W. O. Mitchell’s Who Has Seen The Wind
In our class, we will be studying the Canadian
classic by W. O. Mitchell, Who Has Seen The Wind. During our reading and
analysis of the book, students will have the opportunity to gain familiarity
with some of Mitchell’s source texts for the novel, and they will gain valuable
practice in drawing connections between texts. We will also be engaging as a
class in the spiritual and philosophical questions various among the characters
in the novel are led to consider.
Daily
Reflective Reponses on the Readings:
After each reading session, students will be required to write a double-spaced one page reflective response to the novel. These responses ought not to be simply summaries of what happened. Rather, students are expected to engage critically with the text. They ought to examine, for instance, a particular theme, a question, the development of a character, or perhaps a symbol that arises in the text. Each reflection must end with a question. It is from this pool of questions that we will be drawing for our classroom discussions.
Critical
Essay:
Students
must follow the critical essay format as discussed in class. Papers must be
submitted on time or else suffer late penalties. Every student must choose ONE
of the following paper topics:
1.
Trace the appearances of the wind imagery in the novel, and explain their
relation to the title.
2.
Trace the development of Brian’s “feeling” throughout the novel. What is the
final insight that he comes to understand?
3.
Examine the intellectual views of Mr. Digby, Milt Palmer, and Mr. Hislop.
4.
Write an essay that critically examines the portrayal of nature in the novel.
5.
Write an essay that investigates the manner in which the novel can be viewed as
social satire.
6.
Research prairie farming problems, and evaluate Sean O’Connal’s ideas in light
of your research.
7.
Discuss Mitchell’s view of formal religion, as it is seen in the novel.
Quiz
and Unit Final:
Every
student will study for the short quiz and longer test that will be given at the
end of the novel. Students should be familiar with events and characters in the
book, as well as with the discussions that we have had in class concerning the
book’s imagery and symbolism. Knowledge of poetic and literary devices will be
important.