TODAY IN CLASS
"Granny Weatherall" is progressing slowly,  The barebones story is clear to everyone:  an old woman dies. Or, stating the same fact in a slightly more informative way, Ellen ("Granny") Weatherall, age 80, is on her deathbed; the story traces her last day on earth and REtraces much of her earlier life, framed by two "jiltings."

What's not going so well is a close tracing of the elements that produce the "art" of this story--and again, reframing that, what's not going so well for SOME of you is a close tracing . . . .

First period is on notice to re-read the story, because there were just too many people who seemed too blank.  All students who have been slacking on bringing your book to class:  HAVE it tomorrow. 5th period; I did not tell you to re-read the story, but make sure you are well aware of "how/when" backstory details are revealed, and do focus on how, once Granny is no longer conversational in a way that allows her to both understand and to respond intelligibly, the next steps are acquired.  Also pay attention to imagery.  Everyone--where are the ambiguities in the story beyond the difficulty we had with Hapsy?

FOR TOMORROW
Read John Updike's "A & P" (649-654)

FOR THURSDAY
Read James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues"(179-207)