Socratic Question examples

OK, he might not be the most handsome, but he was pretty darn smart.

Here are the examples from class. I will add to them as needed.

World Connection Question:
How would you react if you were to come upon a group of starving, dying slaves? Would you help?
If you were alive in that time period and came across the black men that had been worked to death, would you give them food like Marlow did, or do something else?
If a doctor told you people have never returned from the trip you are about to attend, would you still go?
If you were Marlow watching the chained men walk into slavery how would you react?
If you encountered the starving people Marlow encountered, what would, or wouldn’t, you do to help them out?
Traveling to Africa in the time period of the novel is like traveling to the planet today. What would be your reason to travel to an unknown place?
How would you feel toward a group of people the first time you met them, if you had previously been told they were enemies? Even if you saw them enslaved and weak?
If you come across a group of dying native laborers lying against the trees, would you interact with/help them (like how Marlow gave one native a biscuit)?

Close- Ended Question:
Marlow has a lot of respect for the chief accountant. Do you think his opinion will change toward the end of the novel? Why?
Why is the cliff being blown up if it isn’t even in the way of the railway construction?

Open-Ended Question:
Why do the British Invaders refer to the slaves as savages when they are the ones doing the brutalizing?
Why did Marlow look up to/respect the accountant?
What is the significance of the white necklace?
One of the dying workers Marlow encounters has some sort of white necklace on. What is the possible significance of this?
Why does the manager let the young black boy treat the whites like he does?
Marlow specifically points out the white European yarn tied around a native’s neck. Why is this significant?
Why does Marlow feel the need to explore?
Why does the author utilize Marlow to narrate a story when there was an original narrator in the beginning of the novel?


Universal Theme/Core:
How does the imagery of the devastated natives and landscape show how big business/civilization is horrible?

Literary Analysis Question:
Why did the author choose to have a narrator telling a story about Marlow telling the story?
Why did the author choose to have the story told from a narrator who does not tell the story?
What is the importance of the symbol darkness to the story?

The Dreaded Essay

OK...It has been requested that I post the writing prompt on the blog, so I will do so. Afterwards, I will give some advice to help you write a solid paper. Should you have any questions about writing the paper, please put them on this post...that way I can answer them here for everyone. Therefore, before you ask your question, read through what has already been asked and answered so there are no repeat questions. So, here goes:

Essay Question

Write a 3-4 page paper explaining why you think the novel is considered literature rather than merely a story. This assignment will require you to define what literature is and then give specific examples from the text to support your argument.

I expect a solid introduction and conclusion. Your paper should reflect knowledge of the entire novel and insightful analysis. Show me what you know.

The essay should be typed in 12 point font (Times New Roman or Courier New). It should be double-spaced and have one-inch margins all around. I will be looking at your grammar usage and spelling as part of your grade on this paper, so have someone read it over before you turn it in to me.

Remember, the paper should be 3-4 pages in length…not 4 pages, not 2.5 pages. Be concise and precise.

Again, the paper is due on the first day of class and will act as your pass into my class. You will also have an objective test over the novel on the first day of class.

The paper should also be formatted in the MLA Style. If you don't know what that looks like, consult the OWL at Purdue website (On-Line Writing Lab). Just Google it.

I don't want you to use sources for your paper. I want your own thoughts and insights. You may consult various sources to develop your own definition of literature, but since it is considered common knowledge, you won't have to cite those sources.

Most important: solid thesis statement and solid, specific support from the novel. You only have 3-4 pages, so I don't expect every iota of support you can find. Use the best of what you have. Make sure that your support comes from various parts of the novel, indicating that you have knowledge of the novel as a whole.

Again, all other questions should be posted below.

See you on Tuesday.

Chapter 59: The Ending Controversy

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Read this chapter carefully -- then read the first Connections story, "A Dickens of an Ending." Which ending to the novel do you believe is the ending that fits the story best? Why?

Chapter 58: Homecoming

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What is Pumblechook alluding to when he uses the word "prodigygality"? Is it an apt allusion to Pip's case?

What do you think would have happened if Pip would have told Joe about his "secondly" while they were in London?

Here is the part where it becomes crystal clear that this is a Bildungsroman. In what ways has Pip become a man and a true gentleman?

Chapter 57: Delirious

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Another masterful writing job by Dickens here, as he has Pip drifting in and out of consciousness. What exactly does Dickens do to make this so realistic?

Pip is in deep financial straits. How will he get out of debt without a job? Do you think this will force him to work for Herbert?

Awesome and humorous description her of Joe writing a letter...and note the positive descriptions of their walks and rides.

Joe feels guilty about not being able to stop Mrs. Joe and the tickler, and he feels even more guilty because his attempts to stop her caused Pip to get even worse beatings. Is this guilt justified?

So now we know what "secondly" meant. If you were Biddy, what would you say?

Chapter 56: The Verdict

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Thirty-two people were sentenced to death in one session. Thirty-two! This would be a great argument against the death penalty. What are your thoughts on that punishment? What does Dickens seem to think of it?

What can you point to in the story that made Pip change from wanting to desert Magwitch to never leaving his side until he was forced to?

Why did Pip wait so long to tell Magwitch about Estella?

Chapter 55: A Wedding, but No Funeral

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Why is Pip so concerned that Magwitch should never find out that Pip will never get his inheritance?

When asked to join Herbert in his business, Pip says "secondly." What is this second thought?

Why does Dickens put the wedding of Wemmick here (and by the way, it is a quite amusing trip to the altar, don't you think)?

Chapter 54: Getaway...Almost

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First, I love the description of March in the beginning...Dickens is spot-on here.

