TODAY IN CLASS If you were absent, be sure to read a second poem by Emily Dickinson, "I heard a Fly buzz--when I died" (888). Consider all the ways that the poem could connect with the last page and a half (293-294) of "Granny Weatherall." Students wrote and shared multiple theme statements for this story; probably a reading of Porter's work needs to explore both commentary on the nature of death as well as insights about living living a life. The most difficult aspect is considering the place of theological claims in terms of the meaning of the story as a whole.
 FOR TOMORROW
 Prepare for an active, moving, student-driven discussion of "A & P." As announced in class, the group numbers are again shifting to the next element of fiction. However, the follow-up information suggests the direction to head for a fairly direct treatment of highlights in Updike's story. Here are the categories and "this-story-only" narrowing:

Group 1 -- Theme Ideas churning around in the story; what is being explored? What else is important besides Sammy? To what extent is he a channel for Updike's view about_________ (fill in the blank).

Group 2 -- Point of View Of course it's 1st person. But hone in on all the ways it operates differently in this story than in Joyce's.

Group 3 -- Symbols/Allegory/Fantasy What happens if you consider this story a QUEST? What is being sought? What is found instead?

 Group 4 -- Tone/Style/Humor/Irony You might wind up covering some of the same ground as the POV people, but that's okay. For this section, however, try to focus on LANGUAGE as style. Also explore humor and irony as elements in this story; how do they function (whether separately or in tandem)?

Group 5 -- Plot/Structure and Setting Focus on the Setting part, and the significance thereof. How is time important? Re: place, what's important besides the grocery store? What other settings are a factor in the story and its meaning?

 Group 6 -- Characterization Not "what a character is like"--but"how" characterization is accomplished. Work with Sammy for sure plus two other characters (your choice).

 All of this needs to be prepped in easily accessible ways in your notes--have the relevant "data" handy to incorporate into solid discussion.
 AND--do not forget that by now you should have read the introductory matter for each element of fiction covered in Chapters 2-7.