Tuesday, March 3 "The Gambler" introduction to "The Outcasts of Poker Flats"

Note that if you were absent yesterday, you will need to make arrangements to make up the in-class essay on "The Story of an Hour."

As well, tomorrow is the very last day to make up the test on Ethan Frome that was given on Monday, February 21.

Finally, if you missed the vocabulary quiz from last Friday, that too must be made up.

In class:
1) vocabulary for the week of March 2.  Quiz on Friday. class handout / copy below.  We are working on the short story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte. I will hand out a copy of the story tomorrow.

TO BEGIN: we are listening to the song "The Gambler"; you have a copy of the lyrics (handout below).  Please be prepared to explain the metaphor behind the song in a quick write in your notebooks. These will be collected at the end of class. 

The Gambler

Songwriters: BRADLEY, ROBERT/NEHRA, MICHAEL/NEHRA, ANDREW/FOWLKES, JEFF

Here's the link, if you are absent and want to listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4nJ1YEAp4

When we have finished, please respond to the following as a

 quick write of at least one full page in your notebook.  

Begin with a MLA heading.

Read over the lyrics to The Gambler and explain the 

extended metaphor. Use specific text from the song to

 support your response.

What is an extended metaphor? The term extended metaphor refers to a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem. It is often comprised of more than one sentence and sometimes consists of a full paragraph.

On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,

I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.

So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness

'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said, "Son, I've made my life out of readin' people's faces,

And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.

So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.

For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice."

So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.

Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.

And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.

Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

Now Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'

Is knowin' what to throw away and knowing what to keep.

'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,

And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep."

So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,

Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.

And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.

But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away and know when to run.

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

Chorus

Vocabulary for the week of March 2……………………quiz on Friday, March 6

Note that there are 10 words and 2 idioms

1..  vigilant-adjective- keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties; watchful, observant, attentive, alert  

                                                                         eagle-eyed, hawk-eyed

2.  adroit-adjective- clever or skillful in using the hands or mind; adept, dexterous, deft, nimble, able, capable

3.  to fabricate-verb- to invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent;     falsify, fake, counterfeit

4.  pretext-noun- a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.

5.  to gesticulate-verb- use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one's words.

6. to  badger- verb- to bother persistently

7. to  implore-verb- beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.

8.  drudgery-noun- hard, menial, or dull work.

9.  interminable-adjective-endless (often used hyperbolically); never-ending, unending, nonstop, everlasting, ceaseless,

10.  to perceive-verb- to become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand.

Idioms

11. a wet blanket-a person who spoils other people's fun by failing to join in with or by disapproving of their activities.

12.  to pour oil on troubled waters- try to settle a disagreement or dispute with words intended to placate or pacify those involved.