1. Week In Class Homework
1 Monday Establish your username, and explore the class webpage
April Syllabus, Green sheet, Buy Your books
8-11 Website, Books, Read the introduction: pp. 3-22
Assignments, QHQ Post #1: QHQ introduction: For example, you might ask, “What does
WWI have to do with American Literature?” or “Why are we
discussing Science and Technology in a lit class?”
Tuesday Read “Modernist Manifestos” pp. 335-350
Teams Post #2 QHQ from one of the sections/authors listed:
Introduction 1914-1945 Ø Intro
Ø Marinetti
Ø Loy
Wednesday Read “Modernist Manifestos” pp. 335-350
Modernist Manifestos Post #3 QHQ from one of the sections/authors listed:
Ø Pound
Ø Cather
Ø Williams
Ø Hughes
Thursday
Modernist Manifestos Read Trifles (1916) pp. 252-262
American Modernism Post # 4 In literature, a symbol is something that represents
Author Introduction: something else, and is often used to communicate deeper levels of
Susan Glaspell meaning. What is one important symbol in Trifles? How does
Glaspell use it to propel the plot and convey deeper levels of
meaning about her characters or themes??
Or QHQ Trifles
Consider its articulation with one of the Manifestos, if you can.
Begin My Antonia (1918) Book I Introduction Chapters 1-10
2
April
Monday Read My Antonia (1918) Book I Chapters 11-19
15-­‐18
Lecture: Trifles Post #5: Answer one of the following prompts
Historical Context and 1. QHQ CHAPTERS 1-19
Style 2. Discuss why Willa Cather chose a male narrator and why women dominate
Discussion: 3. Explore the story or relationship of Pavel and Peter.
QHQs, Themes, and 4. Compare and contrast the lives of Jim Burden and Antonia. Explain what d
Symbols together and enabled them to become close friends.
Author Introduction: 5. Compare and contrast the relationship between Antonia and Jim in Section
Willa Cather 10) and Section 2 (Chapters 11-19)

2. Tuesday Read My Antonia (1918) Book II Chapters 1-8
My Antonia Post #6: Answer one of the following prompts
Historical Context 1. Discuss the contrasts that are being developed between the characters in thi
Book I 2. Discuss the importance of independent women in this section, and why Wil
chosen to develop these characters here.
3. Discuss My Antonia in terms of one or more of the Manifestos
4. Write your own QHQ.
Wednesday Read My Antonia (1918) Book II Chapters 9-15 and Book III
My Antonia Chapters 1-4
Themes and Style Post #7: Answer one of the following prompts:
Book II 1-8 1. Discuss the differences Jim sees between the country girls and the
town girls.
2. Explain the importance of the dance pavilion to both Jim and
Antonia.
3. Explain why Willa Cather has chosen to devote one of the books
of her novel to Lena Lingard.
4. Discuss the importance of the narrator leaving Black Hawk for
college life.
5. Write your own QHQ
Thursday Read My Antonia (1918) and Book IV Chapters 1-3 and Book V
My Antonia Chapters 1-3
Themes, Questions, QHQ Post #8: Answer one of the following prompts:
Book II 9-15 1. Compare and contrast Tiny Soderball and Lena Lingard’s
Books III success with money.
2. Discuss the reasons why Willa Cather chose to have Antonia
return to the Shimerda farm as an unwed mother.
3. Explain Antonia’s choice of names for each of her children and
how each of these names ties in to characters from her past.
4. . Discuss the differences between the Cuzak household and the
Shimerda household from many years before.
5. Write your own QHQ
3
Monday Read: Feminist Literary Criticism
April
My Antonia Read:
Mina
Loy
295-­‐96
22-­‐25
Books IV and V “Parturition”
296-­‐99
1914
The American Dream Post #9: Answer one of the following prompts:
Author Introduction 1. QHQ on the Parturition; consider Loy’s Manifesto if you
Mina Loy would like.
2. QHQ on Feminist Literary Criticism
3. Discuss the American Dream in term of Texts we have discussed
this far.
Tuesday Read New Criticism
Mina Loy “Parturition” Read:
Pound
“In
a
Station
of
the
Metro.”
Feminist Literary Criticism Post #10 Write a paragraph about how you might apply feminist
Author Introduction: theory to Trifles, My Antonia, or “Parturition.”
Ezra Pound: make it new! Post #11: QHQ on New Criticism or on “In a Station of the Metro”
Or discuss your thoughts on imagism

