(1) To whom on earth might we compare the "mufti"? How so?

(2) Who has the better scientific and philosophical approach to "figuring out" things: Micromegas or the Saturnian Dwarf?

(3) Does the story give any sense of Voltaire's political beliefs? If so, where and how?

(4) What sort of readers do you think would be offended by "Micromegas"?

(5) Does the story "Micromegas" have a male "feel" to it, a female "feel" to it, or neither?

Do you believe that "everything happens for a reason," that everything "works out in the end"? Why or why not?

What's good about (1) AIDS, (2) mental retardation, (3) nuclear holocaust?

Based upon your reading of these chapters, how would you describe Voltaire's view of Christianity and Christians?

If you were to choose one sentence or passage from the book to hang on your fridge for a few days, what would it be? Why?

If you were to produce a movie on Candide, what actors would you get to play: the Grand Inquisitor, Don Issachar the Jew, Cunegund, Pangloss, and Candide?

Voltaire's intellectual rival, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, championed the ideal of the "noble savage," the individual who turns his or her back on the corrupting influences of society and lives in perfect harmony with Nature as our ancient ancestors once did. Where, and how, in these chapters does Voltaire address this sort of philosophy?

Isn't Voltaire unnecessarily graphic (especially for the 18th century)? What possible value could such grotesque incidents described in these chapters possibly have for readers?

What does the book Candide seem to imply about the following "issues" that we in today's world also hear about: (1) racism, (2) anti-semitism, (3) male violence against women, (4) war, (5) religion, (6) the colonization of the "New World"?

El Dorado is a "utopia." How so? And how is it a utopia especially for Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire?

Is Candide's encounter with the "negro" at Surinam truly a pivotal moment in the book, as some critics claim?

The book Candide attacks Leibnitz's philosophy of optimism. Martin is clearly NOT an optimist. Is his outlook on life more realistic? Why or why not? (continued, next page...)

Speaking from the heart, what would be your response to someone who told you: "When I hear a slow love song by the Backstreet Boys, tears roll down my cheeks, and my whole being is elevated to a state of spiritual and emotional bliss!"

Which nation was more civilized, El Dorado or Paris? Why?

If this class were taught by Pococurante, would you be psyched? Or not?

Candide's deep-rooted love for Cunegund is what sustains and empowers him through all his struggles. Although Voltaire trashes a lot of things most people hold in high regard, surely his book promotes the optimistic notion that love--in this case, the love of a man for a woman--is surely something we can trust and have faith in. Hence, might Candide be read as a compelling romance novel?

A former student once proclaimed: "The ending of this book is stupid!" Do you agree or disagree. How should it have ended, in your opinion?

How does this story fall within the categories of romanticism and gothicism?

A 21st Century reader (in other words, you) may find this story laughably clichéd. Compare this story to the others, including movies, that use the same narrative techniques.

Consider this statement: "Some scholars see [this story] as an exploration of the artistic imagination; others view it as dealing with erotic sexual interests; [and still others believe that] Poe concerns himself with the nature of insanity, the scientific explanations behind supernatural events, or various social implications." Do you see any of this stuff in the story?

Do you believe that a place can be sentient? That a place can reflect the "vibes" or mental disposition of people occupying it?

What is this story about?

The narrator says: "I am not more sure that my soul lives, than I am that perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart--one of the indivisible primary faculties, or sentiments, which give direction to the character of Man." Are people really as "perverted" as he thinks?

Would you call the narrator an "emotional" man, or not? Does the story explore the region of emotions in the narrator--or is there none to explore?

Poe takes us deep into a dungeon at a notorious torture chamber (Toledo) run by Franciscan monks during the Spanish Inquisition. Does the fact that the story takes place in an actual historical time and setting contribute to the story's effect?

In this story, as in others, Poe touches on a number of phobias people have. What are some of these phobias? Do they enhance or distract your reading of the story?

(continued, next page....)

The condition the narrator finds himself in requires the acute awareness of his five senses. What senses in particular are of vital importance here?

"The Masque" is an unusual story by Poe in that it is an allegory--that is, a symbolic story--and Poe didn't like to write allegorically. At any rate: What do you think this story symbolizes?

What would be an example of a totally unacceptable costume someone wouldn't dare wear even to a costume party?

In "The Cask" we don't know what Fortunato did to deserve the revenge this narrator takes on him. Please "complete" the story by giving a more precise motive to the narrator's act of revenge.

