Friday 31 October 2014

ENGLISH LITERATURE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: OSCAR WILDE'S SHORT STORIES, A GEM OF ENGLISH LITERATURE!


As a lover of  English literature, knowing the historical contexts where a piece of work was written, is essential to enjoy your reading much more; the Norton Anthology offers  a really good summary of the beginning of this interesting period.
I think reading Oscar Wilde's great work is an incomparable way of introducing yourself in the atmosphere of 100 years ago from his original, wise and ironic point of view!
Why don't you start by reading his short stories?





POSSESSION, MY YOUR HIS HER ITS...........POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES AND SAXON GENITIVE: TOM'S

Possessive adjectives

Saxon genitive

Thursday 30 October 2014

LEARNING ENGLISH IS FUN WITH ROWAN ATKINSON!

We are most amused!


The Amazing Jesus and Trixy
written by Rowan Atkinson



Rowan Atkinson: And on the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. And it came to pass that all the wine was drunk. And the mother of the bride came to Jesus and said unto the Lord, they have no more wine. And Jesus said unto the servants: "Fill six waterpots with water." And they did so. And when the steward of the feast did taste from the water of the pots, it had become wine. And they knew not whence it had come.
But the servants did know, so they applauded loudly in the kitchen. And they said unto the Lord: "How the hell did you do that?" And inquired of him: "Do you do children's parties" And the Lord said:"No." But the servants did press him, saying; "Go on, give us another one!"
And so he brought forth a carrot, and said: "Behold this, for it is a carrot." And all about him knew that it was so. For it was orange, with a green top. And he did place a large red cloth over the carrot, and then removed it, and lo, he held in his hand a white rabbit. And all were amazed, and said: "This guy is really good! He should turn professional."
And they brought him on a stretcher a man who was sick of the palsy. And they cried unto him: "Maestro, this man is sick of the palsy." And the Lord said: "If I had to spend my whole life on a stretcher, I'd be pretty sick of the palsy, too!" And they were filled with joy. And cried out: "Lord, thy one-liners are as good as thy tricks. Thou art indeed an all-round family entertainer."
And there came unto him a woman called Mary, who had seen the Lord and believed, and Jesus said unto her:"Put on a tutu, and lie down in this box." And then took he forth a saw, and cleft her in twain. And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. But Jesus said: "Oh ye of little faith!" And he threw open the box and lo, Mary was whole. And the crowd went absolutely bananas. And Jesus and Mary took a big bow. And he said unto her: "From now on you shall be known as Trixy, for that is a good name for an assistant."
And the people said unto him: "We've never seen anything like this. You shouldn't be wasting your time in a one camel town like Cana. You should beplaying in the big arenas in Jerusalem!" And Jesus did harken to their words. And he did go on to Jerusalem, and he did his full act before the scribes, the Palestines and the Romans.
But alas it did not please them in their hearts. In fact, they crucified him.
Here endeth the lesson. Amen.
Source: http://www.whysanity.net/monos/rowan.html

POETIC READING AND POETIC WRITING

Dear fans of literature

Given that most of us like not only reading, but also writing poetry, here are some interesting links to enjoy much more our hobby:
1.ANALYZING POETRY: HOW TO READ POETRY


2.Two excellent webs, here you can revise LITERARY TERMS with examples taken from the great writers and this other one about LITERARY DEVICES.

3.And finally, a book, here is the review of The Ode Less Travelled, by Stephen Fry and visit his website if you are interested in this versatile artist. His book is a guide to writing poetry with lots of useful information!

Wednesday 29 October 2014

MUSIC TO OUR EARS!

The more I listen to Dire Straits, the more I like them...
When musicians perform live: wow! it's  heaven on earth! because they communicate their feelings too....... for example, enjoy the beautiful arrangements of "Romeo and Juliet", sung by Mark Knopfler.
If you don't understand the lyrics, remember to use the translator.



A lovestruck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a streetlight steps out of the shade
Says something like you and me babe how about it?

Juliet says hey it's Romeo you nearly gimme me a heart attack
He's underneath the window she's singing hey la my boyfriend's back
You shouldn't come around here singing up at people like that
Anyway what you gonna do about it?

Juliet the dice were loaded from the start
And I bet and you exploded in my heart
And I forget I forget the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?

