writing an Essay

1. Take a really close look at the lists of “things” that “they carried” in the story of that name, especially in 2 or 3 characters we DID NOT talk about in class. Does O’Brien do a good job of getting across the emotional issues and symbolic baggage of these characters?

1. What does “The Red Convertible” reveal about Native American life on the reservation. Comment on things such as Henry & Lyman’s mother or sister: what is their role, or the role of women among and in the Native American community. In other words look closely at the narrative to see what Erdrich reveals about being in their situation.

1. Examine the theme of passion, along with uses of symbolism and the treatment of gender in Kate Chopin’s story, "The Storm" (available online). Does what happens here resemble some of what occurs in “Town & Country Lovers?” If so, how? If not, does it describe “love” or is something else at work here? Provide sufficient explanation for your point of view.

1. Examine the use of SYMBOLISM (i.e, water, landscape, specific setting, a use of color, OR another element) in detail in one story that we read, or compare/contrast the use of the same symbol between two stories that we’ve discussed.

1. Select an aspect of a story that we did not cover in depth during class discussion to explain or interpret your ideas about what the author/story may be saying about their culture or society. What does looking at that component add to your understanding of the story? The message?

1. The story “Assembly Line” by B. Traven, is on the course Moodle site. It deals with the clash of cultures when a NY businessman meets a native Indian in southern Mexico. Although written many years ago, are there parallels with the characters in this story and the corporate world of “profit” and “bottom line” today?

1. Offer an analysis of a character’s motivation, especially if it really doesn’t seem clear or easy to interpret, OR contrast your views with those that may have been expressed in class about a character that we discussed. BE SURE TO SUPPORT & EXPLAIN YOUR IDEAS/VIEWS.

***These are “suggested” topics. You can come up w/one of your own or re-work some ideas that these samples offer. Essays should be typed or word-processed, approx. 3-4 pages in length and are due IN CLASS on the date listed in the syllabus. PLEASE RETURN THE TOPIC SHEET ON OR BEFORE 2/13//18. [DUE DATE: 3/1/18]

CORE 161: Literature & Society

NAME:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC:

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CORE 161: Literature & Society

NAME:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC: