Friday, March 2, 2018

Period 11 Blog #19

Your comment post should be at least 360 words this week due Tuesday by 11:59 pm and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Thursday at 11:59 pm.
Color Symbolism in Literature: What Do Colors Mean in Literature and Poetry?

Colors have been used in stories since as early as the first story was told. Writers and poets use colors to create concrete images of their characters, scenes and events. Language itself uses a system of symbols, either verbal or written. Therefore, color symbolism in literature imparts a deeper meaning to the words which, in turn, help transform the written content into a more powerful instrument. However, writers and poets have the poetic license to use different colors in a manner that create different meanings in their work.

Let us study different colors and what they mean in different forms of literature across the world.

Color symbolism in fairy tales

The best places in literature to study color symbolism are the Fairy tales which used colors richly: examples include: As red as blood, as white as snow, as black as the crow etc-all of which evoke emotional responses and help develop a connection to the story.

The tale of Snow White is one of the best examples that depicts color symbolism: it uses Red, White and Black dominantly where White represents Heaven, Red represents spilling of blood and an enticing-yet-poisoned apple while Black shows regeneration.

Color symbolism in Gothic literature

Gothic Literature is known for its use of Red and Black as the symbolism associated with these colors really draw the readers in to evoke an emotional response while creating an atmosphere.

· Red color meaning in Gothic literature- According to a study published in 2004 by psychology majors in Alabama, red is a very dominant color which can have an exciting and stimulating effect. Based on circumstances, Gothic writers use it for drawing both positive and negative emotions. These include, typically, passion and warmth and aggression or intensity. Red is also the color of fire and blood and can symbolize energy, war, danger, strength, determination, passion, as well as love. Red is known to trigger and enhance appetite and metabolism, raise the rate of respiration and also increase blood pressure. It has high visibility and is used to symbolize danger.

· Black color meaning in Gothic literature– Black, on the other hand, is used in Gothic literature to symbolize evil, death, power, formality, elegance, mystery and fear. Black also has negative connotations especially in poetry, and when combined with red or orange can create a highly aggressive color scheme.

With these emotions attached to red and black, Gothic literature uses these as staple colors for literary needs.

Symbolism of green color in literature and poems

As per the 2004 color study, green in literature and poems is used for symbolizing both a ‘riveting’ and ‘relaxing’ effect. Green represents feelings of refreshment and is also associated with feelings of hope. Green (in poetry) is used for representing nature, harmony, freshness, fertility but also ambition, greed and jealousy.

Symbolism of the color yellow in literature

Yellow is associated with joy, happiness, intellect and energy. It is a stimulating color that represents honor, loyalty, and stimulates mental activity. It is also an unstable color associated with cowardice and mental illness. Avoid using this color if you want to portray stability and safety in your work.

Symbolism of blue color in literature

Blue color in literature is mainly used to draw a positive emotional response and is typically associated with the feeling of calmness, peace, happiness, relaxation, comfort. On the negative side, it may be used to represent depression, sadness and gloominess.

According to the color theory, writers and poets use Blue to depict trust, loyalty, wisdom, faith, confidence, truth and heaven.

Symbolism of the color pink

Pink, which is a shade of red, is used in literature to denote romance, love, friendship, possessiveness as well as feminine or girly qualities.

Other colors in literature

· White-Innocence, virginity, purity

· Purple-Royalty, wealth

· Orange-Fiery or lust

· Aqua-Coolness, water

· Brown-Poverty, earth

And finally, we leave you with a few examples to help you better understand color symbolism in poems and literature.

1. The devil with its fiery eyes emerged from the dark pit, its evil eyes and terrifying red horns enough to scare the living lights of the viewer. Naturally, you must have imagined a black devil with red horns and tongue, since red and black are often used to portray evil and negative characters.

2. I lay upon the crisp green grass and watched the white wispy clouds as they floated across the serene blue skies. This scene must have naturally brought images of summer, a beautiful meadow or grassy yard, and you were also probably left with a feeling of tranquility and peace.

As is evident, color symbolism in literature does not just serve as character information but is also a way of informing a reader about a scene without going into too many details. With basic understanding of what a color represents, a reader can even create a stronger bond with the characters for a richer reading experience.

-What prominent colors have we seen so far in our reading of The Great Gastby? (hint: think about the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg & the light at the end of Daisy’s dock). After reading this article what might these various colors symbolize in the text?

-If you were to write your autobiography using heavy color symbolism, what colors do you think would show up most often? Why?

-Did this article help you understand the ways that authors use colors symbolically in their writing? Explain why or why not.

Period 9/10 Blog #19

Your comment post should be at least 350 words this week due Tuesday by 11:59 pm and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Thursday at 11:59 pm.

Is It Harder to Grow Up in the 21st Century Than It Was in the Past?

