Paragraph on Samuel Hamilton

“Mr. Hamilton maybe hasn’t got four bits put away, but he’s our people and he’s as good as we got. And he’s raised the nicest family you’re likely to see. I just want you to remember that” (139).

“That’s why I’m talking to you. You are one of the rare people who can separate your observation from your preconception. You see what is, where most people see what they expect” (161).

“Maybe it would be good to give them a high mark to shoot at – a name to live up to. The man I’m named for had his name called clear by the Lord God, and I’ve been listening all my life. And once or twice I’ve thought I heard my name called – but not clear, not clear”(262).

Outside Reading Choices due befpre the end of the semester

You are to read one book from this list or you may read a book of your own choosing, but you need to get it approved by me. You will devise a PowerPoint presentation on your book.

Contemporary Fiction for Seniors
Alexie, Sherman Reservation Blues
Barbery, Muriel The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Bennett, Vanora Portrait of an Unknown Woman
Bohjalian, Chris The Double Bind; Before You Know Kindness
Brandreth, Gyles Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance
Brooks, Geraldine March; The Year of Wonders ; People of the Book
Delinsky, Barbara The Secret Between Us
Edwards, Kim The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Eugenides, Jeffrey Middlesex
Goodman, Allegra Intuition
Hamill, Pete North River
Harris, Joanne Gentlemen and Players
Hornby, Nick A Long Way Down
Hosseini, Khaled The Kite Runner; A Thousand Splendid Suns
Ishiguro, Kazuo Remains of the Day; Never Let Me Go
Kaplow, Robert Me and Orson Welles
Kostova, Elizabeth The Historian
Krauss, Nicole The History of Love
Kyle, Aryn The God of Animals
Moriarty, Laura The Rest of Her Life
Nemirovsky, Irene Suite Francaise
Nicholls, David A Question of Attraction
O’Farrell, Margaret The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Patchett, Ann Bel Canto; Run
Pattillo, Beth Jane Austen Ruined My Life
Penney, Stef The Tenderness of Wolves
Pessl, Marisha Special Topics in Calamity Physics
Picoult, Jodi Handle with Care; Change of Heart; My Sister’s Keeper
Prose, Francine Goldengrove
Setterfield, Diane The Thirteenth Tale
Shaffer, Mary Ann The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Shapiro, Dani Family History
Shreve, Anita Sea Glass; Body Surfing
Stockett, Kathryn The Help
Tan, Amy The Bonesetter’s Daughter; Saving Fish from Drowning
Turner, Nancy E. The Water and the Blood
Vreeland, Susan Luncheon of the Boating Party
Ward, Amanda Eyre Forgive Me
Wodehouse, P.G. Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves
Wroblewske, David The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Zafon, Carlos Ruiz Shadow of the Wind

The Canterbury Tales

Directions: You are in groups, each person is to answer the questions that follow on binder paper. I will collect one paper from each group.

The Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales

1. What does spring represent and why is it significant that people go on
pilgrimages at this time?
2. What do the pilgrims want St. Thomas a Becket to do for them?
3. What kind of people came to the Tabard Inn to go on the pilgrimage?
4. How were they treated at the Tabard Inn?
5. From whose point of view does the narrator decide he will describe his
pilgrims?
The Knight
1. How do we know that the knight has followed the rules of chivalry?
2. How has he proved his loyalty to his king?
3. How do we know that the other countries thought highly of him?
4. What did all people think of him?
5. What other admirable qualities does he possess?
6. What tells us he is quite wealthy but humble?
7. Why has he joined the pilgrimage?
The Squire
1. What can we infer about the Squire?
2. What was his main reason for his fighting well in the three battles he has
been in?
3. How would you describe his clothing and what can we infer about him when we
know that short gowns were considered indecent and wide sleeves were
ultramodern?
4. What was he good at doing?
5. Why did he have trouble sleeping?
6. Why is it significant that the Squire carved the meat at the table?
The Yeoman
1. What weapons does the Yeoman carry and what can we infer about him from them
2. What was he skilled in doing?
3. What inference can we make because of the color of his skin and why would
green clothes be good for him?
The Prioress
1. What can we infer about the prioress from the fact that she is described
as “coy”?
2. Why is it significant that her only oath was to St. Loy?
3. What can we infer about her from the way she speaks and sings?
4. Why do you think she is so careful about how she eats?
5. What do you think the narrator thinks of the prioress?
6. About whom does the narrator say she was “charitably solicitous,” and what
does this tell about her?
7. How can we infer that she did not live her vow of poverty?
8. Describe her physical attributes in your own words?
9. What is the significance of her clothes and her beads?
The Monk
1. What does the narrator say about the monk?
2. How do we know that he does not live his vow of poverty?
3. Why do you think the narrator mentions chapel bells along with the jingling
of his bridle?
4. How do we know that he scorned rule of St. Benedict and he was lax about
keeping his other vows as well?
5. What does the narrator say he thinks about the way the monk lives and what
is the tone of these lines?
6. What else did the monk own for his sport and what do his clothes tell about
him? Pay attention to his pin.
7. What can you infer about him from the description of his eyes and what do
you think the narrator thinks of him?
The Friar
1. What words does the narrator use to describe the Friar?
2. Why do you think the narrator uses “his” before “ young women”
3. Why do you think he gave each “what he could afford her?
4. To whom did he kiss-up and why and what might we infer from the narrator’s
words: “or so he said”?
5. What penitents, sinners, knew without a doubt that they had been forgiven?
6. How could the hard-of-heart get absolution?
7. Why do you think he gives things to pretty girls?
8. What might we infer from his lily colored neck? Remember that lily was put
with livered as an insult at this time.
9. Where might you find the Friar in the evenings? Where would you expect to
find him?
10. What do you think are the natural gifts to which the narrator refers?
11. How did he treat the poor who needed him?
12. What other means did he use to get more money, and how did he dress while
doing this?
13. How do you think the narrator feels about the friar?
The Merchant
1. How is the Merchant dressed, and what does he like to talk about?
2. Why do you think he wants sea-police?
3. What secret did the miller keep to himself and how was he able to do this?
4. What is the narrator’s opinion of the Merchant?
Oxford Cleric
1. What can we infer from the Oxford Cleric’s description and that of his horse?
2. Why doesn’t he get a job and buy the necessities of life?
3. How did the OC get his money and on what did he spend it?
4. What would the OC do willingly?
Sergeant at the Law
A Sergeant at the Law was one of the select Lawyers who were advisors to the
king.
1. What hint are we given that tells us that Chaucer does not admire this man
as he says he does?
2. How well does he do his job and what do people think of him that is not
true?
3. Why would he be able to make sure all the rules that came from the Doomsday
Book were followed?
The Franklin
1. What was the Franklin’s main purpose in life?
2. How do we know that guests were treated well in his house?
3. What fresh food did he keep close by?
4. On whom would the Franklin let out his anger and why?
5. What other occupations did he have?
The Merchants / Guildsmen
1. What can we infer about the Haberdasher, Dyer etc. from the way they are
dressed?
2. Why do you think their wives wanted them to be alderman?
The Cook
1. What was the cook able to do besides cook well?
2. What do blancmange and an ulcer have in common and why do you think the
narrator mentions this?
The Skipper
1. What kind of horse and clothes did the Skipper have?
2. What skill did he possess?
3. How did he treat his prisoners and what can you tell when the narrator
mentions the “nicer rules of conscience he ignored”?
4. What do you think “and many other risk” means?
The Doctor
1. What was the basis of the doctor’s knowledge of medicine?
2. Why do you think he is friendly with the apothecaries?
3. How else was he prepared to practice medicine?
4. How would you describe his eating habits?
5. How is he dressed and what flaw does he have?
The Wife of Bath
1. What talent does the wife of Bath have?
2. What is the Wife of Bath concerned about when she goes to church? What does
this tell about her?
3. What can we infer about her from the number of husbands and relationships
she has had?
4. How do we know that she is a true pilgrim?
5. What two physical characteristics does Chaucer mention and why?
6. What was her area of expertise?
The Parson
1. What qualities in the Parson does Chaucer mention in lines
2. How does he differ from the Friar in the line of money?
3. What did the Parson do despite distance, weather or other calamity?
4. What do you think “gold” symbolizes as Chaucer uses it in lines
5. How do we know that he took good care of his sheep?
6. What kind of priest was he; how did he deal with sinners?
7. With whom would he be harsh?
8. What does Chaucer think of him?
The Plowman
1. What Gospel maxim does the Plowman keep?
2. How did he handle troubles he might have?
3. What extraordinary thing did this peasant Plowman do with his money?
4. How do you think Chaucer feels about him? (not in text)
The Miller
1. How does the Miller compare, contrast with Beowulf?
2. What details does Chaucer give about his physical appearance, (which one of
them do you dislike the most) and why do you think Chaucer does this?
3. What two nouns does Chaucer use for the Miller , and what kind of stories
did he tell?
4. What could he do well and how did he use this attribute to his advantage?
5. What particular talent did he possess, and what place does he have in the
line-up of pilgrims as they begin their journey?
The Manciple
1. How did the Manciple manage to buy the food for his masters at a reasonable
price?
2. What were his masters able to do for their noble man, and why were they able
to do this?
3. What amazes Chaucer about the Manciple?
The Reeve
1. How does the Reeve’s physique match his personality?
2. Besides taking care of his master’s crops and animals, what did the Reeve do
exceedingly well?
3. How does the Reeve treat those who work under him?
4. What can we infer about the source of the Reeve’s money?
5. Where does he come in the procession and why is the position particularly
suited to him?
The Summoner
1. What four physical characteristics does Chaucer give about the Summoner, and
what can we infer from this? What kind of person is he?
2. What does Chaucer say about the Summoner’s additions to his face, and what
might we infer from this? (Think hard)
3. Why would you not like to sit close to him, (besides the reasons already
given)?
4. What and how does he jabber when he is drunk?
5. Why does Chaucer say it was possible for the Summoner to learn the Latin
phrases so well?
6. How do we know that the Summoner is not too bright?
7. What oxymoron can you find in these lines, and explain why it is an
oxymoron?
8. How do we know that he can be bribed easily?
9. What does the rascal’s purse have to do with his crime?
10. What can still happen to the person he has let go?
11. Why is the Summoner able to get people to do what he wanted?
The Pardoner
1. How are the Summoner’s and the Pardoner’s occupations connected?
2. What physical characteristics does Chaucer give the Pardoner and what
inference does Chaucer make about him?
3. What does the pardoner pretend to have that he uses to help him be
successful in his job?
4. Whom did the pardoner trick with his trinkets, and how did they benefit him?
5. What other methods did he use to convince people to give to him?
6. What do you think Chaucer is really saying in lines
7. Why do you think the Pardoner put so much effort into his singing during the
Offertory?
Chaucer’s Wrap-Up
1. How does Chaucer restate his “thesis statement” and what does he intend to
tell us before they start on their pilgrimage?
2. Why do you think the narrator claims that he is merely recording what the
others say? What can happen to us if we publicly say something slanderous
about another?
3. What does the narrator think the stories may be like that he needs to
protect himself?
4. Whom does he use as support for his candor?
5. What physical and personality details does Chaucer give us about the Host?
6. How does the Host compliment the pilgrims?
7. What does the host say he would like to do in order to make their trip more
interesting, and how does he ensure that he is not offending anybody?
8. How do the pilgrims respond to the Host’s suggestion?
9. What does the host propose they do during their journey?
10. What will make one of the pilgrims eligible for a free dinner at the Tabard
Inn on their return?
11. Why does the Host join them and what else does he propose to do?
12. How do we know that all the pilgrims are happy to go along with the Host’s
plan?
13. What penalty will the person who refuses to tell a tale have to pay?
14. Who is to tell the first tale?

