Syllabus
Essay 1 topics:
Write a 350-750 word essay about one of the following topics:
The Cask of Amontillado, E.A. Poe
Do Monstresor and Fortunato share more similarities or differences? Compare and contrast the two characters.
What does the Amontillado represent? Discuss the possible symbolic meanings of the Amontillado and give your interpretation.
Why does Montresor refer to Fortunato as a friend? Explain the significance of this to the story.
Examine what themes are universal or relative in the work.
OR
The Diamond Necklace, G. Maupassant
What lesson is the reader meant to draw from the diamond necklace? Explain the meaning of the story and what conclusion(s) the reader can take from it.
Does Mrs. Loisel change in the end or not? Explain to what extent she undergoes a transformation.
What does Maupassant mean by, “...women have no caste, no race: their grace and beauty and their charm serving them in the place of birth and family.” Explain the significance and meaning of this quote and to what extent you agree.
Examine what themes are universal or relative in the work.
Format:
Standard academic format
Double-spaced
Times New Roman 12 pt
Page numbers
Cover page (include: name, student number, essay topic, date and word length)
Bibliography (APA)
Discussion and Essay topics : Flaubert
1. The last chapter is written in a different style from the rest. What is the significance of this?
2. How are men portrayed in a simple heart and what does it mean?
3. Why does Felicite have a simple heart?
4. What does the parrot represent in the story?
5. Is Felicite a victim of her society?
6. Is Felicite’s love for others an example of altruism or neediness?
7. Is Felicite’s adoration of the parrot idolatrous?
The Punishment, R. Tagore
Preview Questions
New words:
Caste: A hereditary class system
Bengal: Former colonial name for Bangladesh
Paddy: A rice field
1. What do you know about Bangladesh/ India?
2. What would you do if someone you loved betrayed you?
3. Who do you prioritize in your life? Does family always come first for you?
4. In your society, are men and women considered equals?
5. Is there a caste system in your society?
Comprehension Questions (answer and discuss after you have read the story):
1. What do you think of Dukhi’s actions?
2. Why does Chidam protect his brother first? Find evidence for this in the work.
3. Who is punished in the end?
4. What does the violence in this story say about this society?
Punsihment: Essay and discussion questions
1. Why doesn’t Chandara want to save herself?
2. Which brother is worse in your opinion?
3. What does the work say about women’s lives?
4. What is the significance of Ramlochan’s role in this work?
5. Discuss the use of irony in this story.
Diary of a Madman, Lu Xun
Preview questions:
1. What is the difference between a sane and insane person?
2. Would you stand up against your society if you thought an injustice was being done?
3. To what extent do you agree with Confucian values?
4. What were the similarities between Korea and China in the early 20th Century?
Comprehension questions:
1. Is cannibalism happening in the madman’s country or has it ever happened?
2. What does he think happened to his sister?
3. Why does he think people want to eat him?
4. How do you know that he is crazy?
Essay and Discussion questions:
1. This story can be read in two different ways. Why do you think the author did this?
2. What does the title mean?
3. Why does the madman want to save the children?
4. This story is a critique of Chinese society. Why doesn't the author criticize his society directly in his work?
Metamorphosis Discussion Questions
Preview questions
1. If you could be someone/thing different, what would you be?
2. In your culture, do parents place too many expectations on their children?
3.Would you like to be a travelling salesman?
4. How do you deal with failure?
Comprehension questions: chapter 1
1. Does he realize his transformation? Why a cockroach?
2. What’s Gregor’s life like compared to other travelling salesmen?
3. How do his parent’s reactions differ?
4. What is his transformation? Does he like it?
5.In his new transformation, he struggles to move? Does this mean anything?
