Tuesday, 12/8

*Reading Quiz

1. Peer Feedback session. If turnitin.com is not working, gather with others with the same issue and complete the following responses at the end of their document:

• Rank Quality of Thesis (Specific, Based in the prompt, includes minor & major character traits and a theme)

  Scale

  Highest: Excellent/engaging, Lowest: Poor/missing element
• Rate Quality of Commentary (claims that analyze the evidence; focused and related to the main idea/thesis)

  Scale

  Highest: Strong Analysis, Lowest: Weak Summary/off-tpc
• At what points could the essay be more focused (analyzing instead of summarizing, not straying off-topic, etc...)

  Free Response

  Minimum answer length: 5
• How could the arguments be more persuasive? Please give one specific example.

  Free Response

  Minimum answer length: 15
• How can the arguments be improved? Are there any flaws in the arguments (for example, evidence that does not quite prove the claim)?

  Free Response

  Minimum answer length: 10

2. Finish Reading Great Expectations! Read the plot summaries for 56-57 below and then pick up with 58 and 59, keeping the following questions in mind:

CHAPTER 57
* Why is Pip in so much debt?
* Why were the police unable to take him to Newgate?
*In Chapter 27 Joe says he will not return to London, but he does in Chapter 57. Why?
* Why was Biddy able to teach Joe to read when Pip had failed?
* What does Pip plan to do after Joe leaves? What are his newly revised expectations?

CHAPTERS 58-59
*Reread Pip’s speech to Biddy and Joe (483-484). What does he say? Why is his speech significant? * What advice does Biddy give to Pip after his return 11 years later?
*During this 11-year period, what happened to Estella? What does Pip notice about her when he meets her at the site of Satis House?
 *How have Pip’s expectations changed? What does he expect now?
* What do you think will happen to Pip during the next twenty years?
* Which ending of the story do you find the most believable? The most satisfying? Why?


CHAPTER 56
PLOT DEVELOPMENT: Magwitch lies in prison, very ill, waiting for his trial, and then for his sentencing and death. Magwitch seems brave and at peace. Pip visits him faithfully and petitions numerous governmental parties for mercy, to no avail. As the days pass, Pip notices an even greater acceptance on Magwitch’s part. Just before he dies of illness, Pip whispers to him that his daughter is alive, that she is a lady, and that Pip loves her.

CHAPTER 57
PLOT DEVELOPMENT: After Magwitch’s death, Pip gives notice that he will leave the Temple, but he falls ill. Officers come to throw him in debtor’s prison, but he is too sick. He suffers from fever and delusions. One day he awakes to find Joe at his side, nursing him, as he has been for weeks. Joe is friendly, grateful that Pip is better. He tells him that Biddy urged him to go to Pip and that she has even taught him to write and read. Miss Havisham has died, and she left most of her property to Matthew Pocket because of Pip. He also says that Pumblechook’s place was broken into, and Orlick has been arrested and jailed for that crime. Gradually, Pip regains his strength. He goes riding with Joe and tries to confide what happened with his fortune and Magwitch, but Joe does not want to know. Joe becomes uncomfortable in London, and Pip awakens one morning to find him gone, leaving only a note to say he has paid off Pip’s debts. Pip abandons London three days later to thank Joe and to marry Biddy.

HW--Finish reading Great Expectations (58-59).

Final Draft due Block Day (to turnitin.com and printed); review peer feedback to revise.

Independent Reading--come ready for an in-class assignment on Block Day with sufficient and deep knowledge of your book(s).