Good Day! Today Discuss My Ántonia 1-62 Discuss My Ántonia 1-62 Close-reading in groups Close-reading in groups HW HW We will talk about Ch 14 next class as well. We will talk about Ch 14 next class as well.

Study guide: Focus group discussions- GRADED!

The Snake How does the rattlesnake incident in Chapter 7 change the relationship between Jim & Ántonia? How does the rattlesnake incident in Chapter 7 change the relationship between Jim & Ántonia? How is the snake described? How is the snake described? What does the snake seem to represent? What does the snake seem to represent? Which theme does this highlight? Which theme does this highlight?

a novel about the moral and psychological growth of a, usually youthful, main character a novel about the moral and psychological growth of a, usually youthful, main character Garden Garden Snake Snake Whose “coming of age” story is it? Whose “coming of age” story is it? “bildungsroman”

Pavel & Peter “Misfortune seemed to settle like an evil bird on the roof of the log house, and to flap its wings there, warning human beings away” (35). What misfortunes were they suffering? What misfortunes were they suffering? Why did they come to the U.S.? Why did they come to the U.S.? What does their story suggest about human nature? Feminism? What does their story suggest about human nature? Feminism? What purpose do they have in the novel? What purpose do they have in the novel?

Nature as a character & setting Notice descriptions of setting on pgs Notice descriptions of setting on pgs What kind of diction does Cather use? What kind of diction does Cather use? How does this relate to what is happening in this part of the story? How does this relate to what is happening in this part of the story?

Nature as Character Beginning of Chapter 9 (IX) Beginning of Chapter 9 (IX) Description of winter landscape (41-44) Description of winter landscape (41-44) “I was convinced that man’s strongest antagonist was the cold” (44) Cold/winter as antagonist in the story. Cold/winter as antagonist in the story.

Groups of 4! Vibrant Visual aid indicative of topic!!! EX: Pictures to accompany language Symbolic placement of information Symbolic placement of information Easy to Read- NEAT! Easy to Read- NEAT! Clear quotes with page #s! (3 examples) Clear quotes with page #s! (3 examples) Presenting posters will include explanations of characters and influences (under tasks on blue sheet)

Winter

TURN IN! Hand in study guide Hand in study guide Yellow Sheet on top and answers on the back Yellow Sheet on top and answers on the back NAME! NAME!

Close-reading in Groups Discuss your topic with your group. Discuss your topic with your group. Return to Chapters 7-14 and collect examples/passages/pages that illustrate your assigned topic. Return to Chapters 7-14 and collect examples/passages/pages that illustrate your assigned topic. Keep detailed notes. Keep detailed notes.

Homework Read My Antonia, Book 1, Chapters (68-90) Read My Antonia, Book 1, Chapters (68-90) Make notes on your assigned topic AND Make notes on your assigned topic AND Collect/mark your favorite descriptions of the landscape Collect/mark your favorite descriptions of the landscape –Especially sensory imagery –Seasons –Landscape as character

Themes Interaction between humans & nature, nature as a force, human survival in harsh conditions Interaction between humans & nature, nature as a force, human survival in harsh conditions Immigration/exploitation/loneliness Immigration/exploitation/loneliness The American Dream (values, beliefs, the frontier, cowboys) The American Dream (values, beliefs, the frontier, cowboys) The end of innocence, “coming of age,” nostalgia, loneliness The end of innocence, “coming of age,” nostalgia, loneliness Town vs. country, Industrial vs. natural, confines vs. space, loneliness Town vs. country, Industrial vs. natural, confines vs. space, loneliness Role of women vs. role of men, women’s freedom, women’s rights Role of women vs. role of men, women’s freedom, women’s rights Fertility vs. Sterility Fertility vs. Sterility Fulfillment vs. longing; happiness vs. complacency; nostalgia Fulfillment vs. longing; happiness vs. complacency; nostalgia

What people and places from your childhood do you remember most clearly? Why did they leave such a strong impression on you? Write about a memorable person or place from your childhood. Describe the person or place in detail. What importance does the person or place have on you today?

Which people in the story do you expect will have a significant influence/impact on Jim?

What are you noticing?