Jacob Riis Research Task

We read texts, watched videos and viewed images about the tenement issue in NYC during the turn of the century. You were tasked to read, research, and discuss the following prompts:

• Determine the central idea of “Genesis of the Tenement” and how Riis develops this idea over the course of the text.
• Examine the images in the textbook as well as the additional images (found in the Reading Resources) and determine how the images help support Riis’ claim in his essay.
• Watch the video, “America: The Story of Us - Jacob Riis.” Determine how the advancement of flash photography was able to help Riis prove his claim.
• Read the report on Child Mortality Rates. How does the chart support Riis’ claim? How does the format of the chart help create a context for the reader?

Answer each prompt below. Be sure to delineate which answer is which.

Whitman/Hughes Poetry Analysis

In the comment field below, write your answer to this question:

Read the Whitman and Hughes poems. Most critics believe Hughes’ poem was inspired by Whitman’s poem. Write an analysis comparing the poem’s theme, language and style to determine if there is a connection between the two texts.

Frederick Douglass Discussion

Here's today's discussion:

The Emancipation Proclamation was written 10 years after Douglass’ Fourth of July speech. Determine if the proclamation met the desires of Douglass based on his speech and narrative.

Put your response below if you didn't participate verbally.

Pit and the Pendulum Discussion

Per the norm, if you didn't participate in today's discussion, you must put your responses here to today's discussion questions:

• In lines 224-260, determine how the restoration of the narrator’s ability to see his prison changes his emotions about his prison.
• What effect does the narrator’s description of the pendulum’s movement have on the narrator? What does it have on the reader?
• How does Poe build suspense in this story? Describe how his use of figurative language and structure help create a sense of suspense in the reader.

"Minister's Black Veil" Discussion Questions for 11/21

If you didn’t participate verbally in class today, you must put your answer in writing.

Answer your group's discussion question:

• What is the significance of line 195, “For the Earth, too, had a black veil”?
• In lines 345-365, how the does the veil benefit Mr. Hooper’s role as a minister?
• What themes do Mr. Hooper’s last words and the final image of the story suggest?
• What is the purpose of the symbolism of the black veil?

Anyone is allowed to comment. In addition, you can comment on other's comments and keep the discussion going.

Good luck!

Shortest Story/Poem

Ernest Hemingway is claimed to have written one of the

Hemingway/Wikipedia

shortest stories ever. It's not sure if it was him or if his story was original (which really it isn't if Wikipedia is to be believed), but the story itself is pretty powerful - and in just 33 characters:

For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.

Is this a story? If so, what is it about?

"The Minister's Black Veil" - 11/19 Discussion Questions

Here are today's discussion question:

• How would you characterize the townspeople based on their reactions to the minister’s veil?
• Read lines 63-98. Analyze the selection and cite evidence that helps convey a possible theme.

Answer the questions in the comment field below if you didn't participate verbally.