Dear class,

Great work today.  This week, we’re leaving off Colonial America, and heading into a new period of American short fiction: the late 19th century.  Below is the homework for next Monday’s class.

HW: –Read “The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky” and “The Men In The Storm,” taking notes and using the reading questions as a guide (2 hrs).  There will be a closed book quiz on Monday!

-write a blog post (if you’re in group 4) or comment (if you’re not), and then spend the rest of your prep time reviewing your notes (1 hr)

-If you have time, please peruse the Essay 1 description: paper1assignment_f16 We will discuss this in detail in class on Monday.  Please print out a copy to bring to class.

Reading questions:

1. We’ve talked about point of view as a term for thinking about who a narrator is, and what their relationship is to the story they’re telling.  In these stories, what is the narrator’s attitude toward his characters?  Are there characters that he’s amused by? Sympathetic to?  How can you tell?

2.  The stories we’ve read thus far have dealt with small towns and the wilderness.  This week, we’re incorporating the city into our discussion of setting in American fiction.  Do the men of “Out of the Storm” behave the way you expect city dwellers to behave?  What about characters in “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky” – do they behave in accordance with, or in contrast with, common perceptions of “small town” behavior? Connect: compare the small town citizens of “The Bride Comes To Yellow Sky” with the small towners in “Young Goodman Brown” OR “Rip Van Winkle.”  Is there a difference in how each author depicts the social dynamics of a small town?

3.  Both of these stories involve depictions of trains, cars, and other kinds of transportation technology.  Pay attention to how Crane depicts these vehicles, and how different characters relate to them.  What do you think these vehicles might represent or symbolize in these stories?   Create: Write a monologue from one of the “Men in the Storm.”  Who is he?  Where is he from?  Is there anything he enjoys about life in the city? As always, after the creative writing exercise, explain your monologue with reference to the text.

You’ll notice that I haven’t listed a Clue option for the blog groups.  That’s because, starting this week, I’m opening up the Clue option: if you’re doing Clue, you can write your post on any of the above questions, or you can address a different question.  As usual, though, Clue posts should explain how a quote or passage helps you better understand some aspect of the story as a whole.

best,

Professor Kwong

Hi class,

Thanks for the illuminating class discussion.  Wish we could have talked more about the treatment of Rip’s wife – look out for depictions of female characters in future stories!

Before doing the HW, here’s an interesting exercise: listen to at least 30 seconds of these two different rap songs.  Beastie Boys, “Intergalactic” and MF Doom, “Vomitspit.”  How would you characterize the difference between each artist’s “flow”?  (E.g., how would you describe the rhythm of each rapper – do they overwhelm you with words, or favor short, snappy lines?)  Then, as you’re reading, ask yourself: does Hawthorne have a “flow” to his writing style?

HW

-Read “Young Goodman Brown” using reading questions (below) and taking notes (1.5-2 hrs).  Warning: this story is probably the most difficult of the stories we’ve read so far.  The good news is that you’ve already had it broken down, sort of, via the Charters reading.  It will take time, and effort, and a dictionary, and a pen for note-taking in the margins.  Use all four!

-Blog (if you’re in Group 3 – see prompts below) or comment (if you’re not) and use the remaining time to review your notes. (1-1.5 hrs).

Remember: blogging/comments aren’t summary, or just a record of your personal emotional reaction; also, both have to involve quotation.  Practicing quotes now means you have a better shot at the paper (take the A train).

-A lot of you haven’t done comments yet.  A reminder that, if you want your comments to count for any given week, you have to do them, by 10 am the morning of Wednesday’s class. Furthermore, doing comments, and staying engaged, is part of being on the A train.  Of course, if you do more than required, it will help you!

Reading questions:

1. Charters defines “style” as “the characteristic way an author uses language.”  In musical terms, you might think of it as the difference between two rapper’s “flows.”  Look for phrases or sentences that you think showcase Hawthorne’s signature style.  How does his style affect your experience of the plot and narration?  Blog prompt: clue.  Pick one passage that helps you understand the author’s style better.  Describe his sentence structures (simple or complex?), descriptive patterns (lots of adjectives? Few adjectives), tone (emotional? unemotional?) DO NOT simply repeat what Ann Charters says about this story in “The Elements of Fiction.”  Your post must be your own content.

2. What connections do you see between “Young Goodman Brown” and “Rip Van Winkle”?  Think of common character types, setting choices, plot twists. Are there trends you can identify as characteristically “American” literature? In what ways might either of these stories be “about” America, either its history or its symbolic importance?  Blog Prompt: Create. Imagine that you are Young Goodman Brown.  Write a first person narrative in which you encounter Rip Van Winkle.  What would the two of you have to talk about?  As you create this narrative, refer to at least one quote from “Young Goodman Brown.

3. Pay attention to different places where Hawthorne mentions evil.  How does Hawthorne use references to “evil” to create suspense?  Do you think Hawthorne wants the reader to agree with the definition of “evil” given at the story’s climax?  (Hint: identify the climax first!)  Blog Prompt: Connect.  Think of another story that prompts you to think about the nature of evil.  It could be a novel, film, or even real-life event.  Compare that story to “Young Goodman Brown.”  Does the stories lead you to similar, or different, conclusions about the nature of evil?  Refer to at least one quote in the story as you connect it to other stories

best,

Professor Kwong

Hi class,

Great meeting you in class today.  Looking forward to continuing talking about narrative and storytelling with you this semester.

A reminder that your homework for Thursday includes the following: fill out the welcome survey (see Menu tab); read the syllabus, and bring any questions you might have; read “Elements of Fiction,” 1003-1006.  (Like many of the other readings, “The Elements of Fiction” is available under the “Readings” Tab.)

Finally, a reminder to activate your City Tech email address, as you’ll receive important information through that address this semester.

Thanks!

Professor Kwong