It's the last time this semester for Virtual Friday, and you should be familiar with the format by now. This week, I'm asking that your first thoughtful comment be posted by 2:05 Friday. What I'm hoping to do is to get you thinking about the story before class time on Friday, so that the conversation begins with 20-some thoughtful comments to respond to. As usual, make specific reference to the parts of the work that support your observations. In discussing these works, feel free to disagree with each other and to ask each other for an explanation of opinions and points of view which you don't understand, but please treat each other courteously. One of the marks of an educated person is the ability to debate an issue with someone without personalizing your disagreement.

The primary object of examination today is D.H. Lawrence's "Rocking-Horse Winner" (Lit 512-24). Next time you're in England, you may want to visit his birthplace and childhood home. See The D.H. Lawrence Page for background information on Lawrence himself.

• When some money finally becomes available to the family in "The Rocking-Horse Winner," the voices get even louder. Why? What would it take to still the voices?
• What would constitute true good luck for Paul?
• Explain the mother's response to her birthday gift. What is its effect on Paul? Why?
• Evaluate Oscar's remarks, which end the story. Was Paul a "poor devil"? In what senses?
• Why do you think Lawrence blends together elements which are realistic with others that are supernatural?

• Comsider the activities taking place at Araby. To what extent do they sustain its "magical name"?
• What had the narrator expected to find at Araby? What was the basis of his expectation?
• Compare "Araby" and the quest for the Holy Grail.

• We agreed that Hemingway's story is really not about the deaf old man who is trying to pass the time in the cafe, but about the older waiter. Is he a sympathetic figure? why?
• Is Hemingway's style here appropriate to his subject?