Student Opinion

By NATALIE PROULX MARCH 2, 2018

Yale students gathered for a class about happiness in January. CreditMonica Jorge for The New York Times

Note: This question was suggested by Jordyn, 14, from Westfield, N.J. Do you have an idea for a Student Opinion question we might ask? Post a comment here, or write to LNFeedback@nytimes.com.

_________

In your opinion, what is it like to be a teenager today?

In “A Generation Emerging From the Wreckage,” David Brooks writes:

I’ve been going around to campuses asking undergraduate and graduate students how they see the world. Most of the students I’ve met with so far are at super-competitive schools — Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago and Davidson — so this is a tiny slice of the rising generation. Still, their comments are striking.

The first thing to say is that this is a generation with diminished expectations. Their lived experience includes the Iraq war, the financial crisis, police brutality and Donald Trump — a series of moments when the big institutions failed to provide basic security, competence and accountability. “We’re the school shooting generation,” one Harvard student told me. Another said: “Wall Street tanked the country and no one got punished. The same with government.”

I found little faith in large organizations. “I don’t believe in politicians; they have been corrupted. I don’t believe in intellectuals; they have been corrupted,” said one young woman at Yale. I asked a group of students from about 30 countries which of them believed that the people running their country were basically competent. Only one young man, from Germany, raised a hand. “The utopia of our parents is the dystopia of our age,” a Harvard student said, summarizing the general distemper.

It’s not that the students are hopeless. They are dedicating their lives to social change. It’s just that they have trouble naming institutions that work. A number said they used to have a lot of faith in the tech industry, but they have lost much of it. “The Occupy strategy was such a visible failure, it left everyone else feeling disillusioned,” one lamented. “We don’t even have a common truth. A common set of facts,” added another.

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:

— In your own experience as a young person growing up today, does Mr. Brooks’s understanding of your generation ring true for you? Why or why not?

— In what people, organizations or institutions do you place your faith and hope for the future, if any at all? Why do you think these groups have the power to make positive changes in our society and culture?

— What particular issues do you think are unique to your era — things that previous generations did not have to deal with as teenagers? Which of these do you consider to be the “defining challenge” of your generation and why?

— Overall, do you think it is harder to grow up in the 21st century than it was in the past? Why or why not?

— Compare growing up now to what it was like for Jem and Scout in TKAM, what is similar? What has changed? Which is better? Explain.

Period 4/5 Blog #19

Let us study different colors and what they mean in different forms of literature across the world.

Color symbolism in fairy tales

Color symbolism in Gothic literature

Gothic Literature is known for its use of Red and Black as the symbolism associated with these colors really draw the readers in to evoke an emotional response while creating an atmosphere.

With these emotions attached to red and black, Gothic literature uses these as staple colors for literary needs.

Symbolism of green color in literature and poems

Symbolism of the color yellow in literature

Symbolism of blue color in literature

According to the color theory, writers and poets use Blue to depict trust, loyalty, wisdom, faith, confidence, truth and heaven.

Symbolism of the color pink

Pink, which is a shade of red, is used in literature to denote romance, love, friendship, possessiveness as well as feminine or girly qualities.

Other colors in literature

· White-Innocence, virginity, purity

· Purple-Royalty, wealth

· Orange-Fiery or lust

· Aqua-Coolness, water

· Brown-Poverty, earth

And finally, we leave you with a few examples to help you better understand color symbolism in poems and literature.

-If you were to write your autobiography using heavy color symbolism, what colors do you think would show up most often? Why?

-Did this article help you understand the ways that authors use colors symbolically in their writing? Explain why or why not.

Period 3 Blog #19

Let us study different colors and what they mean in different forms of literature across the world.

Color symbolism in fairy tales

Color symbolism in Gothic literature

Gothic Literature is known for its use of Red and Black as the symbolism associated with these colors really draw the readers in to evoke an emotional response while creating an atmosphere.

With these emotions attached to red and black, Gothic literature uses these as staple colors for literary needs.

Symbolism of green color in literature and poems

Symbolism of the color yellow in literature

Symbolism of blue color in literature

According to the color theory, writers and poets use Blue to depict trust, loyalty, wisdom, faith, confidence, truth and heaven.

Symbolism of the color pink

Pink, which is a shade of red, is used in literature to denote romance, love, friendship, possessiveness as well as feminine or girly qualities.

Other colors in literature

· White-Innocence, virginity, purity

· Purple-Royalty, wealth

· Orange-Fiery or lust

· Aqua-Coolness, water

· Brown-Poverty, earth

And finally, we leave you with a few examples to help you better understand color symbolism in poems and literature.

-If you were to write your autobiography using heavy color symbolism, what colors do you think would show up most often? Why?

