literary analysis

ENG125: Introduction to Literature

Proposal for Final Paper Worksheet

Week 1 Prompt & Story Selection Log

Once you have decided on an approved prompt and approved text(s), respond to the questions below.

Please be mindful of the word count and double-space all of your responses. You are to meet the minimum word requirement without going over the maximum number of words requested.

1. What is your chosen prompt for the literary analysis assignment?

(Include the number and first sentence of the prompt you chose from the list of prompts. The

prompt is the main paper topic, not the story itself or the guiding questions.)

I chose to write about prompt #2: “In some stories, characters come into conflict with the culture

in which they live.”

2. What text will you write about? (Full story title & Author name) How does the text connect with

the prompt?

“What You Pawn, I Will Redeem” (Sherman Alexie, 2003) [ch. 4]

Jackson is a middle-aged homeless man living in Seattle. He is a college dropout, with a few

failed marriages and jobs under his belt. He is Native American and prides himself on his ability

to deal with white people. The story clearly relates to the prompt as Jackson describes how he can

be seen as an outcast in the Native American and white communities.

3. Read the story thoroughly and answer the following. Be sure to review key terms like character,

setting, and conflict before you answer:

a. Who is/are the main character(s) in this story? Jackson

b. What is the setting of this story?

Street of Seatle, Washington in the 1990

4. What is the main conflict in the story? (Write 100-150 words describing this conflict)

Jackson seems to in conflict with his own self. The core conflict in "What you Pawn I will

Redeem" is that he is battling with himself since he is aware that the Pawnshop

proprietor have his family's formal attire and he can involve the police to get it, however

he wouldn't like to deal with the cops dependent on society's prejudges dependent on

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1. communities. Mentioning both cultures is important. Good insight catching that. [Patricia Lake]

2. 1990 Always use complete sentences when answering these questions. [Patricia Lake]

3. have has [Patricia Lake]

4. dependent on society's prejudges dependent Consider your use of the word "dependent". It doesn't work here. Consider an alternative wording, such as "due to society's and law enforcement's prejudices against Native Americans." [Patricia Lake]

his race. Jackson is seen to be both a flat as well as a round character. There is the

knowledge that what Jackson desires is to own back the regalia which he believes that

belonged to his grandmother. His firm will of repurchasing it is seen throughout the story,

but at the same time, he is seen not to have no self -control in spending the same

money he is saving. He says we need to figure out how to raise the money in a day”

(Alexie, 171). This is an internal conflict for Jackson because he wants to please the

friends and at the same time, have an association with his ancestors. These happenings

make the reader try to interpret the story through the indication that a person may not be

able to please friends and at the same time attain his goal. Having no money but at the

same time living a luxurious life makes Jackson seem a complex character.

5. Write a working thesis for your literary analysis essay below.

Jackson environment affects his conflict in the story, this literary analysis will show how

the author use the story of identity loss, internal conflict how the environment influenced

his decisions throughout the story.

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1. that omit [Patricia Lake]

2. no any [Patricia Lake]

3. character. Addressing Jackson's character is challenging. I understand your point that he doesn't seem to change, and yet there is depth to him. He seems to crave a relationship with his heritage and almost has a rebirth at the end. He is really a round rather than a flat character. However, his failure to resist drinking and spending his money may represent a type of behavior or a theme in the story. Think about that. [Patricia Lake]

4. story. The ideas in this sentence can be formatted into a sound thesis statement. Consider what point the author seems to be making in his use of the things you noted here. I encourage you to review the sample essay, paying special attention to the thesis statement at the end of the introductory paragraph. [Patricia Lake]