Inferno Canto XII (12)

This illustration concerns the next canto, XIII, which we'll go over on Monday. (You won't have to include the XIIIth canto in your parallel allegory).

Don't forget to read the introduction and the notes.

For your parallel allegory, think in terms of finding someone/something to represent the centaur(s) who make sure the murderers don't raise themselves from the boiling blood any more than they're allowed to--I'm not saying this will be easy. One of the centaurs leads Dante and Virgil to the shallowest part of the stream, and takes Dante on his back over the stream at that point. Some equivalents of the killers themselves would be also be good. At the beginning of the canto,, Dante and Virgil encounter the minotaur and get by him. Both the minotaur and the centaurs are half-beast, half-human (because people who commit violence against others are acting like beasts).

In lines 1-9 and 31-45, the story of Jesus coming down into hell after his death but before his resurrection is again referred to. It caused an earthquake in hell.

In lines 10-27, Dante and Virgil encounter the minotaur, a character in a Greek myth. See notes.

EVERYONE: if the question I have for you is too hard, don't worry. Give it a try; you're allowed to give up after giving it a try.

1. Elana, Laura, Yenna: in lines 39-43, Virgil alludes to the philosophy of Empedocles. Please see note at the end, try to explain what is going on in these lines.

2. Demi, Savannah, Heather: Why do you suppose the various monsters and guards (Charon, Minos, Plutus, Phlegyas, the fallen angels who guard the city of hell, and now the Minotaur and the centaurs) are so hostile toward Dante and Virgil? (14-15, 22-26, 58-63)

3. Sang Eun, Kai, David: Why is the story of Hercules, Dejanira, and Nessus appropriate to this canto/circle of hell, beyond the fact that Nessus happens to appear in this canto? (67-69, and note).

NOTE: Chiron the centaur you may know from the Disney movie versionof Hercules. He's the one who trains Hercules to be a hero.

4. Christy, Brianna, Emily: as the note tells us, Chiron, the leader of the centaurs, is presented more positively than most of the other citizens of hell. What do you think? ((76-100)

5. Ji Yoon, Sung Kun, and Nick: Compare this canto to the other cantos in which sinners are being seriously punished. Is it different in any way, or in what particular ways is it the same?

The Inferno canto XI (11)

Don't forget to read the introduction and the notes after.

Please answer the question assigned to you and feel free to comment on others' answers.

1. Ji Yoon and David: find an example of imagery invoking the sense of sight, quote it, and write a sentence or two or three of "column two thinking" about it.

2. Ka Yeon and Sung Kun: find an example of imagery invoking the sense of smell, quote it, and write a sentence or two or three of "column two thinking" about it.

3. Elana and Demi: in line 3, Dante and Virgil find "ghastlier gangs." What might this phrase refer to? After giving your opinion, write a sentence or two or three of "column two thinking" about it.

4. Nick and Laura: In lines 22-27, Virgil explains why malicious fraud is worse than malicious violence. In your own words, what is his reasoning? Why would "man alone [being] capable" of malicious fraud make it worse?

Note: there are three cantos devoted to the seventh circle, one for each "round" of the circle (28-30). The first round is for murderers/destroyers (40-42), the second round for suicides (43-35), and the third round for blasphemers, whose who try to harm God himself by "railing" at (insulting) God. Specifically, Dante has in mind homosexuals and usurers (those who lend money and charge a lot of interest for doing so) (46-51, and see note for Sodom and Cahors).

Fraud is punished in the eighth circle, which has ten rounds, and the ninth circle, which has four rounds. Circle eight is for those who betray strangers. Circle nine is for those who betray friends and family.

5. Sang Eun, Emily, and Savannah: why would betraying friends and family be worse than betraying strangers?

6. Christy, Yeena, Heather: Virgil tells Dante that Aristotle (author of the Ethics) declared that inappropriate desire (incontinence) is less evil than anger (bestiality) and malice (violence against or betrayal of others) but he does not go into why. Why do you think inappropriate desire might not be as bad as anger, violence, and betrayal?

Note: In lines 94-111, Virgil explains to Dante why usury is so bad. The explanation will probably not make much sense. We'll go over it in class.

Reading Your Own Book: Fifth Night

Please write which pages you have read, the plot of what you have read (in as much detail as you wish), and try to go beyond plot somehow. Discussing character, setting, or imagery are examples of things you could discuss.
As discussed in class, if you need to change books, do so, and blog about the process of changing books.

Reading assignment #3

Please write which pages you have read, the plot of what you have read (in as much detail as you wish), and try to go beyond plot somehow. Discussing character, setting, or imagery are examples of things you could discuss.

As discussed in class, if you need to change books, do so, and blog about the process of changing books.

