Literature Analysis Book Options Quarter 1

General Guidelines: First Quarter You will sign up for one book to read independently and to analyze in groups of peers reading the same book. You will write an essay analyzing the diction choices of your chosen novel, which will be due Wednesday, Oct. 11th or Thursday, Oct. 12th . You will be responsible for meeting several “checkpoints” and jobs so that you can discuss the novel with your group. You will be expected to be halfway through your novel by Friday, Sept. 22nd or Monday, Sept. 25th. You must be finished with your novel by Thurs. Oct. 5th or Friday, Oct. 6th. The numbers of books are limited, and you may not get your first choice. Some time will be given in class for group meetings, but the great majority of this work will take place on your own time. You are encouraged to come to BULL Time to meet with groups/me on Fridays if you would like additional discussion/guidance regarding your novel. You will NOT be allowed to analyze symbolic diction, metaphorical diction, or figurative language for any novel this quarter. Be careful not to find analysis ideas online. Every drop of analysis must come from your own mind. If you forget and do use ideas you found online, you must cite them, and you will fail. If you use ideas you found online and neglect to cite them, you will fail AND be written up for plagiarism.

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston-1st Quarter Written in 1937 Set in the 1930s, about the travels and experiences of a Black woman, looking for love, independence, and identity. She’s got a lot of husbands in a lot of places, and she’ll tell you what she learned from each one. Very pro-femme Dialogue is dialect I just re-read the last paragraph and now I want to re-read the whole novel. 193 pages

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain-1st Quarter Written in 1885 Set in Missouri in the 1830s-1840s, about a young boy who runs away with a slave. It’s a satire of southern “high-horse” during the early-mid nineteenth- century, especially the prevalent thoughts on slavery at the time. Dialogue is dialect Great, fun, funny story 239 pages

The Awakening, Kate Chopin-1st Quarter Published in 1899 Set in 1899, in and around New Orleans, about a woman trying to overcome the constraints of late Victorian gender expectations. Beach vacations, extramarital affairs, child neglect, music, and painting ensue. Shocked the stuffy Victorians! Quick read, engaging story Very pro-femme The sculpture on my filing cabinet is inspired by The Awakening 116 pages

Sign-Up Instructions Please number your name and book choices. Unless you are willing to purchase your own copy of your first choice, and can do so in the next 24-48 hours, you must indicate a second choice! Books are limited and it is very possible you will not get your first choice. If you are willing to purchase your own copy of the book, draw an asterisk after your first choice and don’t include a second choice. *Note: if you do this, you are agreeing to obtain the book yourself, and any problem you have in obtaining it will not be considered a viable excuse for not being prepared for classes/submitting work on time.