We have/will talk in class about comparisons and contrasts between "Memphis Belle" and All Quiet. One line from the movie was "Those that I fight I do not hate, those I guard I do not love." (It was from the poem he read.) What are your feelings about that quote? Are there other things you want to say or point out about the movie? INFERNO MONDAY!!! This picture is of the historical people who flew this mission, not from the movie.
Well, I told you we would fly! :) This week will end our first unit, the All Quiet unit. I hope you all enjoyed the book and I am so looking forward to a wonderful seminar with you on Wednesday!
Below is the text for another of my favorite poems. This one speaks to the theme of people being enemies because of a word of command, instead of personal conflicts. Respond to this poem and relate it to both the book as well as any other war literature or movies. The Man He Killed ~Thomas Hardy "Had he and I but met By some old ancient inn, We should have sat us down to wet Right many a nipperkin! "But ranged as infantry, And staring face to face, I shot at him and he at me, And killed him in his place. "I shot him dead because – Because he was my foe, Just so – my foe of course he was; That's clear enough; although "He thought he'd 'list perhaps, Off-hand like – just as I – Was out of work – had sold his traps – No other reason why. "Yes; quaint and curious war is! You shoot a fellow down You'd treat if met where any bar is, Or help to half-a-crown."
Read the poem below by Wilfred Owen. Respond to it in some way and then make a connection between this poem and All Quiet. DULCE ET DECORUM EST by Wilfred Owen Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . . Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori. 8 October 1917 - March, 1918 If you liked this poem, search out other WWI poetry. Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brook are all good places to start. Poetry from this era is very interesting and realistic.
Newsweek articleClick on the link above to read an article from the February 18, 2008, edition of Newsweek. What are your thoughts?
We are ready, set, and GOING!!! This week will begin our first unit, All Quiet on the Western Front. I hope you love it as much as I do, but I will try not to have my feelings hurt if you don't. :)
Welcome, welcome to my new batch of English II Honors students! I am very much looking forward to this semester with you. I really and truly love this class and this curriculum and I just can't wait to share some of my favorites (and the work of some truly great writers!) with you! Two days into it, and you all seem like some really nice, bright people. :)