Reading Your Own Book: Second Night of Reading

Please write which pages you have read, the plot of what you have read (in as much detail as you wish), and try to go beyond plot somehow. Discussing character, setting, or imagery are examples of things you could discuss.

Your Chosen Book: first reading

Please write which pages you have read, the plot of what you have read (in as much detail as you wish), and try to go beyond plot somehow. Discussing character, setting, or imagery are examples of things you could discuss.

If you are still looking for a book that you think you will like, tell us about your continuing efforts to do so.

Thank you!

Finding a book to read

Please tell the story of finding a book that you think you would like to read, one that is on campus, and one that is fictional (a novel or short stories). Why do you think you will like it? Was the search challenging or easy?

The Wife of Bath's Tale, 252 to the end

1. Note that in lines 253 -320 the old woman defends herself from the knights' criticism that she is "low-born," that is, low-class. She argues that virtuous behavior does not depend on blood or lineage (who your ancestors were); virtue is virtue. In lines 320-350 she defends herself from the charge of being poor by saying that Jesus himself chose to be born poor and to live a poor man; that the really poor person is he or she who envies others; that poverty teaches patience. In 350 to 360 she defends herself from the charge of being old by saying he won't have to worry about her being unfaithful (since she will not be tempted and no one will try to seduce her).

What do you think of these arguments?

2. In 363-371, the old woman gives the knight a magical choice. Put it into your own words. (Once someone has done so satisfactorily, no one else should take this question.)

3. In 374-379, the knight replies. Do you think he made a good decision? Explain.

4. In 385-398, the knight finds out the result of his choice. Put it into your own words (once someone has done this satisfactorily, no one should do this question.)

5. Why do you think the Wife of Bath tells this particular story?

6. Find a line or sentence that you think worthy of comment and comment on it.

Wife of Bath's Tale 164-252

1. The ugly old woman tells the knight (it turns out) that what women most want is to have the upper hand, to rule over, their husbands or lovers (181-184), and none of the woman at court disagree (187-189). What do you think of this?

2. The ugly old woman than asks for what the knight promised (152-154) if her answer was right: to do whatever she asked. She asks him to marry her. Why does he object to being married to her?

3. Is there anything comical about the knight's situation? Is there anything tragic about the knight's situation?

4. What do you make of the ugly old woman so far? Does she seem like a good character, one we sympathize with, a bad character, neither, or both? Explain.

5. Does the knight seem like a good character, a bad character, neither, or both> Explain.

6. Find a phrase you find interesting or important and explain why.

The Wife of Bath's Tale, 69-164

1. The knight hears different answers as to what women want most. If you had to choose to be known for one of the following, what would you choose, and why?

riches
prettiness
fair fame (a good reputation)
flattery
to be free to do what they want, with the man not criticizing but instead taking their advice
be considered wise and free of sin
to be considered faithful, trustworthy, and able to keep a secret

2. The Wife pauses and tells the story of the wife who betrayed her husband’s secret—the husband being Midas, whose secret was that his ears had been turned into a donkey’s ears (he kept them covered up in a turban). What does the Wife’s stopping to tell this story say about her? What does her telling this particular story tell about her?

3. Towards the end of the year, the knight comes on a magical scene: a group of young, beautiful dancing ladies who disappear leaving in their place one old, ugly women, who promises to the give the knight the right answer. Does this part of the story seem the same, or in the same vein, as that which has come before or does it seem different? Explain.

4. Find a line, a phrase, or a sentence you find interesting or important, quote it, and explain.

Wife of Bath lines 1-68

1. Why do you suppose the queen and her ladies beg Arthur not to execute the knight who has molested the woman? What do the queen and her ladies stand to gain?

2. Come up with an adjective to describe the story-teller, the Wife of Bath, and cite a quotation from the reading to support your choice of quotation, and explain as necessary.

3. Do you think it makes sense to raise the question of "what thing it is that women most desire" (line 49)? Or does the question not make sense, because women are too different from each other to make such a generalization?

4. Why might the Wife of Bath herself be interested in the question of "what thing it is that women most desire?"

5. Why might a culture be interested in the question of "what thing it is that women most desire"? Do you think our own culture is interested in the question?

6. Choose a passage that you find interesting or important or likable and explain why.

Siddhartha 103-112

1. From the point of view of the book, what is the best way for a parent to treat his child? Do you agree?

2. Is there evidence that Siddhartha loves his son (Siddhartha Jr.) quite a lot?

3. Assuming that the answer to #2 is correct, that Siddhartha loves his son quite a lot, is it strange that Siddhartha should fall into the samsara of love for a specific human at this point, or not strange? Explain.

4. If you were Siddhartha's son, would you rather stay with Siddhartha and Vasadevu, or be sent away to a boarding school so that you could be with other young people? Why?

