Oprah's Summer of Faulkner

A couple of summer's ago, Oprah chose three Faulkner classics for her reading group. The website is still functional and has great materials. Consider exploring answers to your As I Lay Dying questions with the video lectures and FAQs. I also highly recommend The Sound and the Fury or A Light in August for someone looking for a challenge this summer ... two more of my all-time favorite books. Click here to go to the main site.

The video lectures are interesting and you might get a kick out of the Q&A, including:

Are the Tulls' opinions Faulkner's?
Why is Jewel's mother a horse?
Why did Faulkner choose the horse and fish metaphors?
Why does Vardaman say his mother is a fish?
Why is water such a powerful 'character'?
What does Cash mean by 'it's not on a balance'?
What did Dewey Dell mean by 'I killed Darl' on p. 121?
Why were holes drilled into Addie's coffin?
What do the characters' names mean?
Are Peabody and the Bundrens' neighbors reliable narrators?
What does the italicized text mean? (cont.)
What does the italicized text mean?
How old are the Bundren children?
How old are Addie and Anse?
Is there sexual tension between Jewel and Addie?
What do Darl's 'is' and 'was' passages mean?
Why aren't Dewey Dell and Addie closer? (cont.)
Why aren't Dewey Dell and Addie closer?
How does Darl know when Addie dies?
Who is Lafe?
Why do the characters use both vernacular and educated vocabulary?
Is Jewel the most misunderstood Bundren?
Am I missing something in the road imagery?
Where does the title 'As I Lay Dying' come from?

Click here for the answers!

Week of June 2nd

Monday, June 2nd (S)
• Due: As I Lay Dying Reading #4: “The Moral Universe” (through pg. 179). Reaction to Addie (prompts on worksheets).
• Class: Discussion: “Understanding Addie” (hopefully; maybe).

Tuesday, June 3rd (U)
• Due: Keep reading. Work on logistics for your film project.
• Class: Wrap up Faulkner discussion. Documentary film analysis.

Wednesday, June 4th (M)
• Due: Class does not meet today. Sniff!

Thursday, June 5th (T)
• Due: As I Lay Dying Reading #5: “The Barn Burning” (through pg. 231).
• Class: Exercise: “Charting the Verities.”

Friday, June 6th (W)
• Due: Keep reading.
• Class: Wrap up Faulkner discussion. Documentary film analysis.

Monday, June 9th (H)
• Due: As I Lay Dying Reading #6: “Jefferson” (through pg. 261).
• Class: Discussion: “What’s in Jefferson.”

Tuesday, June 10th (F)
• Due: Work on film project.
• Class: Found poetry and Faulkner.

Wednesday, June 11th (S)
• Due: Bring your copy of As I Lay Dying to turn in.
• Class: Silent discussion of As I Lay Dying (language fails us, after all).

Thursday, June 12th (U)
• Due: Identify a source for your film (e.g., a review, an article on the subject matter from a Media Center database or other reputable source, etc). Read it, bring a printed copy, and be ready to share highlights with your group.
• Class: Time to work on group film projects.

Note: Our exam is scheduled for 8.15a on Monday, June 16th. I’ll bring the popcorn; unless we’ve made other arrangements, it is YOUR responsibility to bring a copy of the film and your written analysis. Be sure that know where to find your scene so that we don’t run out of time for everyone to present! Is that too early for popcorn, do you think?