Chapter 10 -- It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow
Discuss the importance of weather in a specific literary work, not in terms of plot.
- Weather plays a huge role in Marvel's Daredevil upon the fact Daredevil is blind. The only time he can see is when it rains. When the rain hits the ground or people around him it creates a sound that his super sensitive ears pick up and with that he is able to see. It's like a sonar.
Interlude -- Does He Mean That
Chapter 11 --...More Than It’s Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
Present examples of the two kinds of violence found in literature. Show how the effects are different.
- the violence that a character inflicts upon himself or another character
- when the author uses violence on a character only to make an advancement in their story.
An example of the first type of violence is in Harry Potter when Voldemort kills Harry's parents, and tries to kill him as well. Voldemort is inflicting this violence onto Harry. This makes Voldemort out to be evil, and furthers the plot with the fight between good - Harry - and evil - Voldemort.
An example of the second type of violence is in the novel, New Moon, where Harry Clearwater dies from a heart attack. His death shows no significance to the story, except to push the plot along and lead to confusion when Edward mistakenly believes Bella has died. Thus he goes to the Volturi to have himself offed.
Chapter 12 -- Is That a Symbol?
Use the process described on page 106 and investigate the symbolism in something we have read this year (short story or novel).
The Lame Shall Enter First
- The telescope: What is the significance of the telescope? What does it have to do with anything in the story? Once reading the story, the answer is obvious. Norton's obsession with the stars and finding his way to outer space is symbolic of what is going to occur in the story. Ultimately, Norton commits suicide and begins his movement into the stars and space.
- Sheppard: Who is he? Why is he important to the story? It's really obvious after having read the story. Sheppard is symbolic of the Bible, a Christ figure that sacrifices himself and everything he has to save Rufus.
- Rufus: Why is he important to the story? He is symbolic of the devil. He makes his way into Sheppard's life and tears it to shreds, effectively taking everything from him - including pushing his son to commit suicide.
- Rufus's club foot: Is it important? It's highly important, as it symbolizes Rufus's own personal shortcomings, i.e. being abused, becoming a problem child, ruining someone else's life, etc.
Chapter 13 -- It’s All Political
Assume that Foster is right and “it is all political.” Use his criteria to show that one of the major works assigned to you this year is political.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Chapter 14 -- Yes, She’s a Christ Figure, Too
Apply the criteria on page 119 to a major character in a significant literary work. Try to choose a character that will have many matches. This is a particularly apt tool for analyzing film -- for example, Star Wars, Cool Hand Luke, Excalibur, Malcolm X, Braveheart, Spartacus, Gladiator and Ben-Hur.Gandalf the Grey from Lord of the Rings is a Christ figure.
- He entertains children with tricks, meaning he is good with children.
- He sacrifices himself for his fellowship.
- Gandalf calls on help from higher powers to help save his fellowship.
- He defeats death and is resurrected.
Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a Christ Figure
- He exposes himself to a lethal amount of radiation in order to save the crew of the Enterprise, and is later "resurrected".
Neo in The Matrix Trilogy
- Although the film series makes many visual and textual references to various religions, many Christ figure parallels exist. He is repeatedly called "the One" in a messianic sense; Neo saves various people (and all humanity at the trilogy’s conclusion); he suffers and dies; he rises from the dead; and, at the end of the first film, ascends into the sky.
Chapter 15 -- Flights of Fancy
Select a literary work in which flight signifies escape or freedom. Explain in detail.
- James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl signifies flight for freedom in many ways. The main character of the children's story is James Henry Trotter and is an orphan forced to live with his horrific aunts Sponge and Spiker. He stumbles along an old wise man who gives him a jumping bean consumed with magic. James spills the jumping bean under a peach in his backyard. He discovers the giant peach and decides to explore inside it and leave his horrible life behind. James takes a journey all over the world in the giant peach with his new found friends, the talking insects. The story end with the pit of the peach becoming a mansion located in Central Park. James Trotter found home in the peach mansion with his insect friends and turned it into a tourist attraction for everyone's enjoyment. James and the Giant Peach symbolizes flight and freedom for the young orphan James who found love and a home.
Chapter 16 -- It’s All About Sex...
Chapter 17 -- ...Except the Sex
OK ..the sex chapters. The key idea from this chapter is that “scenes in which sex is coded rather than explicit can work at multiple levels and sometimes be more intense that literal depictions” (141). In other words, sex is often suggested with much more art and effort than it is described, and, if the author is doing his job, it reflects and creates theme or character. Choose a novel or movie in which sex is suggested, but not described, and discuss how the relationship is suggested and how this implication affects the theme or develops characterization.
- A good example of a novel in which sex is suggested but not described is Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. In this novel the characters Edward and Bella are on their honeymoon so of course the subject of sex is going to come up. Though the couple has talked about sex before they never dare tried it do to the fact that there is a risk that Edward, a vampire, could kill Bella during the act of intercourse. It is their honeymoon though so they finally decided to give it a try. The author never directly describes the intercourse (in the book) but it is definitely hinted. The story goes from Edward and Bella holding each other in the lake to Bella waking up in her bed the next morning surrounded by feathers from the ripped up pillows. Another good indicator that the author puts in is that Bella wakes up in a rather “happy and satisfied” mood. After the intercourse the theme of the novel takes a turn because Bella begins showing signs of pregnancy which is strange because Edward is a vampire and vampires can’t get humans pregnant. All of this and more is able to happen because of the suggested sex!
