Syllabus for 5/4 through 5/8
HOW DOES ONE DEAL WITH TRAGEDY? All of the heroes we’ve studies have dealt with some form of personal crisis: Santiago leaves his sheep and then his true love in the desert; Rama loses first his true love, the his faith in her faithfulness; Tita is domineered by her Mama and forcibly separated from her love; Achilles loses first his honor, and then his best comrade in life. This is the first time we have seen a hero deal with a crisis of natural catastrophe. How does Pi adjust to the physical threat to his life, as well as the psychological and emotional trauma of losing his family? What are some of the comments are author makes about the meaning and purpose in life, through Pi’s trial?
MONDAY: GREY DAY/OFFICE HOURS
Today is a grey day, and you can meet with me during Zoom office hours 12:50 and 1:50 pm.
Check Canvas for the link to Zoom.
TUESDAY: BLUE DAY / No class
Finishing your reading in Life of Pi, up through and including chapter 45.
WEDNESDAY: GREEN DAY
We will start with a zoom meeting. Check Canvas for that link.
Starting with a journal entry: How does Pi use his zoological background and understanding of biology to attempt to understand his situation? What is the measuring stick that you use to try and understand your own world in this moment of pandemic crisis?
Discussion: How does Pi use biology to understand his current conflict? What insights does the author share through Pi’s predicament?
Homework: Read up through and including chapter 51 (up to page 145)
THURSDAY: BLUE DAY / no class
Watch film selections on squarespace, “Sinking of Ships”
FRIDAY: GREEN DAY
No zoom meeting today. Instead of class, use this time to get further ahead in the novel.
HW: Read up to and including chapter 67, up to page 198.