5. Can gentleness and patience ever be negative qualities, in your opinion? Why or why not?

Siddhartha 89-101

1. If I were to take a survey, I would guess that nine out of ten people would consider themselves a good listener. If I asked you what percentage of people you know are really good listeners, I think you would say fewer than nine out of ten.

If you agree with the above, how would you explain it? If you disagree, explain why.

2. Siddhartha finds the ferryman a good listener. What makes him a good listener?

3. Siddhartha is taught by the river that time does not exist. Can you put into words how this could possibly be true?

4. Why would the knowledge that time does not exist cause Siddhartha to feel ecstatic, "blissful"?

5. Vasadevu the ferryman says that "the voices of all creatures are in [the river's] voice. Can you put into words what he means?

6. Also, when all the voices speak at once, the voices say "om." Can you put into words what he means?

7. Find a sentence that you like or that is helpful to you in understanding the reading and explain.

Siddhartha 77-88

1. If you had to say what the four most important things about this chapter were, what would you say? Why?

2. Discuss the role of the river in this reading.

3. Siddhartha finds himself "full of cheerful love" (83). Where do you suppose this feeling of being full of cheerful love came from?

4. Find a sentence from the reading you would like to comment on, and comment on it.

Siddhartha 48-76

1. What do you think of Kamala? Does she seem like a positive character or not? Why?

2. Knowing how to think, how to wait, and how to fast are Siddhartha's three skills. Can you see how these would be enough to succeed at anything? Or do you disagree that these are the only skills a person really needs?

3. In Siddhartha's opinion, "writing is good, thinking is better" (59). What do you think of this opinion?

4. In Siddhartha's opinion, "cleverness is good, patience is better" (59). What do you think of this opinion?

5. Siddhartha learns the art of love from Kamala. How is it possible for the art of love to have any spiritual benefit or spiritual value? Or is it impossible for the art of love to have a spiritual benefit or spiritual value?

6. In what way(s) is (are) Siddhartha and Kamala alike?

7. Over time, Siddhartha grows to care about samsara, the things of this world, such as material possessions, wine, and gambling. How do you explain his growing to care about such things?

8. Siddhartha is warned about the meaningless life he is leading by a dream. What might this say about where truth comes from, according to the author?

Siddhartha 35-39, 43-top 0f 48

1. Siddhartha comes to the realization that the has been fleeing from his ego, and that he should no longer do so; that he should get to know himself: "I will get to know myself, the secret that is Siddhartha." What do you think of this plan? Do you think it would be a good idea for you to get to know yourself, "the secret that is" you? (36)

2. Having decided to get to know himself, Siddhartha immediately notices colors "as if seeing the world for the first time." Can you put into words why getting to know himself might lead to his noticing colors? (37)

3. Do you think it would be a good idea for Siddhartha to go home and see his family, even if only for a visit? Or is he right to decide not to? Why? (38-39)

4. Siddhartha thinks that there can be a "random ego of thinking and learning" as well as a "random ego of the senses." What do you suppose he means by each? (45)

5. The ferryman says that he "often listen[s] to the river, and looks "into its eyes," and he says "One can learn a lot from a river. Although we don't have enough information to say, do you think the ferryman is in the same place in his spiritual journey as Siddhartha, or a different place? Why? (46)

6. Note the references to Siddhartha's "innermost voice," the one that say to him "no" concerning the young woman (47). What do you think of this concept of an "inner voice" one should listen to?

7. How would you explain the fact that his inner voice tells him "no" about the young woman? (47)

Siddhartha 25-34

Sorry about assigning the wrong pages. The right assignment is 25-34.

Please note that we'll spend some time tomorrow reading the Buddha's four principles and eight-fold path so we'll have an idea of what the Buddha was preaching.

1. How does Siddhartha feel about the Buddha, given the evidence of this reading assignment?

2. What do you think about Siddhartha's response to Govinda's announcement that he was going to become a follower of the Buddha, and to Govinda's questions as to why Siddhartha is deciding not to be a follower of the Buddha? (29-30)

3. Siddhartha brings up two points to the Buddha--one on p. 31, and one on p. 32. Put into your own words ONE of the points Siddhartha brings up.

4. The Buddha gives Siddhartha two warnings. What are they?

5. In what way is the book about Buddhism, and yet not about Buddhism?

6. Find a sentence from the reading you would like to comment on, and comment on it.

SIddhartha 13-23

Good job of reading last night.

1. Now that you've read of Siddhartha's time with the Samanas, can you summarize what the Samanas are trying to do?

2. Can you put into your own words what Siddhartha was after in going to be with the Samanas? (This question pertains to the first chapter more than to the second chapter.)

