2.1.8: Discuss Your Reading: Sweat

Discussion Topic

Keeping in mind this relationship, post a message that responds to one or more of the following questions about Delia and Sykes:

• Why do you think Delia has put up with Sykes for so long when he treats her so badly?
• What makes her start standing up to him? What does Sykes have to do with it? Does he inadvertently help her gain strength? How?
• Why do you think Delia decides not to help Sykes after the snake has bitten him? Do you think she made a reasonable decision or not?

As a follow-up posting, comment on whether you agree or disagree, and why, with a classmate's posting.

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first posting. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.

Discussion 2.1.6

Discuss Your Reading: The Story of an Hour

Discussion Topic

"The Story of an Hour" tells of Mrs. Mallard's reaction to her husband's death and, then, her reaction to that news being false. Writing in the late 1800s, Kate Chopin believed that American authors faced "limitations... hamper[ing] a full and spontaneous expression"; the same could be said about Chopin's main character.

In this discussion, post a message responding to one or more of the following questions about this story:

• How would you describe the tone and mood of the story?
• What specific details contribute to creating the tone and mood?
• How does the tone shift with the progression of the story?

As a follow-up posting, respond to a classmate's thoughts about the tone and mood of the story. Do you agree or disagree with the interpretation? Why?

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first posting. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.

Discussion 2.1.4

Discuss Your Reading: What Motivates the Narrator?

Discussion Topic

Understanding what motivates a narrator is key to interpreting a work of fiction. Post a message that responds to one or more of the following questions about the narrator in James Joyce's short story "Araby":

• What striking images help you understand the narrator's feelings?
• What reveals the narrator's attitude toward his home?
• What do you know about the physical appearance of the narrator? What do you know about how he thinks?
• What effect is produced by the difference between narrator as character and narrator as storyteller?

As a follow-up posting, respond to a classmate's thoughts about the narrator in the story. Do you agree or disagree with their interpretations? Why?

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first posting. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.