Describe the most memorable part of “Landscape, History and the Pueblo Imagination.” How does the part of the essay that you chose contribute to a larger ecological message?

The short story “A White Heron” offers its own kind of critique of violence and the narrative of the masculine “hero.” How?

If you like, consider:

How does the story prioritize kinship with animals over violence?

How does gender map onto these issues?

Why is Sylvie is silent in the end?

Write a one paragraph summary of either the essay by Latham or Le Guin. How might you apply the insights from the essay to an analysis of the colonial mission to Athshe?

If you are reading Latham’s essay, you might focus on the concept of “ecological imperialism” or the distinction between different kinds of technology.

If you are reading Le Guin’s essay, you might focus on the relationship she establishes between the “hero” story and the story of the killer.

Write a one paragraph summary of either the essay by Barbour or Le Guin. At the conclusion of the paragraph, reflect on how a key concept from the essay might be applied to an analysis of the Athshean culture.

If you are reading Barbour, you might focus on how the idea of “balance” applies to Athshean culture.

If you are reading Le Guin, you might consider whether the Athshean culture adopts an ecological point of view of the kind described in the essay.

In the end the colonial mission to Athshe proves to be a failure and the Athshean way of life is transformed. Why do you think Le Guin chose to tell a story of failure rather than of success?

You might consider:

Is the conclusion triumphant for the Athsheans? Why or why not? 

What might this ending suggest about Le Guin’s attitude towards violent conflict?

What do we learn about the Athsheans in the last few pages of the novel? Why do you think Le Guin chose to end on this note?

What hope are we left with at the end of the story? What role does Lyubov’s research and/or communication technology play in determining the future of the planet?

What is the significance of dreaming to Athshean culture and/or to the events of the book more broadly?

You might consider:

–Lyubov’s view of the role of dreaming in Athshean culture and the difference between Terran sleeping and Ashthean dreaming.

–The relationship between Selver’s bad dreams and acts of violence.

–The relationship between dreaming and the non-violent, or ecologically-minded “roots” of Athshean culture.

–The relationship between “dream time” and “world time.”

What are the differences between Captain Davidson’s perception of the natural environment and the Ashthean point of view represented at the opening of chapter 2? Draw on quotations to support your point. 

What part of the scholarly essay would you focus on if you were giving a lecture on the material to the class?

Create a heading describing your focus, a few bullet points beneath it (they can include quotations) and, finally, a question about the material you would use to generate discussion.

Answer any or all of the following questions:

Why does Victor destroy the female creature? Is his decision rational, impulsive, or both?

Did having Victor’s point of view on this matter force you reconsider the creature’s assertion that it is Victor’s duty to create him a companion?

How and why does Victor’s perspective conflict with the creature’s in volume III?

How does creature’s story call into question Victor’s belief that the creature is innately evil? You might consider:

The way that the creature is made into a monster by the reception that he receives from others.

The creature’s original innocence and “naturalness,” or closeness to nature.

The way in which the creature learns moral feelings like sympathy and compassion.