Austen Pastiche/Transposition
Due Thursday, February 5. This assignment will give you an opportunity to work on pastiche and style, or on transposition and idiom.
Choose one of the following two options:
1. Pick a situation and a setting of your choice and write a pastiche of Jane Austen. Decide on your purpose beforehand (humorous, satirical, earnest) and make sure your tone is consistent throughout. I will be looking for recognizable elements of Austen’s style. For example, the skill of the “miniaturist,” free indirect discourse, wit, subtext, and/or irony. You may adopt vocabulary characteristic of Austen, and/or display stylistic quirks you’ve noticed in her syntax or use of punctuation. You will also want to replicate elements of the social world of Emma and reflect some of its thematic concerns. This pastiche need not be long – between a half page and a single page, typed and double spaced, will suffice – but I am looking for careful attention to detail, tone, and choice of words. If you choose the pastiche option, note that your setting and situation should not be typical of Austen, but it should be conveyed in an Austenian style.
Pastiche is a French word for a PARODY or LITERARY IMITATION. Although the intent is often humorous (ranging from witty satire to gentle, affectionate ribbing), the writer of pastiche sincerely imitates the style, technique, and themes of a recognized writer or work they wish to parody. (So there is an element of tribute or homage, as well as parody.)
2. Pick a particular passage from Emma and transpose it into a modern American context and a contemporary American idiom of your choice. One of your primary goals in writing a transposition will be to create a unified whole that makes sense; I am not asking simply for a passage from Emma translated into contemporary American English. I am looking for a believable transfer of style and theme from one place and period to another and for an authentic American idiom to accompany it. At the top of your paper, clearly identify the chapter and volume you draw your passage from. Your transposition should not exceed one double spaced page. Again, I am not looking for quantity, but for quality and attention to details.
You will have the opportunity to share your pastiche or transposition in class.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Majerus's Emma Syllabus
Here's the syllabus for the Second and Third volumes of Emma for students in third and fourth period Sophomore English:
(the formatting is a little funky right now, but I'll correct that later...)
Syllabus for Emma, part II
[Bracketed chapter numbers for students with editions not broken into volumes]
Mon 2/2 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 4-6 (18 pp.) [22-24] Vocab: mortified (117), pique (118), reproach (119). How does Emma react to the news that Mr. Elton is going to be married? What judgments of his wife-to-be does she make, based on what she’s heard about her? Why do you think Emma anticipates Frank Churchill’s visit so much? What are her impressions of him?
Tue 2/3 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 7-8 (16 pp.) [25-26] Vocab: chaise (132), foppery (132), ostentation (137), languid (149). What do you make of Emma’s attitude toward the Coles’ inviting her and her father to their dinner party? How does this reflect on her, and what does it indicate to you about her? Does the narrator seem to accept her attitudes? To subtly mock them? To critique them? Why does Mr. Knightley call Emma “Nonsensical girl!”? Do you agree with his jibe? Does Emma’s certainty about the origin of the gift of a pianoforte to Jane Fairfax seem founded? What are some of the reasons that the idea of Mr. Knightley marrying Jane perturbs Emma so much? Emma pastiche assigned.
Wed 2/4 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 12-14 (16 pp.) [30-32](Ch 9-11 optional – If you are not able to read 9-11, some developments: Emma feels uneasy after the Coles’s party because she has indiscreetly shared with Frank Churchill her suspicions of Jane's feelings for Mr. Dixon (she also dwells a bit on her own musical inferiority to Jane); Harriet is still thinking about Mr. Martin; Frank teases Jane Fairfax about the pianoforte and though Emma thinks Jane is secretly “cherishing reprehensible feelings” for the anonymous giver (who Emma assumes is Mr. Dixon), she is “half ashamed” because Frank has teased Jane about it in a most unseemly manner; Frank and Emma plan a ball, and all are excited at the prospect of it. For Ch. 12-14 [31-32], vocab: allusion (171), perusal (172), reproof (174), auspices (179), pert (181). Why does Emma find Mrs. Elton an “insufferable woman”? Try to find a couple of examples of Mrs. Elton’s most egregious offenses in Emma’s eyes.
Thur 2/5 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 15-18 (21 pp.) [33-36] Vocab: conjugal (183), licentiousness
(185), penury (185), appellation (188). Find two specific passages regarding Mrs. Elton that offer some insight into Emma's distaste for her. Do other people seem to find Mrs. Elton objectionable? Do you? Consider a possible subtext in the discussion of Frank Churchill's handwriting at the end of chapter 16 [34]. Does there seem to be more at stake than his script? Characterize Jane Fairfax's attitude toward being a governess. What analogy does she use to describe the business of placing governesses in chapter 17 [35], and what does her choice of words say about her feelings toward her future profession? What is ironic about the conversation Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton have about Mrs. Churchill in chapter 18 [36]? Emma pastiche due.
Fri 2/6 Book talks and independent reading. Comparison essay topics due.
