When the hurly-burly’s done

Some high school kids made a project.

I really have nothing to say about this. Just don’t watch it while you’re eating if you’re the type who spits food across the room when you laugh.

Elie Wiesel speaks on the genocide in Darfur.

Some recent outside reading posts that stuck out for one reason or another.

Mason is reading A Problem From Hell, which is a massive nonfiction book about America’s responses to genocides in the 20th century. It’s a dense, overwhelming read, but also a very well-written book that raises some amazing questions.

With only previous knowledge of the Holocaust and a few other examples of genocide from social studies courses, I hope to gain a larger understanding of the “evil” behind genocide by reading this book.

What should America, the most powerful country in the world, do about genocides when they occur? I wore my “Save Darfur” shirt this weekend and was amazed at how many people asked me what it meant.

Norma chose V for Vendetta, which has a very strong connection to The Scottish Play. Not only does the plot loosely follow that of the Gunpowder Plot, but one of the main characters quotes TSP pretty often.

I love the fact that his mask is that of Guy Fawkes, a man who tried to blow up parliament in the 1600s, and that he wears all black. The fact that he is mysterious adds so much more to the book.

Everyone should try and find out about the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes–it’ll make your reading of The Scottish Play even better than it already is.  I am, honestly, a little disappointed that nobody’s reading either of the two nonfiction books about it from the list, but I’ll get over it.  Eventually.

Meanwhile, Ryan’s got an observation about The Crucible:

The “odd” behavior described in this book seems like a simple mental disorder of today, but many people of Salem used the concept of ‘witchcraft’ to explain the unexplained. I find it particularly interesting that those who clearly don’t “buy it”, are very hesitant to halt and stand up to it.

This reminds me a lot of the article about psychologists diagnosing patients as evil.  Our society is a lot more technologically and medically advanced than 17th century Salem was, but aside from that, what other fundamental differences are there?  Miller wrote The Crucible as a response to Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s “witch hunt” of suspected Communists in American society.  That was about 50 years ago.

Some different approaches to check out, ladies and gents.

First, although his initial entry is on the short side, I like what JJ did–he quoted and responded to one of Reggy’s posts, which is exactly why I’m keeping the list of who’s reading what. I’m trying to facilitate this kind of dialogue, and I trust that everyone will participate.

I also really liked the depth of thought that Lizzy put into her first post about Night:

I have very high expectations of the author Elie Wiesel. When I mention that I am reading the book, Night to someone, I always recieve positive feedback on the book. Sad books are my favorite type of books to read, as they make me feel grateful for what I have now.

She demonstrates in her post some real consideration and reflection, and I look forward to reading the rest of her entries, as well as the deep and meaningful entries that everyone will write.

ENG213 students: use this list to find the other people who are reading the same book as you.

Night Noel, Lula, Lizzy, Scott, Lexi, Cindy, Dan, Matt, Ali, Brayden, Ali
The Kite Runner Vice-Captain, Jon, Kristina, Jeff, Anna, Kristen
Mayflower Joe, Lauren
The Scarlet Letter Regina, Anna, Julia, JJ
Under the Banner of Heaven Lucy, Patty
The Crucible Mark, Ryan, Basel, Ryan, Anthony
Terrorist Heather, Melody, Eliza
American Jezebel The Captain
V for Vendetta Mike, Norma, Sarah, David, Juan, Malachai, Alec
A Problem from Hell Mason