For Tuesday, March 18

Our next novel will be Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.  You can find this novel in your textbook; you can download it for free on Kindle, or you can purchase it from a local bookstore.  We will begin this novel right after spring break.  As a preview, look up some impressionist paintings.  Pick a favorite, write down the title to share with class.

On Tuesday, you will finish your Pairs-Essay over House on Mango Street.  You might do a quick mental review on Monday night, so you are ready to go Tuesday morning.

Finally, over spring break, I want you to read three short stories.  You do not need to write anything for any of the stories, but annotations in your margin would be helpful as we'll look at these stories upon our return. I have included a few questions to GUIDE your reading.   Here are the selections:

"Moths", by Helen Verimontes  As with House on Mango Street, this story focuses on a particular culture.  The symbolism of the moths is exceptionally strong...what do you think they represent in the story?  How does the work Abuelita asks the narrator to do--planting, cooking--help the teenager deail with her pent-up anger?

"Ring of Time", by E.B. White  As we did with Prufrock, examine the nature of time in this story.  What do you believe White is saying about time and, maybe even, the suspension of time.

"Conversion of the Jews", by Phillip Roth  Identify the themes in the story.

Before returning to class next on March 18, select a favorite from these three.

Don't forget to wear green on Monday the 17th:)