10th Grade Literature R.A.P.s

Fully discuss what is accomplished with the first two lines of the play. How does the Messenger establish the tone early for the audience? Now look at the entire opening speech in the first twenty-one lines of the play. What are we, as audience members, to be reminded of through this passage? What are we to feel about ourselves here? How? Why? Discuss fully the connotative implication present with the first twelve lines of God’s first speech. Look at the choice of words here in this oration. What are we to conclude about the “Divine Being” here? Is this an image we are accustomed to? How and why is there a sense of irony in the observation made by God at line 28? Is this how God is to be perceived? Fully explain thematic correlations made between observations made in the rest of this speech and issues discussed earlier in “Dinner with Trimalchio”? Make the connections. What conclusions does God come to regarding mankind? As God explains to Death, what are the conditions of the “pilgrimage” (68) that Everyman must take? Discuss fully what Death observes the moment that he sees Everyman for the first time. Do you believe that there is anything wrong with the attitude that Everyman has here? Fully discuss your opinion. As explained by Death, what is expected of Everyman with regard to the “reckoning” (99) that he owes God? Discuss the following line as spoken by Death as a means of introduction: “I am Death, that no man dreadeth. / For every man I ‘rest, and no man spareth”(115-6). What seems odd about the claim made in the first half of the observation when we consider all that we have come to understand about this particular topic? Why? Here, this line encompasses both how thing presently are on earth, according to evidence already presented in the play, as well as how they SHOULD be in the ideal world, given the fact that the Catholic Church composed this piece. Fully explain how there are two drastically different reads of this line. At line 119, what is Everyman’s response to Death’s order? How does Death reply to this? Why? Refer to Death’s early speeches to support this opinion. What is Everyman’s next attempt to thwart this threat? Finally, there is a sense of acceptance on Everyman’s part with the question posed at lines 155-6. What does Death say in response to this question up to line 160? How do you read Death’s response to Everyman’s comment: “I had weened so, verily.” (163)? What is told to us here about life? What does this suggest about how we are to treat our lives here, again given the fact that the Catholic Church composed this piece. Finally, Death leaves, allowing Everyman to prepare for the journey. Observations made in this final speech, from lines 184 to 205, seem hauntingly familiar. Make the connections.

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, written in 1386, is a series of stories told by people from different rungs of the social ladder as they make a religious pilgrimage from London to the Abbey at Canterbury, roughly 100 miles away, in honor of Sir Thomas a Becket; a Catholic saint martyred in 1170. What does this suggest about this belief system with regard to social classes? The tales are told to pass the time as they make the journey. A Miller is a common, working-class bloke whose job is to grind, or mill, the wheat that has been harvested from the fields into flour. The Prologue to The Miller’s Tale serves an interesting purpose for the reader. What is the mood as established by the Host with the conclusion of the tale told by the Knight? To whom does the Host initially turn for the next tale? Why do you suppose that this is the case? Thinking about what we came to understand with the speeches of Five Wits, how and why is this course of action taken by the Host to be seen as an interesting social commentary? What sort of social tone is the Host attempting to maintain with this course of action? Think about the social class of all characters involved. How does the Miller change this tone? Why? How is this to be seen as a challenge of the behavior and actions taken by the Host? How can this dialogue be seen as a social commentary with regard to social class? By line 33, what has the Miller said about his upcoming tale? Looking at this, as well as the Reeve’s reaction, how will the reader respond to this? Why? The moral of the upcoming tale can be summed up with the Miller’s statement from lines 53 to 56. What does this mean to you? What does the author have to say about the upcoming tale by the end of the prologue? Why? What purpose does this passage serve for the reader? How are we to respond to this? Why?

