DAY 05 - CYCLE 05 - SEMESTER 02: 02-14-12

HANDOUTS FROM TODAY:
None. BUT, here is the literary terms sheet for homework tonight


IN CLASS TODAY:
Group 1 (Wynn, Caroline, Eric, Ben) coverage of Lord of the Flies, chapters 1-3

• Quiz (8 questions)
• Divide into three groups to address questions
• Poll - move to the part of the room to indicate your answer and then defend
• Larger group discussion 

CLASS NOTES:
Great questions. As Ben noted in class, really weak on specific textual citation to support otherwise fabulous insights.

Discussion questions were:


Poll Questions:

• Who is a better leader? Jack or Ralph?
• CONCLUSIONS
• While Jack is forthright and direct, he seeks power for its own sake, desiring control rather than anything else. He cites irrelevant credentials (the notes he can sing) to support his cause, and sees his choir as serving a purpose that is not required in their circumstances (as an army). In basic leadership, he fails, getting too consumed in his task to notice boys missing. 
• Ralph, on the other hand, seeks to be democratic and wants to make the right decisions, but is not old enough or experienced enough to recognize what is required. He granted Jack much of the power he now enjoys, but there is some suggestion of that contributing to a sense of his weakness rather than strength (he did it to placate Jack, not to establish a limited and subordinate role on a hierarchy). There is question if Jack could handle being subordinate to anyone.
• There is agreement that Jack could have an advisory role and be useful (as could Piggy and Simon)
• Jack seems like Woundwort and Ralph like Hazel, but primitively so.
• Jack and Ishmael Beah have traits in common as well, but unlike Ishmael, Jack does not have a more seasoned veteran after which to model himself.
• Jack and Ralph are unaware of their weaknesses.
• Simon and Piggy have strengths, but they're ignored.
• Will this situation progress into greater order or chaos?
• CONCLUSIONS:
• Chaos. Everyone agreed that the weight of this conflict falls to the side of chaos
• The boys are too young to understand their roles in regard to one another
• None are adequately practiced in leadership to make things happen
• Many are too young to recognize the perils of the situation and behave maturely as a result
• The older boys either feel no responsibility for the young 'uns or if they do, are powerless to effectively act on it.
• As a result, the boys all do what they want to do far more than what they ought to do, even the good ones:
• e.g. Ralph doesn't stand up for Piggy
• e.g. Piggy says they should get the little boys' names but makes no effort to make the list
• The boys are too young to be swayed by rhetoric or reasoned argument. Ralph is too inexperienced to turn leadership tasks into fun games for kids. 
• In short, the age of these boys and their lack of maturity contributes greatly to what we sense will be devolution
• Funny. Things are devolving in Macbeth, too.  Why is chaos winning over order in these stories? What is it in human nature (or nature itself) that makes this happen?
• Will Piggy gain respect
• CONCLUSIONS:
• Perhaps. to a limited degree. But as no one will stand up for him, it's unlikely. (That's something to make you think about how life could be different for some at school if they only had a defender...)
• It's unlikely because his physical traits will matter more to younger kids, which these are, and they will have a harder time seeing past hi infirmities
• Question after class: Is the factthat Piggy is farsighted but can't see up close symbolic in any way?  Great question!
• Other observations
• Nascent competence or potential value is not prized or cultivated in this group: strict pecking order is. In other words, no one nurtures anyone in this group, and that's a huge problem.


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HOMEWORK

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  Literary Terms Worksheethttp://zarwell-english.wikispaces.com/file/view/Literary+Terms.doc