ALL STUDENTS HAVE NOW CHOSEN A NOVEL by an American author, one they have not read, one that is sufficiently complex to support thematic research. Now that you have your novel, you must read it. This reading will NOT be your exclusive homework. You will want to plan out your reading so that you finish it by the beginning of quarter three, January 17. .As to annotation: yes, I will collect your books. Yes, you should annotate for the following: If the novel is the author’s answer to a question, what is the author seeking to understand? What does this story argue (about America)? I WILL collect annotations twice for a mid-reading check: once before break, once right after break.

MONDAY

Starting with your questions, from your annotations. What puzzled you? Everyone will write those on the chalkboard. Then, turning to this question: Why doesn’t Sethe want to live anywhere else, and leave this home that’s haunted?
HW: Reading “Not quite in a hurry…” on pages 24-33 in the red edition. Tonight, make a calendar for your reading, breaking your book up into parts that make sense for you. Do start reading…don’t wait for Winter Break, or the end of the semester. But pace yourself. Establish a calendar and follow it.

TUESDAY

Again, starting with your questions. Then, class discussion on this: What does the eating of the corn mean? How is that connected to the “marriage” of Halle and Sethe?
HW: By Friday, you should have begun a bibliography for your novel, listing all the sources you have used to date. Eventually, you will have a partially annotated bibliography. For now, have all your sources listed (all the ones you’ve used to date). Reading “”Denver’s secrets were sweet,” pages 34-51

WEDNESDAY

Again, starting with questions. Then discussion.
HW: Reading in Beloved: “Pleasantly troubled,” on pages 52-60.

THURSDAY

Because of my absence, we will have a day of SSR today.
HW: Reading pages 61-67, “A fully dressed woman…”

FRIDAY

Turning to the documentary that was meant for yesterday. What happens during the life time of Sethe and Paul D? Turning our attention to the failure of post-reconstruction. How does Jim Crow come to rise? What makes life post-slavery nearly as bad as during slavery? And how does that connect to Sethe’s adamant belief that she will “never run away” again from anything?
HW: Reading pages 68-100. You should also begin reading your junior theme novel if you have not done so. Please turn in December and January reading calendars on Monday.