Still Close Reading

http://www.katechopin.org/bust/

Rather exciting to receive a new book in class -- especially one full of a stories from a St. Louis writer. To the right is the Central West End bust dedicated to Kate Chopin, who once lived on McPherson Avenue. Chopin wrote of her nineteenth century world, one in which gender roles dictated reputations, lifestyles, and behaviors. Via The Awakening and her short stories, you will have a sense of that nineteenth century environment and how she influenced generations of writers and literary theory.

To start our analysis, you are assigned the first 5 chapters of The Awakening. 

To recap today's class, don't ever forget to CLOSE READ. I know I sound like the cliched "broken record," but finding literary devices and thematic elements prior to multiple choice work helps you in the long run! 

Lastly, I hope this class encourages you to read more diverse genres and become familiar with great authors. My second favorite novel is Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier, and it is the first novel that made me cry while reading its climactic conclusion. Every December I read the tale of the outlier Inman and the belle Ada. Most importantly, the character of Ada, whose name means noble, inspired me to give my rabbit this beautiful name. Today would have been her 8th birthday, and I would like to celebrate her memory and the novel that has changed my life in so many ways. Happy reading.