LF3 - Lesson: Reading Resources and Expectations
Reading Resources and Expectations
For this Module, you will read two novels.
- Mandatory (everyone must read):
- Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (1915)
- Choice Novels (select one to read):
- Charles Dickens' Great Expectations (1861)
- Albert Camus’ The Stranger (1942)
- Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying (1993)
- Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible (1998)
- Emily St. John Mandel's Station 11 (2014)
As you read these novels consider how it can fit into our previous lessons on critical lenses.
Brief Summary
Below you will find a brief summary of each of the novels from this module so that you can gain a general idea of the big picture for each. Remember, you must read The Metamorphosis, but you will pick one novel from the remaining options.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka follows the surreal and unsettling journey of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day to discover that he has transformed into a monstrous insect, unraveling a tale of isolation and existential despair.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens traces the life of an orphan named Pip, as he navigates through social class distinctions, unrequited love, and unexpected fortunes, in a richly layered narrative that explores themes of ambition, identity, and moral growth.
The Stranger by Albert Camus follows the indifferent and detached Meursault, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a seemingly senseless act, exploring themes of existentialism and the absurdity of human existence in a world devoid of inherent meaning.
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines revolves around a young black man wrongly accused of murder in 1940s Louisiana, as his teacher and the community grapple with racial injustice and the quest for dignity in the face of impending execution.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver tells the gripping tale of an evangelical Baptist missionary and his family's ill-fated journey to the Congo in 1959, exploring themes of cultural clash, colonialism, and the consequences of blind idealism.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel weaves a haunting narrative that spans a post-apocalyptic world and the pre-pandemic days of a famous actor, exploring the interconnected lives of a group of survivors and the enduring power of art and humanity.
Resources
Two of the novels listed above are available in the public domain, and so we've included a PDF copy. For the remaining options, you will need to obtain a copy either via your school or public library or buy a copy to read.
Below you can download a digital PDF for the following novels:
Expectations
You should read both novels in their entirety before completing the activities in this unit; however, previewing what you will be doing might be helpful. Because you are reading novels online without a teacher’s direct instruction, it might be helpful to do some research before you engage in them. Although we don’t want to give the ending away, doing some basic research into chapter summaries, character summaries, and overall themes can be a helpful way to guide yourself through the novels. Finally, listening to audiobooks or viewing a film version of the novel can be a very effective way to not only comprehend the text better but also to manage your time as you read.
It is recommended that you preview the content for any assignments before reading the two novels so that you can better customize your notes and reading focus for each larger purpose.
Reflection and Wrap-up
As you read, effective note-taking strategies might include annotation of central themes, awareness of how the characters, plot structure, specific literary style, and archetypes are used to help craft the overall meaning and atmosphere of each novel. Also, consider how one or more of the critical lenses can help us achieve a more sophisticated interpretation of the novel.
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