Sheehy English 9

One of my favorite passages in all of literature is Puck’s speech at the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After he has caused all the mischief and conflict that drove the play, he apologizes to the audience–sort of. Actually, he suggests how the audience should think of all the things that have just occurred if they happen to be offensive or disturbing — think of them as a dream. And since Puck is a fairy, he could then fix all the offenses, eventually.

At the end of a year, after you have been subjected to the antics, the odd projects, the technology, and the exercises that I call my teaching, I often feel I need to deliver just this speech. I am convinced many of you enjoyed your experiences in this classroom; if you didn’t enjoy me, I can see you enjoyed each other. But even if you have not enjoyed your experience with me, I offer my hands to you and at least suggest this: you’ll get another teacher, and eventually, this will all seem like a dream. In that vein I adopt Puck’s words as my own:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend
…
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

That said, I’d like you to take 30 minutes and to write me a letter of reflection on your year. I will set no word length if you will discipline yourself to write earnestly for the entire half hour (Please do not count the time it takes to log in to your blog). You are writing to me, but this does not need to be about me. While I am interested in what your thoughts are concerning English, I am also interested in your broader reaction to your year. That means for many of the thoughts, you might share your experience in English but then broaden the thought to include your whole life.

I list these questions to help you get going. You need not work down them like a checklist, but you are welcome to do so if you don’t want to think about it.

• What have you learned?
• How have you changed?
• What has influenced you?
• What will you remember when you think back on this year?
• What did you enjoy about class?
• What did you find most challenging?
• What did you learn about yourself as a student this year?
• What lesson was most important to remember for the future?
• What is the story of your year? (You might consider telling me the story of your year and include the landmark events that summarize the whole.)

You may write this at home or during your final exam block, but please make sure it is posted to your blog.