The humors thing on p. 48 will really come in handy when we read The Canterbury Tales this fall. I usually have to spend a bit of time covering that before we can fully appreciate Chaucer's work. Not anymore. If you find that theory interesting, you might look up "physiognomy".
There has been--up to this point--much discussion of metaphor and illness. Sontag, tuberculosis, the Romantic poets. What do you make of this: "The black-bile theory of cancer was so metaphorically seductive that it clung on tenaciously in the minds of doctors" ( 49).
Here's a golden line: "In the seventeenth century, a paste of crab's eyes, at five shillings a pound was popular--using fire to treat fire." (50).
"Anatomy came alive for him in this grisly world of the dead" (51). Ah, Dr. Mukherjee, such a wit.
Hey, what did you all think of those awesome book marks I put in your books? Did you notice that they are about several different topics? It is getting kind of lonely here talking to myself. About a book.
I thought it was very interesting to read about the first findings of cancer and how they were treating them with such odd remedies. The good news is that I am finally caught up with the reading. The bad news is that I am leaving for Guadalajara for two weeks and wont be able to make many contributions to this blog. The book is in my carry on along with many sticky notes and highlighters. I will try to put my two cents in when I have access to Wi-Fi. Adios for now!:)
ReplyDeleteAdios! Have a great trip, Emma!
ReplyDeleteEmma's comment and the piece where Mukherjee discusses the various remedies for cancer made me think of the Medieval Times class that I took in the 7th grade. In one of the projects, a partner and I actually made one of the remedies (although I think it was supposed to cure the plague) that we found online, out of many different herbs and other supposedly edible items. One of the boys in the class actually ate it...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like the second golden line. Mukherjee's style of wordplay always catches me. It's hard for me to get over the fact that he's a scientist and a writer. I switch back and forth between seeing him as one or the other.
I'm using the red bookmark right now! "Procrastination can wait for tomorrow." Ironic, because I'm behind... but I'll catch up!
That is the coolest story about the seventh grade class. Was that, perchance, with Mr....oh,what the heck is his name...escapes me now....Mr.not Bond, something short....Cross? Holt? Four letters, I'm sure of that. If it makes you feel any better, I am one day behind as well. But, I have four pages of test questions. Those buggers are not easy to write.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the scientist/writer thing. Of course, I could add in historian as well.
This year, something new, I also handed out bookmarks with quotations concerning "struggle" to tie in with the "embrace the struggle" theme I like to promote for my juniors in AP. The struggle is the most valuable condition there is as it is then that we learn.