Hello Novel Students:
Please bring your final essays on Disgrace to the English Department (E103) on Tuesday between 2 and 5pm and leave them in my mailbox.
I can't meet the class at 2:15 and have sent you all emails.
The essay must be in my mailbox by 5pm.
I will return essays at 3pm on Thursday in our regular classroom.
Hope you enjoy the final essay!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Paper Topics For Kafka on the Shore
Here are possible paper topics--your assignment over the break is to finish reading Kafka on the Shore
Then complete a blog--due Sunday night, May 1. (I need to be able to read them before Tuesday class.) This blog is beginning of your essay on Kafka on the Shore. It will be graded!
Choose one of the topics below (or create one) and write a paragraph about it that we can critique in class Tuesday. Answer the question in the prompt and provide 2-3 examples from the novel, ideally with a quote or two!
1. Kafka talks about time expanding in Chapter 21--this is important! Examine scenes where time has expanded to include something new, like the young Miss Saeki. What does this new item provide Kafka? How does it enlarge his mind, heart; begin to heal him?
2. What is interesting about Nakata? Do a little character sketch. What are his main qualities? Why is his response to things so fresh and charming? How is he smarter than he thinks? What does Nakata make us think about in human relationships? Why does Murakami develop this kind of character?
3. Analyse the idea of isolation in the novel. Kafka, Oshima, Nakata, Miss Saeki are all isolated. How and why? Is isolation necessary for knowledge? Explain how each character is learning something important (choose 2).
4. "Anyone who falls in love is searching for the missing pieces of themselves" (297). A number of characters are seeking their other halves, or they are on a quest even if they don't know what for. Examine how two characters find their other half--through another--or through a metaphorical struggle of some kind. What exactly is the "other half"? What knowledge does the other half supply?*
5. Note that in Chapter 37, Oshima explains to Kafka, "Things outside you are projections of things inside you." Do a reading of the novel in which you "explain" what happens as Kafka's dream or an exploration of Kafka's subconscious.
6. Focus an essay around what happens to Kafka when he goes into the woods a second time (Chapter 41). What are the woods exactly? Who is there, literally or metaphorically? What is the central drama enacted here? What gets resolved?
7. Focus an essay on the idea of the library. There is the original library in Kafka's father's study, a library in the cabin in the woods, the library where Oshima works and Nakata in Chapter 32 speaks of how he is a library without books! What are libraries metaphorically? Why are they important?
8. Build an essay around the idea of the guide: How does Oshima guide Kafka--select key passages and define his role, his wisdom. Sometimes he takes Kafka to the "door" (e.g. of forest) but does not enter himself. Look up what guides do! See Joseph Campbell.
9. Examine how time works in this novel by zeroing in on Miss Saeki (all versions) and her life story as it intersects with Kafka's. How does the novel cut into time, show characters evading the boundaries of time in order to fulfill their needs, complete their journeys?
10. There is a lot of wisdom in this novel. Pick your favorite passage and think about how it represents an important theme. Explain the theme and connect the passage you have chosen to a character or other important moments in the novel.
*A simple example of finding your other half would be Hoshino and Nakata. See Chapter 35. Hoshino reflects on what Nakata has given him.
Then complete a blog--due Sunday night, May 1. (I need to be able to read them before Tuesday class.) This blog is beginning of your essay on Kafka on the Shore. It will be graded!
Choose one of the topics below (or create one) and write a paragraph about it that we can critique in class Tuesday. Answer the question in the prompt and provide 2-3 examples from the novel, ideally with a quote or two!
1. Kafka talks about time expanding in Chapter 21--this is important! Examine scenes where time has expanded to include something new, like the young Miss Saeki. What does this new item provide Kafka? How does it enlarge his mind, heart; begin to heal him?
2. What is interesting about Nakata? Do a little character sketch. What are his main qualities? Why is his response to things so fresh and charming? How is he smarter than he thinks? What does Nakata make us think about in human relationships? Why does Murakami develop this kind of character?
3. Analyse the idea of isolation in the novel. Kafka, Oshima, Nakata, Miss Saeki are all isolated. How and why? Is isolation necessary for knowledge? Explain how each character is learning something important (choose 2).
4. "Anyone who falls in love is searching for the missing pieces of themselves" (297). A number of characters are seeking their other halves, or they are on a quest even if they don't know what for. Examine how two characters find their other half--through another--or through a metaphorical struggle of some kind. What exactly is the "other half"? What knowledge does the other half supply?*
5. Note that in Chapter 37, Oshima explains to Kafka, "Things outside you are projections of things inside you." Do a reading of the novel in which you "explain" what happens as Kafka's dream or an exploration of Kafka's subconscious.
6. Focus an essay around what happens to Kafka when he goes into the woods a second time (Chapter 41). What are the woods exactly? Who is there, literally or metaphorically? What is the central drama enacted here? What gets resolved?
7. Focus an essay on the idea of the library. There is the original library in Kafka's father's study, a library in the cabin in the woods, the library where Oshima works and Nakata in Chapter 32 speaks of how he is a library without books! What are libraries metaphorically? Why are they important?
8. Build an essay around the idea of the guide: How does Oshima guide Kafka--select key passages and define his role, his wisdom. Sometimes he takes Kafka to the "door" (e.g. of forest) but does not enter himself. Look up what guides do! See Joseph Campbell.
9. Examine how time works in this novel by zeroing in on Miss Saeki (all versions) and her life story as it intersects with Kafka's. How does the novel cut into time, show characters evading the boundaries of time in order to fulfill their needs, complete their journeys?
10. There is a lot of wisdom in this novel. Pick your favorite passage and think about how it represents an important theme. Explain the theme and connect the passage you have chosen to a character or other important moments in the novel.
*A simple example of finding your other half would be Hoshino and Nakata. See Chapter 35. Hoshino reflects on what Nakata has given him.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Important Information about Week of March 29 for Novel Students
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 :).
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 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?
Monday, February 15, 2016
Welcome to The Novel: Spring 2016
Welcome to The Novel, English 260, Spring 2016
Tuesdays: 2:15-3:15 (MB68)
Thursdays: 2:15-4:25 (E401)
Three GREAT novels that explore love and family conflicts, the mysteries of identity, worlds that are magical and mysterious and ethical (and unethical) choices and consequences in a postmodern world.
Three GREAT novels that explore love and family conflicts, the mysteries of identity, worlds that are magical and mysterious and ethical (and unethical) choices and consequences in a postmodern world.
Texts in LaGuardia Bookstore:
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami
Disgrace, J.M. Coetzee
Three 600 word essays (20% each=60%)
Blog entries bi-weekly(15%)
Presentation in groups and class participation (15%)
(each group chooses one novel)
Final reflection on novels (10%)Course
Final reflection on novels (10%)Course
Our Blog: http://eng260novelspring2016.blogspot.com
OUR WORKING SYLLABUS: first week--more to follow!
TUESDAY MARCH 8
Introduction to the Novel
What is literature?
What is a novel?
Opening of Eyes
THURSDAY MARCH 10
Read Hurston biography in coursepak
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Chapters 1 through 3: pages 1-31
TUESDAY MARCH 15
Blog on Hurston due Monday by midnight--blog question to be posted
Eyes: Chapters 5 through 8
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