6. Is Gregor a good son?
7. What does it mean to be human? Is Gregor still human? More human?
8. Why do you think the metamorphosis happened to Gregor? Does he deserve it?
Comprehension questions: chapter 2
1. How do the family adapt to living with Gregor?
2. How does Gregor change?
3. Why is Gregor concerned about his sister?
4. What is the family’s financial situation?
5. What in particular doesn’t Gregor like about his situation?
Comprehension questions: chapter 3
1. How does Gregor’s family change?
2. How does the violin incident change the family and Gregor?
3. Does the story end happily?
4. What is the conclusion of this story?
Discussion and Essay questions
1. Compare Gregor and Grete?
2. What does Gregor suffer from the most?
3. Why does he change into a beetle? What does his transformation mean?
4. What is the metamorphosis?
5. How does Kafka’s story reflect contemporary society?
6. Explain the role of secondary characters in this work (Chief clerk, maids and renters).
The Guest/Host by Albert Camus
Preview questions:
1. Do you often have to make choices that you don’t want to make?
2. Have you heard of the expression ‘to go native’? Could you go native?
3. What does colonialism mean to you?
4. Is it ever possible to stay neutral in political/social affairs?
5. What do you know about Algeria?
Comprehension questions:
1. Why aren’t there any students at the school?
2. What news does Balducci bring?
3. Why is Balducci offended?
4. Do you think the Arab feels guilt for his crime?
5. What does Daru think of the Arab?
6. What kind of person is Daru?
7. What does the message on the board mean?
Discussion and essay questions:
1. Discuss how loneliness is portrayed in the work.
2. Is the Arab really free to make a decision?
3. Is Daru’s solution to the situation the best one?
4. What is the political significance of this work?
5. Explain Daru’s connection to his environment and what it could possibly mean.
6. How might Balducci and Daru represent the different sides of colonialism?
Class Presentation for World Literature (15%+ 5% peer evaluation)
Length: 5-8 minutes (+1-2 minutes Q&A)
Topic: Anything related to the contents of the course. You could examine the authors, the authors’ works, themes in the course, literary movements, historical periods related to the works...
Grading Criteria: Will be in 3 parts: Content, Presentation and Language skills
1. Content (5%): The material should be interesting, informative and demonstrate your knowledge.
2. Presentation skills (5%): Physical message, Visuals (PPP) and the Story.
3. Language skills (5%): Fluency and Coherence, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Pronunciation.
Date: Week 11, 12th and 14th of November.
-Your instructor will give you examples.
The Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald
Preview Questions:
1. What was happening in the 1920s in America?
2. Why do people get married?
3. Why do you think the first love can be the strongest?
4. Can you recapture the past? What are the consequences?
5. Would you rather be new or old rich?
6. Do you believe the expression ‘behind every great fortune, there is a greater crime’?
Chapter 1: West and East Egg
1. What does Nick’s father’s advice mean? (pg. 5)
2. What is the difference between West and East Egg? (pg. 8)
3. Is Nick poor?
4. What are the Buchanans like?
Chapter 2: Tom and Myrtle
1. What is the valley of the ashes?
2. How did Tom and Myrtle meet? (pg. 31)
3. How does the party end?
Chapter 3: The Great Gatsby
1. What are some of the rumors about Gatsby?
2. What do Nick and Gatsby have in common? (pg. 39)
3. What kind of driver is Jordan Baker? (pg. 48)
4. Why is Nick honest?
Chapter 4: A Secret Past
1. Why does Nick want to laugh at Gatsby’s recounting of his life? (pg. 52)
2. What is the connection between Meyer Wolfshiem and Gatsby?
3. Why does Gatsby want Jordan to tell his story?
Chapter 5: Reunion
1. Why doesn’t Nick accept Gatsby’s business proposal? (pg. 66)
2. How does Gatsby’s behavior change in this chapter?
3. What do you think of Gatsby’s love for Daisy?
Chapter 6: James Gatz
1. Why did Gatsby change his name?
2. What is Daisy’s reaction to the party? (pg. 86)
3. What does Gatsby want?
Chapter 7: The Plaza Hotel
1. How does Gatsby respond to Daisy’s child? (pg. 93)
2. Who caused the accident?
3. Describe Tom’s reaction to the accident?
4. Whom does Daisy love?
Chapter 8: Finale
1. How did Gatsby feel when he visited Daisy’s home in Louisville? (pg. 118)
2. Why does Nick want to forsake everyone around him? (pg. 122)
3. What did Wilson find that made him suspicious of an affair?
4. What does Gatsby’s death mean?
Chapter 9: Epilogue
1. Who comes to the funeral?
2. What does Gatsby’s father think of his death? (pg. 137-8)
3. Why is the story about the West and not the East? (pg. 140)
4. What is the conclusion?
Essay and discussion questions:
1. Compare Myrtle and Gatsby.
2. How does the novel depict the rich and the poor?
3. What does the Great Gatsby say about modern capitalist society?
4. How is love depicted in the novel?
5. Why is Gatsby a romantic?
6. What is Gatsby’s folly?