Caramel Apple Poem

Post your poem.

Poem Analysis

Choose one of the introductory poems, and write a literary analysis over subject, theme, and the most relevant literary/poetic element.  Use the TPCASST format.

Filming or Staging Othello

How would you film or stage Othello?  What would be your focus?  Who might you cast to play the characters?  How would you direct them to perform?  What might you do with lighting and music?

Imagine that Gregor is not a bug

If we take away the physical and external characteristics of Gregor literally transorming into a bug, then how do we interpret his behavior, his family's reaction and treatment, the treatment of the office manager , cook, maid?  What might be sosme bigger themes and issues?

Early Thoughts on "The Metamorphosis"

According to Aristotle (and who wants to try and argue with him),Plot is the “first principle,” the most important feature of tragedy. Aristotle defines plot as “the arrangement of the incidents”: i.e., not the story itself but the way the incidents are presented to the audience, the structure of the play. According to Aristotle, tragedies where the outcome depends on a tightly constructed cause-and-effect chain of actions are superior to those that depend primarily on the character and personality of the protagonist.

How does the story open? Does it open with a cause or effect (at least on a literal or surface reading)? After section I, would you argue whether this story is more plot or character focused? Why? Evaluate the passages you marked. Choose one that seems especially significant. What might this passage reveal about plot, character, theme?

Symbolism in "The Metamorphosis"

What might Gregor's transformation symbolize?  Identify two significant quotes that give insight into the possible symbolism.  Analyze the significance to plot, character, and/or theme.

The Chorus in Oedipus Rex

Song, or melody, is fifth, and is the musical element of the chorus. Aristotle argues that the Chorus should be fully integrated into the play like an actor; choral odes should not be “mere interludes,” but should contribute to the unity of the plot.

Choose one ode and analyze how it contributes to the unity of the plot.

Diction in Oedipus Rex

Diction is fourth, and is “the expression of the meaning in words” which are proper and appropriate to the plot, characters, and end of the tragedy. In this category, Aristotle discusses the stylistic elements of tragedy; he is particularly interested in metaphors: “But the greatest thing by far is to have a command of metaphor; . . . it is the mark of genius, for to make good metaphors implies an eye for resemblances”

How does Sophocles use diction that is appropriate to the plot, characters, and end?

Character in Oedipus Rex

Character has the second place in importance. In a perfect tragedy, character will support plot, i.e., personal motivations will be intricately connected parts of the cause-and-effect chain of actions producing pity and fear in the audience. The protagonist should be renowned and prosperous, so his change of fortune can be from good to bad. This change “should come about as the result, not of vice, but of some great error or frailty in a character.”

How does Oedipus meet this definition of character in tragedy?

Plot in Tragedy

According to Aristotle (and who wants to try and argue with him),Plot is the “first principle,” the most important feature of tragedy. Aristotle defines plot as “the arrangement of the incidents”: i.e., not the story itself but the way the incidents are presented to the audience, the structure of the play. According to Aristotle, tragedies where the outcome depends on a tightly constructed cause-and-effect chain of actions are superior to those that depend primarily on the character and personality of the protagonist. How do we currently see this concept of plot in Oedipus Rex? How is the play structured? Does it begin with cause or effect? Examine the chain of actions.

Oedipus at the beginning

How does Oedipus see himself at the beginning of the play?  What type of ruler is he?  What makes him heroic, but were do we also see a flaw emerging?

Is Assef the devil?

After reading the introduction to How to Read Literature Like a Professor, how could you apply this to The Kite Runner?  Is Assef, like Mr. Lindner, the devil?  Is he something else?  Is he just the antagonist or bad guy?  What might be some other symbols in the novel?

Reevaluating the Protagonist: Amir, Hassan, Shorab

How does this novel challenge the definition of protagonist, hero, dynamic/round character?  What role does point of view contribute to our understanding of the characters?  Amir is the dominant character, but is he a protagonist or hero or even dynamic/round character?  How do we interpret Hassan?  What role do he and his son play in the novel?

Written Response to Discussion Questions

Post your discussion question and then your written response to it.  We will then evaluate what literary elements the question and response address.

Historical Overview of Afghanistan

Is The Kite Runner more a story about Afghanistan or America?  What insight does this novel give us about life in Afghanistan?  After reading the historical overview, think about how much this helps or doesn't help our undertanding of characters, events, conflicts.