3. Wednesday Read:
William
Carlos
Williams
“The
Red
Wheelbarrow,”
and
New Criticism “To
Elsie”
Paraphrasing Poetry Post
#12
QHQ
on
any
one
of
the
poems
for
today’s
reading.
“In
a
Station
of
the
Metro.” Or
paraphrase “The Red Wheelbarrow or 6-9 lines from “To Elsie.” Try to
Author Introduction: do a section no one else has done.
William Carlos Williams
Thursday Read:
Wallace
Stevens
Imagist Poetry “The
Snow
Man”
283
1923
“The
Red
Wheelbarrow”
“The
Emperor
of
Ice
Cream”
284
1923
“To
Elsie”
Post
#13:
Paraphrase
either
poem.
Be
original!
Author Introduction:
Or
discuss
the
modernist
aspects
of
one
or
both
of
these
poems.
Wallace Stevens Or
do
a
brief
“new
critical”
reading
of
one
poem.
4
Monday Study for the exam by reviewing each of the authors and texts
April
Lyric Poetry we have discussed so far.
29-­‐
“The
Snow
Man”
1923
May
2
“The
Emperor
of
Ice
Cream”
1923
Introduce
Exam
#1
Tuesday Read F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby Chapters 1-5
Author Introduction: Post #14 Choose One
F. Scott Fitzgerald 1. Write a character sketch of Daisy or Tom or Jordan, focusing
Exam #1 on the recurring “tag” used to describe them. Daisy leans
forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and
hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an
athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald’s purpose in thus
describing them?
2. Contrast the green light at the end of chapter 1 and the
gray images in the Valley of Ashes in chapter 2.
What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?
3. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American
Dream? Consider the Horatio Alger’s (“rags-to-riches”) motif,
as well as his undying desire to better his situation.
4. Is Nick a symbol of honesty and Jordan a symbol of dishonesty?
Write a character sketch that reveals their likenesses and
differences in terms of veracity and credibility.
Wednesday: Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 6-7
Choose new teams Post #15: Choose One
The Great Gatsby 1. Discuss how the reunion of Daisy and Gatsby signals both the beginning
Historical Context and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success.
2. Trace the recurring image of eyes, and ascertain the purposes
of those images. Consider blindness on any level as well as sight.
3. Discuss one argument that supports a feminist theory approach.

4. Thursday Read The Great Gatsby Chapters 8-9
The Great Gatsby Post #16: Choose One
Themes 1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production
Style ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the
characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the
American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
2. How is the story an ironic twist of the American Dream?
Consider Daisy and Gatsby, Daisy and Tom, Myrtle and
George Wilson, Myrtle and Tom, Nick and Jordan.
Discuss this quotation in terms of class theory: “This is a valley of
ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges
and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of
houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a
transcendent effort, of ash-gray men who move dimly and already
crumbling through the powdery air.… [And the eyes of Doctor T.
J.Eckleburg] brood on over the solemn dumping ground” (Chapter
2)
5
May
Monday Read Marxist Criticism
6-­‐9
The Great Gatsby Post #17
The American Dream and Discuss
Feminist,
New
Critical
or
Marxist
theories
in
terms
Class. of
The
Great
Gatsby
Tuesday Read: “Barn Burning” 800-12
Marxist Criticism Post #18 Provide a brief character analysis or
discus
a
symbol
Writing a character A-B: de
Spain
analysis C-F: Sarty
Author Introduction: G-J: Abner
Snopes
William Faulkner K-L:
Lennie
Snopes
M-P: Fire
Q-S: The soiled rug
T-Z: Blood
Wednesday Post #19
Film Screening 1. Discuss a significant difference between the film and movie.
Then explain both how the change influenced the meaning
of the text and why a director might make the decision to
make that change.
2. Did
the
character
in
the
film
meet
your
expectations
based
on
your
analysis
of
the
character
from
the
book.
Why
or
why
not?