As Act Three begins, in scene one, where does Mephistophilis take Faustus? Why, based on all that has been said up to now, is this an extremely odd destination for these two? In Mephistophilis’ speech ending at line 46, we are presented with a description of the “Ponte Angelo”(III, I, 39), or “Bridge of the Angels”, which is one of the ways to travel from the City of Rome in The Vatican. This is immediately followed with a description of a structure which is part of Vatican City. What is the tone of the imagery here? At what sort of structure are we looking? What message does it seem that The Vatican wants to convey here about itself? What is this to do to our perception of the present situation/location? Throughout this scene, how is the Pope being portrayed as he speaks? Why? What do we learn about the Pope based on the opinion presented at lines 139 & 140? How and why is this statement to be seen as a reference to an idea presented by Five Wits in Everyman? Do you believe that this is what was intended in the morality play? Why? What has happened? What is Marlowe’s point here? Do you suppose that this seems to somewhat justify what Faustus and Mephistophilis are doing in this scene? What is Faustus to learn here? Fully explain your opinion. The remainder of the scene, and Faustus’ general behavior and actions, seems to quite aptly support analysis that was established in the last two RAPs regarding motivation. What is going on here? Why? What has happened to the Scholar of the University at Wittenberg? Why? What do you think is Marlowe’s point here? What is the lesson to be learned thus far in the text? As the Chorus begins Act Four, what has been understood about Faustus? Has he achieved what he wanted? Explain. What seems ironic about the observation made by Martino at scene on, lines 30-3? Again, what is the social statement being made here? Synthesize this with conclusions made in the past two RAPs. As scene two begins, we, again, see how Faustus is using his powers. As scene two proceeds, what do we learn about the character Benvolio? How and why does he seem different from the rest of the characters in this scene? Based on what he says, what do you think is his purpose in the text? Considering all that has been said up to now, and all of the characters that we have been introduced in the text, why has Marlowe put this character in the story? How and why is it possible to identify a thematic parallel between Benvolio’s role in this play and a character presented in Unit Two? Make and fully explain the connections. How and why is the introduction of this character also to be seen as a commentary on social class? How and why is this individual able to see what no one else can? Given Benvolio’s behavior, and the opinions that he voices, what does Faustus do to him? Why? As a result of this action, what has Benvolio decided to do, with the help of Martino and Frederick? Why? What does Faustus do to the three usurpers? Near the middle of scene five, Faustus has a moment of serious reflection, however, he makes what seems to be a rather hubristic and blasphemous comparison in the first half of page 852. Nevertheless, given the events of this reference, what should he come to understand with the reference he just made to The Story of Jesus? Look for the Christians and Catholics in the class for clarification. Think about the fundamental lessons taught with Everyman for support. Look at the pacing and structure of the entirety of Act Four. Given all of the characters that Faustus interacts with here, and looking at his opinions of all of these people, what is the commentary being made here with regard to class and faith? What is Marlowe’s point with the creation of this character, and the journey of exploration made in this play?

Next, we have our final piece of literature to be read in CORE 10 Literature. Here we will focus on a single individual from Victor Hugo’s 1463-page epic masterpiece Les Miserables. Fantine is a beautiful literary character. Something that must be kept in mind regarding this text is that the word “mistress” here simply means “GIRLFRIEND”! As her story begins, what do you think it means when Hugo tells us that she “still maintained her first illusions”(119)? Is this to be considered a benefit or a detriment in her character? Why? As these first few pages introduce us to all four girls, there is a thematic distinction established as contrasting Fantine and the other three. How and why do we recognize a thematic parallel between the backstory of the girls and the volumes of William Blake? Make the connections. Next, fully explain how and why the following commentary and philosophy neatly sums up the opinion established by the other girls with regard to the relationships with their men: “She who will remain virtuous must have no compassion for her hands”(120). Look at the lines immediately before and after this line to clarify Dahlia’s & Zephine’s violation of this philosophy. Fully explain how and why this philosophy resonates back to issues established in Blake, Wordsworth and Shelley. On pages 121 & 122 the author discusses the differences; behavioral, social and physical, between Fantine and Tholomyes. How and why do they seem to be perfect contrasting foils for one another? What does each have to their advantage? What does each lack? Fully discuss your opinion. How and why does this quote further elaborate their differences: “To him, it was an affair; to her a passion”(121)? The chapters “Four for Four” and “Tholomyes is So Happy, He Sings A Spanish Song” present us with a literary tone that has been studied at length in the poetry read in this unit. Explain. How is it present here? Near the end of page 123 the author speaks directly to the reader. Why do you suppose he does this? Does it seem to be distracting to you as a reader, or does it bring you closer to the text? Why? Explain. Using all of the information given in these two chapters FULLY explain what you believe Hugo means with the simple conclusion: “We have said that Fantine was joy; she was also modesty”(125). In what ways does Fantine seem to differ from the rest of the quartet based on all that has been explained up to now? How and why does this character possess a certain dignity that every other character in the text seems to lack? Which of Fantine’s characteristics seem to be very highly regarded? Why? Which seem less admirable? Why? What would you consider to be Fantine’s tragic flaw? Fully explain why. With a focus on the imagery presented on pages 127 & 128, discuss fully how and why it is clear that Hugo is presenting the reader with a literary equivalent of a particular artistic movement that you have studied in Art History class. Make and fully explain the connections by drawing the obvious and direct parallels between the two disciplines.

