agenda | 17 june 2009

Note: I've changed on the homework for tomorrow that you should blog about your group's choice of story rather than answering discussion questions for "The Several Blessings of Wang Ta-nien." Still, you need to be prepared to discuss the story in class.

Also, remember that we are meeting in the New Media Writing Studio (Rickel 38) tomorrow morning.

Agenda

• Attendance Quiz
• Discussion of "The Several Blessings of Wang Ta-nien"
• Group Work Day
  

Discussion Questions

• What are the "several blessings" of the title?
• What conflicts appear in the story? Which of the conflicts seems to be most central to the story?
• What do you think is the significance of Ta-nien's schedule and the description of it? What about Wen-chin's mocking of it?
  
• The plot of the story seems somewhat straight forward and easily mapped, but there are several moments when the story gets deeper.
  

First, how do you read the flashbacks to the you of Ta-nien, the Sage, and Wen-chin? What seems important about these sections and the details included?


Second, re-read the final three paragraphs of the story on pp. 1174-75 (from "For a long moment..." to the end). What appears important in this passage? What deeper meaning is implied by this section?

What other sections do you think demonstrate more depth than initially meets the eye?


• As with our readings for Tuesday, the setting is important in the story and to its author. What do you think is the significance of the setting in this story?
  
• What do you think is the larger message or meaning of this story? Are there more universal implications that extend beyond the limitations of the story?
  

Homework due 6/18

• Read "Good Country People"
• Blog in response to one of the discussion questions
• Complete any activities required for your group