English 2F - Children's Lit Purpose: To analyze how an author's life and historical context might illuminate the "meaning" of a text, to practice biographical and historical analysis on a piece of traditional fiction. Directions:
1. Read Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, and the historical and biographical resources in Module 5. 2. Write at least a page discussing your interpretation of the book. Some questions to consider: What do we know about Stevenson's life that shows up in the book? What do we know about the time and place (America in the 1880s)? How does the historical context of that time and place affect the themes and ideas the author presents? What do you think the author wanted his audience to take away from the book? What values from that time and place are evident in the book? Does the author seem to uphold and reinforce those values, or does the author seem to protest against those values, or a combination of the two? 3. Include at least two quotes from the book to back up your ideas. 4. Submit your response to the assignments chamber as an attachment 5. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response 5 - The Life and Times of Robert Louis Stevenson". You will receive extra credit if you post your response and respond to at least one other student's posting. |