True Story of H & G - Week 3 - Religion

The Partisans are distinctly antireligious; they dream of a godless communism to supplant the bloody passions of a world they view as too irrational. The father (Mechanik) became an assimilated, nonreligious Jew, and throughout the book he struggles with his own inability to believe in God. At the same time he is trying with all his might to believe, against all logic, that his children will survive. How did the ending resolve this conflict in him, or did it? And what is Murphy suggesting about the place of religion in an ethical society, whether it be postwar revolutionary communist, or family-based? What place do you think religion will—or should—have for the main characters in their new lives?

True Story of H&G Week 3 - Ending

The end of the novel brings satisfaction for some, but doesn't avoid the real consequences of the war on the lives of these characters; all of them face futures that are radically altered from anything they have known before. Which characters do you think achieved redemption? Who got what they deserved? What do you think the future will be like for Hansel and Gretel? For the people of Piaski?

True Story of Hansel & Gretel - WEEK 2 - Pros and Cons

In this section, which part(s) did you enjoy reading the most? The least? Why?

True Story of Hansel and Gretel Week 2 QUOTE

Find a quotation from any pages between 148-277 and quote it (page number too); then respond/react to the quotation -- why is it important, powerful, meaningful in some way? How did or can you connect to it?

True Story of Hansel and Gretel Week 2 Race/Ethnicity

Yep, the Oberfuhrer is one weird guy. He breaks the "rules" in some ways in his actions with Nelka based on their different ethnicities (German and Polish). How does this relate to society's "rules" today in terms of culture (think back to Kite Runner too!)?

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel Week 1

Find and quote an image from the first two sections (through pg. 82) that we've read and respond to it -- good writing? shocking? surprising? Why?

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel Week 1

Of the now four parallel (in time) plot lines -- Magda and the children, the Oberfuhrer & Major Frankel, the Mechanik and stepmother, and Nelka/Telek which is the most interesting or intriguing plot to you and why?

Kite Runner -- Politics

How do the ever-changing politics of Afghanistan affect the characters in the novel?

Kite Runner-- Ending

What did you think of the ending?

Kite Runner - Hassan's reaction

As time goes by, Rahim Kahn visits Hassan and they discuss the past. What do you think about Hassan's response to learning about Amir's life?

Kite Runner - Theft

Explain the significance of Baba's lesson to Amir that "Every other sin is a variation of theft" (17). How does that lesson impact both Amir and Baba or even other characters in the novel?

Kite Runner - wrongdoing

How does the wrongdoing in the novel The Kite Runner escalate?

Kite Runner movie article - New York Times

Kite Runner is being made into a film; however, the film has run into delays. Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/movies/04kite.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
What do you think about this? What else does this teach us about culture?

KR - Hating Amir

Many of you mentioned that you "hate" Amir. Do you think hating the main character makes you "hate" the book?
Which characters do you like?

Kite Runner - Do you think...

Paige P asks ... Do you think Amir will ever apoligize or tell someone of his sin? Do you think he will ever admit to someone what he did and how horrible of a person he is?

Kite Runner -- The Anti-hero

An anti-hero is a protagonist who lacks the usual heroic qualities of an admirable person or leader, particularly skill, grace, honesty, courage, and truth.
In what ways is Amir portrayed as an anti-hero?

Kite Runner - Culture and History

What have you learned about history and culture through the novel so far?

The Kite Runner Part I & II - Ch. 1-10

What are your thoughts about the book so far?

The Glass Castle - Jeannette's Pride

Jeannette's Pride Statements:
1) Even though Jeannette knows that her dad has a drinking problem, she will not allow others to talk poorly about her dad or ruin their lives.
2) Jeannette's trying to stand up to her father and ger her mom to stand up to her dad.
3) Jeannette has pride for her family cares what people think of them as a family, but doesn't seem to have much pride about herself.
4) Jeannette grew more as an individual in this section; she starts to set realistic goals for herself and realizes what she has to do to protect herself.
5) Jeannette is slowly realizing the truth about her father and losing pride.

Section pg. 129-179

What shocked or amazed you about the kids' antics in this section?

Section pgs. 129-179 Thought Questions

Given what we learn about Jeannette's paternal grandparents, how does this help to explain why Jeannette's father is the way he is?

The Glass Castle - Section 1 & 2 (through 125)

What did you think of The Glass Castle so far? What shocked you? Amazed you? What did you like or dislike?

Welcome!

Welcome to the Modern Literature and Society blog for first semester. As part of the class, your job will be to read and respond regularly to posts from your classmates. As guinea pigs, we will use this spot to "converse" about the reading. Please avoid spoilers if you've read ahead. For The Glass Castle, we'll use this as a practice. For future novels, part of your effort grade will include your posts. We'll discuss specifics later.