Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Latin

Modernism in American Literature (1915-1945)

Historical Context of Modernism

• Overwhelming technological changes
• World War I: The first war of mass destruction
• Grief over loss of past; fear of eroding traditions
• Rise of youth culture

Modernist Literary Style and Genre

• Dominant mood: alienation and disconnection
• Writing highly experimental: use of fragments, stream of consciousness, interior dialogue
• Writers sought to create a unique style

Key Modernist Writers

• Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

  • Writing style: concise, direct, spare, objective, precise, rhythmic
  • Major works include The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Old Man and the Sea
  • A larger-than-life hero: big game hunter, sport fisherman, headliner; won Pulitzer Prize and Nobel

Contemporary Literature (1945-Present)

Historical Context

• Media-Saturated Culture: People observe life as media presents it rather than experiencing life directly.
• Value Relativity: Insistence that values are not permanent but only "local" or "historical"; media culture interprets values.
• Post-WWII Prosperity: The economic boom following the Second World War.
• New Era: People beginning a new century and a new millennium.
• Social Protest: Increased movements advocating for social change.

Genre and Style Characteristics

• Blurred Reality: Lines between reality and fantasy are blurred; mix of fantasy and nonfiction.
• Anti-Heroes: Absence of traditional heroes, featuring anti-heroes instead.
• Individual Isolation: Concern with the individual in isolation.
• Tone:

Essential English Vocabulary & Grammar

Key Vocabulary: English-Catalan

Agreement

acord

Appearance

aspecte

Argument

discussió

Athletic build

complexió atlètica

Attraction

atracció

Average height

alçada mitjana

Awareness

consciència

Body language

llenguatge corporal

Brilliant

brillant, genial

Can’t believe one’s eyes

no poder creure el que es veu

Clever

intel·ligent

Compatibility

compatibilitat

Confidence

confiança

Curly

arrissat

Date

cita

Dating site

lloc web de contactes

Description

descripció

Enjoyment

plaer

Every now and then

de tant en tant

Fair

clara

Fall out

barallar-se

Feel uncomfortable

sentir-se incòmode

Focus on

concentrar-se en

Friendship

amistat

Frown

arrufar nas o celles

Get

tenir

Get along

avenir-se

Get it right

encertar-ho

Get to know

arribar a conèixer

Go on a diet

posar-

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism is a rhetorical device that involves repeating a grammatical structure.

How Did Dr. King Define Just Laws?

Dr. King defined just laws as laws made by a majority that apply to everyone and that respect human dignity.

How Does King View Time?

King views time as a neutral force that must be used proactively to create change.

Why Was King Arrested?

King was arrested for violating a moratorium on demonstrations.

What Did King Think About Being Told to Wait for His Rights?

King believed that African Americans had already waited almost 400 years for their rights and that no rights had ever been gained without demanding them.

What Does Retaliate Mean?

Retaliate means to make an attack in return for a similar attack.

Was Dr. King'

Understanding Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

Prefixes

Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Here are some common prefixes:

1. Anti-, Counter-, Contra-: Opposed to, against
2. Bi-: Having two
3. Circum-: Around, about
4. Com-, Con-, Col-, Cor-: With, together
5. En-: To change to
6. Ex-: Former, previous
7. In-, Im-, Il-, Ir-, Un-: Not, not having, lacking
8. Non-: Not, lacking
9. Per-: All over, very
10. Pre-: Before
11. Trans-: Across, beyond, through
12. Uni-: Single, one
13. Ab-: Away, from
14. Ad-: Motion to, increase in
15. De-: Down, away
16. In-, Im-: In, into
17. Inter-: Between
18. Mis-: Wrong, wrongly
19. Post-: After
20. Pro-: Favoring, forward, for
21. Re-: Again, back
22. Semi-: Half, partly
23. Sub-: Less, beneath, somewhat, later
24. Super-: Over, above, beyond

Roots

Roots are the core of a word, carrying the... Continue reading "Essential Guide to Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes" »

Deadlock

A complete failure to reach agreement or solve an argument.

The Case of Boom Boom's Death

1. Boom Boom was an injured hockey player working for Eudora Grain Company; he was found dead.
2. A ship was tied up at the wharf, and Boom Boom went under as she pulled away. His body was badly chewed up (p. 2).
3. Why couldn’t the Lucella Wieser take on grain from Eudora’s wharf?
   Someone put water in the holds, and they had to dry them out (page 11).
4. Eudora’s manager is Clayton Phillips.
5. Niels Grafalk and Martin were a clever businessman who used to work for Niels, but he left. Niels finds it impossible to accept Martin’s departure.

Vic's Investigation Begins

6. Vic returns to Boom Boom’s apartment. Someone had torn the place apart, and the watchman was

Swift's Utopian Visions and Literary Influences

In the tradition of extraordinary voyages, most significant for Swift were the two posthumous works of Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655):

• Histoire comique des états et empires de la lune (1656)
• Histoire comique des états et empires du soleil (1657)

Cyrano de Bergerac: A Key Influence on Swift

The Society of Moon Dwellers: Cyrano's Utopia

Cyrano's lunar society is depicted as:

• A crimeless idyll with a natural abundance of food, minimal work, beautiful females, and eternal spring.
• As there is no crime, there are no lawyers.
• Physicians are unnecessary since the Lunarians live healthy lives.
• Upon death, there is no grief but a kind of rejoicing at passing into heaven.

Cyrano's Lunar Voyage and Brobdingnag Parallels

Swift... Continue reading "Jonathan Swift's Utopian Satire and Literary Roots" »

Background

In a time of chaos, a great leader rises to power by promising to restore order. He rewards the loyal followers who have helped him. Soon he grows so powerful and arrogant that even his followers no longer trust him and conspire to kill him. In the hands of William Shakespeare, this true story from history became a great tragic drama, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

Full title

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Author

William Shakespeare

Type of work

Play

Genre

Tragic drama, historical drama

Language

Old English

Time and place written

1599, in London

Climax

Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other... Continue reading "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Characters, Setting, and Plot" »

Julius Caesar: Rome's Ambitious Leader

Julius Caesar is the leader of Rome who hopes to be crowned head of the entire Roman Empire. The entire play revolves around this event and the attempts of his close friend Antony to avenge his death and restore order to Rome.

Octavius Caesar: Julius's Heir

Octavius Caesar is Julius Caesar's heir.

Mark Antony: Loyal Friend and Avenger

Mark Antony is Julius Caesar's trusted companion. After Caesar's assassination, Antony turns the crowds against the conspirators.

Marcus Brutus: The Idealistic Conspirator

Marcus Brutus is a supposed good friend of Julius Caesar. He is an idealistic man, motivated by nobility and principles rather than by personal relationships. He agrees to the plot to assassinate his friend because... Continue reading "Key Characters in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Play" »