TODAY IN CLASS We finished the text of "Granny Weatherall," but we did not resolve how "what happens" relates to the meaning of the work as a whole. In other words, what seemed at first glance to be a determinate ending probably isn't. So we need to consider thematic ideas and the ultimate point of the story. If you missed class, read the Emily Dickinson poem "Because I could not stop for Death" (764 in your book) and consider what part of Porter's story it might help elucidate. FOR TOMORROW So yes, keep thinking about the story . . . probably more at the percolating in your mind level than poring over the text. "A & P"--assuming you read it over the week-end or at least earlier in the week, and if you engaged in Tuesday's task of comparing/contrasting to "Araby" (mentally at the very least, or hopefully with some notes in your, umm, English notebook)then you shouldn't have to do anything with that tonight. So the real homework is to keep reading and hopefully FINISH "Sonny's Blues"; there are significant sections of that story that will probably need to be re-read over the next 2-3 school days, but a first reading is still essential. And by Thursday that should have happened. (See previous blog for page numbers. And I'm sorry about no Tuesday post--directions re: theme in GW and how Updike's story is similar to/different from Joyce's had been fairly clearly outlined in class, and I just didn't write it up.