Five Ways to Kill a Man
Edwin Brock
There are many cumbersome ways to kill a man.
You can make him carry a plank of wood
to the top of a hill and nail him to it.
To do this properly you require a crowd of people
wearing sandals, a cock that crows, a cloak
to dissect, a sponge, some vinegar and one
man to hammer the nails home.
Or you can take a length of steel,
shaped and chased in a traditional way,
and attempt to pierce the metal cage he wears.
But for this you need white horses,
English trees, men with bows and arrows,
at least two flags, a prince, and a
castle to hold your banquet in.
Dispensing with nobility, you may, if the wind
allows, blow gas at him. But then you need
a mile of mud sliced through with ditches,
not to mention black boots, bomb craters,
more mud, a plague of rats, a dozen songs
and some round hats made of steel.
In an age of aeroplanes, you may fly
miles above your victim and dispose of him by
pressing one small switch. All you then
require is an ocean to separate you, two
systems of government, a nation's scientists,
several factories, a psychopath and
land that no-one needs for several years.
These are, as I began, cumbersome ways to kill a man.
Simpler, direct, and much more neat is to see
that he is living somewhere in the middle
of the twentieth century, and leave him there.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ender's Game Chapter 15 answers
Some of these questions are left blank as they are opinion questions. Answer them on your own.
Chapter 15: Speaker for the Dead
1. Why do you think there is no introductory dialogue for this chapter?
2. What is Graff going to do now that the war is over? What is Anderson going to do?
Graff is going on vacation. He will use the money he has saved.
3. Why can’t Ender come back to earth?
It is far too dangerous. Peter wants to use him.
4. What happens to Locke and Demosthenes?
5. What is Card saying about manipulation in Ender's Game?
Good and bad see next response
6. How are good and evil addressed in Ender's Game?
Valentine and Ender are good
Peter is evil. Ender can be evil as he has killed two people.
The adults are evil for manipulating children. Although they believe it is for the better of the human race.
Stilson, Bonzo and Bernard are evil bullies.
7. Compare the way that Ender treats Bean to the way that Graff treats Ender. What does this say about the role of leadership or authority? Ender kills two children while only trying to defend himself. What is Card saying about violence?
He treats him the same way Graff treated him to make him a better soldier. He taught him the same way he was taught. Abuse of power- he knows that it was wrong and hard, but still felt it was the only way that Bean would achieve his true potential.
8. Is childhood a right? Does a person robbed of a "normal" childhood have any possibility of stability as an adult? Does Ender have any chance of living "happily ever after"?
Childhood is the basic foundation of adulthood. We all have our own path.
9. The Buggers communicate telepathically using no identifiable external means of communication. Was it inevitable that war would have to occur when two sentient species met but were unable to communicate?
Communication is essential for peace.
Chapter 15: Speaker for the Dead
1. Why do you think there is no introductory dialogue for this chapter?
2. What is Graff going to do now that the war is over? What is Anderson going to do?
Graff is going on vacation. He will use the money he has saved.
3. Why can’t Ender come back to earth?
It is far too dangerous. Peter wants to use him.
4. What happens to Locke and Demosthenes?
5. What is Card saying about manipulation in Ender's Game?
Good and bad see next response
6. How are good and evil addressed in Ender's Game?
Valentine and Ender are good
Peter is evil. Ender can be evil as he has killed two people.
The adults are evil for manipulating children. Although they believe it is for the better of the human race.
Stilson, Bonzo and Bernard are evil bullies.
7. Compare the way that Ender treats Bean to the way that Graff treats Ender. What does this say about the role of leadership or authority? Ender kills two children while only trying to defend himself. What is Card saying about violence?
He treats him the same way Graff treated him to make him a better soldier. He taught him the same way he was taught. Abuse of power- he knows that it was wrong and hard, but still felt it was the only way that Bean would achieve his true potential.
8. Is childhood a right? Does a person robbed of a "normal" childhood have any possibility of stability as an adult? Does Ender have any chance of living "happily ever after"?
Childhood is the basic foundation of adulthood. We all have our own path.
9. The Buggers communicate telepathically using no identifiable external means of communication. Was it inevitable that war would have to occur when two sentient species met but were unable to communicate?
Communication is essential for peace.
Monday, January 19, 2009
January Exam
Here is the outline for the exam, Wednesday at 9am.
This exam is worth 15% of your final mark
Literary Terms
Allusion
Idioms
etc
Poetry Analysis
Rhyme and rhythm patterns
Literary devices
Summary
Theme/motif
Short Fiction
Paraphrasing
Plot analysis and summary
Red herring
Poetic justice
Novel – Enders Game
Plot
Characters
Essay topic
Vocabulary – Word of the Day
Definitions
Connotation and denotation
Punctuation and Grammar
Colon
Semi- colon
Verbs
Prewriting strategies
This exam is worth 15% of your final mark
Literary Terms
Allusion
Idioms
etc
Poetry Analysis
Rhyme and rhythm patterns
Literary devices
Summary
Theme/motif
Short Fiction
Paraphrasing
Plot analysis and summary
Red herring
Poetic justice
Novel – Enders Game
Plot
Characters
Essay topic
Vocabulary – Word of the Day
Definitions
Connotation and denotation
Punctuation and Grammar
Colon
Semi- colon
Verbs
Prewriting strategies
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ender's Game
We are beginning our novel, Ender's Game. Here is the vocabulary list for this unit.
