World Literature through Short Stories

Week 1-2:  Theme:  being a man , being mature

In the first week, each student must choose a novel.
Before Reading:
What does it mean to be a man today? How can boys become men in today's world without becoming cold or closed-hearted on the one hand or wimpy and emasculated on the other? Merely having XY chromosomes will not yield what most people would externally recognize as a man (having male body characteristics).  Think about how a boy often receives differing messages about what a "Real Man" is.  Some of these messages are helpful but sometimes they may be harmful.  Images of true maleness given on television, movies, and by celebrities are also important to youth growing up today.  Respond to one of the choices in the prompt below with an essay.
Ø  Persuade a parent or a friend that your concept of masculinity is valuable.   OR
Ø Write about a relationship, message, or image that helped shape your ideas about what masculinity should be today.     OR
Ø  Describe a boy who thought he was a man and explain why you think he overestimated himself.    OR
Ø Write about the theme in your own way.     

Reading:  "Flight" by John Steinbeck (American) 18 pgs

Focus: Symbolism
Color symbolism
Symbolism of east (birth, good) and west (death, bad) 
Symbolism of water as life
Taking on the mantle (clothing of the mentor) 

After Reading: The Written Response:
Craft an essay that addresses the theme of mature manhood in "Flight" by John Steinbeck.  Give an introductory paragraph with an opinion and focus on three or more points that support your opinion.  Do NOT write a summary. 

Articles for further thinking:
What Does it Mean to be a Real Man?
   
How to be a Man

Week 3    Theme: Differences between Cultures

coagulate
disconcerted
estuary
exile
furrow
furtive
musing
paltry 
peevishly
siege
Practice vocab

Read "The Guest" by Albert Camus  (French)     12  1/2 pgs   

Think about the two beliefs below:
Individuals are responsible for giving their own lives meaning and for living their lives passionately and sincerely (existentialism).
There is no meaning in the world; we merely warp what we observe to make some meaning out of it (absurdism).
If there is no meaning, but we are still responsible for our lives, then we must make moral decisions without ever knowing the right answers.

Respond to one of the articles below.  Clearly agree or disagree with the author's ideas. 

Camus's "The Guest": Commentary by Karen Bernardo

Albert Camus's "The Guest": a new look at the prisoner

Camus's Story "The Guest": Moral Decision-Making in Hostile World

Week 4

Bodhisattva
brazen
brigand
defiant
evanescent
kimono
lacquered
notorious
samurai
sedge

Read "In a Grove"  by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (Japanese)   7 pgs

complex and contradictory vision of events that brings into question humanity's ability or willingness to perceive and transmit objective truth. 

Writing Assignment: Present a case solving the murder.  You must rely heavily on the testimony given.  Cite specific testimony by using quotes. 

Rashomon Trailer (1950) 1:49

Whole film (1950)

Rashomon Trailer (2007) 1:06

Rashomon Trailer (2008) 0:56

Film inspired by Rashomon (2007) 6:37

Week 5

capacity
consolation
fasting
emaciated
impresario
initiates
lot
martyr
menagerie
vigil

Read "A Hunger Artist" by Franz Kafka (a Jew writing in German while living in Prague, the Czech Republic) 9 1/2 pgs

Interpretations by Cumming's Study Guides 

Week 6

cataclysm
frivolous
impede
impertinences
ingenuous
magnanimous
providential
prudence
reverence
stench

Read "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings"
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombian)

Week 7

grave (adj)
lament
palpitate
profound
reproach
primeval
shroud
somber
wan
wane

Read "Love: Three Pages from a Sportsman's Notebook" by Guy De Maupassant (French) 5  1/2 pgs

Week 8

corrugated
dementedly
oppressive
ostentatious
stupefying
succumbed

Read "In the Shadow of War" by Ben Okri (Nigerian) 3 pgs,  pg 970 Literature Text, Holt, Rinehart, Winston Series, Sixth Course (Purple cover)