WebQuest: Exploring Appalachian Literature, Jayne Anne Phillips, and Machine Dreams.

Overview: In this WebQuest, you will learn about Appalachian Literature and the life and work of our 2005 Writer-in-Residence, Jayne Anne Phillips. You will take a look at her novel Machine Dreams and a few of its relevant issues.

Step 1: Learn about Appalachia.

What is Appalachia? What are the characteristics of Appalachian writing? Take a look at this map to get an idea of what areas of the U.S. are located in the Appalachian region. You may even enjoy planning a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail!

Now, enjoy and take note of how Appalachian culture spills over into art and music:

Listen to three examples of Appalachian music: “Loving Henry”, by Kyle Wooten; “Sweet Farm Girl” by Tom Ashley; and a banjo piece called “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”. You can also browse this same site to listen to other audio clips. Take a look at this Appalachian quilt collection.

Step 2: Learn about Shepherd’s Writer-in-Residence Program.

What is a Writer in Residence? Check out the Shepherd University Writer-in-Residence website to see what the program is about and who our past writers have been. Be sure to take a look at the activities that have been planned around Phillips’ visit and make plans to attend one. Print off or bookmark the schedule page so that you don’t miss this opportunity! Also, learn more about the West Virginia New Writers Award, a Fiction Competition that is linked to the Writer-in- Residence program. You may be interested in entering the competition next year.

Step 3: Learn about Jayne Anne Phillips.

Read a brief biography on Jayne Anne Phillips. From this page, you can also click on hyperlinks to extensive pages on her individual works. On these pages, you’ll find summaries, excerpts, and reviews. You may also want to review this biography on Phillips which also contains critical responses to her work. As we move towards learning more about one of her works, Machine Dreams, take a look at these abstracts and reviews.

Step 4: Investigate some of the topics that surface in Machine Dreams.

Note: A few of the Revolutions links below may contain material that, while relative and historical, may be inappropriate for young students.

View this abbreviated timeline of events for the Vietnam War. Visit this amazing Vietnam resource that contains images, stories, timelines, and much more that will give you a great foundation on the period that the novel takes place. You’ll also want to take note of the protests and issues. PBS had a wonderful series on Vietnam. Read the episode list and choose a few episodes to explore. By clicking on the title, you can view transcripts from the episodes.

You can also explore University of Washington Libraries’ Digital Page that contains many texts and images from the Vietnam Era, including the protest and human rights campaigns. Be sure to peruse the links on the right side of the page.

In the 1960s and 1970s, feminism continued to flourish. This generation of feminists, known as the “Second Wave of Feminist,” was a direct result of the suffrage and birth control gains won by the first wave. These ideas are reflected in Jean's leaving Mitch and that break-up affecting Billy and Danner.

Another revolution of the 1960s that looms large in Machine Dreams is the Sexual Revolution. Read this overview based on the revolution and consider its relation to the plot of Machine Dreams.

Finally, take a few minutes to explore a few of these reflections on the 1960s-1970s, specifically the Vietnam Era. Compare the experiences and ponder the war’s purpose. Consider how the various revolutions and protests from above reflect and relate to the war. How does all of this information tie into the theme and narration of Machine Dreams?