1. DIALECTICAL JOURNALS

2. Dialectical Journal or Double Journal The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts we read. For dialectical journals, there are fewer entries than annotations. However, they will include a more thorough analysis. Each dialectical journal needs at a minimum of 100 words. They MUST be typed and in a double journal form.

3. Dialectical Journals- Example of a 4 Quote: Analysis: He seemed to be burning with fever. I fought my way to the coffee cauldron like a wild beast. And I succeeded in bringing back a cup. I took one gulp. The rest was for him. I shall never forget the gratitude that shone in his eyes when he swallowed this beverage. The gratitude of a wounded animal. With these few mouthfuls of hot water, I had probably given him more satisfaction than during my entire childhood. (Chapter 6, pg. 106-107) The author’s usage of animal imagery in this passage illustrates the growing difference between Eliezer and his father. When Eliezer goes to get coffee he fights his way there “like a wild beast”, which shows that he has become more aggressive in nature. On the other hand, the father upon receiving the coffee from his son expresses the gratitude of “a wounded animal”, which shows that he is weak and helpless. Because of how much his father appreciates this gesture, Eliezer realizes that this is the most satisfaction he has given his father than “during [his] entire childhood”. This quote makes it clear that any kind act during this time of inhumane cruelty was greatly appreciated and stresses the theme of the importance of caring for family. These two, the father and son, are the only family members that care about each other in this concentration camp. Also, the passage invites the audience to think about the significance of kind gestures, especially during unpleasant times. (165 word count) -Includes chapter and page # -includes the full quote/passage -selected purposeful passage (not a random passage) -enough information included to give context and meaning -DOES NOT SUMMARIZE -infers and analyzes the importance or impact of the passage

4. What should a DJ include? The author’s usage of animal imagery in this passage illustrates the growing difference between Eliezer and his father. When Eliezer goes to get coffee he fights his way there “like a wild beast”, which shows that he has become more aggressive in nature. On the other hand, the father upon receiving the coffee from his son expresses the gratitude of “a wounded animal”, which shows that he is weak and helpless. Because of how much his father appreciates this gesture, Eliezer realizes that this is the most satisfaction he has given his father than “during [his] entire childhood”. This quote makes it clear that any kind act during this time of inhumane cruelty was greatly appreciated and stresses the theme of the importance of caring for family. These two, the father and son, are the only family members that care about each other in this concentration camp. Also, the passage invites the audience to think about the significance of kind gestures, especially during unpleasant times. (165 word count) 1. What is the author or the speaker saying in this passage?

5. What should a DJ include? The author’s usage of animal imagery in this passage illustrates the growing difference between Eliezer and his father. When Eliezer goes to get coffee he fights his way there “like a wild beast”, which shows that he has become more aggressive in nature. On the other hand, the father upon receiving the coffee from his son expresses the gratitude of “a wounded animal”, which shows that he is weak and helpless. Because of how much his father appreciates this gesture, Eliezer realizes that this is the most satisfaction he has given his father than “during [his] entire childhood”. This quote makes it clear that any kind act during this time of inhumane cruelty was greatly appreciated and stresses the theme of the importance of caring for family. These two, the father and son, are the only family members that care about each other in this concentration camp. Also, the passage invites the audience to think about the significance of kind gestures, especially during unpleasant times. (165 word count) 1. What is the author or the speaker saying in this passage? 2. HOW does the author accomplish this message? -Use specific examples from the passage. (Examine tone, figurative language, diction, symbolism) -Explain!

6. What does a strong DJ include? The author’s usage of animal imagery in this passage illustrates the growing difference between Eliezer and his father. When Eliezer goes to get coffee he fights his way there “like a wild beast”, which shows that he has become more aggressive in nature. On the other hand, the father upon receiving the coffee from his son expresses the gratitude of “a wounded animal”, which shows that he is weak and helpless. Because of how much his father appreciates this gesture, Eliezer realizes that this is the most satisfaction he has given his father than “during [his] entire childhood”. This quote makes it clear that any kind act during this time of inhumane cruelty was greatly appreciated and stresses the theme of the importance of caring for family. These two, the father and son, are the only family members that care about each other in this concentration camp. Also, the passage invites the audience to think about the significance of kind gestures, especially during unpleasant times. (165 word count) 1. What is the author or the speaker saying in this passage? 2. HOW does the author accomplish this message? -Use specific examples from the passage. (Examine tone, figurative language, diction, symbolism) -Explain! 3. Connect analysis to the bigger idea of the novel (theme, author’s purpose, historical/literary connections)

7. Possibilities for your DJ’s… Your DJs could answer questions about… 1. Prediction 2. Character 3. Motifs (reoccurring concept in the novel) 4. Connections (World, Literature, History) 5. Theme 6. Questions about Gender, Power, Tradition or Culture, Love

8. DJ Grading Scale: 1-4 1: (50 or below) -Quote doesn’t have a lot of detail -More summary and paraphrase -Little or no discussion of larger meaning -None or few connections -Way too short to show meaning -Missing necessary elements (category, pg #)

9. DJ Grading Scale 2: (50- 65) -Few good details -Vague details and paraphrase -Some mention or allusion to literary elements -Few connections, obvious questions -Covers text, but not thoroughly

10. DJ Grading Scale 3: (75-85) -Less detail but still good -Intelligent thought, mentions theme/larger meaning -Mentions literary elements but doesn’t explain the connections that well -Some personal connections/thoughtful questions -Covers important parts of the text

11. DJ Grading Scale 4: (85-100) -Detailed, meaningful quotes -Interpretation avoids clichés and is thoughtful -Insightful and thought-provoking questions -Analyzes what is happening in the passage with specific textual details -Connections to the overall theme or author’s purpose -Covers important parts of the text thoroughly

12. Dialectical Journal Practice PassageAnalysis “…” (ch. #, pg. #) You do not have to write out the passage today! Write out just the first word… last word. … (# Word Count) Write all your observations of your passage. More observations are better! Ex: blue= innocence, truth. Red= passion, emotion, anger, disorder. The lake= mystery, depth, unconscious… etc.

