THEME+-+Cause+and+Effect

//Instructions: Below you will find a brief explanation of the theme "Causality," which is often called "Cause and Effect." Read it and the examples from English literature that feature this theme.

Then follow the directions at the bottom of this page to start your first wiki assignment!//

What is CAUSALITY? (Cause and Effect) //Here are a few **definitions**://

1. The principle that nothing can happen without having being caused.

2. The causality of two events describes to what extent one event is caused by the other. When there is causality, there is a measure of predictability between the two events. A cause and effect relationship.

//So what have people said about CAUSE AND EFFECT?//

1. //Aristotle, Ancient Greek Philosopher:// "If you prove the **cause**, you at once prove the **effect**; and conversely nothing can exist without its cause."

2. //Douglas Adams, English Author:// "It is not the fall that kills you. It’s the sudden stop at the end."

3. //Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father:// "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Example #1: "A Poison Tree" //Written in 1794 by the English poet, William Blake, this poem makes a statement about hiding or supressing human emotions. It does this by exploring what effects might be caused by avoiding, rather than facing, these emotions.//

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe; I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears, Night & morning with my tears; And I sunned it with my smiles And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright; And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole When the night had veil'd the pole: In the morning glad I see My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree

//**Vocabulary** deceitful wiles: tricks water'd: watered veil'ed: veiled, hidden outstretch'd" outstretched//

Example #2: "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" //Released in 1993, this song by the Canadian band "Crash Test Dummies,"// //explores the different causes of teenagers being isolated from others. "Mmm," is a sound similar to "hrmm," and is a sound made by English speakers who are thinking deeply. The speaker, or singer, is thinking about these three kids who are each somehow different from the other kids around them. As you read this song, consider, is the speaker trying to tell you that there are good reasons for some children to "have it worse" than others?//

Once there was this kid who Got into an accident and couldn't come to school But when he finally came back His hair had turned from black into bright white He said that it was from when The car had smashed him so hard

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

Once there was this girl who Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room But when they finally made her They saw birthmarks all over her body She couldn't quite explain it They'd always just been there

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

But both girl and boy were glad 'Cause one kid had it worse than that

'Cause then there was this boy whose Parents made him come directly home right after school And when they went to their church They shook and lurched all over the church floor He couldn't quite explain it They'd always just gone there

Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

//**Vocabulary:** birthmark: a darker spot on a person's skin that has been there since birth lurched: moved without grace//

So what do I do now?
 * Two things!**

1. Go to the "discussions tab." There you will write and post a short response to literature paragraph answering the question below. In the title of your subject, include your name, and the example you have chosen to write about. (For example: "**Mr.Whitehead-WearetheWorld**")

2. Then //read// and //comment// on the paragraphs of at least 5 other students //who did not write about the same example as you!// To do so, you will have to read the other examples and about the other theme. For each comment, do at least one of the following:
 * Discuss the theme of "Cause and Effect" in one of these examples. OR You may also write a synthesis response, by comparing what these two examples say about this theme. **
 * Identify reasons why the original author is correct or incorrect (use specific evidence!).
 * Identify and discuss literary devices that have not been written about yet.
 * Offer other points of view, or ways of responding to this question.

Feel free to agree or disagree with what others have to say, but make sure you explain why and keep the tone of your posts **positive**! Remember, your posts are part of how you will be marked on the "working as part of an online learning community," so put some effort into them!