That's All!

All posts now closed. Thanks for a great semester!

2009 Grotesque Awards

Over the semester, we have read the work of 8 writers, spread out over 10 stories, a film and 9 novels. Which work that we studied did you find the most interesting or intriguing -- and why? Don't explain why you found one work better than another; instead, identify a work and explain what you found (and still find) so interesting about it.

Bonus Blog: Allusions

Think of another work of literature (such as our current one), in which the title alludes to another work, such as the Bible or other work of literature. Then explain how the allusion suits the work as a whole.

Bearing It Away: Part II

The title of O'Connor's novel is taken from the King James version of Matthew 11:12: "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away." Comment on how the title suits the novel. You should familiarize yourself with the context of the statement, who John the Baptist was, what happened to him, etc. You may also find it helpful to check out some other translations of the same passage.

Bearing it Away: Part I

As you read The Violent Bear It Away, you will undoubtedly mark some passages and annotate the text as you read. For this post, offer your comments on an interesting passage: type the passage (1-5 sentences) here and then offer a response. Your response may be a series of questions about the passage or a description of what you find confusing or strange about it. This post is here so that you can read other people's comments and, perhaps, get some ideas for your essay. (Don't forget to review the CES and Elements of Style.)

Another Bonus Blog: Nuts and Bolts

Any reader of Perfume is struck by the amount of detail concerning the perfumer's art that Suskind includes in the narrative: readers learn about maceration, enfleurage, lavage and various olfactory shelf-lives. Can you think of another work of fiction that takes its readers deeply into a trade, an occupation or a practice in the same rich way that Suskind does with perfuming? Identify the work and comment on why its author would take us so deeply into the pursuit at hand.

Bonus Blog: Perfume Passages

Your assignment for Perfume is to come to class with three passages that reflect Suskind's style or thematic concerns. For this post, share one of your chosen passages and then explain why you chose it. This post (and the previous one) will remain open until early Thursday afternoon.