Paper 3

Thanks to all of you who turned in optional Paper 3. I should have those back to you by next Tuesday.

Could you read the comments on your papers?

I've had a couple of people say that they either (1) didn't know where to get the graded papers or (2) couldn't read the comments on this set.

1. You can pick up your paper (e-version) in Angel. Go back to the Dropbox where you uploaded it originally and you will see a graded version.

2. You should be able to see the comments in Adobe or in Preview (for Mac users). Mouse over the yellow comment bubble and you will see the comments. In Adobe, you can also go to View -> Navigation Panels -> Comments to see all the comments at once. In Preview, click on View -> Show Notes.

If you try these tips and you still can't see the comments, please let me know.

Reports on 4/5, not 4/3

In order to hear from the last group on Summer, reports will be on 4/5, not 4/3 as on the syllabus. Bring your copy of the novel with you to class along with the Fitzgerald stories and your precis assignment.

Paper 2 is in Angel

The corrected versions of Paper 2 are now in Angel, for those who submitted electronic versions.
Please let me know if you have any trouble in opening them.

You'll need to consult the Key to Comments page (on sidebar) for information on the abbreviations used.

Correction from yesterday's class

I misspoke yesterday when talking about optional paper 3. If you complete it, only the two top grades for the short papers will be counted (best 2 of 3), but it can't substitute for an exam.
http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/engl481/sched481s12.htm

After break: reports

We'll have reports after Spring Break:

Edith Wharton: early reputation Stefanie Eggers
Edith Wharton's Social World Kristen Parton
Edith Wharton's popularity today (Gossip Girl, "chick lit," etc.) Stevie Morrow
Open topic Brittany Hutchinson

Emily Dickinson parody

Here's the parody we discussed in class:
A gauzy Skein of Propylene --
That sways with slightest Breath --
This bag holds smocks -- and Bread and Milk --
But -- in its folds -- lies Death.
It sways and puffs -- this Thistledown, Balloonlike in its joy --
Each tiny mouth a perfect fit -- This bag is not a toy.

-- Emily Dickinson

(Jim Roy Wilson, Washington)

Washington Post Style Invitational:

Rewrite some banal instructions in the style of some famous writer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A12136-2003Mar22¬Found=true

Our popular then/classic now predictions for the future

Here's the list you all generated in class the other day about books that are popular now that may or may not become classic in the future. Please feel free to add others in the comments.

Popular now, classic in the future
Time-Traveler's Wife
Stephen King (It, King as best of genre)
The Help
Harry Potter
Cormac McCarthy
Game of Thrones
The Book Thief
Cyanide and Happiness (web comic)
A Child Called It (pain memoir/abuse memoir)

In the middle (might be classic in the future but maybe not)
Michael Crichton
Tom Clancy

Popular now, NOT classic in the future
Twilight
Da Vinci Code
Hunger Games
Mortal Instruments
Nicholas Sparks (any novel)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Danielle Steele

Note: I've added an option that addresses this to the Paper 4 assignment: "In keeping with our "popular then/classic now" theme for the course, choose a current book that you think may become a classic in the future and write a serious, extended analysis of it explaining its literary qualities. You might want to choose to compare it with a book that we've read or discuss it as an example of a genre that we've discussed."

"To Build a Fire," 1902 version

Here's a link to the 1902 version of "To Build a Fire" that we looked at in class. There's no dog in this one. By the way, the site where this appears has a lot of good information about Jack London: http://www.jacklondons.net/. You can find other good sites at our Jack London page, http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/london.htm.