Hi Class,

 

UPDATE:

TO POST YOUR DRAFT: It is a  similar process to what you did for the Coffeehouse posts: you write a post and then select the sub-category: First Draft Midterm Essay. Simply paste your essay into the post field, select that category and you should be good to go.
Best,
Sean

 

Thanks for the lively and engaged discussion. I think our three concepts (Sacrifice, Redemption, Revenge) will prove helpful for examining our stories and films. That said, I’m going to bring a couple more concepts for next week.

The homework assignment is at the bottom of this post.

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Basic college level thesis:

While X, I think Y.

For Example:

THESIS: While the plot of the film version of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” is similar to Ambrose Bierce’s text version, the use of non-diegetic music and the lack of any voices make this translation radical, according to Linda Cahir’s definition.

METHOD:  In order to prove this, I will first compare the dialogue between Peyton Farquar and the Union solder and the sign that is displayed in the beginning of the film. Second, I will explore the music that matches the interior emotions of Peyton. Lastly, I will discuss what the film loses and gains by leaving out dialogue and voice over narration.

Note: A method statement is usually numbered and reveals a small number of points. [2-5]

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Three Terms for Today: SACRIFICE, REDEMPTION, REVENGE

Remember: The foundation of each of these terms is an exchange. Always ask what the nature of exchange is; what is given and what is gained?

Remember: Motivation is very important to all three terms. What is the motivating action or event or thought that leads a character to sacrifice, seek redemption, or seek revenge?

1– SACRIFICE

Verb

sacrifice (third-person singular simple present sacrifices, present participle sacrificing, simple past and past participle sacrificed)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To offer(something) as a gift to a deity.
  2. (transitive) To give away (something valuable) to get at least a possibility of gaining something else of value (such as self-respect, trust, love, freedom, prosperity), or to avoid an even greater loss. quotations ▼

Venison has many advantages over meat from factory farms, although it still requires a hunter to sacrifice the life of a deer.

  1. (transitive) To trade (a value of higher worth) for something of lesser worth in order to gain something else valued more, such as an ally or business relationship, or to avoid an even greater loss; to sell without profit to gain something other than money. quotations ▼
  2. (transitive,chess) To intentionally give up (a piece) in order to improve one’s position on the board.
  3. (transitive,baseball) To advance (a runner on base) by batting the ball so it can be caught or fielded, placing the batter out, but with insufficient time to put the runner out.
  4. (dated,tradesmen’s slang) To sell at a price less than the cost or actual value.
  5. To destroy; to kill.

 

2–REDEMPTION:

Noun

redemption (countable and uncountable, plural redemptions)

  1. The act of redeeming or something redeemed.
  2. The recovery, for a fee, of a pawned article.
  3. Salvation from sin.
  4. Rescue upon payment of a ransom.

Verb

redeem (third-person singular simple present redeems, present participle redeeming, simple past and past participle redeemed)

  1. (transitive) To recover ownership of something by buying it back.
  2. (transitive) To liberate by payment of a ransom.
  3. (transitive) To set free by force. quotations ▼
  4. (transitive) To save, rescue
  5. (transitive) To clear, release from debt or blame
  6. (transitive) To expiate, atone (for)
  7. (transitive, finance) To convert (some bond or security) into cash
  8. (transitive) To save from a state of sin (and from its consequences).
  9. (transitive) To repair, restore
  10. (transitive) To reform, change (for the better)
  11. (transitive) To restore the honour, worth, or reputation of oneself or something.
  12. (transitive, archaic) To reclaim

Questions to ask: Who is doing the redeeming? Who has the power to redeem and who is blocked from redeeming others. Is someone blocked from seeking redemption. Can a person redeem themselves or does redemption come from the outside?

 

3–REVENGE:

Noun

revenge (usually uncountable, plural revenges)

  1. Any form of personal retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some alleged or perceived harm or injustice.
    Synonyms: payback, wreak; see also Thesaurus:revenge
    Indifference is the sweetest revenge.
    When I left my wife, she tried to set fire to the house in revenge.

2. A win by a previous loser.

 

 

Homework:

1–Finish reading the novel.

2–Write the first draft of the Midterm Essay and post it the menu tab: Midterm Essay —> First Draft. It should be at least 300 words. More directions can be found on the First Draft dropdown. The assignment details are posted on the Assignments menu tab.

Email any questions.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan