February 27

1. February 27 Standards: L.S. 4. a. Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. R.S.L. 2.Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text. Agenda: Learn 7 new vocabulary words Read and annotate to pg. 491 Discuss Friday’s close reading Look at example of close read

2. New Vocabulary Disdain Celestial Supremacy Deify Impetuous Calamity Dire

3. Close Reading • What is a close reading? • A close reading is simply a detailed analysis of a short passage within a text. • By looking closely in the text at literary devices we have learned, we can find evidence to support what we think an author’s message is. (Literary devices can include specific word choice, form, rhyme, alliteration, meter, metaphor, imagery, etc.) • A close reading has a claim/thesis about a passage. It then quotes specific moments in the text to support the claim.

4. One of your classmates close read during a quick write… Milton’s Satan is motivated by suffering.(The claim) He is tormented by “lasting pain,” so he wants the rest to feel the same pain he feels.(Uses an embedded quote to support claim) He is stubborn as well and has a lot of pride, (It would have been useful to have a piece of textual evidence here)whichis one reason why he never asked for forgiveness and continued to be evil. (Notice the writer does not use “I think,” “In my opinion,” etc.)

5. Student Close Reading Sample While this writer still struggles with supporting one specific thesis, his/her quote integration and use of textual evidence is effective. They develop points rather than simply listing them. They carefully build up observations around a central point.

6. In this passage from Benito Cereno, Melville uses a combination of contrasting diction and detailed images. Through this, he creates the impression that Don Benito, captain of the distressed San Dominick, is a broken, dependent man, perhaps unworthy of his station of command. (Thesis or claim) The images created by Melville of Don Benito portray a man of obvious apathy. (Main point) Instead of eagerly seeking help and information from the visiting captain, Don Benito is described as passively standing by, “leaning against the mainmast,” as if he could not stand up on his own. (Notice the quote is introduced, then stated, then rephrased) This apparent inability to hold himself up is further aggravated by a short description of Benito’s servant standing “by his side,” like a faithful dog. Thus, Benito’s image right away is coupled with the image of the ever present attendant. In fact, the only described actions shown by the subdued captain are, “casting a dreary spiritless look” at his ship’s inhabitants, and giving, “an unhappy glance toward his visitor [Captain Delano].” Neither of these cast a better light on his picture. Overall, the introductory images that Melville creates in the reader’s mind of Don Benito’s character and manner, seem uninvolved, fatigued, and apathetic. (A short conclusion restates the main point of this body paragraph) While Melville normally describes his characters and situations with no shortage of vivid words, the description of the captain belong to a single class of words that describe weakness. In contrast to the earlier descriptions of Captain Delano, who is the picture of the ideal actively involved captain, there is nothing remarkable about Don Benito’s presence, except his relative oddness. He is “reserved-looking,” and “young.” This contrasts the “singular richness” of his clothing. Instead of merely standing, Benito stands “passively.” His looks and glances are “dreary,” “spiritless,” and “unhappy.” In fact, all the words describing Benito seen to be negative and listless. Yet the passengers aboard the ship are described as “excited.” The differences between the set of words describing Benito and those describing his surroundings and clothing emphasize that Benito does not belong where he is. Through word choices and descriptions, Melville suggests that Don Benito is unfit for his position. Perhaps, this passage not only suggests that there in something wrong with Don Benito’s presence, but that there is something off about the ship’s presence as a whole. (Notice the final conclusion ties the passage into a theme in the work as a whole)