Tuesday, December 4th

For today, we have gone through the "WHAT," "HOW," and "WHY" with HISTORICAL CONTEXT. You should have historical evidence... literary evidence... and some analytic conclusions.

1. We will now add in our next literary device in order to analyze the text of Gilgamesh.

ARCHETYPE: A repeated pattern found in art, literature, history, politics.

Literature: A product of humanity. . . written about what it means to be human. 

2. Read and take notes over the following link: Jung and Archetypes

• This is an author's personal website where he explains his research topics. This is a good introduction to Jung, the brilliant mind credited for the study of archetypes.
• There is a list of archetype examples.. you do not need to write each one down, but the more archetypes you are familiar with, the more you will have to apply to multiple texts. 
• As you take notes, remember your goal is to understand this technique, which is developed from the field of psychology. Think about what will help you read a text, and understand a text, with more depth. Look to the information as advice. . . a how-to manual. 
• Archetypes are incredibly helpful when studying literature because they capture the unconscious structure of society as it responds to. . . reflects its culture.  
• As you are thinking about archetypes, consider the working definition of literature that we are using in this class. How do they interact? Complement each other? 

3. Now that your interest is peaked, review the following lists of archetypes:
Archetype list #1

*If you are needing a more general introduction and clarity on archetypes and/or Jung:
Jung- Wikipedia
Archetype- Wikipedia
(notice.. a turn to Wikipedia for generalized information)

Monday, December 3rd.

For today, using the aspects of culture as our jumping off point for applying HISTORICAL CONTEXT to the text of Gilgamesh.

You have started to examine the influence of the cultural aspects of ancient Mesopotamia upon Gilgamesh.

We have determined the "HOW" (how the text does what it does) and the "WHAT" (what specific evidence in the plot of the work demonstrates the application of literary device) to begin literary analysis.

Today, we will be working on the "WHY?" Things to consider:

• What is the impact of these findings on the meaning of the text?
• What is the significance of this inclusion in the text?
• Why do you think that this was included? 
• What do we learn from its inclusion? 

For example: 

Aspect of culture: Beliefs
Historical context: Ancient Mesopotamia practice of polytheism
Gilgamesh: Often see gods as adversary to each other, or human counterparts.

WHY?   Results? Significance? Contribution to meaning? Polytheism is presented more as competitive with humanity versus attentive to the need of the practitioners.

In class: 
As a group, start discussing your "hows" and "whats"... Talk though specific findings in both history AND text. Reference specific text in your discussion of Gilgamesh.  With your discussion, start addressing the "WHY"...  Add these conclusions or thoughts into your notes. 

Friday, November 30th

We have been using the large definition of CULTURE to provide us direction in our start of examining HISTORICAL CONTEXT.  We will first review the definition of culture and the expansion on the definition.

Now that you have read the selection from the ancient Mesopotamian text, The Epic of Gilgamesh, you need to think to the large aspects of culture that you feel can be explored further to start our analysis of Gilgamesh. 

The following will go in your notes. 

1. Select 4 large aspects of culture. You select which aspects you want to examine further, and that you feel is relevant.

2. With each of these aspects of culture, you will turn to our literary device, HISTORICAL CONTEXT. What events during the time of Gilgamesh's creation and transmission, do you think are relevant as a reflection of the culture that created the text? You can use your text book, but also look online. Please keep in mind the time period of the text... oral transmission and written text....  when you are looking for influence.

3. For each of the aspects of culture, you will then need to gather evidence from Gilgamesh that you feel is a reflection of the cultural/historical context.

Timeline to consider for The Epic of Gilgamesh:
2500 BCE- Earliest legend of Gilgamesh orally composed
1700 BCE- Old Babylonian version of Gilgamesh
1300 BCE- Standard version of Gilgamesh written down
650 BCE- Gilgamesh epic collected and copied for Ashurbanipal's library
612 BCE- Gilgamesh epic buried when Ashurbanipal's library destroyed. Lost for 24 centuries.
1849 CE- Austen Henry Layard unearthed remains of buried library.

 Tablet V- Epic of Gilgamesh 

Relevant Historical Connection to Current Day: 

Assyrian Guardian Figure- British Museum, London (Photo by Lara Cole)

Story on destruction of Nimrud by Isis: Isis Destruction of Ancient Assyrian Site

Wednesday/Thursday, November 28th/29th

1. Literary Device:
Historical Context: The influence that a time period has on the creation of a text.

Guided by the big aspects of culture, what components in the first section of reading, do you feel could have an impact on the creation of literature of the era.

2. Read pages 30-31. Take notes. Note the significant  literary devices. This is going to be a significant building block!

Utilize the Non-fiction strategies to help pull out important concepts.

3. Make sure that you have the following literary devices and definitions covered in the reading- 30-31.

• Archetypes
• Quest
• Epic
• Proverbs 
• Sacred Literature
• Myth
• Historical Context

3. Read pages 32-46 in your lit anthology- Gilgamesh 
- Utilize the non fiction strategies to help take notes on the first introductory pages.

Remember that literary devices are our entrance into analysis. So, as you are reading, be mindful of the HOW and WHY as you are keeping track of the WHAT. 

• Consider the device of Historical Context... and the notes on Mesopotamia... that could have an impact on meaning of the text. 
• Consider the big aspects of culture, and how they are represented in Gilgamesh. 

Tuesday, November 20th

1. Ancient culture quiz.
2. Hand turkey creation! Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 19th

1. Culture chapter reading quiz.

2. It is Literature Anthology Day! Literature Anthology Day!! YAY!! Lift with your legs.

3. For TUESDAY: read in Lit text book: Pages 16-27. Take very good notes. Remember informational text notes practices. Take GOOD NOTES!  Seriously!  In one section of your notes, please interact culture with the reading you are doing. 

We will have a reading quiz on TUESDAY!

You will need to bring your TEXTBOOK to class starting today. YAY!

Friday, November 16th

1. Papers were due to Schoology at 7:30. Good work, y'all! You are done!

2. How Culture Drives Behavior- Ted Talk

3. Psychology of Culture- Ted Talk

Take notes on:

• The process of examining culture... the how to.. 
• Tips/challenges that we should try to adopt according to the speaker.
• Any examples that resonate with you.
• What you are learning about the study of culture.

FOR MONDAY:

1. Finish reading the chapter on culture (From Wed/Thurs). Annotate and take notes. Be ready for

a quiz.