Backgrounds/Themes for Discussion
Daddy, 10/12/1962
- Considered “Confessional Poetry”
- Published in Ariel
- Theme: The Conflicted Intellectual Woman
- Theme: Father/Daughter Relationship
The Birthday Present by Sylvia Plath
Background/Themes for Discussion
The Birthday Present, 9/30/1962
- Theme: Appearance and Beauty
- Theme: Death
- Published In Ariel
- Plath was coming up on her 30 birthday
- Plath had just split from her husband
- Theme: ‘The Veil’
The Colossus by Sylvia Plath
Background/Themes for discussion
The Colossus, 1959
- Theme: Father Worship
- Personification
- Oresteia: Trilogy of greek plays by Aeschylus about the Trojan War
- Theme: Father/Daughter Relationship
The Manor Garden by Sylvia Plath
The Manor Garden, 1959
Background/Themes for Discussion
- Originally published in The Colossus, 1960
- Addressed to a new born infant
- Theme: Convergence
- Theme: Birth and Life Giving
Short Story Discussion, Thursday April 12th at 11am
The Julian Barnes (correction) Book discussion is Thursday, April 12th at 11 am. It is not to late to sign up! Stop by Lindenhurst Memorial Library circulation desk to pick up your copies of the stories.
The Daniel Woodrell book discussion is scheduled for Friday, May 11 at 11 am
“Night Stand” by Daniel Woodrell
Night Stand by Daniel Woodrell
From The Outlaw Album, 2011
Questions for Discussion
1. What do you think of Pelham? Were his actions justified? Would you have done the same thing?
2. How does the character of the naked man evolve as the story progresses?
3. What do you think the author is trying to say about war and ‘warriors’?
4. What does this story say about fate or coincidence?
5. How do you think the knife got on the table?
“Uncle” by Daniel Woodrell
“Uncle” by Daniel Woodrell
From The Outlaw Album, 2011
Questions for Discussion
1. What type of atmosphere does this story create?
2. Do you think the narrator is justified in her actions?
3. What are your feelings towards ‘Uncle’? What about the narrator’s mother?
4. How does this story discuss justice? What does it say about right and wrong?
5. Do you think the narrator ‘wins’?
Trespass by Julian Barnes
Trespass by Julian Barnes
From Pulse: Stories by Julian Barnes
Questions for Discussion
1. What do you think of the main character’s relationship with Cath? Who do you identify most with?
2. What do you think of the narrators relationship with Lynn? Do you think of it as a new relationship or a “replacement” one?
3. Discuss the ‘evolution’ of Lynn and the Narrators relationship. What do you think about the narrators hike logging book?
4. Do you think this story is an accurate depiction of the male perception of relationships?
5. Why do you think the narrator is rejected by both these women?
6. What do you think is the meaning of Lynn’s scream.
Complicity by Julian Barnes
Complicity by Julian Barnes
From Pulse: Stories by Julian Barnes, 2011
Questions for Discussion
1. Do you identify with the narrator?
2. What do you think of Barnes’ description of the Mother/Daughter relationship?
3. Discuss Barnes depiction of human memory. How does Barnes’ create nostalgia in his writing?
4. Discuss Barnes’ ability to depict human interaction through description. Where there any descriptions that were especially memoriable?
5. Discuss the word “complicity’s” use in the story. How does Barnes’ talk about complicity in terms of relationships.
6. Discuss Barnes’ glove analogy.
The Tender Night by Paula Fox
“The Tender Night” by Paula Fox
From News From the World, 2011
Originally Published in The Paris Review, Summer 2008
Questions for Discussion
1. This autobiographical story brings us back in time. Is the author effective in transporting us?
2. How would you characterize Jack and the author’s friendship?
3. Discuss your emotional reaction to this story.
4. How does the author use description in order to provoke emotion?
5. What do you think of the author’s insight/portrayal about the gay experience during this time period?
6. What do you think about the author’s description of Jack?
