Tuesday 4/24
Discussion Questions on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Speckled Band"
Directions: Work INDEPENDENTLY on answering these questions. Submit your work to turnitin by the end of school. Any evidence of collaboration or sharing of answers will be reported to the Dean as academic dishonesty.
Wednesday 2/21
Discussion Questions: Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
Directions: Working on your iPad, write thoughtful and meaningful reflections on each question. Be thorough and do NOT rush or write perfunctory responses. All answers must be your own. Number each question.
You need to submit your work to turnitin.com before the bell rings.
If you finish early, begin quietly reading Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” (2633-2639).
Questions on Intro: (2487-89)
6. What interesting things does the narrator reveal about himself on the first two pages? How does he enjoy spending his free time and why?
7. What happens to the narrator on the top of 2494? What about his shipmates?
8. What rouses the narrator from his slumber on 2494 (middle)? What impresses you here about the narrator’s description?
9. What is interesting about the description at the bottom of page 2495?
10. Reflect on the following quote on page 2496: “But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive behavior, soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk on my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must appear to them.” (2496)
What internal conflict is the narrator expressing here?
11. What amusing thing happens in the first paragraph of 2498 and what impresses you here about the narrator’s description?
12. Explain the narrator’s odd predicament at the bottom of 2498. What kind of society is Lilliput? How is it governed? What might Swift be suggesting in this depiction?
13. Did you enjoy reading this chapter? Why or why not? Did it conform with the image of this famous work that you have gained from popular imagination?
Again, submit your work to turnitin.com when you have finished and work on your reading!
This will be assessed as a 10 point daily work grade, so do your best.
Discussion Questions on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Speckled Band"
Directions: Work INDEPENDENTLY on answering these questions. Submit your work to turnitin by the end of school. Any evidence of collaboration or sharing of answers will be reported to the Dean as academic dishonesty.
- What is the first thing that Holmes says to Watson on 1832?
- What does Watson admire about Holmes on 1832?
- What is the woman wearing and what important information does she relate?
- What do we learn about the Stoner family on 1833-34?
- What unusual inhabitants can be found on the estate and why? (1834)
- What do we learn about Julia’s death on the middle of 1836?
- Explain Holmes reasoning in the middle of 1838.
- How is Dr. Roylott portrayed on 1839?
- What is said about the saucer of milk on 1843?
- What does Watson remark about his friend’s face on 1843?
- Why do Holmes and Watson rent a room at the Crown Inn and what is the basic plan?
- Who is the “hideous and distorted child” that Watson observes on the estate grounds?
- What creature do Holmes and Watson discover in Dr. Roylott’s room?
- How is the crime resolved on 1848?
Wednesday 2/21
Discussion Questions: Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
Directions: Working on your iPad, write thoughtful and meaningful reflections on each question. Be thorough and do NOT rush or write perfunctory responses. All answers must be your own. Number each question.
You need to submit your work to turnitin.com before the bell rings.
If you finish early, begin quietly reading Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” (2633-2639).
Questions on Intro: (2487-89)
- Why do the authors consider Swift’s novel relevant today?
- What does satire literally mean? (See glossary)What is the basic function of satire? Can you think of examples of satire we have encountered this year? Can you think of examples from popular culture? Are these effective? Why?
- Which aspects of English society is Swift putting on trial in Gulliver’s Travels?
- What is unusual about the Houyhnhmns (besides their odd spelling) and their relationship to the Yahoos? What do these two things oddly represent?
- What aspects of Swift’s satirical novel are praised on page 2488?
6. What interesting things does the narrator reveal about himself on the first two pages? How does he enjoy spending his free time and why?
7. What happens to the narrator on the top of 2494? What about his shipmates?
8. What rouses the narrator from his slumber on 2494 (middle)? What impresses you here about the narrator’s description?
9. What is interesting about the description at the bottom of page 2495?
10. Reflect on the following quote on page 2496: “But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive behavior, soon drove out those imaginations. Besides, I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk on my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must appear to them.” (2496)
What internal conflict is the narrator expressing here?
11. What amusing thing happens in the first paragraph of 2498 and what impresses you here about the narrator’s description?
12. Explain the narrator’s odd predicament at the bottom of 2498. What kind of society is Lilliput? How is it governed? What might Swift be suggesting in this depiction?
13. Did you enjoy reading this chapter? Why or why not? Did it conform with the image of this famous work that you have gained from popular imagination?
Again, submit your work to turnitin.com when you have finished and work on your reading!
This will be assessed as a 10 point daily work grade, so do your best.