English 104 - Cora Agatucci
Introduction to Literature: Fiction

a. Poe:

		Brief, but not too brief / Poe: brief enough to be read in one sitting
		Reader being in writer's control
		Impression is the point of greatest importance
		Truth is one's own impression
		Small amount of right chosen words can have lasting impression

		[First] impression is important
		length - read in one sitting
		truth better understood in prose tale than poetry
		Mr. Hawthorne true genius
		complicated plots

a.  Maupassant:

		Concentrating on meaning more than actual story
		Brings personal experience in[to] his stories
		Grass is always greener
		Less control, more exploration of senses and emotions
		Gives reader credit for being dynamic
		Uses real social conditions

		simplicity is key
		shouldn't be able to perceive intentions
		eliminate minute, useless details
		selectivity
		differences between life and literature
		hidden meaning
		straightforward, very detailed

b.  Comparison [of Poe's and Maupassant's views:]

		Similarities: stress importance out of using words to describe and tell the story.  Being brief, but descriptive.  Short prose.  Develop characters similarly - midstream like there is a story for each character before story opens
		Differences:  Poe believes in realism [?], Maupassant believes in illusion of reality; Poe wants reaction of reader to be very planned, Maupassant gives the reader more latitude; Difference of truth - illusion vs. reality

c.  [Do they practice what they "preach" in theory?] [After summarizing author's main points--e.g. stories should be short and include only specific details--] "We all agreed that Poe stuck with his beliefs and Maupassant really didn't."

c.  Poe and Maupassant seem to portray their main points in their writing styles: 

		"The Cask of Amontillado" is written with the "single effect" in mind
		Each author speaks very highly of the writing style that they are describing

"The Cask of Amontillado"
a.  Romantic Characteristics:  

		Dark horror; gloomy, bones
		setting was Romantic
		logic to his reasoning

b.  Specific Examples:  

		Explaining the moss, dusk & overall feeling of moisture
		Also that they passed the wine cellar and kept going.  They had plenty of opportunity to turn around but didn't. . . . [Montresor]  went down into the tombs where his relatives were.
		[Montresor] seemed to be regretful that he was going to kill his friend....he thre a torch in with him [Fortunato] before he left, kind of seeming like he was backing off.

a.  [More Romantic characteristics:]

		excessive violent characters
		exploration of dark side of human nature

a & b. [More Romantic characteristics & examples ]

		setting (catacombs),
		exploration of the dark side of Montresor,
		how the setting wasn't described in detail (where it is in "The Necklace")
		the single effect in a prose tale
		length is important as well as the flow and rhythm of the story

a & b. Poe seems to be really dramatic and drawn out, wordy; [More Romantic characteristics & examples:]

		journey to hell: the setting gave that feeling, also deeper meaning of hell
		a solitary quest: the journey through the catacombs

"The Necklace"
c & d.  [Realistic Characteristics & some examples:] 

		Mixed characters - no one seemed to be really good or bad
		Predictable ending
		Class lines were apparent
		Writer's Goal: hard to tell, his vision of what should happen
		Selective in realism, censorship
		House was rundown
		Plot: friends with schoolmate who was rich
		Jeweler said he didn't sell it
		How she wanted to go to the ball but she didn't have a dress, then shoes
		Pretense:  description of the house

[More Realistic Characteristics:] 

disillusioned point of view of lower class

c & d. [More Realistic Characteristics & some examples:] 

		Ironic coincidences and surprise endings
		disillusion or view of life
		class lines or haves and have nots
		social and economic forces:   --She worked for ten years to repay this necklace, which she wore because socially she thought she needed to. --She did not show appreciation to her husband for all he gave her.  She just wanted more.

[Another Group: Students discussed notes on Topic #2, listing Romanticism and Realistic characteristics, then quoting examples from the stories, and discussing Seminar group's opinions. Then:]  "We all agreed the story could have 2 meanings: (1) consequences of lying and (2) Don't take for granted what you have because others have worse."

[Another Group:] talked about how easy it is to relate to these types of stories [i.e. Realistic?]  since they could so easily happen to any one of us.  About how Mme. Loisel lived a middle class life but for one night in the upper class she spent 10 years paying for it.  "The Writer's Goal" is a straightforward look at what a writer wishes to accomplish.

b.  Montressor [from different Seminar Groups]: 

		Background of Montressor: wealthy, very cold.  His family was on a pedestal & drove him to do what he did.  He is a static character because he (example) paused and looked before putting the last brick in.  He said in French [actually it's Latin], "May his soul rest in peace."
		Murder motivated him and he was very static and used strength and weaknesses.
		He had a master plan of revenge, which he showed no remorse in carrying out.
		Montressor is a static character, his whole mission is revenge.  It never changes.
		He is motivated by "the thousand injuries of Fortunato."

c.  Mme. Mathilde Loisel [from different Seminar Groups]:

		One student believed "social status motivated her, definitely wasn't static, and believed Mme. Loisel changed at the end."  [But others in group] believed maybe she didn't [change?] because she wanted to tell her friend because she was mad.
		She is a beautiful girl destined for upper class, but married to a clerk.  She was not poor but middle class.  She always dreamed of more.
		She is motivated to enjoy the upperclass life style.
		A dynamic character: mentally, physically, and socially.

d. [On Major themes of the stories, Poe's "effect or impression," Maupassant's "illusion of life" and "profound effect of...particular truth"]:

		"The Cask of Amontillado": It shows how one thing can be the only focus in your life
		"The Necklace": Be happy with what you have.  Swallow your pride and tell the truth.

b.  "The Cask of Amontillado" [from different Seminar Groups]:

		Exposition: development of Fortunato and Montresor
		Exposition:  The first line of the story, he vows revenge
		Rising Action: Where Montresor to Fortunato about cask of Amontillado
		Rising Action:  The whole venture down the catacombs
		Climax:  When Montresor chains Fortunato
		Climax:  When Fortunato is locked in the chains and something has to give
		Falling Action: Building the wall
		Conclusion: Final dialogue until final brick
		Conclusion:  He puts in the final stone and leaves Fortunato in the catacomb

Poe: complicated plots; main character's age sets mood for story

b & d.  Plot Structure & Theme:  "Revenge is sweet/sour, talked about what parts of the story were climax, theme, and major conflicts for each of us."

c.  "The Necklace" [from different Seminar Groups]:

		Exposition: Beginning where social context is described . . . [ran out of time?]
		Exposition: Mme. Loisel's introduction to her character.  The first couple paragraphs.
		Rising Action: She was invited to an elegant evening
		Climax: She loses the necklace, and did not find it.
		Resolution: She tells Mme. Forestier that she lost the necklace and worked all those years to replace it.

[More on Plot Structure - Maupassant:]

		end of story - twist
		plot peaks several times

b.  [Another group] "discussed plot elements and etc.  We had similar ideas on the stories and believed different people could have different opinions.  Pretty much restated Topic #2."

d.  [On Interpretation of Themes, Poe's single "effect or impression, Maupassant's "illusion of life" & "profound impression" of "particular truth"]:  

		"We didn't get a chance to discuss this but the general consensus was that not all of us understood the question."
		"The Necklace" - double meaning: [1]  if you live outside your means, expect to take a fall; [2] 'fess up to your mistakes