March+and+April+Syllabii

Christian Themes in Literature: An Independent Study

“You that live in the shelter of the Most High and lodge under the shadow of the Almighty, who say, ‘The LORD is my safe retreat, my God the fastness in which I trust’ he himself will snatch you away from fowler’s snare or raging tempest.” - Psalm 91: 1-2

March and April 2012 Syllabus Class meets on Wednesdays, second hour: 9:15 – 9:55. Assignments include:
 * **__ Reading (REA) __** : It is expected that you complete all of your reading assignments in preparation for the class discussion on Wednesdays.
 * **__ Written Assignments (WRI): __** Writing Assignments will be due **Mondays** by 10:00 PM. These will be emailed to me c/o ggrossman@woodlandsacademy.org.
 * **__ Discussions (DIS): __** Discussions are on line in our wiki site. You will be expected to read the prompt and complete your discussion by Thursday evening, 10:00 PM.
 * **__ Journals (JOU): __** Journal entries are personal in nature as they relate to the readings and topics for discussion. You will complete your personal journal by Wednesday evening, 10:00 PM.


 * __ Class 8: 7 March 2012 __**
 * Introduction to Georges Bernanos
 * Chapter 1 of //Diary of a Country Priest//

//__ Assignments __//
 * REA 9 ** : //Diary of a Country Pries//, Chapters 1 – 4, pages 1 - 140
 * WRI 8 ** : The young priest writes, “I wanted to have God to myself. He did not come to me.” Write a thoughtful paper using that opening quotation to construct the world as the priest sees it. Is there any sense of grace, incarnation, redemption in these first four chapters? Convince me that you read the chapters and that you understand them.(2 pages)
 * DIS 8 ** : See wiki prompt.
 * JOU 8 ** : What are you feelings about the young curate in this novel?


 * __ Class 9: 14 March __**

Quiz on chapters 1-4 Discussion on chapters 1-4

//__ Assignments __//
 * REA 10 ** : //Diary of a Country Priest,// Chapters 5-6, pages 140 - 220
 * WRI 9 ** : Read this dialogue again:

“What about the funeral? Anyway, that’s not of your business, my dear boy – I do as I like. Come and see me to-morrow.”

“Neither to-morrow, or the next day, nor this week, in all probability, unless – “

“Don’t take about “unless” to me. Come or don’t come. You work things out too much. You get your adverbs all muddles. Life ought to be as clearly constructed as a French sentence. Each one of us serves God in his own way, in his own language … But you – your very appearance, your manner, that cloak, for instance!” (page 201).

As you think about the novel this far, the themes we have been studying, the world of the “comic and the terrible,” in what ways does this dialogue give witness to the very themes that are so much apart of a Christian/Catholic world view and spirituality? (2 pages)


 * DIS 9 ** : See wiki prompt.


 * JOU 9 ** : The Cure tells the priest, “After all, perhaps Almighty God intends to keep you in sorrow.” Respond to that.


 * __ Class 10: 21 March __**

**Discussion** on chapters 5-6 **Jennifer**: Chapter 5 Discussion Leader **Lizzy**: Chapter 6 Discusison Leader

Why is this a critical comment in the novel? How does it summaries the essence of the book? In what was it is a perfect illustration of Christian Themes in Literature? **Discussion** on chapters 7-8
 * REA 11: **// The Diary of a Young Priest, // Chapter 7-8
 * WRI 10: ** “Then some strength returned to him, and in a voice one could hardly hear, he asked me for absolution. His face became more at peace, he smiled even. Although I realized I had not right to accede over hastily to his request, it was quite impossible in the name of humanity and friendship, to refuse him. May I add that I was able to discharge this duty in a spirit which need leaves you with no possible misgiving” (page 298).
 * DIS 10 ** : See wiki prompt.
 * JOU 10 ** : The second last statement in the novel reads, “Does it matter? Grace is everywhere…” Comment thoughtfully.
 * __ Class 11: 11 April __**
 * Breanna: ** Discussion Leader for Chapter 7
 * Eleanor: ** Discussion Leader for Chapter 8


 * REA 12: ** wiki articles on Bernanos and //The Diary of a Country Priest//

Write a thought, two-page response to that statement.
 * WRI 11: ** “Bernanos's novel and Bresson's film were lauded by Catholic and other religious commentators at the time, but it's surely significant that the priest's happiest moments are when he's //leaving// Ambricourt and, symbolically, the impossibility of salvation and transcendence that it represents.”
 * DIS 11 ** : See wiki prompt.
 * JOU 11 ** : The second last statement in the novel reads, “Does it matter? Grace is everywhere…” Comment thoughtfully.
 * __ Class 12: 18 April __**

Final conversation on //The Diary of a Country Priest//


 * REA 13: ** wiki articles on Bernanos and //The Diary of a Country Priest//

Relate this to this quotation from Saint Luke: “For behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” - Luke 17:21
 * WRI 12: Watch this video clip from **// The Diary of a Country Priest //** [] **
 * DIS 12 ** : See wiki prompt.
 * JOU 12 ** : Choose the two themes that you think most relate to this novel – sin, redemption, suffering, incarnation, faith, mystery, truth, love, compassion, disbelief, the world as sacramental, death, resurrection. Now, make your case for these two themes.
 * __ Class 13: 25 April __**

Introduce //Washington Square//


 * REA 14: **// Washington Square //, Chapters 1-10


 * WRI 13: ** Dr. Sloper and Morris represent two types of men. When Morris is coming to the Slopers for dinner, Dr. Sloper was very curious to see whether Catherine might really be loved for her moral worth.” Catherine describes Morris: “he seemed so sincere, natural.” Examine the third paragraph in Chapter 10 and discuss what you imagine is the true Morris.
 * DIS 13 ** : See wiki prompt.
 * JOU 13 ** : What is the nature of Morris’ words to Catherine: “You must tell me … that if your father is dead against me, if he absolutely forbids our marriage, you will still be faithful”?