Cyrano's Eulogy

This mini-project will be completed by the end of class on Thursday. Print and turn in to Ms. Gerig before the bell rings!

Product: Cyrano de Bergerac's Eulogy

Your product must:

• be typed, 500 words (2-2.5 pages, 12 pt Times New Roman or Arial font)
• be written in the voice of a character in the play--you can choose who you feel should deliver the eulogy.
• include research, using the sources below and one source from Gale.
• include a quote from the character, Cyrano (not just from the play; something the character Cyrano said).
• have a works cited, in MLA format.

Objectives

For this project, students will

• investigate the explore the connotations and denotations of the concept of "Honor."
• analyze the implications of how Cyrano's sense of honor affects his behavior, decision making, and the outcome of the play.
• demonstrate their understanding of the role that "Honor" plays in the character of Cyrano de Bergerac.
• synthesize ideas from several sources dealing with a single concept and connect them to other sources and related topics to demonstrate comprehension.
• extend ideas presented in primary or secondary sources through original analysis, evaluation, and elaboration.

Procedure:

Follow these steps!

1. Research at Dictionary.com Look for definitions and synonyms of "honor." Explore the connotations and denotations of "honor" using this information.
2. Research at The Quotations Page Search this page for quotes using the word "honor." What have other famous writers, actors, politicians, etc said about "honor?" Do any of these ideas resonate with Cyrano's idea of honor and it's place in life? Can you use any of these quotations in your eulogy?
3. Go to Gale Student Resources Use this database to find a source that will help you understand "honor," the historical time period this takes place, or the play itself.
4. Research at Eulogies with Love Read this tutorial on writing a eulogy. Use these ideas to start planning your Eulogy. At this point, you should choose the character who is going to be the voice of your eulogy for Cyrano!
5. NEXT: Write your eulogy. Check the specifications above to make sure you're meeting the specifications of the product.
6. FINALLY: Create a works cited for your project. Refer to Owl Online Writing Lab if you have questions or need some help creating your bibliography.

RUBRIC

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Clarity	Each sentence makes sense.	All but 3-4 sentences make sense.	All but 5-6 sentences make sense.	More than 6 sentences are unclear.
Mechanics	No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors	A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.	Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Sentence Length	Every paragraph has sentences that vary in length.	Almost all paragraphs have sentences that vary in length.	Some sentences vary in length.	Sentences rarely vary in length.
Organization	Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.	Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.	The information appears to be disorganized.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Creative	The paper contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The writer has gone the extra step.	The paper contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The writer has followed the requirements.	The paper contains a few creative details and/or descriptions; the writer has done the bare minimum for points.	There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.
Research and quotations	The eulogy contains research on the concept of “honor” and weaves it into the main theme of the piece.	The eulogy has some research and does attempt to incorporate it into the theme of the piece.	The eulogy has little research incorporated into the piece.	The eulogy does not incorporate research.
Works Cited	The works cited includes at least four sources and is formatted perfectly.	The works cited includes at least four sources and is formatted very well, with only 2-4 errors.	The works cited includes at least three sources and is formatted with only 5-10 errors.	The works cited includes less than three sources and is formatted poorly.

Sula notes, Part 2 (Q2, Wks 6-9)

What is going on with New River Road? Why does Jude want to work there?

Jude wants to work on this new project because he wants to feel important and get his hands dirty. He wants to be legend and seem as manly as possible. This will show that he is more free because he's making, creating and building it himself, rather than just serving people. This gives him freedom and independence. They wanted the older man to do the job because they didn't want the young black man to show them out and they are also afraid of the strong young black men! Lack of information makes us afraid!

Why does the relationship between Jude and Nel work? What do they give each other?

Nel needs someone to tell her what to do and Jude needs Nels so that he can feel like a real man. Nel completes Jude.

What is the relationship between Sula and Nel like at this time?

