Close Reading Passage Options

Options:

The Odyssey:

  1. Book 22, lines 461 – 476 (page 3, Beginning “Now the thoughtful Telemachus began speaking..” ending: “…lopped off his hands and feet, in fury of anger”)
  2. Any section of the bed scene (pages 339-341, Book 22 lines 150- 295 – don’t do the whole thing, choose a portion)
  3. Passage of your choosing from Books 20 – end

The Penelopiad:

  1. Pages 81-82 (Beginning of chapter “Waiting”)
  2. Page 89 beginning “Despite all this busyness…” through page 90 to “he got home again”
  3. Page 139 beginning “The songs claim…” to page 140, “unending sorrow” (in Yelp of Joy)

The Tale of Genji:

-Passage of your choosing

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Discussion Leader

One of the quotes that stood out to me the most is, “Grumbling, she set to work, not suspecting the booby trap I’d placed ready for her. “Soon she found the long scar familiar to her from the many, many times she performed the same servive for Odysseus” (140). It was suprising to find out that Penelope had acually planned Eurycleia to wash Odysseus. She used Eurycleia to find out about Odysseus identity. This quote is also suprising because Penelope has been innocent all along but in this quote she sounds deceiving.

 

Question:

Penelope suspects that Eurycleia chose the twelve girls to die because she wanted to keep her position with Odysseus and the maids were a spy for Penelope.

In your opinion, what is the reason Eurycleia chose the twelve girls to die?

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Discussion leaders

As I read “the Penalopaid”, one thing stood out to me is that Penelope is being sarcastic when she talks about her family in law. “My mother- in- low died, wrinkled up like drying mud and sickened by an excess of waiting, convinced that Odysseus would never return. In her mind this was my fault, not Helen’s; if only I hadn’t carried the baby to the ploughing ground! Old Eurycleia got even older. So did my father- in- low, Laertes. He lost interest in palace life, and went off to the countryside to rummage around on one of his farms, where he could be spotted shambling here and there in grubby clothing and muttering about pear trees. I suspected he was going soft in the head.” (85)

Why do you think she is acting that way?
I think it because she doesn’t have anyone to relay on and she is stressed out doing works she has never asked for.
Also, I think if a wife has to live with her parents- in- low, it always gives her some problems especially her husband is not there to help her.

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The Tale of Genji Background Information

Take a look at this background info. You’ll need it to answer the next discussion question (posted under assignments). It’s a great, interactive and generally non-boring website! You can watch a brief film, explore the map, read background info, etc. My discussion question asks that you relate this background information to any portion of the assigned reading (like I said – more details under ‘course assignments’).

Take a look!

http://www.learner.org/courses/worldlit/the-tale-of-genji/

Genji

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Close Reading Re-Write Policy

Here’s how to go about re-writing your close reading if you want to do so. The deadline is strict and no re-writes will be accepted after it (no exceptions will be made on this) so be sure to get it done by then if you would like. You are under no obligation to re-write!

1. Anyone (no matter what grade you received) can re-write. Grades can only go up (or stay the same) , they won’t go down.

2. You may re-write one or both of the close readings (it’s up to you).

3. In order to re-write you MUST come meet with me at some point BEFORE the submission day. If you do not meet with me then I will not accept your re-write. The meeting can be at any point in your writing process (you may even have the whole re-write completed) just be sure to bring it with you. We will just spend about 10 minutes discussing the comments I gave you, the reason for the grade, the changes you’ve made, etc. It’ll make the re-write better, I promise.

4. If you submitted your paper late you may still re-write however the late paper “penalty” will still apply.

5. Submission Guidelines: Re-writes are due IN CLASS Monday, May 4 in hardcopy form (note: re-writes will not be accepted by email. No exceptions). **You must staple the re-write to the original (this means, if you received comments by email, you need to print out my version with comments).** All these components must be in place for the re-write to be accepted. In other words, if your commented version is not attached then you will not receive credit for your re-write.  

I strongly recommend everyone who is re-writing visit the writing center! If I asked you to do so in your paper comments then I especially urge you to!

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The Penelopiad

When I was reading The Penelopiad something get my attention was the part where Penelope said “They always sang the noblest versions in my presence—the ones in which Odysseus was clever, brave, and resourceful, and battling supernatural monsters, and beloved of goddesses” (pg. 84). This demonstrates that minstrels only took the good parts of the rumors about Odysseus, he was the great guy that save people, and tried to protect them. But in their themes or songs the minstrels never talk about the women   with the ones Odysseus make love, or find pleasure. I felt like Penelope is trying to say so through this quote.

What do you think about Odysseus after reading The Penelopiad? Do you think Penelope is trying to not put attention to Odysseus’ unfaithful act?

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Background info on The Penelopiad

You’re reading an excerpt from Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad for the Monday class after break. It is a modern (published in 2005) adaptation of The Odyssey, told from Penelope’s perspective (a voice we don’t hear much of in The Odyssey).

Info on the text (from the link below): in the text, Penelope tells her personal story and also her feelings about her husband and his famous exploits. The maids also get a voice in Atwood’s play — telling of their unfair treatment. Throughout the play, the maids act as the chorus, explaining their situation and “pleading their case.”

Atwood’s style is very different than that of The Odyssey. She chose to call the play a Cabaret because, as she explains, “it isn’t a play in the usual way, nor is it a ‘Musical’ in the usual way.”

More Info here! 

And here’s an interview with Atwood

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Leading Discussion

Book 16 Lines 333-337

“The two of them met, the herald and the noble swineherd, going by reason of the same message, to report to the lady. But when they had come to the house of the sacred king, the herald stood in the midst of the serving maids and delivered his message: ‘Now, O queen, your beloved son is back in this country’.”

Odysseus and Telemachos are planning a surprise attack to take back their kingdom and get rid of the suitors. My question is, if you’re going to take them by surprise, why would you announce to your enemies your return? And why do you need two people to relay the same message?

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Leading Discussion 17-20 (Odyssey)

“And yet Athene would not altogether permit the arrogant suitors to keep from heart-hurting outrage, so to make greater the anguish in the heart of Odysseus, son of Laertes. There was a man among the suitors versed in villainy; Ktesippos was his name, and he had his home in Same. He

In this quote, Athene wants the suitors to tease Odysseus so he’ll get all worked up in anger. My question is why does Athene want to get Odysseus angry if she was the one who helped him transform into a beggar?

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Assignment Due 3/29.

In The Odyssey of Homer, there are several scenes where characters disguise themselves in the books. Towards the end of book 13, Athene tells Odysseus that she will make him look like a beggar so that no one can recognize him, “but come now, let me make you so no moral can recognize you. For I will wither the handsome flesh that is on your flexible limbs, and ruin the brown hair on your head, and about you put on such a clout of cloth any man will load the when he sees you wearing it; I will dim those eyes, that have been so handsome, so you will be unprepossessing to all the suitors…” (396-404). In book 14, when Odysseus arrives at swineherd’s home disguised as a beggar, he is treated very kindly by Eumaios who opens up to him and about Odysseus leaving to fight in Troy thinking that he is dead. Odysseus still disguised as a beggar tells Eumaios that Odysseus is not dead, that he will come back. Eumaios doesn’t really believe him but it brings him hope about Odysseus coming back. He then brings the beggar more food and wants to treat him the best he can. Odysseus is touched how kindly Eumaios treats him.

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