Chapter 18 -- If She Comes Up, It’s Baptism
Think of a “baptism scene” from a significant literary work. How was the character different after the experience? Discuss.
- When I imagine a "baptism scene" I think about the movie called The Thirteenth Year. It’s a video about when this boy, Cody, turns thirteen he finds out that he is actually a mermaid. I think I'm reminded of baptism because he begins a whole new life half human, half mermaid. Cody receives a fresh start, although he did not ask for one, unlike the tradition Catholic baptism which symbolizes the freedom from original sin and the entering into the Church. Once Cody realizes he's growing scales and a tail every time he touches water he finds out who is true friends are. Also, baptisms are almost always associated with water (which causes him to become a mermaid). The water is used to wash away the impurities that the human body has at birth, also in The Thirteenth Year the water starts the life of Cody as a mermaid.
Chapter 19 -- Geography Matters...
Discuss at least four different aspects of a specific literary work that Foster would classify under “geography.”
- One example of this I noticed was in the movie Dinotopia. The whole island appears to be ancient and untouched by the outside world, it is a place where dinosaurs and humans live together and is almost a utopia. The place is run by tradition and sacred laws that have been held for hundreds of years and is very delicate. This helped to show what kind of people the viewer is to expect in this near perfect place. In such a place someone wouldn't expect much danger, but there is. When the Rainy Basin is shown, it proves to be very dangerous. This is the place that all the carnivorous dinosaurs live, and they are not afraid to attack. It is always raining here, hence the name, and there also seems to be frequent storms, which would probably go along with the dangerous theme of the place.
Chapter 20 -- ...So Does Season
Find a poem that mentions a specific season. Then discuss how the poet uses the season in a meaningful, traditional, or unusual way. (Submit a copy of the poem with your analysis.)
- In the poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost, the narrator tells of when he was out and about during a winter night, probably running some sort of errand. He passes by the woods, which, it being winter, are gradually being covered with snow. He stops to watch for a little while, and though he enjoys the scene, he realizes that he can’t stay because he has other commitments that need to be fulfilled before he rests. Frost’s story is emphasized by the fact that it’s winter. The woods look picturesque in the soft, silent, drifting snow. Winter is also the period in which hibernation occurs, so when Frost mentions resting, it fits like a hand to a glove in this poem of winter. This poem expresses fatigue, and because of that fatigue, it also expresses the sense of duty the narrator feels to whatever ‘quest’ he happens to be on.
Interlude -- One Story
Write your own definition for archetype. Then identify an archetypal story and apply it to a literary work with which you are familiar.
- An archetype is an aspect of a story, whether it is something as small as a symbol or something as large as the overall theme of the story, which has been repeated or borrowed many times throughout the history of literature. This reappearance actually strengthens the impact it has on the reader. One idea behind a story that comes to mind when I think of an archetype is the idea of the superhero. This idea goes all the way to the myths of heroes like Achilles who was favored by the gods and given some special ability. These heroes were greater than the average man. Some had extreme strength like Hercules and some where invincible except in one little spot like Achilles. The superheroes of today don’t all have special powers, but some do. The idea behind the superhero is that they do something greater than that of an average man, and it is usually to save a city or defeat evil. Many stories of superheroes come to mind when think if this archetype. Most people are familiar with Batman. Batman is the hero of Gothem City which is where he lives. He saves the city from many villains, whether it is the Joker, the Scarecrow, the Riddler, or Two-Face. He always defeats the villain and saves the city. Spider-man is another great example of a superhero. Spider-man saves the people from the evil of many villains. A few of these villains he defeats are the Green Goblin, Dr, Octopus, Sandman, and Vulture. Spider-Man and Batman, along with all of the other superheroes always defeat the villain. The most interesting thing about the superhero archetype is the fact that every villain each superhero faces is different. When you read a book or see a movie with a superhero, you know the superhero will come out on top. You just don’t know over who or how, which is what makes it so interesting.
Chapter 21 -- Marked for Greatness
Figure out Harry Potter’s scar. If you aren’t familiar with Harry Potter, select another character with a physical imperfection and analyze its implications for characterization.
- A character with a special one of a kind mark or physical implication suggests the character will accomplish greatness. Also, a mark suggests the character is different. Harry Potter is marked with a lightening bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Knowing that he was marked when his mother sacrificed her life for his, tells me that somehow his life would be different from anyone else’s. Since his mother saved his life, Harry Potter’s quest was to save others to in a way return the favor. Harry had many more difficult struggles to face than anyone else such as he has to battle the most evil creature and win to save the world. Along with Harry's uniqueness, there were difficulties and embarrassments he faced; people looked at him as if he had three heads. He could hear snake voices and even talk to snakes. Other unique qualities that he obtains are the ability to see the horses that most people could not perceive. He is the fastest flier in the school. He had the most stress out of any of the Hogwart students. Not only did he need to keep up with his grades, but he had to save everyone from Voldemort otherwise they would be doomed. His mark of greatness is the mark of a hero. The scar made him a stronger person because the struggles he faced tested his strengths emotionally, mentally, and physically. His destined greatness, that nobody else could conquer, was defeating Voldemort. When Voldemort attacked Harry, part of Voldemort, evil, transferred to Harry. Harry in the end defeated Voldemort, so Voldemort had to flee from inside Harry. The scar symbolizes the evil that effects all us.
