Dear class,
Hope you enjoy your break! I notice that no one has replied to Group 2’s posts – as usual, comments are due by 5 pm today. Please note that missing once or twice is not a huge deal, but that these comments do factor into the grade.
For next Thursday’s class, please read M.R. James’ “The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral” and the associated essay on James’s “Gothic Revival” (focusing on the highlighted portions). “The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral” is structured as a scholar’s investigation into a mysterious death. Like good detectives, then, our annotations will involve assembling clues.
Your annotations this week should include one from the beginning, one from the middle, one from the final third. For at least 1 of your annotations, try to find a detail that answers one of the following questions:
Who is John Austin?
What is the significance of the wood that was used to carve the stalls in the Cathedral? What role does it play in the story’s events?
What took place at the “Hanging Oak”?
How is Haynes described in the opening obituary? Are there details in the story that undermine or contradict this description?
What is the significance of the letter found “in a letter in the pocket of the diary”?
What is the significance of one of the visual details found in the archdeacon’s stall?
Why do Haynes’ fortunes worsen only after “three years of hard and careful work”?
Why does the obituary writer blame Voltaire, Byron, and Shelley for Haynes’ death?
Critical responses from group 3 will be based on the above questions.
You should also continue brainstorming for Essay 1. Feel free to use the proposal activity to spark further thought.
As usual, please let me know if you have questions or issues completing the work. Thank you!
Professor Kwong
