What This Document Is
This document is a study guide designed to accompany a reading of Julio Cortázar’s short story, “House Taken Over,” within the context of a Calculus III (MATH 310) course at Calumet College of St. Joseph. It frames the story as a comparative text alongside Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” focusing on literary styles. The guide includes pre-reading vocabulary, reading strategies, and prompts for analysis.
Why This Document Matters
This study guide is intended for students enrolled in MATH 310 who are engaging with literary analysis as a component of their coursework. It’s used *before*, *during*, and *after* reading “House Taken Over” to enhance comprehension and facilitate a comparative discussion with Poe’s work. It exists to support a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and stylistic choices, and to prepare students for class participation and assignments.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This guide does not provide a complete interpretation of “House Taken Over.” It doesn’t offer a summary of the story’s plot, nor does it provide answers to the analytical questions posed. It’s a tool to *guide* your reading and thinking, not to *replace* it. Students will still need to independently read and analyze the story to fully grasp its meaning.
What This Document Provides
This document includes:
* A brief biography of Julio Cortázar, contextualizing his life and writing.
* A list of “Concept Vocabulary” words encountered in the story, allowing for pre-reading familiarization.
* “First-Read” guidance with annotation and connection prompts.
* Specific instructions to compare and contrast the literary styles of “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “House Taken Over.”
* The beginning of the story, “House Taken Over” itself.
This preview *does not* include the full text of “House Taken Over,” the complete set of reading questions, or a detailed analysis of the story’s themes. It also does not include the full comparative analysis prompts for Poe’s work.