3. Can you put into words why Siddhartha is not content with the life of a Samana?

4. What evidence is there that Siddhartha is good at being a Samana, just as in the first chapter he was good at being the son of a Brahmin (that is, a man of a high class, priestly, devout, and often economically well-off)?

5. When Siddhartha says "I am starting to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the wish to know, than learning" (18), what might he mean?

6. Is training to be an artist somewhat like training to be a samana?

Siddhartha 3-11

The prompts are below.

A few definitions. I don't need you to memorize these--the sense of the meaning comes through in context pretty well--but in case they are helpful, here are some definitions of some possibly unfamiliar terms:

--Brahma: the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe.[1]

Atman:--each being's inborn potential to become and the future status as a Buddha--a philosophical term used within Hinduism and Vedanta to identify the soul. It is one's true self (hence generally translated into English as 'Self') beyond identification with the phenomenal reality of worldly existence.

Satya: truth ( in a capital T sense) or the pursuit of truth

1. What is most admirable about Siddhartha?

2. Do you think Siddhartha is being too extreme?

3. What do you think Siddharths's father would like Siddhartha to become, and how does Siddhartha's desire to become a Samana differ from his father's desire?

4. Would you say that anyone at Walnut Hill has a desire or way of looking at things that Siddhartha' seems to so far? Don't name names; just discuss.

5. Can you find a connection between Siddhartha's way of being religious and the way a Christian, Jewish, or Moslem person might be religious--or is it a completely different way of being religious? Explain.

The Story of Er

Plato as painted by Raphael

1. Someone make an attempt to paraphrase, or summarize, what happens in the rest of the story of Er--the part we didn't read in class.

If you think the person has not completed the task or has said something inaccurate, cpolitely suggest a change or an addition.

2. Can you connect this story with the story of the cave that Mr. Gregg shared with you (from the same source as the story of Er?)

3. Can you come up with a "moral of the story" for the story of Er, other than one should good rather than bad, even though that seems to be at least part of the moral?

Lavinia 257-272

Aeneas sacrificing to his household Penates

An example of a representative of a household god

1. Compare Ascanius' idea of piety (257) to Lavinia's near the bottom of p. 22. Discuss.

2. Why is "Mother Wolf" (258) an appropriate nickname for Lavinia?

3. What are the implications of Ascanius not having any children?

4. What seems to you to be th emostl likely explanation for the Penates (the household gods, who were probably represented by clay sculptures and ceramic pots) of Troy appearing in Lavinium, and disappearing from Alba Longa? (263-264)

5. What evidence is there that Silvius is or will become an effective ruler?

6. There is some evidence that Lavinia turns into a non-human animal. What kind of animal would you guess?

7. Why do you suppose the author has Lavinia change into some kind of animal?

Lavinia 250-257

1. Discuss the word "wolf" in realtion to this reading assignment. where has it come up before in the book? Does that part connect to this?

2. In her dream, Lavinia hears the poet's voice (253). What does the poet's voice tell her that gives her guidance? Explain.

3. Lavinia goes back to Lavinium to tell everyone what she heard in her dream (255-256). How does this help her with her project of holding on to Silvius?

4. Even though Lavinia knew Ascanius would send for Silvius, and made plans, she wasn't prepared with any particular plan when Ascanius' men come. She just decides at that momoent to run away into the forest. Can you think of a way that her making this decision on the spot is like her, or unlike her? To put it another way, why in your opinion does she not decide what to do beforehand?

5. Find a moment in the reading that you like and explain why.

Lavinia 224-240

A painting of Aeneas with his companion Achates encountering Venus. Achates is known for his devotion to Aeneas. In this reading, we see him taking the death of Aeneas hard, and we see the resulting conflict between Lavinia and Ascanius.

1. In this reading, Ascanius' flaws are once again apparent. Is there anything about his youth or upbringing that would explain why he is the way he is?

2. Can you cite an example of his not behaving well in this reading?

3. Can you find evidence of Sylvius being a positive character?

4. We learn that Ascanius wants to separate Sylvius and Lavinia, by having Lavinia move back to Lavinium while keeping Sylvius with him. His plan to get married is the reason to invite her to go home to Lavinium. why would he want to keep Sylvius with him? (There's no one right answer.)

5. Lavinia does not want to leave Sylvius behind for emotional reasons: he is her beloved son. Are there any other reasons why she doesn't want to leave him behind?

Lavinia 212-224

What Silvius may have looked like. This painting was done by a Roman living in Egypt roughly at the time of Vergil' writing the Aeneid.

Some of these questions will pertain to reading assignments from the last couple of nights.