13. EXAMPLES OF BEGINNING DJS FROM THE KITE RUNNER

14. Student Examples of DJ’s- 4 “It’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out” (1). I think that the author will address his past more as the story continues. The author briefly mentioned the past of the boy in a negative manner. It seems like the author is writing to a newly found friend. He is still reserved with the reader, but as the story progresses and the reader builds a bond with the character, more about the tragic past will be mentioned. It is likely that the past will be a larger theme. When he speaks about the past having to claw its way out, he is likely using “claws” for a reason. Claws can end up ripping things apart, including sanity and purity of mind. At the same time claws can tightly clutch onto things, showing that people have the tendency to cling to the past and to memories.

15. Suggestions on How to Extend the Analysis Prediction- I think that the novel will address his past more as the story continues. The author briefly mentioned the past of the boy in a negative manner. It is likely that the author is writing as if he has a newly found friend. He is still reserved with the reader. As the story progresses and the reader builds a bond with the characters, more about the tragic past will be mentioned. It is likely that the past will be a larger theme. When he speaks about the past having to claw its way out, he is likely using “claws” for a reason. Claws can end up ripping things apart, including sanity and purity of mind. At the same time claws can tightly clutch onto things, showing that people have the tendency to cling to the past and to memories. Good use of “claws” as a metaphor. Now bring that metaphor back to Amir and the rest of the story. What connections can you make about Amir’s “claws” of the past? How does analysis of claws now tie in to what you mentioned of the “past” as a larger theme?

16. Student Examples of DJ’s- 3 “I became what I am today at the age of twelve… deserted ally for the last 26 years” (1). Characterization: Amir implies that he had grown up too fast. Whatever happened on that day in 1975 caused him to be more mature and grown-up. Seeing that this happened when he was 12, he probably lost a small chunk of his childhood. Also, when he mentions how the past can’t be buried, he reveals that something about that day made him feel bad or guilty. So as a character, he had been a 12 year old who regretted something he did in the past.

17. Suggestions on How to Extend the Analysis Characterization: Amir implies that he had grown up too fast. Whatever happened on that day in 1975 caused him to be more mature and grown- up. Seeing that this happened when he was 12, he probably lost a small chunk of his childhood. Also, when he mentions how the past can’t be buried, he reveals that something about that day made him feel bad or guilty. So as a character, he had been a 12 year old who regretted something he did in the past. What from the text made you reach this conclusion? In what ways did he “grow up?” Back it up with examples (specific words/phrases). Now talk about how this quote relates to the greater theme of loss in the novel. What does this mean for Amir if he’s “lost” his childhood? What kind of adult will he become? What implications does that have for an older (perhaps adult) Amir reflecting on the past?

18. DJ Examples- 4 Quote “…his almost perfectly round face, a face like a Chinese doll chiseled from hardwood; his flat, broad nose and slanting narrow eyes like bamboo leaves… I can still see his tiny low-set ears and that pointed stub of a chin… and a cleft lip, just left of middle, where the Chinese doll maker’s instrument may have slipped, or perhaps he had simply grown tired and careless.” Analysis Culture/Symbolism- I think the author put so much emphasis on his looks to show that Hassan is physically different. His physical differences may also symbolize how different he is as a person. The Chinese doll maker might be a metaphor for God, and his physical imperfection could represent a character flaw that will be detrimental.

19. Ways to extend… 1.) How do Hassan’s differences play into the larger story? 2.) If Hassan’s only flaw is something out of his control, what does that suggest about him? 3.) Why is God (the doll maker) careless?

20. DJ Examples- 3 Quote “I can still see Hassan up on that tree, sunlight flickering through the leaves on his almost perfectly round face, a face like a Chinese doll chiseled from hardwood; his flat broad nose and slanting, narrow eyes like bamboo leaves, eyes that looked, depending on the light, gold, green, even sapphire…” (3.) Analysis Characterization/Symbolism: I think that the narrator is meticulously describing Hassan this way because he’s proud of him. I’m inferring that he does think of his as a rare, Chinese doll sitting in a display case because he looks up to him as a role model (even though they are the same age.) When the narrator talks about his eyes changing colors, I see that as a metaphor to how Hassan might’ve had an open mind and is welcome to different opinions. The different colors could be different situations of empathy that he’s experienced thus far.

21. Ways to improve… 1.) Why does the narrator admire Hassan? 2.) Note the fact that Hassan is remembered up in a tree, physically higher than the narrator, to support your assumption. 3.) Don’t waste space with “I think” and “I’m inferring” and other summary (like their ages.) 4.) Explain situations of empathy. I was unsure what the writer meant. 5.) Is there a reason why two of the three eye colors are precious gems/metals? What could it signify?