- I'm going to ask you to rate potential works we could read for quarter 4. I'll give you the pros and cons as objectively as I can. Please rank the works in order of your preference.
Novel 1: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
Overview: The original "plain Jane" is a tough and intelligent heroine who begins the novel as an unwanted orphan in her aunt's house. As an adult, she becomes a governess in a mysterious mansion and discovers the secrets carefully concealed by her employer, Mr. Rochester.
Pros: Jane is intelligent and resourceful without being a perfect little Mary Sue. The mystery is engaging and the attraction between Jane and Rochester works on many levels.
Cons: Nineteenth-century prose may be unfamiliar to some readers. To some, the plot can drag in the last 1/3 of the book.
Play 1: Hamlet
Overview: Prince Hamlet must find out who killed his father, but in a climate of deceit and treachery where nothing is as it seems, determining truth from fiction is somewhat difficult.
Pros: It's a play, which means we can see a filmed version of it. The play is also a major classic, one of those works that you must read if you want to consider yourself "culturally literate." Hamlet's family problems make for interesting reading.
Cons: If you don't like Shakespeare, you might not like it.
Novel 2: Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Overview: Tess's lower-class farmer family finds they're related to the noble D'Urbervilles. Eager to capitalize on their rich relatives, Tess' mother and father send a reluctant and embarrassed Tess to ingratiate herself into the family -- with disastrous and tragic results.
Pros: Hardy thinks like a twentieth-century author in many respects. The plot is simple and inevitable as Greek tragedy and very affecting. There's also a pretty good film version of this novel.
Cons: Though Hardy thinks like a 20th-century author, he often writes like one from the 19th century. Plot may move more slowly than die-hard action film fans would prefer.
Novel #3: Frankenstein
Overview: In light of discussions about genetic engineering, Frankenstein has more relevance than ever. Scientist Victor Frankenstein seeks to create the perfect human, but the results of his experiment are tragic and monstrous.
Pros: Thought-provoking plot -- not what you'd expect. If you're imagining the monster as a bolt-necked shuffling mass of inarticulation, you're in for a surprise. The novel is relatively short.
Cons: It's not what you'd expect and may move more slowly than you would prefer.
Play #2: Othello
Overview: A sociopath named Iago takes revenge on his boss, Othello, for promoting another guy to a job he himself thought he deserved. To get revenge, Iago convinces Othello that his wife cheated on him, with tragic results.
Pros: A fast-moving plot with a relentless focus on jealous obsession.
Cons: If you don't like Shakespeare, you won't like it. Also, even though there's a great film version of this, I can't show it in class because it's rated R, and all the other ones are major stinkers...as in "worse than the film of _Clan of the Cave Bear_."
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