"Does nobody know old Rip Van Winkle?"

John Howe. Rip Van Winkle cover.
Little, Brown and Company, 1992.

Today we are continuing our study of Washington Irving's masterpiece, "Rip Van Winkle"-- arguable one of the best American short stories ever written, ever. Today is work day, however, as we continue on in our understanding of Romanticism and in the importance of the imagination.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Finish the historical record of Deitrick Knickerbock's "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving. Here's a more comprehensive version of the tale, with pictures and such.
3. Reading Journal (11/7): Irving
1. Answer questions #3, 4, 7. You can find it here.
4. Lecture and discuss "Rip Van Winkle" and Romantic Notes.
5. Review HW:
1. In-class Essay 
2. 
   

 

Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. -- G.K. C.

Rip Van Winkle asleep in the woods.

We are delving into the mysterious now. No more reductive, natural law; no more cold materialism. The world is charged with an inscrutable grandeur. There are limits to our understanding, ends to our rationalism. As Chesterton says, "Imagination does not breed insanity. Exactly what does breed insanity is reason. Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. Mathematicians go mad, and cashiers; but creative artists very seldom." As you read today, consider what is inherently Romantic about Irving's story?

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Continue reading "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving (or find it online here; go to "next" at the bottom of each page to get to continue). You can also find it here. Finish this wonder story. Meditate upon it. Savor it.
3. Check American Romanticism Notes (p. 133-145)
4. Review HW:
1. Finish reading "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving (if you did not finish in class).
2. 2012 Presidential Election Essay
3. Vocabulary Unit 5 HW: 
1. Select any five words from Unit 5. Know each word's part of speech. Write a short paragraph that correctly uses these five words, is grammatically correct, and addresses one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: Explain your effort and progress in any class you are currently taking.
2. Prompt 2: Write a paragraph that features some old dude who knows how to build stuff with his bare hands. While you watch him build, you learn about life. 
1. Underline or highlight the words. Note which prompt you choose. Turn it in hard copy.

Faith dies, materialism sprouts, and political revolutions flourish in the soil of Rationalism.

The Death of General Warren at 
the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17,1775. 
Oil on Canvas. 1786. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Why is that so much Revolutionary War comes on the heels of some Rationalist Manifesto? Why is that so much Revolution springs up during the Age of Reason? Could this merely be a coincidence? Many would have us believe that it was the Enlightenment that gave us all the good things in this Western World. But the opposite is quite true. Although we are moving past this historical period, it's good to keep in mind this theme throughout our year: ideas have consequences. Today's title is a sufficient summary of the affects of hard core rationalism. It is a essentially a foreshadowing of the philosophical materialism that will rear its ugly head in the latter 19th century.

Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Behold the REVISED 2012 Presidential Election Essay
3. Read "American Romanticism" (p. 133-149) 
1. Continue to Take Notes in your reading.
2. Work productively with a partner. 
4. Begin Washington Irving: 
1. Read Irving's bio (p. 150)
2. Read "Rip Van Winkle"(or find it online here; go to "next" at the bottom of each page to get to continue).
5. Review HW:
1. Finish Romantic Notes by Wednesday (11/7).
2. Presidential Election Essay (11/13).

Edwards, Franklin, and the crazy hair of Rationalism

Rationalism: any man with hair
like this is not to be trusted. 

Still studying the end of Puritanism and the beginning of Puritanism. This will lead into much of the Revolutionary Literature of 18th century America.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Read the following Rationalist literature: 
1. Thomas Jefferson: selections (p. 95-101 in Lit Book)
2. William Byrd: "The History of the Dividing Line" 
3. Finish RJ on Edwards. Add the following questions:
1. What might Edwards say in response to some of the ideas put forth in Jefferson's writing, namely the Declaration of Independence?
2. What might Edwards say in response to the suggestions made by William Byrd?
4. Discuss the differences between Edwards and the Rationalists.
5. Review HW: 
1. Finish readings above. Reading Journal Questions above.
2. Study Puritanism and Rationalism. Quiz this week. Block Day.

Edwards: Last of the Puritans

Jonathan Edwards.

