The Assignments

In Addition to Reading . . .

1) We’ll continue with something that has worked pretty well over the last few years – a community blog. As you start your summer reading (and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you take a few days off after the close of this year), you’ll no doubt find yourself either with some questions or some trenchant observations. What to do?

Go to our class blog – “Summer Reading” at www.thssummerreading2009.blogspot.com. Post your comments. Read and respond to what your classmates are saying.

I expect that EVERYONE will post AT LEAST ONCE for EACH ASSIGNED BOOK, but hopefully a lot more.

2) You’ll also have to write a 2-5 page essay – the traditional “Five-Paragraph” Essay.

Now, by “five-paragraph”, I mean the traditional academic essay that starts with an intriguing introductory paragraph that concludes with a focused and definitive thesis. Then, the body of the paper that endeavors to prove the thesis (a minimum of three paragraphs, but it can certainly be more), and finally, the concluding paragraph, which restates the thesis and reviews the gist of the (three) paragraphs.

Mrs. Morrison tells me that she thinks you can do this: Experience tells me I should have some doubts. This is your chance to prove yourself right off the bat.

I’m leaving the topic pretty wide open. There are only two requirements.

1) Your paper needs to consider two of the three books.

2) Your topic needs to be something that can be fully discussed and explained within two to five pages. That means fairly narrow. Now, there are some superficial similarities between Moon for the Misbegotten and Enchanted Night -- the moon, a Connecticut shoreline town. But what do you do with the mannequin that comes to life? In The Beauty of the Lilies we meet a lapsed Presbyterian minister, a mailman, and a Hollywood starlet, among others. Is there a connection with Haverstraw, the 39-year old unpublished author who lives in his mother’s attic in Enchanted Night? That will be for you to determine.

[Warning: be sure to cite any and all sources consulted. Avoid plagiarism like the plague!]

The Essay will be due no later than Friday, August 28^th. It may be turned in early at:

jmacarthur@tolland.k12.ct.us

In the Beauty of the Lilies

In the handout that I gave you John Updike is called "one of America's greatest living writers". Well, unfortunately he passed away this last January.

In the Beauty of Lilies follows four generations of a family as they wrestle with faith and fame and trying to find their respective places in American Society. It's the longest of our summer reading selections, but don't worry. I'll be reading it with you (for, I believe, the third time).

The writing is not that difficult, and the plot moves right along -- but the characters and the dilemmas they face make this worth the time.

Enchanted Night

I'm not sure where I first encountered Stephen Millhauser. It might have been in the "New Fiction" section of the Farmington Public Library. I liked the title, and I liked the slight bulk of the book. I was in the mood for a quick read.

It's a book you could read in a single sitting -- but be careful. There are a lot of characters to follow around in the moonlight. I found it helpful to make notes in my book as I read.

By the way, the next full moon is July 7th. And then again on August 6th. Might be a good time to sit down and read (or re-read) the book at one fell swoop. And then. . .

A Moon for the Misbegotten

When it comes to standing ovations, I'm old-fashioned. I think they should be reserved for truly outstanding performances. Nothing bugs me more than people who sit in their seat a while, then decide "Yea, I guess it's worth a standing ovation." If you're not absolutely propelled out of your seat by a performance, then sit down.

When I saw A Moon for the Misbegotten a few years ago at the Hartford Stage Company, I leapt to my feet at the final curtain.

Here's why -- the love story, between Jim Tyrone and Josie Hogan, is beautiful, complex, and tormented. Now you take Romeo and Juliet: he was hot for her, she was hot for him; not much of a story, really. I can't tell you now about the nature of the characters or the relationship -- you'll have to discover that for yourself.


The play is set in Connecticut, of course. And the playwright, Eugene O'Neill is a Connecticut native. And he's a heavyweight.

Be sure to leave your name when you leave your response.

Watch this Space!!

Good Morning, Class!

Sometime over the next few days/weeks, I'll put up three new entries -- one for each of the summer reading selections. As you're reading, whenever the mood strikes you, leave your thoughts in the "Comments" section. (Be sure to leave your name, because this will later be reviewed for class credit.)

You'll also want to read and respond to what others are saying. Maybe you have a question that needs answering, or a question that can't really be answered, but you'd like to ask anyway.

I'll be looking over your shoulder from time to time, but unless explicitly invited I prefer to keep on the sidelines. You'll be hearing from me more than enough in the next school year.

By the way, if you hate this white on black, let me know. It can be changed. (I'm not sure myself.)

Mr. Mac