How do you interpret those pages? What is Ensler trying to "get at" here? Explain.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The last phrase of the book
Analyze the final sentence of Winterson's Oranges. How do understand this as the conclusion to the text? What is the purpose of this sentence? Explain. Interpret. Due: Before class Tuesday; this is an optional post.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Blog for Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Please
Think about these two questions and begin to formulate your responses to them; I would like you to keep these questions in mind as your read Winterson since I think they are important but difficult questions. I hope to discuss them with you both before and after Spring Break.
1. Why does Winterson title the chapters using the Old Testament instead of the New Testament?
Also, please note, she follows the Old Testament Order until after the penultimate chapter when she skips many books and jumps all the way to the Scroll of Ruth.Why does Winterson do this?
2.Examine the bipartite structure of this text as it is divided between the plot of Little Jeanette's life story and a fantasy, fairy-tale-like-myth. For example, see pages 9-10 in the first chapter, pages 61-67 in the third chapter, and pages 112-113, etc. Why does Winterson structure this text in such a manner? Does this structure work? Take one or two of the mythic sections and explain why it is essential to the chapter? Why couldn't the themes of those sections have been integrated into the plot in some other way? Please explain.
Please be aware there are no "right" answers to the above questions, but in order to respond to the questions, especially to #2, you need to spend some time thinking. After doing so, please create your own argument for why you believethe book is structured the way it is. What are the virtues of such a structure? What insights does this structure offer that could not be offered otherwise?
I look forward to your posts.
1. Why does Winterson title the chapters using the Old Testament instead of the New Testament?
Also, please note, she follows the Old Testament Order until after the penultimate chapter when she skips many books and jumps all the way to the Scroll of Ruth.Why does Winterson do this?
2.Examine the bipartite structure of this text as it is divided between the plot of Little Jeanette's life story and a fantasy, fairy-tale-like-myth. For example, see pages 9-10 in the first chapter, pages 61-67 in the third chapter, and pages 112-113, etc. Why does Winterson structure this text in such a manner? Does this structure work? Take one or two of the mythic sections and explain why it is essential to the chapter? Why couldn't the themes of those sections have been integrated into the plot in some other way? Please explain.
Please be aware there are no "right" answers to the above questions, but in order to respond to the questions, especially to #2, you need to spend some time thinking. After doing so, please create your own argument for why you believethe book is structured the way it is. What are the virtues of such a structure? What insights does this structure offer that could not be offered otherwise?
I look forward to your posts.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Trethewey Questions
1. Re-read pages 25-30. How do the speaker's questions reveal major issues
Trethewey has with the history of the Native Guard? List those issues as they are discussed in this poem (putting line numbers or phrases in parentheses alongside the issues please).
2. What do you learn about mother-daughter relationship from the poems in Part I. Characterize the nature of that relationship using quotations from the poems and brief summary of details as your evidence.
3. How does Part III serve as a commentary on both Parts I and II? Explain.
4.Look at the last poem. How does that poem work as a microcosm of the whole book? Explain. Be sure to look up the word "native" in the OED.
Trethewey has with the history of the Native Guard? List those issues as they are discussed in this poem (putting line numbers or phrases in parentheses alongside the issues please).
2. What do you learn about mother-daughter relationship from the poems in Part I. Characterize the nature of that relationship using quotations from the poems and brief summary of details as your evidence.
3. How does Part III serve as a commentary on both Parts I and II? Explain.
4.Look at the last poem. How does that poem work as a microcosm of the whole book? Explain. Be sure to look up the word "native" in the OED.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Who are the Native Guard? Some Links for You.
Please paste these links in your browser to read about the Native Guard's history:
http://www.frenchcreoles.com/CreoleCulture/famouscreoles/louis%20a.%20snaer/louis%20a%20snaer%20nat%20grd.html
http://69.56.174.50/~georgeoh/native-guard.html
http://www2.netdoor.com/~jgh/
I will post a couple questions for you to blog on by Monday evening at 7:00 and you can have until Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. to respond to one question.
http://www.frenchcreoles.com/CreoleCulture/famouscreoles/louis%20a.%20snaer/louis%20a%20snaer%20nat%20grd.html
http://69.56.174.50/~georgeoh/native-guard.html
http://www2.netdoor.com/~jgh/
I will post a couple questions for you to blog on by Monday evening at 7:00 and you can have until Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. to respond to one question.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Short Paper Instructions
Please analyze a short passage in one of the novels we are reading in order to teach an important concept the author is relaying about women and/or life. Make sure you look closely at language within the passage and in passages that use similar or contrasting word choices. Please add analysis that goes into depth explaining the concept or ideas you understand from your reading. Write clearly and naturally. I look forward to reading your work. Please follow correct MLA form (7th edition), and proofread your work. Respect your own writing please, so you can do well on this paper!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Some questions about Morrison's novel
You must answer one of these questions by 9:00 p.m. on Monday evening:
A. What do you think is the nature of Sula and Nel's relationship? Please specify in one sentence. Please cite three major references for evidence, but only analyze one of these passages by presenting a close reading that justifies your opinion on the blog. Explain the relationship between your opinion and Morrison's word choice and the contents and context of the passage.
B. On page 28, Nel declares, " I'm me. I'm not their daughter. I'm not Nel. I'm me. Me." This line and the following ones lead the reader to believe that Nel is determined to be her own person, to be different from her mother who bows to male authority even when it degrades her, to be a complete woman. Does Nel develop according to plan? What prevents her from being true to her words?Please be specific and cite evidence for your viewpoint.
C. Why can't we have this novel without the character of Shadrack? Exactly what makes him essential to the novel? What would we miss that we must have in this novel if Shadrack did not exist? Explain clearly.
A. What do you think is the nature of Sula and Nel's relationship? Please specify in one sentence. Please cite three major references for evidence, but only analyze one of these passages by presenting a close reading that justifies your opinion on the blog. Explain the relationship between your opinion and Morrison's word choice and the contents and context of the passage.
B. On page 28, Nel declares, " I'm me. I'm not their daughter. I'm not Nel. I'm me. Me." This line and the following ones lead the reader to believe that Nel is determined to be her own person, to be different from her mother who bows to male authority even when it degrades her, to be a complete woman. Does Nel develop according to plan? What prevents her from being true to her words?Please be specific and cite evidence for your viewpoint.
C. Why can't we have this novel without the character of Shadrack? Exactly what makes him essential to the novel? What would we miss that we must have in this novel if Shadrack did not exist? Explain clearly.
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