The Watchmen-- Cultural Resonances

The Vietnam War--When was it? What was the outcome? What is its significance to the American people?

Industrialization--When did it start? What are its benefits? What are its negative effects?

Ubermensch --Where does the word come from? What does it mean? How does it appear in literature?

The Watchmen

Once again, I would like to use this blog to support an ongoing discussion about this text. Please plan to comment DAILY on one or more of the following questions. As always, you are encouraged to develop questions of your own and to add any relevant thoughts or comments you might have.

What are some of the codes and conventions that belong to the graphic text genre?
How is reading this graphic text different from reading a traditional novel?
What is the primary conflict in this novel?
How can narrative elements be applied to this text?
What theme(s) is/are the authors interested in exploring?
What are some sources of confusion in the novel?
What questions would you like answered? (For instance, I'd like to know who the guy with the red hair is who is always protesting)
Which historic references do you recognise? (For example, the Vietnam War)
Which historic references do you wish you knew more about? (Ex. The Vietnam War) :0
Why would time magazine choose this novel as one of the 100 best novels of all time?

Mrs.Brill

1) From what point of view is "Miss Brill" told? This story was told in thrid person, because the narrator is reading the story to you about another person. For example, the narrator is using 'He,she and they'. 

2) Is the narration (storytelling) told using present tense or past tense (retrospective)?
This was present tense form .
3) "The storyteller (aka the narrator) seems to know exactly what is going on inside Miss Brill's head. In fact, the narrator is too close to Miss Brill for a reader to know exactly what is real and what is imagined." Do you agree or disagree with this remark? Why? I do agree with the narrator, but I also do see what was real, and imagiable.

Using the blog to support a class discussion

Discussion for the rest of the novel will be driven by you. Please post your questions, comments, thoughts, opinions and remarks here. Extra points awarded for engaging with one another. ;)

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

1. Given that the proles could rebel against the party, why do they not?

2. Explain the paradox: "until they become conscious they can never rebel, and until they rebel they can never become conscious."

3. Use Google if necessary, but put the following terms into your own words: socialist, capitalist, autocrat, dictator, despot.

Chapter 6

1. This chapter focusses a great deal on Winston's wife Katharine and his visit to a prole prostitute. Why, in your opinion, does the inner party try to control the outer party's attitudes toward sex?

2. Why does the party "turn a blind eye" to vivits by inner party members to prole prostitutes?

Chapter 4

1. In this chapter we see Winston at work. What does he do?

2. What is Newspeak? Why do you think the party promotes it?