<b>Literature Circle Blog Response #1</b> Identify the archetypal characters are present in your novel so far?

Explain how the characters in your novel compare to the archetypes upon which they are modeled. How does examining the characters as archetypes add to your understanding of the text? Be sure to refer to specific examples from the text. <b>Literature Circle Blog Response #2</b> In both novels, the main characters encounter opposition to their beliefs, traditions, and faith. How does the main character in your novel deal with this conflict? Be sure to refer to specific examples from the text. Literature Circle Blog Response #3 Use reader response theory to conduct a transactional analysis of your experience with the text. Identify the prior knowledge, experience, values, and beliefs that you bring to the text and explain the ways in which this background affects your interpretation of the text. Be sure to refer to specific examples from the text. <b>Literature Circle Blog Response #4</b> Use the archetypal literary criticism concepts of persona and shadow to analyze the main character in your novel. What are the aspects of the main character that he or she wants to show (persona)? What are the aspects that the main character wants to hide (shadow)? How does this help you understand the character?
Literature Circle Blog Response #5 Tough lessons: Both novels feature scenes of graphic violence in order to teach lessons. Describe a scene in your novel where something that is graphic and violent is used to teach a lesson. Is the lesson effective for the student? Is such graphic depiction necessary? What role does it serve?

<b>Literature Circle Blog Response #4</b> Ritual and Routine: How do rituals and routines govern the life of the main character in your novel? Do you think the rituals and routines help or hinder the character? <b>Literature Circle Blog Response #5</b> Survival: In both novels the main characters have to do extreme things to survive. What kinds of behaviours do the characters engage in that would be considered extreme? How do these behaviours conflict with the morals and values of the dominant culture portrayed in the novel? Week 3 You want the truth? You cant handle the truth! Tim OBrien asserts that sometimes story truth is more real that happening truth. Think of the elements of your story that are hard to believe because they are illogical or outrageous or perhaps just unlikely. How is the author able to convey a deeper truth by telling a lie? Make

connections that go beyond the text. The Better Story Human beings are story-telling creatures. We use story to make meaning of our lives. How is story-telling important to the main characters in your novel. What roles do they serve? What needs to they fulfill? Make connections that go beyond the text. The End From a Formalist perspective a quality work of literature should have unity of action. Evaluate the ending of your novel by examining the ways in which the preceding events lead inevitably to the ending. In both cases, the authors choose to not reveal significant pieces of information until the end of the novel. What purposes does this serve? Is it effective? Some of you may have felt angry or frustrated by the ending. Suggest reasons for the authors choice. Suggest specific changes you would have made and how this would have improved the novel. Make connections that go beyond the text. The Heros Journey By examining the different stages of the heros journey, determine the degree to which your novels hero fits the hero archetype? Where does he or she most closely fit the archetypal pattern? Where does he or she differ? What is the significance of these variations? Make connections that go beyond the text.
This week's task involves writing your final blog post. I am not posting topics this week. I want today's post to be a working through of your thoughts about your essay topic. Use this time to rough out ideas, plan arguments and document support. Post what you have by the end of the period.

And your point is...? Suggest a possible theme for your novel. Phrase it as a statement. Make sure its not a cliche or youll have Orwell rolling over in his grave (oops!). eg/ In On the Rainy River OBrien develops the idea the that true bravery is choosing to follow your own beliefs and ideals rather than follow the status quo. Not The theme is bravery. Explore how your author develops this theme. Dont ignore imagery, diction, and symbolism. Make connections that go beyond the text. Week 4
1. Connections At this point in the novel you should already be able to identify connections between your first novel and your current one. Identify these connections and compare them. 2. Language: Both authors use language in very inventive ways. While Urquhart's approach is very poetic and sensual, Rushdie's is

playful and ironic. Discuss your author's use of language, making specific reference to devices such as personification, imagery, simile, metaphor, puns, onomatopoeia, hyberbole (exaggeration) where appropriate. 3. Magic Realism (Applies only to Haroun) Magic realism or magical realism is an aesthetic style or genre of fiction in which magical elements are blended into a realistic atmosphere in order to access a deeper understanding of reality. What are the benefits and limits to this form of story-telling as used by Rushdie? 4. Obsession (Applies mainly to Stone Carvers) Obsession is an important theme in The Stone Carvers. Identify and explain the ways in which this theme has been developed so far in your novel.