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.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
October 24-28
Macbeth
1. One critic has observed that part of Macbeth's tragedy is the fact that many of his strengths are also his weaknesses. Exlain this apparent contradiction. What are Mabeth's strengths? Which ones also work against him?
2. What modern figure, real or fictional, had a downfall, like Macbeth's, that came after an attempt to gain great power? How is this modern figure like Macbeth, and how different? Would this modern figure make a good tragic hero?
3. One of the themes of Macbeth centers on evil, which Shakespeare saw as a force beyond human understanding. Do you think Shakespeare also saw evil as stronger than the forces of good?
4. What is your favorite quote from the play? Discuss.
1. One critic has observed that part of Macbeth's tragedy is the fact that many of his strengths are also his weaknesses. Exlain this apparent contradiction. What are Mabeth's strengths? Which ones also work against him?
2. What modern figure, real or fictional, had a downfall, like Macbeth's, that came after an attempt to gain great power? How is this modern figure like Macbeth, and how different? Would this modern figure make a good tragic hero?
3. One of the themes of Macbeth centers on evil, which Shakespeare saw as a force beyond human understanding. Do you think Shakespeare also saw evil as stronger than the forces of good?
4. What is your favorite quote from the play? Discuss.
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 10-14
Keats
1. St. Agnes is the patron saint of virgins. How does learning this change your interpretation of the poem "The Eve of St. Agnes"?
2. Keats based his poem on the superstition that if a young girl performed a certain ritual on the eve of St. Agnes, she would see her future husband. If you could see into your future, would you? Explain.
3. Keats based "Ode to a Nightingale" upon the tranquility and joy he felt in a nightingale's song. If you could write an ode to an element of nature, what would you choose to honor? Animal? Plant? Place? Describe and explain.
4. Keats knew he was dying of tuberculosis when he wrote "Bright Star." Does this change your interpretation of the poem? Why or why not?
1. St. Agnes is the patron saint of virgins. How does learning this change your interpretation of the poem "The Eve of St. Agnes"?
2. Keats based his poem on the superstition that if a young girl performed a certain ritual on the eve of St. Agnes, she would see her future husband. If you could see into your future, would you? Explain.
3. Keats based "Ode to a Nightingale" upon the tranquility and joy he felt in a nightingale's song. If you could write an ode to an element of nature, what would you choose to honor? Animal? Plant? Place? Describe and explain.
4. Keats knew he was dying of tuberculosis when he wrote "Bright Star." Does this change your interpretation of the poem? Why or why not?
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 3-7
1. In "Those Winter Sundays," analyze the repetition of "What did I know?"
2. The most arresting feature of "The Fish" is its imagery. Which image stands out the most to you? Explain/discuss.
3. In Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" Whitman lists a number of body parts: do any of them tend to stand out or to form any sort of unexpected patterns?
4. Find a poem that speaks to you in the Bedford. Recommend it to the other bloggers on this site and explain why we should read it.
2. The most arresting feature of "The Fish" is its imagery. Which image stands out the most to you? Explain/discuss.
3. In Whitman's "I Sing the Body Electric" Whitman lists a number of body parts: do any of them tend to stand out or to form any sort of unexpected patterns?
4. Find a poem that speaks to you in the Bedford. Recommend it to the other bloggers on this site and explain why we should read it.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
September 26-30
1. Discuss your all-time favorite book. Explain why it is your favorite. Persuade others to read it.
2. Discuss what you look for in an author's style.
3. When was the last time you read poetry for pleasure? Why do you think people don't read poetry like they used to? Should this be a concern? Discuss.
4. Which character was your favorite in Watership Down? Explain.
2. Discuss what you look for in an author's style.
3. When was the last time you read poetry for pleasure? Why do you think people don't read poetry like they used to? Should this be a concern? Discuss.
4. Which character was your favorite in Watership Down? Explain.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September 19-23
"The Hand" by Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette
1. Why do you think the wife kisses her husband's hand in the final paragraph? Explain how the kiss might symbolize the nature of their relationship.
2. In "The Birthmark" Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses a hand for symbolic purposes. Compare the meanings he associates with the hand in his story with Colette's. How does each writer invest meanings in a central symbol? Which one do you find more effective? Explain.
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver
1. Though there is little description of the setting in this story, how do the few details that are provided help to establish tone?
2. If you are familiar with the story of Solomon in the Bible, how might "Popular Mechanics" be read as a retelling of this story?
3. Discuss how the ending of "Popular Mechanics" is similar to the ending of Hawthorne's "The Birthmark."
1. Why do you think the wife kisses her husband's hand in the final paragraph? Explain how the kiss might symbolize the nature of their relationship.
2. In "The Birthmark" Nathaniel Hawthorne also uses a hand for symbolic purposes. Compare the meanings he associates with the hand in his story with Colette's. How does each writer invest meanings in a central symbol? Which one do you find more effective? Explain.
"Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver
1. Though there is little description of the setting in this story, how do the few details that are provided help to establish tone?
2. If you are familiar with the story of Solomon in the Bible, how might "Popular Mechanics" be read as a retelling of this story?
3. Discuss how the ending of "Popular Mechanics" is similar to the ending of Hawthorne's "The Birthmark."
Friday, September 9, 2011
September 12-16
Chekov & Oates
1. Which version did you like better? What's the point of retelling the story?
2. "What triumph, to love like this in any room, anywhere, risking even the craziest of accidents!" Explain this reflection of Anna's and relate it to her character. (Oates)
3. Describe your response to Gurov in Parts I and II, and discuss how your judgment of him changes in the last two parts of the story. (Chekov)
1. Which version did you like better? What's the point of retelling the story?
2. "What triumph, to love like this in any room, anywhere, risking even the craziest of accidents!" Explain this reflection of Anna's and relate it to her character. (Oates)
3. Describe your response to Gurov in Parts I and II, and discuss how your judgment of him changes in the last two parts of the story. (Chekov)
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