England in the 60s and 70s    

England in the 60s and 70s    (link)

                                                        Swinging London

“Swinging London” is a term used to describe the fashion and cultural scene that flourished in London, in the 1960s.

 In English, the wave of the Swinging London which is a real collective creation of the post-war teenagers will destabilize the old moral principles of the old society. 

 Ex:   Film: The Knack (1965- Richard Lester). This film is very representative of England that swings.

 The movement “Swinging London” includes the Music:

- The Beatles (English)

 - The Rolling Stones (English)

 - British Invasion (American)

The movement “Swinging London” includes Fashion and Symbols:

 During the time of Swinging London, fashion and photography were featured in Queen magazine.

Jean Shrimpton has become an icon and the supermodels the best paid in the world. Shrimpton was called "The Face of the '60s", in which she has been considered by many as "the symbol of Swinging London" and the "embodiment of the 1960s". So, the fashion was a symbol of youth culture.

The British flag, the Union Flag, became a symbol, assisted by events such as England's home victory in the 1966 World Cup.

 The movement “Swinging London” includes Films:

The phenomenon was featured in films of the time, celebratory and mocking: For exemple: The Knack (1965), Casino Royale (1967)...

 The comedy is also includes: The Boat that Rocked...

The movement “Swinging London” includes Television:

 One television series that reflected the spirit of Swinging London was The Avengers (1961-1969).

 The movement “Swinging London” includes Book:

Adam Diment's spy novels featured Philip McAlpine. 

The family Planning Act 1967 

The National Health Service (Family Planning) Act of 1967 allowed doctors to give family-planning advice and to prescribe free contraceptives, initially to married women only.

The Abortion Act: can if two independent medical practitioners agreed that continuance would cause physical or mental risk to the health of the woman or her existing children

1967: The National Health Service (Family Planning) Act enabled LHAs to give birth control advice, regardless of marital status, on social as well as medical grounds using voluntary organisations such as FPA as their agents if they wished. FPA National Council resolved that branches would be allowed to give advice to the unmarried if they wished. Mr. Robinson K responding to a question in the House of Commons said: should help young girls of 16 who come to the clinic for advice.

Title                               : Hannah

Author                          : Malachi Whitaker

Publisher                      : Cambridge University Press

Date of publication    : 1933

Setting                          : Hannah's house- XX century ( sixteen years ) in USA or England 

Characters: Characters's descriptions :

Hannah, is a girl of 17 years-old, who has got  brown hair and  is in love with Ralph Wellings. She's very excited. Thomas Henry Smithson is a young man very conscientious and polite. Hannah's mother likes him. Ralph Wellings is a boy of 19 years-old who has got blue-black hair. Furthermore he's strange, fat and wild.

Summary of the plot and personnal opinion:

Hannah is a short story about a young girl who names Hannah. She's 17 years-old and she organizes a party; it's for this reason it is excited.At this party they will be Thomas Henry Smithson, a young man, who's very appreciated by Hannah's mother and Ralph Wellings a boy of nineteen, strange, fat and wild but also some guest. We learn that Hannah is in love with Ralp Wellings. Indeed, she imagines to have children with him. Later, Hannah wakes up and sees a middle-aged woman who calls her "grandma". So, What happened during this evening?

 short story  (link)

Shakespeare writes the novel Romeo and Juliet in the XVI century. The prologue is the part which begins the play.

Définition:  

 Prologue= introduction to a story

Situation: 

  Where> The place where the story takes place: Verona, Italy

  When> The time when it takes place: in the Middle-Age

  Characters> The main characters: - two lovers

                                                     - two households ( The Capulets / The Montaigue )

Context> The families of the two lovers are ennemies. Their quarrels are extremely violent.  Their children fall in love but their parents hatred will cause their death. This death will bring   peace (" mend").

Romeo and Juliet is written in old english. For example: Thou/ Thee/ Thy

The two heroes meet at a party. More later in the night Romeo comes to Juliet's balcony. The balcony and the moon are light up.   Moon= night keeps secrets

The Kinsman's Juliet if they see Romeo they killed him.

Kinsman= persons of the same blood so the same family

Cloak= a cape with a a hood

Moon ( feminity) opposed to Sun ( masculinity)        Scene of feminity: balcony scene

Juliet is enlightened whereas Romeo is in the darkness. Juliet has the dominant role. She is above ( a higher position). She is out of reach. Around them they are trees. The orchard symbolize intimity. The love of Romeo and Juliet is new. It's as a fruit which ripe.

Vocabulary:

Orchard= un verger

A Sin= un pécher

Ripe= mûre

Evil otherwise Good

 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlkv2f_romeo- and-juliet-zeffirelli-the-balcony-scene_shortfilms

Romeo and Juliet (Suite)

Here:  -a questionnaire about the balcony scene

          -a part of play about the balcony scene ( Act II, Scene II, Capulet's orchard )

                                                                   The balcony scene

                                       Cyrano de Bergerac: Act III, scene 7      ( click on the link )