Samuel Paragraph 10/14/10

Samuel Hamilton

When the narrator introduces Samuel, he says, “Samuel should have been rich from his well rig and his threshing machine and his shop, but he had no gift for business. His customers, always pressed for money, promised payment after harvest, and then after Christmas, and then after – until at last they forgot it. Samuel had no gift for reminding them. And so the Hamiltons remained poor” (Steinbeck 10).



Samuel and Liza used Dr. Gunn’s Family Medicine book to find out how to care for their sick children, and the narrator continues his thoughts about Samuel. “[He] had no equal for soothing hysteria and bringing quiet to a frightened child. It was the sweetness of his tongue and the tenderness of his soul” (11).



The narrator admits that he is relying on photographs and
memories that may have dimmed. However, he is consistent in his description of Samuel, for he says, “And just as there was cleanness about his body, so there was cleanness in his thinking. Men coming to his blacksmith shop to talk and listen dropped their cursing for a while, not from any kind of restraint but automatically, as though this were not the place for it” (11).

Think of Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
Remember the Irish babies…
Think about one thing you would like to change about Louisville or something you would like Louisville to do for its students.
Write a satire (using humor) about your suggestion. (one typed page)
It can be off-the-wall impossible; it can be something you really would like to have happened when you were here. Be creative! Due Monday Essay due Thursday

WH CHS. 32-34

Chapter 32
1. When did the novel begin, and how much time has passed since then
2. How was WH. different this time from his first visit?
3. Who is the housekeeper in Wuthering Heights when Lockwood got there this time?
4. What is the relationship between Hareton and Catherine now?
5. For what purpose did Heathcliff want Nelly at WH?
6. How many ways did Catherine try to make up with Hareton?
7. Why, for a period of time, was Hareton inside instead of working in the fields?
8. For what reason does Hareton reject Cathy’s efforts to make up with him?
9. What does Cathy promise Hareton she will do if he accepts his gift of a book?
10. How does Joseph react to the difference in Hareton and Cathy’s relationship?
11. Why is Nelly Dean particularly happy about the approaching wedding of Cathy and Hareton?


Chapter 33
1. What do Cathy and Hareton do that angers Joseph?
2. How does Cathy use Hareton to get to Heathcliff?
3. Why does Cathy stop criticizing Heathcliff?
4. What bothers Heathcliff so much about looking at Hareton and Cathy?
5. Why does Heathcliff say he no longer seeks revenge on his enemies?
6. Heathcliff says he feels a change coming. What is the “single wish” to which he refers?


Chapter 34
1. What change comes over Heathcliff in Chapter 34?
2. With whom does Heathcliff want to spend time this day?
3. How is Heathcliff’s end similar to Catherine’s?
4. Who discovered Heathcliff’s body and how did he look?
5. What was Joseph’s estimation of Heathcliff?
6. What stories are now told in the village?

28-31

Chapter 28
1. What happens during that time? What has Cathy been doing all the time?
2. What does Heathcliff tell Linton about Cathy’s possessions?
3. With what possession does Heathcliff prove Linton’s ownership?
4. Does what Heathcliff does remind you of an earlier scene?
5. After learning of the events at WH, what decision does Edgar make?
6. How did Edgar Linton die? How did Cathy escape from WH? Does this surprise you?


