Month: October 2021

For Thursday, let’s talk about Louise Erdrich’s short story, “The Leap.”  (This can be found in our handy, dandy online textbook.)

For our next reflection essay, I’m going to adopt a suggestion from one of your fellow students.  The rules are these: select two stories from your Reading Room adventures; choose one of our “formal” categories – – plot, character, or setting.  Compare and contrast each of your chosen story’s use of this category.  As usual, no more than two pages (appended to your reading journal).  This reflection will be due: Thursday, November 4, at midnight.  (I am, of course, willing to be flexible about this date so long as we all agree on a common date.  To be discussed in class tomorrow.)

For Thursday, October 21, read: Edwige Danticat’s “Night Talkers” and Kelly Link’s “The Hortlak.”  (Both available in our class textbook.)  We can decide which story we really want to focus on for our next zoom session on October 21.

Remember: no official zoom session on Thursday, October 14.  I’ll be BART’ing, flying, and driving all day Thursday. (You are of course welcome to hang out in the zoom room during our regularly scheduled hours.)

Remember: your “This story is better than Shrek because . . . ” reflection piece is due by Thursday, October 14, at midnight.

Between Thursday, October 14, and Thursday, October 21, try to read the two stories on our syllabus: Edwige Danticat’s “Night Talkers” and Kelly Link’s “The Hortlak.”  (Both available in our class textbook.)  We can decide which story we really want to focus on for our next zoom session on October 21.

As usual, keep visiting the Reading Room and maintaining your reading journals – – due every Tuesday by 5 p.m. or so.

I should have internet etc. during my journey (though I may not be able to check email etc. as frequently as normal) – – i.e. feel free to email me with questions etc.

“As my father steered the Oldsmobile and I sat in the back reading a comic book, my mother worked on her makeup.” – – Viet Thanh Nguyen, “War Years”

“Mrs. Hoa drove a small Datsun sedan the color of an egg yolk, peppered with flakes of rust.” – –  Viet Thanh Nguyen, “War Years”

via GIPHY

For Thursday, we’ll talk about Viet Thanh Nguyen’s short story, “War Years.”

And I’ve posted the rubric for your next reflective piece here.

Tuesday is Reading Room day!  And, for Thursday, we’ll be talking about Viet Thanh Nguyen’s short story, “War Years.”

[Random video – – Southern Culture on the Skids with “Grey Days” – – inspired by Mariam’s Zombies earworm.]