Pip tells Magwitch that he knows about enjoying freedom. Magwitch says Pip doesn't know what if feels like compared to him. Is there some similarity in their feelings of freedom? If so, what is the source of that feeling?

Pip says that Magwitch seems despondent. Though Magwitch denies this, what might be the cause of his looking despondent?

The capture scene would make for great movie action. Why was it so easy for Compeyson and the Custom House officials to catch them?

Why is Pip so devoted to Magwitch when he has basically abandoned Joe?

Chapter 53: Whoa! Pip Got Orlicked!

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That's right...I made up a new verb...Orlicked.

Orlick has some legitimate beefs with Pip. Which of these beefs seems to have hurt him the most? Why?

Orlick says Compeyson works for him now. Do you think this is actually the way it is?

What has happened to Orlick? How did he escape -- drunk -- from three able-bodied men?

Who could be Orlick's double?

Chapter 52: Startop? Really?

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We are on Chapter 52, and this is the only good thing Pip has done in his opinion...is that true?

After some thought, I've concluded that I wouldn't want to be in Herbert's shoes -- headed off to Arabia from London...sounds like an exile, not a business opportunity...

Startop? Seems like a pretty random reappearance. Is this a reach by Dickens, or masterful planning?

This is turning into a sort of mystery novel, full of intrigue...who do you think sent Pip the letter that brought him back home?

How long will it be before Pip feels remorse about Joe and Biddy and doesn't just do so in passing?

A note: Remember Miss Havisham's accident and the mention of Gravesend here...they will be part of an allusion in another novel we'll read this year...

Chapter 51: Taking Jaggers by Surprise

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The first paragraph leaves us with the same question that Pip has: What purpose is there for him to be so adamant in his pursuit of the truth behind Estella's parentage?

What is going on in the minds of Wemmick and Jaggers when Pip tells of having been to Wemmick's nice home and of Wemmick having an aged father?

Why do you think Jaggers is so surprised and bothered that Pip knows who Estella's father is?

Although there is "no admission", Jaggers clearly has a heart somewhere in that chest of his, at least where children are concerned. What do you think he means that when he saw Molly's violent nature creeping back in, he asserted "his power over her in the old way"?

Why are Jaggers and (more uncharacteristically) Wemmick so harsh towards Mike in his moment of weakness?

Is Jaggers right in his thoughts about keeping Estella's parentage a secret?

Chapter 50: Tying Up Some Loose Ends

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So...Compeyson jilted Miss Havisham...Molly and Magwitch are the parents of Estella...and Miss Havisham ended up with Estella. In all of this tangled web, who do you think is the biggest victim here?

Notice the craft Dickens uses in this conversation between Herbert and Pip. How does he manage to make this conversation some about in such a natural way? What makes it such a real exchange?

Chapter 49: Atonement

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Miss Havisham conducts the business concerning Herbert with swiftness and in a business-like manner. This transaction tells us several things about her character. What are some of those things?

Why is Miss Havisham crying? Why should she be crying?

What foreshadows Miss Havisham's fiery fate?

Chapter 48: Dinner with Man Hands

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Why does Jaggers bring up the matter of Drummel and Estella's impending marriage? Is it for Pip's sake or for Molly's sake?

Why do you think Jaggers brings up the idea that Drummle will have to beat Estella if he wants the upper hand in the marriage?

Molly is said to have been "tamed" by Jaggers from the moment she goes to work for him. How do you suppose she was "tamed"?

Chapter 47: The Phantom of the Theater

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Pip indicates that his finances are not good. What do you think of his solution for handling that situation?

What hints does Pip give that indicate that Wopsle's acting career has derailed?

Was Compeyson there on purpose or by mere coincidence? If he was there for a purpose, what was that purpose? He takes a pretty big risk sitting so close to Pip...

Chapter 46: The Marina District...kind of

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Pip finds himself in an entirely new setting here. What does the setting described by Pip suggest? In other words, what does the setting symbolize here?

Pip and Clara have some very clear similarities in their lives. What do you see as being similar?

Why does Magwitch seem so comfortable here, especially with Barley roaring below him at all hours?

Chapter 45: Sleepless Nights...

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Dickens does a nice job of capturing Pip's uneasy state of mind and his inability to sleep. Ever been unable to shut your brain off so you can sleep? I think Dickens did this very well.

Wemmick, like Jaggers, is very careful with his words. He is also very sly in his actions. Why is he so concerned with Magwitch's portable property? And why does he risk himself in this situation?

What do we learn about Clara, based on what we've learned in this chapter?

Chapter 44: Sometimes the Truth Hurts

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Okay...a mushy, melodramatic chapter...

Why does Pip want Miss Havisham to help Herbert? Why do you think she agrees to do so?

Why is Estella marrying Drummle? Of all the men, as Pip says, why this dreadful brute? What do you think?

Why do you think Miss Havisham has a look of horror and remorse on her face?

Another cliffhanger -- Why would Wemmick warn Pip not to go home? What could possibly be waiting for him there?

Chapter 43: Hey, Pal, That's MY Girl

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As is too often the case, Pip makes the situation about him...and Estella...Why does he want to see Estella and Miss Havisham before taking care of Magwitch's escape from England?

Very childish behavior between Drummle and Pip. So who will win the battle for Estella's heart (if she actually has one)?

Chapter 42: The Story

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Pip is the novel's narrator, but Magwitch is the narrator of his own story. Is Magwitch a reliable narrator? If so, what evidence can you give to support that? If not, why not?

Magwitch is Compeyson's lackey, and Compeyson is a dirty backstabber. Why is it significant that the Arthur mentioned is Miss Havisham's brother, and Compeyson is the man who left her at the altar?