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The semester is coming to a close, and I can say that I have truly enjoyed the class. I have enjoyed focusing on one text for so long, instead of rushing through it. It took me some time to get focused and write my first research portfolio. It was a huge project looming before me. I feel better for the second one because I know what to expect, and that it is indeed not impossible. I need to start working on my second one, there are just been so many projects and papers going on this time of year. I am sure I shall be writing about Troilus and Criseyde. I have no idea what I would like to focus on though.

It was much more difficult to write the second practical criticism essay. I have been reading the translation of Troilus and Criseyde so it was difficult to begin an examination of the text. I just found something that I noticed in the translation and shifted it to the original text. I am not sure if it worked out as well though. I hope this does not make the second research project difficult also. Either way, I will figure it out.

Cassia Herndon 11/06

Cassia Herndon

I could do many things to become a better student; there is no question about that. I try to do as much of the reading as possible. If the reading amount is small, such as The Lais of Marie de France, I will definitely do all of the reading. If the reading is rather large such as Chrétien, I will most likely only do part of the reading. I just feel too overwhelmed, and know that I will not have the time to read the entire assignment. I have found with Chaucer that I tend to concentrate more on reading the text than the story because I am not used to the old English. I am thinking I might need to get a modernized version, if only for the fact I will understand the story better.

My favorite things that we have learned about so far this semester is the little bits of history that make the story more interesting. I enjoyed learning about the types of horses they rode on, how the hunts worked, etc. I also found it interesting that people, such as Chaucer, moved up in society due to the plague. I had never thought about the plague as a way to get ahead of the rest, which is not a fact normally mentioned in other classes. I always find class interesting, and even lively.

I am going to admit that I am a procrastinator, and I have not begun writing my research portfolio. Turning them all in at one time was probably not the best format for me. I do better with turning things in a little at a time, forcing me to get them done. To console you though, I do always finish my assignments. My first step will be to go to the library and the library database to find by articles and my book. At the moment I am trying to decide what my topic should be. I am thinking about trying to find articles that deal with what was going on in history to affect these authors and their stories.

Cassia Herndon 9/06