Hello Everyone--
Here is what you need to know for this week:
1. No class Tuesday March 29--special event--Michio Kaku in the Main Stage Theatre. I will be attending and you are invited but need to let me know if you want to come (I will get you ticket). Write to me if you want to know more.
2. Essays on Their Eyes Were Watching God due Thursday March 31. Bring to class. If you cannot attend, send essay to me as Microsoft word document (slyckvan@gmail.com). Also, please remember to use MLA format when quoting from the text and add Works Cited at end of essay: Hurston, Zora Neale, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Place of publication (city): Publisher, date.
3. Read Chapters 1-12 of Kafka on the Shore.
4. Scroll down to previous blog to add your paragraph about your essay topic. If you do it this weekend I will comment. I have also commented on your earlier blog. Have a look :).
Friday, March 25, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
Post your idea for paper topic: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Hi Wonderful Novel Students--
Post your thoughts about your Hurston essay here. We will work on formulating a thesis or claim in class on Thursday, March 24.
Think about a question you want to answer. "How" and "what" questions can help you create a thesis that is not just summary. Answering the question gives you the thesis.
If you are interested in understanding black oral tradition, the "speakerly text" and Hurston's use of language as "hieroglyphics" here is her essay, "Characteristics of Negro Expression"
Possible topics that could become a thesis or claim:
How does the tree and pollen imagery reveal important moments of understanding for Janie?
What does each of Janie's husbands represent? What does each teach her about herself, about life?
How does Janie's "inside voice" grow? Trace that voice from early to late examples. What kind of knowledge goes with that voice?
How do the "big porch talkers" become an important "character" in the novel? What is their purpose?
Where does racism assert itself in the novel and why does Hurston include it? What lessons does it provide for Janie?
Examine the voice of the mythic narrator by choosing several examples. Is this narrator a kind of character? Explain.
Feel free to develop your own question and answer--just be sure to put your thoughts down by Wednesday March 23. Also feel free to respond to your classmates' ideas by offering suggestions.
Post your thoughts about your Hurston essay here. We will work on formulating a thesis or claim in class on Thursday, March 24.
Think about a question you want to answer. "How" and "what" questions can help you create a thesis that is not just summary. Answering the question gives you the thesis.
If you are interested in understanding black oral tradition, the "speakerly text" and Hurston's use of language as "hieroglyphics" here is her essay, "Characteristics of Negro Expression"
Possible topics that could become a thesis or claim:
How does the tree and pollen imagery reveal important moments of understanding for Janie?
What does each of Janie's husbands represent? What does each teach her about herself, about life?
How does Janie's "inside voice" grow? Trace that voice from early to late examples. What kind of knowledge goes with that voice?
How do the "big porch talkers" become an important "character" in the novel? What is their purpose?
Where does racism assert itself in the novel and why does Hurston include it? What lessons does it provide for Janie?
Examine the voice of the mythic narrator by choosing several examples. Is this narrator a kind of character? Explain.
Feel free to develop your own question and answer--just be sure to put your thoughts down by Wednesday March 23. Also feel free to respond to your classmates' ideas by offering suggestions.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Your First Blog: Voice in Zora Neale Hurston
Greetings Novel Students
Here are some questions for your first blog. Choose ONE of the questions below. Pick at least one specific scene that helps you respond to the question. Post one to two paragraphs and include at least one quotation from the novel to support your ideas. Post your blog by Sunday March 20, midnight, and please respond to others who are exploring interesting questions. This blog may be the beginning of an essay.
Click on the pencil at the bottom of this post to begin posting. Also, please create a word version of your post in case you decide to expand it to an essay.
1. How do the "big porch talkers" in the opening chapter and the story telling tricksters in the Mule episode contribute a particular voice to the novel? What are the qualities of that voice? What do the people enjoy? How does Hurston use the townspeople as a way of depicting the colorful community of Eatonville?
2. We have discussed the way Jody introduces himself as someone who wants to be a "big voice." Characterize his voice. How does the town respond to him? How does Janie feel? How is his voice both a good thing a bad thing, revealing his strengths and weaknesses?
3. Janie may be described as a character in search of a voice. Who are the individuals who deny her a voice? Why? How do we see her finding her voice, sharpening her feelings and insights, even if that voice is initially private?
4. In class we discussed Hurston's use of "mythic voice" (see definition and example in coursepak p 7). If you are loving Hurston's lyrical, poetic, mythic voice, choose an example or two and discuss the effect of this "mythic voice." What does it do? How does add to her prose in terms of mood, power?
Here are some questions for your first blog. Choose ONE of the questions below. Pick at least one specific scene that helps you respond to the question. Post one to two paragraphs and include at least one quotation from the novel to support your ideas. Post your blog by Sunday March 20, midnight, and please respond to others who are exploring interesting questions. This blog may be the beginning of an essay.
Click on the pencil at the bottom of this post to begin posting. Also, please create a word version of your post in case you decide to expand it to an essay.
1. How do the "big porch talkers" in the opening chapter and the story telling tricksters in the Mule episode contribute a particular voice to the novel? What are the qualities of that voice? What do the people enjoy? How does Hurston use the townspeople as a way of depicting the colorful community of Eatonville?
2. We have discussed the way Jody introduces himself as someone who wants to be a "big voice." Characterize his voice. How does the town respond to him? How does Janie feel? How is his voice both a good thing a bad thing, revealing his strengths and weaknesses?
3. Janie may be described as a character in search of a voice. Who are the individuals who deny her a voice? Why? How do we see her finding her voice, sharpening her feelings and insights, even if that voice is initially private?
4. In class we discussed Hurston's use of "mythic voice" (see definition and example in coursepak p 7). If you are loving Hurston's lyrical, poetic, mythic voice, choose an example or two and discuss the effect of this "mythic voice." What does it do? How does add to her prose in terms of mood, power?
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