Reflective Essay Blog

A Reflective essay expresses the writer's thoughts and feelings in response to a personal experience, idea, or topic.  Both nonfiction pieces that were read in class "Before Hip-Hop Was Hip-Hop" and "A Celebration of Grandfathers" were reflective essays though the authors' styles were drastically different.  Reflective essays are typically based on very personal topics and therefore take on a tone that is equally personal and passionate.  However, the each author's approach to syntax and diction varies greatly.  For example, "Before Hip-Hop Was Hip-Hop" was written very informally using diction that contained slang terms in order to honestly capture the Hip-Hop culture the author experienced.  The syntax (sentence structure) was diverse and even included single word sentences such as "Loyalty" to add emphasis at key moments.  "A Celebration of Grandfathers" by Rudolfo A. Anaya, was piece with a similarly personal topic however the tone was more serious and respectful.  In order to show his respect for his culture he chose diction that was authentic to his grandfather's culture.  
For this blog assignment, compose a reflective essay.  The topic is completely open with the exception that it should  contain your thoughts and feelings in response to a personal experience, idea, or topic.  Your syntax (sentence structure) should be guided by the tone you are trying to achieve based on the topic.  You should select diction (word choice) that achieves your particular tone as well.  For example, if I am writing a reflective essay on my "spirited" childhood growing up in the woods of Port Tobacco, Maryland (yes, I spent my childhood there!) then my tone would be playful and joyous.  Therefore, I would  organize my thoughts, structure my sentences, and choose diction that really captures this overall attitude towards by subject (tone).  Choose your topic wisely and you will see how easily you can get lost in the art of writing about a personal experience of your choice!

***Bonus Blog***

Rouben Mamoulian, the director of the 1931 film adaptation of "Jekyll and Hyde", changed many aspects of Robert Louis Stevenson's novella.  One difference that stands out among the rest is the way women are presented in the film in comparison to the original story.  In the film, Jekyll/Hyde's transgressions and sins are almost exclusively connected to women.  In this blog post, examine the similarities and differences in the way that women are portrayed in the book versus the film.  Why, in your opinion, did Mamoulian choose these particular areas of the plot to change?  What might he have been trying to express through these alterations?  Be sure to use specific details from both the movie and the novella when making your points.  ***Hint, you might want to do some research on the 1931 film in order to get some ideas.

Blog Assignment # 4: Persuasive Argument

Sir Danvers Carew, a Member of Parliament, was brutally murdered.  A young woman said she saw Mr. Hyde commit this heinous act.  There were no other witnesses.  In this writing assignment, Mr. Hyde is entitled to trial by a jury of London citizens.  You are to act either as the defense (for Mr. Hyde) or the prosecution (against Mr. Hyde).  Your asssignment is to write a closing argument to the jury.  (This is the lawyer's final summary of his/her case and the best efforts at persuading the jury to his/her side.)

Blog Assignment # 3: Character/Theme

Which character from "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" are you most drawn to and why?  How does this character represent or reinforce a theme that Stevenson might have been trying to convey?

"Story of the Door" Reaction

Think of a memorable moment from the chapter "Story of the Door" in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  What does this moment make you think about.  What connections can you make to some of the information you have read about in the prereading articles?  What themes are potentially implied through this moment in the text?

Sample: 

Throughout the book, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, several moments catch the reader's attention.  One such moment that stood out to me when reading the chapter, "Story of the Door" was when Enfield is relaying his story about the door to Mr. Utterson.  When he finishes telling the story, Mr. Utterson asks Enfield if he has ever further investigated the building with the door to find out more about its occupant. 

Mr. Enfield's response is quite interesting to me.  He responds with, "No sir:  I had a delicacy/I feel very strongly about putting questions; it partakes too much of the style of the day of judgement.  You start a question, and it's like starting a stone.  You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others; and presently some bland old bird (the last you would have thought of) is knocked on the head in his own back garden and the family have to change their name."

This moment in the text truly reflects the Victorian society and what it values.  I remember reading that the Vicotorian society valued manners.  Mr. Enfield's reluctance to investigate this house any further is mostly due to not wanting to upset the other members of his class or community "and presently some bland old bird is knocked on the head in his own back garden and the family have to change their name."  This moment also highlights the fact that one person of the upper class has the power, through inquiry and rumors, to entirely ruin another person's reputation and ultimately their whole family's liveliness.  Enfield seems to be apprehensive when it comes to confrontation of the social problem of the building with the door because he is afraid of the societal reprecussions. 
According to the article "The Victorian Age," novelists of this time period, including Robert Louis Stevenson, relished in exposing the cruelty of society "therefore they described the society as it was, in order to make readers realise social injustices".  I believe the "social injustice" that Stevenson was trying to expose in this passage from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was that Victorian society's obsession with reputation and status was very daunting to people who were just trying to do the right thing.  Confrontation is never easy, but in this society is had catastrophic consequences.

Jekyll & Hyde Pre Reading Assignment

You are about to begin reading the infamous tale "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson.  The setting for the story is London, sometime in the 1800s.  The descriptions are those of typical 19th century life.  In order to gain some background knowledge before reading, choose one of the five non-fiction articles I have provided under the title "Jekyll and Hyde Links".  After you have read the article, compose a blog post that includes the following:  Summarize what you have learned, discuss the central point of the article, and explain your reaction to the information you have learned.  Your reaction to the information might discuss how you believe this information might influence you as you read the novella, whether you agree or disagree with certain points, or whether this piece has influenced your ideas on various topics. 
**If at any point you are confused and/or need clarification on this assignment, please leave a comment on my page and I will respond to you.  As always, put your best effort in at all times!!