Here we begin “A Chapter of Self-Admiration” where the relationships between the men and women are fully explained with the dialogue between Favourite and Blacheville on pages 131 & 132. In response to Blacheville’s initial question, what does Favourite admit? What is she saying about her relationship with her man? How does this opinion seem to be different as she confides in Dahlia? What is she admitting HERE? How and why can this speech be seen as definitive with regard to the problem of priorities in their relationships? What seems wrong here? Why? What word that we used in our discussion of Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Miller’s Tale” could be used here in our discussion of Favourite? Make your case. Look at the brief passage on page 140 leading into the chapter entitled “Joyful End of Joy”. How and why does there seem to be something wrong with how the men leave the women in the restaurant on Tholomyes’ order? What is the implied message conveyed with this particular gesture? What are the men saying here? As the chapter opens, at the bottom of page 140, how and why is it clear that Fantine is, yet again, established as different from the other girls? Following this, what is the significance of the comment made by Favourite: “This Fantine is…amazed at the simplest things”(141)? What did Fantine notice? Why was this trivialized by the other girls? Why is there a certain degree of irony in this moment? Why does her behavior here resonate with all that has been established up to this point in the text? The letter, besides being obscenely condescending, is also extremely enlightening regarding the bourgeois class in France at the time of this tale. What are we to learn about the social classes as explained here between the men and women that we have been introduced to in the past two days? While it is nearly impossible to defend HOW the men behave, discuss fully how and why there is a certain degree of nobility in WHAT they are doing. What are we to understand about the role of the bourgeois class in society here? How and why do you suppose that the men held a certain degree of justification with their actions based on the final sentence of the letter. (Not the Post Script) If the women are supposedly devoted to these men, why don’t the men just continue their careers with them? In other words, why doesn’t Tholomyes just take Fantine home with him? We KNOW that he will never be able find anyone to match Fantine’s beauty. Discuss fully how and why this is a prime example of Social Darwinism. FINALLY, fully explain how and why the actions of the men can be thematically tied to a specific painting you have already studied in Art History. Make the connections.

