Till We Have Faces Expectations and Activities
Throughout the course of the novel, you will be responsible for completing the following activities and a well-developed literary analysis of the text after completing the novel. To prepare yourself to write a literary analysis, you will complete the following activies while reading:
1. Annotate the text to demonstrate close reading and evaluation of character development and motivation, theme development, and use of archetypes.
2. Use the motif chart to identify and track important quotes from the text that help to develop an overall theme.
3. Answer the overarching chapter questions.
4. Come prepared to class having read the assigned reading and participate in the discussion of the day.
After reading and completing the above activities, you will individually complete a literary analysis essay:
Till We Have Faces Essay Prompt
Topic: Develop a thesis from one of the motifs listed below.
ü Love (choose: forms, expectations, causes and effects, divine vs. human)
ü Christ figure
ü Fear
ü Transformation of a character
ü Logic/Reason vs. Faith
ü Author’s use and transformation of an ancient text to deliver a theme
Develop a clear thesis, stating the purpose and setting the tone and direction of the essay. Prove the thesis in the body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should begin with a claim statement and provide supporting details. Include textual support, both direct and indirect with citations, in each body paragraph. Include a works cited page.
A
· Consistent clarity of ideas; establishes and maintains focus throughout
· Correctly and effectively uses in text citations to support focus of the thesis.
· Uses quotes and paraphrases from text effectively to support an idea
· Appropriately structured with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion; organization allows for a logical flow of ideas
· Thesis statement establishes clear purpose and sets tone effectively
· Topic sentences set tone for paragraph and helps to maintain focus and support for the thesis.
· MLA format is correctly used; first page is correctly formatted
· Correctly formatted MLA works cited page.
· Correct use of the English language and sentence structure (spelling, mechanics, punctuation, elevated vocabulary, subject verb agreement, written in present tense, variety of sentences used.)
· No factual errors (this applies to research and to novels).
B Paper lacks one of the above elements or one or more of the above elements are
insufficient.
C Paper lacks two of the above elements or two or more of the above elements are
insufficient.
D Paper lacks three of the above elements or three or more of the above elements are
insufficient.
F Paper lacks four of the above elements or four or more of the above elements are
insufficient.
Annotation Guidelines
If you are borrowing a book please do not write in your book but utilize sticky notes on pages. Consider ways to organize your annotations (i.e. Different colored sticky notes or different colored pens).
You will be required to annotate your books to identify important motifs, theme development, characterization, character motivation, or transformations of any kind. You are to underline, highlight, or sticky-note important phrases, quotes, images, archetypes, or symbols. A book that is completely highlighted will not be considered annotated; this is simply coloring! Make sure that after annotating you have some sort of “why” or importance of the annotated item by it.
It is also a good idea to use sticky notes to mark any questions you might have and bring those to discussion for clarification.
Various checks will be made throughout the reading to ensure you have kept up with assigned reading and that you are completing a close reading of the chapters in preparation for your literary analysis.
Till We Have Faces Motif Chart
This chart is to help you gather quotes and passages that relate to the motifs that are possible essay topics. For those pages that have already been identified for you, the beginning and end of the quote must be added to the chart. Also include an explanation that details the importance of the quote. You must find additional quotes as you read. Include the page numbers on the chart and the explanation in your book. (The pages noted for you are SAMPLES; they do not constitute all the possible annotations!)
Psyche as Christ figure Dependence on logic/reason/science
39 8
61
67
68
69
Man’s religion v the real gods Love
53 Fierce/possessive
54
Selfish
Selfless
Higher/godlike
Wounded/jealous
Role of Fear
3
Role/treatment of women
Importance of looks
5
Use as commodity (sexual or political)
Faith v need for proof Gender limitations/roles
123 7
Transformation/change/development
Orual Psyche
Relationship with/view of the gods
View of self
Relationships
Expectations—Orual’s
Of the gods
Of Psyche
Of the Fox
Of Bardia
Reading Questions
Answer the following questions in complete sentences using textual evidence. Your responses should be extensive and reflect a careful reading of the chapters.
