Instructors’ Teaching Experience

I have taught this story three times and every time my students are puzzled. They described it as “hard to read.” For student’s accustomed to reading for plot, this story’s plot isn’t dramatic or suspenseful. [L. Sweeney, ledon-sweeney@iowa.edu]

Classroom Strategies

Symbolism

My intention with this story is to get my students to think symbolically. Judy Jones, as the unattainable desire of Dexter’s dreams, suggests to me a symbolic reading. Part of the symbolic reading I suggest in class is related to the historical context, the Roaring 20s. I try to draw parallels between Dexter’s dreams and their own, assuming I can get anyone to admit his dreams to the class. [L. Sweeney, ledon-sweeney@iowa.edu]