Digital Assignments: Journal Entries–Parable of the Sower–DUE 11/25 by 5pm–No exceptions

Create two thematic “journal entries” from that latter part of the readings (up to page 249). You are to imagine that you are a character in the novel who is reflecting on pressing issues and themes that you face–try to make critical arguments as you reflect. You may also create a your own character and do the same work. sower_with_setting_sun

You may Audio record your files and email them to me or audio record them and upload the link here to this blog. Audio journals are encouraged!

Finally come up with one sound argument on the book so far and share it here. Be creative but also make sure you can and want to support that argument.

Digital Assignment on Streetcar, Due 11/13/09

  1. Offer some reflections on the meaning of the title and this play? What does the title mean? How can you think about the meaning of the title creatively, symbolically?streetcar2
  2. What does Blanche mean when she says, “I’ve got to keep hold of myself” ? What does this tell us about her character?
  3. What is the central conflict between Stanley and Blanche? What is each character supposed to represent?
  4. To what extent is Blanche a victim of her own self-delusions and Old South attitudes? To what extent is she the victim of males who take advantage of her, deceive her, or abuse her?  More importantly, what does Williams accomplish by presenting the character as you are reading her?

Week 8: Questions of the Week, Member of the Wedding

(relying on the text) Working with only the first 25 pages of the novel, offer a very preliminary character analysis of Frankie; pick out two descriptive moments from McCullers’ prose that help you say something specific about Frankie as a character. Use textual evidence as a part of your brief reflection.

(relying on your intuition) Next, boldly assign two adjectives that describe the young girl McCullers introduces in the first 25 pages.  Make sure that none of your classmates have used your two “Frankie adjectives” and avoid using McCullers’ words for this part of the exercise. Be creative with your Frankie terms.

Week 7: Questions of the Week, Giovanni’s Room

1. Does Baldwin portray David as a conscious being or does he portray him as a self-deceptive being?  Does the character seem to gravitate toward one mode of consciousness over the other?  How well does he seem to know himself? Use passages that support your answers.

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2. Make a comment about Baldwin’s style. How is he using a literary convention or device in this novel? (You might think about symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, sentence structure, etc.)

Week 6: (No class Tuesday) Digital Assignments + Questions of the Week

Dear Class,

For the first three questions, you need to do a close analysis of a passage that relates to one of the key themes I introduced last week. For each question, quote a passage from the novel and analyze it here; avoid repeating a passage or argument that a classmate has already made. For the final question, you  to offer an argument about the novel that will will potentially discuss in class.

Question 1: How do boyhood and aging surface as themes in the novel?  What argument can you make about Baldwin’s depiction of either?

Question 2: Nationality, class differences, and power dynamics all inform this novel in important ways.  Comment on this in a way that pushes past the most obvious readings (i.e. “Jacques is able to take advantage of young men because they are poor and he is rich.” You can make a much more intricate argument than this–as this is not really an argument but a fact.)

Question 3: How are women imagined in Giovanni’s Room?  Is there a particular character who stands out for you?  What are some of the images associated with her (or images associated with multiple women who appear in the novel)?

Finally, make an argument in 1-2 sentences about any aspect of this novel. Include your argument as the last line of your assignment.

Week 5 Question of the Week, Critical Essays

What is the point–the argument of the essay on “Narrative”?  Read what your classmates are saying and have a discussion on the essay.

Pick out a moment in the essay “Representation” that you find confusing. Use a quote from it to ask the question that you have about the piece.  If you aren’t confused by some aspect of the essay, quote from some portion of it and elaborate on how it can help you in your writing or thinking.

Week 4 Question of the Week: Ten Little Indians

Select a passage or moment from one of the two stories we are reading for  Monday that you find to be an example of Alexie’s humorous style.  Explain what Alexie is doing on the page to achieve that effect. What “elements” of humor are at play here? Try not to repeat examples that your classmates are using.

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In addition to thinking about humor, find a moment from either story that you think is saying something important about either mood, tone, or character. Provide a brief close reading of that moment and be prepared to share your thoughts in class–especially if you are on call this week.

Week 3: Questions of the Week…

By now you should have read the three poems by Al Young (“The Robbie’s Dance,” “Reading Nijinsky’s Diary,” and “Dancing All Alone”). Write your short reflections in your log and be prepared to share them in class if you are on call (see Close Analysis schedule). Pay attention to mood (atmosphere, setting), tone (voice, attitude), and character as you read.  Mark up your hardcopies of each poem.

Questions: In “Dancing All Alone” what conclusive statement can you make about some aspect of the poem? Use the words on the page to support your point.

In Flannery O’Connor’s short story, “The Comforts of Home,” how is Thomas characterized in this story?  What are some descriptive words from the story that tell you something important about the kind of character O’Connor has created with him?