Group reading is so rewarding, especially in the novel, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. As we read and discussed the layers of meaning were much more defined as we analyzed Faulkner’s ambiguity. One of the best discussions of a novel is predicting what will happen to each character after the book. So predict and debate. What will happen to: Anse, Cash, Daryl, Jewel, Dewey Dell, Vardaman and Mrs. Bundren?
Bundren’s Brood
Discuss the way Faulkner characterizes each of Addie’s five children. How do we learn who each one is by what he/she says; by what others say; by what each one does; and by the way each looks?
Stream of Consciousness Scavenger Hunt
William Faulkner uses a style of writing called stream of consciousness in the novel As I Lay Dying. This term was first used in the field of psychology, but May Sinclair, a literary critic, was the first person to use this term to describe literature. Find some other facts about the literary use of stream of consciousness and list at least five — being careful not to use some that are already listed.
Cause and Effect: choose a topic
Choose one (or more) of the following topics and write about it. What are the effects of dress codes? Laws? Texting while driving? Sudden wealth? Poverty? Lack of health care? Lake of health insurance? Logging? Hunting? Education? Smoking? A topic of your choice?
Yoknapatawpha Yarns
In honor of William Faulkner, the author of As I Lay Dying and several other works, each participant of this blog will list five DIFFERENT facts about this man who is often called one of the most important American writers.
Tag you’re it. Go!
What I believe
U.S. citizens hold a variety of beliefs about many topics. And we have a right to those beliefs upheld by our Constitution. Choose a position on a topic of your choice and write persuasively about what you believe.
The ethics of soul
Matt, in The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, agonizes over the fact that he has been told he has no soul since he is a clone. Define soul and then discuss why Matt does or does not have one in your opinion. Also, how does his lack of soul or his possession of it make human cloning an ethical issue?
Dropout rates in high school
In your opinion, what causes students to drop out of high school? What are the effects on their lives as a result of that decision? What can parents, educators and other students do to keep students in school until graduation?
Preparing dinner
Describe your favorite meal using sensory images. Who prepares it? What does it look like? Smell like? Taste like? Who eats it with you? How does the table/restaurant look? Why is this meal important?
Just pretend!
Pretend you are speaking to someone you have never met before. Let the reader know through the dialogue how that person smells, looks, acts and speaks. How do other characters react to that character? Include any sensory details you can. This does not have to be a story, but it should be an exercise in developing a character (also called characterization). Please try to use — as all good writers do — more indirect characterization than direct characterization.