1. Why do you think the fact that Aeneas killed turnus the way he did bothered Aeneas so much? (187-190)

2. Are there signs
that the gods wanted Aeneas' new city to do well? Like what?

3. How does the battle against Camers of Ardea and his men help the new city of Lavinium? (196-198)

4. Give an example of the fact that Ascanius is not a very good character. If someone has written already about your example, find another example.

5. Aeneas gives Ascanius a lesson about being a ruler (218)--put into your own words what Aeneas wants Ascanius to understand.

6. Note that the man who kills Aeneas was able to because Aeneas, when he had his sword at his throat, grants the man his wish to live (223). Comment.

Lavinia 152-173

1. On pages 158-159, Turnus says that he will definitely fight with Aeneas one-to-one. He announces that he has already sent a herald (messaenger) to theTrojan side to say so. Look at the part begins, "The messenger has gone?" and ends "he said, with kindness." Can you explain what's going on in this part?

2. Note that there's a "flash-forward" at 160-162--we're in the time when Lavinia and Aeneas are married, and Lavinia discuss a wound Aeneas incurred during the war, and explains that he had a barbed arrowhead inside his leg at the time he finally encountered Turnus and killed him. Why might the author incoude the detail of this wound, this arrowhead?

3. Can you spot the place in this reading where (one might argue) Aeneas asks Lavinia to marry him, and she accepts?

4. A mysterious omen appears when the eagle grabs the flying swan and then is pursued by the other swans (166-167) and it leads to the truce being broken again. COuld the appearance of the swans and eagle be evidence that the gods do not want there to be a one-on-one battle between Turnus and Aeneas that would end the war? And why would the gods not want the war to end?

5. Which side actually breaks the agreement to have Aeneas and Turnus fight it out one on one--the Trojans or the Latins, and how do you know?

6. Find a sentence or a phrase that you like, and explain why.

A depiction of Aeneas' shield

1. Put into words what is bad about Turnus's treatment of Pallas, the son of Evander, a nearby king who had agrred to be an ally of Aeneas' (142-143)

2. In response to Turnus' treatment of Pallas, Aeneas experiences "the fury" (143). Does his killing frenzy make him seem like a bad man? If not, how are we to interpret it?

3. Does Aeneas' offer to settle things through one-on-one, man-to-man combat with Turnus (146) seem fair and right, or not? Explain.

4. Latinus almost gets his country's leaders to agree to stop fighting (149) but Drances makes things go wrong (1490-150)--explain how.

5. Who acts most like a queen on p. 151--Amata, Lavinia, or Juturna? Explain.

Lavinia 125-139

Aeneas and one of his best friends, the younger Achates, travelling, encounter Venus, who always supports Aeneas


1. Ascanius, Aeneas' son, features in this reading on p. 132 and 135. What do you think of his behavior and words? Why?

2. Generally, do the Trojans behave badly or well in this reading? Explain.

3. How are Turnus's actions in this reading typical of Turnus?

4. Rufus Anso is wounded and brought into the courtyard of the king's palace which is being used as a hospital. Why might the author have included the Rufus Anso part (133)?

5. Generally, does Amata, Lavinia's mother, act well or badly during the time covered in this reading?

Lavinia 114-125

Ares, god of war


1. The myth of Cassandra is that she is cursed to (a) always tell the truth and (b) never be believed. Explain how this myth might pertain to some part of the book Lavinia.

2. Aeneas and Lavinia, later in life, discuss selflessness and men and women. What might Aeneas mean by saying "Perhaps women have more complicated selves. They know how to do more than one thing at a time." (121)

3. Put into your own words how Silvia's deer, Cervulus, is in a sense to cause of the war that follows. Why might the killing of Cervulus (116) seem particularly terrible to Lavinia?

4. Why do you suppose Lavinia asks Aeneas to tell her "why [he] didn't come to talk with my father, right away, when he asked you to come affirm the alliance he offered"? 118 Why would she want to know





5. "The waves lapped one over the other on the shore where the tide was rising" (117). Explain this sentence.

5. Find a part of the reading that you liked and explain why.

Laviniia 102-114

A representation of a Maenad, or follower of Bacchus (I'll explain the connection in class.)

1. Amata, her mother, kidnaps Lavinia in order to get her together with Turnus. She dresses up the kidnapping in an activity that could be seen as being legitimate. Can you explain Amata's plan, in your own words?

2. In some ways it is not very pleasant up in the hills with her mother and her mother's women and other women: find an example of unpleasantness.

3. It could be said that Lavinia acts wisely and is able to escape because of how she acts. True or false? Explain.

4. It could be said that Maruna acts heroically and skillfully in this reading. True or false? Explain.

Lavinia 90-top of 102

Aeneas' farewell to Dido

I changed my mind: no blog comment necessary. Make sure you've done the reading, though. Have a good weekend!

