Brave New World
1. If you had to choose between happiness or truth, which would you choose? Discuss.
2. How accurate is Huxley's vision of the future (remember Brave New World was first published in 1932)? Think about America as you know it today.
3. What about the novel do you find the most disturbing so far? Discuss.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
January 16-20
The Tempest
1. Caliban and Ariel are both supernatural beings, but they are very different. Contrast their characters. What might each character symbolize?
2. How could you write a contemporary screenplay for The Tempest? What would you add or change in terms of setting, characters, and special effects while maintaining the original integrity of the play?
3. Create the perfect cast of characters for a fantasy stage production of The Tempest.
4. Do you think that Prospero was merely practicing self-interest by forgiving those who had plotted against him? Think of a time in your life when you forgave someone for a wrong. Was the forgiveness unconditional, or did you hope to gain something from the person you were forgiving?
1. Caliban and Ariel are both supernatural beings, but they are very different. Contrast their characters. What might each character symbolize?
2. How could you write a contemporary screenplay for The Tempest? What would you add or change in terms of setting, characters, and special effects while maintaining the original integrity of the play?
3. Create the perfect cast of characters for a fantasy stage production of The Tempest.
4. Do you think that Prospero was merely practicing self-interest by forgiving those who had plotted against him? Think of a time in your life when you forgave someone for a wrong. Was the forgiveness unconditional, or did you hope to gain something from the person you were forgiving?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 2-13
Othello
1. We are constantly being persuaded by our friends, family members, teachers, advertisements, and many other sources. The art of persuasion is an important tool to have; if you are really good at it, you can convince most people of just about anything. Discuss in terms of Othello and connect with life as you know it.
2. Are Othello's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
3. Are Iago's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
4. What would you have done if you were Othello? Would you have believed Desdemona (your spouse) or Iago (your friend)?
1. We are constantly being persuaded by our friends, family members, teachers, advertisements, and many other sources. The art of persuasion is an important tool to have; if you are really good at it, you can convince most people of just about anything. Discuss in terms of Othello and connect with life as you know it.
2. Are Othello's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
3. Are Iago's actions believably motivated? Explain why or why not.
4. What would you have done if you were Othello? Would you have believed Desdemona (your spouse) or Iago (your friend)?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
December 12-16
"The Jewels" by Guy de Maupassant
1. Madame Lantin is the key character in "The Jewels," yet we are told scarcely anything about her--not even her first name. However, from the few details that Maupassant does provide, we are given some clues to help us understand her personality. Describe your vision of Madame Lantin. What does she look like? How does she behave? Would you be a friend to her? Discuss.
2. Would you forgive someone who had disappointed or betrayed you, if you ultimately benefited from his or her behavior? Explain.
"How Much Land Does a Man Need?" by Leo Tolstoy
1. In "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" Tolstoy presents us with an allegory, a story that has both a literal and a symbolic meaning. Discuss the symbolism of Tolstoy's story.
2. Discuss how the desire to have material goods and status in nineteenth-century Russia and in twenty-first-century America are comparable.
3. Have you ever "grasped too much and ruined the whole affair"--that is, lost something because you were too ambitious? Can you think of examples of people from current events, history, or other fictional stories who have failed by being greedy or attempting too much?
1. Madame Lantin is the key character in "The Jewels," yet we are told scarcely anything about her--not even her first name. However, from the few details that Maupassant does provide, we are given some clues to help us understand her personality. Describe your vision of Madame Lantin. What does she look like? How does she behave? Would you be a friend to her? Discuss.
2. Would you forgive someone who had disappointed or betrayed you, if you ultimately benefited from his or her behavior? Explain.
"How Much Land Does a Man Need?" by Leo Tolstoy
1. In "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" Tolstoy presents us with an allegory, a story that has both a literal and a symbolic meaning. Discuss the symbolism of Tolstoy's story.
2. Discuss how the desire to have material goods and status in nineteenth-century Russia and in twenty-first-century America are comparable.
3. Have you ever "grasped too much and ruined the whole affair"--that is, lost something because you were too ambitious? Can you think of examples of people from current events, history, or other fictional stories who have failed by being greedy or attempting too much?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
December 5-9
Pride and Prejudice
1. What was your favorite "connection" we read in class? Discuss.
2. Mr. Bennett, though troubled and angry over Lydia's behavior, "naturally returned to all his former indolence" and finally allows the family to receive the newlyweds at Longbourn. Do you agree with the relative lack of punishment Lydia receives from her father, or from the other characters, in light of her actions?
3. Identify a dyanmic character from the novel. Explain. Identify a static character from the novel. Explain.
4. Do you like narrative structure that uses letters between characters to reveal information about other characters and advance the action of the plot? Discuss.
1. What was your favorite "connection" we read in class? Discuss.
2. Mr. Bennett, though troubled and angry over Lydia's behavior, "naturally returned to all his former indolence" and finally allows the family to receive the newlyweds at Longbourn. Do you agree with the relative lack of punishment Lydia receives from her father, or from the other characters, in light of her actions?
3. Identify a dyanmic character from the novel. Explain. Identify a static character from the novel. Explain.
4. Do you like narrative structure that uses letters between characters to reveal information about other characters and advance the action of the plot? Discuss.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
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?
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?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
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.
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.
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