Chapter 29
1. What does Cathy say to Heathcliff about revenge?
2. What does Heathcliff happily tell Nelly about?
3. Why does Heathcliff say he wished Edgar Linton “had been soldered in lead”?
4. Why does Heathcliff take one side off Catherine’s coffin?
5. What supernatural events does Heathcliff relate?
6. Do you think now that Lockwood’s nightmare was more than just a dream?
7. What kind of life awaits Cathy at WH?
Chapter 30
1. What is the source of most of the information in Chapter 30?
2. How does Zillah compare to Nelly Dean in the area of compassion?
3. What document does Heathcliff show to Cathy after Linton’s death? How is this possible?
4. What is Cathy’s financial position at this time?
5. What fairly minor character is now becoming more important?
6. What is his attitude toward Cathy?
7. Of whom does Cathy remind you of in the way she treats Heathcliff and anyone else who crosses her?
8. “Thus ended Mrs Dean’s story” brings us back t hat part of the novel? What month is it now?


Chapter 31
1. Who returns as chief narrator in Chapter 31?
2. What takes him to WH?
3. What does Nelly Dean send with him and who intercepts it??
4. What can you infer from his subsequent actions?
5. Of what does Cathy accuse Hareton? What is his reaction?
6. How does Mr. Lockwood come to Hareton’s defense?
7. What does Lockwood mean by “He is not envious but emulous of your attainments.”?
8. What is bothering Heathcliff about Hareton?
9. When Lockwood returns from London, how much time has passed and what surprise does he get at TG?

24-27 WH

Chapter 24
1. How does Nelly surprise Cathy when she returns from Wuthering Heights the night she is caught?
2. How did Cathy enjoy her nightly rendezvous?
3. What do the balls they find have inscribed on them?
4. What does Cathy tell Nelly about Hareton?
5. How does Hareton get his revenge on Cathy and Linton?
6. How does Cathy treat Hareton when he tries to apologise?
7. When Cathy goes to tell Linton she won’t visit him anymore, what is his response?
8. Were you surprised that after Cathy poured out her soul to Nelly and begged her not to keep her from visiting Linton, Nelly told Mr. Linton anyway?
9. Why do you think she made that decision? So you agree with her and why?
10. What compromise does Mr. Edgar Linton make?
Chapter 25
1. When does Nelly tell Lockwood these events had happened?
1. What does Nelly suggest to Mr. Lockwood, in a roundabout way?
2. Why do you think Nelly would want this?
3. What does Edgar think is happening to him?
4. Under what condition would Edgar allow Cathy to marry Linton?
5. Do you agree with Nelly that people who do their duty are always rewarded? Does this remind you of any other piece of literature we have read this year?
6. Why does Edgar say he will defer his visit to Catherine’s grave “a little Longer” when he has always gone to the grave on the anniversary of her death before this?
7. Why do you think Heathcliff is unwilling for Linton to call at TG?
8. Between Linton’s letters and Cathy’s cajoling, what agreement is finally reached regarding visits between them?
Chapter 26
1. What is Linton’s physical state on the first meeting with Cathy?
2. What is his mental/emotional state?
3. Why does Linton want Cathy to remain for another half an hour when he is so obviously not enjoying the visit?
4. What is he afraid of and why?
5. What deception is being practiced as far as Edgar is concerned?
6. Do you think they should tell him the truth?
Chapter 27
1. Why is Edgar willing to allow Cathy to visit Linton when Edgar is so ill himself?
2. W hy doesn’t Linton explain why he says he is a traitor to Cathy?
3. With what is Linton threatened if he does not bring Cathy back to the WH with him?
4. If Linton were healthy, how might he have responded?
5. How does Heathcliff prevent Cathy from getting the key away, once he has locked all of them in?
6. What is the worst thing about Cathy’s and Nelly’s being detained at the Heights?
7. How long is Nelly kept locked up? What happens during that time? What has Cathy been doing all the time?
8. What does Heathcliff tell Linton about Cathy’s possessions?
9. With what possession does Heathcliff prove Linton’s ownership?
10. Does what Heathcliff does remind you of an earlier scene

21-23 WH

Chapter 21
1. Who befriends Linton in Wuthering Heights?
2. Why do Edgar and Nelly have no celebration on Cathy’s birthday?
3. Why does Heathcliff want Cathy to see Linton?
4. How old is Cathy when she sees Linton again?
5. What plans does Heathcliff reveal to Nelly, and how would it affect Cathy?
6. Does Cathy seem to have any idea of what a villain Heathcliff is or what has gone on between her father and him?
7. Why does Heathcliff say Edgar does not like him?
8. What do you think Cathy feels when she realizes that a lot has been kept from her by both of these men?
9. Would it have been better if Edgar had informed her about the whole story?
10. In spite of Hareton’s being Hindley’s son, how does Heathcliff feel about him? How does Heathcliff treat Hareton?
11. Why do Cathy and Linton laugh at Hareton?
12. Why does Hareton refrain from hitting Linton?
13. What reason does Edgar give Cathy for Heathcliff’s behavior and why he kept the presence of Linton from her?
14. Since Cathy is forbidden to visit Linton again, what does she do?
15. What spoils her plan?


Chapter 22
1. How does Cathy act after her secret activities are curtailed?
2. What do you think is the real reason for her behavior?
3. How does Nelly exact a promise from Cathy that she will do nothing to cause worry to Edgar?
4. How does Heathcliff get Cathy to go to Wuthering Heights again?
5. What encounter brings about the next visit to Wuthering Heights?
Chapter 23
1. How did Linton feel about writing the letters to Cathy?
2. How does Linton feel about the inhabitants of W.H.?
3. About what do Linton and Cathy have a heated argument?
4. How does Cathy hurt Linton physically?
5. How does the visit with Linton go?
6. Does Linton’s plan to make Cathy feel guilty work out?
7. Where do you think

18-20 WH

Chapter 18
1. How many years does Nelly skip in her narrative
2. What is little Cathy like in appearance as well as in behavior?
3. What are the parameters of Cathy’s life?
4. Why does Isabella write to Edgar?
5. How does Cathy get out of Thrushcross Grange’s property?
6. Where does she go on her unauthorized pony ride?
7. Whom does she meet there and how does she insult him?
8. Who tells Cathy the identity of Hareton?
9. What does Nelly Dean think of Hareton?
10. How does Nelly get Cathy to promise she will not tell her father about their being in Wuthering Heights?
Chapter 19
1. Why is Cathy so excited about the arrival of her cousin?
2. What is Nelly’s first impression of Linton?
3. Does Linton disappoint her?
4. Why does Joseph visit Thrushcross Grange?
5. How long does Linton stay at the Grange?
Chapter 20
1. Who takes Linton to Wuthering Heights?
2. How does Heathcliff react when he first sees his son?
3. How does Heathcliff treat his son?
4. Why do you think Linton is so unsatisfactory according to his father?
5. For what reason does Heathcliff say he will treat Linton well

