Getting postcolonial: «A horse and two goats»

«A horse and two goats» was written by R.K. Narayan in 1970. It paints a perfect picture of Indian life after their independence from the British Empire in 1947. Bearing this in mind is essential when first tackling this literary piece as setting, context of production and culture seem pervasive. We are then invited to explore not only Postcolonialism as a historical phenomenon but the sense of Indianness as well.

Here goes a presentation that will, hopefully, aid you in the understanding of the macrocosm of this short story.

http://www.slideshare.net/danielabarra71/postcolonialism-39625497

Some tasks for you to carry out while checking the presentation out:

1) You are invited to complete the «main themes and concerns» section as each of the items need further explanation.

2) Read the poem «Colonization in Reverse» and trace postcolonial elements in it.

3) Make a list of important data about India which will contribute to your analysis of this text in particular.

See you in class for a whole-group discussion!

The Son’s Veto

Dear all,

As promised, here goes the file with essay questions on The Son’s Veto. Use your notes on the Victorian Times and on the analysis of the text. Remember there’s a scrapbook file you can also consult.

You must choose ONE of the questions in point A and plan your writing. That is to say, structure your ideas into an introduction, a body and a conclusion and choose relevant quotations from the story that will support your ideas in your composition. You must bring your planning to class on TUESDAY AUGUST 12th, when you’ll share your thoughts, doubts, insights, etc with your peers and me. The DEADLINE to HAND IN this essay is TUESDAY AUGUST 19th.

Point B in the file must also be handed in on AUGUST 19th.

Do not hesitate to ask me any questions!!!

Written assignment on the sons veto

«Orange Juice», by Michael Rosen

As a result of working with the poem «Orange Juice», Senior 2 made up different scenarios in which the different characters in the text had conversations. Some pairs focused on the relationship between the persona and his/her family; others performed as the thief and his/her family; and so on.

Have a look at the comments in this blog entry so that you learn what the experience was like straight from the horse’s mouth!

P.S. You can also peep into the poem by clicking on the attachment. Enjoy!
ROSENorange_ poem

«First day at school»

Hi, Senior 2!

Next Tuesday (March 11th) we’ll keep working on the poem by Roger McGough. I’d like you to write around 150 words that answer the following questions:

1) Whose voice can you hear, as it were, in the poem?

2) What is the persona like? Why?

Use lines from the poem to support your statements and views. Link your sentences by means of connectors. Your language must be semi-formal to formal.

Remember: it’s not a questionnaire but a short argumentative composition.

See you next week!

Dani