Right before the break on (my) page 213 — this is the final break before the end of the second to last chapter — the text reads: "Vogelman made a bony steeple with his arms. Gazing at the plate, he found his eyes were misty and he couldn't read the catcher's sign. He looked again and saw Roy, in full armor, mounted on a black charger. Vogelman stared hard, his arms held high so as not to balk. Yes, there he was coming at home with a long lance as thick as a young tree. He rubbed his arm across his eyes and keeled over in a dead faint."
This story is filled with people who see Roy for what he is and/or see him for what he wants to be. Which character sees him most clearly and which character is bamboozled by his talent?
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Natural: Day 8
Temptation: 2 Samuel 11
Your own trials: Reflect on and write about a time when you were tempted to do something you might not have otherwise done. In terms of Roy, what are the many different levels on which Roy is being tempted by Judge's offer?
Pete Rose
1. Video
2. Article
Baseball's Gambling Scandals
Black Sox Scandal
Derek Jeter and the Curse of Age
Discussion
1. How does the letter from Iris contrast with the scene with Judge and Memo? What are we to take from this sharp contrast?
2. In what way does the American definition of a hero conflict with that of what a hero really should be?
3. Compare and contrast Iris & Roy.
4. How does blind ambition conflict with having measured values?
5. How are Roy's and Memo's dreams similar? How are they different?
6. Dream on 179-180. Significance?
Your own trials: Reflect on and write about a time when you were tempted to do something you might not have otherwise done. In terms of Roy, what are the many different levels on which Roy is being tempted by Judge's offer?
Pete Rose
1. Video
2. Article
Baseball's Gambling Scandals
Black Sox Scandal
Derek Jeter and the Curse of Age
Discussion
1. How does the letter from Iris contrast with the scene with Judge and Memo? What are we to take from this sharp contrast?
2. In what way does the American definition of a hero conflict with that of what a hero really should be?
3. Compare and contrast Iris & Roy.
4. How does blind ambition conflict with having measured values?
5. How are Roy's and Memo's dreams similar? How are they different?
6. Dream on 179-180. Significance?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Jerseys for the cheap
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/store/ff8080812571f07801257852d1d34099.html#prod-seller-store
The guy's name is Ming and he replies to e-mails very quickly.
The guy's name is Ming and he replies to e-mails very quickly.
The Natural: Day 6 & 7
Free write: Roy fails to see himself as anything other than a super hero. How does this play into his hero's cycle and the presentation of him as a hero -- tragic or traditional.
How do Roy's obsessions lead to his downfall? Look specifically at the final few paragraphs of last night's reading.
One of the most important chapters comes when Roy is presented with happiness and success with Iris. He's now has a way to restore the wasteland. What does the reader learn about Roy during his interactions with Iris? What are the other most important moments in Roy's character development as a hero/tragic hero?
How do Roy's obsessions lead to his downfall? Look specifically at the final few paragraphs of last night's reading.
One of the most important chapters comes when Roy is presented with happiness and success with Iris. He's now has a way to restore the wasteland. What does the reader learn about Roy during his interactions with Iris? What are the other most important moments in Roy's character development as a hero/tragic hero?
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Natural: Post #6
Iris -- what a difference from Memo. What does Iris offer Roy that Memo does not? What role can you forsee her playing as the novel progresses?
The Natural: Day 5
Free write:
Vengeance/revenge: noun — punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong
Justice: noun — the quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this.
Is Roy seeking justice or vengeance/revenge for what Harriet Bird did to him? Does the distinction matter? Does a hero seek out one over the other?
Discussion
1. In what ways is Malamud showing the reader that Roy has changed very little since the start of the novel and in showing this, what kind of heroic figure is Malamud creating?
2. "You work at is so — sometimes you even look desperate — but to him it was a playful game and so was his life" (107). What is Memo's take on Roy as a baseball player? How does that compare with how she saw Bump? How would Memo define the word hero?
3. Where in the reading can we see signs of Memo's toxic nature? What does her toxicity tell us about Roy? About Roy's ability?
4. Roy & Memo are like Gatsby & Daisy ... how?
5. Read aloud: "He woke in the locker room, stretched out on a bench. ...All night long he waited for the bloody silver bullet" (126-8). In what ways does this passage demonstrate Roy's failure to understand his role in terms of healing the Fisher King? What does this passage tell us about Roy's truest desires?
6. What does the woman in the stands stand up for? What does she give Roy that Memo cannot?
Vengeance/revenge: noun — punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong
Justice: noun — the quality of being fair and reasonable; the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this.
Is Roy seeking justice or vengeance/revenge for what Harriet Bird did to him? Does the distinction matter? Does a hero seek out one over the other?
Discussion
1. In what ways is Malamud showing the reader that Roy has changed very little since the start of the novel and in showing this, what kind of heroic figure is Malamud creating?
2. "You work at is so — sometimes you even look desperate — but to him it was a playful game and so was his life" (107). What is Memo's take on Roy as a baseball player? How does that compare with how she saw Bump? How would Memo define the word hero?
3. Where in the reading can we see signs of Memo's toxic nature? What does her toxicity tell us about Roy? About Roy's ability?
4. Roy & Memo are like Gatsby & Daisy ... how?
5. Read aloud: "He woke in the locker room, stretched out on a bench. ...All night long he waited for the bloody silver bullet" (126-8). In what ways does this passage demonstrate Roy's failure to understand his role in terms of healing the Fisher King? What does this passage tell us about Roy's truest desires?
6. What does the woman in the stands stand up for? What does she give Roy that Memo cannot?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Natural: Post 5
Ambition ... it drives Roy to do some stupid things and it drives him to greatness. In your life, how have your ambitions gotten the better of you? How have your ambitions helped you succeed? Be specific but appropriate in your personal reference.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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