Chs.15-17 WH

hapter 15

1. Why is Nelly anxious about going out of the house at this time?
2. Why was Heathcliff able to visit Catherine since Edgar has forbidden him to do so?
3. Without being told, what does Heathcliff know about Catherine?
4. What happens when they see each other?
5. Why does Heathcliff say Cathy deserves what is happening to her?
6. How is their reunion marred, and what tragedy follows?
Chapter 16
1. What happens to Cathy in the beginning of chapter 16?
2. Why doesn’t Nelly tell Heathcliff about what has happened to Catherine’s?
3. What does Heathcliff demand Catherine do?
4. Before Cathy is laid to rest, what does Heathcliff do to her?
5. Where was Cathy laid to rest?
Chapter 17
1. Why do you think Emily Bronte chose to have Isabella stop at Thrushcross Grange?
2. What story does Isabella recount about Hindley, Heathcliff and herself?
3. What did Hindley do during Cathy’s funeral?
4. What did Hindley and Isabella do to Heathcliff on the night of Catherine’s burial?
5. What finally happened to Isabella?
6. What promise did Heathcliff make when he heard that Isabella had a son?
7. What happened to Hindley in this chapter?
8. What is Heathcliff’reaction to what happened to Hindley
9. What is Hareton’s financial position now that his father had died?
Chapter 18

WH.11-13

Chapter 12
1. After three long days of fasting, how is Catherine behaving?
2. What does Catherine sway she will do to Heathcliff around page 124?
3. For what two reasons is Edgar angry with Nellyin Chapter 12?
4. What happened to Isabella?
5. is Isabella being treated at WH? What horrible thing did Heathcliff do before he left TG?
6. What is Edgar’s reaction to Isabella’s elopement?
Chapter 13
1. How long did Heathcliff and Isabella stay away?
2. What happened to Catherine while they were gone?
3. What gave a note of hope in Ch. 13?
4. What does Isabella ask Nelly about Heathcliff?
5. How is Isabella treated at WH?
Chapter 14
1. What does Heathcliff insist Nelly do?
2. Does Nelly think it is a good idea?
3. How does Heathcliff get her to help him?
4. What does Heathcliff he would never do to Edgar as long as Catherine wanted him?
5. What is the single pleasure Isabella can imagine?

WH.10-11

Chapter 10
1. What is the change in point of view in the beginning of chapter 10?
2. How did Catherine adjust to married life?
3. What do you think was the cause of her depressed period?
4. Why does Nelly have difficulty recognizing the surprise visitor who visits the Grange?
5. How is he received by Catherine? by Edgar?
6. What do you think is the real reason why Heathcliff is staying at Wuthering Heights?
7. What complication develops regarding Isabella?
8. What is Catherine’s reaction to this complication?
9. What does Catherine tell Heathcliff she has told Isabella?
Chapter 11
1. What upsets Nelly when she visits the Heights?
2. What does Nelly do after she sees Heathcliff kissing Isabella?
3. What happens as a result of this?
4. What does Heathcliff say Catherine has done to him and what is he going to do about it?
5. How does Catherine insult her husband in front of Heathcliff?
6. What uncharacteristic thing does Edgar do?
7. Why does Heathcliff leave the Grange without getting even with Edgar?
8. What decision does Catherine make after the trouble between her husband and her friend?
9. What does Edgar ask Catherine, and how does she respond?
10. Why is Nelly unconcerned about Catherine at first?

Mini Research paper

Find two articles about Emily Bronte. These must be accessed from the data bases in the Louisville portal. Highlight the section you intend to paraphrase and underline or use another color to point out the section you are going to quote directly. Make sure you have all your citation information. due Mon/Tues

Chapters 8-9

Chapter 8
1. What sad event and happy event happen within the first few pages of Chapter 8?
2. What is Hindley’s reaction to the tragedy?
3. How does Hindley treat Heathcliff now; what effect does it have on Heathcliff?
4. In what ways is Catherine leading a double life?
5. How would you describe Edgar?
6. What do you perceive as the real cause of Catherine’s childish behavior toward Nelly and her quarrel with Edgar?
7. What does Edgar’s decide to do even though Nelly tries to warn him?
Chapter 9
1. Who takes care of Hareton? What kind of father is Hindley? Be specific.
2. Why does Heathcliff regret saving Hareton’s life?
3. Why do you think Catherine confides in Nelly?
4. What part of Catherine’s conversation with Nelly does Heathcliff overhear?
5. Which part does he not hear?
6. What does Catherine think about her own decision?
7. What similes does Catherine use to describe her feelings for Linton as opposed to Heathcliff?
8. What are the results of Heathcliff’s leaving Wuthering Heights?
9. How do you imagine Catherine felt at the time of her wedding?
10. What happened as a result of the Lintons taking Catherine to recuperate in their house?

WH 4-7

Ch 4.
1. What did Lockwood ask Nelly Dean to do for him each night?



2. Who is Hareton and what is his position in Wuthering Heights?



3. How did Heathcliff come to be living in the Earnshaw’s house?



4. How did Heathcliff differ from Hindley and Catherine when they were all sick?



5. Why did Heathcliff want Hindley’s horse?



Ch 5.
.
1. Which was Mr. Earnshaw’s favorite child?



2. Why does Hindley go away to school?



3. What about Catherine causes her father to have little patience with her?



4. What happens to Mr. Earnshaw in this chapter, and how does life at Wuthering Heights change as a result?



5. Who comforts Catherine and Heathcliff after they realize what has happened?


Ch 6.

1. Who accompanied Hindley home when he came home for the first time?



2. How did Hindley change the servants’ situation in the household?



3. Why was Catherine kept at Thrushcross Grange?



4. Why was Heathcliff sent away from Thrushcross Grange?



5. Why was Heathcliff disgusted at Linton children?
6.
7. How did Mr. Linton make matters worse for Catherine and Heathcliff the next day?



Ch 7.
1. How long was Catherine away from Wuthering Heights?



2. How had Catherine changed because of her stay at Thrushcross Grange?


3. Why did Catherine laugh at Heathcliff, and what was Heathcliff’s reaction?



4. What did Mrs. Linton say about her children’s visiting Cathy?



5. Why was Heathcliff ordered from the living room after Edgar and Isabella Linton arrived?



6. What did Heathcliff do to Edgar, and why?



7. What does Heathcliff promise himself he will do at some time in the future

Poetry Assignment due Apris 16/ 19

Assignment: You are to write a poem, or poems of at least fourteen lines long. You may write one poem that has fourteen lines if you wish, but you may also write seven couplets or three quatrains and a couplet which are about completely different topics.
Poetry Choices
1. Describe a place you knew in childhood that was important to you. Begin with any of the following: setting, a time, a metaphor, some comparison, a question, an exclamation, or an image.
2. Write a poem that is about a color.
3. Write about your sixth sense, your intuition, in writing about something hidden or mysterious or unspoken or hard to understand.
4. Make a list of things you are able to do. Is there something you do that is different or interesting? Write about it. It really does not have to be anything unusual. You could write about brushing your teeth in the morning.
5. Write a “how to” poem, giving instructions on how to do something or how to get somewhere. It does not have to make sense; use your imagination and have fun.
6. Try to see what you cannot see, in particular the inner life of a human being or another creature. Try to envision what it would be like to be that person or thing. How about the following: your desk in school, a blade of grass, your cell phone etc. . . .
7. Write about something you dislike: a person, place, thing or activity. You might think of something you would normally shun or exterminate, like a roach, or snake or a weed. Try and see what are its merits, does it have any purpose, and does it have any beauty, or simply write about how disgusting it is.
8. Write a poem in which you incorporate the following words: bruise, horse, milk, reason, and bride.
9. Make a list of things: subjects, objects, feelings, and images that you don’t think belong in a poem. Then write a poem about one of them.
10. If you think poems need to be pretty and about beautiful things, try writing one that rejects the conventionally beautiful things, try writing an anti-poem. Remember Shakespeare’s sonnet “My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun.” You might write about a can opener, and use harsh words to convey a sense of gritty realism.
11. You may write a poem of your own choosing. I am requiring at least fourteen lines.

