Summer Reading
Along with The Odyssey, you read another book this summer to prepare for your first independent study. Please post a few comments about this other book. This doesn't need to be an analysis (you get to do that later), but rather your gut-level response. Give the title of the book and explain: What did you think of it? What details struck you? Would you recommend it to your classmates? Let your voice come through as you comment. Then, if you are ready, add some comments about possible thesis ideas. What element might you focus on? What themes did you notice?
posted by T Sale at 8:57 PM
38 Comments:
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I read The Kite Runner! It was very well written, and I read it in 4 or 5 days (which says alot for me!). I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, but was disappointed in the ending. It was a dramatic, sad book, and I wanted a happy ending! Overall, however, The Kite Runner is worth reading, I recommend it to anyone!
I have absolutely no idea what I want to write my essay about. Some ideas I am thinking about are : writing about the motif of blood, or about how the rape scene with Assan, Amir, and Hassan effects the rest of the plot or I might right about a minor character-- maybe Rahim Khan (is he 'minor' enough?) What about writing about kites? Is that motif too blatantly obvious?
Hi guys!!! I read Plainsong this summer. I really liked it, because I love stories, and this book was a collection of stories. I really noticed the imagery Haruf used. Right now I'm wondering why he did this and if this could possibly be worth writing about :> Another idea I have for the Independent Study involves a scene with two young boys and an elderly woman to whom they deliver the Newspaper. I find it interesting that the book ends the way it starts - describing the situation each character is in. Maybe this too is worth writing about. If you're looking for a good book to read in a short amount of time, this is the book for you.
I read The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. It was short, but definitely leaves room for interpretation. I love Russian Literature, and the ideas expressed in the play were very typical for that society at that time. It almost reminded me of an Oscar Wilde play (with far fewer inuendos) because of the humor in some of the characters' eccentric personalities. I thought it also highlighted some important values of Russian society, such as pride in personal belogings (the cherry orchard and the house itself), marriage (through some of the "blossoming" relationships involving the daughters), and the desire to seize the moment (Anna Vruybov (truly sorry about the spelling of that name) and her incessant and childish spending of money), and the ambition to succeed (the businessman's purchase and further development of the cherry orchard, and the graduate student's tenacity). I would love to hear more comments about the play, as well as your insights into Chekhov's purpose for writing in such a style.
I read Kite Runner and I loved it! I couldn't put it down
I thought Amir was a fascinating character, and I liked that the ending didn't perfectly tie up all of the loose ends. It left the reader with a feeling of hope for the future without completely resolving all of the conflicts. I think that is a much more realistic and satisfying way to end such a sad and dramatic book.
Overall, I thought Kite Runner was AMAZING and would reccommend it to anyone that likes to analyze!
I read Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The book was funner than I expected because Hedda does things which people during that time period would not even think of doing, like shooting guns at people who try to enter through the window. Hedda's harsh reactions to the men surrounding her suprised me because she burns one of their books. It is also interesting that the book takes place over the time span of about two days. I would recommend this book because it is an easy and short read that has some funny and tragic parts. I might focus on the power that Hedda tries to exercise over all the people in her life because this motif is found throughout the novel. Focusing on the aristocratic attitude of Hedda compared to the other characters would also be a good way to go.
and, by the way, I'm considering writing about Assef for my essay. I know he's not a very minor character, but I think that Assef drives much of the plot and Amir's inner conflict, even in parts of the novel that he's not in.
I read John Steinbeck's East of Eden.
I really enjoyed this novel, despite the fatness/thickness (it was almost 600 pages...sheesh!). I read it for one reason: John Steinbeck. His writing really moves me. Sure enough, this novel really made me think about a lot of things. It recreates a modern day situation of Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel. the story kept me interested, and I was always excited to read more. I loved the complexity of all the characters, and how Steinbeck left a lot of the weight of the novel up to the reader to carry. One particular character, Samuel Hamilton, really intrigued me. He was a good soul among many sinners, and the whole time I read the book I wanted to know more about him and Steinbeck's purpose for him.
I haven't really thought about a thesis statement, but I have ideas/concepts that I might use.
1. The motif of timshel, or a human's free will to convey the idea that there is good in everyone if they choose to see it.
2. The use of Abra Bacon or Tom Hamiltom (as minor characters)and how they show the differences between good and evil.
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This summer I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni. I loved this novel and its exploration into the human adventure of struggles and emotion. I loved the image of the mud wall and the alley way. It exemplifies the idea of obstacles and how we are to overcome them.
My idea for my thesis is to explore the image of that wall to show it relation to the human experience. Every faces obstacles. Sometimes we make them, sometimes we don't, but each time we must overcome them. When we do, the wall is not torn down and thrown away, but it is still there to influence who we were, who we are, and who we will choose to become. That is the idea that I would like to explore further.
Barbara --
This sounds like an interesting idea, dealng with a character on a symbolic level.
Steph --
The rape scene is a major one in the book, so it might be a bit obvious to deal with, but your idea could work if you break it down carefully.
Chase --
You're right that booze probably won't work as a motif. You might look at some of the characters and their symbolic possibilities.
Chennery --
The wall is a somewhat obvious symbol in the book, but you're on the right track as far as the type of topic to examine.
Emily --
The kites are important, though a bit obvious. Perhaps another motif like the blood would give you some opportunities.
Dayna --
One of the exampes of repetition might be a good idea. Try to focus on one if you can find a repetition that gives you enough material.
Robyn --
The biblical allusions in this book, such as the Garden of Eden, make a good focus, as long as they're not too obvious.
Lauren --
All these motifs sound like viable topics. Focus on only one for a paper of this length; choose the one that's the least obvious.
Maya --
All your ideas sound like they could work. You'd need to narrow down the focus on "imagery."
Stacie --
Looks like you still need to find a specific focus for your ideas about the play's themes.
Sam --
The biblical motifs would be a good idea if you keep a narrow focus and choose ideas that aren't too obvious.
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Sean --
You need to find some symbolic representations of the power and aristocratic attitude that you have identified.
Kylee --
Looks like you still need to find a focus for your paper.
Dana --
Did you see an element of the story that would make a good focus for your paper?
Christy --
The bull fight sound like a good symbolic focus.
Amy --
I like your idea about focusing on a minor character.
Molly --
The tree sound like an excellent focus.
Matt --
Sounds like you might consider focusing on the setting for your paper.
Karen --
Shakespeare is big on motifs, so there's probably one in there to write about.
Kelsee --
The actor motif sounds like a good idea.
Eric --
Looks like you still need to find a focus for your paper.
Becca --
Think about some of the elements in the book that might serve as symbols for the dichotomies you recognized.
Nicole --
You might be able to find a less prominent character that nevertheless serves a symbolic purpose.
Kaeli --
These are both important ideas in the book. Might there be a somewhat less obvious one?
Kendra --
What might serve as a symbols of this two-sidedness?
Melissa --
I like your idea of using one of the minor characters as a focus.
Justin --
I like your idea. The wall could make a good focus.
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