AP Literature & Composition

2016-2017

Dialectical Journals
A Dialectical Journal is a collection of passages from an assigned reading section. Your tone can
be a bit more relaxed, e.g. blog-like; however, dont sacrifice grammar or conventions. You are
an educated person, after all.
Each passage shall be explicated (closely-read): the specific language (e.g. diction, syntax,
imagery, rhetorical devices, etc.) analyzed; connections made within the reading section; and
connections made between the passage and the work as a whole. Your basic goal is to explain
why: Why is each passage and the language used therein meaningful, purposeful?
I encourage you to take interpretive risks. And as always, support your inferences with thorough
commentary/analysis/explanation and text evidence (concrete details).
Choose four (4) passages from throughout the reading assignment.
Also, choose a variety of topics below; dont write four entries on personal connection. Every
response you choose should delve into the deep meaning of the passage and further our
understanding of the novel/play/work as a whole. (Redundant, I know, but this bears
repeating.)

Personal connection You can relate to whats going on in that passage. Provide an
anecdote with the nitty-gritty details. Also explain the parallels between your anecdote
and the text.

Strong Imagery or Sensory Details This passage is especially vivid. The imagery
suggests deeper, below-the-surface meaning. Examine word choices, their connotations,
and how they help to create meaning.

Foreshadowing The passage makes you anticipate some future event in the story,
especially if coupled with some earlier clue. Explain why you think something is
foreshadowing: dont simply say it is because it feels like it. There should always be a
clear, logical explanation. Point out the earlier clues.

Characterization The passage gives you a fuller idea of what the character is like.
You may see a side of the character that had not been fully disclosed before. Give
evidence of how a character seems initially and of how your assigned reading presents
additional information.

Motifs The passage contains some recurring element; this could be an object, idea, or
action.

Interesting use of metaphors, similes, etc. Like strong imagery, these suggest
some deeper meaning, perhaps suggesting how a part (the scene) is representative of the
whole (the novel/play/short story).

Passages that are puzzling Youre not sure what is happening in a particular scene,
why characters make certain choices, or why it is worded as it is. Yet, you will attempt
some sort of explanation!

Passages that relate to past works youve read You can make a connection to
other stories, which in turn enriches your understanding of the story you are currently
studying. For example, knowing Bible stories or Greek mythology often enhances our
understanding of modern-day stories. Such connections add layers of meaning.

AP Literature & Composition

2016-2017

Passage
We shall obey, were
she ten times our
mother./ Have you any
further trade with us?
(III.ii.361-362)
Student sample:
Catherine

My words fly up, my

thoughts remain below;
/ Words without
thoughts never to
heaven go. (III.iii.102103)
Student sample: Sidney

Now could I drink

hot blood/And do such
{bitter} business as the
day would quake to
look on
(III.ii.422-424)
Student sample: Shirley

Analysis/Response
Interesting diction: It seems that in this sentence, Hamlet slips into the
royal we. An earlier note by Folger that Hamlet rebukes Guildenstern
and Rosencrantz for referring to the queen casually as your mother
leads me to believe that this is a subtle put-down for the two of them.
Previously, they were on equal footing as childhood friends, but now
Hamlet is in line for the throne, and as the son of the previous king his
social status is above theirs. Here, he is reminding them of this by using
the royal we despite it not being technically correct. (He isnt actually
king yet.) Though Hamlet does not usually emphasize his privilege, he
does so here because of his frustration with their lies and his desire to
distance himself from them/make clear he isnt interested. It seemed like
an odd tense switch, but this explanation also accounts for Rosencrantzs
slightly wounded response: My lord, you once did love me (III.ii.363).
King Claudius poignant line uses vivid imagery to convey his
dichotomous mentality. Alluding to repentance and heaven, he says his
words fly up, giving them a profile of holiness and purity. Similarly, as
his thoughts remain below, one learns that his conscience is still
wrought with the sin of murder. At the same time, the movement of these
words and thoughts describe Claudius emotionshe knows what he
ought to do, and is optimistic about its effect, but cannot bring himself to
do it. This reveals that deep within Claudius mind lies an irremovable
confession of guilt. Interestingly, Claudius says that his empty words
wont go to heaven, not he himself, which supports the thematic claim
that appearance is reality. As a king, Claudius is shaped and shapes his
subjects perceptions by his words, as Rosencrantz similarly observes
that never alone / Did the king sigh, but with a general groan (III.iii.2324). This burden of contradiction prevents Claudius from fully accepting
his murder, because that would entail revealing it by visage and actions.
Thus, inadvertently, Claudius follows the Lady Macbethian principle of
false face must hide what the false heart doth know.
Characterization: Like the previous passage, this one shows how
Hamlets character is now much more solid. He is becoming a man of
action, even though he knows that it will still be bitter: he still does
not want to do it, but he has resolved himself to do it. As a person who
was whining about his suffering and contemplating suicide, he has
definitely grown and this moment is an integral part of his
transformation from boy to man, even without the college education that
Claudius and Gertrude took from him. Even though he understands the
terribleness of killing and drinking hot/blood and acting upon the
business [that] day/would quake to look on, he will do it. It is
interesting how fast his mindset turned however; in class, we discussed
his dual-color world. His words here show it again he is now 100%
intent of revenge after one piece of evidence from the play that indicates
Claudius part in the murder. Though we are positive that Claudius is the
killer of his brother in Act III, we still cannot be sure if the ghost is evil.
Yes, the ghost has told the truth, but is the revenge really going to save
Hamlet Sr.?