HE’S BLIND FOR A REASON, YOU KNOW. but first… Swap your vocabulary with a classmate. Grade definitions on a scale of 3: 3=all completed 2=some completed 1=mostly incomplete

Vocab definitions: Atone: v. to supply satisfaction for; to make amends Banish: v. to force (someone) to leave a country as punishment Begrudge: v. to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure Beseech: v. to beg for urgently or anxiously; to request earnestly Contemptuous: adj. manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval; feeling or showing contempt

Vocab definitions: Convict: v. to find or prove to be guilty; to convince of error or sinfulness Defile: v. to make unclean or impure Hem: v. to surround in a restrictive manner Impunity: n. exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss Indictment: n. the act of officially charging someone with a crime

Vocab definitions: Inscribe: v. to write, engrave, or print as a lasting record Invoke: v. to petition for help or support; to appeal to or cite as authority Keen: adj. having a fine edge or point; affecting one as if by cutting Liberate: v. to set at liberty; to free Oracle: n. a person through whom a deity is believed to speak; a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge

Vocab definitions Proclamation: n. something proclaimed; an official formal public announcement Rack: n. an instrument of torture on which a body is stretched Reproach: n. an expression of rebuke or disapproval Resignation: n. an act or instance of resigning something Revere: v. to show devoted deferential honor to

Last one! Savior: n. one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation Solicitude: n. the state of being concerned and anxious; attentive care and protectiveness Supplication: n. a request made humbly and earnestly Treacherous: adj. likely to betray trust; marked by hidden dangers Vile: adj. morally despicable or abhorrent; physically repulsive

He’s blind for a reason… Situation: A well-known, highly respected man tries desperately to hunt down a criminal, whose guilt causes a plague that affects everyone else. He doesn’t realize he himself is the criminal. He calls in an “information specialist” who happens to be blind. The specialist tells him the truth. The protagonist argues with him and calls him a liar. Who’s who? Who’s more blind?

Blindness in Literature Strong thematic symbolism Blindness vs. seeing—physically or metaphorically Light vs. darkness—truth vs. deceit Readers have to ask, “Why blindness?” to read the text at a deeper level Other examples… James Joyce’s “Araby”—a boy watches a girl on a “blind street,” through almost closed blinds, and is blinded by love. Shakespeare’s King Lear—an earl is fooled by his evil son into disowning his good son, and is then physically blinded by his evil son.

Start Searching! Get in groups of 2-3… Complete chart to follow development of sight/blindness in Oedipus Rex in the Prologous, Episode I, and Stasimon I. To cite: “Complete quote from text” (line #). To analyze: Discuss who is blind and who is seeing, literally and metaphorically Suggest why that person is literally and/or metaphorically blind or seeing Each person will submit their own chart. Individuals who do not submit a chart will receive a 0. According to shmoop.com, “If one of Sophocles' ancient audience members missed the irony in this episode, he must've visited the wine stand a few to many times.” See how you fare!

Finish Up/Homework: Submit chart before leaving! Due tomorrow: Read “He’s Blind for a Reason, You Know,” by T. C. Foster Answer questions attached to reading Thursday: Vocabulary quiz Over long weekend: Read through Stasimon IV in Oedipus Rex; continue study guide