Mon 2/9 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 1-4 (18 pp) [37 – 40]. Vocab: eminent (206), expeditious
(209), reprobation (215), impelled (219). In what way does Mr. Elton insult Harriet in chapter 2 [38], and how does this reflect on him and Mrs. Elton? What do you think the narrator means when she calls Emma an "imaginist" (Ch. 3, p. 218)? Do you think Emma understands herself to be an imaginist? Look carefully at the paragraph and consider whether this seems to be the narrator's perspective strictly, or Emma's also. What does Harriet’s “confession” to Emma in Ch. 4 tell us about her? (note: our footnote says “court plaister” is adhesive tape. It’s more like a primitive form of band-aid).
Tue 2/10 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 5-7 (23 pp.) [41-43]. Vocab: disingenuousness (227), reproof (230), arrear (231), fagged (246). What "blunder" does Frank make in chapter 5 [41]? Find the slip he makes early in the chapter, which he refers to later during the alphabet game. Consider the tense but constrained conflicts in chapter 6 between Mrs. Elton and Mr. Knightley, and later between Emma and Jane. What seems to be underneath each of these terse discussions, and which of the participants appears more favorably in each? In what way does Emma insult Miss Bates in chapter 7? Why does Mr. Knightley find this not only rude, but cruel? How does his criticism affect Emma?
Wed 2/11 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 8-9 (10 pp.) [44 – 45]. Vocab: abhor (247), dilatory (253).
Characterize Emma’s attitude and manner during her visit to Miss Bates. Do you see a change in her, and if so, how do you account for it? How do you interpret Jane’s illness and her responses to Emma’s repeated attempts at kindness?
Thu 2/12 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 10-11 (15 pp.) [46 – 47]. Vocab: intreat (263, check entreat),
solicitude (264), tautology (268), corroborating (268). What news does Mrs. Weston give Emma about Frank? On what subjects does this news cause Emma to revise her thinking? What does the conversation Emma has with Harriet in chapter 11 indicate about the ways that Harriet has been altered by Emma’s tutelage? What feelings of Emma’s does this conversation expose? Compare/contrast introduction and basic outline with evidence due – we’ll spend some time in class workshopping these outlines.
Fri 2/13 No class – pre-registration activities
Mon 2/16 Presidents Day – No school
Agora Days = February 17th – 20th
Mon 2/23 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 12-13 (14 pp.) [48 – 49]. Vocab: captious (275),
levity (276), intimation (278), clemency (280). Do you sympathize with Emma in
her anxieties about Mr. Knightley? What is your response when they come to an understanding?
Tue 2/24 Compare and contrast essay rough draft due. In class: peer workshop.
Wed 2/25 Emma, Ch. 14-16 (18 pp.) [50 – 52]. Vocab: parley (285), caviller (287, check
“caviler” or “cavil” if you can’t find “caviller”), bandied (290, check “bandy”), wan (291). Do you think Frank's letter explains and/or excuses his previous behavior? What is Emma's response to the letter? What is unconventional about the arrangement Mr. Knightley suggests in chapter 15 [52] to circumvent Emma’s having to leave her father in order to marry? How is Jane’s manner toward Emma in chapter 16 [52] different than the last time Emma attempted to visit her, and why?
Thu 2/26 Finish Emma, Ch. 17-19 (16 pp.) [53 – 55]. Vocab: sagacity (308), accession
(314), archly (315, check “arch”), impudent (315). Has Emma matured? Find at least three specific passages that show that she has or has not. In what sense is this novel a “comedy”? Is this a truly happy ending? Will any or all of the various newly married couples be happy?
Fri 2/27 Compare and Contrast essay due. In class: book talks and independent reading.
Mon 3/2 No school – parent/teacher conferences
(the formatting is a little funky right now, but I'll correct that later...)
Syllabus for Emma, part II
[Bracketed chapter numbers for students with editions not broken into volumes]
Mon 2/2 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 4-6 (18 pp.) [22-24] Vocab: mortified (117), pique (118), reproach (119). How does Emma react to the news that Mr. Elton is going to be married? What judgments of his wife-to-be does she make, based on what she’s heard about her? Why do you think Emma anticipates Frank Churchill’s visit so much? What are her impressions of him?
Tue 2/3 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 7-8 (16 pp.) [25-26] Vocab: chaise (132), foppery (132), ostentation (137), languid (149). What do you make of Emma’s attitude toward the Coles’ inviting her and her father to their dinner party? How does this reflect on her, and what does it indicate to you about her? Does the narrator seem to accept her attitudes? To subtly mock them? To critique them? Why does Mr. Knightley call Emma “Nonsensical girl!”? Do you agree with his jibe? Does Emma’s certainty about the origin of the gift of a pianoforte to Jane Fairfax seem founded? What are some of the reasons that the idea of Mr. Knightley marrying Jane perturbs Emma so much? Emma pastiche assigned.
