WEEK 4 DISCUSSION 4.2: Interpreting LiteratureDiscussion TopicI’m Done

AVOID the words “In my opinion,” “to me,” “I think,” “I feel” etc. State your ideas and support with information and concepts from class materials!

Choose ONE of the following questions for your primary in depth contribution (2-4 paragraphs), and give a substantive response (2+ sentences) to at least one other student. Rely on class sources only. Do not use outside sources.

1.  DISSECTING A STORY

Using the information you have gathered about Literary analysis, literary language, literary genres, and literary terms in this week’s materials, analyze a short story from this week’s content in light of its construction (plot, character, etc), theme(s), genre and devices.  Be sure to incorporate literary terminology from this week’s readings. Remember, you are analyzing and not simply summarizing or retelling the story.

2.  POETIC JOURNEYS

Both Keats and Han Shan explore the theme of a journey, symbolic or literary.  Using the information you have gathered about literary language, literary genres, poetic structure and literary terms in this week’s materials, compare and contrast the Keats’ sonnet with three of the Cold Mountain poems in light of this journey theme.  What cultural identities and distinctions inform your analysis?

3.  VARIATIONS ON A THEME:  POETRY AND PROSE

Compare and contrast one of the poems and one of the stories. How do they compare in structure? Style? Content? Identify a common theme between the two. Using the information you have gathered about literary analysis, literary language, literary genres, and literary terms in this week’s materials, compare and contrast the two pieces in light of this theme.

Discussion posts are due by Sunday at 11:30PM ET. Include at least one response to fellow classmates. Note: you will need to post your work first before reading/commenting on that of your classmates. You will not see any other postings until you post your own. You may not delete or edit posts. You may add to posts by replying to your initial post.
Discussion locks shortly after due date/time.