Winter 2006 Workshops at Writers & Books

Reading Seminars

Chronicles of Narnia

• WA6-R44
• 4 Wednesdays, 7 - 9 p.m.
• February1 through 22
• $56 W&B members / $59 general public
• Instructor: Karen Noske

Before Harry Potter, there was Narnia! If you’ve seen the recent animated Disney version of this hugely popular series of children’s books, starting with The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, you know it follows a group of English schoolchildren into a dark and fantastic world of mythology and magic. But, is it only a fairy tale? Lewis, a British medieval and renaissance scholar at both Oxford and Cambridge, created the tales to amuse and, some say, evangelize. But what were his sources, his influences, and why is a faun leading a little girl through the woods under a snowy umbrella? In this seminar for adult readers, readers will explore the secret and not-so-secret meanings behind the Narnia stories, as well as examine other Lewis writings (provided in a reading packet along with a bibliography for optional study). Attendees should obtain a copy of the complete Narnia collection in advance of the workshop.

Register online

A Short Reading Course for Those Who
Don’t Read Poetry

• WA6-R19
• 4 Tuesdays, 6 - 8 p.m.
• February 7 through 28
• $75 W&B members / $79 general public
• Instructor: Donna Marbach

This reading course is meant to be an enjoyable introduction to the many faces of poetry. It is designed to show that poetry was meant for the average person—not the esoteric upper echelons. After all, the very first literature was written in poetry—the Iliad, the Odyssey, The Canterbury Tales, and even parts of the Bible. Today people are constantly exposed to poetry in song lyrics, advertising and greeting cards. This course is not meant to be a heavy analysis that looks for symbolic meaning or requires knowledge of poetry. Instead, students will read for pleasure and emotional affect. Students should obtain a copy of Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems in advance of the class. (Register for Delving Into Poetry at the same time, and receive a ten percent discount on both workshops.)

Inherit the Wind

• WA6-R43
• 5 Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• February 5 through March 5
• $75 W&B members / $79 general public
• Instructor: David White

It is rare for a topical play to take on universal meaning, just as it is rare for a work of science to become the center of popular controversy. This seminar will place Inherit the Wind in the context of the Monkey Trial, the McCarthy Era, and the on-going conflicts over religious stereotypes. Participants who want to attend the GEVA production February 21 to March 19, 2006 may make their own arrangements. However, students should obtain and the script (Bantam paperback) for class discussion. Other reading material will be made available either before or during class.

Week 1: William Paley, author of the design argument, as Darwin read him as a student.

Week 2: Charles Darwin as he was known to the Victorian reading public.

Week 3: Bryan, Darrow, and Mencken as they were to the American public before Scopes.

Week 4: Inherit the Wind as it came to the American public on stage and screen.

Week 5: Is the Intelligent Design debate Scopes all over again?

Register online

Friendship in Fiction

• WA6-R45
• 8 Thursdays, 7 - 9 p.m.
• March 2 through April 27
• No class March 16
• $113 W&B members / $119 general public
• Instructor: Robert Baker

This course will use literature as a vehicle to explore the nature of human friendship. Readings of important works of twentieth century fiction and drama will stimulate and guide discussions. The class will explore themes such as: different definitions of friendship, levels of commitment in friendships, jealousy in friendships, how friendships begin and end, friendships across different cultures, changes in friendships as we grow older, and competition in friendships. In addition to the readings, participants will draw from their own experiences as they explore the nature of friendship. Works to read and discuss will include:

Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thornton Wilder
Sula, Toni Morrison
Passage to India, E.M. Forster
Monsignor Quixote, Graham Greene
Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett.

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