Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal.

Week Two Discussion:  Versailles, Velázquez, and Rubens–Please answer all of the questions listed below–

• Versailles contains symbols of power and absolute monarchy.  Pick a feature of the palace you admire and explain how you would use this as a setting for a computer program or game.   What would happen in this setting?   Who would be featured in the game (the king?  the queen?  noblemen?). Use the text as a source and research on line for a computer program to discuss.   Consider the gardens, Hall of Mirrors, the layout of the palace itself,  the furniture, the number of rooms, and paintings.   Here is a link to a website that discusses how to design a game: http://www.gameskinny.com/yljvh/how-to-make-a-game-a-beginners-guide
• As part of your post this week, give us the name of your selection for  Assignment One and explain why you chose that one. There are writings by Descartes, Voltaire, Swift, or Dickens ( choose only one author and selection). 

Topic Choices

• Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a  proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/descartes1637.pdf (then scroll down to Part 4, pp. 14-18). This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work.
• Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html. 
• Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. 840-841 in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. 824-825.
• Assignment 1: Essay (additional topic choice)  Dickens and Social Criticism:  What Price Progress?

Chose one of the four reading selections by Charles Dickens from the textbook, as listed below, then answer the questions posted in week four (see assignment one tab).  

1. Old Curiosity Shop, p. 922.
2. Sketches by Boz, p. 923.
3. Dombey and Son, p. 927.
4. Hard Times, p. 928-29.