January 2011: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Likeable Characters

Are there any characters that you find likeable?

Edgar

Think about Edgar Linton. Is he a sympathetic figure? How does he compare to Heathcliff? Is Catherine really in love with him?

The narrators

How do Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean influence the story as narrators? Do you think that they are completely reliable observers? What does Bronte want us to believe?

Heathcliff and Cathy

Do you think that Bronte succeeds in creating three dimensional figures in Heathcliff and Cathy, particularly given their larger-than-life metaphysical passion? Why or why not?

unpleasant

George Barnett Smith describes Wuthering Heights as "perhaps one of the most unpleasant books ever written." What do you think may have troubled Smith, as well as other nineteenth centruy readers of the novel? How might the novel have offended contemporary custodians of morality? In what ways is it subversive? In what ways does it remain unsettling today?

Malevolant Force

William Dean Howells wrote that "a weird malevolance broods over the gloomy drama, and through all plays a force truly demoniacal." Numerous experienced readers have testified to a similar apprehension. How does Emily Bronte create this sense or feeling of a malevolent force?

Location

Virginia Woolf doubted that the setting in Wuthering Heights determined the action. What do you think? Do you agree with her? What do you see the relationship between Wuthering Heights the place and Wuthering Heights the book?

Heathcliff

Can a coherent psychological portrait be drawn of Heathcliff that would account for his character, his motives, his actions? Can you define or describe the complexities of Heathcliff's character?

December 2010: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Discuss

What was your favorite thing about this book?

gift to Baby Jesus

What do the Herdmans give to the Baby Jesus on the night of the pageant? Why does this mean so much? Do you think it shows that they have changed?

Bullies

Have you ever encountered a bully? If so, what did you do? Do you think the Herdmans were handled well?

Parents

Do you think the lack of present parents contributes to the Herdmans bad behavior?

November 2010: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Prejudices

In the Chamber of Secrets, we discover that Slytherin had wanted Hogwarts to be a school only for full bloods, with no 'mudbloods' admitted. His prejudice against anyone different from himself creates all sorts of problems. How does this attitude compare with real prejudices people have had throughout history, for example against people of 'mixed blood' regarded as inferior?

Foreshadowing

How does the author use foreshadowing to comment on and prepare the reader for the story's defining conflicts? consider the early introduction of Fawkes, the Dursley's hatred of all things magic, and Ginny's dismay when the cat was petrified.

Loyalty

Loyalty is a key attribute of many characters. Who is the most loyal character in your opinion and why?

animals

What role do animals play in the novel? How important are they?