SD

Lavinia 75-90

Aeneas leaves Troy with his son Ascanius, his father Anchises on his back, and his wife, Creusa.

Note: the hair-burning incident is from the Aeneid, though it's only briefly mentioned; the list of violent deaths is a close imitation of Vergil's catalogue of violent deaths in battle in the Aeneid, and Homer included the same kind of list in the Iliad.

1. Lavinia's mother Amata is kind of scary in this reading in more than one place. Provide an example. OR

2. Just when Lavinia is about to give in and say she will marry Turnus, the fire incident occurs, and she ends up telling her father to go ask the oracle what to do. Speculate: where might this fire have come from? Was it random, luck, or did it have a purpose? What purpose? Don't think in terms of right or wrong answers; speculate. OR

3. When Latinus, her father the king, and Lavinia go to Albunea to hear the oracle, the king brings some armed guards. Why? Who does he need to be guarded from? OR

4. What words in the text say that the oracle has spoken to the king and say what the oracle has told the king? OR

5. Lavinia says to Vergil, "He kills like a butcher. Why is he a hero?" And Vergil answers, "Because he does what he has to do." Can you explain Vergil's answer? How could this be a definition of a hero?

Lavinia 60-75

a swarm of bees in a tree

On p. 61., Vergil makes reference to a part of the afterlife-underworld in which lie the souls of babies who died at birth. The reference is to Dante's Inferno; Virgil, in the future, will be Dante's guide tot he underworld. Vergil does not know this yet, yet can see part of the future--this vision of babies in the underworld.

1. Why do you suppose Lavinia hates the idea of babies who died at birth being in a terrible place? What does it say about her?
OR
2. On pp.62-63, Vergil in effect says--the ending of my poem, The Aeneid, is wrong. Maybe I'm coming to see you, Lavinia, because you will supply a happier ending. What words of the book would support this interpretation?
OR
3. At the bottom of 65 Vergil describes Venus, not as a goddess of love and sex and beauty, but as something else. What does she seem to be a goddess of, according to this speech of Vergil's, with which Lavinia passionately agrees?
OR
4. Try to make sense of Amata in this reading. How sincere is she? How sane or insane is she being? What does she really want?
OR
5. Assume Latinus' interpretation of the appearance of the swarm of bees is correct, and that the strangers who are coming are Aeneas and his people. Though you aren't in a position to say for sure, does a swarm of bees forming in the tree of a central courtyard of the palace seem like a positive omen or a negative omen? Or maybe neither one? Explain.

Lavinia 47-60

The death of Dido


1. The story of Dido and Aeneas: re-tell it in your own words. (Unless someone has already.)

2. The story of Helen reuniting with her husband Meneleus: retell it in your own words. (Unless someone has already.)

3. Can you find any elements the two stories have in common?

4. Given what has happened so far, does it seem possible that Lavinia's story might up sad or tragic? Explain.

5. Describe the poet-ghost's and Lavinia's relationship.

Lavinia 34-47

Two representations of Virgil, who wrote the Aeneid, the great Roman epic poem about Aeneas.

Back on p. 22, Lavinia defines the word "piety": "responsible, faithful to duty, open to awe." By open to awe she means open to feeling awe before the greatness of the gods.

1. In this reading, does the monkey show piety? Explain.

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2. Does Turnus show piety in this reading? Explain.

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3. Does Amata (Lavinia's mother) show piety in this reading? Explain.

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4. Does Latinus (Lavinia's father) show piety in this reading? Explain.

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5. Does the poet, Virgil (whose other name was Maro), the one who invented Lavinia, who appears to her as a ghost (a "wraith"), show piety? Explain.

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6. Does Lavinia herself show piety in this reading? Explain.

Lavinia 21--top of 34

Notice that Lavinia jumps ahead in time to a time when she is married to her husband and they are looking together at his armor, hanging on the wall, especially his shield. As Lavinia looks at the shield, it allows her to see into the future.

1. Come up with a list of three adjectives to describe Lavinia as we know her so far, and give a brief explanation for each adjective. OR

2. "Could she not see that? . . . Could my father not see it?" (33) What is this "it" that her parents not seem to be able to see? Drances the advisor can see it: "Sometimes he would glance at my father, or even at me, as if to say, Do you see? He [Drances] knew what I knew . . ." What is this thing that Drances and Lavinia herself can see? It's not stated directly; can you guess? If someone has taken your guess, answer a different question.

3. Latinus, Lavinia's father, interprets the dream she has at Albunea about her grandfather (29). Explain in your onw words her father's interpretation of the dream. What about the dream has led to this interpretation, do you think? If someone has taken your guess, answer a different question.

