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English 4: Final Unit and Final Exam

It is impossible to say that “the meaning of life” is the same for every person. Perhaps
each of us creates our own meaning. Yet many of the authors we’ve read, and perhaps what
you’ll read here this month, provide meaning for all, not just some.

The WWI poets, reeling from “total war,” and its destruction of an entire generation, saw
life’s meaning in starkest terms: to live and to love others. The Romantic poets and Mary Shelley
wrote about the dangers inherent in seeking to industrialize civilization. They compared life’s
meaning to nature and said that it was there where human beings will find purpose and structure.

The Medieval authors like Chaucer, the Beowulf and the Sir Gawain poet wrestled with
politics, morals and values-finding that there were absolutes, not just some moral measuring
stick where everyone lands where they want—and that God was indeed concerned about their
trajectory. These authors sought to expose life’s boundaries and show people how the boundaries
in an ironic way, provided more liberty.

And Shakespeare showed us through Hamlet what can happen when we idle away time with too
much analysis, too much thinking-and not enough action.

Your final assignment is to either create a PechaKucha presentation about what you’ve
learned from the authors we’ve read.

Your presentation’s primary thesis is this: “From this author (or these authors), I
learned...and their work has given me insight into….” Of course, you may choose to write that
thesis or present it in any way you think appropriate.

In this presentation, you must have at least five quotes from the work(s) you choose.
There is no limit to which poems, stories or authors you discuss. Your presentation will be a
media rich environment that helps prove your thesis. Concentrate on quality texts, quotes,
images, sound and interpretations.

Final exams begin on June 1 or 4. There are no exceptions. There is no late work.

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