http://literaria.darkbb.com/feed/? Latest topics Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:37:40 GMT 10 http://illiweb.com/fa/prosilver_grey/site_logo.gif http://literaria.darkbb.com/feed/? http://literaria.darkbb.com/november-2008-the-turn-of-the-screw-f8/introduction-t23.htm Quik79 The Turn of the Screw is an American novella written by Henry James and was originally published in the late 1890's. It is a ghost story, but unlike the ghost stories common in the period, James creates his ghosts out of an eerie realism somewhere between fiction and reality, rather than the slasher/murderer ghosts and sheeted creepy butlers. It is the story of a young governess and her place in a house in Essex. She is charged with caring for a young boy and his sister. While caring ... November 2008: The Turn of the Screw Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:37:40 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/november-2008-the-turn-of-the-screw-f8/introduction-t23.htm#51 http://literaria.darkbb.com/november-2008-the-turn-of-the-screw-f8/introduction-t23.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/quotations-t20.htm agsilver As we both know, I love when writers use quotations. In fact, I love them so much, that I am going to type all of the chapter-beginning quotations from this book here for the SECOND TIME (the first time I did this, my Firefox cut out. Pissed). Even without reading the book, you can understand the plot arc through the quotations: "A deed of dreadful note." - Macbeth "The baby figure of the giant mass Of things to come." - Troilus and Cressida "Confusion ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:54:18 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/quotations-t20.htm#45 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/quotations-t20.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/october-2008-pride-prejudice-f7/introduction-t22.htm Quik79 Pride & Prejudice is Jane Austen's second and possibly most famous novel. It was originally titled "First Impressions" but was never published under that name, and during revisions was changed to "Pride & Prejudice" which was a common cliche at the time. The story follows the lives of the Bennet family over about a year and a half. The major themes that run through the novel are the juxtaposition of environment and entitlement, as well as a cynical look at the ... October 2008: Pride & Prejudice Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:23:44 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/october-2008-pride-prejudice-f7/introduction-t22.htm#49 http://literaria.darkbb.com/october-2008-pride-prejudice-f7/introduction-t22.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/henry-crawford-vs-edward-t21.htm agsilver I've been trying to think of a more eloquent way to state this, but frankly... I don't like Edward. I don't see why Fanny should continue to like Edward in a romantic way after he shows his affections for Miss Crawford. He also has as many, if not more, faults than Henry, in that he is a terrible hypocrite. Let me explain: Fanny is romantically interested in Edward because he 1) is nice to her, 2) is her confidante, and 3) she thinks he has high morals. She is quick to criticize ... June 2008: Mansfield Park Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:08:52 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/henry-crawford-vs-edward-t21.htm#48 http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/henry-crawford-vs-edward-t21.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t19.htm Quik79 I have just begun the part in the novel where Fanny has moved to stay with her parents and siblings for a few months. Her uncle's intention, guised under kindness, is to remind Fanny of the sufferings of poverty, with the hope that will help persuade her to marry Henry Crawford. It is clear from his bumbling good natured attempts, that Sir Thomas really has no clue as to what kind of a person Fanny is, but it's apparent that his interest is out of affection and not in any way malice or ... June 2008: Mansfield Park Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:25:16 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t19.htm#44 http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t19.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t18.htm Quik79 Now about 1/3 of the way into the novel, I have become fairly acquainted with the characters. I can see why this novel is the most disliked of Austen's novels, by her avide fan-base. Unlike her other stories, this novel was conceived when Austen was already 36 (versus her Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility both of which were rewritten stories begun in her teens and early adulthood. I think this is important, because the girl-gets-guy climax will most definitely be missing ... June 2008: Mansfield Park Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:37:44 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t18.htm#43 http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/fanny-price-t18.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/mansfiled-park-t17.htm Quik79 Mansfield Park is Jane Austen's third novel after Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. It was written between 1812 and 1814. Mansfield Park is considered one of Austen's most controversial and possibly subsequently, least popular novels. Early critics praised the novel's "wholesome morality" but contemporary readers may find Fanny's timid demeanor and harsh scrutiny in the name of propriety difficult to sympathize with and may reject the novel's themes that Fanny is a better ... June 2008: Mansfield Park Tue, 27 May 2008 16:50:49 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/mansfiled-park-t17.htm#42 http://literaria.darkbb.com/june-2008-mansfield-park-f6/mansfiled-park-t17.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/the-conclusion-ending-spoiler-alert-t16.htm agsilver I usually have difficulty determining the "whodunnit" in a mystery novel, but AK Green made one very obvious statement midway through the novel that gave it away. In "A Prejudice," Trueman relates his dream to Mr. Raymond, ending the story like this, "'He stalks the streets in freedom now,' the secretary went on, as if to himself; 'even dares to enter the house he has so wofully desecrated; but justice is justice and, sooner or later, something will transpire which ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Tue, 13 May 2008 00:39:05 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/the-conclusion-ending-spoiler-alert-t16.htm#40 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/the-conclusion-ending-spoiler-alert-t16.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/problems-with-the-novel-t15.htm agsilver The introduction to my copy says something to the effect that this book was wildly received because she was the first woman American mystery author (with the footnote that there were documented women writing mystery stories in cheap periodicals long before...so, I guess not), and AKG went on to write 30 more novels, mainly of the romance variety. However, the intro notes, this book has lost favor among the literary whathaveyou's and only sells a few copies a year without much explanation. Here's ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:09:17 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/problems-with-the-novel-t15.htm#36 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/problems-with-the-novel-t15.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/thinking-about-tess-t5.htm Quik79
