Agenda
- Attendance Quiz
- Group presentation on "A Worn Path"
- Discussion of "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"
- Discuss structure for final exam
Discussion Questions for "A Worn Path"
- Do a close reading on pg 1549 starting with “All right. The doctor said…”, and after reading, what is your opinion on Phoenix's grandson? Is he dead or alive?
- What effect do Phoenix’s conversations with herself have on the story?
- Do you think she is in a right state of mind? Or is this all in her head?
- What do you think of the interactions between the different characters and Phoenix? Do you think any one of them is significant?
- How do you feel about all the character being flat? How do you think the story would change if the characters were round?
- What types of conflict are in the story, and which one do you think drives the story?
- Are you sympathetic towards Phoenix, or any other characters?
- What's the effect of having an outside narrator?
- Since Phoenix is the only known person of African American decent, do you think race has a part in this story?
- What's the larger message of the story?
Discussion Questions for "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"
- Consider Porter's use of Granny Weatherall as a narrator. What is the effect of the first person narration? Is she a reliable narrator? What do you think we're missing by focusing on her view?
- The verb "to jilt" is defined as "to drop (as a lover) capriciously or unfeelingly." Often, it's used to indicated when someone is left on his/her wedding day. What does "the jilting" of the title refer to within the story? How many jiltings are there?
- Beyond the narration of the present scene on Granny's deathbed, there are a number of flashbacks. What types of things are included in the flashbacks? What do these flashbacks add to the story? What is their use?
- There is a significant religious aspect to the story with the moments of prayer and the inclusion of the priest, Father Connolly. How does Granny Weatherall's Catholic faith impact the story? Why is the priest there?
Homework due 6/30
- Read the story you didn't read on Monday, June 15: "The Conscience of the Court" or "The Man Who Was Almost a Man"
- Blog in response to one of the discussion questions
No comments:
Post a Comment