Argument

Read the essay here. What does it add to our discussion of the modes of reason?

Also this is fascinating....

What Truths Science Cannot Speak

Read and respond to this essay from the New York Times. Bring our class discussions about argument into play...you can even reference David Quammen and others.

Raymond Carver Boxes

Carver's story Boxes gives us two of the patterns I have stressed: 1. the difficulty and desperation of the working class and 2. the pre-epiphanic moment, at which a character sort of "wakes up." I have noted that many of the moments are also moments of the awareness of mortality.

When you have read Boxes, please write about 200 words. Tell me the defining characteristics of the narrator and note for me any significant details, that is, any details that function not only as part of the setting or plot, but also of theme or motif.

Where I'm Calling From

This is one of Carver's most praised stories. Published in the early 1980's, it was included in the Best American Short Stories and was subsequently tagged for inclusion in John Updike's BASS of the Century Anthology.

The style is somewhat richer than the spare minimal sentences that Carver produced under the editorial hand of Gordon Lish. I think it points the way Carver would be turning in his last years, as he wrote true masterpieces like Errand.

In the story, Carver uses supporting characters to develop the voice and character of the narrator. Given your reading and completion of the worksheet, please write no more than 4000 characters in which you discuss how several supporting characters helps us to understand the protagonist-narrator.

Carver Video

Please watch parts 1, 2, 3.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Rayond Carver

You have read Cathedral, the poem Photograph of My Father in his 22^nd Year and the memoir piece that includes that poem.

What themes does Carver announce in these pieces? How might we expect that he enlarge (beyond mere stereotype) our understanding of a certain part of American culture?

What parts of each piece of writing (story, essay, poem) communicate most clearly to you? Just begin with a short quote and then tell how that quote means something to you.

Then go the blog and write in your response. Create about 300 words worth of writing. Your audience is your peer group, plus teachers and other smart folks who like to learn about writers and writing. So pay attention to grammar and spelling. But the most important part is the quality of your ideas, the sincerity of your response. This is a Pass/Fail grade. No late work, no excuses.

Dystopia wars

Orwell's 1984 warns us that the future will dominated by totalitarian governments who use force to rule the populace. Brave New World offers another view: that people will become so bebased by entertainment and pleasure that they will willingly give up freedom for a life of guaranteed, mindless pleasure.

Read the short summaries of both books at the links above to remind your self of the books (or learn about them for the first time.

The read this letter from Huxley to Orwell.

Which is more a more accurate future of authoritarian govenment for a country like the USA? Why?

Limit to 4000 characters.