Wuthering Heights Chs. 1-16

Your responses aren't due until the 12th, or is it the 11th? Whichever is the Sunday after the 4th. Simple math tells me that's the 11th - okay. Anyway, I thought I'd go ahead and post the ideas I'd like you to discuss in case anyone wants to get ahead. Basically, I want you to think about the following ideas as you read and choose TWO of them to discuss and analyze in your post:

Setting
Characters
Point of View
Conflict

It will not be sufficient to merely describe setting, characters, etc. I would like you to analyze the effect of these ideas. Take setting, for instance. You can consider Foster's ideas about politics or seasons or geography. Describe setting and explain what effect it has on the novel from one of these angles. Or you oculd identify point of view and explain how the narrator and the filters through which we are hearing the story are manipulated for a specific effect. Just be clear on the two ideas you are discussing, identify the basics really quickly and then jump into analysis. Feel free to use specific quotes or passages from the novel to support your analysis. As always, email me with questions or post them on the blog.

Quick update on our reading schedule

You should be finished posting on the Foster text by next Sunday, the 28th. The following Monday or Tuesday, I will post the guiding questions for the first half of Wuthering Heights, but note that you will have until July 11th to read those chapters and post. This "break" week will allow you to catch up on posts if you've missed one, as I know a good many of you have been off doing interesting things. Just be sure to look on the blog for my updated post by the 5th so you will be aware of the topics I want you to discuss from the first have of Wuthering Heights. If you are reading ahead, then I want you to be sure to apply anything you can from Foster's text to Bronte's novel. That will be part of your assignment.

How to Read Literature - Chs. 18-26

Ok - this is our last set of chapters from Foster, and I think you will find them equally as interesting as the other chapters. I still want you to focus on the ideas in two chapters and apply these to works you've read, but here's your challenge: Choose one of the ideas in a text you've already discussed and analyze how an idea in this last set of chapters also applies to that example. For instance, if you talked about the journey or quest chapter, use the same example you applied to that chapter and take it a step further by applying the ideas in the "Geography Matters" chapter (19). Where did the journey take the protagonist and why are those specific locations significant according to Foster? Some of you have already discussed rivers and bodies of water; how can you connect those examples to the chapter on baptism (18)? I hope you understand what I'm asking. I still want you to comment on two new ideas, but for at least one of them, apply the idea to an example you've already used. Please let me know if you have any questions. Remember you can always email me at williamsholly@hotmail.com if you don't feel comfortable asking questions on the public blog.

How to Read Literature - Chs. 11-15

For this week I've asked that you read chapters 11-15. Please generate your responses in a similar fashion to those of last week. Choose at least two ideas to connect to prior reading. You seem to have a good handle on not just identifying the technique, but also analyzing WHY that particular technique is used and what effect it creates. Keep up the good work with this! Try to vary your examples a bit more, although I understand that your repertoire of reading may be somewhat limited. Just do the best you can. This week I would also like for you to comment on what someone else has posted before you. It could be something someone posted last week or what someone has posted this week. Try to expand on an idea or challenge an idea; don’t just agree or disagree. Let’s start a productive dialogue. I have enjoyed the posts so far. You all seem to be on the right track, so keep it up.

Just a quick note from the beach in Florida. Andrew just brought to my attention an error on my book list. Emily Bronte is the sister who wrote Wuthering Heights. I should have caught that; sorry for any confusion that may cause. I'm looking forward to reading posts when I return to town. I hope you are finding the Foster text informative and entertaining!!