Chapters 1-2
1. What do we learn about Orual in the first chapter, especially in the first paragraph? What is her purpose in writing? What is her view of the gods?
2. How might Orual be an unreliable narrator? What is your initial impression of her?
3. Describe the Fox.Based on this, what archetype does the Fox fit? Give at least two examples of his wisdom in the lessons he teaches Orual.
4. Explain at least one setting archetype, one character archetype (not the Fox), one symbol archetype, and one motif archetype as they appear in these chapters.
Chapters 3-41. Orual lays the blame on Redival for ending the good time. Is this an accurate assessment of the facts? Explain.
2. Orual states that "the gods are jealous." The Fox thinks otherwise. Contrast their views of the gods.
3. What archetypal character does Psyche represent in these chapters? What does Psyche’s response to her situation tell us about her character?
4. Compare and contrast the way in which both Psyche and Orual deal with being placed in difficult or undesirable situations. What does this reveal about each woman’s perception of herself and her place in the world?
5. Identify and explain the symbolic use of light and dark in these chapters.
Chapter 5
1. How does Orual’s presence in the Pillar room begin to contradict the King’s statement, “A man can’t have women (and his own daughters, what’s worse) meddling in business” (57). What explanation could there be for her acceptance into Pillar room during that important meeting?
2. What does the King’s reaction to Orual’s “womanly outburst” suggest about how women should be treated?
Chapter 6
1. Based on the events of chapter 6, what can be inferred about the King’s views on love? Use textual evidence to support your answers.
2. Research the conflict among the family of Iphigenia, Orestes, Clytemnestra, and Agamemnon, and explain the importance of the allusion in the chapter.
3. What is Bardia’s response to Orual’s departure from typical female behavior?
Chapters 7
1. Evaluate and support Psyche’s development as a Christ figure thus far.
2. In chapter 2, page 23, Orual tells us that “Psyche..was half in love with the Mountain,” and planned to be married to “the greatest kind of all” who would build her a castle on the top of the Mountain. How does chapter 7 continue this sense of Psyche’s deep longing for the God of the Grey Mountain?
3. How does Orual perceive Psyche’s longing for the God of the Grey Mountain?
Chapter 8
1. Look at pages 78-81 and focus on how Orual views the relationship between the gods and Man.
2. Revisit Psyche’s role as a Christ figure.
3. Based on Orual’s feelings in chapter 6 and her statement in chapter 8 (“I have missed being Iphigenia. I can be Antigone.“), where does Orual’s focus seem to be? What does this reveal to us about the nature of Orual’s “love”?
Chapter 9
1. Identify at least four archetypes, and explain how they develop the plot.
2. What do Bardia’s comments about Orual on page 92 suggest about expectations for women?
3. On page 94, what does Orual’s mood change suggest about man’s version of religion versus the true nature of the gods?
4. Explain Orual’s inner struggle on pages 95-97.
Chapter 10
1. Compare and contrast the events of this chapter with the Hamilton version of “Cupid and Psyche.” Include the contrasting viewpoints. Incorporate textual evidence.
2. Why do you think Orual doesn’t see what Psyche sees?
Till We Have Faces Reading Questions
Answer the following questions in complete sentences using textual evidence. Your responses should be extensive and reflect a careful reading of the chapters.
Chapters 11
1. Find at least three quotes that serve as evidence of the intensely possessive nature of Orual’s love for Psyche.
2. What internal struggle is does Orual think she’s enduring? What is she really fighting against?
3. In the original myth, we know what Psyche sees is real. In the novel, Orual doesn’t see this, and we don’t know if it’s real or not. What is the effect of this ambiguity? List evidence from the novel that what Psyche sees is real AND what Psyche sees cannot be real.
