Anthem Final Blog

Anthem Final Blog

Directions: Choose ONE of the following prompts and write a blog comment of 100-200 words in response to the prompt. 

#1 - Equality named himself "Prometheus" after a character from Greek mythology. Read about Prometheus here and then explain the significance of this name. Why did he choose this name? How does Equality compare to the Greek Titan Prometheus? Cite text evidence that supports your ideas.

#2 - Our unit theme is leadership, and we see different examples of leadership in Anthem. We see the leadership of the council in the dystopian society, but we also see Equality emerge as a leader in chapter 12. How is Equality a leader in his society? What are his future plans for his people? Cite text evidence that supports your ideas.

#3 - Equality's discovery of light is a major event in Anthem that has symbolic meaning. What does his light symbolize to him? What does it represent to mankind? Search the web for info about light as a symbol in literature. Then explain the symbolism of light in Anthem.  Cite text evidence to support your ideas.

Anthem Chapter 2: Fear is in the Air

In chapter 2 Equality 7-2521 talks about fear. He says, "There is fear hanging in the air of the sleeping halls, and in the air of the streets. Fear walks through the City, fear without name, without shape. All men feel it and none dare to speak" (Rand 46)

What type of figurative language is being used in the above quote from Anthem?

Why does the author give fear human qualities? 

What is causing this fear in Equality's brothers? 

What does the quote below "Your largest fear carries your greatest growth" mean? Connect this quote to Anthem. 

The Dystopian World of Anthem

War. Death. Despair. Oppression. Environmental ruin. Dystopian novels have it all! Yet many of us love this genre, and there are good reasons we do. For one thing, we’re reading about rather than actually living through the bad stuff happening in the near or far future. We’re not in the arena, like the tributes of The Hunger Games, but we are watching them fight to survive (Astor). Dystopian literature has been around for many years, and it serves to warn us of what can happen in our future if we continue to live in certain ways. The Giver, The Maze Runner, Divergent, The Matrix, and The Hunger Games are just a few blockbuster films that present a dystopian world. 

Describe the world of Anthem. What do you know about the government, the citizens, the rules/laws, the infractions for breaking a law? How does this world compare to the dystopian society you created? How would you feel if you lived in such a world? 

Character & Theme: There's a lesson to be learned!

Character & Theme: There's a lesson to be learned!

Complex characters often have more than one motivation/reason for their actions. Their motivations may change, and complex characters often learn lessons that drive the theme of a story. We can also find a theme by looking at how a character faces a conflict or problem. We can learn from a character's choices - good and bad.

Select a character from your novel and answer the following questions:

*Cite text evidence in the form of a quote and be specific in your answers. 

1. What problem is your character facing, and how is he/she handling that problem?
2. How has your character’s motivation changed from the beginning of the story through the end of part 4 of your reading?
3. What lesson is your character learning? 

It's all about PERSPECTIVE: Character & Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told can be very important in discovering truths about the characters. Speak is told from a first person perspective, so we see the story through Melinda's eyes. Both Swallowing Stones and Killing Mr. Griffin are told from a third person perspective, but each chapter allows us to see one character's thoughts and feelings. This is called third person limited. Think about point of view and what you have learned about the different characters. 

Choose a character to analyze and answer the following questions:

1. How does the point of view of the story contribute to this character's development? Do you learn more about the character from his/her own thoughts and feelings, or from what others say?

2. What is one thing this character has said/done in this week's reading that was important to his/her character development? What did you learn about the character as a result of this action? 

3. Would you be friends with this character? Why or why not?

*Be sure to cite text evidence to support your inferences. 

Diving into PLOT: Exposition

Diving into PLOT: Exposition

An exposition is the first part of a plot, and it occurs at the beginning of a story. Here the characters are introduced and the setting is described. The main conflict, or trigger, is also introduced. This conflict is meant to "hook" the reader and make him/her want to read more. The exposition should introduce the story and make the reader want to dive in!

In 100-200 words, please describe the exposition of your novel. Include the title of the novel, the setting, important characters, and the beginning of conflict/trigger. Answer the following questions to help with analysis:

1. What information does the author give you about the characters and the setting? Why would this information be important? (make a prediction)
2. What conflict or trigger drew you in or "hooked" your attention? Why did this conflict hook your attention? What does it make you think, or what questions do you have so far?

*Due Date: August 24th before class. 

Week 1 Blog: 30 Day Challenge!

30 Day Challenge!

Watch the video "Try Something New for 30 Days" and answer the questions that follow:

1. If you could create your own 30 day challenge, what would you do? Be creative!

2. How could you apply this idea to school? What could you do for 30 days that would help you start the school year with success?

3. Why is it important to set goals and try new things?

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