I like how the book is written in the first person perspective of Irene, because it makes the story seem more personal by having her whole thought process on menial or really important things, and it makes it more realistic. And I like how she has trouble identifying or finding her identity as an individual and how she fits into her role in her home and in her race. And she seems to have this loyalty and duty to her race. That she cannot betray Clare because of the ties of race. 

       I didn't really like the depressing feel of the book. With her marital issues of keeping Brian at home and the whole affair thing, and the insecurities of her  protecting her kids from things like sex and the n word, and keeping Clare away, and keeping Clare safe from john knowing, and just life dramas. I prefer Stresses that are more epic and entertaining and adventurous because the ones from "passing" seemed more realistic and closer to what most people have to deal with in their own lives rather than fighting dragons and saving the world. And it didn't have a happy ending it was just her finally taking her repressed anger and fear out on presumably killing Clare. 

       The whole book just kind of went on in apprehension and fear. I was just waiting for the inevitability of John finding out, or a confrontation of the affair, or some other climatic event. And then when it came the book was over. But I think the book did a good job of showing the racial stigmas and identities, the marriage tensions, and the unhealthy friendships.

The Assignment and the How-To

Hi Everyone,
In order to post, you need to click that Blogger logo in the upper left corner.  See it? The orange box with the squiggly thing in it?  Then, click on the pencil next to your blog title.  That will allow you to write your post.  When you are done, click "Publish."

Here's Your Assignment:

One thing that we have said repeatedly in our class is that American literature is an ongoing conversation about a few central topics.  These topics are ingrained in our national narrative, the story of who we are as people.  This week, you will begin thinking about topics that connect to this American narrative, and these topics will become the focus of your research after winter break.

To get you started generating topics for research, use your lit circle books.  I'd like two written responses from you this week, both posted to your group blog.  I also expect you to read and respond to each others' posts.  If you were to type your response in Word first, it would be about a page.  DO NOT JUST ANSWER A LIST OF MY QUESTIONS.  Instead, generate two or three paragraphs on the questions that interest you most.  The questions to consider:

• What do you like best about your book?  What do you like least?
• What was the most powerful part of the text?  The most exciting?
• Which of our central questions (American dream/possessions, nature, race and equality, individual power, etc.) does your text address most thoroughly?
• What questions does this book raise for you?  What does it make you wonder?
• What are some topics that you could research (based on your book)?
• What place do you think your text has in the body of American literature?
• How does the text "talk back" to some of the authors we've already read?
• What do you know about the author of your book?  Are you curious to know more about the author's story?