The Natural: Day 2

Discussion from prior reading
1. The third pitch: how do the three pitches compare? where do we see the language of myth in each pitch?
2. Let's look at the final paragraph in which Harriet shoots Roy. What are we to think of Harriet? Was this expected or unexpected?
3. Symbols present thus far?

Last night's reading
4. The Fisher King, the wasteland
5. In what ways is Bump a failed hero?
6. What kind of person is Roy? How has he changed in 15 years and how has he stayed the same?

7. In what ways are Bump, the Whammer and Roy all variations of the same hero mold? What is Malamud telling us about heroes in society?

8. Roy waits for Memo & the chance to play. What do these to things have in common? What is Roy seeking from both?

Who doesn't love pictures?

The big field trip!

See. This is why we read. So when you see a sign like this, you really know what it means.

Good looking people look even better in front of trophies!

Our compost angel branches out and embraces the green culture of the Giants. I'm so proud.

Did you know this is dustless dirt. No joke. And the grass. Well, it grows really fast. They mow it every day.

More good looking people. What a bunch!

And let's not forget our fearless leader Clyde. The man knows his stuff and boy can he talk. Apparently he knows basketball, too.

The Natural: post for night #2

Lots of connections to the Parcival myth in last night's reading. Some literary critics have said that Malamud put a realistic man in a mythological setting. Is that fair? Has Malamud set Roy up for failure? So far, has Roy changed in the 15 years since the shooting? Be specific in your responses, please.

The Natural: Day 1

Free write: Most titles give us an idea what the story is about, and what we will experience if we read. But some authors use titles to do more than that; some use metaphors so their titles create additional meanings.

In the world of sports, talent scouts, managers, coaches, writers and fans examine the talent of newcomers and wonder whether they will be successful. A player whose skills seem to need no training, or whose skills seem God-given, is called a natural.

In the Middle Ages (approx. 500A.D. to 1350 A.D.), the term natural referred to an idiot, a kind of foolish innocent person whom it was thought God protected.

How does Bernard Malamud use the title of the book to allude to Roy as a natural in both senses?

Discussion

1. NYTimes Book Review

2. Allegory

3. Parzival/Percival: What parallels are present?

4. p. 26: What are we to make of Harriet's questioning of Ray: "Isn't there something over and above earthly things—some more glorious meaning to one's life and activities?"

5. Where can we see myth-making in the first section?

6. Symbols present and what might they signify?

Sunday Field Trip!

Sunday April 21

Meet in the upper parking lot (near the pool and behind the new gym) and NOON! NOON! NOON!

We should be back between 3-4pm.

See you then.

Kinsella Interview ... finally

To listen to the interview try this link