English 218 Discussion

Remember, discussions are worth 20 points each, and you must post your response to the Message Board no later than the due date in order to get credit.

After the class responses are posted to the Message Board, read what everybody has to say about the discussion topic and respond to any or all of them (you need to put at least one solid response to earn a "C," and if you are trying for maximum points, you will need to put up at least two substantive responses on the board), and feel free to respond to responses :)

Postings should be about 300+ words, and responses typically 200+ words. Use examples "quoted, documented" from the readings when possible.

SPECIAL NOTE: THIS WEEK YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RESPOND TO OTHER STUDENTS; that will start next week :)

I went to Webster's Online and found this as the first major definition of literature: "writings in prose or verse; especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest"

Hmmm... What are "ideas of permanent or universal interest?"

In Lit. classes we call these "themes"--the meanings/messages of the stories. In literature the themes are not explicit (as are thesis statements in essays). Literature for people above the age 10 or 11 allows the reader to "figure it out," and most enduring literature is open to a range of interpretation (not infinite interpretation, but, still, not one, fixed meaning). Since it's "enduring," the human experience needs to translate from Athens 2600 years ago to now, from central China to central Los Angeles.

Consequently, and I do indeed love CHICKA, CHICKA BOOM BOOM, simple teaching texts are not considered literature. They do not express universal ideas; they teach information (the alphabet). Now with enough scrutiny we CAN find meaning in even simple teaching texts (the letters crowding the coconut tree might lead us to some conclusion or other). We can also evaluate books in context (for example, we could look at the Dick and Jane primers of my youth (this was the era depicted in the television show Mad Men; America was very different, and these books offer a window into that world) to the "I Can Read" primers of today and find out a lot about each culture--cultural values, thoughts on education, etc.).

In any case, literature makes us consider...things.

With that in mind, answer the question below. Note that it is designed to get you started thinking of this as a literature class, not. a kid's book class.

First, introduce yourself. Consider adding some background or likes/dislikes or hobbies or goals, even fears you might have about this (or other) class(es). Put up favorite pictures and video clips and ?

The introduction should be about half of this week's discussion Post.
Then explore a book, story, poem, play (even manga, movie, anime work here) that really made an impression on you, and why. If it's a children's book, so much the better, and do keep in mind "children's literature" covers the nursery to YA books, so anything designed for age 17 and younger.

Here's the challenge with this "explore a book, etc." part: don't just give a plot summary or talk about the author or say how much you love it just because. What about that work really struck you as "literary" or unique? Write at least a fairly-detailed paragraph with examples and maybe ideas that grabbed you or even just a specific technique that you found exciting because...

So we are not only getting to know one another, but we are testing the waters of literary analysis. Try to have some fun with this :)

Oh, and don't worry. I won't leave you all hanging out there. You'll learn a bit about me too.

Discussion 1: Children's Literature