Compliments of Cathy: Do you think Dead Souls has a plot? Does a novel need a plot to have a greater significance or meaning? If so, what is it about a cohesive story line that allows for readers to extract meaning from it? If not, what are the elements of a story (specifically Dead Souls) that make it meaningful?

And please consider the concept of the “picaresque novel” as you wonder aloud: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picaresque.

BUT you also need to offer 100-200 words on the split class format-plusses and minuses-thoughts-and what is the proper balance between teaching and learning, between listening and speaking. Do we all need a monitor to stay on task? Why have class at all? (maybe more than 200 words!)

For more on Gogol’s laughter through tears check out Charlie Chaplin:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiyPgtYiGxI&feature=related