Discussion Questions Week 4

Remember that you need to answer two, then comment on someone else's posting (on a question you didn't answer).

1. “The Swimmer” is “supposed” to make a statement about upper-class life and the choices we (they, you) make within that social sphere?

2. “Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back?” ( “The Swimmer" 1463) Interpret this narrative statement in terms of the protagonist’s beliefs: what is the narrator saying Neddy believes in, and how does this belief exhibit itself during his journey?

3. The narrative structure in “The Swimmer” is both interesting and seldom used: the readers know as much as the narrator and, significantly, know more than the character(s) does. Given this fact, explain why you think the author chose it – for what purpose or effect – and how it affects your reading and understanding of the story.

4. “Shiloh’s conclusion is the most oft-discussed element in the story. As the story is highly symbolic, interpret Norma Jean’s final action, defining what it “means” for her and for Leroy. Keep in mind that your interpretation must be something you can defend with text – that is, the action must be believable according to the character’s behavior thus far.

5. “Some critics think of Norma Jean’s changes as connected to feminism’s influence. Do you agree?” (“Shiloh” 1459)

6. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is Joyce Carol Oates’s most anthologized story – published in a high percentage of college literature texts. As she’s a prolific author, having producing hundreds of short stories and dozens of novels, explain why you think this particular story grabs the reader so – what do we relate to or feel that makes it such a hit with critics and readers alike?

7. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” shares a unique trait with “Shiloh” – both stories offer indefinable, open to interpretation acts in their resolutions, and both of these “acts” are choices on the part of the women. Consider Connie’s, especially with regard to the final statement – “My sweet little blue-eyed girl,” he said in a half-sung sigh that had nothing to do with her brown eyes but was taken up just the same by the vast sunlit reaches of the land behind him and on all sides of him – so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it” (1380, emphasis mine).

8. Some critics have read the story (“Where Are You Going”) not as one that offers a perpetrator and a victim but one that chronicles the sexual choices of a teenager – essentially, the argument behind that interpretation is this: Arnold Friend, while a bit unpalatable, isn’t a threat per se but rather Connie’s choice to go forward in her sexuality and explore with the prototype of the “bad boy”. Thus, she isn’t murdered, raped or hurt but rather choosing to venture into new territory. Is this kind of reading problematic? Useful? Explain.

9. “Could Connie have been better prepared for this encounter with evil? What evidence does the author give to show how prepared she is or isn’t? What is her relationship to her parents? Is her social awareness primarily her parent’s responsibility? If not, whose is it?” (“Where Are You Going” 1380, emphasis mine). This question, particularly the italicized portion asks you to take a position on a larger social and familial issue, as all good stories do (meaning they comment on, accept, or reject social mores, rules, and the like). Explain whether you think Connie’s parents are at fault, in the sense that they have not prepared their daughter to interact in the “real” world. To answer, you should also focus on Connie’s view of herself, her self-esteem and general self-awareness.

10. In “Hills Like White Elephants”, the white elephant in the title is most often linked to the alleged abortion about which the couple is talking. If you interpret the conversation in this manner, explain how Jig is manipulating the American. Most of the time, readers feel the American is manipulating Jig as he has more power over her. In what sense, however, does Jig have more power?

11. Obviously, the entire story (“Hills”) is highly symbolic, and, as is typical of Hemingway, offers little to no commentary – only words and a few actions. As such, it’s entirely up to the reader to flesh out themes and meaning. Interpret the following statement with this in mind. “He picked up the two heavy bags and carried them around the station to the other tracks” (527). Does this statement offer a clear resolution?

12. “Jig says, “That’s all we do, isn’t it – look at things and try new drinks?” (para. 33). What do you think she really means? How would you phrase this thought if you were trying to be clear and honest about your feelings?” (“Hills” 528).

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Brief, helpful Shiloh lecture:

Trifles: film trailer

Trifles: film clip

Film: Hills Like White Elephants:

Robert Frost reading his poem