4. Try to summarize what Lavinia is saying about the god Mars on p. 23 and pp. 30 and 31. It won't be easy.

5. When Lavinia looks at her husband's shield she sees many things. What does she see that has a connection to the part about Mars?

Lavinia 9-23

1. How many references to different animals can you find?

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2. What animals get mentioned in connection with Turnus? Comment.

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3. Does Turnus act in a a good way at the dinner?

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4. Why do you suppose the author has Lavinia bring so many animals into her story?

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5. Do you agree with Lavinia's father or mother as to whether it is a good idea for Lavinia to spend so much time in the out of doors with the daughter of the man who takes care of the king's herds? (bottom of page 14)

Lavinia 3-9

A statue of a household god, known as a Penates, from the early Roman culture.


Notice that Lavinia begins this section by explaining that she is a character in a poem, not a real person. She means this literally--she wants us to take seriously the ida that she is a character in a work of literature, and that the rules of existence differ for a literary character from the rules for a real person. Try to keep this in mind.

Prompt:

1. Can you give an example for a way in which Lavinia's childhood is difficult, even though she is a princess? (If someone else takes your example, give a different one.)

OR

2. Why do you suppose the death of her sons causes Lavinia's mother to go crazy and to be so mean to her husband and her daughter? (Leave aside biochemeical, or genetic, or other biolgocial kinds of explanations.) There's no one answer to thsi question. Speculate.

OR

3. Was Lavinia right to tell her father that it was a cat that scratched her, and not say the truth, which was that it was her mother who scratched her? Why?

OR

4. What does it say about Lavinia's character that she tells her father it was a cat who scratched her, and not the truth, that it was her mother who scratched her? We don't know enough yet to say, but speculate.

Lavinia pp. 1-2

Romulus and Remus being raised by a wolf. Romulus and Remus are decendants of Aeneas, a major character in Lavinia. Notice the importance in Lavinia of wolves.

What is your favorite word or short phrase in this reading? Explain why. If someone else has taken your phrase, come up with a different one, unless you have something new and different to say about it. Good luck!

Palace Walk 181-196

Only one prompt. You may agree with someone who has commented before you, but you must come up with your own example. Good luck!

Do you think that the author (choose one)

(a) accepts the values of the society he describes in this book without approving or disapproving
(b) approves of the values of this society
(c) disapproves of the values of this society

Explain, and give a quotation that supports your view.

Palace Walk 174-179

modern day Cairo

short answer questions--if you disagree with someone's answer, please say explain why. Once someone gets it right, please turn to another question.

1. Identify the fib that Kamal tells.

2. Why does Khadija refrain from attacking yasin for suggesting that his mother take the trip outside the house?

3. What story do they decide to tell their father?

Thought questions:

4. See #3. Do you think this story will be effective in turning away their father's probable anger? Why or why not?

5. How would you describe the tone of this chapter--what does the author's attitude towards it al seem to be? Is there anything comical about this chapte?

6. Notice something no one else has about this chapter.

Palace Walk 164-173

Amina, urged on by her children, decides to leave the house Her husband to visit the mosque (like a church) devoted to a Muslim teacher and holy man she holds in particular reverence. (Remember that her father was a teacher and shared some of his teachings with Amina when she was a child.) Her husband, Ahmad, is away on a business trip. Kamal serves as her guide.

1. What do you think is the best part of the trip for her?

2. Describe in your own words what Kamal daydreams about on pp. 168-169.

3. What quality or characteristic of Kamal leads him to insist that Amina keep exploring after she has been to the mosque?

4. Amina insists that the driver of the car be allowed to go and that she is fine, when clearly she is not. How is this typical of Amina?

5. Notice something about the reading no one else has noticed.

Palace Walk 127-136

1. Amina asks Ahmad to approve of an engagement between Fahmy and Maryam. Much of the conversation is narrated from the point of view of the eavesdropping Khadija and Aisha. Why do you suppose the author chose to present this conversation from the daughters' point of view?

2. Ahmad asks what made Fahmy ask to be engaged? Why would he ask such a thing?

3. Ahmad "believed that getting angry over a trivial matter would prevent serious offenses, which would truly merit his anger" (130). What do you think of this ide of Ahmad's?

4. When Khadija hears her father's angry response to Fahmy's idea, she is "seized by fear and anxiety, but. . . these were mixed with relief" (128). Why might Khadiza feel relief?

5. Note how affectionate Maryam is with Kamal: "kissed his lipos time and again." Can you come up with a reason for her acting so affectionately?

6. Can you see how chapter 21 (131-136) is both sad and comic?

7. Notice something no ones else has yet noticed about this reading assignment.

Palace Walk 121-126

1. Try to compare the character of Yasin and the character of Fahmy, based on the previous reading, in which Yasin confronted his mother concerning her plan to remarry, and Fahmy's conversation with his mother, telling her of his desire to become engaged to Maryam and asking her to be the one to introduce the plan to his father.