Nel and Sula's relationship is falling apart after Nel gets married because its like their not one anyone, now thier separate human beings. Sula gains independence. Nel becomes half of a marriage and Sula goes out and finds herself.

Was Nel a leader with Sula? Where?

She was when they was playing in the dirt and the grass.

Why don't the deweys grow or change? Why do they always cause a ruckus? Why do they play "chain gang" ?

The deweys play "chain gang" because they are one. They are connected. The history of the "chain gang" goes back to the time of slavery. The deweys can not do something without the other. The deweys now look the same.

How has Sula changed since she left the Bottom?

Sula comes back with a college education and feels that she is too good. Eva is afraid of Sula's return, and for the first time, Eva is overpowered in her own home. Sula has become disrespectful towards Eva. This parallels to Eva leaving and returning to the Bottom. Morrison implies that a person can leave their home and come back, but they may not belong there anymore. Sula becomes an outcast in her own community.

What happens when Sula tries to help the boy who's mother neglects and mistreats him?

He was on the porch and fell off and after Sula tries to help him up, she was accused of pushing him by his mother. After his mother takes him to the hospital, she begins to take care of him. The false accusation of Sula makes the once neglectent mother take care of her son.

What happens to the Bottom when Sula returns?

Sula's returns brings the people of the Bottom together because they share the same animosity against her. Wives become nicer to their husband so they won't go to Sula for some good loving. In this community, she's the "other" and is the focus of hatred. Sula reminds Nel of who she really is. People are becoming more independent because Sula put Eva in a home.

How does Sula know about Eva burning Plum? What does she accuse Eva of doing? Do you think Sula is justified?

Sula knows about Eva burning Plum because when she was coming down the stairs the kids wondered why she was out of bed, considering the fact that it was not usual.She accuses Eva of Killing Plum, and she she is justified because she is no longer a child and doesn't have to be disrespected like one. You have to earn respect to recieve it and Eva hasn't earned that respect. Also she is only acting the way Eva has raised her to act with contributions from her mother, Hannah, as well.

What is the significance of Sula disregarding Eva's warnings on Pg 93?

The significance of Sula disreguarding Eva's warnings on pg 93 is because it shows that she doesn't want salvation. It's her life and she owns it people!

Is Sula evil?

No: People don't understand who she is. Because of the bad things she did, brought good, she's not evil. She represents reality and truth because she stands for common circumstances in everyday life. She doesn't make men sleep with her, men play an equal role in the affair. Morrison asks the question "who/what is good, who/what is evil". SOCIETY IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT! Sula is free from the constraints of society. Lack of understanding makes us judge people. Sula learned not to care about what other people say. There's a thin line between good and evil.

*Who judges what good and evil is?

What is the significance of Sula's relationship with Ajax? What is the literary allusion in his name? How does it become more important when she finds his driver's license?Ajax was a strong warrior who fought in the Trojan War and was arrogant and stupid and killed himself. A. Jacks "Ajax" is just a man who couldn't commit. Ajax name is ironic because he doesn't live up to it. He made Sula emotional and she had alot of passion for him. She fell in love for him and "started playing house". She connects with him on another level. Morrison is saying that love and concern makes you vulnerable and can open you up to pain. The women in the Bottom are looking for men to save them, but in reality, men are not divine. White men condemn black men and make them weak.

Jude and Sula's affair

Sula challenged Jude, Nel comforted him.

It didn't mean anything to Sula.

Nel and Sula accuse each other of changing.

Nel allowed herself to be condemned just as her mother did on the train.

They shared everything else.

*Nel and Sula are one half that makes them whole.

Morrison points out that Sula gets the freedom of men, but she gets punished for it and men aren't. Men had a certain freedom and expectation that wasn't fair to the women. Love breaks Sula and Nel. Women carry a heavy burden that men are not responsible for caring.

Sula notes, Part One (b): Teacher questions, student answers...

1922

Compare and contrast Nel and Sula's behavior at the funeral. (Venn Diagram is fine).

