Response to Course Materials #4

So, this past month, we've finally gotten to hear the famous "Holmes-ey stories" that seniors from classes passed have told me about. And they are awesome. As far as the curriculum.... well I really appreciated an insight on the 'method to madness'. The sequencing of AP has at times baffled me, but I completely understand why we are reading the books in the order we do. American Dream is crazy and post-modern, so all of the symbolism and deeper meaning is really obvious, because otherwise the entire thing would be completely random. Then, Death of A Salesman is also about disappointment and failure of the American Dream, but its more subtle and gets into family relationships in a much more intimate, emotional way. So much Oedipus! I was simultaneously disturbed and impressed by the complexities of Willy and Biff relationship. I never would have interpreted their relationship to be Oedipal, nonetheless liek lover, but the text speaks for itself.  How they 'spoke on the phone together for hours' and how they embrace and cry and Biff kisses him (so awkward). So, speaking of incest, its time for Hamlet! I am a huge fan of Shakespeare, so this is probably going to be my favorite unit. I've also found that reading The Other Boleyn Girl has actually been very helpful to understanding the dynamics of the court of Elsinore. At this time of year, lit teachers generally ask us to write sonnets, and that is actually my very favorite part of English. Freshman year, I wrote twelve (so much extra credit, I didn't have to work for the rest of the year), and in Brit Lit, I got to write a condensed Twelfth Night in iambic pentameter. So, yes, I am very excited to be reading Hamlet.