Blindness Cave

summertime · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

This looks like it could be a lot of fun and even help out with homework once and a while! We need to get some more people on here and start some good discussions :) Don't be shy to post... nobody knows who you are

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

Hey summertime,
You're right. It could be a fun time if more people joined in. Our class is quiet and maybe this is the way we will burst our bubbles and speak our minds. I think it is interesting that we don't know who people are and a new learning experience. Plus its for bonus marks to rise our marks. Thats an oppurtunity I am willing to take!!

Ms.Tudor · Private Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: A bubble.

Hi everybody!
This is the first time I've ever used a forum, so it should most assuredly be an interesting experience. And bonus marks? We're all on the computer practiaclly everyday anyways, so why not share opinions. Speaking of opinions, what does everyone think about the novel "Blindness"? I was a bit shocked when they started asking for women, but on the other hand, should an epidemic like that roll around and the gov't ends up being to afraid of "the evil eye" to do anything about it, maybe that's eventually what it would come down to. It makes me wonder if the ladies of the all the wards (although few of them) would stick together and rebel. Or maybe even become the group of thugs; that'd be an interesting twist. And does anyone else think the group of thugs may belong to the army--you know, the soldiers who also became blind?
Anyways, nice chatting!!
-Ms.Tudor

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

Hey Ms. Tudor,
Glad you could enjoy!!! To answer your question about the book, "Blindness" The book seems really confusing. I would read a page and at the end of the page I would be saying myself "what the heck did I just read" and then I would read the page again and have the same response. I think the author wants us to be confused. The blind people have no idea where they are and like they are all confused. I feel like a blind person trying to find my way. I am also finding it hard to sit and be focused on plot and be distracted by finding the periods and being absorbed into the descriptions of everything(setting...ect.) and everyone. To answer your question about the Thugs being apart of the army. At the beginning when I first met them I thought they were apart of the army but now I think differently.... I don't see the army getting involved with the blind internees because they keep telling them to don't come close to the gate and want nothing to do with them... the thugs are having "interaction" with them... I just don't see it!!!

summertime · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

Thats a very interesting way to think of it. I never thought of the thugs being related to the army, that would makes things very interesting. But like you said, the. beginning, the army is afraid of the internees and afraid of being infected with the white blindness as well.

The part i really don't understand is why the doctor slept with the girl with dark glasses? His wife is there, she can see and its just wrong!! Why doesn't the wife do anything about it or seem to care? That part is just way too weird to me.

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

When I reading about the doctor making out with the girl with the dark glasses..I had to read that part again because I was like "what the heck or did I just miss something??" I also thought it was weird when she did nothing... if I was the doctor's wife I would probably be like "what the hell buddy"He cheated on her right in frount of her. My first response was to that he was a playa but then pondering the idea of that was like wait a minute in those desperate times you don't want to be alone. If it means in someones embrace, or their presence, you just want to be with someone. I think that the doctor's wife has way too many responsiblites and worrying about everyone that she is neglecting her husband and forgetting what he deserves too. Whether it's making sexy time or talking together. NOTHING compares to being together.

Garth · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 15

i think the doctor can relate more to the girl with dark glasses, then to his wife. so he is drifting away from his wife. i know if i was the doctor and with someone that could always see i would feel a bit uncomfortable. so maybe he finds it comforting to be with someone thats in the same shoes as he is. thats just what i think tho

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

hey Garth
I think you are right about the doctor relating more to the girl wiht the dark glasses.

summertime · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

yeah i totally agree. that whole discussion is class was such a big help and gave lots of topics on a bunch of different characters for our group to discuss.

so much drama is going on in the book right now its insane. I don't know if any of you got this far but the doctors wife killing a man and a fire being started! wow.
With the asylum burnt down no one will have anywhere to sleep with shelter. Too crazy, I don't know how there's another 100 pages to read without that place.

Ms.Tudor · Private Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: A bubble.

Hey everyone!
Whoa! The posts that have gone up since I was last here are great! I wish I had the time to keep current. So, I've read a little bit past the Doctor's Wife killing the thug... this is a massive curriculum(sp?) plot! Morals/ethics/thecave all rolled into one! I keep going to the essay we will eventually have to write. There is sooo much to write on that I'm not sure where to begin. I mean, the whole course is focused around blindness and the cave right? But I find the morals and ethics way more interesting.

Anyone have any idea on what they might approach the "Blindness" Essay with?

--Ms.Tudor

Lennie · Private Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 5

Yeah, these ideas are awesome! It really makes sense to me now, how the doctor would do such a thing. He must have been terribly alone being blind and his wife being able to see. But notice how after it's all over, he really still needs his wife, more then ever before or I thought it said something like that. I like what someone said earlier about that story about Bob and Sue, how a little forgiveness goes a long way.

About that essay, I don't know. I remember writing that essay last year and didn't always ask about the author's ideas about something? Maybe the essays will ask about human nature or something like that. You know, like when someone's in a conflict they behave differently than they normally would, something like that?

