Panel questions, round one:
Group
1 “Cathedral”; how does “Bub” change in the course of the story?
2. “The Things They Carried”; what’s the effect on you of the many dozen uses
of “carry” in this story”
3 “Sonny’s Blues”; how does the narrator’s definition of the blues apply to the
characters’ lives?
4 Slaughterhouse Five; what does Billy gain from the teachings of the
Tralfamadorians?
5 Heart of Darkness; in part I, Marlow is told he is
[s]omething like an emissary of light, something like a lower sort
of apostle…‘weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid
ways’….
What does Marlow see (referring only to part I) that undermines this idealized
view of European civilization?
6 Go to https://www.gutenberg.org/files/219/219-h/219-h.htm, an online
version of Heart of Darkness. Search for the word restraint ( under “Edit” in the
toolbar, hit “Find.”) It recurs a few times in part II and III. How does this word
help you understand Mr. Kurtz?
Round Two:
1. A two-part question: Is Moss’s version of “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s
day a sonnet, formally speaking? And, answer all the questions in #2 on page
542 (which means you’ll have to read and refer to Shakespeare’s original on
541).
2. P. 706; two poems about the death of animals according to Kennedy,
Stafford’s is better than McKuen’s. What are some of his criteria and do you
agree?
3. In act I, Prospero says he does everything for his daughter. Has he always?
What proof is there that he is now acting for her benefit (in act I)?
4. In act V, Miranda says, “How beauteous mankind is. O brave new world that
hath such people in ‘t,” and Prospero says, “Tis new to thee.” Considering the
context, what do these remarks tell you about Miranda and Prospero?
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5. Two-parter: When in act I is it clear that Macbeth is considering murdering
King Duncan, and how does Lady Macbeth prepare herself for the task of killing
the king? Refer to specific lines.
6. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth hope to act without remorse, without a
sense of horror or guilt. What evidence is there in act II that they can’t pull that
off?
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