The Tombs of Atuan is hard to pin down. What exactly is it? What is it doing? What is it saying? Where is it going?
All of those questions defy simplistic answers, which perhaps explains in part why the book is beloved by so many readers and esteemed by so many critics.
One way of beginning to answer these questions is to consider Tombs alongside others texts. Sometimes we can only see what something is and what it's doing in light of something else.
Identify a parallel between Tombs and one of our previous novel-length texts (A Wrinkle In Time, Out of the Silent Planet, The Silver Chair). These can range from a character to a plot element to a motif to a specific scene to a phrase to any other textual or authorial detail. Briefly summarize the comparison (providing page references for each) and then talk about how the similar elements shed light on Tombs (and perhaps the other text, too), either by clarifying, narrowing, or enriching your understanding of and engagement with the story (or stories).
Comments are due by noon on MONDAY, OCTOBER 22nd.
There's no denying that Puddleglum is one of Lewis's most endearing characters. His delightful pessimism is just one reason that many readers return to The Silver Chair over and over again - they enjoy being in his company, listening to his morbid observations, and inwardly chuckling at how very, very wrong he is in most cases.
Re-reading is an interesting phenomenon. What motivates us to read something that no longer offers the element of surprise or suspense or novelty or newness?
Tell us what book (or series) you've re-read and then offer a thoughtful reason for your decision to do so (beyond "I really liked it"). Then tell us how the second reading experience was different from the first. Did you react differently? Notice different plot elements? Pay more attention to things previously overlooked? Enjoy it more? Enjoy it differently?
Since your chosen book is unlikely to be one of our course texts, you don't need to cite pages or include specific quotes, but include enough details to make your point clearly. Avoid broad generalizations (which are such a bore to read and say nothing in the end except blahblahumblahblahwellblahblaherblahblah). "I noticed more scenery details" is one such yawner-of-a-statement.
If you have never re-read a book, tell us what book you might consider re-reading and why, based on our classroom discussions about fiction, narrative, characters, donegality, and more.
Comments are due by midnight on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th.