5. Thursday
Read:
Langston
Hughes:
“The
Negro
Speaks
of
Rivers,”
“I,
too,
“Barn Burning” sing
America,”
and
“The
Weary
Blues”
Historical Context, Themes, Post
#20
and Style. 1. What
connections
can
be
made
between
race
and
blues
Introduction: Langston music
in
"The
Weary
Blues"?
Hughes 2. What
do
you
think
it
means
to
have
a
soul
that
is
deep
as
rivers?
3. How
does
“I,
too,
sing
America”
make
you
think
about
what
it
means
to
be
an
American?
How
is
"America"
presented
in
this
poem,
and
how
does
it
make
you
feel
about
America?
6
Monday Read Zora Neale Hurston: “The Eatonville Anthology” 530-38
May
The Harlem Renaissance “How it Feels to Be Colored Me” 538-541
13-­‐16
Historical Context Post #21 Choose one
The Poems of Langston 1. Community is a consistent theme in the works of Zora Neale
Hughes Hurston and the primary bond among the smaller stories
Author Introduction: contained in "The Eatonville Anthology." How does the image
Zora Neale Hurston of a front porch act as a symbol of the social concept of
community? Cite specific incidents from the story that prove
this connection.
2. How does the narrator's viewpoint direct the reader's
understanding and approval of the citizens presented in "The
Eatonville Anthology"? Discuss specific examples.
Tuesday Read African American (Minority) Criticism
Zora Neale Hurston Post # 22
Historical Context 1. QHQ: African American Criticism
POV, Themes, and Style 2. Consider one of our previous texts through the lens of
African American Criticism.
Wednesday Post #23 Briefly consider one of our previous texts through
African American one critical lens: New Criticism, Feminism, Marxism, or
(Minority) Criticism African American Criticism.
Thursday Read “American Literature since 1945” pp. 3-19
Introduction to Essay #1 Honors Group: Read Annotated Bibliography assignment
How to write a response to Everyone: Begin essay 1.
literature. 1. Post #24: (This is not an optional post): Your thesis/argument
Author Introduction: Provide textual evidence that supports your assertion. Include
Ralph Ellison both quotations and analysis of the text.

6. 7
Monday Read “Postmodern Manifestos” 400-17
May
Library Visit: Post #25 QHQ on one of the following
20-­‐23
Annotated Bibliography Ø Sukenick
Ø Gass
Ø Thompson
Ø Olson
Tuesday Read “Postmodern Manifestos” 400-17
American Literature since Post #26 QHQ on one of the following
1945 Ø O’Hara
Postmodern Manifestos Ø Bishop
Ø Ammons
Ø Lorde
Wednesday Read Ralph Ellison 206-224
Postmodernism Read “The Prologue,” and “Battle Royal” from Invisible Man.
Postmodern Manifestos Post #27 Choose one
1. What
does
the
reader
know
about
the
narrator
solely
on
the
basis
of
the
Prologue?
Explain
both
what
he
reveals
about
himself
explicitly
and
what
inferences
can
be
drawn,
justifying
your
findings
as
you
go
along.
2. Why
would
the
audience
listening
to
the
narrator’s
speech
have
reacted
so
strongly
to
the
narrator’s
mistake?
Discuss
the
implications
of
his
slip
of
the
tongue.
3. QHQ
Thursday Read Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman Act 1 238-303
“Battle Royal” Post #28
Historical Context 1. Discuss
how
Miller
communicates
Willy’s
outlook
and
Themes and Style emotions
to
the
reader.
Note
Willy’s
words,
his
appearance,
Author Introduction: Linda’s
reactions,
the
set
design,
and
other
means.
Arthur Miller 2. Examine
how
Biff
and
Hap’s
adult
lives
show
the
influence
Essay #1 due Friday at of
their
childhood
as
seen
in
the
flashback.
midnight 3. Describe
how
Willy
has
taken
Ben’s
life
and
his
philosophy
of
the
“jungle”
as
models
for
success.
How
has
Willy
shaped
that
philosophy
to
encompass
life
as
a
salesman?
4. Linda
says
that
“attention
must
be
paid”
to
Willy
despite
his
faults.
Do
you
support
Linda’s
claim
or
disagree
with
it?
If
Willy
is
a
“fake,”
as
Biff
calls
him,
then
does
he
deserve
respect?
5. QHQ
8
Monday Holiday
May
Holiday No Class No Class
27-­‐30
Tuesday
Conferences Individual Meetings by appointment

