Abrogation, Approbation, Conflagration

Your first SAT-word vocab test shouldn't be bad. Here's the final word on the format: we'll choose 35 or so words, then YOU'll choose 20 and define them. You probably know half of them already, yes?

Gregor

Be sure to finish Kafka's Metamorphosis by 9/30. While you read, be on the lookout for representative elements of existentialism, including alienation, the absurd, and the search for meaning. When you hear the term 'kafkaesque' in the future, you'll probably think back to the bleakness of Metamorphosis and understand the allusion.

You can find countless links to the entire text online. Here's one:

https://records.viu.ca/~Johnstoi/stories/kafka-E.htm

And another (be sure to read all three sections):
http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/Kafka/00000010.htm

Enjoy!

New Novel and a Couple of Due Dates

Please go ahead and line up a comp. lit novel, either from amazon.com or from the library. You'll need this in tow by September 30th. Remember that the Pines System through the Athens-Clarke Library allows you to borrow from any facility in the whole state of Georgia, so our librarians can find and order most anything you want. Make sure this book portrays life outside the Western-European tradition and is written by an author who either still lives in another region or is only first or second generation American or British.
Here are a few recommendations, but you may choose something else, as long as you clear it w/ us:

The Kite Runner OR A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini

The Kitchen God's Wife, by Amy Tan

The Inheritance of Loss, by Kiran Desai

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, coupled w/ three stories from Uwem Akpan's Say You're One of Them

A House for Mr. Biswas, by V.S. Naipaul

One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (please talk to us if you choose this one.)

DUE DATES (with apologies to Jiyeong for the confusion):

9/23:
-Rough draft of short story paper--please make sure this is in an almost-finished state by Wed. and carefully follow the guidelines on the handout I gave you. We probably will peer-edit and teacher-edit.

-Two important points from each of the final chapters of HTRLLAP--I really don't mind if you borrow from my list of important points from the last blog post, as long as you fill in a few details to let me know you're familiar with the chapters.

9/24
Final draft of short story paper

Foster's Last

Study Questions and Pointers for HTRLLAP, Quiz 4

--Know a couple of illnesses authors frequently use, and know what makes these particular diseases "choice" ones.

--Understand what Foster means about reading w/ more than just your eyes

--Be able to give a brief description of deconstruction...brief, very brief.

--What trumps everything in literature?

--Be able to give a couple of examples of irony from literature and authors who use it.

--What is the second point Foster makes about irony? (e.g. The Satanic Verses and its reception by Muslim clerics)

--What is the basic plot-line of "The Garden Party"?

--What is one possible deeper interpretation of the story Foster mentions?

-- In the "Envoi" section, what warning does Foster issue to the reader who's finishing his book?

Forgetaboutit.

In case any of you missed the update I sent via Emma T., I'll reiterate this bit of good news: You DON'T have to read your short story and start the paper this week after all. We'll tackle that AFTER you finish Foster's book. Just please pay special attention to the case study and student paper Foster cites, since I'll eventually want you to to write something similar.

Additionally, you won't have to take the Beowulf test until Thursday, the 17th, so that we'll have plenty of time to tie together any loose ends. For now, here's the revised schedule:
--Beowulf short paper-- Th, 9/10

--Foster's HTRLLAP--Finish by Wed, 9/16

--Beowulf Test--Thurs, 9/17

And speaking of fairy tales...

I wish I could have squeezed everyone into this photo, but a phone camera can only do so much. Also, seeing this picture before The Lady of Shalott adorned the back wall makes me happy we've decorated.
And Riggs, who gave you that shirt?

Here's a heads-up for quiz 3 over HTRLLAP:

--Be able to explain a couple of points Foster makes about a character's being submerged in water and/or drowning. (Note the chapter title for this topic.)

--What does a character's moving south usually signify? (Make sure you know what 'amok' means.)

--What does autumn usually symbolize in literature?

--Be able to define archetype and intertextuality and give a couple of examples of each.

--Why do authors often focus on characters w/ disabilities?

--To what end do writers frequently use blindness or sight in a story (or poem)?

--At what point in a story should the author usually tell the audience about a distinguishing feature of a character?

--What do heart ailments often signify in literature?

--Why do authors choose some illnesses over others?

--Other than AIDS, name an illness authors often employ in stories and what that particular disease might represent.