Brad's Comments on Student Theme Statements

Some comments on your themes:

Zara is giving good details but has not translated them into a statement of general truth. Try based on what you learned in class today.

Jane's theme "Nothing is better than the love of a mother." is overstated. You might try, "Often, a mother is able to continue her loving actions even when under stress or after an argument with her children."

For Jane's theme on "family unity" I think that it might be better as "It is often painful to leave a family, though it may be necessary to achieve personal freedom."

For Andrew's theme on "emotions between family members," I'd rephrase it as "Families often stay together, even in the face of extreme stress and arguing."

For Andrew's second theme on "responsibility," I think it might be better to say, "Sometimes, we have to take responsibility for our family members, even when we would rather not."

For Claudia's theme on alcohol, I'd say, "Using alcohol to escape a conflict probably won't work and could even make things worse."

Claudia on mothers might be better as, "Often a mother will absorb the worst abuse from her children in the hopes of understanding them better."

Zhi’s theme, “Everybody has some things that are difficult to be described to others,” is pretty good as it is.

Zhi’s other theme, using ‘Mothers always . . .” is difficult to support as not all mothers do, so it could not be seen as a general truth.

Victoria’s theme, “In arguments people like to talk about their feelings; however they forget to listen about opponent’s feelings,” can be improved by using “often like to talk” and “often forget.” Otherwise, it’s quite true!

Victoria’s other theme, “You shouldn’t get the independence, success, and confidence at the expense of somebody else’s,” is not as successful. Themes provide truths about life; sometimes we may have to do some things at other’s expense. One could say, however, that “To gain independence, success and confidence, we sometimes have to sacrifice something or do things that have a human cost.”

Lola’s theme, “Most of mothers have never give up and do their best to creat a better condition for their kids,” would be better as “Most mothers never give up trying to create a better life for their kids.”

Lola’s other theme, “it was painful and contradictory feeling for people if they want to abandon a struggled family and get free personally,” is better as, “Abandoning your family for the sake of personal freedom often leads to painful and contradictory feelings.”

Keri’s theme, “Retreating a pace sometimes can make our life better,” is good as it is.
Keri’s other theme, “The most greatest thing in the world is the love of a mother,” is overstated a bit and would be better as “The love of a mother overcomes many obstacles and hurts.”

Lastly, Margaret’s theme, “Love for the weakest member brings family together,” is better as, “Often, a family’s love for a weaker member can bring them closer together.”
And, “Escaping from reality doesn’t solve the problems,” can be stated as, “Often, an escape from reality only creates new problems and doesn’t solve old ones.”

Two Questions on "The Glass Menagerie" Due Wednesday, November 21

Verbal irony is used in Tom's last speech of Scene 3. This speech contains elements of humour as well as bitterness. In a paragraph of about 125 words, agree or disagree with this statement.



Give two themes that are suggested in Scene 4. For each theme statement (a single sentence), provide supporting details. Write as a short answer instead of a paragraph.

Question on "The Glass Menagerie" Due Friday, November 16

The play has unusual qualities, with Tom, for example, addressing the audience directly. What is your personal reaction to Tennessee Williams' choice of narration?

Answer in a short, 100 word paragraph.

Student Answers for Editing at Writeboard

Lola's Answers


Margaret's Answers


Zara's Answers


Ken's Answers


Keri's Answers


Andrew's Answers


Jane's Answers


Victoria's Answers


Claudia's Answers

Vicky's Answers


Zhi's Answers


Tamu's Answers

Student Descriptive Essay Published at The Pearson Buzz

Cleaning the Well (November 10, 2007)
by Valentina

Well-described and edited story about the simple but hard work of cleaning a well. Reading this, you will enjoy a festive ritual as if you were there.

Question for "The Glass Menagerie" Due November 13 (midnight!)

Scene Two of the play introduces us to the blue roses and the glass menagerie.

Explain your own, personal, response to these two important symbols in a paragraph of about 150 words. Most of your writing should give specific details that give an opinion of, for example, the effect the symbols have on your thinking. There is no need to explain the symbolism in detail.

Please bring your answers to this question and the previous one as well, word processed and double spaced, to class on Wednesday.

Enjoy your long weekend!

Question for "The Glass Menagerie"

Please respond to the question as a comment to this post.

In the play "The Glass Menagerie," which character do you identify with [feel close to and understand]? Which character do you identify with the least?

Write in paragraph form in 125 to 150 words. Please finish your homework by midnight on Tuesday, November 6.

Late Homework: Please Hand In

Students who had no printed copy of last Friday's homework need to hand it in or it will not be marked. Hand in the 17th or 24th (at the latest).