2. Both his mother and Khadija bring up the issue of Maryam's being at least as old as Fahmy as if this might be, or, is, a problem. Why would it be a problem?

3. Why doesn't Fahmy think that it is a problem? What is Aisha's response to the age issue, and what does that say about Fahmy?

4. Why is Kamal so excited to tell his secret?

5. Predict what will happen when Amina requests that Ahmad, the father/husband, approve the engagement.

6. Notice somethingno one else has yet noticed about this reading.

Palace Walk 116-120

a Cairo city-scape near al-Gamaliya Street, where Yasin's mother lives.


1. On p. 116 (this may be from the previous night's reading, but that's all right) Yasin's mother says," "I thought you were over the sorrows of the past. God knows they weren't worth the anger you displayed, keeping you away from me for eleven years."

His mother's words seem reasonable, yet Yasin finds them "reprehensible" (blameworthy), and is "amazed and infuriated." Can you explain why he would feel amazed and infuriated, and find the words reprehensible?

2. In the chapters we skipped over, we learn that Yasin in passionately devoted to a lute player that he hopes to have a love affair with. How can we reconcile his desire to have an affair, outside of marriage, with a woman with his fury at his mother for wanting to remarry? How can Yasin have both feelings in himself at once?

3. Can you see any parallel between Yasin and his father in this chapter?

4. His mother says (p.119) "Since you have no feelings for me anymore, the best thing is for you to leave me and my concerns alone." Do you remember why Yasin is visiting his mother in the first place? Is Yasin remembering?

5. From everything you know about Yasin, is he one of the more attractive characters in the book, or one of the less attractive characters? Why?

6. Notice something no one else has noticed about the reading so far.

Palace Walk 111-116

an alley in Cairo

1. True or false: this is a very sad chapter so far. Why?

2. Explain why Yasin has one of the feelings (your choice) he has.

3. Yasin feels shame as he passes the grocery store because the man who runs it used to be his mother's lover, and yasin acted (without knowing it) as a go-between. Do you think he is justified in feeling shame about this part of his childhood?

4. Do you think Yasin is too hard on his mother in general? In this half-chapter in particular?

5. Does Yasin act like his father in this chapter?

6. Notice something no one else has noticed about the reading so far.

Palace Walk 105-110

1. Yasin comes tell his father disturbing news: Yasin's mother, Ahmad's first wife, is getting married. Part of the problem is that it might mean that Yasin's inheritance from his well-to-do mother might be endangered. The other problem has to do with Yasin's feelings. Why is her desire to get married so "tragic"? The answer isn't obvious, but the book has given us clues that would allow us to suggest some answers. What do you think?

2. Why is the fact that his mother's finace is said to be "in his thirties" something that embitters Yasin?

3. Can you see how the conversation in this chapter supports the idea that this is a very sexist culture? Can you also feel sympathy for Yasin at the same time?

4. Ahmad recalls, in his mind, his first wife, and how their relationship went bad (pp. 106-107). How does the account make you feel about his first wife? About Ahmad?

5. Do you think that Yasin's going to visit his mother in an attempt to persaude her not to re-marry is a good idea?

6. Notice something about the reading that no one else has.

Palace Walk 63-69

Depictions of Jinn, or as we might say, genies.

1. This chapter is in part about just how close a relationship Kamal has with his mother and his sisters. Can you cite evidence of these close bonds?

2. How knowledgable do you think Amina, his mother, is? What have been her sources of knowledge?

3. Consider Fahmy's answer to his mother's question as to whether the earth roatates on an exis in space or rests on the head of an ox (64). what doe shis answer say about Fahmy? What does his mother's reaction to the answer say about her?

4. Kamal and his mother discuss Jinn (genies, supernatural beings) on pp. 65-66. Whyare Jinn such a difficult topic for his mother? Are they a difficult topic for Kamal?

5. Notice something no one else has noticed about the reading and comment.

Palace Walk 58-62

1. Fahmy is in love with the young woman who lives next door, though he has never spoken with her. Can you put into words any of the conflicts within himself in response to his feelings?

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2. What indications are there that the young women next door might be interested in Fahmy romantically?

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3. Can you see how romantic relationships are approached diffeerently than they are in your own culture, whether Korean or American? Does anything like this relationship ever occur in our our cultures?

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4. Is there anything comical about this scene of the novel? What? Why is it comical?

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5. Who would you guess is more confident about romantic matters, Fahmy or the young woman? Is there any evidence to back up your view?

OR

OR

6. Notice something about the reading that no one else has noticed.