Chapter 22 -- He’s Blind for a Reason, You Know
Chapter 23 -- It’s Never Just Heart Disease...
Chapter 24 -- ...And Rarely Just Illness
Recall two characters who died of a disease in a literary work. Consider how these deaths reflect the “principles governing the use of disease in literature” (215-217). Discuss the effectiveness of the death as related to plot, theme, or symbolism.
- Two characters that I can remember dying from a disease are: Edward from Twilight, and Beth from Little Women. Edward is slowly dying from the Spanish influenza and Carlisle makes a promise to Edward’s mother that he won’t let Edward suffer too much from the disease. Seeing how much pain the influenza was causing Edward, Carlisle decides to turn him into a vampire like himself. So if you think about it, if it wasn’t for Edward dying from the influenza he never would have become a vampire and there would not be the infamous Twilight.
- My second example of the death of Beth in Little Woman was also very important for the plot of the story. Beth was always an ill child and she eventually ends up passing away from a disease. (not sure exactly what disease that it was) Her death allows her sisters, Meg and Jo to see how much they really loved their little sister and how they wished they would have spend more time with her while they still had the chance. Beth’s death also makes Jo into a calmer and more sympathetic person as she tries to instill a little bit of Beth’s ways into herself.
Chapter 25 -- Don’t Read with Your Eyes
After reading Chapter 25, choose a scene or episode from a novel, play or epic written before the twentieth century. Contrast how it could be viewed by a reader from the twenty-first century with how it might be viewed by a contemporary reader. Focus on specific assumptions that the author makes, assumptions that would not make it in this century.
- After much thought, I have decided to use The Odyssey by Homer. It tells of Odysseus' great journey on the way home from Troy. In modern society we can understand the Odyssey but it seems too far-fetched to believe. Contemporaries of Homer would find this as a totally believable story. In the twenty-first century there would be no need to go on a sea voyage to make it home because we have planes. In ancient Greece ships were the standard mode of transportation. We also cannot grasp a ten year voyage because we can fly anywhere in a matter of hours. Other aspects are the mystical creatures such as the Cyclops and the witch Circe. In modern culture we don't believe in such things while on the other hand the ancient Greeks were firm believers creatures like this. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus frequently comes in contact with the Greek gods which was considered normal for heroes of the time. We don't get experiences like this and they aren't in our stories and movies which make this hard to comprehend.
Chapter 26 -- Is He Serious? And Other Ironies
Select an ironic literary work and explain the multivocal nature of the irony in the work.
- Shakespeare’s play, “The Taming of a Shrew,” is an ironic work because in the beginning Katherine is the hardheaded, stubborn one who refuses to listen to what other people want her to do. She rarely recognizes Petruchio as her husband and doesn’t ever listen to what he tries to tell her. She is described to us as a very opinionated and strong woman, which is a very good quality to have compared to all the other women during her time. Then, towards the end of the play, all the husbands have a bet on whose wife will come first when they call for them. Everyone tells a servant to call on their wives and none of the women come out, except for Katherine. Based on what we knew about Katherine before, we never would have expected her to come calling at all, let alone be the first to arrive. What’s even more ironic is she yells at the other women for not coming when their husbands called for them, when earlier she was telling them how wrong it was for them to come to their husbands every beck and call.
Chapter 27 -- A Test Case
Read “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield, the short story starting on page 245. Complete the exercise on pages 265-266, following the directions exactly. Then compare your writing with the three examples. How did you do? What does the essay that follows comparing Laura with Persephone add to your appreciation of Mansfield’s story?
- I read and analyzed the story. I followed the directions exactly and answered the questions. I didn't do too badly. My answer was geared toward the social class system and how the Sheridans were so much better than the people that lived down the hill in the cottages. They were completely oblivious to life outside of their house and the hill it was on. Laura gained knowledge of what it was like outside of her perfect little world on top of the hill. I didn’t catch onto the Persephone connection until Foster started talking about the large dog “running by like a shadow”, and about Laura crossing the “broad road”. After understanding that Foster was hinting at something, I made the connection. I realized that the large dog was a reference to Cerberus in the Underworld and the broad road was a reference to the River Styx in the Underworld. I then realized that Laura was a resemblance of Persephone and Mrs. Sheridan of Demeter. Although I didn’t catch onto this reference right away, I caught on before Foster explained straight up that this was a reference of the story. This realization of the reference to Persephone adds an appreciation to Mansfield’s story. I can more deeply understand the meaning of the story by making the connection to a Greek myth.
