1. Read the following texts and their notes. **There are literary elements other than those indicated here, but these each show one possible interpretation. Think of these as guidelines, and don’t limit yourself to these interpretations.**

As you look through its annotations, note how the various literary elements develop and contribute to the text’s themes and ideas. How might you also pick up on the presence of various literary elements, and the way they express the ideas within the text?

• Excerpt from “The Birth-mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne with notes
• Poem “After a Death” by Roo Borson with notes.

2. Read the works for this exercise assigned by your instructor on the Close Reading of a Text: Assigned Reading checklist.

• Close Reading of a Text: Assigned Reading

3. Then visit each of the following discussion topics, and respond to the respective discussion prompts about the works and their themes.

Read the works from the Reading List, noting which apply in general to this discussion. Then post an initial reply under one of the threads– USE REPLY!– by 2/17.

In your responses, be sure to

• open with a statement of focus– get specific early!
• refer to the text
• refer to relevant literary terms
• explain/expand on the evidence from the text and how it supports your statement of focus

By 2/20, you must respond to 3 peers’ posts. You don’t have to stick to the same topic– you can move between them. You may respond to their initial (longer) post, or keep another discussion going. It’s your call!

Remember that initial responses should be ~200 words. Responses to peers might be between 100-150 words or so.

Part 1

Using one work from this week’s discussion, and one from the Reading to Find a Theme Discussion,

• compare two characters and the conflicts they are dealing with;
• describe how each resolves his/her conflict; and finally,
• evaluate whether you agree with where they stand at the end.

The heart of this discussion is a comparison of characterization and conflict! Be sure to use evidence from the text to support your point.

Part 2

Using any two works from this week’s readings,

• Compare how social expectations fuel an internal conflict in two different characters
• Is that conflict resolved by the end?
• What do you find reasonable or unreasonable about the expectations/norms in these works?

The heart of this discussion is a critique of social norms and the conflicts they may cause! Be sure to use evidence from the text to support your point.

Part 3

Use The Importance of Being Earnest, “Lusus Naturae,”or “A Rose for Emily” for your initial post.

• Discuss what the social expectations are for each society.
• Refer to a character that defies those expectations.
• What do you think of that character’s defiance or decisions?

The heart of this discussion is a close reading of one work, rather than a comparison! Be sure to use evidence from the text to support your point.

Reading list

• Due Feb 10, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the FIRST reading discussion, 2/7-13
• Baldwin, “Sonny’s Blues”Due Feb 10, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the FIRST reading discussion, 2/7-13If you have siblings, you may understand the concept of sibling rivalry. This story follows two brothers and the ups and downs in their relationship, with music (and its absence) playing a role throughout.
• Glaspell, “A Jury of her Peers” OR TriflesDue Feb 10, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the FIRST reading discussion, 2/7-13
• Tan, “A Pair of Tickets”Due Feb 10, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the FIRST reading discussion, 2/7-13
• CHARACTERIZATION NOTES IN YOUR BOOKDue Feb 10, 2020 12:25 PMSee pages 201-215 (in the 13th edition version) of the Norton Introduction to Literature
• NARRATION/POINT OF VIEW IN YOUR BOOKDue Feb 10, 2020 12:00 AMSee pages 169-172 (in the 13th edition version) of the Norton Introduction to Literature
• The Importance of Being EarnestDue Feb 17, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the SECOND reading discussion, 2/14-20
• A Very Old Man with Enormous WingsDue Feb 17, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the SECOND reading discussion, 2/14-20
• Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily”Due Feb 17, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the SECOND reading discussion, 2/14-20
• Sedaris, “Jesus Shaves”Due Feb 17, 2020 12:00 AMThis is for the SECOND reading discussion, 2/14-20
• Atwood, “Lusus Naturae”This is for the SECOND reading discussion, 2/14-20