4/23 LIT

Discussion about the need to reach out to security in the context of the classroom setting.
Acknowledgment of the date—Shakespeare's birthday—and its significance while moving towards the primary topic.

Classroom activities include more in-class writing.
Assignments include a peer review, which will be formally completed during the session.
Mention of a coming event: a Dickens Victorian tea party and a game of Dickens Jeopardy for exam preparation.
Announcement that review sheets will be made available on Blackboard for students to prepare for the exam.
Noted the ongoing demands of the semester and the importance of keeping up with the series "Our Mutual Friend."

Recap of previously discussed topics, focusing on intersecting plots in Victorian literature.
Explanation of social classes represented in the works of major Victorian novelists, utilizing the metaphor of a web of social connections.
Chicago example of 'two degrees of separation' cited as a relatable aspect of interconnected lives.
Recommendation of the series "Dickensian," which showcases characters from various Dickens novels interacting within the same narrative framework.
- Highlights how characters from different novels share a common social landscape.

A review of character changes from episodes three and four of "Our Mutual Friend."
- Bella’s changing perceptions of John.
- Lizzie’s confession of love for Eugene and her sacrifices to protect him from Bradley Headstone.
The symbolism of the river as a connector for characters in the story, illustrating lifelines and social issues.

Overview of Dickens's personal life during the time he wrote "Our Mutual Friend."
  - Moved to Gads Hill in 1860; significance of the location rooted in his childhood.
  - Details about his financial pressures and responsibilities post-separation from his wife.
  - Overview of his public readings and their relation to his financial state and health.
  - Include notes on his relationship with his mistress, Ellen Ternan, and challenges around family obligations.
Career events during this period: the publication of "Great Expectations" and subsequent railway accident in 1865.
- Description of this catastrophic event, including details about the car wreckage and the chaos that ensued.
- Dickens's anxiety and trauma stemming from this incident, which hindered his mental and physical health.

Insight into Bradley Headstone's emotional unravelling paralleling Dickens's personal traumas.
The impact of trauma on character behavior and the narrative arc, particularly through Bradley’s character.
Discussion of physical trauma inflicted by accidents, as seen in Weg who has lost a leg.
- Humor intertwined with trauma through the interactions with Mr. Venus.
Notably, the prevalence of characters with physical disabilities in Dickens's works, often reflecting societal attitudes towards disability and trauma.

Examination of Lizzie and Bella and their social class trajectories.
- Lizzie remains in a lower social class despite her desires for a different life.
- Bella’s fluctuating social status highlighted as she oscillates between classes through her relationships.
Exploration of Bradley Headstone’s fixation on Eugene and the violence stemming from class resentment.
- Discussion on how Headstone’s inability to attain higher social status feeds into his tragic obsession.
- Consideration of how characters navigate their social identities and relationships amidst class hierarchies.

The activity is designed to guide students on structuring their essays and thesis clearly.
  - Outline provided for writing thesis statements and topic sentences of body paragraphs.
  - Instructions to circulate sheets for peer feedback with questions regarding the clarity of arguments and how well they relate back to the thesis.
  - Emphasis on reviewing organization and coherence in addressing the topic of Dickens's stance on marginalized groups in society.