agenda | 18 june 2009

Agenda

• Attendance Quiz
• Discussion of "Good Country People"
• Group work time
  

Discussion Questions

• In "Good Country People", there are plenty of instances of conflict. Which conflict do you think drives the story the most? Which conflict makes the story the most interesting?
• The names in the story seem to hold some meaning. What do you make of some of the names in the story? Hopewell? Freeman? Joy's name change to Hulga? Manley Pointer?
  
• The phrase "good country people" from the title is repeated a number of times throughout the story. What is the effect of this repetition? How does this phrase become ironic in the story?
• The author (Flannery O'Connor) is known for her religious views, belief in Roman Catholic doctrine, and devout faith. How do you think her personal views on religion impact the story? What do you think O'Connor's purpose might have been in including the many mentions of faith, the Bible, Christianity, etc.?
  

Homework due 6/19

• Read "Everything that Rises Must Converge" (p. 1226) and O'Connor's views on "The Nature and Aim of Fiction" (p. 1658)
  
• Blog in response to one of the discussion questions
• Complete any action items assigned by your group