Wednesdays: 12:30pm
Ages: 13+
Those who love logic can’t help but be drawn into a good detective
story. Intellectual analysis is at the
heart of this genre. Detective novels
are marvelously engaging reads for teens and this semester we’ll be reading
some of the classics… books that will grab even the most reluctant
readers. Discussing them with friends will make them all the more
memorable and organizing their ideas through their writing will help each
student hone their analytical skills. The novels and short stories for
this semester are all cornerstones in the development of detective fiction and
all provide a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and practice literary
analysis:
Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes): A Study in Scarlett and The Sign ofFour – The Sherlock Holmes stories are some of the greatest detective
stories ever produced. They were
incredibly popular in the late 18th/early 19th Centuries
and are still well-loved and well-read today.
These were the first 2 short novels and we’ll read them together to give
set the stage for our semester of intrigue.
Edgar
Allen Poe: “Murder in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter,” – Poe is the
undisputed father of detective fiction. Arthur Conan Doyle called him “a model
for all time." Poe created the
amateur detective and his narrator friend, the locked-room mystery, the
talented but eccentric amateur sleuth outwitting the official police force, the
solution and explanation by the detective, and other ingredients that spiced up
the multitude of crime stories that followed.
In these two short-stories, he introduces the world to C. Auguste Dupin
and inspires an avalanche of crime fiction.
Wilkie Collins:
The Moonstone - T.S. Elliot says The Moonstone is "the
first, the longest, and the best of detective novels." Oliver Wendell
Holmes called The Moonstone "The best there is," and
Dorothy Sayers believes it is "Probably the very finest detective story
ever written" and "comes about as near perfection as anything of its
kind can be." With such high praise,
from such eminent authorities, you know this book is nothing short of
amazing. Collins focuses on a simple mystery and its solution: who stole the
diamond known as the Moonstone, and where did it go? With wonderful exposition
and a marvelous parade of characters this book is definitely a page turner and
essential part of the history of detective fiction.
Agatha Christie:
Murder on the Orient Express – With this classic, we enter what’s
known as “The Golden Age” of detective fiction.
If you haven’t yet met Detective Hercule Poirot, you’re in for a
treat. This is a favorite of many and
for good reason. Agatha Christie tells a
gripping tale and manages to explore a number of themes involving morality and
justice.
Dashiell Hammett: The Maltese Falcon – In this last
novel we enter the world of the “Hard-Boiled” detective. This novel is considered by many to be the
best “American” detective novel of its time.
Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett’s cynical, sardonic detective, outmaneuvers
both the police and the crooks as he solves the crime. Written in the objective
style – the reader sees what each character does and says, but never what they
think. Such a style lends itself
perfectly to film and the movie rendition of “The Maltese Falcon” is classic
film noir. We’ll watch the film as part
of our work on this novel.
As we
read these compelling books, students will not only have an opportunity to
express their ideas, argue their opinions and demonstrate their knowledge in
our class discussions, but they will also organize, develop and argue those
ideas in their writing. For our class projects, we’ll be incorporating a
"literary criticism" approach -- each student will take on a specific
position (Character Analyst; Thematic Advisor; Symbolist; Historian/Biographer;
or Passage Illuminator) for each novel. Over the course of the semester,
students will write five 2-3 page essays related to their “position” for each
book. By the end of the semester,
the class will have created a full-fledged book entitled “The Read to Write Guide to Mystery & Detective Stories” (We’ll
publish this as a paperback book and copies will be available for purchase). Take a look at last semester's class project book HERE! Students will also participate in a
variety of other creative writing activities to help them engage with these
novels. Students will also have the option of writing longer (4-5 page)
essays, so that they may practice developing their ideas and analysis in more
detail. Because writing is one of the
most important and essential skills a student can learn, we’ll be emphasizing
the entire writing process – from planning through drafting and revision.
Writing well allows students to express their ideas, argue their opinions and
demonstrate their knowledge. As they write about these novels,
students will go through the process of organizing, developing and clearly
articulating their ideas -- an excellent way to learn about any subject.
We will look at essays together as a class so students can also learn about the
reactions their writing elicits from others and offer helpful feedback to aid
with the revision process. This class will be a great opportunity to
enjoy some wonderful novels and practice essential literary analysis and
writing skills.
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