Symbolism, Setting, and Objects from On Becoming a Novelist

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Binghamton (State University of New York) - This school offers a good program in fiction writing. John Gardner teaches there because of its fine reputation.

California State University, Chico - This school is one of John Gardner's earliest academic posts as a professor of English. His student, the noted author Raymond Carver, describes Gardner as a generous mentor there.

Independent Literary Agents Association (ILAA) - This is a New York-based organization providing information on reliable agents for writers.

Iowa Writers' Workshop - John Gardner considers this institution the best young writer's hothouse. He...
(read more)