Monday, September 19, 2011

"Initiation" by Sylvia Plath - Sept. 19 (4B)

Today's Objective:

Students will read and analyze Sylvia Plath's "Initiation" in order to explore how figurative language can reveal author's purpose.



Today's In-Class Reading Assignment:

"Initiation," by Sylvia Plath
Click here to read this text online


Today's Lesson Notes:




Tonight's Homework:
What is the significance of the heather birds metaphor at the conclusion of this story? Post your comments in a BCR at the foot of this blog entry in a five-sentence BCR by the start of next class.

(BCRs must contain five complete sentences. No partial credit is awarded)

15 comments:

  1. Dae' Miller
    The significance of the heather birds at the end of the story is how Millicent finally began to find herself. She realized that within herself there was a voice waiting to be heard. When she accepted her own initiation, she soared. She was content enough with herself to not always be like any other person. She wanted to get glory but not in away that would not reflect who she was as a person. Millicent began to see that being in the in crowd was not something she wanted to do or be.

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  2. Alfonso Divers (4B)
    The heather birds represent to Millicent that she needs to listen to herself if she is going to be what she want.Millicent finds out about these birds on the bus from a guy whom she met while being dared as part of an initiation. The man on the bus describes these birds as mythological creatures. Heather birds live on the mythological moors and fly about all day long, singing wild and sweet in the sun.

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  3. Jaime Blair
    The significance of the heather birds at the conclusion of this story is Millicent finally realized what was important to her.She saw that being in the " in-crowd " was something she wasn't willing to change herself or friendship for.Millicent realized that after being initiated she was reaching potential. She wanted to remain true to herself and not jeopardize anything but that. So she decided to be just that and not join the " in-crowd ".

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  4. Malik Jackson
    The significance of the heather birds in the story show that Millicent realizes that its something more important than the initiation to join a group. After talking to the old gnome man she realized that being in a group/crowd was not what she wanted to do. So she made the decision to not join the crowd. I believe she made the right decision. If I was her i would have done the same thing.

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  5. The significance of the heather birds at the end of the story show that being in a group was more than just being known or popular. She doesn't need to be in a group to make her her feel better about herself.She finally realizes when she talks to the Gnome Man on the Bus that being in a group is not important. She knew deep down that being in a group is not what she wanted for herself. She was being her, She didn't join the group.

    -Shaipera Wilson

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  6. Roshequa Simpson
    The significance of the heather birds at the end of the story shows how a person can have there own individuality. Being in a group doesnt always make you "cool". What was happening was she was being initaited into doing something just to fit in. When the gnome man explain to her about the heather birds she then realized she was smarter than that. In that case she chose not to be in the group. She made a good decision.

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  7. Maiyah Mercer

    The "Heather Birds" referred to the main character and the rest of the people that were trying to be in the sorority. They were all alike and doing the same things. But the girl started to realize that she's not herself, and being in the sorority wouldn't make her different. She decided not to be in the sorority because she won't be herself she'll be like everyone else in the sorority. She wanted to be herself more than she wanted to "fit in".

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  8. Jasmine May..,

    The significance of the "Heather Birds" at the end of the story was to help Millicent realize that she doesn't need to be in initiated in no group just to be something she not and just to fit in.It also made her realize that by being involved with the group she wasn't being the normal Millicent.She was being like everyone else in the group instead of herself.She was mainly trying to fit-in.The "Heather Birds" really help her to find herself and realize that being different is better than being what someone else wants you to be just to fit in!I was happy thaat she choose not to be in the group.Maybe some people will learn from this story.

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  9. Janaya Adams

    The signfigance of the "Heather Birds" are to remind millicent of the type of person she is and who she should try to be. Millicent first heard about the birds from a man on the bus. The "Heather Birds" remind millicent that she shouldn't be a follower and she should just be herself. I think millicent should be herself and not try to fit in with everybody else. Millicent finally realizes that being a "gopher" is embarrasing and just another way of persuading her to be someone that she is not.

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  10. Quiana Miller:

    The significance of the heather birds metaphor was to imply individuality to those who realize it. Believing that in order to find individuality by joining a group isn't always the smartest thing to think or do. The heather birds metaphor was to hint that following the crowd shouldn't be a suggestion taken. Realizing your individuality gives you a purpose to not be persuaded to join any seemingly-innocent social groups. Millicent was herself throughout the entire initiation. Her being herself was very bold and the best thing that happened throughtout story. In conclusion she didn't join and this was her being a heather bird.

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  11. STEPHEN DOUBA

    The significance of the heather bird to millicient is the beginning of her initiation in the group and it is telling to listen to her self. And the song of the birds makes her become happpy and confident because on the bus she was scared and when heard that she was confident to continue asking and as she heard before her presentation so she is going to confident to do what she has to do

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  12. The significance of the constant saying "Heather Birds" is to remind Millicent who she really is.
    Deep inside she is a strong and intelligent person. However, she is letting the initiation define her into a different person. I believe this story is wonderful because a lot of girls go through this want to be popular stage and end up forgetting who they really are. So just like Millicent we all need a reminder or in Sylvia Plath words "heather birds."

    -Princess Knott

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  13. Jeralexia Mitchell

    The Significance Of The Heather Birds Metaphor Was To Tell How Millicent Found Herself During The Inication. She Was Trying To Be Something She Wasnt. So The " Heather Birds " Was Her Hint That Being Yourself Gets You Farther Than Anything. Choosing To Be Yourself Over Joinging "The In Crowd" Was Bold And The Best Thing For Her. So Mostly The Birds Helped Her Find Herself And She Didnt Pick To Join.

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  14. The Significance Of The Heater Birds Of The Metaph or At The Conclusion Of The Story. Is That She Is Realizing Her Actions By That Phrase.She Was Trying To Be Something She wasent. So With That Phrase She Found Out Many Things That Being Herself. So Many Of The Birds Helped Her Find Out Who She Truely Was.
    Cindy vasquez 4B

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  15. James Johnson; in the passage the old gnome like man stated the heather birds.Thier importance can be interpreted two diffrent ways such as birds of the same feather flock together which mean there is no individuality.Another way is saying we all are like the birds but we often tend to fly our seperate ways.

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