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What shall it be: O'Connor or Hawthorne
Sep. 30th, 2008 10:01 amMidpoint essay is to be on one of the authors we've covered so far, and how their background influenced their writing.
However, due to the delays we've had in class, we've covered only Hawthorne, Melville, and Flannery O'Connor.
I'm leaning toward O'Connor--she's new to to me, she's strange enough for interest (you should have seen classmates last night: "He stole her LEG? WTF?"), and rather well documented. But it's going to require pulling her Catholic faith into all that. I'm a bit shallow---if the woman had not said herself that recognition of faith, and its redemption, were a big part of her stories, I'd have missed it. She read Aquinas almost every night: do I look for the Five Ways or the Double Effect in her work?
There is Hawthorne, also documented. His life is evident in his work; but I dread the misery of rereading pieces like the Black Veil or the Birth Mark. (Yes, I know, that's just lazy!). But he might be a far easier subject for further and deeper research, and easier access to more work. And I've grown to appreciate his satires, even if they aren't gigglefests.
Melville---I enjoyed his humor in Bartleby--but we had no other short stories as examples in class. (I've just gone through a Wikipedia article for further works and one LONG poem). The surface telling of his life does not offer a great deal to compare to his stories, other than mundane life experiences. The Wikipedia article does suggest there may be suprises in the man's emotional life , but it would take more than two weeks reading (I've one week to submit the outline), and it would require reading of his later novels. Not enought time---but I think I'd like to tackle Melville some day.
The teacher suggested after class that she might let us use some of the upcoming poets or Arthur Miller for other subjects---but she needs to discuss that with the whole class. I want to get started.
*************
AANND I need to get review notes for math--I need to take a placement test sometime. I don't see much point in taking science classes until I establish my math grades. Was hoping to have the placement test done part way through this term, but it may have to wait until Spring semester, so I can study during Christmas break. I can only get as high as basic geometry---but I want my high school brains back! I want my algebra brains back!
Back to work
However, due to the delays we've had in class, we've covered only Hawthorne, Melville, and Flannery O'Connor.
I'm leaning toward O'Connor--she's new to to me, she's strange enough for interest (you should have seen classmates last night: "He stole her LEG? WTF?"), and rather well documented. But it's going to require pulling her Catholic faith into all that. I'm a bit shallow---if the woman had not said herself that recognition of faith, and its redemption, were a big part of her stories, I'd have missed it. She read Aquinas almost every night: do I look for the Five Ways or the Double Effect in her work?
There is Hawthorne, also documented. His life is evident in his work; but I dread the misery of rereading pieces like the Black Veil or the Birth Mark. (Yes, I know, that's just lazy!). But he might be a far easier subject for further and deeper research, and easier access to more work. And I've grown to appreciate his satires, even if they aren't gigglefests.
Melville---I enjoyed his humor in Bartleby--but we had no other short stories as examples in class. (I've just gone through a Wikipedia article for further works and one LONG poem). The surface telling of his life does not offer a great deal to compare to his stories, other than mundane life experiences. The Wikipedia article does suggest there may be suprises in the man's emotional life , but it would take more than two weeks reading (I've one week to submit the outline), and it would require reading of his later novels. Not enought time---but I think I'd like to tackle Melville some day.
The teacher suggested after class that she might let us use some of the upcoming poets or Arthur Miller for other subjects---but she needs to discuss that with the whole class. I want to get started.
*************
AANND I need to get review notes for math--I need to take a placement test sometime. I don't see much point in taking science classes until I establish my math grades. Was hoping to have the placement test done part way through this term, but it may have to wait until Spring semester, so I can study during Christmas break. I can only get as high as basic geometry---but I want my high school brains back! I want my algebra brains back!
Back to work