Book Four begins with an introduction to characters that will be pivotal to the development of Fantine. Here, as the title explains, “One Mother Meets Another”. The first description of Cosette; Fantine’s daughter, is on page 146. Looking at this entire page, what do we learn here about both mother and daughter? Again here Hugo makes a sharp criticism about his society. What major dilemma is Fantine presently facing? How and why do we see here the cruelty of social standards? What is it demanding of her? What must Fantine do to ensure that she can care for Cosette? To clarify this, look at the commentary being made by the author on pages 147-8. What is Cosette called by the narrator near the top of page 148? Of what is Fantine guilty? What is her “crime”? Who, or what, is responsible for instilling this cultural mindset in the people? Looking at pages 146 thru 148, what else do we learn about Fantine? What characteristics has she been able to keep? What has she lost? Why? Fully explain the significance of the following episode between Fantine and Mdm. Thenardier with the following quote: “Magic charms do exist. These two little girls were one for this mother”(148). Fully explain how and why this observation can apply to the current situation of BOTH women. Fully explain what happens from the moment of this observation to the question posed at the top of page 151. Why did it happen? What observation made by Madame Thenardier at the bottom of page 150 seems to inspire Fantine to ask this question? With this observation, Cosette is being promised something that Fantine never had. Explain. Look at the phrasing of the immediate response of the question as presented at the top of page 151. What does this brief detail tell us about what had just transpired on the last page? What is implied here? Why? A third of the way down the page, who is the next character introduced? What seems odd regarding Fantine’s initial interaction with this character? Why? What does this tell us about this character? Look at the pacing of the text on page 151 with regard to the dialogue of Thenardier and his wife. What do we learn here about this couple based on this detail? How and why does the following line, from the chapter entitled “First Sketch of Two Equivocal Faces”, sums up the episode that just transpired: “The captured mouse was very puny, but the cat exults even over a lean mouse”(152)? In this chapter, Hugo describes the class to which the Thenardiers’ belong. What does the narrator tell us here about this “bastard class”(152)? Establish the distinctions here between this social group and the class to which Tholomyes belongs. Which seems to be the more admirable? Why? Explain what the “sign of (Thenardier’s) inn”(153) implies about the proprietor of the establishment? Based on all that we have learned about this character thus far, how can the image be “spun” to adequately define him? How must the image from page 144 be interpreted? How and why can the following seemingly contradictory claim be relevant to the portrayal of this character: that he is “at once coarse and fine”(153)? What do we learn about Cosette in the chapter entitled “The Lark”? What has happened to her? Why? What is the initial public opinion of what is happening here, and what the Thenardiers are doing? Why is this so painful for us to hear? What do we know that the townspeople do not? As the chapter progresses, and as the townspeople watch the gradual physical deterioration of Cosette, why do you suppose that the people of town “were happy to give a nickname to this (particular) child”(156)? What is the implication with this action? How and why might this be an adaptation of the earlier established “public opinion”? What are the people doing here? Connect this to William Blake’s poem “The Chimney-Sweeper” from Songs of Experience. (Think about the first line of the poem) What is Hugo’s vicious comment on society here? Explain the meaning of the final line of this chapter.

Starting on page 167 we are introduced to Chief Inspector Javert in the chapter entitled ‘Vague Flashes On You Horizon’. As presented in the first paragraph of this chapter, discuss full how and why it is clear that the main character of this epic masterpiece Jean Valjean, currently living under the pseudonym Monsieur Madeleine, has truly become a full-fledged member of the Bourgeois Class, as was established earlier with Tholomyes and ‘the surprise'(142)? As the chapter continues, as you look at page 168, discuss fully how Javert views the Mayor differently from everyone else. Why? Fully explain how and why it is clear that there are striking parallels between the personal histories of Javert and Valjean. Make the connections. Next, discuss fully how their upbringings and cultural views are drastically different. How has each man chosen to view the world around them? As we look at these two LITERARY FOILS, what do you suppose is the author’s statement about his society? Make the connections. ‘This man was a compound of two sentiments, simple and good in themselves, but he made them almost evil by his exaggeration of them: respect for authority and hatred of rebellion.'(170) How and why does this passage clearly and simply define Chief Inspector Javert? As you continue to read this chapter, looking at the first half of page 171, discuss how and why the behavior presented here by the Chief Inspector is strikingly similar to earlier actions taken by Mr. Thenardier as presented on page 151. In what ways are these two men frighteningly similar? Based on all that we have been told, is Chief Inspector Javert to be admired or hated for his social mindset? Is he a villain as compared to Jean Valjean? Defend your conclusions with at least three passages of textual evidence properly cited and analyzed. Fully explain the sarcastic significance of the title of the next assigned chapter on page 176: “Madame Victurnien Spends Thirty-Five Francs On Morality” with an analysis of the events chronicled on the next two pages. With this summation of the events include how and why Fantine experiences drastic emotional shifts on two pages. How and why is Fantine victimized in this chapter? Why is she targeted? What happens to her as a result of this action? How and why is it possible to establish another thematic parallel between this moment and what Shelley presented earlier in this unit? Make the connections. Again, here Hugo again discusses the utter repulsiveness of the social standards of France with this episode. What is to blame on a social level? Fully support your opinion. Discuss fully how and why, according to the author, the motivation for this endeavor is this “(a) sad thing”(177)?

