1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
a) mutant- The next level in human evolution; born with special powers that ordinary humans do not have.
b) X-Men- A team of mutants trained to protect the world from bad mutants and evil.
c) Professor X/Charles Xavier- Born as a mutant with the ability to read minds and to project his own thoughts into the brains of others. He was feared by ordinary people which motivated him to establish a school for X-Men.
d) Cyclops/Scott Summers- A mutant with beams in his eyes, that are protected by a head shield.
e) Iceman/Bobby Drake- A mutant who can freeze objects around him and turn his own body into ice.
f) Angel/Warren Worthington III- A mutant who has the ability to fly with the support of his feathered wings.
g) Beast/Hank McCoy- A mutant who possesses agility and superhuman physical strength.
h) Marvel Girl/Jean Grey- The only mutant girl member in the X-Men squad. She was born with telekinetic and telepathic powers.
i) Magneto- A powerful mutant with the ability to create electricity and magnetism. He was a former friend of Professor X, until disagreements of whether mutants can coexist with humans in society.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
“Here we stay unsuspected by normal humans as we learn to use our powers for the benefit of mankind… To help those who would distrust us if they knew of our existence!”
In an ordinary world, a group of mutants called the X-Men, utilizes their special powers to save the world from Magneto and other mutant threats. The X-Men was formed by Professor X, who was the first mutant in the world. His students are first trained in a private school before going for action. The requirement for this school is to have superhuman abilities.
Each of Professor X’s students obtain special different powers. They are very unique and helpful, which gives the X-Men an extra lift in action against other bad mutants. If one mutant is not able to successfully defeat his opponent using his own power, than his partner who has a distinctive power can be used affectively to finish the opponent. For example, when Angel could not dodge the missiles any longer, Beast came over to help him and employed his feet to hinder the missile before it hit Angel. The chemistry of the X-Men is worked out well by their excessive training. The main purpose of the X-Men is to save the world from all evil mutants.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capabale of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
What would happen if Professor X never established a school for the X-Men? Do you think the world would end up in the hands of Magneto and/or other evil mutants?
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Kathy M. “Inside Every Superhero Lurks A Nerd“ by Neal Gabler
In Spiderman, the main character, Peter Parker, is a teenager who is trying to fit in at high school just like many adolescents today. He is the protagonist of the story, or the character whose intentions are the primary source of focus. Unlike other superheroes who are either very wealthy, (like Batman) and charming, or from another planet yet still handsome and extroverted, (like Superman), Spiderman, is timid and usually invisible to others. With the shy nature of the character, we are not given the idea that “inside every nerd there lurks a superhero as much as the idea that inside every superhero there lurks a nerd.”
This movie is not only about “teenage dreams of power,” it is also about the adjustment to that power. In Spiderman, Peter Parker’s uncle tells him that with “power comes responsibility.” When adolescents watch this movie, they not only get escape, they also get the “exhilaration of hope through illusion of power.” Another reason that teenagers enjoy this movie is that the character utilizes his individualism for the “larger good” not just for selfish purposes.
How are the terms of “individuality” and “responsibility” portrayed in today’s entertainment compared to how it was portrayed in American culture?
This movie is not only about “teenage dreams of power,” it is also about the adjustment to that power. In Spiderman, Peter Parker’s uncle tells him that with “power comes responsibility.” When adolescents watch this movie, they not only get escape, they also get the “exhilaration of hope through illusion of power.” Another reason that teenagers enjoy this movie is that the character utilizes his individualism for the “larger good” not just for selfish purposes.
How are the terms of “individuality” and “responsibility” portrayed in today’s entertainment compared to how it was portrayed in American culture?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Geeta: "Icons" by Donald and Christine McQuade
1. Icon – Donald and Christine McQuade define icon as a recognizable symbol or representation, something that stands for something else; one thing is acting as a substitute or symbol for another; anything that has a greater meaning behind it. About everything can be utilized as an icon: an object (engagement ring), a word (love), a letter (the arched M), a person (Elvis Presley), a corporate logo (the Mercedes Benz star), a painting (Madonna and Child), a picture (Migrant Mother), an animal (Tony the Tiger), etc.
Symbolism – The word icon is an icon itself. It symbolizes all the things that can be an icon. Anything that is a symbol can be an icon.
Conflict – Almost anything can be an icon, which is why there is confliction of what the definition of the word. There’s a conflict of what a definition really is. Russell Baker states, “The term icon has escalated to ‘epidemic’ proportions”.
2. “The peace sign. The happy face. The four-leaf clover.
Glimpse at them for a split second, and you know exactly what they mean. Because behind every powerful icon lies a powerful idea.”