Come up on different streets they booth were streets of shame
Both dirty both mean yes and the dream was just the same
And I dreamed your dream for you and now your dream is real
How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals?

When you can fall for chains of silver you can fall for chains of gold
You can fall for pretty strangers and the promises they hold
You promised me everything you promised me thick and thin
Now you just say oh Romeo yeah you know I used to have a scene with him

Juliet when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong Juliet?

I can't do the talk like they talk on TV
And I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be
I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you
I can't do anything except be in love with you

And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be
All I do is keep the beat and bad company
All I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme
Julie I'd do the stars with you any time

Juliet when we made love you used to cry
You said I love you like the stars above I'll love you till I die
There's a place for us you know the movie song
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong Juliet?

A lovestruck Romeo sings the streets of serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Finds a convenient streetlight steps out of the shade
Says something like you and me babe how about it?
Songwriters: KNOPFLER, MARK
Romeo And Juliet lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Source:http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dire+straits/romeo+juliet_20040674.html

ANNE BRADSTREET: THE FIRST ENGLISH WOMAN POET WHO WROTE IN NORTH AMERICA

Anne Bradstreet, 1612 - 1672
This is just a little homage to all women writers and poets.
In this poem she wrote about her book as if it were her child.........this literary device is known as extender metaphor.
Anne Bradstreet has been called the grandmother of American literature.

If you want to read more poems, remember that they were written in the XVII century, so you might find them a little bit more difficult. But if you're really interested and would like more information about technical details, such as her use of the iambic pentameter, the most common metrical form in English poetry, this link might be useful.




The Author to Her Book



Thou ill-formed offspring of my feeble brain,
Who after birth didst by my side remain,
Till snatched from thence by friends, less wise than true,
Who thee abroad, exposed to public view,
Made thee in rags, halting to th’ press to trudge,
Where errors were not lessened (all may judge).
At thy return my blushing was not small,
My rambling brat (in print) should mother call,
I cast thee by as one unfit for light,
The visage was so irksome in my sight;
Yet being mine own, at length affection would
Thy blemishes amend, if so I could.
I washed thy face, but more defects I saw,
And rubbing off a spot still made a flaw.
I stretched thy joints to make thee even feet,
Yet still thou run’st more hobbling than is meet;
In better dress to trim thee was my mind,
But nought save homespun cloth i’ th’ house I find.
In this array ‘mongst vulgars may’st thou roam.
In critic’s hands beware thou dost not come,
And take thy way where yet thou art not known;
If for thy father asked, say thou hadst none;
And for thy mother, she alas is poor,
Which caused her thus to send thee out of door.





Tuesday 21 October 2014

XVIIth CENTURY LITERATURE IN THE NEW COLONIES OF NORTH-AMERICA

This educational documentary filmed in 1955 recreates in detail what happened to the Mayflower colonists before and right after their arrival in America and foundation of Plymouth Plantation.
Excellent practice of your listening skills and really useful for those who are studying the literature of the XVIIth century in the new colonies of North-America or those who are interested in History.


Tuesday 14 October 2014

THE NEW WORLD.......

Like most students who are studying with me, I love literature and cinema. Last Sunday, I saw a film which blends both arts beautifully. In addition, I found the soundtrack and the photography especially good, so I thought it would be a great idea to share it with all of you. If you are interested in the history of the United States and in American Literature, you may enjoy it as much as I did: The New World, is a 2005 British-American romantic historical drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, depicting the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement and inspired by the historical figures Captain John Smith, Pocahontas of the Powatan Native American tribe, and the handsome Englishman, John Rolfe. Just as an appetizer, watch the trailer and if you like it, watch the film. I'd be really grateful if you sent me your comments...... Remember that it was Captain John Smith who wrote "The General HIstory of Virginia, New England ant the Summer Isles, click here to see the original text of Book III, chapter 2, and the transcription from the original.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

HE FOR SHE.

Men and women, women and men: we are one. He for She is the message of the United Nations Campaign. I'd like to thank my dear friend Blanca for sharing the previous video with me and this one, too. The subtitles are in Spanish for Level 1 students.

JIM CARREY'S INSPIRING SPEECH TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

If you are a student and need to begin your course in high spirits, watch this video and you'll feel greatly inspired!