What does the chart show us about each girl and their upbringing?

What does Morrison tell the reader about funerals and the effect of them on the attendees?

Sula and Nel are often seen holding hands or not holding hands--Morrison specifies. What does that image mean?

1923

What are the 4 (or 5) strange things that happen?

How did Eva's sacrifice in 1895 allow Hannah to ask her mother "did you ever love us?"

Why does Morrison put the ice truck scene right after Hanna's question about Plum's murder?

juxtapostion: putting two opposite things together to force the reader to make a conclusion/comparison

Why does Morrison tell us about the canning process and townspeople's canning tendencies?

What is "the perfect judgement" against Eva?

1927

On the first page of "1927" Helene says "The culmination of all she had been." What is she referring to? What does she mean?

What is symbolic about the name JUDE?

What is going on with New River Road? Why does Jude want to work there?

Jude wants to work on this new project because he wants to feel important and get his hands dirty. He wants to be legend and seem as manly as possible. This will show that he is more free because he's making, creating and building it himself, rather than just serving people. This gives him freedom and independence. They wanted the older man to do the job because they didn't want the young black man to show them out and they are also afraid of the strong young black men! Lack of information makes us afraid!

Why does the relationship between Jude and Nel work? What do they give each other?

Nel needs someone to tell her what to do and Jude needs Nels so that he can feel like a real man. Nel completes Jude.

What is the relationship between Sula and Nel like at this time?

Nel and Sula's relationship is falling apart after Nel gets married because its like their not one anyone, now thier separate human beings. Sula gains independence. Nel becomes half of a marriage and Sula goes out and finds herself.

Was Nel a leader with Sula? Where?

When they was playing in the dirt and the grass.

How has Nel changed? Why?

From Notes to Outline...

Today you are going to begin organizing your notes. It's the first step in creating an outline.

Creating an outline:

1. Organize your notes according to your Plan of Development.
   
2. Using a traditional outline organization, sketch the main body sections of the paper.


3. Then, organize each sub-section, using your notes as a guide.

Remember: Each paragraph in your paper has a purpose--it is explaining or persuading your reader. When you don't know what should come next, ask yourself, "what do I need the reader to know to believe MY opinion?"

In your MLA Book instruction on outlining begins on page 48. Outline example on page 53.


Here is a picture of a properly formatted outline:

Still confused? Ask Ms. Miller for a Writing Research Papers book. Start on page 42.

Here is some advice from other people who've written research papers....

Arrange Your Notes by Topics -- (about.com)

Once you have taken color-coded notes, you will be able to sort your notes more easily. Sort the cards by colors. Then, arrange by relevance. These will become your paragraphs. You may have several paragraphs for each sub-topic.

Outline Your Research Paper

Write an outline, according to your sorted cards. You may find that some of the cards fit better with different “colors” or sub-topics, so simply re-arrange your cards. That’s a normal part of the process. Your paper is taking shape and becoming a logical argument or position statement.

MAKE A TENTATIVE OUTLINE-- (from aresearchguide.com)

All points must relate to the same major topic that you first mentioned in your capital Roman numeral.

The purpose of an outline is to help you think through your topic carefully and organize it logically before you start writing. A good outline is the most important step in writing a good paper. Check your outline to make sure that the points covered flow logically from one to the other. Include in your outline an INTRODUCTION, a BODY, and a CONCLUSION. Make the first outline tentative.

INTRODUCTION - State your thesis and the purpose of your research paper clearly. What is the chief reason you are writing the paper? State also how you plan to approach your topic. Is this a factual report, a book review, a comparison, or an analysis of a problem? Explain briefly the major points you plan to cover in your paper and why readers should be interested in your topic.

BODY - This is where you present your arguments to support your thesis statement. Remember the Rule of 3, i.e. find 3 supporting arguments for each position you take. Begin with a strong argument, then use a stronger one, and end with the strongest argument for your final point.