Wed 2/4 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 12-14 (16 pp.) [30-32](Ch 9-11 optional – If you are not able to read 9-11, some developments: Emma feels uneasy after the Coles’s party because she has indiscreetly shared with Frank Churchill her suspicions of Jane's feelings for Mr. Dixon (she also dwells a bit on her own musical inferiority to Jane); Harriet is still thinking about Mr. Martin; Frank teases Jane Fairfax about the pianoforte and though Emma thinks Jane is secretly “cherishing reprehensible feelings” for the anonymous giver (who Emma assumes is Mr. Dixon), she is “half ashamed” because Frank has teased Jane about it in a most unseemly manner; Frank and Emma plan a ball, and all are excited at the prospect of it. For Ch. 12-14 [31-32], vocab: allusion (171), perusal (172), reproof (174), auspices (179), pert (181). Why does Emma find Mrs. Elton an “insufferable woman”? Try to find a couple of examples of Mrs. Elton’s most egregious offenses in Emma’s eyes.
Thur 2/5 Emma, Vol. II, Ch. 15-18 (21 pp.) [33-36] Vocab: conjugal (183), licentiousness
(185), penury (185), appellation (188). Find two specific passages regarding Mrs. Elton that offer some insight into Emma's distaste for her. Do other people seem to find Mrs. Elton objectionable? Do you? Consider a possible subtext in the discussion of Frank Churchill's handwriting at the end of chapter 16 [34]. Does there seem to be more at stake than his script? Characterize Jane Fairfax's attitude toward being a governess. What analogy does she use to describe the business of placing governesses in chapter 17 [35], and what does her choice of words say about her feelings toward her future profession? What is ironic about the conversation Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton have about Mrs. Churchill in chapter 18 [36]? Emma pastiche due.
Fri 2/6 Book talks and independent reading. Comparison essay topics due.
Mon 2/9 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 1-4 (18 pp) [37 – 40]. Vocab: eminent (206), expeditious
(209), reprobation (215), impelled (219). In what way does Mr. Elton insult Harriet in chapter 2 [38], and how does this reflect on him and Mrs. Elton? What do you think the narrator means when she calls Emma an "imaginist" (Ch. 3, p. 218)? Do you think Emma understands herself to be an imaginist? Look carefully at the paragraph and consider whether this seems to be the narrator's perspective strictly, or Emma's also. What does Harriet’s “confession” to Emma in Ch. 4 tell us about her? (note: our footnote says “court plaister” is adhesive tape. It’s more like a primitive form of band-aid).
Tue 2/10 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 5-7 (23 pp.) [41-43]. Vocab: disingenuousness (227), reproof (230), arrear (231), fagged (246). What "blunder" does Frank make in chapter 5 [41]? Find the slip he makes early in the chapter, which he refers to later during the alphabet game. Consider the tense but constrained conflicts in chapter 6 between Mrs. Elton and Mr. Knightley, and later between Emma and Jane. What seems to be underneath each of these terse discussions, and which of the participants appears more favorably in each? In what way does Emma insult Miss Bates in chapter 7? Why does Mr. Knightley find this not only rude, but cruel? How does his criticism affect Emma?
Wed 2/11 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 8-9 (10 pp.) [44 – 45]. Vocab: abhor (247), dilatory (253).
Characterize Emma’s attitude and manner during her visit to Miss Bates. Do you see a change in her, and if so, how do you account for it? How do you interpret Jane’s illness and her responses to Emma’s repeated attempts at kindness?
Thu 2/12 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 10-11 (15 pp.) [46 – 47]. Vocab: intreat (263, check entreat),
solicitude (264), tautology (268), corroborating (268). What news does Mrs. Weston give Emma about Frank? On what subjects does this news cause Emma to revise her thinking? What does the conversation Emma has with Harriet in chapter 11 indicate about the ways that Harriet has been altered by Emma’s tutelage? What feelings of Emma’s does this conversation expose? Compare/contrast introduction and basic outline with evidence due – we’ll spend some time in class workshopping these outlines.
Fri 2/13 No class – pre-registration activities
Mon 2/16 Presidents Day – No school
Agora Days = February 17th – 20th
Mon 2/23 Emma, Vol. III, Ch. 12-13 (14 pp.) [48 – 49]. Vocab: captious (275),
levity (276), intimation (278), clemency (280). Do you sympathize with Emma in
her anxieties about Mr. Knightley? What is your response when they come to an understanding?
Tue 2/24 Compare and contrast essay rough draft due. In class: peer workshop.
Wed 2/25 Emma, Ch. 14-16 (18 pp.) [50 – 52]. Vocab: parley (285), caviller (287, check
“caviler” or “cavil” if you can’t find “caviller”), bandied (290, check “bandy”), wan (291). Do you think Frank's letter explains and/or excuses his previous behavior? What is Emma's response to the letter? What is unconventional about the arrangement Mr. Knightley suggests in chapter 15 [52] to circumvent Emma’s having to leave her father in order to marry? How is Jane’s manner toward Emma in chapter 16 [52] different than the last time Emma attempted to visit her, and why?
Thu 2/26 Finish Emma, Ch. 17-19 (16 pp.) [53 – 55]. Vocab: sagacity (308), accession
(314), archly (315, check “arch”), impudent (315). Has Emma matured? Find at least three specific passages that show that she has or has not. In what sense is this novel a “comedy”? Is this a truly happy ending? Will any or all of the various newly married couples be happy?
Fri 2/27 Compare and Contrast essay due. In class: book talks and independent reading.
Mon 3/2 No school – parent/teacher conferences
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