Updated April 29 - 6:40 pm
Reflection Paper #10 - Due Thurs. May 3rd in class
If you decide to write this paper, it will be substituted for a "missing" paper or the "lowest grade." Completion will make the most difference if you are missing an assignment, since missing assignments are counted as zeros.
Prompt: Is Nora justified in leaving Torvald? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the play to support your answer.
Reflection Paper #9 – Due Thurs. April 26 in class
I thought it was particularly important for you to have read the excerpt from Showalter’s renowned “Towards a Feminist Poetics” (which I hope you noticed was published in 1946). My reasons were two-fold: 1) to familiarize you with Feminist Criticism, and 2) to better contextualize the relative newness of women’s equality. Please understand that I am not attempting to color your perspective on “A Doll’s House” so much as help you contextualize society as it was during Ibsen’s time (late 19th Century). Written in 1879, imagine its reception when it was first performed. . . . Imagine how the characters were perceived. Imagine Ibsen’s motives. . . . Try to balance this with your own 21st Century ideas and mores.
Now. . . .what is going on in this marriage? How does it fit into the mores of the late 19th Century? How does it fit now? What has changed and what hasn’t.
Minimum Length—1 page double spaced – 12 point
Reflection Paper # 8 – Four Discussion Questions
Due Tues. April 17, 2007 in class
Now that you have finished reading Hamlet, reflect on the events in earlier acts and reflect on the interaction of events, characters, themes, etc. Among other things you might consider consistencies or inconsistencies in characters, why Shakespeare ends the play in a blood bath, or perhaps what Ophelia’s death has to do with the play as a whole. You might even speculate on why Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most performed play…..hmmm.
You will not write a regular reflection for this assignment, but will write five questions that will generate discussion in Tuesday’s class. Be sure to include a BRIEF quote from the text to back up your perspective and use quotes from at least (3) different acts in the play. Four typed questions, please!
This assignment will look specifically for your use of the following strategies discussed in class:
1) Connections (between different acts and/or scenes in the play)
2) Elaboration (concise and clearly worded)
3) Questioning (deep and reflective)
4) Speculations (based on textual evidence)
Reflection Paper #7 – Psychoanalytic Look at Hamlet - Due April 10th in class
Using the approach of Psychological Criticism, carefully consider Hamlet’s behavior in Act III (See “Psychological Criticism” 2218-2219). Be sure to “speculate on what lies underneath the text—the unspoken or perhaps even unspeakable memories, motives, and fears that covertly shape the work, especially in fictional characterizations” (Kennedy 2219). Is Hamlet the victim of his own revenge? Is he really pretending to be mad—or is he truly mad? Why do you hold the view you do (give examples) and be sure to use specific quotes from the text in your exploration (this is practice for your final paper!)
NOTE: Citations for Act III, Scene ii, lines 4-10 would look like this:
(Hamlet III.ii.4-10).
Reflection Paper #6 – Cultural Studies – Due in Class on Tues., March 6
First, complete the critical readings on “Imagery,” “Black Identity in Langston Hughes,” and “Cultural Studies” (see syllabus for page numbers). Be sure you read the section on Cultural Criticism very carefully!
Secondly, engage the strategies of interpretation used for Reflection #5 (Paraphrasing) and consider your assigned poem through the “lens” of Cultural Studies. Be sure to consider issues of class, race and gender (as they apply). Everyone will be responsible for reporting on “Facing It,” plus the one additional poem listed below. On Tuesday, we will discuss these poems in class, using your insights. Please note that this is an individual assignment—you are NOT being asked to work in teams and each person MUST submit his/her own analysis.
Poem Assignments:
Emirhan, Jessica Galvin, Bridget, Anthony, Amey
“Facing It” and “The winter evening settles down”
Jessica Szmauz, Jon, Hannah, Alican
“Facing It” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
Heather, Bianca, Cassie, Lia
“Facing It” and “I, Too”
Reflection Paper #5 – Paraphrasing Poetry - Due in class on Tues. Feb.27
For this assignment, you will paraphrase one of the following poems for Tuesday’s class discussion. Everyone needs to do her or his part, not only with the writing assignment, but also in reading the other assigned poems very closely and reflectively. If you get lost, please refer to the previously assigned reading “Every Word Counts” which you received as a handout and which is included in the 10th Edition of our text (728-729). This reflection is a double assignment and will be counted as such, so please plan your time accordingly.
Part #1 – Annotation/Glossing. First, read and re-read your assigned poem. On the second reading, pay closer attention to each individual word, and underline any words or phrases that appeal to you or that seem particularly important. On a third reading, you should consider how the individual words fit into the context of the whole poem.
Please submit a copy of the marked-up poem as part of your assignment!
Part #2 – Reflection on the poem. Write one page discussing the specific words that drew your attention. Explain why you think they are important and characterize the word choices according to the guidelines in “Every Word Counts.” You will need to consider whichever of the following you feel are most important in your poem: tone, syllables, concrete or abstract wording, straightforward or high-toned diction, connotative meanings, denotative meanings, sounds, and literary devices such as metaphor, simile, emjambment, etc.
