Questions After Mike Maggio

 Good morning :)

First of all, I want to pass on Mike Maggio's praise for you.  He thought that you were a lively, engaged group of students!  Here is a link to his website so that you may stay up to date on his work:

http://mikemaggio.net/

He is often on Radio Fairfax, and he gives quite a few readings in this area.

Next I'm glad that we were able to discuss Nosferatu *after* Mike's talk.  I'm sorry that a couple of you decided to miss the rest of the class.  On the other hand, thank you, Igor et al, for staying until the bitter end!

Here are the readings for next week: "This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix Arizona" by  Sherman Alexie as well as “The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe and "Saboteur" by Ha Jin.  Note that this reading is different from what's on the schedule *and* what I said in class.  We will also begin poetry in this class so that we will be ready to discuss form on Nov. 12 when Dean Redmond will be visiting.

Now the questions....

-- Why is it worth reading an older story like "The Cask of Amontillado"?

-- Compare the narrator's cruelty in "The Cask" with Mr. Chiu's cruelty in "Saboteur"?

-- Many of our stories have been realistic.  Is this a strength or a weakness?  Why?

-- What role does setting play in the stories we are to read for 11/5?  

-- What role does plot play?  Conflict?

-- What role does character play?

-- What role does narrative play?  Consider the difference between third person ("Saboteur" and "Phoenix Arizona") and first person ("The Cask").

-- How does "Saboteur" fit in with the other stories we've read?  Note that Ha Jin grew up speaking Chinese but wrote "Saboteur" in English.

-- How does "The Cask" fit in with the other, newer stories we've read?  With Nosferatu?

-- Discuss the role of humor in "Phoenix Arizona."

-- Discuss the role of relationships in the stories we've read.

-- Compare "Phoenix Arizona" with "The Red Convertible."  Note that Victor and Thomas are a little older than Lyman and Henry.

-- Discuss the use of flashback in "Phoenix Arizona."

-- Why do you think that Alexie chose this title for his story?

-- How did Mike Maggio help you understand fiction more fully?

-- How did Mike Maggio help you understand what it is like to write fiction (and poetry)?

-- Mike Maggio referred to Gogol's "The Nose" as an influence for The Wizard and the White House.  Which stories might influence you?  Why?

-- What would you like to write about for the paper on fiction?  Why?

I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to say!