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights Vocabulary:
1. misanthropist 2. impertinence 3. prudential 4. sagacity 5. asseverated 6. curate 7. soliloquized 8. tacit 9. laconic 10. taciturn 11. lachrymose 12. vociferated 13. penetralium 14. physiognomy 15. churlish 16. miscreants 17. querulous
18 culpable 19. sundry 20. dispatch 21 assiduity 22. vapid 23. vindictive 24 execrations

These questions are to be asnwered in writing. This assignment will be worth 10 points:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Chapter 1
1 . How does Lockwood describe the Yorkshire section of England?
2 What makes Lockwood enter the gate, despite Heathcliff’s rudeness?
3. Whose name does Lockwood see carved into the threshold, and why can’t he ask about it
4. What does Lockwood’s instinct tell him about Heathcliff’s reserved manner?
5. Why does Heathcliff leave Lockwood alone with his dogs?
6. What does Lockwood do to cause the dog to attack him?
7. How do Joseph and Heathcliff react to Lockwood’s cry for help?
8. What reasons does Lockwood give for deciding not to make a further issue about his attack?
9. What final impressions does Heathcliff have of Lockwood?
10. Does Lockwood give a reason for wanting to visit again?
Chapter 2
1 . Why does Lockwood decide to return to the Heights?
2. Who lets Lockwood into the house?
3 . How does Lockwood make himself look foolish to the young woman in the kitchen?
4. How does Lockwood respond when she asks him if he has been invited to stay for tea?
5. Who does Lockwood at first assume the young lady to be?
6. What does Lockwood intend to do when he incorrectly assumes she is married to
Hareton?
7. Who unexpectedly tries to accompany Lockwood home?
8. How is Cathy related to Heathcliff?
9. What causes Lockwood to run out of the house?
10. Who comes to Lockwood’s aid when he is again attacked by the dogs?
Chapter 3
1. What did Lockwood see on the walls around his bed in W. H.?
2. How did Lockwood find out about the life of Catherine Earnshaw?
3. What caused Lockwood to scream in the middle of the night?
4. How long did Catherine say she had been roaming the moors?
5. How did Heathcliff know that Lockwood was sleeping in that bed?
6. What did Heathcliff do when Lockwood left the room?
7. How did Lockwood see Heathcliff treat his daughter in law?
8. Who accompanied Lockwood as far as Thrushcross Grange Park on his way home?

General Questions for Analyzing Poetry

General Questions for Analyzing Poetry
1. Who is the speaker? What kind of person is the speaker?
2. What is the occasion?
3. What is the setting in time (hour, season, year)?
4. What is the setting in place (indoors or out, city or country, land, or sea, region, nation)?
5. What is the topic of the poem?
6. State the central idea or theme in one sentence.
7. Outline the poem to show its structure and development or summarize the events of the poem

8. Discuss the diction of the poem. Write the dictionary definition for unfamiliar words.
9. Point out words that are unusual or particularly well-chosen and explain the possible purpose of their use?

10. Discuss the imagery of the poem. What kinds of imagery are used? Is there a pattern to the imagery?

11. Point out examples of metaphor, simile, personification, and metonymy, and explain their appropriateness.

12. Point out and explain examples of paradox, overstatement, understatement, and irony. What is their function?
13. Point out any allusions. What is their function?
14. What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?
15. Point out significant examples of sound repetition (alliteration, assonance, consonance or repetition of words) and explain their function?
16. What is the meter of the poem? Copy two stanzas or 14 lines of the poem and mark its scansion.
17. Criticize and evaluate the poem.

Thesis Notes

English IV
Notes on the literary essay: Thesis

The thesis is what the writer wants to say—the writer’s opinion—boiled down to a single arguable statement. It is the answer to the question, “What’s your point?”

Synonyms for the word thesis: argument, claim, assertion

The writer’s first version of a thesis statement is often called a working thesis.

Strategies for formulating a strong literary thesis
1. Think of a general question or interesting observation related to the novel or play.
Examples:
How do the options for women today differ from those available to Soroya in The Kite Runner?
What is the effect of the culture of Afganistan on Amir’s actions?
Does Nora’s personality seem annoying and childish?
Is Nora really a strong woman when she is away from Torvald?
2. Narrow your chosen subject to a workable size by asking yourself, “What about it interests me most? Or “What is most likely to interest others?”
3. Put an argumentative edge on the narrowed subject
-by simply phrasing it as a statement:
-asking yourself questions about the narrowed topic (Why did this happen? What is surprising about this? What were the various causes? Which character shows this more clearly? How does this happen in the novel? What events are important? Do any symbols reinforce my idea? ) and using the answers as part of the thesis.
4. Gather evidence and information from the literary work. Copy the best 15 or so quotes related to any aspect of your topic. If you are finding too many quotes, narrow your topic further.
5. Look for outside information on the novel, the author, or the time period. Use library data bases for solid literary criticism, not the general Internet. Turn in print outs of these articles and use two or three quotes or paraphrased ideas from them in your essay.
6. Sharpen the “argumentative edge of your thesis by asking yourself, “What am I arguing against? What is the position of the ‘other side’? List any possible evidence from the novel to support the opposition.
7. Evaluate the potential of your decided-upon thesis sentence.
-How much evidence can you find to support this thesis? If you can find only one or two examples in the entire novel, or if you can find only one weak reason, or if you have to stretch the meanings of quotes to support your thesis, you probably need a better thesis.
-Is it a proposition worth supporting? Is it a major theme of the novel? A connection that not everyone will at first see? An interesting parallel? A clear explanation of a complicated idea in the novel? Not a plot fact

Amir’s primary goal of his youth is to gain the love of his father. (True, but this is a fact)
A Doll’s House gives an interesting portrayal of Norwegian Christmas customs. (true, but not the point of the play)

8. Many thesis sentences will benefit from the addition of an essay map, a brief statement attached to the thesis, or elsewhere in the introductory paragraph, that indicates the major points to be discussed in the essay. It will show your divisions.

How will you know you have a good thesis?
A good thesis typically has several key characteristics:
It says something significant about what you have read
It helps your reader understand the literary work better.
It is not obvious or something any reader would already know.
It is at least mildly contestable. Someone would support the other side.
It asserts something you can support in three to five pages.

Chapter 19 Questions

Chapter 19
1. What was the difference between Clerval’s and Victor’s purposes in London?
2. How does Victor feel about the task ahead of him?
3. What country did Clerval hope to visit and why?
4. What was the only deterrent to Clerval’s happiness in London?
5. What does Victor intend to do in the far reaches of Scotland?
6. How did Victor feel while he was in Oxford?
8. Why did Clerval’s mentioning Chamounix bother Victor?
9. What idea haunted Victor as he traveled north to Scotland?
10. What caused Victor to remain by Clerval’s side?
11. Where did they encounter Arthur’s seat? Do you remember who he is?
12. Why does Clerval travel alone to the Scotch person who has invited them?
13. How does the aspect of the place in which Victor decides to work resemble his unhallowed toil?

