In Italo Calvino’s essay “Levels of Reality,” which is in his book, The Uses of Literature, it is explained how Fiction contains different levels of reality. Calvino first used Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to describe the levels of fiction in its degrees of realism. He explained how the first level would be more real than the last; making the last level the least real to the human world. Although these levels have different degrees of realism, it is all molded and smelted like steel and become part of one story and world in which we perceive in our minds. Another way Calvino discusses the levels of reality is by using the statement, “I write.” He stresses that “I write” would be the first level or reality because it is the first dimension the reader perceives. But if you read “ I write that Homer tells that Ulysses listens to the sirens,” there are 3 levels of reality taken place because there is now 3 dimensions, worlds, or timeframes in that particular phrase. This is how we know now that levels of fiction is in our readings everywhere without us being aware of it before getting introduced to Calvino’s essay.
QUESTIONS:

1.      Can levels of reality exist in non-fiction? Can the explanation be found in the essay?

2.      Is it easier to find the levels of fiction in classical pieces of literature?

3.      What did he mean in page 117 that a story can create a structure in persepective?

Describe:

Setting-19th century, France, school, city, farm(too many)

Plot-A mother pushes her son to bring their family into wealth.

Figurative language-simile.

Style/tone/mood-informal/subtle

Narrative perspective-first person and third person

Theme-pressure, expectations, depression

Character-Madame Bovary, Monseur Charles Bovery Sr., Charles Bovary Jr. Madame Dubac, head master, children, and the old doctor.

Analyze:

At first we were confused and couldn’t piece all the events together. Different narrations and constant time jumps made it hard to figure out what’s going on. Charles is like a robot where he only follows commands of others and can’t function without them.

Calvino’s “Levels of Reality in Literature” explains the relationship between fiction and reality.

1) How does Homer’s Odyssey help interpret Calvino’s ideas?

2) Why does Calvino use Shakespeare’s plays in his essay?

3) Why does Calvino focus on the issue of using “I” when writing about another author’s work?

One of Calvino’s main points is that there are several different levels of reality. Another point is that we as readers see fact and fiction as two separate things. Calvino is saying that we should see them as two coinciding factors in literature.

2 questions:

1) Why is the Odyssey used as frame for his discussion?

2) What does Madame Bovery have to do with Calvino?

Duaa- open lab poster

Veronica- presenter

Edgar- Note taker

1) Setting- the story is set in a village in France and takes place between a classroom and home.

Plot- was a story based about a shy young boy who moves around from school to school. his mother controls his life decisions all they way to adulthood. finally his mother arranges his marriage with a stranger and at the end he is not even happy.

Narrative point of view- third person point of view

Style, tone, and language- The Author uses a style of writing that is very descriptive and is filled with vivid imagery.

2) I enjoyed it although it was a bit complicated with the language. in order to fully understand i would have to continue reading the next chatter.

1) The elements of fiction use are :

Plot – When the “new fellow” is picked on in the classroom.

Setting- the classroom

Narrative Point of View- Third person p.o.v.

2) The chapter is confusing because the narrative perspective tends to shift. Also, there are flashbacks, which makes it difficult to understand the essence of the chapter.

Group 7 members:

Shavella – Open lab poster

Thad – Note taker

Michael- Presenter

1)

 In this chapter, it discusses a family who belongs to the middle class and who is trying to move forward but there  is no cost to moving up but the family members dont care about the situation and how it neglects them.

2)

The wife always complains about the husband cheating on her; its in the 1800’s. She is stressing out and while being under a lot of pressure. She takes it out to her family members.

3) There are actually three realities.

Settins: the school, the tour, the city

Fabrice  (Poster)

Nicole (Notestaker)

Ruth (Editor)

Florencia (Presenter)

Describe:

Setting: How many different settings in this chapter?
multiple settings

Characters:  Charles (the father (lazy, free spirit) and son (controlled, has no character, does what is expected of him, like a robot, needs very specific directions, always used to having his mother tell him what to do), the mother (ambitious, wealthy, dominant?, controlling), the wife, headmaster, the school kids, old doctor, Cure in the

Plot:

Analyze

Interpret

1. Describe Flaubert Chapter
2. Describe Reactions and Explain What Elicited These Reactions
3.  How many levels of reality in this chapter?