Jaydn reviewed the novel being read. We discussed the themes and text that supports the themes. She then elaborated with her opinions. She then read. analyzed, and discussed the next chapter. We completed the session with a review of the SAT vocabulary being studied.
Cabo reviewed 40 SAT words and then used each one correctly in context. He then completed a writing assessment on the novel completed last week titled Dawn by Elie Wiesel. He wrote to analyze the theme of "the question of belonging". He supported the theme with instances in the novel and then he elaborated supporting his thesis.
We studied Biddy's relationship advice to the lovelorn Pip by studying a quote from the text. We then contrasted Biddy and Estella's values and Biddy's insight in recognizing that Pip will never be able to love her because she is of a low social class. We explored the introduction of the famous literary character , the criminal defense attorney ,Jaggers. As the novel was published serially, I explained the use of a "tag" or repeated habit or speech pattern as Dickens' technique of assisting the reader to recall and to differentiate the many characters in the story . The Jaggers tag is his habit of biting his forefinger, We discussed the source of the novel's title as Jaggers reveals to Pip that Pip has "great expectations". From the text, we noted Pip's inference that Miss Havisham is his secret benefactor. Matthew aptly suggested that having Miss Havisham as a secret benefactor was too obvious a choice for Dickens , and also perceptively predicted that as the novel is cast in the mold of the bildungsroman ,Pip will one day renounce his rise to fortune and deem it a misfortune. During the remainder of the session ,we focused on Dickens' satire of lawyers whom he portrays as pompous and more interested in protecting themselves than in serving their clients. HW- r.next two chapters/study guide.
We first discussed Matthew's homework interpreting a metaphorical phrase in the novel. Matthew did well in recognizing the passage related to social class distinctions ,and I elaborated on the metaphor by explaining how the metaphor reflects the ongoing theme in the novel that one's moral character manifests itself despite attempts to camouflage bad propensities with the veneer of social class. As the plot at times is complex with many characters, we then sorted through some of the ongoing events in the novel by clarifying the cause of the dispute between Joe and Orlick and the events leading up to Mrs Joe's attack. I additionally pointed out Dickens' use of sarcasm in describing the death of Mr Wopsle's great aunt who "conquered her confirmed habit of living." We noted how the secondary theme of forgiveness appears as Mrs Joe , even in her weakened mute state ,attempts to reconcile with Orlick even though it appears to the reader that it was in fact Orllck who attacked Mrs Joe. Again, we noted the white sail motif as symbolic of Pip's prospects which Pip associates with both Estella and Miss Havisham. HW r. ch 20/study guide.
We addressed the distinction between Pip the character and Pip the narrator. Matthew did well in recognizing that Pip the narrator is able to comment on his earlier life as he ,as narrator, is a wiser man who has learned from experience. In that regard, I reviewed the characteristics of the "bildungsroman" . We then examined the continuing theme of guilt and Dickens' satire of the senseless rules, norms and customs of the upper class and of the judicial system. As the novel is a story of Pip's search of self and identity, I next introduced the literary significance of identity as related to acquiring a new set of clothing .We discussed how Joe's true self or authentic self can not be disguised or covered up even as he dresses in his best outfit to meet Miss Havisham. Clothing in the novel becomes a symbol of self or an attempt to cover or hide one's true self. Last, we examined how Pip's moral decline is symbolically tied to the rot and decay of Satis House and Miss Havisham. Pip has become ashamed of Joe and his life as a blacksmith's apprentice living at the forge.
Jaydn completed a writing assignment based on the novel "Where the Crawdads Sing". She was required to complete a 3 paragraph essay with a thesis statement followed with details and elaboration to support her writing.
Matthew took a test on Chapters 1-6 during today's session. After Matthew completed the exam, we discussed the metaphorical significance of Satis House by examining Dickens' detailed descriptions of the house and the surrounding garden and noting how those same adjectives describe Miss Havisham. HW read chapters 12-17 for Tuesday's class./study guide.
