For Thursday, October 31

Prepare an outline or graphic organizer for your essay over TWHF.  While your artistic rendering and reading of the novel is fresh, I want the foundation for your paper laid out.  We will have a twenty minute workshop on Friday before moving on to a short story boot camp.

You will need your big textbook in class on Friday.

Thanks guys.  I was impressed today.

Use your time and knowledge wisely.

For Tuesday, October 29

1. Finish our novel.
2. Prepare an artistic rendering (anything you choose) or (prepare a model of the finished product) that will accompany and compliment your analytical essay over C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces.

I have posted here a copy of the essay assignment handout.  For this weekend, I do not want you to do any writing.  I just want you working with your hands to create a visual model of your essay topic.  As you create, allow the process to quicken your awareness of the nuances of your subject's function within the novel.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your work.  This is more than a project for an AP Literature class.  Allow the novel to affect your life and thinking about God.  Possible topics are listed at the bottom of handout.

Assignment Handout:
“When C.S. Lewis published Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold in 1956, he told friends that it was his favorite of all his books” (v).  This 20^th century novel teaches many lessons and is a fascinating case study in human nature.  Class discussions will focus on plot, theme, symbolism, and allegory.
Students desiring an A will complete:
            -a 1500 word critical analysis of Till We Have Faces that includes research from at least three outside sources.  These sources can include C.S. Lewis fiction novels and/or non-fiction books.  They also can be found by looking at research on the writings of C.S .Lewis.  (Since you have already read The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity, those would be prime candidates for your writing.)
Other ideas for secondary sources:
The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis
Any one or combination of The Chronicles of Narnia
Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis
Reason and Imagination in C.S. Lewis, Peter J. Schakel
Internet essays or short stories by Lewis
Internet essays on Lewis's writing
            -an artistic component that compliments your analysis
Students desiring a B will complete:
            -a 1,000 to 1,500 word critical analysis over the novel Till We Have Faces
            -an artistic component that compliments your analysis
Keep in mind that your grade matrix will begin at 100 or 89 respectively.  It will still be important for you to pay attention to detail and complete your work with excellence.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your project idea with me over the weekend, text/email me.  

DUE DATE:  BOP- 12 November 2013 

 Topic Ideas:

• The importance of longing-C.S. Lewis definition
• Veils
• Seeing and Perceiving (seeing the unseen)
• Love (perverted vs. spiritual)
• Writing as self-discovery
• The process of self-discovery
• The myth and its retelling (differences and their importance to Lewis theology)
• Building and Hiding
• The Nature of Sacrifice

If you have an idea, present it to me.  I would love for you to go  outside my list.

For Friday, October 25

Read Chapters 20-21 of Book 1 in Till We Have Faces.

Next, remind yourself of the story of Nathaniel coming to David to confront him about his sin with Bathsheba.  Either reread the story or recall its events.  II Samuel 12.  Reread Psalm 51. 
Consider the verses:  Colossians 2:9-12; Ezekiel 36:26, and Job 23:10.

Next, read Chapter 1 of Book 2 in Till We Have Faces. 

On the first page, Orual notes:  "The change which the writing wrought in me was only a beginning--only to prepare me for the God's surgery.  They used my own pen to probe my wound." 

In what ways has God performed surgery on your heart?  Mark each of Orual's references to the God's surgery?  What begins to happen in this chapter?

Annotate and think about these questions for our discussion in the Pavilion at Panorama Park on Friday. 
 

For Wednesday, October 23

Read through Chapter 19.  If you want to finish Book 1, that is fine, but our discussion will not move past 19. 

Thanks.  You guys are doing wonderfully.

For Monday, October 21

Read Chapters 14 and 15.  Annotate carefully.  You might reread the portion of the story in Chapter 11 where Orual sees/doesn't see the castle. 

For Tuesday, October 15

Read through Chapter 11 in Till We Have Faces.

Chapters 6 and 7 of Till We Have Faces introduces one of the main juxtapositions of this novel, that of perverted love vs. longing. 

• On Tuesday, you will write a timed essay wherein you discuss Lewis's portraits of perverted love and longing (agape love) in his fiction novels The Great Divorce and Till We Have Faces.  I would rather that your primary source be chapters 6 and 7 of TWHF, using TGD as back-up evidence. 
• Prepare a quote sheet for your usage during our timed writing on Tuesday.  

 

         












Template for your thesis:In the novels ______________________, C.S. Lewis juxtaposes the forces of perverted love and longing (or agape love) in order to ____________________________________________.

Here is a little bit of additional information on "longing" as perceived by C.S. Lewis.  You might read through it to gain insight or understanding, but you will only use the fictional texts for this essay. 

Quotes from:

Schakel, Peter J.. "Chapter 4; Love and Longing." Reason and imagination in C.S. Lewis: a study of  Till We Have Faces. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1984. 30-31. Print.

Sehnsucht, or longing, "which was also a powerful force in Lewis's life.  Lewis defines it as 'an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction.'  Momentary experiences of satisfaction, through sudden encounters with beauty in nature, literature, or music, or more often through the memory of such encounters, only intensify the desire, and the pain always associated with it.  When Lewis refers to it he uses such terms as 'stab,' 'pang,' and 'inconsolable,' or calls it a 'particular kind of unhappiness or grief, [but]...a kind we want.' Unlike other desires, in which pain arises from the absence of satisfaction, pain is inherent in this desire--inherent because attainment of its object is and remains inseparable from death, from death of self."  (Schakel 30).     

 

C.S. Lewis definition of longing:  "longing is God’s way of attempting to draw people to himself.  It is God’s way of preventing people from remaining satisfied with this world and forgetting that 'our real goal is elsewhere'" (Schakel 31).   

 

 

For Friday, October 11

Read chapters 7-9 for homework.  We will read chapter 10 together in class.

You will probably have a reading quiz.

For Wednesday, October 9

Read Chapters 1-5 of Till We Have Faces.  Make sure you read like a professor so you can pass my quiz on Wednesday.



EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY-OPTIONAL: ~ This opportunity will only appear on this post.

A mock facebook page for C.S. Lewis
Prepare on paper or poster board. (I may have a blank facebook page for you.)
Must include:
Picture
Short biography-Works Cited required
Major Works (5)
Five friends (start with the Inklings)
Favorite quote from Lewis
Favorite song - you will select this and then explain why you believe it to be Lewis' favorite.
Review the short story "Man Born Blind" (summary~do not spoil the end-recommendation)

This is an optional major grade. Due Date: Monday, October 14.

For Monday, October 7

Journal Entries for The Great Divorce.

Orual, from Till We Have Faces

Rewrite college essay if you so desire.

Bring your copy of Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis.  If you have a chance, try to find out what C.S. Lewis has to say about this novel.

Read and memorize:  1 Corinthians 13:12 and 2 Corinthians 3:18

Have a blessed weekend!