10/7/19 Ruby Li Period 8

Ruby Li 

Period 8

10/7/19

Blogger #14

Do Now: 

1. Vocab quiz
2. Write on classroom what the aim of today should be after reading about Demeter and Persephone

Why did the Greeks use a story of kidnapping to explain winter and why is it still prevalent? 

• Story of Persephone and Demeter explain more than just the change of seasons
• Importance of family → Demeter mourning kidnapping of Persephone

Aim: How do the stories of Demeter, Persephone, and Dionysus demonstrate the human qualities of coming-of-age, sexuality, and indulgence?

Pair-share: After moving out of your parent’s house, when does your new place become “home” and your parent’s house just become your parent’s house?

I feel like your parent’s house won’t just become your parent’s house. Home is where the heart is, and I feel like it’s a place where you’ll always be able to go back to. Your new place becomes your home as soon as you move in, but a home doesn’t need to be stuck to a single place. 

• Home can be memories or the people you’re with → emotional attachment
• Responsibilities that come naturally → moving out = doing your own thing; having a family or having something/someone to take care of 
• Reliance, someone needing you

Think-pair-share: What is the purpose behind attributing seasons to the stories of Demeter and Persephone? Who is wrong - Demeter or Hades?

Summer seems fun and happy while winter is bleak and empty. This might reflect off Demeter feels about her child suddenly getting stolen. Both are equally wrong. Hades kidnaps Persephone while Demeter just kills everything off by starting winter. 

• Demeter involves everyone without actually taking it out on Hades
• Demeter taking out her anger on people → demonstrating human nature (flawed) 
• Horrible things happen to people but reactions create consequences; unintended and intended
• Just because you didn’t mean it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen
• Spring (renewal, rebirth), summer (growth and maturity), fall (end of Harvest), winter (solitude, contemplation)
• “Seasons” of human life are inextricably linked
• Childhood, young adult, adult, elder
• Pomegranate seeds → Persephone consuming Hade's seed; coming-of-age, first intimacy w someone else

Reflection: 

Today, we learned about the significance of the story of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades. Through this story, we can see how significant the process of growing up and “leaving the nest” is. In the story, Demeter had gotten angry at the fact that Persephone is no longer a child, and her passage to adulthood was copulating with Hades. Demeter, in the end, had felt angry and hurt about how quickly Persephone had left the nest. We learned the perspective of the parent when a child leaves to make their own home/family. While talking about this, I reflected on my own life and how I am an only child. It made me think of what would happen one day when I also “leave the nest.” We also learned about the seasons and life are deeply connected. Going forward, we will eventually go through the cycle of growing up and maturing since most of us are going to college and will leave our parents/family behind. The need for balance between our “new” life and “old” life persists.