Something that will be of note for us to know: chapter six is the most important chapter in Ong, and the one which will be most important for the next exam. The contents of chapter six in Ong is the shaping of narrative.

He discusses, on pg. 144-145 Freytag's triangle, as contrasted with boxes within boxes. The former, which is a product and crux of the literary tradition, has a precise dramatic unity with a beginning, crisis and denoument. The latter is oral tradition influenced and has layers and layers of story and story details going on. As such, the boxes-within-boxes stories tend to sprawl on and on and seemingly go on forever. But, I've gotta say that I was heartened to hear this in class today, for its something I've felt for quite some time: lengthy novels give us something short stories can't. I know, the reverse goes for short stories as well. But the depths to which Les Miserables and Don Quixote can carry us!

It has been suggested that Sutter has to add the beginnings of The Crying of Lot 49 and Tristram Shandy to his memory theatre.

And, I now think I ought to read David Malouf's An Imaginary Life.