If you are taking this course for Honors credit, you must read Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist in addition to the other required texts and turn in a 2-3 page response by Thanksgiving.

In this short paper, I would like you to focus on one scene from the novel and construct a reading of it in which you establish its significance to the novel as a whole. In other words, you will seek to identify themes, ideas, or conflicts developed in this scene that reflect the novel's larger concerns. This will require you to accomplish two things: one, to work closely with the scene you choose in order to unpack its layers of significance; and two, to demonstrate--by establishing the significance of this particular scene--an understanding of the novel as a whole.

Depending on the length of your scene, it may be impossible or undesirable to quote it in its entirety. You'll want to find an economical way to refer to your scene in your introduction--"Nancy's murder scene," for instance--and then, in the course of your short essay, you'll want to quote lines or phrases that are central to your reading as you unpack them. In other words, what I don't want you to do is simply introduce your scene with a big block quote.

If anyone thinks it would be useful to discuss OliverTwist before embarking upon this assignment, let me know. We could even schedule a mini-Honors session of the class, since there are several of you.

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.