This document outlines the agenda for an EWRT 1C class. It includes a discussion of QHQs from the novel "Room" by Emma Donoghue, focusing on characters Ma and Jack. Students will do a close reading of passages from the novel and discuss how Jack feels about leaving Room and adjusting to the outside world. They will also analyze what role the media plays in contributing to the trauma experienced by Ma and Jack. The document outlines the writing assignment for Essay #3 and requirements for self-assessment of blog posts. It provides the schedule for upcoming classes, homework evaluations, and the final exam.

1. EWRT 1C Class
Class 31

2. AGENDA
 QHQ Discussion
 Questions and Theories
 Close Readings
 Review of Prompt #3

4. Group Discussion
Questions and QHQs

5. QHQ: ”Living” Ma
1.Why does Ma ultimately return the room
with Jack?
2.Why is Ma’s relationship with her mother
tense?
1.Will Jack and Ma ever be able to overcome
the trauma they experienced in room?

6. QHQ: “Living” Jack
1. Jack has been in a closed environment with his ma. How is [he
affected by] the trauma of having to enter “Outside,” and not
having the same closeness as before? Are there independent
issues or separation anxiety?
2. How does Jack adjust to the way that society views him?
1. Explain Jack’s connection to Dora the Explorer, Alice, and Ma…..
and how this ties in with trauma?
2. What clues are given that there is hope Jack can resolve the
trauma, before it reaches to his next generation?

7. Focus on a close reading of a passage (or passages)
that you could use to do a critical reading through a
theoretical lens.
“I suck on Tooth that’s Ma, a bit of her anyway, her cells all
brown and rotten and hard. Tooth hurted her or he was hurted
but not anymore. Why is it better out than in? Ma said we’d be
free but this doesn’t feel like free.”
How does Jack feel about the outside world?

8. Focus on a close reading of a passage (or passages)
that you could use to do a critical reading through a
theoretical lens.
Our voices sound not like us. “Has it got
shrunk?” “No, it was always like this.”
“Good-bye, Room.” I wave up at Skylight. “Say
good-bye,” I tell Ma. “Good-bye, Room.” Ma
says it but on mute. I look back one more
time. It’s like a crater, a hole where something
happened. Then we go out the door
Why does Jack want to go back to Room? How does he feel
in Room?

9. Focus on a close reading of a passage (or passages)
that you could use to do a critical reading through a
theoretical lens.
“Ma sings me songs but there’s no more of them
anymore. She smashed my head on the table in
Room Number Seven. She took the bad medicine,
I think she was too tired to play anymore, she
was in a hurry to get to Heaven so she didn’t
wait, why didn’t she wait for me” (318).

10. Focus on a close reading of a passage (or passages)
that you could use to do a critical reading through a
theoretical lens.
There’s the mark of track around bed. The little
hole rubbed in Floor where our feet used to go
under table. I guess this really was room one
time. “but not anymore,” I tell ma. “what?”
“It’s not room now.”(Donoghue 320).
Her voice is twice the high of his. “For Pete’s
sake, we’re only talking about a minor sunburn
and a bee sting,” she says. “I raised two
children don’t give me acceptable standard of
care” (275).

11. Questions
1. What role do you think the media
play in the novel? How does the
media contribute to the trauma.

12. Essay #3: Response to the Novel/Novella
 The Writing Assignment
 In a thesis driven essay of 4-7 pages, analyze one or more
aspects of Stephen King’s Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank
Redemption, Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Elie Wiesel’s
Night, or Emma Donoghue’s Room. Consider using one
extrinsic theoretical lens (Feminist, Psychoanalytic, or
Trauma theories), that we have practiced this quarter to
complicate your argument. Aim to convince readers that
your interpretation adds to the conversation among those
who read stories and write about them. Back up your
analysis with reasons and support from the story. Use the
critical strategies that we have practiced this quarter.
See the complete assignment on our website

13. Posting: Self-Assessment
The blogging post points (100) require self-assessment. Consider three
aspects of your responses:
• First, how many of the posts did you make? (26 possible) So give
yourself 4 points for each one you made. That gives you one to miss
with no penalty. Let’s say you did 25, so x 4=100
• Second, how timely were your submissions? Let’s say you posted twice
late: If they were less than 24 hours late, subtract 1; 48 hours late,
subtract 2. More than that, they don’t count unless you have special
circumstances you can explain. Ok, let’s say you have one of each, so
you subtract 3 from 100 and you have 97 points.
• Third, what was the quality of your responses? B+? Ok, Multiply your
post points 97 x 88% = 85 points
• Write a brief argument justifying or explaining your grade.
This is due Friday, week 11, before noon.
Please submit your justification as an email to
palmoredessaysubmission@gmail.com

14. Final Exam
 200 points available: same format as mid-
term
 Comprehensive objective section: The style
is the same as the mid-term. It covers the
whole quarter. 100 points.
 Essay Question: 500-1000 words: 100 points

15. Schedule and Due Dates
 Friday, week 11 (this week)
 Homework Evaluations due at
noon
 Online Class 32: Work on Essay
#3
 Class 33 : No formal class Monday.
I will have extended office hours.
 Final Exam: Tuesday, June 23rd
9:15am to 11:15 am

16. EWRT 1C Class 30
Questions?

17. Homework
 Email your homework assessment to
me at
palmoreessaysubmission@gmail.com