Describes the author's experience teaching John Barth's "Life-Story." Considers "Lost in the Funhouse," from which "Life-Story" is excerpted. Explores student expectations compared to "Life-Story" and presents ways to help students read and write about "Life-Story." Presents various reading and writing activities to encourage students to read differently, both with and against their expectations, and to become reflective about how they read. (SG)