4. Why does the possibility that Psyche is “mad”/insane comfort Orual?
Chapter 12
1. Provide evidence of Orual’s perception of her own femininity.
2. Orual has a moment when she sees what Psyche sees. At what moment does it vanish from her sight? Why?
3. Compare and contrast Bardia’s and Orual’s views on the gods. What opinions do they share? What opinions are different?
4. Near the end of the chapter, Orual doubts her impulse to “save” Psyche. What thoughts create this doubt? What does she mean when she later says, “My heart did not conquer me” (138)? How does she rationalize her doubt away?
Chapter 13
1. At the start of this chapter, Orual is in a vulnerable position, seeking answers. What answers does the Fox give her? What does his advice depend on? In what ways does this make him a limited advisor?
2. In what ways does Orual reveal herself to be like her father?
3. Orual sees the world as distinctly divided (with her or against her). Find quotes from the chapter that support this idea.
Chapter 14
1. Contrast Orual’s and Psyche’s opposing views of love. Provide evidence of each woman’s perspective. Which do you think possess a truer understanding of love?
2. Consider the opposition between Orual’s need for proof and Psyche’s absolute faith. What do you think is the author’s purpose for doing this?
Chapter 15
1. On page 173, what does Orual feel that the god is accusing her of?
2. In spite of everything that Orual has learned about the gods, what continues to be her focus? How does she make herself a victim?
Till We Have Faces Reading Questions 16-21
Answer the following questions in complete sentences using textual evidence. Your responses should be extensive and reflect a careful reading of the chapters.
Chapters 16
- Why does Orual not tell the Fox the whole story from her interaction with Psyche on the Mountain?
- What are both the stated and implied reasons for Orual continuing to wear the veil? Why does the veil give Orual a sense of power? Why is it an issue for Orual to be in the Pillar Room with her veil on?
- What does Orual mean when she declares, “I too shall be a Psyche” (186)?
- Discuss the transition of Orual from princess to queen. What qualities/traits does Orual possess that allow her to take on this new role while the King is still alive?
Chapters 17
- Describe the situation in Phars that led Trunia to Glome.
- What is the significance of Orual offering to take on Argan herself? How does the veil influence this arrangement?
- Discuss the importance of the following quote: “Ever since Arnom had said hours ago that the King was dying…I was not even sure that I could fight him” (199-200). What motivates each personality?
- Explain Orual’s internal struggle with Psyche concerning her new roles in the kingdom.
Chapters 18
1. Why does Redival react the way she does when she learns that Orual will become queen?
2. The Fox says, “Love is not a thing to be so used” (204). How has this idea contradicted Orual’s experiences thus far?
3. One of Orual’s first actions as Queen is freeing the Fox. Why does she immediately regret this? How does she manipulate him emotionally?
4. Examine the quote at the bottom of pg. 210 to the beginning of 211 (“I was journeying into a strange new land…She would never have made a queen.” How does this further develop the division of Orual’s two personalities?
5. What is Orual’s motivation in turning down her only marriage proposal?
Chapter 19
1. In what way(s) has Orual become “an offering?” If she is considering herself a “Psyche,” does Orual fit the Christ figure archetype?
2. In what emotions is Orual indulging when she imagines an alternate life on page 224?
3. How do the last few lines of the chapter reinforce the idea of two separate personalities, Orual and the Queen? What is she trying to escape or kill?
Chapter 20
1. How does Orual use the veil, consciously or unconsciously, as a weapon?
2. Examine pages 228-229. How do Orual’s thoughts relate to the title of the novel?
3. How do Orual’s alter egos contrast each other? Which personality embodies more positive characteristics? Explain.
4. What is the one sin that Orual says that “the gods never forgive us” (233)? What concept does this reinforce?
5. How has Orual become more masculine/lost femininity in this chapter?
Chapter 21
1. Consider Orual’s response to the way the Psyche’s story has been told. Explain why Orual may or may not be justified in being offended by the telling of the story.
2. How does Orual further explain her relationship with the gods?