14. Why do the cottagers take no notice of Victor when he moves into one of the dilapidated cottages?

15. Victor’s approach to his task different is this time, and what caused him to complete it the first time?

16. What did Victor fear might happen any day and any time while he was working on his project?

Essay topics for Frankenstein In-Class Essay

Essay Topics for Frankenstein: Choose one March 29/30
Compare and contrast Victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton.
Was Victor Frankenstein a victim?
Who could be considered the monster by the end of the book?
Compare and contrast Victor with his friend, Clerval.
Examine the women in the novel; what do you think Mary Shelley is saying about women in the novel
You may have nine quotes that you will use?

23-24 Frankenstein

Chapter 23
1. Why does Victor ask Elizabeth to go to bed before he does?
2. What horror occurred for Victor as promised on his wedding day?
3. Why does Victor want to return to Geneva as soon as possible?
4. Why is it ironic that Victor says “no creature had ever been so miserable as I was”?
5. What further sorrow awaited Victor after he returned to Geneva?
6. Why does Victor finally tell his story?
7. What does the magistrate promise Victor?
8. What does Victor commit the remainder of his life to doing?
9. What does the magistrate think of Victor’s story now?

Chapter 24.
1. What is the incentive that keeps Victor alive?
2. What promise does Victor make on his family’s grave?
3. Why do you think the creature is satisfied?
4. How does Victor know where the creature is going at all times?
5. Why does Victor think he was able to continue following the creature despite terrible torments?

6. How did the nights aid Victor in his pursuit?
7. When does Victor say he will give up his search?
8. How does Victor feel when he reaches the land of ice and snow?
9. Why were the villagers glad when the creature left them?
10. What gave Victor a burst of energy after one of his dogs had died and all seemed hopeless?

11. What promise does Victor ask Robert to give him?
12. What really convinced Robert of the truth of Victor’s tale?
13. What gives Victor some sense of peace as he relates his tale to Robert?
14. When does Victor say he will die?
15. Why does Robert grow frightened?
16. What realization does Robert come to about his men?
17. What part does Victor play in Robert’s life at this time?
18. Why was their ship in danger, and what did his men want Robert to do?
19. Why is Victor’s tirade to the sailors so completely unexpected? What does it tell about him?

20. What happens to Victor after his speech?
21. What is Robert’s decision and how does it differ from Victor’s?
22. Why does Victor relent and free Robert from any promise he may have enjoined on him?

23. What is Victor’s last bit of advice to Robert?
24. How does the creature react to Victor’s demise?
25. Why does Robert’s compassion turn to scorn?
26. What does the creature think of himself?
27. What does the creature say he will do after he leaves Robert?
28. Who is the monster? Do you feel any sympathy for Victor? For the Creature?

Chapters 20-21

Chapter 20
1. What three fears does Victor have about this new creation?
2. What greater fear did Victor have when he gave the second creature to his first?
3. When the first creature looks through the window, what did Victor eventually do?
4. Where has the creature been while Victor was traveling to Scotland?
5. Why is it ironic that the creature calls Victor his slave?
6. Why does Victor say he will not keep his promise to his creature?
7. What does the creature say he will do to Victor?
8. How did the creature leave the place where Victor was?
9. Why did the creature manage to get away from Victor?
10. What had the creature said to Victor that caused Victor to be sad for Elizabeth?
11. Why is the following sentence particularly ironic? Victor is describing himself: “I walked about the isle like a restless spectre, separated from all it loved and miserable in the separation” (174). [Chapter 20 Five pages from the beginning]

12. What came for Victor that served as an impetus for him to leave his lonely island?
13. What did Victor do with the new creature he had destroyed and why?
14. Why do you think Victor is able to sleep soundly in the boat?
15. When Victor faces the fact that he may die on the sea, what greater horror occurs to him?

16. Where does Victor land and how do the people greet him?
17. Of what do the people accuse Victor ?
Chapter 21
1. What had the fisherman tripped over on his way home?
2. What about the fisherman’s story bothered Victor?
3. Why did the people say they had seen one boat with one man in it push off from that part of the shore and then return to almost the same place later on?

4. What conclusion had the people come to about Victor?
5. What causes Victor to become ill again, and what does he rave about during his illness?

6. What is the condition of the place in which Victor finds himself when he gets well?
7. What wish did Victor express?
8. Why is the treatment that Victor receives significant?
9. How had Mr. Kirwin shown kindness to Victor?
10. How did Mr. Kirwin learn of Victor’s innocence?
11. Why did Victor recoil in horror when he was told he had a visitor?
12. Why did Victor have to remain in prison after Mr. Kirwin realized he was innocent?

13. What prevented Victor from taking his life this time?
14. What caused Victor to live through his despair/
15. How did Victor feel about leaving Ireland and why?
16. What was his nightmare before his father awakened him on the boat?

Chapters 16-19 Frankenstein

Chapter 16
1. What was the creature’s reaction to what had happened with the cottagers?
2. Why did the creature return to the cottage?
3. What effect did the cottager’s leaving have on the creature?
4. To whom did the creature decide to go after he left his place where the cottage had been?

5. What restored a sense of happiness to the creature as he traveled to Geneva?
6. What occurred that ended with the creature’s being wounded?
7. What predominant feeling did the creature have as he waited weeks for his painful wound to heal?

8. Why did the creature place the picture of Mrs. Frankenstein in the lady’s pocket?
9. What did the creature demand of Frankenstein?
Chapter 17
1. Why does the creature say he is malicious?
2. What does the creature say he will cause if he is not loved?
3. What does the creature say he will give to anyone who will accept him?
4. What does Victor think of the creature’s request?
5. What does the creature promise he will do if Victor accedes to his request?
6. What does Victor say will happen eventually to the exiled creature?
7. What does the creature say will satisfy him so he will leave the inhabitants of man forever?

8. Why does Victor fail to trust the monster?
9. From where does the creature say his vices come?
10. How does Victor feel as he descends the mountain?
11. Why does Victor resolve to make what the creature has asked him to make?

Chapter 18
1. What did Victor do when he felt himself falling into a deep depression?

2. What do you do when you are upset or down? Do you have a favorite place?


3. What does Victor’s father think is causing Victor to be unhappy?
4. What does Mr. Frankenstein propose Victor do in the near future?
5. Why does Victor view his father’s proposition with horror?
6. What reasons does Victor give for beginning his work away from his home?
7. Why does Victor finally come to the idea that his creature will not harm his family while Victor is in England?

8. Whom does Victor believe would give him the most comfort while he is alone?
9. Why do you think does Mary Shelley give so many details of the views of nature?
10. What do you think Victor means when he says that Henry was “a being formed in the ‘very poetry of nature’”?
11. Why do you think Shelley tells us so much about Henry’s enjoyment?
12. What can you infer about Henry from how Victor talks about him and asks, “Where does he now exist”?

13. How can we tell that Victor thought highly of Clerval:?
14. What is the significance of their mentioning the sighting of the many steeples of London along with the Tower of London?

Chapter 12

1.What did the creature do to the cottagers that he realized hurt them.
2. In what two ways did the creature help the cottagers?
3.How did the creature react to his image in the water?
4. How did the creature react to spring?
Ch. 13
1.How did Felix receive the lady who rode up to their cottage?
2. Why did she have a difficult time communicating with the cottagers?
3. What did the creature and the lady do simultaneously?
4. Why was Volney’s Ruins of Empires significant for the creature?
5. What did the creature discover entitled a man to respect, and how did this affect him?

6. What did his understanding of a human child’s upbringing cause for the creature?

Chapter14
1. What had been the situation of the De Lacey’s in France, and who had been the cause of their downfall?

