Weeks Four and Five

Mon 9/16--In-class essay #1 on Montaigne (in comparison with Seneca, Kenko and/or Shonagon?).

Tues 9/17--Read Thoreau, "Walking," in Lopate, pp. 479-480 and 480-491.

Thurs 9/19--Finish Thoreau, "Walking" and vocab #3.

Fri 9/20--Passage analysis of Thoreau. I've decided to let you choose your own passage to analyze. 350 words.

Mon 9/23--Your homework over the weekend consists of three parts:

• 1. Take a "Thoreausian" walk in nature (Tilden is a good choice for someplace close by).

  2. Read the following article from The New York Times: Time to Write? Go Outside

  3. Or try this link: http://nyti.ms/17F61Wc

  4. Journal entry inspired by Thoreau. 400 word minimum. Please post your entry in your journal site.

Possible topics:

• • Describe a great walk in nature that you took, either this weekend or some other time.

  • Imagine some "altogether admirable and shining family--to whom the sun was servant,--who had not gone into society in the village,--who had not been called on" (502). What would this family be like, according to Thoreau? According to you?

  • It has been said that being in nature helps people to de-stress or to overcome anxiety and depression. What experiences have you had with nature being helpful in this way? What other ways do you have of dealing with stress and anxiety?

Tues 9/24--Read Orwell, 268-285 ("he brushed them").

Thurs 9/26--Finish Orwell essay (285-302).

Fri 9/27--In-class essay #2 on Orwell and Thoreau.