agenda | 16 june 2009

Agenda

• Attendance Quiz
• Discuss "The Conversion of the Jews" and "Angel Levine"
• Group Meeting and Planning Session; Agenda available here
  

Discussion Questions

• Both of these stories deal with faith, doubt, and questioning. How do you feel about the way the adults handled Ozzie's questions in "Conversion"? Was he out of line to ask so many questions? What do you think about Manischevitz and his questions in "Angel"?
  
• Roth has been widely criticized for the negative image he paints of his Jewish characters. Do you think the Jewish characters in "Conversion" are presented negatively? If so, what might be Roth's purpose in this portrayal?
• Malamud's "Angel" has often been connected with the Biblical story of Job. If you're unfamiliar with the story, the Jewish Encyclopedia offers a summary of the book of Job, and Bible Gateway offers the full text. From what you know if the story, what are the connections between the situations of Job and Manischevitz? What do you think Malamud's purpose is in making the link between the two stories?
  
• "Angel" and "Conversion" were originally published shortly after the end of World War II (only 5 years and 14 years, respectively). How do the stories relate to the historical situation? What effect do you think the recent Holocaust has on each story? on its characters? on its themes? How do other cultural situations impact each story (race, class, location, age, etc.)?
  
• Are any characters in the stories sympathetic to you? If so, which characters in the stories are most sympathetic?
• What message do you think each author is trying to convey in his story? How does he convey it? How can we apply his message/theme beyond the situation of the characters in the story?

Homework due 6/17

• Read "The Several Blessings of Wan Ta-nien"
  
• CHANGE: Blog about the story your group has selected for your presentation. Why did you select it? What about it appeals to you?