One morning, Gregor Samsa awoke and found himself transformed into...
A terrifying vermin (bug)
What happened (be descriptive) to Dorian Gray's mother and father?
His mother married a poor soldier, which her father did not agree with. He (the grandfather), then arranged to have the soldier murdered in a duel and forced his mother to move back with him. She died within a year of her husband's death. Dorian was raised by his rather inattentive grandfather.
What is Aestheticism?
Lightning round - Lit Terms!
Buzz in your answer to receive 100 points per lit term that you correctly identify. (This is open to everyone)
Assorted
DAILY TRIPLE POINTS!!!!
What was the name of the Video Game that Mr. Sondergaard said was so important to his development that there is secretly a poster to this game somewhere in the classroom?
Bioshock. The Poster is behind my desk.
DAILY DOUBLE!!!
What literary term is used to describe a feeling of overwhelming emotional reaction - normally characterized by an initial feeling of fear that then transitions into a greater appreciation for the beauty of the thing you are looking at?
The Sublime
Why does Dorian break off his engagement to Sibyl Vane?
She performs rather poorly the night he invites his friends to come see her - so he falls out of love with her (he only ever loved her ability, not her).
What character most often espouses the virtues of aestheticism throughout the novel?
Henry Wotton.
What is the skeleton of a thesis statement that I have provided for all students whenever we write an essay?
By looking at _________ it is easier to understand ___________.
What type of food does Gregor enjoy eating after his transformation?
The Metamorphosis: How does Gregor's family react to his death?
Relief and Joy
DAILY DOUBLE!!!
What play and what part in that play does Sibyl Vane play when Dorian invites Henry and Basil to come and watch her?
Romeo and Juliet. She plays the part of Juliet.
DAILY DOUBLE!!!
The author of the novel, Oscar Wilde was taken to trial shortly after this novel's release. The novel was then used as evidence against him in court as evidence of his guilt of a particular crime.
What "crime" was Wilde arrested and forced to serve for several years under hard labor for?
Homosexuality.
Choosing art to hang in my house that I simply enjoy the look of without any consideration for the artist or the meaning behind the painting would be an example of what?
Aestheticism.
Give an example of a sublime experience that you could possibly experience.
the obvious answers are things like seeing the Grand Canyon - but there are lots of answers.
Describe the setting of Fall of the House of Usher
Dark, gloomy, castle, ancient, cloudy.
What is the first change in the painting that Dorian notices?
A cruel smile.
What might the famous painting symbolize?
the warning of Aestheticism of putting too much of yourself into a work of art.
What might a bug like a cockroach symbolize?
Why does Roderick Usher believe he hears scratching in the walls in The Fall of the House of Usher?
He believes (correctly) that he buried his sister alive.
The Metamorphosis: What might Gregor's transformation symbolize?
His alienation from society is a big one - but there are other options.
When James Vane grabs Dorian and gets ready to kill him because of what happened to his sister - how does Dorian manage to convince James to let him go?
He convinces James that he couldn't possibly be the one he is looking for - look at his face! The murder happened almost 20 years ago, he's much too young.
Give an example of an epigram from the novel and who said it.
Lord Henry Wotton gives most of them, although by the end Dorian is giving a few too.
Picture (Art of Tetsuya Ishida).
This is an example of what artistic movement?
Surrealism
What is the preferred name of Mr. Sondergaard?
(What is he called when he isn't a teacher?)
Blake