Assignments 10, 11, 12, 13

M. F. K. Fisher

10.  Read "Once a Tramp, Always" by M. F. K. Fisher (1968; 546-555).  As you are reading, be on the lookout for a  vocabulary word that is new to you.  Look up its definition and e-mail it to me along with the sentence where you found it after you have finished reading the entire essay.  Due before class on Monday, January 24th.  Come to class on Friday ready to discuss the essay and the ways that it corresponds with the qualities Lopate attributes to the personal essay in the introduction.  Also take note of interesting turns of phrase or turns of thought, effective descriptive passages or intriguing ideas.  We will discuss these in class on Monday (along with your lists of essay titles).

11.  Volunteer to produce a "conversation starter" about one of the essays assigned for class.  This conversation starter should include the following four elements: a) a 2-3 -sentence summary of the essay; b) a list of 2-3 themes, issues, or ideas evident within the text; c) a list of a couple of the qualities evident in the essay (taken from the qualities Lopate attributes to the personal essay in the introduction; d) 2-3 memorable quotes from the text.  Copies should be made for the 18 people who may attend the class and an additional digital copy should be sent to me so that I may add it to the course website.  If you send me the digital copy 24 hours in advance, I can print the photocopies for you.  Everyone should volunteer to do this at least once.  As students volunteer (and complete) this task, I will list their names here:  Rodney (due date: January 25);  Chad Large (due date, February 11); Paula Wiest (February 16).

12.  Add a new post to your blog.  Due:  Before class on Monday, January 25th. Possible assignments: a) "dissect"a friend or close relation (as Hazlitt says he and his posse used to do ("Our mutual acquaintances were considered merely as subjects of conversation an knowledge, not at all of affection. We regarded them no more in our experiments than 'mice in an air-pump:' or like malefactors, they were regularly cut down and given over to the dissecting-knife" [194]);  b)  describe the flaws of others at length and then turn the harsh light on yourself (as Hazlitt does);  c) reflect on Hazlitt's views on the centrality of hatred to religion, patriotism, our literary tastes, or the human experience in general; d) challenge a commonly held piety (as Hazlitt did when he challenged the notion that people treasure old friendships; e) reflect on a broken relationship (as Hazlitt did when recalling old friendships that have soured or dissolved); f) any combination of the above or any other topic that the essay-writing muse brings to you.

13.  Read the first line of every essay in The Art of the Personal Essay.  Identify the five first lines you consider the most intriguing.  Copy them out, send them to me in an e-mail, and bring a print copy to class.  Due:  Friday, January 28th.