CONCLUSION - Restate or reword your thesis. Summarize your arguments. Explain why you have come to this particular conclusion.

Sula Questions, Part One (a)

"1919"
What is the biblical reference to Shadrack? Why did Morrison choose this name for him?

"1920"
Explore the relationship between Nel, her mother Helene, her grandmother Rochelle, and her great-grandmother Cecile. Why are the women separated? What separates them?

Why is the incident on the train between Helene and the conductor significant? What happens as the train travels further south?

How does Morrison use the notion of defilement in "1920"? Who is defiled? Why?

"1921"
Explore the symbolic resonances of the Peace family. Is there peace in the Peace family? How are the names symbolic? How is Sula's name different?

Why does Eva leave her children? Why does she return with only one leg?

Why does Eva take Plum to the outhouse? What does she realize in asking herself this question?
Who are the "deweys" and what do they represent?

Why does Eva set Plum on fire? How does the narrative describe this scene? Why is the description important?

"1922"
How are Nel and Sula becoming aware of their sexuality in this chapter? How do we sense this awareness? Do we also sense a threat of violence?

What does Hannah say to upset Sula?

Why do Nel and Sula watch Chicken Little drown? Explore the significance of his name and his death, especially in relation to the name of the neighborhood "Bottom".

Why does Sula go inside Shadrack's shack?

Trip to DePaul's Library

Nadia, Tierra and Natasha are going to the DePaul Library, in Lincoln Park to work on our Annotated List of Works Cited.

When: Saturday, 10/23--We're meeting at PSM at 3:00. Probably will get to the Library by 3:30

Where: 2350 N. Kenmore Ave
http://library.depaul.edu/About/locations.aspx#

SP Work Day

Your Annotated List of Works Cited (plus notes) is due Monday, 10/25. Use this time wisely! Check out the links to the right. Remember to use your MLA book!


If you working on your documents at school and at home, take an inventory of what MS Word version each place has...you need to save as the OLDEST version every single time you open the document, to ensure you can open it wherever you are editing.

Sula, Part One, "1919" Questions

1919, pgs 7-16
1.What war was Shadrack in? (Be careful!)
2.What doe the narrator’s description of Shadrack’s experience on December 7th tell the reader about his combat training?
3.What is "it" that Shadrack can’t feel?
4.Shadrack is thinking about the nail in his boot when going into combat-what would you expect him to think about? Why isn’t he? What is Morrison telling us about Shadrack and the war?
5.What does the headless soldier symbolize? Consider his actions.
6.Explain the irony in the straight-jacket episode.
7.Why might Shadrack be afraid of the sidewalks?
8.What are the properties of paper? Why might Shadrack think all the people around him are made of paper?
9.Think about Shadrack’s hands. What do they symbolize?
10.Why does Shadrack keep seeing the window and river? What are those things?
11.Why does seeing his own face calm him down?
12.What is the symbolic nature of Shadrack seeing his face in the toilet?
13.Explain this quote "He knew the smell of death and was terrified of it, for he could not anticipate it."
14.Think about the purpose of National Suicide Day. Why is it ironic?
15.The end of the chapter focuses on how NSD has been integrated into the neighborhood. What does this tell the reader about Shadrack, the community, and his place in it?
16.EXTRA CREDIT: Shadrack’s name is an allusion. Explain the significance.

ACT Question Types

MAIN IDEA or AUTHOR'S PURPOSE
look for the general, vague, or broad answer

INFERENTIAL
don't look back! you don't need to.
make an assumption based on what you read

TONE
usually has a positive answer

DETAIL
when this question says "the passage states" or "indicates" the EXACT answer is in the passge.
if the question refers to a line number, read the lines before and after

VOCABULARY WORD
must look back for context
read the lines before and after
re-read sentence with the choices in the question

EXCEPT or NOT
answer this as a true or false question

Notes on Toni Morrison's writing...

