Black Ships Before Troy

Black Ships Before Troy is a translation of an ancient and legendary story that exemplifies the situational archetype of the "task" or the "journey".  The journey sends the hero in search of some truth or information necessary to restore justice or harmony to the kingdom.  The journey includes a series of trials the hero must face which include sometimes superhuman "tasks" or feats that must be accomplished in order to fulfill the ultimate goal.  It also has qualities of the "quest" in which the protagonist or hero must search for someone or some talisman, which when found and brought back, will restore blessings to a suffering land - suffering which is reflected in the hero's disability or weakness.  Examine where these archetypes are present in the novel, Black Ships Before Troy.  Focus on one scene that demonstrates these archetypes.  (Make sure it's an exciting and distinctive part of the story.)  Examine the necessary plot elements of the scene you are focusing on (character, setting, sequence of events, conflict, theme, etc) and rewrite this scene in a modern setting.  First Paragraph:  Launch your rewritten story into the first series of action.  In 5-6 sentences, describe what is happening as your adventure begins.  Use specific details and make sure it reflects the archetype I mentioned above.  Second Paragraph:  What's the next important event in this scene?  Describe in 5-6 sentences what is happeinging as your adventure continues.  Keep on thinking "modern version".  Third Paragraph: Wrap up your final sequence of events in 5-6 sentences.  Use great details to bring your modern version of a scene in Black Ships to an end. How does the archetypal situation end?  Be sure to post anonymously but sign your name.  Can't wait to read your creative versions of this story!

January blog assignment:

Hey everybody - I mentioned having a blog to post by the Tuesday of first week back to school, but I am postponing the blog assignment until the 15th of January.  We are going to do a long blog post instead of a reading log assignment for this month. Assignment to be announced later...  Have a fabulous rest of vacation. - Mrs. Craig

Adventure Novel: Exposition (Beginning Situation)

We have studied about common archetypes of the hero's journey.  Another common situation archetype in literature involves the "task" archetype, which refers to a superhuman feat that must be accomplished in order to fulfill the ultimate goal. Describe the setting and the main character (the protagonist) in your "adventure" novel.  Explain how the setting contributes to the "task" archetype.  Also, predict what "task" the protagonist must complete to reach his/her ultimate goal.  If it has already been revealed what the protagonist's "task" is, explain what superhuman lengths he/she has to face in order to succeed in reaching his/her goal. (Be sure to introduce your blog with title and author. Use evidence from the novel to support your response.)

Initiation Experience in Empire of the Sun

The "Initiation" is an archetypical situation in which an individual comes into maturity.  He or she gains a new awareness into the nature of circumstances and problems and understands his or her responsibility for trying to resolve the dilemma.  Typically, a hero receives a calling, a message or signal that he or she must make sacrifices and become responsible for getting involved in the problem. Often a hero will deny and question the calling but ultimately, he/she will accept the responsibility.

In Empire of the Sun, what is the event in which Jim is "initiated?"  What is he like before the "initiation" and how does his life change after the "initiation?"  What are the advantages and disadvantages of his initiation?

Qualities of a Hero?

Justify/explain why your book selection meets the requirement of a book about a hero?  Be sure to include definitions of hero and examples/evidence from your book.

The Human Story - pages 101-106

As usual, make sure you respond to the following question using evidence from your study of ancient history and the reading from the book, The Human Story.  Make sure you respond individually and to another's comments.

Question:  Based on your reading and what you know about ancient history, what is the recipe for building an empire?  What is the recipe for the fall of an empire?  Give examples to support your answer.

The Human Story - pages 94-101

Respond to the following question thoroughly and completely.  Also, respond to at least one other person's post. A variety of ideas and content is important, so make sure your post is unique.

From what you have read and learned so far in class about Ancient Rome and the Ancient World,  how is the history of Ancient Rome similar to what we have studied about other ancient cultures and empires?  How is the history of Ancient Rome different from what we have studied about other ancient cultures?  Be specific in your responses by using evidence to support your answers.