Today our objective is to study Edwards, a relic, a man the last of his kind fading into obscurity in the world of Rationalism and Independence. We shall take a closer look at the man, so as to not judge him merely by his famous fire and brimstone sermon. In addition, today finishing vocabulary Unit 3 and section 8 in Bedford grammar. For those of you who did not turn in your autobiographical essay, you have this long weekend to finish it. Do not leave it to the last minute.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Study for a few minutes
3. Vocab & Grammar Quiz: Unit 3 & Bedford 8
4. Collect Practice PSAT Tests (for EC)
5. Read "The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards"
6. Reading Journal (10/11): Edwards
1. What is the purpose of Edwards' "S.I.T.H.A.G."?
2. In his "Resolutions" and in "S.I.T.H.A.G"  what elements contrast with Franklin and with a Rationalist worldview? 
7. Review HW: 
1. Read Autobiographical Essay -- due 10/11-10/14.
2. Study notes on Puritanism and Rationalism. Quiz next week.
3. Finish Reading Journal on Edwards

Edwards and "The Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

We are still studying and discussing the Puritan culture and how it has influence American culture at large. We come now to the "Last of the Puritans," Jonathan Edwards.

Agenda:

1. Pater noster
2. The Puritan preacher and theologian, Jonathan Edwards:
1. Read Bio Blurb on Edwards (p. 44)
2. Read "Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God" (p. 46).
3. Read model Autobiographical Essay.
4. Review HW: 
1. Vocab HW: Unit 3 words:
1. Pick any five words from Unit 3. Know each word's part of speech. Write a short paragraph that correctly uses these five words, is grammatically correct, and addresses one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: Explain what a Rationalist is. What is their fascination with reason and science?
2. Prompt 2: Write a brief conversation between Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards.
2. Be sure to note which prompt you choose.
2. Study Vocab Unit 3 and Bedford 8-9 for quiz
3. Read Autobiographical Essay -- due 10/11-10/14.
4. Review the Lecture Notes on Rationalism

Ben Franklin: Part 2

Carbonic alloy engraving. Engraved by A.H. Richie.
Drawn by C. N. Cochin. 1777. 

Today we are getting closer reading of Franklin. To do this you have a number of study questions to consider and answer as you reread. The purpose is to ultimately assist you in your understanding Rationalism and how it compares to Puritanism, the philosophical period that preceded it.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Reading Journal (10/4): Franklin
1. What details in his Autobiography demonstrate a Rationalist worldview? Point to at least 2.
2. Franklin writes about "arriving at moral perfection" (p. 69). What does this say about his belief regarding the nature of man? 
3. Explain Franklin's strategy in his "list of virtues." What themes are recurrent? 
4. Pick any 2 of Franklin's Aphorisms (p. 74 in Lit Book) and explain them. 
3. Read Autobiographical Essay. Due of next week (10/12). 
1. Check out the Autobiographical Essay Rubric for how I will score this essay.
4. The Puritan preacher and theologian, Jonathan Edwards:
1. Read Bio Blurb on Edwards (p. 44)
2. Read "Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God" (p. 46).
5. Watch John Adams
6. Review HW:
1. Begin Vocab HW for this week: Unit 3 words:
1. Pick any five words from Unit 3. Know each word's part of speech. Write a short paragraph that correctly uses these five words, is grammatically correct, and addresses one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: Explain what a Rationalist is. What is their fascination with reason and science?
2. Prompt 2: Write a brief conversation between Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards.
2. Be sure to note which prompt you choose.
2. Study Vocab Unit 3 and Bedford 8-9 for quiz
3. Read Autobiographical Essay -- due 10/12.
4. Review the Lecture Notes on Rationalism 

Why is it always all about the Benjamins?

Ben Franklin. Joseph Duplessis. 1785.
Oil on canvas. Smithsonian.

This block day we have much to cover. We are studying to the two worldviews of Puritanism and Rationalism. In order to best do this, it is wise to focus a representative character for each philosophical and historical period. For Puritanism we have gotten to know our own Jonathan Edwards. For Rationalism, we will get acquainted with a legend: Benjamin Franklin. In our reading of Franklin, we will begin to understand what exactly is a Rationalist.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Reading Check Quiz: Equiano
3. Review Rationalism
1. Check out this Lecture on Rationalism
4. Intro to Benjamin Franklin:
1. Read bio (p. 65) 
2. Read Benjamin Franklin's "Autobiography" (p.67) 
3. Read Franklin's Aphorisms (p. 75)  
5. Review HW:
1. Begin Vocab HW for this week: Unit 3 words:
1. Pick any five words from Unit 3. Know each word's part of speech. Write a short paragraph that correctly uses these five words, is grammatically correct, and addresses one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: Explain what a Rationalist is. What is their fascination with reason and science?
2. Prompt 2: Write a brief conversation between Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards.
2. Study Vocab Unit 3 and Bedford 8 for quiz next week
3. Study notes on Puritanism and on Rationalism for a quiz next week.