-Did this article help you understand the ways that authors use colors symbolically in their writing? Explain why or why not.

Period 1 Blog #19

Your comment post should be at least 350 words this week due Tuesday by 11:59 pm and you will be responsible for responding (respectfully) to one of your classmates in at least a one paragraph reply entries by Thursday at 11:59 pm.

Is It Harder to Grow Up in the 21st Century Than It Was in the Past?

Student Opinion

By NATALIE PROULX MARCH 2, 2018

Note: This question was suggested by Jordyn, 14, from Westfield, N.J. Do you have an idea for a Student Opinion question we might ask? Post a comment here, or write to LNFeedback@nytimes.com.

_________

In your opinion, what is it like to be a teenager today?

In “A Generation Emerging From the Wreckage,” David Brooks writes:

I’ve been going around to campuses asking undergraduate and graduate students how they see the world. Most of the students I’ve met with so far are at super-competitive schools — Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago and Davidson — so this is a tiny slice of the rising generation. Still, their comments are striking.

The first thing to say is that this is a generation with diminished expectations. Their lived experience includes the Iraq war, the financial crisis, police brutality and Donald Trump — a series of moments when the big institutions failed to provide basic security, competence and accountability. “We’re the school shooting generation,” one Harvard student told me. Another said: “Wall Street tanked the country and no one got punished. The same with government.”

I found little faith in large organizations. “I don’t believe in politicians; they have been corrupted. I don’t believe in intellectuals; they have been corrupted,” said one young woman at Yale. I asked a group of students from about 30 countries which of them believed that the people running their country were basically competent. Only one young man, from Germany, raised a hand. “The utopia of our parents is the dystopia of our age,” a Harvard student said, summarizing the general distemper.

It’s not that the students are hopeless. They are dedicating their lives to social change. It’s just that they have trouble naming institutions that work. A number said they used to have a lot of faith in the tech industry, but they have lost much of it. “The Occupy strategy was such a visible failure, it left everyone else feeling disillusioned,” one lamented. “We don’t even have a common truth. A common set of facts,” added another.

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:

— In your own experience as a young person growing up today, does Mr. Brooks’s understanding of your generation ring true for you? Why or why not?

— Overall, do you think it is harder to grow up in the 21st century than it was in the past? Why or why not?

— Compare growing up now to what it was like for Jem and Scout in TKAM, what is similar? What has changed? Which is better? Explain.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Period 1 Blog #18

Why ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Keeps Getting Banned

By Becky Little

A school board’s decision to remove To Kill a Mockingbird from eighth grade curriculums in Biloxi, Mississippi, is the latest in a long line of attempts to ban the novel. Since its publication in 1960, the novel about a white lawyer’s defense of a black man against a false rape charge by a white woman has become one of the most frequently challenged books in the U.S.

Typically, challenges to the book over the past century have usually cited the book’s strong language, discussion of sexuality and rape, and use of the n-word.

“The Biloxi School Board “just says it ‘makes people uncomfortable.’” This argument is unconvincing because “the whole point to classics is they challenge the way we think about things.”

One of the earliest and most prominent challenges was in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1966. In that instance, the school board said it would remove the book from county schools, citing the book’s mention of rape and charged that the novel was “immoral.” The board changed its decision, however, after residents complained about it in letters to local papers. One of the most prominent critics of the decision was Lee herself, who wrote a letter that began “Recently I have received echoes down this way of the Hanover County School Board’s activities, and what I’ve heard makes me wonder if any of its members can read.”

Into the 1970s and 1980s, school boards and parents continued to challenge the book for its “filthy” or “trashy” content and racial slurs. Over time, attempts to ban the book shifted from removing it from school libraries to removing the book from school curriculums, as is the case with Biloxi (the city will keep the book in school libraries).

The book, though imperfect, can spark important discussions among students about racial tolerance.

Moving Beyond the Ban Discussion

Many have denounced Biloxi’s ban by citing the book’s message of racial tolerance. Still others have taken a slightly different approach. Writer Kristian Wilson argues that although the novel shouldn’t be banned from schools, its use as a teaching tool should be reassessed.

“Lee’s is not the best book to teach white kids about racism, because it grounds its narrative in the experiences of a white narrator and presents her father as the white savior,” she writes.

Again, this doesn’t mean that To Kill a Mockingbird shouldn’t be taught in schools. But it does suggest that teachers should encourage their students to think critically about the text as whole.

-What are the various reasons that people have been trying to ban To Kill a Mockingbird for years?

- Do you agree books that make people uncomfortable should be banned? Or do they make people uncomfortable with the purpose of teaching them something? Explain your response.

-Based on this article, can you make any predictions about To Kill a Mockingbird? Do we know what kind of case Atticus might be dealing with later on in the book?