Winter Break Novel

One of the most important assignments this year is the literary research paper that we will work on during the second semester. For this assignment, you will need to choose one of the five options for your winter-break novels and read it in its entirety by the time the second semester begins on January 7^th, 2020. Then, during the winter quarter, you will analyze the significance of the work, assemble literary criticism, and write a research paper addressing the specifics of the prompt (more on this to come).

During Thanksgiving break, start considering which novels sound most fascinating to you. Here are a few brief snapshots of each of the novels you may choose:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

              Known for: A female protagonist who is independent and admirable, sparking 20^th-century literary feminist debates; gothic occurrences; prime Victorian literature; spooky attics; inappropriate relationships with your employer; crazy coincidences; comparisons with Emily Bronte’s literary masterpiece.

Fathers and Sons (also titled Fathers and Children) by Ivan Turgenev (1862)

              Known for: Russian realism; the masterpiece written by that Russian author not named Dostoevsky or Tolstoy; a Russian novel that isn’t a million pages long; generational differences; nihilist millennials; romances; a duel; Madame Odintsova – one of my favorite characters from 19^th century literature; desired medical hygiene.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1899)

              Known for: Social commentary; numerous examples of light vs dark imagery; doubles and triples; rivers; more literary madness; adequate critique of colonialism for some; inadequate critique of colonialism for others; Victorian literature; famous final words from a literary character; inspiring the film Apocalypse Now.

Sula by Toni Morrison (1973)

              Known for: American black experience not occurring in the south; lyrical prose; “the bottom of heaven,” ambiguous occurrences; black female protagonists; ambiguous characters; Ohio; subverting binary thinking; subverting binary imagery; best friends who are opposites; literature written by one of the best authors of the late-20^th century.

Atonement by Ian McEwan (2001)

              Known for: World War II literature; postmodernism?; varying character POV’s; unreliable narrators; impressive twist endings; childhood mistakes that completely snowball into epic disasters; “It’s too late to apologize;” Dunkirk; inter-textual communication; being a 21^st century novel that’s crept onto “classics” lists.