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

The History of "Happy Birthday to You"

"Happy Birthday" had its origins in 1893, when Mildred Hill, a kindergarten teacher in Louisville, Kentucky, put together a simple little tune. Whether she composed it entirely out of her head, or was influenced by other "folk song" fragments, is not clear. But when her younger sister Patty Hill, also a teacher, added words, the groundwork was laid for a very pleasing song.

From Greeting to Celebration

They called it "Good Morning to All":

• Good morning to you,
• Good morning to you.
• Good morning, dear children,
• Good morning to all.

"Good Morning to All" was initially intended, and used, as a welcoming song to be sung by the teacher to the class each morning. But when it was published later in 1893, in a book of... Continue reading "The History of 'Happy Birthday to You' Song" »

20th-Century British Novelists and Writers

To the present day. Narrative: the utopian novel.

Aldous Huxley

He was born into a well-known family of scientists and writers. He was educated at Eton and Oxford. He suffered personal tragedies, including near blindness at the age of 16. He worked as a journalist and lived in France and Italy. He died in 1937 in California. His style is cynical and hopeless. He uses a precise, satirical, brilliant, and intelligent language, with wit and confidence.

Works:

• Short stories: Limbo
• Essays: essayist who writes novels
• Poetry: Leda
• Travel book: Beyond the Mexique Bay
• Novels: Crome Yellow

George Orwell

His real name is Eric A. Blair. He was born in India and studied at Eton. He worked as a journalist; he came to Spain... Continue reading "Classic 20th-Century British Novelists and Their Works" »

Coleridge centered on the ideal of Romanticism, representing the self.

• Description of the supernatural
• Individuality represented by dreams

These poets embody the movement in literary terms. For Coleridge, poetry is the exponent of Romanticism and is represented as the priority of English literature (a cultural interpretation). The poets consider themselves a kind of leader who helps to understand society. The poet is the one who teaches and guides, leading others to the truth.

Poetry explains to people how the world works. It is a vital way of teaching. Every poet interprets Romanticism in a very different way. The Romantic elements are seen from different points of view as they structure their Romanticism. Wordsworth and Coleridge use very different... Continue reading "Coleridge and Wordsworth: Romanticism, Language, and Imagination" »

Romeo and Juliet Bookmark — Symbolism

Hello, good morning. I come to present my bookmark inspired by the book Romeo and Juliet.

First Drawing — Romeo and Juliet, Black and White

The first drawing, the largest on the bookmark, shows the two protagonists of the book, Romeo and Juliet. If you look closely, Juliet is painted black and Romeo is white. This means that despite being an impossible love because their families did not support each other, black and white symbolize how, like yin and yang, love arose between the two of them. We can also see small black and white hearts that symbolize impossible love.

Second Drawing — Party Mask (Capulet Ball)

The second drawing, which is slightly smaller than the previous one, is a party mask. This drawing... Continue reading "Romeo and Juliet Bookmark Symbols and Meanings" »

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:

Matthew Arnold: Poetry as Criticism of Life

We should conceive of it [poetry] as capable of higher uses, and called to higher destinies, than those which in general men have assigned to it hitherto. More and more mankind will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us. Without poetry, our science will appear incomplete; and most of what now passes with us for religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry. Science, I say, will appear incomplete without it...

But if we conceive thus highly of the destinies of poetry, we must also set our standard for poetry high, since poetry, to be capable of fulfilling such high destinies, must be poetry of a high order of excellence. We must accustom ourselves

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-

The Rise of Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain (711–1031)

The Muslims called the territory they controlled on the peninsula, Al-Andalus. This territory became a province, or emirate, of the Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus. The capital of the emirate was Córdoba. When the Abbasids of Baghdad took over from the Umayyads, the only Umayyad survivor, Abd ar-Rahman I, came to Al-Andalus. He declared himself an emir over the Independent Emirate.

The Fragmentation of Al-Andalus and the Taifa Kingdoms

In 912, Abd ar-Rahman III became emir. He governed very well and declared himself Caliph of Al-Andalus. He had absolute power. The Caliphate of Córdoba was formed, and a golden age began.

After 1008, the Caliphate of Córdoba was no longer unified. Al-Andalus was... Continue reading "The Rise and Fall of Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain History" »