Directions: After reading the lecture, answer one of the questions below. This answer is due no later than Thursday, Feb. 23.
A well thought out answer will probably be two or three substantial paragraphs (250-350 words on average).
Your responses to other students' answers are due by midnight on Sunday, Feb. 26. Remember: in order to get the full 20 points, you MUST respond thoughtfully to at least 2 other people's postings.
Respond thoughtfully to other people's postings. Just saying "I agree" or "I disagree" does not constitute a thoughtful response. Add to the discussion with very specific, concrete examples (some from the texts, some from personal experience); it's also a good idea to ask questions which will further the discussion.
This set of discussion questions is worth a possible 20 points. Late answers receive 0 points, so post early :)
More details, with sample questions and answers, can be found on the Discussion Board itself, under the heading "Info on Discussion Questions." Please read this carefully so you know how to get the most points for the discussions.
We will be using the Canvas Discussion Board for this class. Click on the link below to get to the LACCD portal, sign in, and then click on the link for Canvas in the right column. This will take you to the Canvas dashboard. From there, click on the square with the name of our class. Once you've entered the class, you will find the "Discussions" link on the left side of the screen:
WARNING! These discussion questions will reveal plot points. If you don't want to know what happens, wait until you have finished the novels to read them.
Just answer ONE of the following questions.
1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has created controversy because some consider it racist. Is this a racist novel? If so, explain what is racist about it. If not, explain why not. Give specific examples and direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
2. In Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman paints an optimistic portrait of the United States as a glorious, democratic place, full of human potential and endless possibilities. In Huck Hinn, does Mark Twain paint the same picture of the United States? Give specific examples and direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
3. In Daisy Miller, what purpose is served by Daisy's death? Does it help reinforce the themes of the novel? Explain. Give specific examples and direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
4. Do Winterbourne's encounters with Daisy change him in any way? Explain. Give specific examples and direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
5. Should The Turn of the Screw be interpreted as a ghost story, or as a story of madness, or as some combination of the two? Explain. Give specific examples and direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
For further information on these works, see the Links page.