2. What happened to Safie’s father that caused Felix to become involved in his life?
3. What treasure of the Turk’s did Felix desire to have?
4. Who had been Safie’s mother and how did this influence Safie?
5. How did the Turk really feel about his daughter’ marrying Felix, and why did he allow Felix understand that Safie would be his?

6. How did the French government punish Felix and his family for helping the turk?
7. How did Safie come to discover her father’s betrayal of Felix and herself?


Chapter 15
1. What were the qualities of humans to which the creature adhered at this time?
2. How did the creature’s reading of the Sorrows of Werter influence the him?
3. What was the despairing truth to which he came as he thought about the circumstances of the characters in these works?

4. What was the effect of Plutarch’s Lives and Paradise Lost on him?
5. What else had the creature found that caused him great sorrow?
6. How did the creature’s state differ from that of Adam and even from the deamons of hell?

7. Why did the creature delay his revealing himself to the cottagers?
8. How did the creature introduce himself to the people and what was the result?

Chapter 13
1. How did Felix receive the lady who rode up to their cottage?
2. Why did she have a difficult time communicating with the cottagers?
3. What did the creature and the lady do simultaneously?
4. Why was Volney’s Ruins of Empires significant for the creature?
5. What did the creature discover entitled a man to respect, and how did this affect him?

6. What did his understanding of a human child’s upbringing cause for the creature?

Chapter14
1. What had been the situation of the De Lacey’s in France, and who had been the cause of their downfall?

2. What happened to Safie’s father that caused Felix to become involved in his life?
3. What treasure of the Turk’s did Felix desire to have?
4. Who had been Safie’s mother and how did this influence Safie?
5. How did the Turk really feel about his daughter’ marrying Felix, and why did he allow Felix understand that Safie would be his?

6. How did the French government punish Felix and his family for helping the turk?
7. How did Safie come to discover her father’s betrayal of Felix and herself?


Chapter 15
1. What were the qualities of humans to which the creature adhered at this time?
2. How did the creature’s reading of the Sorrows of Werter influence the him?
3. What was the despairing truth to which he came as he thought about the circumstances of the characters in these works?

4. What was the effect of Plutarch’s Lives and Paradise Lost on him?
5. What else had the creature found that caused him great sorrow?
6. How did the creature’s state differ from that of Adam and even from the deamons of hell?

7. Why did the creature delay his revealing himself to the cottagers?
8. How did the creature introduce himself to the people and what was the result?

Chapter 8
1. What incriminating evidence is there against Justine?
2. Why does Justine confess to having committed the crime?
3. What was the effect of Justine’s confession on Elizabeth?
4. Why does Justine admit to committing the crime?
5. Why does Victor feel “such deep and bitter agony”?
6. Why does Justine die in peace?
Chapter 9
1. What had been Victor’s original intention and how has it turned out?
2. What keeps Victor from ending his life, and what does this tell about him?
3. How does Victor feel after the death of Justine, and why do you think he still keeps his secret to himself?

4. How does Justine’s death affect Elizabeth?
5. How does Elizabeth’s pain affect Victor?
6. Why does Victor go to the Valley of Chamounix?
Chapter 10
1. How did nature affect Victor and why does he decide to climb to Montanvert alone without a guide?

2. Whom did Victor encounter at the moment his heart is rejoicing in the wonder of Mount Blanc in its “awful majesty”?

3. What was the expression on the face of the person Victor meets?
4. How does Victor address the companion?
5. What does his creature tell Victor about himself?
6. What does Victor want to do to the creature he has created?
7. Of what does his creature say he is deprived?
8. Why does Victor relent and go to listen to the creature’s tale?
Chapter 11
1. How does the creature describe his first sensations?
2. What are his first experiences of life like?
3. What uses did he make of fire, and why does he leave the fire behind?
4. How did the villagers respond to the creature?
5. Why is it ironic that the creature refers to the “barbarity of man”?
6. What was significant about the three people who lived in the cottage next to the hovel in which the creature took refuge?
7. What did the creature notice about the relationship between the grey-haired man and the two others?

8. How was the younger man different from the others?

Chapter 8
1. What incriminating evidence is there against Justine?
2. Why does Justine confess to having committed the crime?
3. What was the effect of Justine’s confession on Elizabeth?
4. Why does Justine admit to committing the crime?
5. Why does Victor feel “such deep and bitter agony”?
6. Why does Justine die in peace?
Chapter 9
1. What had been Victor’s original intention and how has it turned out?
2. What keeps Victor from ending his life, and what does this tell about him?
3. How does Victor feel after the death of Justine, and why do you think he still keeps his secret to himself?

4. How does Justine’s death affect Elizabeth?
5. How does Elizabeth’s pain affect Victor?
6. Why does Victor go to the Valley of Chamounix?
Chapter 10
1. How did nature affect Victor and why does he decide to climb to Montanvert alone without a guide?

2. Whom did Victor encounter at the moment his heart is rejoicing in the wonder of Mount Blanc in its “awful majesty”?

3. What was the expression on the face of the person Victor meets?
4. How does Victor address the companion?
5. What does his creature tell Victor about himself?
6. What does Victor want to do to the creature he has created?
7. Of what does his creature say he is deprived?
8. Why does Victor relent and go to listen to the creature’s tale?

Frankenstein close-reading Questions

Chapter 5
1. Describe Victor’s monster before he animates him.
2. What was Victor’s attitude toward the creature he had created?
3. What was Victor do when his monster came to his bedside?
4. What had become of Victor’s dream?
5. Why is it significant that the first thing Victor sees the next morning is the church and its high white steeple?
6. What does the arrival of Clerval cause for Victor? What might be the significance of this?
7. How does Victor behave when he and Clerval are in his room, and what does it tell us about Victor’s state of mind?
8. How does Clerval show his loyalty and friendship to Victor?
Chapter 6
1. What changes have occurred in Ernest during the duration of Victor’s absence?
2. How and why did Justine Moritz become part of the Frankenstein family?
3. Why does Justine leave Frankenstein’s family and why does she return again?
4. What is your impression of Victor’s little brother William?
5. How does Victor feel when he introduces Clerval to his professors and they show their instruments to him and talk about chemistry?

6. How did Victor pass the time during the winter he spent with Clerval?
7. What does Victor realize his pursuit of knowledge has been for him?
Chapter 7
1. What horrific news doesictor’s father give Victor in his letter?
2. Why is Elizabeth especially affected by William’s death?
3. What does Victor realize about William’s death and why does he come to this realization?
4. Why does Victor resolve to remain silent about the murderer?
5. Who is accused of the crime and why is it particularly difficult for Victor’s family?

Chapter 8
1. What incriminating evidence is there against Justine?
2. Why does Justine confess to having committed the crime?
3. What was the effect of Justine’s confession on Elizabeth?
4. Why does Justine admit to committing the crime?
5. Why does Victor feel “such deep and bitter agony”?
6. Why does Justine die in peace?

"A Modest Proposal"
Date: 1729
Author: Jonathan Swift
From: Critical Companion to Jonathan Swift: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion.


What strikes readers from Swift's time to now is the shocking proposal of the nameless projector who unites, in one personality, a cold rationality and a systematically inhuman response to the crisis of poverty and famine in Ireland. His failure to grasp the horror of his solutions suggests the distortion of the culture and the success of prevailing political and economic logic taken to its extreme. By explaining his scheme using arithmetic formulas and an annoying scientific detachment, the projector adopts a tone of superiority and snobbery, which aids in convincing his readers of the wisdom of the argument. Swift crafts this character effectively so the projector seems to compete with all other schemers for the prize for reasonableness and the eternal gratitude of his fellow citizens.

