Thursday, March 24, 2011
Book Four: Antonia's situation
What do you think about Antonia's troubles? What do you think Jim thinks about where she is now at age 24?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Book Three: The Epigraph, Ch. II
"Optima dies...prima fugit. -Virgil
(In the lives of mortals) the best days are the first to flee.
The epigraph (quotation from another source such as history or literature; it is used before the beginning of a book in order to introduce a theme) is back.
Explain what you thought about the context in which it is introduced into the actual novel. Do you have a different view of how it applies to the novel now that we have seen the characters grow up and leave home?
(In the lives of mortals) the best days are the first to flee.
The epigraph (quotation from another source such as history or literature; it is used before the beginning of a book in order to introduce a theme) is back.
Explain what you thought about the context in which it is introduced into the actual novel. Do you have a different view of how it applies to the novel now that we have seen the characters grow up and leave home?
Book Three: Jim and Lena's relationship
What is your opinion of Jim and Lena's connection now that they are both on their own? Is there a particular quote you like or a point in the plot that you find illuminating?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Book Two: Ch. XIV, p. 147-156 (time with the hired girls)
This is a great chapter, one of the 'summing up' / descriptive parts that has a deeper meaning we need to uncover. It's such a pretty, dreamy scene.
What part of Jim's description or the girls' conversations do you find important? Explain your opinion.
*At the end of p. 155 and also p. 156: SYMBOL ALERT! Read this carefully and mark it.
What part of Jim's description or the girls' conversations do you find important? Explain your opinion.
*At the end of p. 155 and also p. 156: SYMBOL ALERT! Read this carefully and mark it.
Book Two Theme: A (Sometimes Scandalous!) Coming of Age
What do you think about how this theme is woven into the second half of Book Two? Did any of the characters surprise you with their behavior? Let's discuss!
Book Two: Wick Cutter
The second half of Book Two features many stories about Black Hawk money lender Wick Cutter from Ch. 10 (X) to the end of the section.
What are your thoughts about him in general, his wife, foreshadowing about him, other characters' perceptions of him, or his actions and choices?
What are your thoughts about him in general, his wife, foreshadowing about him, other characters' perceptions of him, or his actions and choices?
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