*P&P*Bedford 19 (Fragments) and 20 (Run-ons). Review rules and then do Ex 19-1 (a-e) and 20-1 (a-e). While you do this work, please have your J3 out. Reno's Wiglafs will show their mettle by displaying their tricked-out battle tackle (J3 quotes). The tail-turner's (those who failed to do J3) will hide in the trees, feigning courage . . . and quotes. Those battle-dodgers without a stockpile of quotes will spend time gathering gold from Beowulf-barrow. Get into the text when I give you writing time today.
*Schwager's thanes finish Beowulf. Fight the good fight. Stab the dragon. (P. S. Go for the flank . . . steak.)
Please read the ICE (the expository essay) below and answer the questions that follow. I then want to hear your thoughts. Here is an example of a nice ICE from your colleagues in English 400 this year. There were a number of others, but this student was absent on the day of ICE return, so I still had it on hand, and I forgot to ask for some of the really good ones back. Dig.
Hell. Humanity has always been intrigued with the concept. Since the inception of written language and religion, man has prophesied about the place. Far evolved since the early days of the church, society has come to terms with multiple descriptions of the devil's lair. From the stereotypical imagery of fire and brimstone to the multi-layered freezer of Dante's Inferno, the human mind has become capable of depicting a plethora of painful scenarios that would be considered "hellish." Wat if hell wasn't about externally inflicted pain and searing heat? Could the human mind even begin to comprehend the unimaginable torture of a place where anything can be dreamt and the sun never sets? With his revolutionary depiction of the underworld, C. S. Lewis attempts to break the caustic, terrorizing and foul belief in the "old world" hell by tempting us with a place that seemingly suits our needs, desires, and lust.
Humans are not known for their honesty, godliness or purity, despite what some think. Others go as far to say that humanity is God's failed experiment. Recognizing humanity's fall, Lewis establishes a hell that seems very entrenched in worldly things. The opposite can be said about Lewis' heaven, which contains no trace of human creations. On paper, Hell seems like an excellent place; perhaps this is what draws people in. In hell, you can think something and have it appear. In hell, you can be anything you want to be. This differs greatly from the traditional belief of fire, pain and a red-horned man.
I appears as the perfect place to live. Lewis takes advantage of the weaknesses of men and builds a place that caters to their every desire. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything. Why dream of a house when it fails to keep the rain out? Why have the ability to own the things your heart desires, when it amounts to nothing? Lewis uses his hell to relate to our real-life material possessions which are miniscule in comparison to the Lord.
Lewis also evokes the thought of the individual in hell. Everyone in hell is the same. Each dweller hates each other for the same reasons, while failing to accept their own flaws. Each person in hell lives in a state of denial. The capitalist believes he can bring things from the real world and make a profit off of them; he, too, lacks any inkling of his insignificance and almost believes that he is not condemned.
In reading The Great Divorce, the audience is enlightened with a form of hell that is far more terrifying than the ones used by the church. We are confronted with a place that seems so familiar from the world we came from. We are presented with a deal that is too good to be true, a place that suits our needs, desires, and lust.
What are some strong points, some weaknesses, areas of improvement?
Now, here are some links to OWL that you can use as a guide to writing about literature.
1. Close reading and pitfalls
2. Developing a thesis
3. Drafting your essay
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