7. Wednesday Read Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman Act 2 238-303
Death of a Salesman Post #29
Historical Context 1. Contrast
Willy
with
Ben.
Willy
seems
to
think
that
he
leads
a
life
somehow
like
Ben’s.
Besides
the
fact
that
Ben
is
rich
and
Willy
is
not,
what
separates
them?
2. Describe
why
Willy
believes
committing
suicide
will
provide
a
better
life
for
his
family.
Will
his
plan
work?
3. Explore
the
difference
between
Biff
and
Hap’s
reactions
to
Willy’s
death.
4. QHQ
Thursday Study for the exam by reviewing each of the authors and
Death of a Salesman texts we have discussed so far.
Themes and Style.
New Teams 5-6
9
Monday Read Jack Kerouac pp. 351-53
Author Intro: Jack Kerouac From Big Sur pp. 353-72
Exam #2 Post #30: QHQ; consider postmodernism if you want.
Tuesday Read Lesbian, gay, and queer criticism
The Beats Post #31
Big Sur 1. Explore how you might apply this to texts we have read.
Historical Context 2. QHQ
Themes, Style
Wednesday Read Allen Ginsberg pp. 490-492
Queer Theory Howl and “A Footnote to Howl” pp. 492-500
Author Introduction: Post #32 QHQ
Allen Ginsberg Or paraphrase 8-10 lines from Howl.
Howl
Thursday Read Gloria Anzuldua pp. 837-38
Howl La conciencia de la mestizo/ Towards a New Consciousness
Themes; forms and devices pp. 838-49 and “El Sonavabitche” pp. 858-62
Author Introduction: Post #33
Gloria Anzuldua 1. QHQ: La conciencia
2. Discuss themes or meaning in “El Sonavabitche”
3. Discuss Postmodernism or Minority Theory in terms of
Anzuldua

8. 10
Monday Read Maxine Hong Kingston
La conciencia de la Warrior Woman: Part 1 “No Name Woman 793-801
mestizo/ Towards a Post #34: Choose one
New Consciousness 1. Discuss a theme or symbol from the reading
“El Sonavabitche” 2. QHQ
Intersections of 3. Comment on the text via a critical lens.
identity and oppression
Tuesday Read Sandra Cisneros
Maxine Hong Kingston Read “Woman Hollering Creek” 1131-1139
Historical Context Post #35
Themes and Style 1. Discuss a theme: love and passion or sex roles or ?
2. Discuss the text in terms of postmodernism or in articulation
with a postmodern manifesto.
3. Discuss the story as it reads through a feminist and/or minority
lens.
Wednesday Read Sherman Alexie 1207
Sandra Cisneros “This is What it Means to Say Phoenix Arizona” 1213
“Woman Hollering Creek” Post #36
Historical Context 1. What is Sherman Alexie saying in this story about the role of
Themes and Style storytelling?
Multiculturalism 2. Discuss POV and how or why it is important to the plot.
3. Discuss the relationship of Thomas and Victor.
4. Discuss this story in terms of postmodernism, minority theory,
or multiculturalism.
Thursday Read The Road: the first half of the novel: page 47 in the online
Sherman Alexie version. Stop here: “… he kissed the boy and crawled into the
Style and genre other bunk under the clean blankets and gazed one more time at
Dystopia/Ecotopia this tiny paradise trembling in the orange light from the heater and
then he fell asleep.”
Post #37: What caused the devastation of the land. Provide the
clues you used to come to your conclusion.
11
Monday Read The Road: to the three/quarter point: page 72 in the online
The Road version. Stop here: “One vast salt sepulcher. Senseless. Senseless.”
The Age of Terror Post # 38: Discuss one:
Destruction,
survival,
isolation,
or
death
as
a
theme
of
the
novel
Tuesday Read The Road: finish the novel
The Road Post #: 39 (The last one)
Themes: 1. Discuss the novel as a postmodern work
The American Dream 2. Use a critical lens to start a discussion

9. Wednesday Begin Essay #2
The Road
The American Dream
Introduce Essay #2
Thursday Review for exam
Finish The Road Write final paper
Self-Assessment Work on revisions
Introduce Exam #3 Do Honors Project
12
Monday Prepare for Exam #3
Make-up Exam #1 or #2
Thursday,
June
27
at
11:30
a.m.-­‐1:30
p.m.
Exam #3
Essay #2 Due
Revision Due
Honors Project Due