American Literary Traditions (Bass)
Reading Questions

Beloved
9/29
1. On p. 73, Paul D says, in telling the story about the rooster, "Mister was allowed to be and stay what he was. But I wasn't allowed to be and stay what I was." This is part of a larger revelation on his part about his humanity and manhood. What are some of the constructions of manhood in this book, both separate and related to the issue of human identity and human dignity? Are there different notions of manhood? Different models? How is Sixo different from Paul D, for example? Or from Halle?

2. What is the role of the community in this book? How does the community's attitude toward Sethe and her family shift at different points? What are key moments in the changing relationship? How does this relationship point to the relationship between individuals and communities, personal and communal memories? Pick two different passages that speak to the complexities of community in this book.

3. On page 99, Sethe thinks, "Her story was bearable because it was his as well--to tell, to refine and tell again. The things neither knew about the other--the things neither had word-shapes for--well, it would come in time..." How does this speak to the story-making strategies of the book? How does the book tell, refine, and tell again? Find one example of some image, phrase, moment in the book that is a "retelling" or "refinement" of the earlier image? How is the book's way of telling "recursive"?


Moby-Dick; Question #1 (in-class writing) NAME_____________________________________________

On pp. 114-115, at the end of Chapter 22 ("Merry Christmas"), Captain Bildad gives a speech that begins, "God bless ye, and have ye in His holy keeping, men,"....

First, briefly describe what is happening in this scene. Then, briefly discuss what kind of belief system or moral code Bildad's speech betrays. Give an example of one other belief system or moral code that is presented in the first 23 chapters.


Moby-Dick; Question #2 (in-class writing) NAME_____________________________________________

What connections can you make between Chapter 54 ("The Town-Ho's Story") and the rest of the book so far? What is an example of a theme or plot element in the chapter that resonates with something earlier in the book? What might be the significance of its placement just before the chapter "Of Monstrous Pictures of Whales"?