To cannibalize the children of the poor as a commercial venture would obviously by impossible for any culture that considers itself civilized, yet this "modest proposal" does encourage the reader to at least admit the logical extreme leading from England's conduct toward Ireland. The Modest Proposer's outrageous plan unfolds without apology or regret, implying that the efficiency and feasibility of the ideas must surely outweigh other considerations. The difference between the proposer and Swift remains quite distinct, as Swift implicitly urges the reader toward a more compassionate answer to this problem.

The persona of the speaker will remind readers of those social engineers or actuaries who calculate risks, life expectancies, and premiums based on endless lists of statistics and computations. The projector's cool use of figures and bestial imagery (casually referring, for example, to a "child dropped from its dam" and proposing that wives become breeders in some national program, as if we were visiting a national collective farm) becomes an unforgettable emblem of English indifference to Irish humanity and suffering. However, this analysis does not precisely answer the situation as presented: The speaker, whom we have already come to distrust and regard as crazy, is an Irishman, not an Englishman. Swift has little toleration for those Irish who submit to this pattern of brutalization and blindly follow the mad projector's scheme.

This occasional essay, parodying the well-recognized "projects" of many contemporary writers, reveals a straightforward design with clear grouping of paragraphs offering the proposal in a reasonable voice, which heightens the effect of the absolutely mad plan. The first half of the essay (or paragraphs 1–16) presents the scheme as a way of alleviating famine, reducing or eliminating abortion, and putting good scientific methods into practice. Arguing that little money can be made from selling "a boy or girl, before twelve years old" into slavery, Swift shows the merchants willingly engaging in whatever commodity may turn a profit. A later example accuses Americans of using cannibalism as an acceptable food source, which certainly suggests the degree to which Swift blamed the Irish for emigrating to America and depopulating Ireland. The last half of the proposal (which has two sections, containing paragraphs 17–28 and 29–33) continues to puncture dishonesty and complacency by appealing to readers' patriotism and love of his fellow citizens.

The proposer's success in turning the most shameful plan into a reasonable defense has much to do with the success of the essay, as the proposer answers the major objection of cruelty to his fellow man. Professing a complete sense of humanity, he envisions a method for ridding the society of the aged and the sick. Returning to his calculations, he poses the distinct advantages of his scheme, enumerating each while adding a sentence or two of clarification: "Fourthly, the constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum, by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year." Having studied numerous pamphlet proposals and parliamentary debates over the years for the improvement of the Irish, Swift finally grew tired of their impracticality and general self-destructiveness, and created his own hellish projection—one meant to shock the reader by the force of his rhetoric.

The final five paragraphs heighten his tone of despair as he discounts all objections to his proposal—"let no man talk to me of other expedients." The debater's technique of denouncing all other arguments that might refute his own has the effect of sweeping aside what are the implied humane and compassionate solutions while embracing the inhuman expedients. Rising to his final peroration, the proposer announces his qualifications for making such projections and reiterates his most convincing arguments, while suggesting his annoyance that any reader might accuse him of seeking personal financial gain in realizing this proposal. A final sentence undercutting his character delivers the last stroke of irony in this cannibalistic world: "I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny."

Whether one decides Swift wrote the essay because he was angry or in a fit of despair over Ireland's economic condition, the fact remains he blames both the English and Irish for the people's misery. Critics suggest the tone and essential theme recall the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, who rebuked a corrupt people, but Swift complicates this voice with impersonations of a projector, a scientist, and a moralist. As with all of his strongly ironic essays, there is a clear difference between the voices of the proposer and the author, so the projector's political and economic views secure the most commanding presence while nearly muting the author's call for moral understanding. In addition to the "Proposal," numerous other writings reflect Swift's concern with what he saw as England's oppression of the Irish. Some examples are "A Short View of the State of Ireland" (often read as a preface to "A Modest Proposal"), "The Story of an Injured Lady," The Drapier's Letters, and the episodes involving Laputa in Part 3 of Gulliver's Travels.

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Read this and write your opinion about the critics viewpoint. Do you agree or disagree. This is to be no longer than one typed page. It is worth 20 points. due Tuesday/Wednesday.


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Choose an outside reading book either from the list published in the library site, or choose one of your own. Please do not choose one you have already read. write your name and the title of your book in the post it section.

"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift

Read "A Modest Proposal." Answer the questions you received in class. Swift's essay is one of the most skilled pieces of persuasive writing used for satire. Satire is a type of writing in which the author uses humor to point out the flaws in society, government etc.Chaucer used this device when he wrote The Canterbury Tales. Then write your opinion about the article by posting a comment in the space below. This is not optional; all students are to give some reaction to the piece, or comment on something somebody else has said. I am looking forward to your opinions.
Close Reading Questions
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift

1. What format does Swift appear to be using for his satire on the treatment of the Irish by the British, who at this time ruled over them?

2. What causes distress for the people who walk the streets of Dublin?

3. Who does he feel should have a statue erected to his honor?

4. What is Swift insinuating is the cause of the “present deplorable state of the Kingdom?

5. How do we know that Swift has tried to find an answer to this problem before this?

6. How old are the children that Swift intends to provide for?

7. What does he achieve when he refers to the “horrid practice” of abortion and the “sacrificing of the poor innocent babes”?


8. What advantage does he say his proposal will have?

9. Why dos the narrator think the food he proposes is “very proper for the landlords”?

10. What is the connotation of referring to the wives as breeders?


11. Why does he say it would be impossible to provide for the number of children that are born? What do you think he achieves by saying this?


12. What methods of satire are used in the passage about the market value of children?


13. What is his “modest proposal”? What effect is achieved by calling the proposal modest? What is he doing here?


14. Why does he plan to allow one-fourth of the males top grow to adulthood?

15. To whom will the babies be sold?

16. How have the landlords “devoured” the present parents of children? Why do you think he uses the word devoured? What is the connotation of this word?


17. How is Swift satirizing Catholics in general?

18. In discussing the economics of his proposal, what kind of appeal is the writer making? How is he hoping to persuade his readers?


19. When the narrator suggests “dressing” children “hot from the knife” what does he mean? What effect does he expect his word choice to have?


20. Why does Swift disagree with the suggestion of his friend?

21. What effect does the narrator’s reference to his objection to cruelty have on you?

22. Why does the narrator reject the idea of selling and eating the twelve to fourteen year olds?

23. Why does the narrator say they do not have to worry about the sick and elderly?


24. What are the six advantages he says can be gained form his proposal?





25. In the paragraph beginning “Supposing that one thousand families. . .” what is he using in order to push his proposal?


26. What is the difference between the proposals in italics and Swift’s ‘modest proposal”?


27. What insight do we get into Swift’s real feelings about the situation in Ireland from the paragraph which begins “But as to myself,. . .”?


28. What are the problems that must be solved in Ireland at this time according to the narrator?


29. With what kind of appeals does Swift close his essay?


30. What is the true purpose of Swift’s essay?

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We will use this blog to communicate assignments that I would like you to complete either on paper or online.

Students who were on the field trip or were absent last Thursday: you are to write a paragraph on Lady Macbeth using the quotes I have on the board. You may type or handwrite your paragraph. You are to time yourself and complete it in 15 minutes. Write your beginning time and your concluding time. This is on the honor system