May 17

The novel Demian talks a lot about trying to form your own identity in a world that is confusing.  In a number of places Hesse refers to the German philosopher Nietzsche, who talked about the struggles people have in forming their own philosophy of life in a world in which they are alone.  Here are some of Nietzsche's key ideas:

• People are alone in the universe can cannot rely upon society's values
• "God is dead." No, it's not like he was killed.  Nietzsche felt that religion shouldn't be a crutch

Sparknotes summary of Nietzsche's ideas: Nietzsche

I hope you're enjoying Demian.  From what I've noticed over the years, Herman Hesse is one of the most popular novelists for 17-25 year-olds.  The reading is hard (especially this novel) but the ideas are intriguing because they deal with the struggle to find your identity, which all of you are doing right now, even though you might not think about it in those terms. One of the reasons it is difficult to decide just who we are as people has to do with deciding which people we want to be like and which people we don't want to emulate.  And usually we want to forge an identity for ourselves that is different from everyone we know.  It makes sense that we'd all want to be our own unique selves since we are, after all, unique.

The kinds of questions people ask themselves as they try to decide just who they are include, but are not limited to:

• Do I want to be like Mom, or Dad?  
• How do I want to be different from other people, like the kids who used to be my friends but aren't anymore?
• Why do I feel different inside than I did before?
• What things do I value and like to do?
• Is it OK that I don't want to be the person that other people tell me I should be?
• What kind of person do I want to be?

Journal write today:
Why do you think it is difficult for people to find their own identity?  

Write 1/2 - 3/4 page
Note: Here's a basic grading guide for some of you (Max)
C--Common work
B--Beyond common
A--Above beyond
It's pretty hard to be "above beyond" if you write only 1/2 page

Here's a quote from Sinclair that touches upon this issue:

I wanted only to try to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self.  Why was that so very difficult?

May 12

The vocab for the week is words 32-41 on the following Demian Vocab List found on Quizlet (it's the one with 41 terms.  Duh)
Demian

May 9

Homework:
1 Over the weekend, read to page 136.  You WILL have a quiz Monday.

Since most of you are not reading at home  }:-/
I will have to give you most of the period today to read and we won't watch the movie.  We will read part of the period tomorrow and then watch the movie.
However, if it becomes clear to me that you haven't all read to at least page 120, we won't watch the movie tomorrow, either.

We will continue reading through Demian and watching the film East of Eden and drawing comparisons between the film and the novel.  In particular:

• How is Cal different from Aaron?
• Why does Adam reject Cal?
• In what ways is Sinclair similar to Cal?
• In what ways does Cal follow the god Abraxas more than the black and white world view?
• What examples do we have that Cal is a good person?

Vocabulary for Friday's quiz:
Demian vocab chapters 5 and 6

Most of you will also want to read Sparknotes, too.
Here's the Sparknotes link: Demian

Here's a link to the Pre-Raphaelite painting of Beatrice.
Beatrice

Journal writing.  You will have a total of four (4) journal writes for the novel Demian.  Keep all four in your notebook and hand them in together.

Journal:  Write 1/2 - 3/4 page explaining one of the following quotes.  What is the author trying to tell you from this quote?  As you explain, you should cite a specific example either from the novel or from your own life:

"Each person must stand on his own two feet" (54, middle of the page)

" . . . try to suppress the second half (dark realm) No one succeeds in this once he has begun to think" (53, 2/3 of the way down)

April 29

Vocabulary for the week: Demian chapter 4
Copy down 4 quotes from pages 52-55 in your notes

"You tried to supress the second half of the world. No one suceeds in this onsce he has begun to think" pg 55
"Only the ideas that we actually live are of any value" pg 53
"we ought to consider everything sacred" pg 52

Read and discuss 54-57

April 29th

Homework you were supposed to do over the weekend:

Study for vocab test and write down a dream

Dream Interpretation Site
Throughout the novel Demian you will see a number of Sinclair's dreams.  They are, of course, symbollic.  Keep track of his dreams in Keep track of your dreams this week
Demian
Herman Hesse, background info:
What he said at his Nobel Prize acceptance speech:  Hesse on Hesse
Wikipedia:  Hesse

Demian Vocabulary: Quizlet, Demian, chapter 1
Demian extra credit vocab: Quizlet Demian 

Journal: 
Why are people often reluctant to do things that will help them be happy?  Give a specific example and explain. 
(you might want to consider these questions, although you don't have to) What holds them back?  How can they overcome this?  
1/2 to 3/4 page
12 minutes 

"I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than to take the path that leads to himself." (Demian, 38)