Questions After 4/4 Class

Above is a link to Katherine Pyle's illustration from the story of Mishosha.  This illustration dates from 1911 and is part of a children's book of stories from various cultures, including India.

Here is a link to the Popeye cartoon that we watched:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyVEaMz3EPg

For Monday, I would like you to read the following short stories:  Longstreet’s “The Dance” and Sedgwick’s “Cacoethes Scribendi.”  As I mentioned, Longstreet is a Southern writer.  Sedgwick is a feminist writer.

Here are a few questions for you and your journal.  BTW, the journal is a great way to catch up on your readings.

-- Rip Van Winkle is a mythic figure from American literature.  Why do you think that he has captured our imagination in a way that other fictional characters have not?

--  What are other mythic figures from American literature or history?

-- What does "Rip Van Winkle" tell you about the transition to the United States?  Why?

-- Here is an outline of the hero's journey.  http://orias.berkeley.edu/hero/journeystages.pdf

How do Rip Van Winkle and the older brother in "Mishosha"  follow this journey?  What do you make of the way that Rip Van Winkle parodies this journey?

-- Discuss Rip Van Winkle as anti-hero.  http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/mary.warner/StudentLinks/2008_Fall/SLoveUnitOfStudy.htm

-- Why is the story "Mishosha" named after the antagonist?

-- Here are some Ojibway/Chippewa myths.  Compare/contrast them to "Mishosha."

http://www.littleshelltribe.com/miscdocs/legends/firetheft.shtml

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/bird-day/short-stories/the-boy-who-became-a-robin.html

http://www.native-languages.org/ojibwestory4.htm

How may Mrs. Schoolcraft have adapted her story for non-Native audiences?

-- Compare "The Dance" and "Cacoethes Scribendi" to the other short stories you've read in 211 or elsewhere.

-- How does Longstreet depict the South in his story?

-- How does his story develop the theme of American identity?  or American literature?

-- How does Longstreet and Sedgwick depict relationships between men and women in their story?

-- How does Sedgwick depict writing in her story?

-- How does her story develop the theme of American identity?  or American literature?

-- What is it like for you to turn to fiction?

-- How does American literature seem to be developing in the early 1800s?

I am looking forward to seeing what you have to say!