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unlocking the novel
a guide to modernism and postmodernism
Read with a friend
When I registered for the class, The
Modern Novel, I thought nothing of it. However, once I had
emerged myself into the class, I knew there was much more to
modernism than the words on the page. Authors provide so much more
than the story in such a unique variety of ways. Somehow I needed to
figure out a way to unlock the modern novel.
The most successful method I have found
to unlocking modernism is group discussion. Each week I read on my
own and in the process formulate my own questions, explanations, and
discoveries. I interpret each story and bring those interpretations
to class each week. Prior to our class discussions, I only have my
own thoughts and ideas about the novel, but each week I leave our
class thinking of one of my classmates'
questions, explanations, or
discovery. Each week individual students bring his or her
interpretations to the discussion and opens my eyes to alternatives
that I had not previously considered. When I read on my own, I am
limited because I can provide only one point of view; however, I
leave each group discussion with multiple ways of interpreting the
author's
intentions and the novel he or she has created. Often my classmates
clue me into parts of the novels that I may have missed and provide
a variety of ways to look at the novels, their characters, and the
authors who created them.
The benefits of group discussion were
most obvious when our class read William Faulkner's novel The
Sound and the Fury. I loved this novel and felt I had really had
a grasp of the story, the characters, and the message that Faulkner
was trying to convey. Then I went to class. I wasn't wrong in my
interpretations, but there were so many varieties to consider that
my feelings about this novel have changed. I still love it but for
different reasons. I learned from this experience that when I think
I have mastered something there is always something else to
consider.
I know that I have an advantage and have
several partners who must read with me because we are in the same
class, but all hope is not lost for the reader who does not have the
advantage of classmates. The Internet has many websites that allow
individuals to post questions or comments about a particular author
or novel. Literary chat rooms are quite easy to use and readily
available. These virtual group discussions allow the reader to
explore and compare other interpretations of the novel. For the best
results, users should narrow their chat room experiences to a
particular author. There are specific websites for most authors, and
focusing on a particular novel makes it easier to follow the
discussion.
Chats about James Joyce can be found at:
http://www.catharton.com/authors/33.htm
Chats about Virginia Woolf can be found at:
http://www.catharton.com/authors/34.htm
Chats about Ernest Hemingway can be
found at:
http://www.catharton.com/authors/37.htm
Chats about William Faulkner can be
found at:
http://www.catharton.com/authors/40.htm
http://killdevilhill.com/literarychattalkcafe.html
http://community.iuniverse.com/writers/
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