Evil women?

Well, after our lesson today I've been thinking about the wonderful array of characters we have read about in just one term! The cast of women include the brave Betty, smart and savvy Jennifer; Esther, Joan, and tough but fair JayCee, and Mrs Greenwood, and Dodo Conway; John Donne's love who forever draws him back to her, Shakespeare's Mistress who is a very earthly and earthy woman; Marvell's reluctant Coy Mistress ( I wonder if she gave in?). Soon we will add Cordelia and Regan and Goneril.
That's just the A-List of women, and only in our set texts! There are also the times and places (ie social and historical contexts), and the men and the relationships. And the language. And so much more in your own wider reading. No wonder we're all feeling a little exhausted ( but much much wiser!)
Have just read an old (2004) but interesting article from the Sydney Morning Herald on the dangers of studying Shakespeare by placing a reading over the play which in effect limits the linguistic fetures, the message, the original beauty of the writing. I've attempted to hyper link it here, who knows if that will work. If it doesn't, it's at www. smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/27, and it's titled "Friends, Romans, Marxists..."

Happy Break, hope Easter Bunny leaves you something - perhaps a book rather than chocolate? Now that would be lovely. JC

Marvell.

Hi everyone, and thanks Elisha and Rosa for your posts - I'll wait for your classmates to respond to you!
There is another link I've added to the list, this one is the link to Virtual Lit and specifically the section on "To His Coy Mistress". It's interesting to read these ideas and analysis, but don't think of them as the definitive "answer" to a poem. Sometimes they serve to limit the scope of, and one's reading of, a poem, so read them with an open mind. Read and consider them for how they can expand and compliment your understanding of the poem. Having said that, the detail here is wonderful.
Bon weekend, enjoy the sunshine.

A blog for you to browse in your idle moments

Hi,
I've just read an interesting article by Michelle Smith in today's Age, about the latest incarnation of Alice, courtesy of Tim Burton. There was a link to Michelle's blog and her website - what a great find!
There are links to dozens of other related literary sites, largely based around girls' literature and the representation of girls and women in literature. Much of the writing is on Victorian fiction. The illustrations reproduced are fascinating. Hope you enjoy it - let me know what you find there, or what you think! The link is listed on the Blog list here.
JC

The Bell Jar resource

Hello, There is one copy on the Clonard library shelves of "The Bell Jar" analysis and chapter summaries, by Barry Spurr. I also have a copy.
This is useful especially for looking at recurring themes, and language.
Although the text is always your main resource, please keep your eye out for criticism and analysis. Don't forget that, up until about 10 years ago, all reviews, analysis, criticism and discussion was published and on library shelves, not accessed on the internet! So there's stacks of academic writing out there.
JC

Welcome...

to our year 11 blog about all things literary. Not only about the books we're reading, but the authors, their society, related movies, criticisms, newspaper articles, radio programmes - anything that we can share to enrich our literature studies. Of course, this does not exclude the trivial and frivolous detail that we all find as we trawl the net, wander through bookstores, watch the tele, and pore over poetry books, texts, and magazines.

Please use this blog to alert all your fellow literature classmates of anything of interest you see, read, hear. Most importantly, please contribute your thoughts and opinions about our current texts. Ask questions, seek clarification, comment on where you're at!

I will be posting and will require you to respond at least once a week - not to me specifically, but you must be accessing this blog and contributing. This is a social classroom, so, just as in class, we all need to hear each otehrs voices!

This site is not for you to answer questions I pose (that will happen occasionally), but for all of us to share what we learn, and how we learn, and what we love, and what we - um - maybe don't love but hopefully find interesting nonetheless!

Please post a comment to let everyone know that you've visited your 11 Blog About Lit.

Happy reading, and blogging, JC