Donald and Christine McQuade point out that the term icon has altered through the years; it has altered through an expansion of the word. The word was once used as a “representation of a sacred figure”, but today the word is as an identification of a symbol or a person; it is another term for symbolism. An icon is a symbol that can differentiate what bathroom a male or female can use. An icon is a person that represents something important; Michael Jordan is an all around American icon, due to the fact that he is a professional basketball athlete and he also has his own sneaker line. He is a representation of hard work, success, and benefiting from what he’s done. An icon is a corporate logo, the Nike swoosh and even the Wendy’s girl (Wendy) with the red bangs and two pigtails. An icon is a painting, such as the Mona Lisa, contains beauty and magnificence, yet it represents uncertainty, through the artist’s talent of being able to trap the viewers with the uncertainty of whether Mona Lisa is smiling or grimacing. Superheroes are icons too; such as Superman and Spiderman, they are fictional characters who are secretly nerds who are overtaken by society yet when they change into “superhero mode” they are their city’s saviors. Therefore they represent the greater good.
Nevertheless, every icon, regardless of the type, whether it’s a person or a symbol, there is a greater meaning to every one of those icons.
3. Since there are many ways icon is expressed what is the true definition of an icon? What other ways can icon be expressed as? Is there an end to what an icon could be?
Symbolism – The word icon is an icon itself. It symbolizes all the things that can be an icon. Anything that is a symbol can be an icon.
Conflict – Almost anything can be an icon, which is why there is confliction of what the definition of the word. There’s a conflict of what a definition really is. Russell Baker states, “The term icon has escalated to ‘epidemic’ proportions”.
2. “The peace sign. The happy face. The four-leaf clover.
Glimpse at them for a split second, and you know exactly what they mean. Because behind every powerful icon lies a powerful idea.”
Donald and Christine McQuade point out that the term icon has altered through the years; it has altered through an expansion of the word. The word was once used as a “representation of a sacred figure”, but today the word is as an identification of a symbol or a person; it is another term for symbolism. An icon is a symbol that can differentiate what bathroom a male or female can use. An icon is a person that represents something important; Michael Jordan is an all around American icon, due to the fact that he is a professional basketball athlete and he also has his own sneaker line. He is a representation of hard work, success, and benefiting from what he’s done. An icon is a corporate logo, the Nike swoosh and even the Wendy’s girl (Wendy) with the red bangs and two pigtails. An icon is a painting, such as the Mona Lisa, contains beauty and magnificence, yet it represents uncertainty, through the artist’s talent of being able to trap the viewers with the uncertainty of whether Mona Lisa is smiling or grimacing. Superheroes are icons too; such as Superman and Spiderman, they are fictional characters who are secretly nerds who are overtaken by society yet when they change into “superhero mode” they are their city’s saviors. Therefore they represent the greater good.
Nevertheless, every icon, regardless of the type, whether it’s a person or a symbol, there is a greater meaning to every one of those icons.
3. Since there are many ways icon is expressed what is the true definition of an icon? What other ways can icon be expressed as? Is there an end to what an icon could be?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tiffany: "1408" by Stephen King
1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
Mr. Olin – 1408 is presumably a haunted room in the The Dolphins Hotel on the thirteenth floor. But because of hotel customary regulations, or more specifically superstitions, the twelfth floor is followed by the fourteenth floor to avoid the bad luck of the thirteenth floor. Mr. Olin is the hotel manager of The Dolphin who takes a special interest in Mike because he realizes that Mike does not believe a single word he writes in his horrific novels. “What concerned me – what frightened me – is that I found myself reading the work of an intelligent, talented man who doesn’t believe one single thing he has written” (King 372). Mr. Olin believes that Mike’s disbelief will only make him even more vulnerable to the horrors of room 1408. He makes every attempt to convince Mike to no avail. Mr. Olin shows further concern by visiting Mike after his encounter with room 1408. “I tried to persuade him not to go in,” Mr. Olin had explain to Mike’s lawyer.
Michael (Mike) Enslin – Room 1408 is the final component to Mike’s work as a horror author. Every novel Mike has ever published was inspired by his first hand experience of spending a night in the presumed haunted area. According to Mr. Olin, Mike’s disbelief in the supernatural may have protected him from previous encounters with human supernatural encounters such as ghosts. However, the presence in room 1408 is not human. Thus, Mike’s disbelief will only cause him to be more vulnerable. Nevertheless, Mike remains consistent to his rationale even when the door of room 1408 becomes tilted at the touch of the key. Mike weighs out his fears and insecurity through aggression towards Mr. Olin who he believes is mocking him from the security office. “This is Olin’s fault. Exactly what he wants. He built you up for it, buddy. He set you up for it. Man, how he’d laugh if he could see you.” In the end, Mike comes to accept the events that took place in room 1408 and even stops Rufus Dearborn from being drawn into room 1408.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
“Mr. Enslin, you don’t believe. Ghosts rarely appear to those who don’t believe in them, and when they do, they are rarely seen. Why, Eugene Rilsby could have bowled his severed head all the way down the front hall of his home, and you wouldn’t have heard a thing! … But you will. You will. Because there are no ghosts in room 1408 and never have been. There’s something in there – I’ve felt it myself – but it’s not a spirit presence. In an abandoned house or an old castle keep, your unbelief may serve you as a protection. In room 1408, it will only render you more vulnerable. Don’t do it, Mr. Enslin. That’s why I waited for you tonight, to ask you, to beg you, not to do it. Of all the people on earth who don’t belong in that room, the man who wrote those cheerful, exploitative true-ghost books leads the list.”