Part #3 – The paraphrased poem. Refer to “Can a Poem Be Paraphrased?” in your text (671-673); [715-716]. Essentially, you will convert your assigned poem into an equivalent meaning in prose.
Please note that this is an individual assignment—you are NOT being asked to work in teams and each person MUST submit his/her own analysis.
Poem Assignments:
Emirhan, Lia
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” – Shakespeare (767); [815]
Bridget, Jessica Galvin, Hannah
“Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” – Moss (768); [816]
Heather, Jon
“Metaphors” – Plath (771); [820]
Alican, Jessica S.
“The Pulley” – Herbert (778); [828]
Amey, Bianca
“Success is counted sweetest” – Dickinson (1014); [1098]
Anthony, Cassie, Jessica Szmauz
“Fire and Ice”- Frost (737); [784]
Reflection Paper #4 – Biographical Criticism – “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” or “The Yellow Wall Paper” – Due Thurs. Feb. 8 in class
Length—1 page— double spaced – 12 point
After reading the section on Biographical Criticism and the essay selections by O’Connor and Gilman, choose one of the above short stories to write about in your reflection. Try to find some common thread in the multiple readings by your chosen author and re-evaluate your original views on her story. Keep in mind that you may need to reread the story after you’ve read the supplemental selections. Read carefully and actively!
• How did the additional readings alter your original interpretation?
• Which of the supplemental readings impacted your views the most? Why?
• Do you think that Biographical interpretation is useful? Why?
• Do you think it is irrelevant? Why?
• Do you think it is essential? Why?
Reflection Paper #3 – Socratic Discussion Questions – “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “Saboteur”
Due in class on Tues. Feb. 6
Length—5 well articulated questions – typed in Times New Roman - 12 point
Please write five (5) supremely excellent discussion questions for Tuesday’s class. Remember that you will be using your questions to generate discussion in class and that evaluation of your questions is dependent upon supplying the class with enough of your own perspective to “pick up” the conversation. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
1. Questions should include an example or quote with a page number.
2. Questions should be focused on specific issues of interpretation and analysis.
3. Questions should include the use of literary vocabulary, for example, tone, setting, form, content, style, point of view, narrator, etc.
4. Questions should offer some suggestion of your own perspective, but be open-ended enough to invite interest and/or dissention.
5. Questions should be clearly elaborated and your point should be very specifically articulated.
6. Questions should NOT be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no”
Note that these will not be just one sentence questions! To do ALL of the above, you will need several sentences for each question. Please number your questions 1 through 5, respectively. As with other written work, you will be sharing this in class and passing it in for a grade!
Reflection Paper #2 – Setting in “Story of an Hour” and “Miss Brill”
Due in class on Tues. Jan. 3 in class
Length—1 page double spaced – 12 point
Consider the ways in which Chopin and Mansfield employ setting in their respective short stories. Some of the things you will need to consider are:
1) What are the respective roles of setting in each story? (What does setting add or do in these stories?)
2) Do these two writers use setting differently or similarly?
3) Is setting more important in one of the stories? Why or why not?
Once you have determined answers to the above, you might consider how a change of setting might alter the stories themselves. Why might these writers chosen the settings that they did? How does setting add to your reading experience?
HINT: Remember that setting includes more than just the city, home or particular furnishings. Setting can include sounds and the mention of specific items as well.
The following is a list of Reflection Papers assigned to date. All Reflections are due in class on the dates indicated. If you have an EXCUSED absence, papers can be turned in the day that you return to class. Otherwise, late Reflection Papers are not accepted.
Reflection Paper #1 – Point of View – Due Tues. Jan. 23 in class
Length—1 page double spaced – 12 point
Please be mindful of the preliminary readings when you write this paper about Point of View in “A Rose for Emily.” In your writing, you should identify the point of view from which this story is told and consider some of the following in your one page discussion. You may choose those things you find most interesting, most confusing or most surprising!
1) Is this narrator reliable? Why or why not?
2) Is the narrator omniscient? How do we know?
3) How does the narrator offer his or her opinions?
4) How does the narrator feel about Emily? Is this justified?
5) How does the narrator impact the reader’s perspective on the story?
6) Can you explain the title?
Remember—all Reflection Papers will be holistically graded with “check-plus” (A range), “check” (B range), “check-minus” (C range) or “NC” (No Credit, inadequately done). Late Reflection Papers will only be accepted with a doctor’s excuse, as these relate to and will frequently be used to generate discussion on the day they are due.
Reflection Paper #2 – Setting in “Story of an Hour” and “Miss Brill”
Due in class on Tues. Jan. 3 in class
Length—1 page double spaced – 12 point
Consider the ways in which Chopin and Mansfield employ setting in their respective short stories. Some of the things you will need to consider are:
1) What are the respective roles of setting in each story? (What does setting add or do in these stories?)
2) Do these two writers use setting differently or similarly?
3) Is setting more important in one of the stories? Why or why not?
Once you have determined answers to the above, you might consider how a change of setting might alter the stories themselves. Why might these writers chosen the settings that they did? How does setting add to your reading experience?
HINT: Remember that setting includes more than just the city, home or particular furnishings. Setting can include sounds and the mention of specific items as well.
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