What did Bradbury have to say?

Your assignment for this weekend is to look through the notes on Ray Bradbury and read his short story "There will come soft rains." After you have read the story, respond to the prompt below. Respond in 2-3 paragraphs, and respond to two of your classmates by Sunday at midnight.

Below, you will find a brief analysis of Bradbury's story "There will come soft rains"

"There Will Come Soft Rains" is one of Ray Bradbury's most famous stones. Also known as "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains," the story was written and published in Bradbury's highly acclaimed collection of stories, The Martian Chronicles, in 1951. Written in an era in which many people were concerned about the devastating effects of nuclear weapons, the story depicts a world in which human beings have been destroyed by nuclear force. The central irony of the story is the fact that humans have been destroyed rather than saved by their own technology. The atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan, were recent memories in 1951, and many readers and critics found Bradbury's images of a desolate planet haunting and cautionary. In a further moral lesson, Bradbury shows how human technology is able to withstand the demise of its maker, yet is ultimately destroyed by nature, a force which prevails over all others. The story, which happens in the future but takes its title from a poem by a nineteenth-century writer, is a prime example of how science fiction literature can encompass moral and philosophical concerns."

**Discuss areas of the story that are evident in this passage. Locate evidence to support this analysis**

Then, discuss the realities of Bradbury's writing. What similarities do you see today? If this story were published today, how do you think it would be perceived? Essentially, discuss the comparisons of today, to what Bradbury was trying to communicate through his story. You may want to discuss the purpose of the poem that Bradbury chose to include in his story.

Franz Kafka--"In the Penal Colony"

After reading Kafka's "In the Penal Colony," please respond the following prompt:

Discuss your reactions to the story as a whole. It is said that Camus looked up to Kafka. Do you see any comparisons? Why do you think Camus would look up to Kafka? (besides, perhaps, the obvious, almost morbid, writing styles).

Complete your response in two paragraphs (minimum and maximum).

"A Respectable Woman"--Kate Chopin

This homework assignment will span the next two days.

Tonight, October 19th, you will need to read the short story by Kate Chopin entitled, "A Respectable Woman."

Post your answers to the following questions on this blog as a comment. You must have all 5 questions answered by TONIGHT, October 19th, by midnight.

Then, respond to at least one other person by Wednesday night, October 20th, at midnight.

Respond to the following questions:

1. Based on the quote, "Her mind only vaguely grasped what he was saying. Her physical being was for the moment predominant. She was not thinking of his words, only drinking in the tones of his voice. She wanted to reach out her hand in the darkness and touch him with the sensitive tips of her fingers upon the face or the lips. She wanted to draw close to him and whisper against his cheek--she did not care what--as she might have done if she had not been a respectable woman."

During Chopin's time, why do you think this description would not be accepted? What does she mean by "respectable woman?"

2. Why do you think Mrs. Baroda wanted to tell her husband about her feelings? And, why do you think she decided not to be honest with him in the end?

3. At the proposal of Gouvernail's return, why does Mrs. Baroda whole-heartedly reject his return? Then, why does she change her mind about having him back?

4. Read the final sentences of the short story. Do these closing lines reveal anything about her future intentions?

5. If Chopin was shunned for her explicit writing, what about this story may have been perceived as explicit? Do you agree? Where do you see the theme of "man and woman are equal" throughout the story?

Essay due Monday, October 19th, 2009

Irving vs. Poe

Your Task:

Write a 3 page essay
Write in 3rd person, pay attention to tense, and work on developing a strong, concise, and clear thesis statement.

Choose one of the following essay prompts:
• Discuss individually Irving’s and Poe’s writing styles—how are they similar, how are they different?


• Discuss how they are both romantics in their own way. What were they each focusing/reflecting on about life?


• Discuss how Poe expanded upon Irving’s writing. How did Poe make the short story more personable?


• How is it evident that “The Masque of the Red Death” was closest to Poe’s soul? Do you believe he was crazy? Why or why not? (You may need to use your notes as well as the story to support your points.)

What the "Rip Van Winkle?"

Tonight, here's what you are supposed to be doing:

1. Read the story ("Rip Van Winkle")
2. Locate/highlight examples of Romantic writing (reflections on nature, reflections on religion, reflections on life/purpose)
3. Locate the moral/theme (what was Irving trying to communicate to his readers?)
4. Answer the question: Was Irving's romantic writing productive? Did it add or take away from the story? Why or why not?

Email me if you have any questions!
Good Luck!