In preparation for our unit on the Southern Gothic genre, we reviewed terms such as : genre ,theme, and allusion. In this regard, we discussed the role of the author in society as a commentator on society and human nature. I mentioned that in analyzing an author's work, the reader needs to be able to identify themes and techniques ,but does not have to agree with the author's conclusions about human nature and society. Bobby then discussed his homework responses identifying the significance of the biblical allusions to "snake and the apple", and the mythological allusion to "phoenix". Before we read Welty's story,"The Worn Path" -which employs these allusions- we will discuss the literary allusion to the windmill derived from Cervantes' Don Quixote. Bobby is identifying the significance of this reference tonight for homework.