Saturday, March 21, 2020

Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island for Study

Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island for Study Not only is Robert Louis Stevensons ​Treasure Island  one of the most popular childrens books in history, its had a major influence on popular culture portrayals of 19th-century pirates. It tells the story of young Jim Hawkins, cabin boy on a ship bound for an island where the treasure is believed buried. He encounters pirates who seek to overthrow the ships officers in a mutiny. Published as a series in the magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882, Treasure Island is notable as a childrens book because of the moral ambiguity of many of its main characters; the good guys are sometimes not so good, and its most memorable character, Long John Silver, is a classic anti-hero. The story has captured imaginations for more than a hundred years and has been adapted for film and television more than 50 times.​​ Questions for Study and Discussion Why do you think Jim goes on the journey as a cabin boy?How does Robert Louis Stevenson reveal the characters motivations in Treasure Island?Knowing that this was a serialized story when it was first published, do you have a sense of whether Stevenson plotted out the entire story before writing, or do you think he changed elements of the plot as he wrote each individual section?What are some symbols in Treasure Island?Is Jim Hawkins consistent in his actions? Is he a fully developed character?What about ​Long John Silverare his actions consistent?How easily can you identify with Jims feelings? Do you think this portrayal of a young boy seems dated, or does it stand the test of time?If this novel were written in present day, what details would have to change?Discuss how Long John Silver is or is not a father figure to Jim.Which of the characters surprises you the most?Does the story end the way you expected?How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken p lace anywhere else? Besides Jim Hawkins mother, there are very few women in Treasure Island. Do you think this is important to the plot?What would a sequel to this novel have looked like? Would it be possible to continue the story?

Thursday, March 5, 2020

A Night in the MVSEVM

A Night in the MVSEVM A Night in the MVSEVM A Night in the MVSEVM By Maeve Maddox A reader, noticing the way the word museum is engraved on some statues and entrances, writes: I am wondering why the word Museum is spelled Mvsevm . . . on many older things like statues. Until the twentieth century, classical Latin was an indispensable part of the school curriculum. Anyone who had been to school beyond the age of seven had at least a smattering. What are now called elementary schools or grade schools were once known as grammar schools. When the term grammar school originated, the grammar meant was Latin grammar. Because Latin was regarded as being much classier than English, it was often used to commemorate special occasions. For example, Latin was the language of choice on diplomas, ceremonial proclamations and stone inscriptions on statues, tombs, and museum entrances. The classical Latin alphabet did not contain the letters J, W or U: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V X Y Z It did not have what we call lowercase letters either. Latin inscriptions, therefore, were written in all capital letters. The letter V stood for both the vowel sound we represent with the letter U and the consonant sound we represent with the letter W. During the second century CE the rounded U form of the V appeared in Latin writing. A carved inscription that substitutes a V where English would use a U is supposed to look like classical Latin. Hence the capitals and the Vs for Us. Besides, Id guess that its much easier to make a V with a chisel than a U. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:English Grammar 101: All You Need to KnowThe Writing ProcessHow Many Sentences in a Paragraph?