A blog to help secondary school students improve English. You can find mind maps, worksheets, videos and songs as well as some of the project works and activities done by the students.
Hello! My name's Liliana. I'm a teacher of English (Language and Literature) to Italian teenage stu
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Answer the questions to compare the Italian form of government to the British one
- Which year did he Italians vote for democracy?
- The UK is a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY, but it’s also a parliamentary democracy (like Italy). What does it mean?
- Is there a single document that may be considered as the British constitution?
- When did the Italian Constitution come into force?
- Who elects the President of the Republic in Italy? How long does his charge last? How old should he be to be elected as President?
- Who’s the commander-in chief of the armed forces in Italy and in the UK?
- How many members does the House of Commons have?
- How many members does the Chamber of Deputies have?
- How many members does the House of Lords have?
- Are the members of the House of Lords elected by people?
- How many elected members does the Senate have?
- What are the functions of a Parliament?
- Who is the head of state in Italy? What about in England?
- Who holds the position of head of government in both countries?
- Who’s the current Prime Minister in the UK? What’s his political party?
- Who finally signs the bills both in Italy and in the UK?
- How old are people who vote for both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate in Italy?
- How old should you be to be elected as a member of the Chamber of deputies or a member of the Senate in Italy
- When did the UK leave the European Union?
Sunday, June 2, 2024
A summary of themes in Frankenstein
Frankenstein"
by Mary Shelley explores several profound themes. Here are some of the main
themes:
The
Dangers of Unchecked Ambition and the Pursuit of Knowledge:
Victor
Frankenstein's obsessive quest to conquer nature and create life demonstrates the
potential dangers of unchecked ambition. His desire to push the limits of
scientific discovery leads to catastrophic consequences, emphasizing the
need for ethical considerations in scientific experiments.
Isolation and Loneliness:
Both Victor
Frankenstein and the Creature experience profound isolation and loneliness.
Victor's isolation is due to his obsessive work and the guilt that follows,
while the Creature's isolation is a result of his ugly appearance and
subsequent rejection by society. This theme highlights the importance of
companionship and the destructive effects of isolation.
The Nature of Humanity:
The novel
questions what it means to be human. The Creature, despite being created by
man, displays human emotions and desires, suggesting that humanity is defined
by more than just physical appearance. This theme explores the idea of
empathy, morality, and the intrinsic value of all beings.
Creation and Responsibility:
Victor's
failure to take responsibility for his creation results in tragedy. The
novel is about the moral responsibilities of creators towards their creations,
whether in the context of a family, scientific innovation, or artistic
creation.
Revenge
and Retribution:
The cycle of
revenge between Victor and the Creature characterizes much of the story. The
Creature's desire for vengeance against Victor for his misery and Victor's
pursuit of the Creature for the deaths of his loved ones highlight the
destructive nature of revenge and the futility of such a pursuit.
Nature vs. Nurture:
The novel deals
with the debate of inherent nature versus the influence of environment and
upbringing. The Creature begins as a benevolent being but becomes monstrous
due to the constant rejection and mistreatment he faces, suggesting that behavior
and morality are heavily influenced by societal treatment.
Gothic
Elements and the Sublime:
"Frankenstein"
is rich with Gothic elements, including dark, foreboding settings, and the
supernatural. The novel also employs the concept of the sublime, showcasing
the power and beauty of nature as both majestic and terrifying, reflecting
the internal states of the characters.
The Double or Doppelgänger:
Victor and
the Creature can be seen as doubles of each other. Their
relationship reflects the theme of the doppelgänger, where the Creature
represents Victor’s darker side and the consequences of his unbridled ambitions.
This mirroring explores
the duality of human nature.
Women’s Victimization and Sacrifice:
Women in the
novel often become victims of the actions and decisions of men.
Justine Moritz is wrongfully executed for a crime she did not commit, becoming
a scapegoat for Victor’s creation. Elizabeth is murdered by the Creature on her
wedding night. These sacrifices highlight the vulnerability and suffering of
women within the patriarchal society depicted in the novel.