1. What was Hardy's intention in pointing out the weaknesses in Tess's lovers, Angel and Alex?

2. What is the significance of Stonehenge in the novel?]]> April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:33:17 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/thinking-about-tess-t5.htm#6 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/thinking-about-tess-t5.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/stonehenge-t12.htm Quik79 I thought Stonehenge was significant for another reason. In line with the natural law vs. human law theme that also moves through the novel lacking subtlety, I thought it was significant that Tess and Angel were ready to submit to human law while lying on an alter built to worship the laws of nature. I don't know that much about Celtic religion, but I'm under the impression that they were a pagan religion that celebrated natural phenomena, such as earth, sky, fire, etc. Whether or not ... April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:06:54 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/stonehenge-t12.htm#32 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/stonehenge-t12.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/part-i-the-problem-t14.htm Quik79 In the first part of the novel we are introduced to the characters, our narrator a young lawyer who accidentally finds himself mixed up in the affair of his firm's client's murder, our two Mistresses Leavenworth, the beautiful Mary and the not as beautiful, but apparently more captivating (and incidentally animated) Eleanore and finally the detective, the likable and seemingly competent (but not in a Sherlock Holmes way), Mr. Gryce. Within the first few pages, we meet these people and find ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:36:58 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/part-i-the-problem-t14.htm#34 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/part-i-the-problem-t14.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/ms-green-bio-t13.htm Quik79 Anna Katherine Green was born November 11, 1846 in Brooklyn, New York to Catharine Ann Whitney and James Wilson Green, an attorney. She attended college in Vermont and returned to New York to engage in a life-long writing career. Her first novel, The Leavenworth Case: A Lawyer’s Story was probably heavily influenced by her father’s career. The novel uses such plot devised as expert testimony, medical inquiry and ballistics reports. She is a noted friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and is said ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:06:10 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/ms-green-bio-t13.htm#33 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/ms-green-bio-t13.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/about-the-leavenworth-case-t11.htm agsilver Strangely enough, I can't find a quick synopsis of this book online. Once I get the book in the mail (ordered from Amazon), I will post the jacket copy here. I guess that it's appropriate that the plot of a mystery is...a mystery. According to The University of Adelaide website: Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935): One of the first writers of detective fiction in America, distinguished by well plotted, legally accurate stories. She wrote a number of book, including: # The Leavenworth ... May 2008: The Leavenworth Case Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:31:40 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/about-the-leavenworth-case-t11.htm#23 http://literaria.darkbb.com/may-2008-the-leavenworth-case-f5/about-the-leavenworth-case-t11.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/things-that-annoy-me-in-tess-t10.htm agsilver I'm really enjoying this book, even though I can see it taking a dark turn as I near the halfway point. However, there are a couple of elements that I find distracting: 1) The obvious use of Biblical metaphors. When Angel returns from his parent's house and finds Tess waking up from her nap, the author likens the redness of the inside of her mouth to that of a snake. What? I think we've seen enough Discovery Channel to know that snakes don't have red mouths. Thanks for the "Adam ... April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:40:16 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/things-that-annoy-me-in-tess-t10.htm#22 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/things-that-annoy-me-in-tess-t10.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/end-of-the-maiden-t9.htm agsilver Are we to assume that Tess is raped in the fog? Alec doesn't seem the sort. April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:16:50 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/end-of-the-maiden-t9.htm#13 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/end-of-the-maiden-t9.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/title-suggestions-f4/suggestions-for-new-titles-t7.htm Quik79 A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Maybe we won't read this next, but possibly later this year.]]> Title Suggestions Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:51:53 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/title-suggestions-f4/suggestions-for-new-titles-t7.htm#9 http://literaria.darkbb.com/title-suggestions-f4/suggestions-for-new-titles-t7.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/hardy-s-dialogue-t6.htm Quik79 I just started and am maybe 15 pages or so in. So far so good, but I'm getting slowed up by Hardy's dialogue. It's frustrating and a little annoying that I have to keep scooting back to the end notes to decipher h'ere into "he is over there." That may be an exaggeration, but choose a version with footnotes, better! Apparently the main character, Tess speaks both proper English and the Wessex dialect, so as soon as she moves to the D'Urbervilles mansion, she - I'm assuming - ... April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:16:28 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/hardy-s-dialogue-t6.htm#8 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/hardy-s-dialogue-t6.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/welcome-to-literaria-t2.htm Quik79
Literaria will explore literary works from all countries and time periods. Some may be familiar, some unique - all will be enjoyed.]]> Welcome to Literaria Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:01:33 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/welcome-to-literaria-t2.htm#2 http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/welcome-to-literaria-t2.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/information-t4.htm Quik79 Tess of the d'Urbervilles will be the book we discuss in April. It was written by Thomas Hardy and published in 1891. Thomas Hardy was born in Dorset, England in 1840. Mr. Hardy's father was a stonemason, and was educated by his mother, an educated woman and lover of poetry and literature. Hardy was trained as an architect, but took more naturally to writing fiction and poetry. He is regarded as one of England's most celebrated authors. Mr. Hardy often focuses his narratives ... April 2008: Tess of the d'Urbervilles Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:55:58 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/information-t4.htm#5 http://literaria.darkbb.com/april-2008-tess-of-the-d-urbervilles-f3/information-t4.htm http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/your-first-subject-t1.htm Quik79 Take some time to read this information before starting to use the administration of your forum: How to access your administration panel ?In the top menu, click on Log In, a new page is displayed. Fill in the username "admin" and the password you have choosen during your registration. If you have lost or forgot it, click here. Once you are logged in, click on the link "Administration Panel" at the bottom of the page.How to modify your board’s appearance ?You can modify your board’s appearance ... Welcome to Literaria Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:56:43 GMT http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/your-first-subject-t1.htm#1 http://literaria.darkbb.com/welcome-to-literaria-f1/your-first-subject-t1.htm