For Morrison, "all good art has been political" and the black artist has a responsibility to the black community. She aims at capturing "the something that defines what makes a book 'black.' And that has nothing to do with whether the people in the books are black or not." She thinks that one characteristic of black writers is "a quality of hunger and disturbance that never ends." Her novels "bear witness" to the experience of the black community and blacks in that community.


Themes and Practices in Morrison's Novels

Sense of Loss.
Morrison feels deeply the losses which Afro-Americans experienced in their migration from the rural South to the urban North from 1930 to 1950. They lost their sense of community, their connection to their past, and their culture. The oral tradition of storytelling and folktales was no longer a source of strength. Another source of strength, their music, which healed them, was taken over by the white community; consequently, it no longer belongs to them exclusively.

Roots, Community, and Identity
To have roots is to have a shared history. The individual who does not belong to a community is generally lost. The individual who leaves and has internalized the village or community is much more likely to survive. Also, a whole community--everyone--is needed to raise a child; one parent or two parents are inadequate to the task. The lack of roots and the disconnection from the community and the past cause individuals to become alienated; often her characters struggle unsuccessfully to identify, let alone fulfill an essential self.

Ancestors
Ancestors are necessary: they provide cultural information, they are a connection with the past, they protect, and they educate...The ancestors may be parents, grandparents, teachers, or elders in the community...Morrison believes that the presence of the ancestor is one of the characteristics of black writing.

Extreme Situations
Morrison places her characters in extreme situations; she forces them to the edge of endurance and then pushes them beyond what we think human beings can bear. These conditions reveal their basic nature. We see that even good people act in remarkable and in terrible ways. Also, this "push toward the abyss" reveals
what is heroic.

Freedom and "Bad" Men
To be free, the individual must take risks. Morrison sees men ordinarily regarded as "bad," men who leave their families and refuse responsibilities, as free men. (She is using bad to mean both bad and good.) These men, who have "a nice wildness" and who are fearless and "comfortable with that fearlessness," are misunderstood and therefore condemned. Morrison admires them as adventurers who refuse to be controlled and who are willing to take risks. Because they own themselves, they are able to choose their own way to live their lives. Blacks have been cut off from their own natures and needs by conforming to the rules of white society. The outlaw serves as a partial solution to the problem of being out of touch with the essential self.

Responsibility
Morrison is not advocating irresponsibility and destructive or chaotic behavior, however. She believes in the necessity of being responsible for one's choices: "freedom is choosing your responsibility. It's not having no responsibilities; it's choosing the ones you want." Jan Furman comments, "She respects the freedom even as she embraces the responsibility." Unfortunately, in our society, "many women have been given responsibilities they don't want" and which they could not refuse. Consequently, they are not free.

Good and Evil
Morrison shows understanding of and, often, compassion, for characters who commit horrific deeds, like incest-rape or infanticide. This trait springs in large part from her attitude toward good and evil, which she distinguishes from the conventional or Western view of good and evil. She describes a distinctive view which, she claims, blacks have historically held toward good and evil: It was interesting that black people at one time seemed not to respond to evil in the ways other people did, but that they thought evil had a natural place in the universe; they did not wish to eradicate it. They just wished to protect themselves from it, maybe even to manipulate it, but they never wanted to kill it.

Loss of Innocence
Innocence has to be lost in order for the individual to grow.

The Black as Other
Morrison presents the white view of blacks as the Other and the blacks' experience of themselves as Other
She believes that blacks were used to control succeeding waves of immigrants in order to prevent class warfare. Immigrants were given the blacks to feel superior to; they were not at the bottom of the social ladder-- blacks were. Blacks also provided immigrants with an identity, i.e., they were not blacks. So, in an ironic way, the Otherness of blacks helped to unify the country and to give immigrants their American identities. She calls learning to perceive blacks as the Other a traumatic experience, like being told "that your left hand is not part of your body."

excerpt from http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/morrison.html