Considering yesterday’s discussion and analysis, why is the next chapter of the text entitled “Madame Victurnien’s Victory”? What has happened to Fantine? How and why does does it seem that the mayor has something to do with Fantine’s destiny? Looking at the bottom of page 179, describe Fantine’s present situation. What is her current dilemma? Why is she, basically, trapped in her current predicament? By the end of this chapter, how has Fantine changed? Is she to be admired in some way for this action? Why? What is, as discussed in the next chapter, the “Outcome of the Success”? WHOSE success?!? I want you to make a distinct correlation between Fantine’s first major loss in this chapter with regard to both event and sentiment as conveyed in one of the poems read in this unit. Where are the thematic parallels? Discuss with evidence taken from both texts. Considering not only the series of events that are portrayed here, but also the tone taken by Hugo in this passage, discuss fully what the author wants the reader to understand and feel about this series of events. Be clear and thorough in your analysis. After reading the letter from the Thenardiers, Fantine speaks to Marguerite. What is the purpose of the dialogue regarding “military fever” on page 184? What does it tell us about the Thenardiers? For a moment, what was Fantine briefly contemplating? What happened to this consideration, based on Marguerite’s response? Immediately following this, we have Fantine’s second major loss. How does she feel about this action? Why? What does this behavior further prove about this character? Why? How and why does Fantine’s action, up to this point, resonate back to a concept introduced on page 120 of the text? How do the Thenardiers change Fantine’s embrace of this philosophy by the end of this chapter? What has she decided to become? Why? How does the following line support and defend Fantine’s decision to take up this profession: “The holy law of Jesus Christ governs our civilization, but it does not yet permeate it”(186)? Again, explain the attack made by Hugo regarding social standards. Compare and contrast the imagery of Fantine established at the bottom of page 186 with that of a description of her from the chapter entitled ‘Four for Four’ near the bottom of page 125 How and why, tragically, is there a powerful sense of similarity in the metaphor here? What do you think is Hugo’s point here? With an in-depth study of both moments, and both images, what had happened to the woman who was “brought forth from the heart of the people”(121)? How does Fantine respond to M. Bamatabois’ verbal assaults? When and why, then, does her demeanor change with the incident with the snow? What admirable characteristic does she seem to still possess? Explain.

How is Fantine’s behaving as she is led to the police station by Javert? What does her demeanor suggest, given her perspective of the events? Why would she present this attitude? Support her actions here. Fully explain how and why the following observation applies to the episode in question in the text as well as present day society: “Curiosity is gluttony. To see is to devour”(190). What does this tell us about Hugo’s society as well as our own? Next, with evidence from the text explain Inspector Javert’s “formidable discretionary power”(190) in the police station. What is his preconceived attitude regarding the episode in the snow? How and why has he already determined Fantine’s guilt in the situation? Again, how does this opinion translate to contemporary American society? How does Fantine dehumanize herself in this episode? Is this action to be determined as completely degrading or utterly noble of her? Explain. How does her plea to Javert on pages 191 & 192 take different tones and approaches? Explain at least three shifts with textual evidence. Discuss fully why Javert would respond with “a sort of angry awkwardness”(192) when he recognizes the man who has been in the station? How does Fantine respond when she recognizes the mayor? Why? Fully explain how and why her action and the Mayor’s instant response draws out the following: “Javert felt as though he were about to lose his mind”(192). Discuss why Fantine opinion seems to be a bit unclear as to the events as they are playing out. What does she believe is happening here? Why? By the end of page 194, what have we come to understand about Fantine? Pages 195 to 197 chronicles a clash of two titans in the town of Montreuil-sur-mer. Fully explain, with at least three quotes each, the arguments held by both Mayor Madeleine and Inspector Javert. Ensure to include the mayor’s implication near the bottom of page 195, and what you believe to be Javert’s response to this claim. Page 198 finally presents some consolation and closure for Fantine. How does she react to this? Why? With the chapter “Now, Rest”, Madeleine explains to Fantine that she is “now among the elect…(the)…way that mortals become angels”(199). Don’t you think that Fantine is already there? Explain your opinion. What has Javert decided to do in this chapter? Why? Yet again, Hugo makes a scathing social attack with the following: “It was not without some repugnance, at first, that the sisters received and cared for this girl”(199). Fully explain his commentary here. Finally, explain how and why the Thenardiers respond to Fantine’s letters. What do you think about this development? Why?Fully discuss how and why “Sister Simplice (has been) Put To The Test”(248). What does this chapter chronicle? What has happened to this character we have come to respect and admire based on the physical description given on page 249? What seems to be the most tragic detail in this passage? Explain. While Fantine deteriorates physically, what keeps her going? How and why does this resonate back to an observation made about this character on page 120? As this chapter is read, up to and including page 255, what possible prognosis do both the reader and the doctor consider regarding Fantine’s illness? What is the only thing keeping Fantine going? How and why could this possibility add to the tragedy of the character?