RedHouse · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 28

Hello everyone. This is my first time posting here on the forum. I had a lot of stress lifted off my shoulders today when Mr. Gibson Dodd told us we will be able to bring our novels and one full page of info into the blindness essay. It will definitely make things a lot easier! As for what the essay may be about, I would think the topic will have to be a generally broad and open one that we as the students will have to take and expand. It could very well be about our own morals and ethics as that is what I am finding author José Saramago is focusing on in the last chapters of the novel. In preparing for the essay I will definitely review all the thought papers we have written in the past few weeks as everything we’ve done must play some role in the final topic. I wouldn’t worry too much about the essay, I’m sure will be very well prepared for it.

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

When G-D said we could bring in a sheet of paper and our books for the essay.... I was relieved..very much so... thank goodness!!! I hate writing essays because I usually go off topic or I don't relate the question to the middle portion of the essay. I am still nervous for the essay... there are so many different themes and symbols and all that jazz I think it might be a harder essay!! What do you think about essays??

kitty · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 16

Hello. This is my very first time and response on this forum. There is a lot of interesting dissucions occuring occuring here. First of all i feel quite stressed about the eassy also. In the novel there are so many ideas and themes occuring it's hard to pick something to explore. However, i feel a little relieved after leaning the fact that we can bring in a sheet of paper. Does anyone have any great ideas to expand on during the essay?

gibsondodds · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 538

I'm hoping that the presentations will provide you some focus. Pay particular attention to what students say and the questions I ask. Take notes and ask questions of each other as different groups present. The focus you like best will surface as the presentations are seen.

Mr.Big · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 19

Hey everybody, hows it goin. This is my first time on this forum and i think its going to be really helpfull for all of us. Im not sure what we have to write about for the essay. Is it about ethics? or symbols? or do we get to choose. It would be really great if u could help me out.

gibsondodds · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 538

You should check out this website by the AB Government. It'll help you with all diploma exam type questions, like our in-class essay questions.

http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca/k%5F12/testing/diploma/

summertime · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

mr gibson dodd, i hate presenting projects.
its so nerve racking and honestly, when i have to listen to presentation after presentation its so hard to concentrate good and get good notes for the essay.
if we get lots of time in class this week to prepare well i'm sure it will make presentations less nerve racking and more interesting when more work and creativity was put into them...more time.

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

I completely agree wiht you summertime.. I hate presenting presentation and looking like a complete idiot infrount of the entire class for 30 minutes.. I kinda want to drop the presentation but that is probably not going ot happen.. haha.. and then when the teacher tells the class to shut up right before aI present and then the class is extra quiet.. all that is running through my mind is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

summertime · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 14

lol well i wouldn't drop the project if i were you, cause its group work ill be pretty easy.

and mr big, i don't know about that essay either.
i'm sure mr gibson dodd will talk more about it the closer we get to the essay.
do you think we'll get the topic before hand? ..i kinda doubt it. it would be nice since we can have one sheet of paper with us to plan everything out before hand.

gibsondodds · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 538

Yes, you'll get the essay questions in advance! It's only the last essay in December when you won't get the essay questions in advance.

As far as the presentations are concerned, you just have to grin and bear it. You need the oral presentational experience because you're going to do a lot of this in the future. It's curriculum. If you know your material, you'll be fine and yes, I'll give you more time this week.

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

Gisbon-Dodd!!
I have a question for you. Will we be prepared for the essay in January if all other essays we write, we are given the topic before?? To me thats great but like.. we won't experience what it is like to write a DIPLOMA beforehand with nothing.. no book, no paper... just our brains. To see what we can achieve on a essay with no help previous to us would be benefical .... and we would feel the pressure for the diploma..make us ready for it!!

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

comfort inn · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

How do you do it? you get up infront of the class and everyone is looking at you! doesnt that make you nervous? but ive never being a good public speaker.

gibsondodds · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 538

Remember, you're not just doing this presentation for yourself. You're doing it for others too! They need to hear your expertise because they haven't read the book more than once. Presentations are presents to others; think of it that way. Nervousness is a form of selfishness -not that I don't get nervous mind you- but then it's not like I'm not sefish either. But let's call it as it is? I know that it's hard but with more practice, you'll get used to it and maybe you'll excell at it. You have a lot to be proud of, so don't hesitate to "show off" a bit. You got stuff, so we're just anxious to hear it.

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

Making mom and dad sit and listen to you and your information about blindness or whatever presentation and you nail it every single time but when the scenario changes to a full classroom to quiet kids that don't talk and watches you every move... thats so not fun.... Mom and Dad will comment and throw ideas back at you and it is fun to degree and the presentation is done like that....but with this class you throw an idea out and it gets absorb and nothing gets thrown back at you. As I see it presentations are give and take .. but likely thats not going to happen.. and I wish it did ...and not be so nervous anymore!!

