This essay is just one story in the ongoing conversation of how to approach teaching indigenous literatures in colonial educational institutions. Through sharing her experiences in teaching Richard Van Camp's "The Lesser Blessed," the author hopes to reveal the power of this particular text and the way its effects on students who…

This essay explores a reading of "Robinson Crusoe" that suggests the novel has taken on new gravity after the first "preemptive" war in U.S. history, a war justified by the attempt to "spread freedom" to Iraq. It examines how Crusoe comes to understand the relationship between the state and the individual. Robinson…

Sequels are written by the authors due to some financial reasons and sold by the publishers because readers request them. The readers admire the characters mentioned in the sequels, an attachment is developed for these characters and hence a curiosity is developed to know more about them.

Argues that some of the works of major British writers may be read as propounding simple but important views on metaphysics of the self. Contends that the work of the British Empiricists cut the ground out from under the metaphysics of Descartes, and the world subsequently came to be regarded as a flux of impressions. Reflects on the relationship…

This article presents a case study class response to Mildred Taylor's now classic and widely read novel, "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry." Through data collected during one school year, the ways urban, adolescent students use their contemporary lenses to interpret the literary theme of "confronting, overcoming and challenging racism" are discussed.…

Discusses ways in which Mikhail Bakhtin's two key ideas--multivocality and carnival--are played out in John Knowles' novel "A Separate Peace." Suggests that the novel will remain vital, alive, and accessible to students as long as they hear, respond to, and participate in the dialogues in the novel. (RS)

Compares responses of readers (both children and adults) of Maurice Sendak's "trilogy" ("Where the Wild Things Are,""In the Night Kitchen," and "Outside over There") to Sendak's own explanation of his intent. Suggests that Sendak offers an original, fresh, and magical expression that immediately reaches many…

This article, written in response to an invitation from "CLE," describes the origins and controversial content of "dunno," a first novel, self-published by Peter Inson, a former teacher and headmaster. Inson considers influences upon his writing, the thinking which led him towards self-publication and the process of personally launching and…

Explores questions about the use of history in teaching literature and about the relation between academic reading (with its emphasis on form and the objectification of the reading process) and naive reading (which depends on a psychological identification with a character). Illustrates these issues through a discussion of a feminist reader's…

Discusses how romantic novels can be used to generate interest in the secondary school classroom. (DF)

Contrasts the dramatic potential of two media--the novel and the television production--and illustrates why great novels should not be made into television shows. (AEA)

Muses about the growing number of "special problem" books--books about children who are asthmatic, diabetic, or have AIDS, etc. Recounts the circumstances of the author's childhood as a diabetic. Concludes that adults sometimes work too hard at trying to make life fair for children. (PA)

This paper focuses on the "transforming spirit of adolescence." The six novels (all have young female protagonists) explored in the paper show the natural bewilderment (and delight) that accompanies new powers and abilities. The paper focuses on radical young adult transformations in Annette Curtis Klause's "Blood and…

Explains how teachers can use written compilations of student-generated questions and comments as a basis for discussions of novels and poems. Shows that student brainstorming ideas can be used effectively as the basis for writing assignments. (TB)

Discusses William Beatty Warner's "Reading Clarissa: The Struggles of Interpretation," a study of Samuel Richardson's role as eighteenth-century critic and interpreter of his own novels. Examines the treatment of character by both Richardson and Warner, focusing on Richardson's humanist interpretation and Warner's anti-humanist…