Wednesday/Thursday

For Monday/Wednesday, read big Parts II and III. Choose one prompt from each section to respond to in a one-page, clearly written response. That means three one-page responses next class period.
Part I: Lightness and Weight:
Comment on heaviness and lightness, eternal return, what Tereza, Tomas, and Sabina have to do with any of the above, and then comment on the repetition of the floating basket image.

Part II: Body and Soul:
Complete one journal entry from among these prompts. SHOW you have read the assignment as you think about it:
1. Analyze and consider the repeated metaphor of the soul as a crew in a ship's bowels rushing up to the surface to show itself to Tomas. What has it to do with "Soul and Body"?
2. Think on paper about eternal return and individuation with regard to Tereza's view of herself in the mirror. What are Tereza's attitudes about the body? About the soul?
3. The final sentences of "Part I: Lightness and Weight" are, "Tomas felt no compassion. All he felt was the pressure in his stomach and the despair of having returned." In "Soul and Body," Chapter 2, the narrator says, "But just make someone who has fallen in love listen to his stomach rumble, and the unity of body and soul, that lyrical illusion of the age of science, instantly fades away." Tomas is a doctor. Does he hold that "lyrical illusion of the age of science" that the body and soul are actually one thing?

Part III: Words Misunderstood:
1. Reread page 111-114. Do you agree more with Franz’s understanding of “Strength” and “Living in Truth” or with Sabina’s interpretation of those words?
2. Comment on the irony – or whatever else you see – in this section’s ending image in which Franz closes his eyes as he listens to the gray-haired man.
3. Why does Franz think his life is light and Sabina’s heavy? Do you agree that Sabina’s experiences with oppression give her life weight? Is Czechoslovakia heavier than Switzerland?

Monday

B-day: Read "Section I: Lightness and Weight" for Wednesday. A-day, you have it read by Thursday.

Thursday

Read the first two chapters of The Unbearable Lightness of Being and consider just what the idea of eternal return means or suggests. How does it fit, or mesh, or clash -- with the ideas of lightness and weight?

Wednesday

I'm telling ya...I want all the way through the epilogue! Many A-day students need to be sure you have read the epilogue and show me that! These reading checks are good to a point, and then there is a sharp drop-off -- as if you have not finished!

Monday

OK, OK. The times have ruined me. B-day, bring in your revised papers by Wednesday. A-day, bring in your revised papers by Thursday.

Begin reading The Unbearable Lightness of Being. You don't have it yet, but you will get it in Tuesday's class.

If you click on the Chilean flag, you can see Salvador Allende's final speech. It's in Spanish, of course.

Special announcement from Spanish teachers

Because of the cancellation of Junior TOK on Friday, A-day Spanish students who were not here on Wednesday need to be ready for your "Mala gente" (mah-lah hen-teh) quiz on Friday. Kyle L., Ce-Ce, and Hayley need to be ready for your presentation also on Friday.

Wednesday

Come in ready to convince and present.

Tuesday

Continue to read. Have more than one topic in mind for the project as you come to class so we will not have twenty-nine repetitions of the same idea.

Monday

New assignment for A-day; consider three possible topics for your project and nail down your request Wednesday. Read that novel! These projects are due between October 15 and 22, depending upon your choice.

Friday

Get that book read! I'm at home spending my lovely weekend with your written thoughts...

Thursday

Since your papers are complete by this time and ready to turn in Friday, and since you have read the assigned pages in The House of the Spirits, go to the game and yell until you're hoarse. Go, you Bad Horsies. Good luck Lee, Alex, and Cece.

Wednesday

The first round of big papers is due Thursday for A-day. I can't wait!