With whom do you identify most, the narrator, or Fortunato? Why?

M. 3/5: Review and Writing Skills Discussion

W: 3/7: Midterm Paper Due

Week 7 Spring Break

How does this story "fit" into the genre of realism?

What is it about Mattie that attracts and engages Ethan? Just her looks? Or more?

Does Zeena (Zenobia) strike you as one who is truly physically sick, or whose sicknesses are all in her head? Explain.

Whatever possessed foolish Mattie to use Zeena's prized pickel dish?

Chapter 5 (V) proves--a feminist friend once said--that this story couldn't have been written by anyone other than a woman. What do you think she meant by that? Do you agree? Or not?

Find a passage from the book that you think is very vivid, very real.

Who's the strongest character in the story, and who's the weakest?

Wasn't it selfish of Mattie to suggest a suicide pact? Or does it make perfect sense?

That Ethan second-guesses his plan to "deceive two kindly people who had pitied him" (70) a sign of weakness or of strength?

What are the forces of oppression in this story? Do they exist today, or only then at the turn of the 20th century?

If you were asked to adapt this story to a made-for-TV special, what would you change, if anything?

This story, when read carefully, is a very shrewd expose of "politics" being played by ladies in a social club. Choose one thing that is said or done and discuss its "political" nature.

(continued, next page....)

Even though this story may involve characters and a scene very much distant from your own, does it have relevance to today's world?

Do these characters have much depth? Or are they mostly surface? How is Wharton's characterization here effective or ineffective?

Find one sentence you find exceptionally haughty or pretentious, and read it out loud in that manner.

In what ways does this story differ from Ethan Frome?

This story is extremely popular and has been reprinted hundreds of times in anthologies and literature textbooks. Is it really that good? What is the source of this story's popularity?

What are some things--not just one thing--this story reveals about nature, the natural world, and our relationship with it?

Originally the dog and the man had names, but London took them out before this story was published. Why do you think he did this?

London writes about the man: "The problem was that he lacked imagination." Why do you feel he used the word "imagination" rather than, say, "intelligence"?

Does the story in any way hint at London's socialist principles?

Buck sees the club as "the reign of primitive law." What in your world do you see as representative of "primitive law," and why?

From an omniscient point of view, London gives us access to Buck's mind. Does he give us access to Buck's psychology? Where and when?

London, like Wharton, is very perceptive. Unlike Wharton, he tends to overdramatize. Find a passage where the writing is over-the-top dramatic, and read it dramatically out loud. Is this dramatic flair of his effective or ineffective?

If this were a Hollywood movie about people, what actors would you cast to play: Curly, Spitz, the man in the red sweater, and Buck?

Is leadership something that nature endows certain people with, genetically perhaps; is in part of some people's "nature"? Of is leadership the result of social and cultural factors?

Describe a time (nonsexual) when you, too, experienced the "ecstasy" felt by Buck on page 29. Describe, as well, a time when you experienced quite the opposite of this.

Do you feel London goes too far in personifying dogs--that is, are they more like humans than animals? Or is does his portrayal of them seem apt?

Please find a passage that you feel serves as an example of good writing and explain what you like about it?

Do you feel that Buck's "genuine passionate love" for Thorton is a flaw in the novel? Why or why not?

What is the "call of the wild"? Is it an actual howl in the night, or more? Are humans capable of hearing a similar "call." If so, what would it be calling out to them?

In what ways might this novel be compared to a typical Hollywood blockbuster?

Read and reread the first paragraph of this story: Is the way it's written more like prose or poetry? What is poetic or prosaic or both about it?

In one word describe your overall impression of this story (please don't use a colloquial word like "weird," "phat," "awesome," "cool"), and explain your use of this word.

What is it that keeps "coming up" (and eventually does, I guess) in this story?

What does Muriel mean by "the town won't let me love you, Dan" (58)?

What musical and artistic genres might you compare the writing in this story to?

If someone asked you: "What's the meaning of 'Box Seat'?" What would you say?

M. 4/23: Cane: Please read and be prepared to discuss the following vignettes and poems: "Karintha" (1), "Reapers" (3), "Becky," (5), "Face," (8), "Esther," (20)

W. 4/28: Cane: Please read and be prepared to discuss the following story and vignettes: "Blood Burning Moon" (28), "Seventh Street" (39), "Rhobert" (40).

Review / Discussion on Final Examination

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