Brighten the Corner Where You Are

By Fred Chappell

Complete the Chappell Webquest before you read the novel Brighten the Corner Where You Are.

As you read Brighten the Corner Where You Are, consider the following:

As seen in the Webquest, storytelling is very important in many cultures. Watch for instances of storytelling in the novel and mark them as you read. What does Chappell’s book tell you about the importance of storytelling to rural people? What are the different functions of storytelling? For example, stories may be told to pass on tradition or to bind families or communities. What do you think some of the purposes behind Joe Robert’s stories are?

Think about the characteristics of Appalachian literature that were discussed in the Webquest. Can you find examples of these in Chappell’s novel? Mark them as you read.

Notice all of the references that Chappell makes to mythology. Do you think that these references serve a purpose regarding storytelling? What is the purpose? What imagery do you find in the book?

Why do you think that Joe Robert misjudges the school board so badly? Do you think it has anything to do with the role playing of “Socrates judgment” that Joe Robert and the students engaged in earlier in the day?

Describe Joe Robert’s method of teaching his students. Does he merely want them to learn scientific facts? How important is knowledge to Joe Robert? How does knowledge counter the darkness of human experience for Fred Chappell? How does Joe Robert “brighten the corner” where he is?