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
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Natural: Day 4
1. Fair Memo: looking specifically at the first two paragraphs of last night's reading, how does Malamud characterize Memo?
2. How do Memo, Gus, and Max help develop the character of Roy? In other words, if context helps shape our identity, what do these three characters bring out in Roy?
2. How do Memo, Gus, and Max help develop the character of Roy? In other words, if context helps shape our identity, what do these three characters bring out in Roy?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Natural: Post #4
In what ways are the "villains" unable to see Roy clearly? And what might Malamud be suggesting in the blindness of the villains? Be specific and reference the text.
OR
What outside forces distract Roy's talent?
Look at these happy people:
OR
What outside forces distract Roy's talent?
Look at these happy people:
The Natural: Day 2&3
Free write: The rookie season, what fun. Roy arrives for his first full day and his uniform has been knotted and soaked, his stockings are shredded, and much, much more. Back in 1952 when The Natural was published, hazing was a fairly common practice. Now, its illegal and quite controversial when it does happen.
Reflect on and write about a time when you were a newcomer, a rookie. Maybe it's when you joined a new team, when you arrived at a new school, or when you moved to a new neighborhood. What was it like for you as a newcomer and was there hazing involved?
Discussion
1. In what ways is Bump a failed hero?
2. What kind of person is Roy? How has he changed in 15 years and how has he stayed the same?
3. 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?
4. What's the significance of the train?
5. Roy waits for Memo & the chance to play. What do these to things have in common? What is Roy seeking from both?
Reflect on and write about a time when you were a newcomer, a rookie. Maybe it's when you joined a new team, when you arrived at a new school, or when you moved to a new neighborhood. What was it like for you as a newcomer and was there hazing involved?
Discussion
1. In what ways is Bump a failed hero?
2. What kind of person is Roy? How has he changed in 15 years and how has he stayed the same?
3. 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?
4. What's the significance of the train?
5. Roy waits for Memo & the chance to play. What do these to things have in common? What is Roy seeking from both?
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