Something about David Lodge - HERE STUDY QUESTIONS - CHANGING PLACES
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel.
2. Name and characterize the major characters. Compare and contrast the two professors and the universities they come from.
3. What cultural stereotypes are reflected in the novel?
4. How does the exchange program change the professors involved?
5. What narrative techniques does Lodge use in this novel? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each technique? What perspective does the reader gain through them?
6. What is the genre of novel?
7. What is the tone of the novel?
8. Comment on the ending of the novel.
Ideas for presentation activities:
PHILLIP SWALLOW / MORRIS ZAPP
Write an application letter for the exchange programme which would introduce you both as a PERSON (your personal characteristic, family life...) and as a SCHOLAR (your academic achievements, area of specialization, your relationship to teaching / students, future goals...) Feel free to use the book for quotations.
***********************
Write a newspaper article based on an interview with Morris Zapp / Phillip Swallow in which you would comment on his expectations regarding his stay in Great Britain, the Rummidge University / USA, The Euphoria University. Compare them with his first impressions and include some remarks on how his views and opinions changed (in case they did) at the end of the programme.
***********************
Look at the different narrative techniques David Lodge had used in the novel. Draw a list of advantages and disadvantages (from the reader's perspective) for each technique.
