Welcome to English 1B

You'll need to visit this website regularly. Each week, I will post discussion prompts to help you prepare for the short, in-class writing that you will need to do in the upcoming class.  These in-class writings are an important part of your overall grade.

This blog also lets you download important documents like the syllabus, assignments, and class handouts, and it has links to readings and other assignments. Always check the blog if you miss class.

The instructor is on leave for the first two weeks of the semester. A substitute instructor will meet the class during this time to issue assignments and discuss material. Please follow the substitute instructor's directions. As well, begin to read Jane Eyre so that we can discuss it in the third week. Notes for what to focus on are below:

Notes for the week of Feb 3-5
The questions below are not a homework assignment. They are for you to review so that you can be ready for discussion at the next class. In addition, there will be a short writing assignment in class at the start of each session in which I will select one or more of these questions for you to write about.

1. How does Jane's behavior at Lowood reveal her to be a victim of what we would nowadays call child abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect suffered either at the school or during her time with the Reed family?
2. Mr Brocklehurst is Bronte's savage satirizing of the Catholic Church. What exactly is she making fun of through Brocklehurst? What specifically in his words or actions is being attacked? In particular, why is Brocklehurst so intent on cutting the students' hair?
3. How effective or ineffective does Miss Temple rate as a substitute mother for this motherless girl, Jane? How does she compare to Bessie?
4. On the whole, do the first eleven chapters advocate more strongly for rebellion and questioning authority, or for submission and going along with the system?
5. What aspects of the first eleven chapters could be brought up in discussing this novel as being obsessed with the loss of a mother or the effects of not having one?

Reading these chapters will give you a sense of whether this is the right class for you at this time, keeping in mind that the reading pace will increase quite a bit.

Those hoping to add the class should appear at the first class meeting to see if there is room. They will be added if space permits. There is no point in contacting Dr. Jung, as the substitute instructor will be charged with this business.
-----------------