November 28-December 2

Pride and Prejudice

1. In remarking on Janes's favorable impression of the Bingley sisters, Elizabeth affectionately teases her sister, "Oh! You are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody." Do you think you are more like Jane, who is "honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others," or more like Elizabeth, who in most cases prides herself on being an accurate judge of character?

2. One critic writes that "in all Austen's novels, but especially in Pride and Prejudice, pursuing happiness is the business of life," and some would argue that this is not subject enough for a major work of fiction. Do you think that following this small collection of characters as they pursue their versions of happiness an admirable or appropriate mission for a novel? Discuss.

3. Consider this: "My temper would perhaps be called resentful.--My good opinion once lost is lost forever." What does Darcy mean by this statement? Do you agree with him? What are some of the drawbacks of such a position?

4. Consider this: "There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well . . . [E]veryday confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense." Explain Elizabeth's view of the world as she expresses it here. How should we judge the "appearance" of merit and sense?

November 14-18

Fools Crow by James Welch

1. What code of conduct do the characters follow? What makes a Pikuni feel pride? Shame? What behaviors are honorable and dishonorable? Think of specific examples from the book.

2. Sometimes non-Native Americans say, “Why should I feel guilty about the deeds of my ancestors? I didn’t take away the Indian’s land.” How would you guess Native Americans would feel about the deeds of their ancestors? Does this help to explain why Native Americans might expect non-Native Americans to bear the guilt for what happened generations earlier?

3. Dee Brown, author of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, said Fools Crow may be the closest we’ve come to entering the life of the plains Indians in the buffalo days. Do you agree?

4. Why do the Pikuni pay such close attention to their dreams? Where do the Pikuni believe knowledge and power come from? Where do members of the dominant American culture believe knowledge and power come from?

5. When Heavy Shield Woman wanted to be the Sacred Vow Woman for the Sun Dance, she is cautioned by Chief Three Bears, “If you are successful, the Pikunis will prosper and enjoy favor with the spirit world. If you fail, if you are not strong or virtuous enough, great harm will come to us.” In other words, one person’s errors or misdeeds can cause suffering to everyone. How does this notion guide individual conduct? Use specific examples from the story.

6. Is this book successful for you as a story, a “good read?” Why or why not? Comment on characters, relationships, animals.

November 7-11

1. Important and enduring literature embodies a universal truth about the nature of man. How does Oedipus the King, written in 430 BC, speak philosophically to contemporary readers with truths that are still relevant?

2. Odipus the King has recurring images of vision and blindness, darkness and light, knowledge and ignorance. Analyze the varied and multiple meanings of these images and comment on their importance in understanding the character of Oedipus.

3. Aristotle's conception of the tragic hero is defined as a hero who brings about his own downfall as a result of a flaw within his character. Is Oedipus the archetypal flawed human who has preicpiated his own downfall or is he a mere victim of the gods, powerless to alter his fate?

4. A main character in a drama or novel evokes our sympathy and admiration, sometimes despite a series of poor choices that seem obviously and transparently injudicious. Describe Oedipus's strengths; describe his weaknesses.