READ FIRST: A Note on Responding to The Red Tent

As this is your first time working with our blog, there are some things I want to make sure you know before you start responding.

1. You are not graded on your grammar, punctuation or spelling, but please try to write so that someone as old as I am can follow (I only know so much "text speak").

2. Think about what you want to say before you start typing! Read the prompt and read through the responses your classmates made and then look back at the novel. Try to find details from the reading and incorporate textual evidence into your response. Make it thoughtful and relevant to the prompt.

3. I want you to respond to each other, but I want you to do so respectfully. If you disagree, that is perfectly fine, but be sure you express yourself constructively -- no insulting each other in the blog, please.

And that's it... happy blogging :)

Red Tent p.147-232 Response # 1

The power of women throughout Biblical times seems very ineffective outside the realm of their domestic abilities; however, we have seen women wield great power in The Red Tent. Through their birthing of sons, their interactions and influence over their husbands, women seem to rule in their own right when of a certain age. Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, seems to have a very insignificant role throughout the novel despite the novel revolving around her life. How does Dinah wield great power in this section of our reading? Is it surprising or difficult to believe she would have such power? How does her power change the lives of her family?

Red Tent p.147-232 Response # 2

Throughout the story of The Red Tent we have met a variety of different "classes" of women -- the wives of Jacob, Jacob's concubines, the only daughter, the slaves, midwives, etc. These women seem to lead lives of quiet domesticity, without too much drama or excitement. But in the section we read this week we meet Werenro, Rebecca, and Rebecca's Deborahs. How do these women differ than those we met earlier? How do the qualities of these women impact the view of women in Biblical times? Do you find yourself drawn to these characters more than those of the earlier sections? Why or why not?

Red Tent p.147-232 Response #3

Throughout The Red Tent Anita Diamant takes creative license with her retelling of the Biblical stories. She takes the Bible stories and then adds what is referred to as "midrash" -- the ancient literary form meaning "search" or "investigation." Diamant does not claim that her story is accurate, but instead admits that through her use of midrash, she is attempting to give the reader the story about what happened before and what happened after what is recorded in the Bible through fiction. We see Diamant's fictional embellishments especially when explaining Joseph's tunic and Jacob's name change. How does the author's reinterpretation of these two events impact The Red Tent and its main storyline? Do you think Diamant makes a good decision? Explain why or why not?

READ FIRST: A Note on Bodega Dreams Postings...

Some reminders:

• Your three halfway through posts are due by January 1st! Be sure to post a comment to each prompt. Also, make sure that when you post on the halfway responses you adhere to the p.107 halfway cutoff. We wouldn't want anyone to spoil the book for everyone else!
  
• Your three completed novel posts are due on January 4th by midnight! Be sure to post a comment to each prompt.
  
• Write your name either at the beginning or the end of your post -- an anonymous post receives no credit!

You will notice that there is not a separate section for each class to respond to the prompts. I think it will make for a better Fishbowl Discussion (notice the use of fishbowl as an adjective rather than a verb, thank you very much) if you can see everyone's responses; therefore, when you have finished making your posts, please read through everyone else's responses. Reading these responses will prepare you for our discussion on January 5th.

I will be popping in to respond to you blogs from time-to-time, and if you feel so inclined you may do the same after you have completed the assigned posts.

Happy blogging :)

1/2 Way Through Bodega Dreams Prompt #1

It's time for everyone's favorite English class pastime -- PASSAGE ANALYSIS!

Oh, I know you just cheered wildly and that wasn't a groan I heard echoing all the way to my house!

Select a passage from the text that you find significant in some way; perhaps it is particularly interesting, essential to the novel thus far, or even just plain confusing. Type out the passage and then analyze its significance.

Say it with me: I LOVE passage analysis!