Introduction to Narrative Fiction
Augusta Rohrbach Office Hours: Wed (12-1), Fri
(10-11), or by appointment x8661 Rice 12
Fall 1997
Course Description: In what ways do we associate a
manner of speaking with a mode of being? Through a series of close
readings, we will ask ourselves through the text's we'll read how
forms of narration come to represent and stand in for historically
raced, gendered and classed modes of identity. And part of how we'll
accomplish this is by looking at a particular kind of narrative
fiction (we're only reading scary stuff) in order to understand
better what our expectations are and how they work to condition our
experience of reading and knowing. Another way that we'll develop a
keen sense of narrative form and frame is to look at and discuss
several films that accompany the readings.
Course Requirements: Attendence and participation
are mandatory. More than three unexcused absences will result in a
grade penalty. There will be four papers (3-5 pages) due during the
course of the semester as well as numerous short, informal papers.
Late papers will not be accepted without permission. Students are
expected to view the films prior to class discussion of them.
Required Texts: Alcott, Louisa May.
Selected short stories (xerox) Brown, William Wells.
Clotel. Butler, Octavia. Kindred
King, Stephen. The Shining Jackson, Shirley.
The Haunting of Hill House O'Connor, Flannery. A
Good Man is Hard to Find. Poe, Edgar Allen. The Fall
of the House of Usher and Other Tales. Wharton, Edith.
Ethan Frome
Tenative Schedule
Week 1:
Wed 9/3 Introduction Fri 9/5 "Masque of the Red
Death"
Week 2:
Mon 9/8 The Shining (Part 1) Focus: Point of View
Wed 9/10 The Shining (Parts 2-3) Focus: character
development Fri 9/12 The Shining (Part 4) Focus
construction, intertextuality short paper due (1-2 pages)
Week 3:
Mon 9/15 scenes from The Shining Focus: narrative
framing Wed 9/17 scenes from The Shining. Focus:
controlling metaphors Fri 9/19 WORKSHOP
Week 4:
Mon 9/22 Kindred Focus: Horror vs Science Fiction 1st
Paper Due Wed 9/24 Kindred Focus: "theme"
Fri 9/26 Kindred Focus: the "shape" of the novel. In-class
essay
Week 5:
Mon 9/29 Short stories of Flannery O'Connor Wed 10/1
Short stories of Flannery O'Connor Fri 10/3 Short stories
of Flannery O'Connor
Week 6:
Mon 10/6 The Haunting of Hill House Wed 10/8
The Haunting of Hill House Fri 10/10 The Haunting
of Hill House
Week 7:
Mon 10/13 Scenes from The Haunting (group-selected)
Wed 10/15 Scenes from The Haunting/WORKSHOP
Fri 10/17 Retrospection 2nd Paper Due
Week 8:
FALL BREAK...Have a good one! (translation: Fall Break, Have a
good one!)
Week 9:
Mon 10/27 Ethan Frome Wed 10/29 Ethan
Frome Fri 10/31 Scenes from Ethan Frome
Week 10:
Mon 11/3 Louisa May Alcott: "Behind a Mask" (xerox on reserve)
Wed 11/5 "Behind a Mask" and other Alcott thrillers
Fri 11/7 Alcott thrillers
Week 11:
Mon 11/10 Poepourri--short stories, non-fiction, films.
Wed 11/12 Fri 11/13 Workshop
Week 12:
Mon 11/17 Clotel 3rd Paper due Wed 11/19
Clotel Fri 11/21 Clotel
Week 13:
Mon 11/24 Clotel Wed 11/26 Clotel
Week 14:
Mon 12/1 Short story fest--student-selected readings
Wed 12/3 Fri 12/5
Week 15:
Mon 12/8 Workshop Wed 12/10 Workshop
4th Paper due: Thursday, December 11th.
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