theduckthief’s Comments (group member since Apr 10, 2008)

theduckthief’s comments from the The Classics group.

I'm about a third through the book and I can't understand how the father wouldn't know Suzanne was illegitimate when everyone else does.

Wouldn't it be obvious to everyone or no one?

Also, I find it hard to believe that such a concerted effort would be made to bully and harass one nun.

As I currently don't have access to the book, I've pulled out some ideas from online sources.

Why do you think Diderot wrote this book?

What does the book reveal about the role of women and the church in the time it was written?

Does he have a problem with the Catholic church?

How does the idea of illusion play into the story?

"The Nun" appears to be a traditional novel in many ways and yet in some ways it isn't.

I went up the campus library today, ready to check out the one copy of "The Nun" in the whole district and low and behold, it's nowhere to be found. I double check to see that it's still in the library and not in Special Collections or something and it says it's there.

So for now, I have the library hunting for the book but otherwise I think I'm out of luck. I'll do my best to post sections and questions for those of you who do have the book.

Nevermind, all is well. I received an email today that they'd found the book. It's a beat up, dog-eared copy but it's readable. Yay!

Well that's maddening. I tried looking online for a version you could read, even a Librivox version because I'm sure the copyright's run out but the best I could do was a Google Books Preview. Most of the pages were omitted.

In the whole Greater Regional District where I live there is one copy.

I know there are some articles online about the book but that's not the same.

You have spoken!

Pick up "The Nun" by Diderot guys. On Monday I'll post the break up of chapters.

So it looks like the vote is between:

"The Nun" - Denis Diderot

"Candide" - Voltaire

You guys have until Friday to exercise your democratic right.

I'd like to get some suggestions this week so we can get reading during the first week of September.

I don't know how much more discussion "The Metamorphosis" is going to get.

I'm going to put "Candide" back into the mix because it's a nice short book.

Don't worry about jumping in.

The next book selection will depend on what's suggested and voted on. I'm still gunning for Candide because I've got a copy handy.

No worries Kay. Jump in when you can.

It's interesting to see how through the three parts there's a constant descent of human thinking and feeling to vermin. This is also reflected in the condition of his room and his treatment by his family.

Interestingly, Ovid's version also has a transformation story. Arachne becomes a spider after losing a bet with Athena.

Why is his sister so understanding when his parents and boss are not?

I really expected some more screaming involved when Gregor opened the door although I had WALL-E's cockroach friend in mind.

Is his dimming vision a sign of his transformation becoming permanent?

Also, what's with the maid and cook? They seem terrified and yet I don't believe they've actually seen Gregor.

The symbolism of the apple?

It was a quick afternoon read.

The version I read had some analysis of the story in the back of the book with allusions to religion and sexuality that I didn't really find in the book at all. Are these people just grasping at straws?

I've always heard that Gregor Samsa turned into a cockroach but in the book it says "monstrous vermin". Why do you think that is?

Some of the sentences were overlong resulting in confusion for me. One example is a description of Samsa's new body. Could not visualize what Kafka was talking about.

Also, I sense some daddy problems with Kafka.

This topic is for discussion of Part Three.

This topic is for discussion of Part Two.

This topic is for discussion of Part One.

As the book is quite short I think two weeks is enough time for everyone to finish the book.

I can't wait to discuss it with you guys!

It looks like Kafka is it. If everyone could pick up a copy by Monday August 11 then we can start discussing the book.

Alright so it looks like the decision is between

Utopia - Thomas More

Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

Candide - Voltaire


Let's leave voting open until Wednesday August 6 10pm PST.

My vote is for Candide.

Why don't we leave book suggestions open until Friday night 10PM PST and then we can vote?

We do. Is there any specific book you'd like to suggest? Things look like they're wide open in terms of books.

I know this is late in the month but how does everyone feel about picking an August book?

I'm still plugging away at Ovid but I also want to work on something new. I want to have a dialogue on here about classics and it looks like that isn't going to happen with Ovid so maybe we should move on.