Transcendental Music

The following three songs feature elements of Transcendentalism. Provide examples from the lyrics of each song to argues for how each qualifies as Transcendental. Have fun. 

America's "Identity Crisis"

America's "Identity Crisis" is the title for an editorial piece from the Washington Times. The article references a research study from the Bradley Project on America's National Identity is being weakened by the spread of multiculturalism and globalization.

Please read the article and provide a 250-500 word response to the piece. Your response should either agree or disagree with what the study and the article is proposing. Be sure to reference/cite the article when providing explanations for your position.

Also, here is a fun depiction of modern American society via social media.

 

 

 

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"The Crucible" and Edward R. Murrow

Listen to Edward R. Murrow's monologue, and consider what he is saying about freedom. Find three statements from Murrow and discuss how they are applicable to the events of The Crucible. Be very specific and reference examples from the play when making your connections. Write a 250-500 response that applies Murrow's words to the events of Salem in 1692 that are presented through Miller's drama. . . Good night and good luck.

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Forgiving One's Father: "Smoke Signals"

 

Where have we seen a similar message of forgiving one's father or the importance of forgiveness? Think Summer Readings. Why is forgiveness particularly important from the Native American perspective? Think about A Drug Called Tradition.

Write a 250-500 response that focuses on why it is importance of forgiveness in one's life. Also consider what the dangers are if one does not forgive. Briefly explain how forgiveness was important in any of summer readings (pick one). In a similar way, elaborate on the importance of forgiveness within Native American culture (reference A Drug Called Tradition to prove this point).

 

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"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury

In the Bradbury short story, The Veldt, the reader is confronted with shocking realities and event more shocking virtual realities. We see children obsessed with technology. Parents with essentially no control over their children. A family rendered entirely helpless and fully dependent on their "Happy Life Home." Intimate relationships and communication between family members seems a thing of the past. And, of course, most shocking of all are the children's murderous reaction to the threat of their "nursery" being shut off.

As much as we might see this short story as a hyperbolic example of the dangers of technology, hasn't this argument been made for decades and hasn't the number of parents murdered by their children stayed about the same throughouot these many decades? In other words, aren't these fears over-blown and nothing more than adults midunderstanding the changing word around them. Doesn't every generation fear the downfall of the next generation, if not from technology, from some other "threatening" force? Perhaps every generation does do this, and that is the end of the conversation.

However, could one argue that this story has become more relevent today than it was the day of its publication? And, if so, could one also argue that technology is having a more profound effect on children today than ever before? And, if this too could be argued, could one also make the case that children are more dependent on technology today than ever before?

Today, I want you to consider the latter. Consider what your life would be like if you could not have a computer, the internet, a cell phone or a wireless device for a year. Do you think you would have a difficult time adjusting to this change? What would you do instead of using these luxuries? After providing a paragraph or two responding to this hyperthetical scenerio, develop an argument around the idea that technology today is creating a generation of individuals who are more dependent on technology than ever before. Provide personal or general examples to support your argument. Finally, directly reference The Veldt somewhere in your response.

Please write a 500 word response to today's prompt. Have fun.

 

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Welcome to American Literature

Before you start blogging, you need an official Blogger Account.

Above, I posted a video that shows the simple process of creating an account. If you already have an active gmail or yahoo mail account, you will not need to create a new username or password. Anyone using a different email service, may need to create a gmail account in order to sign up. Again, the video will walk you through the process.

Once you have signed up and created your own personal blog, feel free to customize your blog's layout, fonts, colors, etc. It is your blog so make speak to who are. My only request is that the color schemes and fonts do not inhibit one's ability to read your blog posts (avoid neon or colors that lack contrast). Thank you.

At this point, you should be ready to start writing.

So, in order to acclimate yourself with the functions and capabilities that blogger has to offer, I'd like you to write a test post. Here are the requirements:

• Write about something that you did this summer. It can be about anything as long as it is school appropriate. 150-200 words.
• Post a picture of yourself.
• Post a link to an article or a relevant webpage (possibly one related to what you wrote about).
• Post a youtube video (does not matter if its relevant, but it would be cool if it was).
• Then, if you haven't already, add a TITLE to your post.
• Then, "publish" the post to your blog.

Keep in mind, this is your first writing assignment so make a good first impression. Write in complete sentences. Focus on getting the basics down and write clearly. Most importantly, have fun!

There are 15 points available for your test post. Ten points for the write and five points for the rest.

GOOD LUCK!

 

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