Chapter 46 of 71
II. Reading and Study · Section 6
Teachers' outlines for studies in English, based on the requirements for admission to college · Gilbert Sykes Blakely
II. Reading and Study
These sketches should not be read hurriedly but thoughtfully and, as far as time will permit, aloud in class. They contain many fine descriptions which should be used, with the aid of questions and composition exercises, to keep alert the imagination of the pupils. The following are a few of the topics that might be used for oral or written work:
_The Author's Account of Himself_
The author's choice of facts. (Why he chose these and did not choose others.)
The charm of travel in America and in Europe--a comparison and a contrast.
_The Voyage_
What Irving has omitted in the account of his voyage.
An imaginative sketch of Irving as he may have appeared to one of his fellow-passengers. (Base the sketch on what Irving says that he did and saw.)
Descriptive features in the last four paragraphs.
An original account of some voyage.
_The Christmas Sketches_
Irving's purpose in these papers.
The Christmas spirit in England.
Travelling by stage coach.
The coachman--a character sketch.
The coachman at the inn-yard--a description.
Irving's fellow-travelers.
Irving--a sketch by one of the travelers.
Arrival at Bracebridge Hall.
The squire--a character sketch.
The festivities of Christmas eve.
The family at supper.
Prayers on Christmas morning.
The church service.
The parson.
The pleasures of the day.
The dining room when the boar's head was brought in--a description.
The wassail bowl.
After-dinner sports.
The mask of Christmas.
An original account of some Christmas holiday.
_Rural Life in England_
What Irving actually saw that suggested the comments in this essay.
The conclusions that he drew from his observations.
Rural life in England, as Irving saw it, compared with rural life in America.
Going to church--an imaginative sketch based on Irving.
_The Country Church_
The rich man's arrival at church--a description.
The audience at worship--a description.
A country audience in America--a sketch from real life.
The nobleman and the newly rich--a contrast.
A detailed outline of Irving's account of the two families.
_Westminster Abbey_
Time and circumstances of the visit and the mood of the visitor.
What Irving saw in the abbey (omit the musings).
Reflections suggested by the visit.
History of the building.
_The Mutability of Literature_
The setting for Irving's discussion of literature.
A summary of Irving's thought on the changing of.
_The Art of Book-making_
Adventures in the British Museum.
The meaning of Irving's dream.
How far is it honest for schoolboys and schoolgirls books for their essays?
_Stratford on Avon_
An evening with Irving at the Red Horse Inn.
The Shakespeare House.
A visit to Shakespeare's grave.
The groves and park about Charlcote.
The "great hall."
An original account of a visit to the home of an author, or to a place of historic interest, or of natural beauty.
_The Angler_
Irving's fishing excursion.
A stroll along the banks of the Alun.
The fisherman philosopher.