|
|
|
|
George Eliot (1819-1880) The Mill on the Floss |
||
| Novelist |
|
|
|
Project |
|
|
|
|
|
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) The House of Mirth |
||
|
|
|
|
George Eliot (1819-1880) The Mill on the Floss |
||
| Novelist |
|
|
|
Project |
|
|
|
|
|
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) The House of Mirth |
||
|
Choose one of the novels above to read and analyze. Once you have chosen a novel, you will
belong to a group working on the novel. Each member of the group must choose a different
focus on the novel to present to the class (see below). You are encouraged to communicate
and collaborate with your group and the rest of the class in researching your author and
her novel. All of these women are very well represented on the WWW -- you can find their
novels there as well as enormous amount of information. However, the best research for
this project will be found in the library. There are many full length critical works and
collections of critical essays on each of these authors and their novels. FOCUS ONE: Biographical Criticism Discuss how knowledge about the author's life informs this novel. What aspects of her own life has the author drawn upon in this book? FOCUS TWO: Psychoanalytical Criticism Analyze and discuss the motives and actions of the protagonist and major characters in the novel. How do the protagonist's unconscious drives and needs conflict with her ideals and conscious desires? FOCUS THREE: Social Criticism Discuss the picture of contemporary society that author presents in the book. Is she critical of societal mores and standards? If so, what does she criticize and how? What is her reaction to the role of women in contemporary society? FOCUS FOUR: Archetypal Criticism Discuss how the author uses archetypal images from mythology or fairy tales in the novel. What characters are related to archetypal images? How do they affect the protagonist's life? What archetypal themes are used in the novel? FOCUS FIVE: Film Criticism
Watch a film or TV version of the novel. Discuss how the screenwriter and
director adapted the story. What filmic techniques replaced some of the novelistic techniques? Was the production
true to the intent and spirit of the novel? Why or why not? Comment on the
actors' portrayal of the characters in the film -- did they fulfill the images
of the characters you had when reading the novel? Why or why not? Be
sure to give credit by name to the screenwriter, director, cinematographer, and
major actors.
Jane
Austen's Emma: AV PR4034 .E623
1996 -- Venice The class meeting will be set up as an academic conference in which there will be a panel on each author. As presenters for the panel, you will read your essay to the class. Each presenter should be prepared to ask one question for someone else on the panel to answer. Anyone else in the class is also encouraged to ask questions of panel members.
|