VOCABULARY from Ender’s Game
1. malleable adj. 1) capable of being extended or shaped: capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences 2: having a capacity for adaptive change. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will
2. rescind vt. 1) to take away, remove, take back, cancel. 2) to abrogate (a contract) and restore the parties to the positions they would have occupied had there been no contract. 3) to make void, repeal. . . . they would like to rescind the waivers
3. forestall vt. to exclude, hinder or prevent by prior measures. Ender . . . was trying to figure out a way to forestall vengeance
4. vivisect vt. to perform vivisection on. vivisection n. 1 : the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation. “We’re gonna vivisect you, bugger”
5. commiserate vi. to feel or express sympathy vt. to feel or express sorrow or compassion for. Mother came home and commiserated with Ender about the monitor
6. extenuate vt. to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial excuses: mitigate. “We’re willing to consider extenuating circumstances” (14).
7. ambiguous adj. 1) doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness. 2) capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways. “. . . but in fact, their feelings are still ambiguous” (16).
8. assimilation n. the act, process or state of being assimilated. assimilate. v. 1) to take in and utilize as nourishment, absorb into the system. 2) to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend. “. . you interfere with their efforts at assimilation into normal complying society” (17).
9. disorientation n. the state of being disoriented. disorient v. to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship. They say that weightlessness can cause disorientation (21).
10. deftly adv. characterized by facility and skill. Deftly he propelled him down the aisle. . . (24).
11. opaque adj. 1) exhibiting opacity : blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light. 2) hard to understand or explain. . . . a sheet of opaque plastic (29).
12. flamboyant adj. 1 marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior. They were wearing much more flamboyant clothing (31).
13. maladroit n. lacking adroitness: inept, awkward. “Maladroit,” Bernard called him once, and the name stuck (36).
14. hierarchy n. 1) the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified. 2) a graded or ranked series. Bernard was setting up a kingdom . . . [and] established the hierarchy (36).
15. dissociate vt. to separate from association or union with another. . . . trying to dissociate himself from her contempt for the boys . . . (57).
16. contempt n. the state of mind of one who despises; disdain. . . . her contempt for the boys . . . (57).
17. swagger vi. 1) to conduct oneself in an arrogant or pompous manner; especially to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence. He was imitating her swaggering way of speaking . . . (57).
18. initiative n. 1) an introductory step. 2) energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise. . . . the individual soldiers were given little initiative (61).
19. gall vt. to irritate, vex. [I]t seemed as if Ender were granting him his command as a favor. Galling, and yet he had no choice (63).
20. magnanimous adj. showing or suggesting a lofty spirit, nobility of feeling and generosity of mind. Ender had beaten him . . . by being magnanimous (63).
21. orientation n. a general direction of inclination or interest; alignment. Ender had found the orientation that made sense (64).
22. carnage n. 1) the flesh of slain animals or men. 2) great and usually bloody slaughter or injury. . . . they hoped the enemy would overlook them in the carnage (67).
VOCABULARY from Ender’s Game
1. malleable adj. 1) capable of being extended or shaped: capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences 2: having a capacity for adaptive change. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will
2. rescind vt. 1) to take away, remove, take back, cancel. 2) to abrogate (a contract) and restore the parties to the positions they would have occupied had there been no contract. 3) to make void, repeal. . . . they would like to rescind the waivers
3. forestall vt. to exclude, hinder or prevent by prior measures. Ender . . . was trying to figure out a way to forestall vengeance
4. vivisect vt. to perform vivisection on. vivisection n. 1 : the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation. “We’re gonna vivisect you, bugger”
5. commiserate vi. to feel or express sympathy vt. to feel or express sorrow or compassion for. Mother came home and commiserated with Ender about the monitor
6. extenuate vt. to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial excuses: mitigate. “We’re willing to consider extenuating circumstances” (14).
7. ambiguous adj. 1) doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness. 2) capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways. “. . . but in fact, their feelings are still ambiguous” (16).
8. assimilation n. the act, process or state of being assimilated. assimilate. v. 1) to take in and utilize as nourishment, absorb into the system. 2) to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend. “. . you interfere with their efforts at assimilation into normal complying society” (17).
9. disorientation n. the state of being disoriented. disorient v. to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship. They say that weightlessness can cause disorientation (21).
10. deftly adv. characterized by facility and skill. Deftly he propelled him down the aisle. . . (24).
11. opaque adj. 1) exhibiting opacity : blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light. 2) hard to understand or explain. . . . a sheet of opaque plastic (29).
12. flamboyant adj. 1 marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior. They were wearing much more flamboyant clothing (31).
13. maladroit n. lacking adroitness: inept, awkward. “Maladroit,” Bernard called him once, and the name stuck (36).
