troy Maxson's character promotes an examination of when an individual must claim responsibility for their lives and actions, and thus , stop blaming others for their conditional and placement in life.

When should an individual become responsible for their behavior?, and

Is Troy justifiable in his treatment of others based on his experiences?

Please answer both questions.

Fences- Integrity through Action

Integrity is the topic in which our class is shaped. As a result of the way we examine character's decisions and motives, we gain, or can better assess the true nature of integrity. The moral judgement that shapes a characters ability to choose between right and wrong is the conduit in which integrity in measured. August Wilson, in the play Fences, creates a range, or spectrum, of judgments and/ or decisions to demonstrate the factors that shape an individuals ability to act justly.

Task

1. Create another definition of integrity based on one of the characters in the play.
2. Create a REAL LIFE Example FROM LIFE that further develops your idea about integrity.
3. Relate the author's play to the ideas of integrity through the ENTIRE play.
4. Decide upon a character that fully demonstrates the nature of integrity.
5. Use at least two examples from the play to illustrate your perspective.
6. Relate character to your real-life example.
7. Create a statement that is an insightful conclusion about integrity based upon the character and real life/ literary examples.
8. Develop an insightful idea about the nature of integrity

Fences- Traditional Torch

Through the events in August Wilson's Fences, Troy Maxson represents the notion of passing along learned behavior similar to the way one passes along a family name. The idea that children learn behavior from adults, mimic their behavior, and eventually become a person similar in character and action is evident in Cory's behavior towards Troy at the end of the play.

Assignment- In a well- structured paragraph/ page include the following:
1. What BEHAVIOR have you learned from an adult that you want to pass on to the next generation?
2. Why do you want to pass along the traditional BEHAVIOR?
3. How does your example compare/ contrast from Troy?
4. What do you think Wilson is trying to say through these characters and events?

Fences- Questions and Comments

1. Create a thoughtful question for Mr. Pereira that focuses on the issues that are facing Troy Maxson in Fences. The questions could be about the 1957 environment or today's. The questions should revolve around the issues of: racism, segregation, equal opportunity, METCO Program- purpose, goals and yearly evaluation, etc.
2. Create a response to the 60 Minute Video. Did this video change your perspective on: race, individual and environment, segreagation in America? Did Monsta scare you, or change your perception of US cities?

Election Day Blog

Does having an African American President mean the end of Segregation in the US?
Explain your answer with two reasons to support your perspective.

Fences- Segregation and Integrity

First Blog
How did August Wilson demonstrate integrity through action and creation in his lifetime?
Structure- Define or give your perspective on Integrity: What is it?
Relate your definition to August Wilson
Provide two examples that support your definition
Do not use personal pronouns


Second Blog

What are your thoughts on Segregation? 

Since our class conversation  focused on the former practices of Segregation in America, August Wilson's 1957 environment, and how some neighborhoods  today are dominated by one social-economic or ethnic group,  attempt to explain your perceptions of American Segregation  in the 1950s and today.  

Create three paragraphs exploring the following:

What factors, in your mind, promoted the belief and practice of segregation during the 1950s?  

How could the environment of the 1950s effect a Black woman's/ man's  perception of equal opportunity?   

What remains of segregation in America today? How are neighborhoods shaped? Does environment predict the future for individuals?