Thursday, 28 April

In class we considered ghosts, not only in our own experience, and in our popular culture, but in the text of The Woman Warrior.

The class was broken into small groups to analyze what it is that one learns about the narrator (Maxine) from the stories she tells about others. These analyses will be shared at the start of class Friday.

Tuesday, 26 April

In class today we analyzed the final segment of the chapter "White Tigers."

We examined controversial issues and topics that are raised by the narrator in the last few pages of the section. We analyzed her attitude towards the topic/ issue, and we considered what her mother's attitude was; what other Chinese-American Immigrants likely think; and what "most" dominant culture American's think.

HOMEWORK

Read through page 87 (where there is a break) in "Shaman.

Monday, 25 April

Today we discussed the various frames of reference and various frames that stories and stories within sections of The Woman Warrior create. We read a translation of a 5th or 6th Century poem telling the story of Mulan, the "same" character at the center of the main narrative in "White Tigers."

We created a chart showing similarities and differences among these stories. The differences provide a key insight into why the stories are being told. Below is one example of the charts.

Homework:

Read the rest of "White Tigers". As you read consider the following questions (which are really different ways of asking the same thing).

Why does the narrator use the subjunctive (to transition the frame on page 20)? Why does the narrator hide (or make less obvious) the change in frame that occurs on page 20?

In class today we wrote in response to the question: What is magic? (What is magic in general terms, and in terms of White Tigers.)

We considered what the "rules" for the world of "White Tigers" are. 

We examined the sentence " I would have to grow up a warrior woman." Who's sentiment is being expressed?

We examined the sentence, "The call would come from a bird that flew over our roof." We learned a bit about the subjunctive mood (e.g. "would come") which is typically used to express a wish, emotion possibility, judgment, opinion, necessity or action that has not yet occurred.

18-21 April

We spent much time this week enjoying the amazing presentations of memorial projects.

On Tuesday when the first section of The Woman Warrior was due, we studied the first two sentences of the memoir.

The second sentence does the opposite of what the mother tells her daughter in the first sentence. Therefore the function of the second sentence is to illustrate that there is conflict between the mother and the daughter.

The class was presented with "layers" in the text

Words
Story
Symbolism
Function
Frame

Wednesday/ Thursday in class I presented the following reminders and important issues to pay attention to:

The class divided into groups to examine "No Name Woman" according to the seven themes above. Groups presented on the themes paying attention in particular to the following:

After groups scatter visit each group and for the following group suggest:

Revenge: who takes revenge on whom? Why? Is Revenge Justice?

Family: perhaps begin with a definition of “family”

Speaking/ Silence: Who speaks? Who doesn’t? Who decides, and why?

Clash of Cultures: What cultures are involved (there are at least three).

Voice: check in that the group is clear on what is meant by feminism

Role of males v. females:

Food / Eating: point out that this is an excellent topic to explore symbolism as well as function.

Homework for Friday is:

Read "White Tigers" at least through page 31.

Be alert to shifts in "frame"

Consider what, if any, stories this part of the story reminds you of.

13-15 April, 2011

OAKS Testing in Room #145

12 April, 2011

Today in class student continued to present their amazing memorial projects.

From the library students checked out:

Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts.

The first section "No Name Woman" is due for next Monday.

As you read consider the following questions:

Who is "No Name Woman?" Who is she in the greater sense, not a literal sense.

What questions do you have about the story?

What questions do you have for the narrator? (Or what questions do you have about the narrator?)

Finally, think about the contradictions that are evident in the section.

Remember: OAKS Testing

The rest of this week go to room #145 

for OAKS Testing

Monday, 11 April

Sorry for the lack of posts last week.

We had lectures on memorial music and a slide lecture on memorial around the world last week.

Today, Memorial Projects are due.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 

will be OAKS testing.