We reviewed a list of new vocabulary from this year: haughty, belligerent, callous, disconsolate, empathetic, fallible, epiphany, layered plot, chattel, schadenfreude, mirth satire, farce.
We took notes on "character" and I laid out a plan on what to do when a teacher asks you to write about character.
1. determine one or more traits that help to define the character
2. scan the text to look for examples or scenes that exemplify that character trait
3. infer or interpret something about that character
Then I used Ruana as an example
1. I said that I thought she was detached and aloof and maybe mysterious
2. I recalled the scene where Jack goes to her house to speak with her son
3. I thought about Ruana and realized that Sebold uses Ruana's detached, almost haughty nature to help contrast, and thus further reinforce, Jack's determine to keep his family together and emotionally attached.
Students were told that their next assignment was going to be discuss a character from the novel -- at this point, it could be almost any major character.
We'll work on this during Thursday's long block.
Monday: First half test -- students will need to have read up to end of chapter 13
