English

Choose one of the following:

1. One of the distinguishing characteristics of good novels is the ability of the writer to tell a good story while at the same time transcending time and place - thereby universalizing his/her story. We see this to a degree in Shoeless Joe. It under girds just about everything in The Natural. In short, Malamud's novel is about baseball to be sure; but it''s also much, much more. Discuss what the novel is all about and how Malamud universalizes his narrative. In framing your essay, you'll also want to revisit Shoeless Joe. 

2. Historically, there have been three "under-classes" in professional baseball: African Americans, Latinos, and minor league players. All have struggled to attain equality in the game, even though their various situations have differed dramatically. Discuss each and then decide which of the three groups has suffered the longest and the worst.