11/4

English A: For those who would enjoy discussing "Translations" -- complete.

English B: Ian's excellent suggestion:

Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5" -- first two chapters.

English C: "The Great Gatsby" -- Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 -- slowing the pace a bit -- we'll read Chapter 6 for Friday

The story and the story within the story kick into high gear.

1. Both Gina and Grace have called attention to Nick as a narrator; keep an eye on what this narrative view means to you as the reader. Has Nick grown/changed as a person?
2. The class has done wonderful things (both in discussion and in your writing work) investigating "honesty" in this novel. Keep building on this most essential theme.
3. We get to learn a lot about Gatsby in these chapters -- both from stories about him and from his described actions. What, do you think, is "really" this person Gatsby -- what is real what is fake; what is truth and what is fiction; what is honest and what dishonest?
4. What does Daisy do and why? What would you have done and why?
5. Be thinking about your definition of romantic love. Do you see it in this story?
6. Why is this book called "The Great American Novel?" What themes/aspects make this prototypically American or Great?

As usual, make record of your reading -- record questions, reactions (most excellent) but also make note of favorite lines, images, language from the story with specific page notes so that we can all benefit from your favorite parts.

English D: "Portrait of Artist as a Young Man" -- ideally we could make if to page 40 where is is a text break and so we can be exposed to enough of Joyce's concept that we can make judgments. Do your best -- take note -- bring questions and comments....