Sunday, August 28, 2011

Week 1: As I Lay Dying (2)

I read for another 15 minutes Friday and 30 minutes today.  I am approximately a quarter of the way into the novel and I hate it.  The characters who are talking and narrating the story do not make sense.  Their speaking vocabulary is low; the rest of the novel, however, uses large words which most students would not understand.  I do not even recognize some of the words being used.  If the novel is not holding my attention how is it going to hold the attention of a high school student or keep them interested enough to do a project over it.  I think part of the problem with this book is that there is nothing for me to relate to.  It is set in the past and I have grown up and lived in a very different way than the characters in the book are growing up and living.  Instead of trying to understand this novel I am going to start a new novel this week (I am not sure which one yet). Hopefully I will enjoy it much more!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Week 1: As I Lay Dying

I have begun reading the book As I Lay Dying and am about 34 pages in after approximately 45 minutes of reading.  This book is broken down into chapters based upon who is talking/narrating the story.  So far I have met five characters: Darl, Cora, Jewel, Dewey Dell, and Tull.  I have yet to figure out how each of these characters relates directly to the woman who is dying.  I do know, however, that Darl, Jewel, and Dewey Dell are all the dying woman's children.  The book is slightly difficult to follow because of the low syntax level which helps to establish that these people were poor and had to work hard for a living.  Hopefully it becomes easier to follow as I go.  I guess we'll find out!