Nineteenth Century British novel focus questions

Mr. Kennedy
AP English Lit.
Victorian Novel Analysis

Overall guiding concepts- Find occasions and items that are not what they initially appear to be.
-Look for contrasts between the chaotic and the orderly, as well as between the divine and frightening.
Contemplating these concepts should help bring impact of your work into focus.
Specifically:
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Explain the how the novel is divided in phases.

Are there traits or clues that this narrative about a woman’s growth was composed by a man. Explain.

What is being asserted about class hierarchies and the possibility of class fluidity?

In producing a film version of this novel you need to cast Angel. Explain your choice.

Explain the incident when Tess kills the birds.

Explain the quote late in the novel where, “…justice is done…(and)… the president of the immortals ended his sport with Tess…”

Explain the rhetorical stance of Hardy creating this sad and unjust world of his novel.

Tell how birds are used in the novel.

Explain why a character would wish to travel to Brazil.

Hard Times

What is being said about education?

Explain the instances of thing not being quite what they appear at first glance.

Names of characters in this novel provide strong indications of that character’s outlook and nature. Explain how and why Dickens does this

Explain the three part structure of the novel.

Explain the circus stuff.

What is being said about imagination?
What is being said about industrialism and the Protestant work ethic?

How are clocks used in the novel?

Gradgrind’s opening to the novel does a number of things. Explain how the diction of the quotes supports its thematic impact.
“Now, what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the mind of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them.”

Wuthering Heights

-How does setting serve the Romantic elements of this novel?

-You are in charge of a film version of WH. Cast Heathcliff and Catherine (the younger) and explain your choices.

-Explain the use of two Catherines.

-Explain some of the contrarieties at play in WH.

-Love is generally considered to be a good thing. Why is that not the case in the world of WH?

-What is the role of passion in this novel?

-What is being said about class structure in WH?

-Explain the impact of the conflict between nature and culture.

-How does Bronte employ ghosts in the pursuit of her thematic impact?

Jane Eyre

-How does Jane feel when she is dragged upstairs and locked in the red-room? Relate this incident to the themes of self-reliance and identity.

-Why is Jane’s new friendship with Helen Burns important? What common bond do Jane and Helen share? How does Mr. Brocklehurst justify the mistreatment of the girls at Lowood? How does Brontë use dramatic irony to reveal his true character?

-What is Jane’s first impression of Rochester? Describe Jane’s growing feelings for Mr. Rochester. How does she resolve these feelings when she learns that he is interested in Blanche Ingram?
Describe elements of suspense and foreshadowing that surround the mysterious fire in Rochester’s room and the puzzling character of Grace Poole.

- What is the significance of the charades scene?

- What do Jane’s dreams and visions prior to her wedding day symbolize? What secret is revealed during the wedding ceremony? How does it affect Jane’s feelings for Rochester? How does Jane’s outlook change when she leaves Thornfield to start a new life?

- Discuss the elements of situational irony related to St. John’s revelations about Jane’s uncle, John Eyre.

-Discuss how Rochester has changed in the last year. How has he stayed the same? Compare and contrast St. John with Rochester, focusing on what they consider most important in a relationship.
Describe and discuss how Jane has changed over the course of the novel.

.