14. hierarchy n. 1) the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified. 2) a graded or ranked series. Bernard was setting up a kingdom . . . [and] established the hierarchy (36).
15. dissociate vt. to separate from association or union with another. . . . trying to dissociate himself from her contempt for the boys . . . (57).
16. contempt n. the state of mind of one who despises; disdain. . . . her contempt for the boys . . . (57).
17. swagger vi. 1) to conduct oneself in an arrogant or pompous manner; especially to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence. He was imitating her swaggering way of speaking . . . (57).
18. initiative n. 1) an introductory step. 2) energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise. . . . the individual soldiers were given little initiative (61).
19. gall vt. to irritate, vex. [I]t seemed as if Ender were granting him his command as a favor. Galling, and yet he had no choice (63).
20. magnanimous adj. showing or suggesting a lofty spirit, nobility of feeling and generosity of mind. Ender had beaten him . . . by being magnanimous (63).
21. orientation n. a general direction of inclination or interest; alignment. Ender had found the orientation that made sense (64).
22. carnage n. 1) the flesh of slain animals or men. 2) great and usually bloody slaughter or injury. . . . they hoped the enemy would overlook them in the carnage (67).
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Mystery & Suspense Unit
We are finishing the unit before Christmas break so all stories are due on Friday. We will have our vocabulary test on Thursday. Be sure to have your teacher conferences before you hand in your assignments for each story.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December vocabulary
Omission (n) someone or something that has been left out or excluded : there are glaring omissions in the report; the action of excluding or leaving out someone or something : the omission of recent publications from his bibliography.
Cunning (adj.) having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion : a cunning look came into his eyes.
Infinite (adj.) limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate : the infinite mercy of God | the infinite number of stars in the universe; very great in amount or degree : he bathed the wound with infinite care.
Confound (v) cause surprise or confusion in (someone), esp. by acting against their expectations : the inflation figure confounded economic analysts.
Diminutive (adj.) extremely or unusually small
Perusal (n) the action of reading or examining something
Vacuously (adj.) having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless
Provocation (n) action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, esp. deliberately : you should remain calm and not respond to provocation | he burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
Compulsive (adj.) resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, esp. one that is against one's conscious wishes : compulsive eating; (of a person) acting as a result of such an urge : a compulsive liar.
Morsel (n) a small piece or amount of food; a mouthful : Julie pushed a last morsel of toast into her mouth | figurative real estate agents think the mansion will be a very tasty morsel for an international company; a small piece or amount : reporters do their best to ferret out every morsel of information.
Mandatory (adj.) required by law or rules; compulsory : wearing helmets was made mandatory for cyclists; of or conveying a command : he did not want the guidelines to be mandatory.
Convoluted (adj.) (esp. of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow : its convoluted narrative encompasses all manner of digressions.
Rigours (n) the quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate : his analysis is lacking in rigor; severity or strictness : the full rigor of the law; ( rigors) demanding, difficult, or extreme conditions : the rigors of a harsh winter.
Flank (n) the side of a person's or animal's body between the ribs and the hip : leaning against his horse's flanks; the side of something
Cunning (adj.) having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion : a cunning look came into his eyes.
Infinite (adj.) limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate : the infinite mercy of God | the infinite number of stars in the universe; very great in amount or degree : he bathed the wound with infinite care.
Confound (v) cause surprise or confusion in (someone), esp. by acting against their expectations : the inflation figure confounded economic analysts.
Diminutive (adj.) extremely or unusually small
Perusal (n) the action of reading or examining something
Vacuously (adj.) having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless
Provocation (n) action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, esp. deliberately : you should remain calm and not respond to provocation | he burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
Compulsive (adj.) resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, esp. one that is against one's conscious wishes : compulsive eating; (of a person) acting as a result of such an urge : a compulsive liar.
Morsel (n) a small piece or amount of food; a mouthful : Julie pushed a last morsel of toast into her mouth | figurative real estate agents think the mansion will be a very tasty morsel for an international company; a small piece or amount : reporters do their best to ferret out every morsel of information.
Mandatory (adj.) required by law or rules; compulsory : wearing helmets was made mandatory for cyclists; of or conveying a command : he did not want the guidelines to be mandatory.
Convoluted (adj.) (esp. of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow : its convoluted narrative encompasses all manner of digressions.
Rigours (n) the quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate : his analysis is lacking in rigor; severity or strictness : the full rigor of the law; ( rigors) demanding, difficult, or extreme conditions : the rigors of a harsh winter.
Flank (n) the side of a person's or animal's body between the ribs and the hip : leaning against his horse's flanks; the side of something
Assignments- December 4th
We are working on our Mystery and Suspense unit. Students have been given a handout of notes for this section which is to be used for each of the stories for this section. Since class discussions have not been going well, we have changed the format of the unit. Students will read each story on their own and complete a point form plot outline and pre-write for their reader response. Students are to have a conference with me about this information and then write a reader response which is handed in for marks.
We are still going over vocabulary each day and will have our next quiz on December 18th.
We are still going over vocabulary each day and will have our next quiz on December 18th.
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