Mr.Big · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 19

I think that this will be a great way to bring our class out of its shell. We don't share many of our ideas, when many times they could greatly benefit the class as a whole. This public speaking should help.

kitty · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 16

I hate how our class is always so quite, epecially during class discussions. I think if more people were to jump out of their shells i would be more willing to jump out of mine.

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

You know Kitty I don't mean to pick on you, but if you keep waiting for everyone else you're gonna miss out on a lot of opportunities. I'm guessing that if you are the type who feels shy with group speaking, you're probably pretty quiet in other aspects. Next class I think you should take a risk, just for the hell of it and just comment on something, even if you might be wrong. No one's gonna bite your head off if you are! Who knows, maybe other people were thinking the same thing as you, and were just to scared to say so. You could be saving them, and yourself a lot of grief later!

~Just a thought

Guess? · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 16

helloooo,
weell I finally got onto the forumer which is kind of exciting. I seem to have been missing out on some great discussions on here already. But Im ready to dive in. But I do have to say that I think this site will help share the ideas that we don't share in classs becuase we seem to be part of a shy class, not saying im all over the discussion part but at least this is a way to get our thoughts out to eachother without having to feel embarassed about them, I think that is an excellent idea.
Buutt im ouutiee for noww,
Guess?

comfort inn · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 15

Yeah I completely agree with Route Sixty-Six. Our class is very quiet and Mr. Gibsondodd tries so hard to get us involved. But you really don't need to worry. I think I say stupid things all the time and my head has never been once bit off. Yes, people will always disagree with you but then they're are people who will agree with you. It's good to get your point out though because your train of thought maybe totally different than mine and I might have never thought of that point until you brought it up.

I hope that makes some sense. . . it's even a little confusing to me, but I hope that helps alittle

Flower · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

wow its like the same 3 people talking on here!
but this is my first time actually writting on here!
i did the vocab assignment...i dont really understand how we are
suposed to print out everyones work.....?????
but i will keep writting on here, it takes 2 minutes and
i need bonus marks! Laughing

Flower · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 6

And what is going to be on the midterm on the 6th????????????????

Guess? · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 16

Yeah i know their is a couple that Ive seen alot.. but now that ive started on this thing it is kind of fuun. To be like a secret identity but still be discussing things that you normally wouldn't around everyone. I like it.

Ms.Tudor · Private Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: A bubble.

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

I can't be 100% sure, but I think it's all mutiple choice questions based on provided readings. I didn't get the impression that there would be an essay.

Ms.Tudor · Private Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 71 Location: A bubble.

Which wasn't much apparently. Haha. Anyways, thanks!

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

Mr. Gibson-Dodd,

The midterm is on tuesday and we are supposed to finish the book for tuesday. I am wondering if we can post-spone the reading an extra day or so. It would be great if you did. Also then we would not have two test on the same day and then we won't be freaking. Please consider this!

Thank-you,
the.beginning

1OKGO1 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 18

I second your idea the.beginning. I don't think we will be able to have two tests in the same day anway... will we? wont the midterm take up the full double block? And if not for any other reason, how about because I am the worst reader of all time and could use the extra day.
_________________
OKGO

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

I personally don't want to wait. I finished the book on time and it wasn't as though we weren't given enough time, in fact you were made aware ahead of what all of the deadlines were, ahead of time, and if you felt you could not make those dates you should have said something ealier. I feel like if we wait I'm getting the short end of the deal, because I'll lose some of the details I absorbed from the novel.

1OKGO1 · Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 18

I understand that you are a nerd and a complete bookworm. I think you are gonna be out of luck however because with the midterm on tues, i cant see us writing 2 tests in the same day. Go read it again if you think you might lose precious details in 24 hours! You are obviously a hardcore so it should be easy 4 you!
_________________
OKGO

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

Wow. Much appreciated. Rolling Eyes

Mr.Big · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 19

hey! does anybody know how many personal responses we have to do for when we get back from christmas break?
was it 1 or 2?

Route_Sixty-Six · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 85 Location: St.Albert

Just one, in response to the text Larry's Party Very Happy

Happy New Year!

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

personal response...hahahahhaaha

gibsondodds · Site Admin Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 538

Yes, just one personal response is due, on Larry's Party. We may do another one if I have enough time to mark them. As far all the ha ha ha from The Beginning, all s/he needs to do is write for 45 to 60 minutes and s/he is done. It's 6:10 now, so that gives you time to write 14 personal responses and you only need to do one! So get cracking!

the.beginning · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 74

45 to 1 hr.. thats a long time... ahhhhh..when you have had lack of sleep....

ps.. I don't usually leave hw for the last minute...for the record!!!

pss.. how was everyne's christmas???

psss..I AM DONE IT!!!!

ideaspeak · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 15

Hey guys
I know this isn't introducing myself but I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has written on this forum for helping me.
I got so many ideas for you and all of your thoughts were brilliant and beneficial. Thanks for taking the time to share them.
Good Luck Tomorrow!