Exploring the Text

1. Identify one part of this cartoon, a single frame or several, that you find to be an especially effective synergy of written and visual text. Why do you think the section you chose works so well?

   Chapter 5 - What I Learned - Exploring the Text: Identify one part of this cartoon, a single frame or several, that you find to be an especially effective synergy of written and visual text. Why do you think the section you chose works so well?
2. On the second page, the middle frame is a large one with a whole list of what Roz Chast learned “Up through sixth grade.” Is she suggesting that all these things are foolish or worthless? Explain your response.

   Chapter 5 - What I Learned - Exploring the Text: On the second page, the middle frame is a large one with a whole list of what Roz Chast learned “Up through sixth grade.” Is she suggesting that all these things are foolish or worthless? Explain your response.
3. The three-page cartoon presents a narrative, a story. Discuss the extent to which Chast uses the techniques of a fiction writer, such as plot, character, and setting.

   Chapter 5 - What I Learned - Exploring the Text: The three-page cartoon presents a narrative, a story. Discuss the extent to which Chast uses the techniques of a fiction writer, such as plot, character, and setting.
4. Chast subtitles her cartoon “A Sentimental Education . . . ,” which is a reference to a French novel of that title written by Gustave Flaubert in 1869. The American writer Henry James described A Sentimental Education as far inferior to Flaubert’s earlier and more successful novel Madame Bovary; in fact, he characterized the 1869 work as “elaborately and massively dreary.” Why do you think Chast uses this reference to Flaubert’s novel? Or do you think that she is not specifically alluding to Flaubert but, rather, to more generalized “sentimental” notions of education? Consider her audience as you respond to these questions.

   Chapter 5 - What I Learned - Exploring the Text: Chast subtitles her cartoon “A Sentimental Education . . . ,” which is a reference to a French novel of that title written by Gustave Flaubert in 1869. The American writer Henry James described A Sentimental Education as far inferior to Flaubert’s earlier and more successful novel Madame Bovary; in fact, he characterized the 1869 work as “elaborately and massively dreary.” Why do you think Chast uses this reference to Flaubert’s novel? Or do you think that she is not specifically alluding to Flaubert but, rather, to more generalized “sentimental” notions of education? Consider her audience as you respond to these questions.
5. What, ultimately, is Chast’s critique? What is the relationship she sees among learning, K–12 school, and education?

   Chapter 5 - What I Learned - Exploring the Text: What, ultimately, is Chast’s critique? What is the relationship she sees among learning, K–12 school, and education?