ASSIGNED READINGS
The Gods Will Have Blood
Selective characters: Gamelin, Brotteaux, Elodie, Father
Longuemare, Rochemaure, Athénaïs
- How has the Revolution affected class relations?
Art?
- Explain how the chief characters were affected by the
Revolution.
- What is the significance of Orestes to Gamelin?
- Describe Anatole France's general assessment of the
Revolution.
- What are the dangers of revolution?
Fathers and Sons
Selective characters: Nikolai and Pavel Kirsanov, Arkady
Kirsanov, Bazarov, Piotr, Fenichka, Mme. Kukshin (Yevdoxia),
Sitnikov, Mme. Odintsov, Katya
- Read I. Berlin's introductory essay. Read it again
after you complete the novel.
- Describe the intellectual climate of Russia during
the writing of Fathers and Sons.
- List examples of a "generation gap," i.e., lack of
communication between the older and younger generations.
Examine, for example, their clothing, discourse (speech),
and general manners. Do they share any values?
- Is there a conflict between Westerners and
Slavophiles in the novel?
- Are there indications in the novel which suggest the
potential of radical or violent change in Russian
society?
- Why is Bazarov so important in this novel? Do you
like him?
Demian
Selective characters: Emil Sinclair, Max Demian, Kromer,
Beatrice, Pistorius, Eva
- What are the challenges that Emil faces as he
matures? How does he handle them?
- What are the influences of Nietzsche and Freud in
this work?
- Is Max a "superman?"
- What is the symbolism of Eva?
- What does Emil learn about himself?
Man's Search for Meaning
- Recount Frankl's experiences in the Nazi camps. How
does he survive?
- Describe how he searches for meaning while imprisoned
in concentration camps.
- What is meant by logotherapy?
- How does Frankl correlate psychotherapy to
philosophy?
1984
Selective names/terms: Winston Smith, Julia, O'Brien, Big
Brother, Syme, Goldstein, telescreen, newspeak, doublethink,
proles, versificator
- What is the geopolitical situation in
1984?
- What is the role of the individual?
- How important is technology? What is the relationship
between technology and the individual?
- Describe the importance of history in
1984.
- Compare and contrast contemporary conditions to those
in 1984. Is 1984 here? Has it passed? Is it
coming?
- Optional: Compare 1984 to Utopia.
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