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial based upon a specific passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
Do our beliefs serve the purpose of protecting, confining, or making us vulnerable? In this short story, the protagonist’s beliefs are what kept protected him, until he found himself in a situation in which these very same beliefs are what made him vulnerable. How does this story alter our thoughts?
Mr. Olin – 1408 is presumably a haunted room in the The Dolphins Hotel on the thirteenth floor. But because of hotel customary regulations, or more specifically superstitions, the twelfth floor is followed by the fourteenth floor to avoid the bad luck of the thirteenth floor. Mr. Olin is the hotel manager of The Dolphin who takes a special interest in Mike because he realizes that Mike does not believe a single word he writes in his horrific novels. “What concerned me – what frightened me – is that I found myself reading the work of an intelligent, talented man who doesn’t believe one single thing he has written” (King 372). Mr. Olin believes that Mike’s disbelief will only make him even more vulnerable to the horrors of room 1408. He makes every attempt to convince Mike to no avail. Mr. Olin shows further concern by visiting Mike after his encounter with room 1408. “I tried to persuade him not to go in,” Mr. Olin had explain to Mike’s lawyer.
Michael (Mike) Enslin – Room 1408 is the final component to Mike’s work as a horror author. Every novel Mike has ever published was inspired by his first hand experience of spending a night in the presumed haunted area. According to Mr. Olin, Mike’s disbelief in the supernatural may have protected him from previous encounters with human supernatural encounters such as ghosts. However, the presence in room 1408 is not human. Thus, Mike’s disbelief will only cause him to be more vulnerable. Nevertheless, Mike remains consistent to his rationale even when the door of room 1408 becomes tilted at the touch of the key. Mike weighs out his fears and insecurity through aggression towards Mr. Olin who he believes is mocking him from the security office. “This is Olin’s fault. Exactly what he wants. He built you up for it, buddy. He set you up for it. Man, how he’d laugh if he could see you.” In the end, Mike comes to accept the events that took place in room 1408 and even stops Rufus Dearborn from being drawn into room 1408.
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
“Mr. Enslin, you don’t believe. Ghosts rarely appear to those who don’t believe in them, and when they do, they are rarely seen. Why, Eugene Rilsby could have bowled his severed head all the way down the front hall of his home, and you wouldn’t have heard a thing! … But you will. You will. Because there are no ghosts in room 1408 and never have been. There’s something in there – I’ve felt it myself – but it’s not a spirit presence. In an abandoned house or an old castle keep, your unbelief may serve you as a protection. In room 1408, it will only render you more vulnerable. Don’t do it, Mr. Enslin. That’s why I waited for you tonight, to ask you, to beg you, not to do it. Of all the people on earth who don’t belong in that room, the man who wrote those cheerful, exploitative true-ghost books leads the list.”
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial based upon a specific passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
Do our beliefs serve the purpose of protecting, confining, or making us vulnerable? In this short story, the protagonist’s beliefs are what kept protected him, until he found himself in a situation in which these very same beliefs are what made him vulnerable. How does this story alter our thoughts?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Lin: "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Ronald Dahl
Assigned Reading Lamb to the Slaughter
1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
Mary Maloney—the wife, the murderer
Patrick Maloney--Mary Maloney’s husband, a policeman, was killed by his wife.
A leg of lamb—the tool for killing the husband, finally was eaten by policemen
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
The wife waited her husband for a long time. After the husband getting home early in the morning, he felt tired and insisted not eat any food. And he wanted to end up their marriage and said “I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after.” The wife was shocked a lot. And she used the iced lame leg to kill the husband. She didn’t want to be in prison because she was pregnant. So she pretended to be normal and went to a grocery to buy something for her husband. After getting home she called the police. There was no development in the investigation. Nobody could find the weapon. At last, the wife treated the lamb leg to several policemen and because of this, the policemen realized that the leg lamb should be the weapon.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
What method does the author use to make this story horrible?
The last sentence, “and in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle”. Why did she giggle when she realized that the policemen had found the weapon?
What the meaning of the title “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
1. Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
Mary Maloney—the wife, the murderer
Patrick Maloney--Mary Maloney’s husband, a policeman, was killed by his wife.
A leg of lamb—the tool for killing the husband, finally was eaten by policemen
2. Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
The wife waited her husband for a long time. After the husband getting home early in the morning, he felt tired and insisted not eat any food. And he wanted to end up their marriage and said “I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after.” The wife was shocked a lot. And she used the iced lame leg to kill the husband. She didn’t want to be in prison because she was pregnant. So she pretended to be normal and went to a grocery to buy something for her husband. After getting home she called the police. There was no development in the investigation. Nobody could find the weapon. At last, the wife treated the lamb leg to several policemen and because of this, the policemen realized that the leg lamb should be the weapon.
3. Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
What method does the author use to make this story horrible?
The last sentence, “and in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle”. Why did she giggle when she realized that the policemen had found the weapon?
What the meaning of the title “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
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