Life of Pi Exam

Please copy and paste the following FOUR questions to a GoogleDoc, respond and share with me by 5:30 PM on Monday, April 13th.

1. Why does Pi give credit for his survival to Richard Parker? If each character in Pi’s two stories are paralleled - Orange Juice to Pi’s mother, the hyena to the cook, the zebra to the sailor, and Richard Parker to Pi - what does Pi represent in the first story? Use evidence from the story to support your answers and respond in no less than 250 words.


2. Considering the criteria that you established that is necessary for a story that will make one believe in God, did Pi's story achieve that? Please be specific to the characters, the setting and the plot.  Your response should be at least 3 paragraphs.


3. A Found Poem is a type of poetry created by taking words, phrases, and sometimes whole passages from other sources and reframing them as poetry. Use the text of "Life of Pi" and create a Found Poem consisting of at least 9 lines.  Here is an example -
Life was routine for me
Always working, always wondering
No pain and suffering
Just life, as plain as can be

Life was routine for me
My walls painted white
But it was not a panoramic sight
Generic as can be, just as my life, you can see.

Life was spontaneous one day
Aboard a cruise line, many lives were taken
Not even the child beside me, could I awaken
I’m on my own.

Life was a challenge
For suddenly, I was on my own
For 43 days, life was unprompted
When they found me, I wasn’t the same
Then I thought, I’d need a new name

4. Did you like the novel?  In no less than 150 words and using details from the text, please describe your reaction to the novel.   

Life of Pi vs. The Tyger by William Black

Read the poem "The Tyger" by William Blake and answer the following questions. Any word you are unfamiliar with - look it up! I recommend that all answers be composed in a GoogleDoc and then copied & pasted into the comment box.

1. Compare and contrast Blake's description of a Tiger to Pi's description of Richard Parker (read p. 99, p. 108 & chp. 49). Your response should be at least two paragraphs.

2. How does the speaker of the poem find the tiger so awful and so great at the same time? How does the tiger make the speaker believe in the "divine creator" and make him feel so small?

3. Paraphrase the poem - put it into your own words. Your paraphrase should be the same length of the poem.

BONUS - This poem comes from a book with two contrasting collections of poems by William Blake. What is the title of the book?  When was it first published? What is contrasting/companion poem to "The Tyger?"

YOUR RESPONSE IS DUE BY MONDAY, MARCH 30TH AT 8 AM!

The Battle

One of the most-watched videos on YouTube shows the struggle of a water buffalo family and herd to save a child. It’s called the Battle at Kruger Park.

It begins with a buffalo mother, father, and child meandering peacefully ahead of the herd, unaware that a pride of six lions are stealthily easing up to attack them. Sensing the danger too late, the water buffalo parents and calf immediately turn and run away. The child cannot keep up and a battle ensues.

Watch the video and then respond to the prompts in a blog comment. Construct your reponses in a Google Doc and then copy & paste over. It should be posted by  10 PM on Sunday.

1. If you could be one of these animals (or any animal), which one would you be? Why? Would you rather be an animal living in a National Park like Kruger or in a zoo?

2. How is this video a lesson in leadership? survival?

3. Using as much descriptive and sensory language as possible, how would you describe this scene/video to someone that had never seen it or couldn't see it? Your response must be no less than 3 paragraphs. 

4. How could this video be viewed as a metaphor for the human race? Who would the water buffalo represent?  the lions?  the crocodile? 

Which Was Better - Of Mice and Men

What are your thoughts about how the book and the movie compare?  What differences did you notice between the two?  How true to the book was the movie?  Did the actors portray the characters the way you imagined them when you read the book? If Steinbeck had been able to see the movie, do you think he would have approved?  Explain.   Which is better - the book or the movie?  Why?

#1 - Your response should be no less than two paragraphs and posted by 10 PM, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29TH   

#2 - Select one of your classmate's post and write a 3-5 sentence response to his/her viewpoints regarding the book vs. movie.  This response should be posted by 10 PM ON FRIDAY.

Survive - Unbroken

Zamperini's ordeal at sea is unbelievable for most individuals. Describe in no less than two paragraphs, the physical, mental and emotional strategies that he employed in order to survive.

Your entry needs to be posted by 10 PM on THURSDAY, January 29th.

THEN -  Select one of your classmate's post and write a 3-5 sentence response to his/her viewpoints.  This response should be posted by 10 PM on FRIDAY.

Secrets - Deadline

The important people in Ben's life begin to reveal deep secrets and emotions to him.  First it is Dallas, next it will be Rudy and then finally, Coach. 

How did Dallas's revelation affect Ben? 

Why is it so hard for him to share his secret?      

How does Hey-Soos help with this dilemma? 

#1 - Your entry should be answer all 3 questions with evidence from the story and it should be at least 2 paragraphs.  It is due by  10 PM Thursday, January 28th!

#2 - Select one of your classmate's post and write a 3-5 sentence response to his/her viewpoints.  This response should be posted by 10 PM on Friday.

The Loss of War Buddies - Unbroken

Zamperini experiences unbelievable loss of many of his war friends. Discuss one of the events, in which Zamperini experienced such a loss. Describe in detail, what was his relationship to those that died and how do you think it affected him mentally and emotionally. Please use specific examples from the book to support your answers.

This post is due by 10 PM on January 22nd!