Re: Workshop

Since this is the first time I'm teaching this kind of class, I'm curious to know your responses to the workshops we had in class on Wednesday. Be honest with me, please, because I want to know if this format worked for you. Did you feel comfortable in this kind of atmosphere? Did the questions in class help clarify the purpose of the papers you read? Did you find this workshopping to be helpful or harmful to the development of your paper? Any other comments, observations or gripes can be listed here. I want to read what you guys think, so I can help everyone even better for the next paper.

Because They Said So

Alright, so we're a bit behind because of all the New England weather, so I'm going to use this post as a place to help you all with your papers a bit. On Wednesday, we're going to discuss further Hemingway's and Banks' stories. You guys had great insights on last week's blog, and I want to hear what everyone else has to say who didn't comment on last week's post.

So, in preparation for your impending papers, I suggest you guys pick one quote from any of the stories we've read so far ("Girl", "The Accident", "Hills Like White Elephants", and "Black Man and White Woman in Dark Green Rowboat") and include it in the blog. Why does this quote resound with you? Why did you pick it? How could you tie it in with any of the questions in the prompts you received for the paper due on the 26th? Examples from the stories, as well as from a LiterActive document, is required for the paper. Use this post to start gathering ideas and making sense of the quotations and your own interpretations of the story. This will also help in the development of your thesis for the paper. Looking forward to see what you guys pick...

Banks vs. Hemingway

Hey guys! Thank you to those who posted on last week's blog - for those of you who didn't, there is a penalty. If there is a problem setting up an account, let me know IMMEDIATELY so we can remedy the problem.

As discussed yesterday in class, the theme linking these two stories is obvious: abortion. However, I am interested to know why each of you think the actual word wasn't mentioned in either "The Hills Like White Elephants" or "Black Man and White Woman in Dark Green Rowboat." Why do you think this is?

Just like stereotypes, there are certain words that remain unspoken in contemporary society, though we are aware of their presence. What are some of these words? Why aren't they ever directly addressed, even though most people understand the meaning? Why do these words even exist?

Again, these questions are springboards if any of you are having trouble beginning a blog. What do you all really think about these stories? Not whether you like them or not, but WHY you think they are effective, i.e good literature. Or maybe you don't think they are quality pieces - I want to read what you all really think. Why do you think we are studying these particular stories?