In the chapter “Fantine Happy”(282) we have a sense of solace for her with the line “To her Cosette seemed a little girl who could be carried”(283). Discuss fully how and why this sense of solace or consolation, for both mother and daughter, can be found in one of the poems read in the unit. Make the specific connection. Javert returns to the scene with a complete clarification and understanding of the identity of the mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer as presented in the chapter entitled ‘Javert Satisfied’. There is a frightening sense of satisfaction in this character on pages 287-288. What is Hugo’s point in his celebration of Javert’s character flaw? How and why is Javert here a “ferocious archangel”(289)? Is he to be admired or loathed for this? Why? Next, Javert speaks to Valjean as “Authority Gains Its Power” (289). What is the significance of what Hugo tells us about how Javert speaks at the bottom of this page? Why is this behavior perfectly understandable considering Javert’s personality and also keeping in mind all that has transpired between these two characters from yesterday’s passage of the text? Completely support your opinions. Here are the six fundamental themes that will be dealt with in the final exam, each will be presented once in the test: 1.innocence versus experience, 2.imagery, 3.nature, 4.memory, 5.sacrifice and 6.corruption & oppression. It will be your responsibility to determine which passage of textual evidence best exemplifies each particular theme. Thank you for continuing to follow directions until the end of our time together. We have a devastating and tragic moment on page 291. Fully explain what happened to the attitude held by Fantine in the past six pages. How and why is it clear that the information presented by Javert served as the catalyst for Fantine’s death? Nevertheless, how and why can this event be blamed on Valjean, Javert and Thenardier? How and why are they all to be held responsible for Fantine’s fate? Explain why, at the end of this chapter, “Fantine’s face seemed strangely luminous”(292). With the final chapter assigned, yet again, we get a great sense of social commentary being made by Hugo. As with earlier discussions, discuss fully how and why the public opinion of Jean Valjean is hauntingly similar to the earlier opinions and attitudes held of Fantine by the masses. What is Hugo’s point here? Finally, why, according to Hugo, is Fantine laid to rest in “A Fitting Grave”(293)? How has Hugo’s commentary and tone remained consistent throughout this entire text? Why has this been the case? What is this author telling the reader about his society with the tragic yet glorious story of Fantine? This entire story is an example of a major theme that has been discussed in this unit. You will explain how and why this brilliantly tragic and magnificently noble character, with all that we have read about her, thematically resonates in all the texts that we have read in this unit for this class. You will use evidence taken from no fewer than six other texts to explain the thematic unity. How have Blake, Wordsworth, Housman, Shelley, Hardy, Wilde and Hugo all addressed the same general theme? What do all of them have to say on the topic? Finally, discuss fully how and why the entire tale of Fantine, with all of her trials and tribulations, can be thematically represented in one particular work of art? How is it clear that one painting that you have studied best and most effectively symbolically captures this heroine’s entire tale? Make your case. Be clear and specific in your analysis.