short story
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shortstoryassignment.rtfENG102 Short Story Assignment
Quote from the text and carefully explain quotes. Provide page numbers in your parenthetical citations. Provide and introductory paragraph, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Set up topic and purpose at the tops of your body paragraphs. End paragraphs by getting back to the topic and providing a point supportive of your thesis.
Quote and explain. See my “Elements of the Essay” document in the Content section.
ONLY RESPOND TO ONE QUESTION/PROMPT
“A Rose for Emily” William Faulkner
Emily is a murderess. By focusing on Emily’s encounters, r eveal the positive qualities she has that the narrator admires.
Writing Tip: In your introduction clarify what Emily is reveled to be by the story’s end. However, our narrator seems to admire her. In your body paragraphs, examine specific scenes to reveal her positive qualities. For instance, what specific positive qualities are revealed in her encounter with the druggist, the deputation that comes to collect taxes
OR
Who is the narrator? Who can be eliminated as the narrator? To what degree can we determine who the narrator is?
Writing Tip: The first body paragraph should eliminate possible candidates as the narrator. Those people who are mentioned in the story who might be the narrator can often be eliminated because the narrator refers to them as he or by the person’s name rather than saying “I did such and such,” In the following paragraphs nail down specific things we can say about the narrator. Is the narrator male or female? Is the narrator a newcomer to the town? What position in the town would the narrator hold that would allow him/her to record the direct conversations of the judge? S/He marks time by referring to when the contracts went out for the sidewalks, not when the sidewalks were put in. What type of person would know when the contracts went out? AT the stories end, the narrator says that “we” stood outside the door where Homer lies dead. Who would the people be who would come to open a door where the narrator says they already knew what was behind it?
“My Life with the Wave” Octavio Paz
Clearly, a man cannot have a relationship with a wave. What is the narrator’s relationship with the wave analogous to?
“Cathedral” Raymond Carver
Robert is physically blind. Explain the ways in which the narrator is “blind.”
Writing Tip: We often use the term blind when referring to a nonphysical condition as in “He was blinded by rage.” Carver’s narrator is blind in several ways. In each body paragraph define a specific way that he is “blind.”
OR
Does the narrator change? If so, to what degree?
Writing Tip: to explain whether or not the narrator changes, you must first define how he appears to the reader before Robert’s arrival. That should take several paragraphs to define certain qualities he exhibits. Then plain if those qualities change after Robert’s arrival. For instance, he says his ideas about the blind come from movies (a guy with dark glasses and a cane or a seeing eye dog). Does his stereotypical view of blind people change? What other attitudes or beliefs does he hold? Do they change?
“ A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” Gabriel Garcia Marquez
In your introduction, suggests whether or not the old man is an angel or a man. In your body paragraphs, focus on the reaction he gets from Pelayo, Elisinda, Father Gonzaga, and the people in the town. Based on the reactions, explain what the message of the story is. When the spiritual (angel) or those who are different (man) enter our lives, what do our reactions reveal about humankind?
“Eveline” James Joyce
Explain why Eveline has every reason to go. Explain why it is impossible for her to leave. What does she associate leaving with?
Writing Tip: Eveline doesn’t decide not to go; she can’t go. She fears leaving like she fears death. In the first few paragraphs explain why she has many good reasons to go. In the following paragraphs, focus on the elements that reveal her associations with leaving. On the first page of the story, she gives us a list of people. That list is made up of people who have left and people who are dead. The priest who went away lacks a name. If you don’t have a name, what don’t you have? At first she says Frank will save her from a life that is going to lead to her dying like her mother. Then, she says Frank will drown her. Frank has no intention of harming her. How will he “Drown” her? What do all the images of death at the boat suggest?
