English Assignment

Assignment

Write an analytic response to a SHORT STORY from the textbook.

An analysis of a piece of literature focuses on the deeper meaning of it. Some people call this “reading between the lines.” Analysis includes identifying the tone, setting, purpose, figurative language, symbolism and theme of a piece of writing to grasp the underlying meaning. (These six literary terms are explained below.)

HOW TO WRITE YOUR 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY

· PARAGRAPH 1:To begin, you should have an  introductory paragraph that states the STORY's title, the author and provides a brief background on it. The last sentence in your first paragraph is your thesis statement and should tell your audience what the remainder of your essay is going to include. For example: This essay will examine (story’s title) by (author’s name) and how the author has used literary elements in creating this _______ story. (fill in blank with an adjective)

· PARAGRAPHS 2,3,4:The body of your paper should be 3 paragraphs that focus on all or some of the six literary elements listed above. As you craft your body paragraphs, be sure to use direct quotes from the text to explain your examples.

· PARAGRAPH 5:Your last paragraph should conclude by wrapping up your entire piece and restate what your essay is about. Finally, tell your reader what we should know after reading your analysis.

EXPLANATION OF LITERARY TERMS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT

1. Tone - The tone of a literary work is the writer’s attitude toward his or her audience and subject. The tone can often be described by a single adjective, such as formal or informal, serious or playful, bitter or ironic.

2. Setting – The setting is where and when the story takes place

3. Purpose – What was the author hoping to accomplish or communicate in writing this story?

4. Figurative language- Figurative language is writing or speech not meant to be interpreted literally. It is often used to create vivid impressions by setting up comparisons between dissimilar things. Common figures of speech are metaphors, similes, and personification.

5. Symbolism - A symbol is a character, place, thing or event that stands for something else, often an abstract idea.

6. Theme - A theme is a general message or insight into life revealed through a literary work. It is basically what the writing suggests about people or life.

Make sure your thoughts are your own by using the information on  Avoiding Plagiarism  

Here is the short story below read it or scan it for assignment

Humanity’s Beginnings The Greeks have several stories about how man came to be. One declares that he was created in the age of Kronos,1 or Saturn, who ruled before Zeus [zØs]. At that time, the legend says, there was no sorrow, toil, sickness, or age. Men lived their lives in plenty and died as though they went to sleep. They tilled2 no ground, built no cities, killed no living thing, and among them war was unknown. The earth brought forth strawberries, cherries, and ears of wheat for them. Even on the bramble bushes grew berries good to eat. Milk and sweet nectar flowed in rivers for men to drink, and honey dripped from hollow trees. Men lived in caves and thickets, needing little shelter, for the season was always spring. Another legend declares that Zeus conceived of animals first and he entrusted their creation to Prometheus [prò mè« thè ßs] and Epimetheus [ep ß mè« •è ßs], his brother.

First, Epimetheus undertook to order all things, but he was a heedless person and soon got into trouble. Finally he was forced to appeal to Prometheus. “What have you done?” asked Prometheus. “Down on the earth,” answered his brother, “there is a green, grassy clearing, ringed by tall oak trees and shaded by steep slopes from all but the midday sun. There I sat and the animals came to me, while I gave to each the gifts which should be his from this time forward. Air I gave to the birds, seas to the fishes, land to four- footed creatures and the creeping insects, and to some, like the moles, I gave burrows beneath the earth.” “That was well done,” answered Prometheus. “What else did you do?” “Strength,” said Epimetheus, “I gave to lions and tigers, and the fierce animals of the woods.

Size I gave to others like the great whales of the sea. The deer I made swift and timid, and the insects I made tiny that they might escape from sight. I gave warm fur to the great bears and the little squirrels, keen eyes and sharp talons3 to the birds of prey, tusks to the elephant, hide to the wild boar, sweet songs and bright feathers to the birds. To each I gave some special excellence, that whether large or small, kind or terrible, each might live in his own place, find food, escape enemies, and enjoy the wide world which is his to inhabit.” “All this is very good,” said his brother, Prometheus. “You have done well. Wherein lies your trouble?”

“Because I did not think it out beforehand,” said the heedless brother sadly, “I did not count how many animals there were to be before I started giving. Now when I have given all, there comes one last animal for whom I have neither skill nor shape, nor any place to dwell in. Everything has been given already.” “What is this animal,” said Prometheus, “who has been forgotten?” “His name,” said Epimetheus, “is Man.” Thus it was that the future of man was left to Prometheus, who was forced to make man different from all other creatures. Therefore he gave him the shape of the gods themselves and the privilege of walking upright as they do. He gave him no special home, but made him ruler over the whole earth, and over the sea and air. Finally, he gave him no special strength or swiftness, but stole a spark from heaven and lighted a heavenly fire within his mind which should teach him to understand, to count, to speak, to remember.

Man learned from it how to build cities, tame animals, raise crops, build boats, and do all the things that animals cannot. Prometheus also kindled fire on earth that man might smelt4 metals and make tools. In fact, from this heavenly fire of Prometheus all man’s greatness comes. Before this time fire was a divine thing and belonged only to the gods. It was one of their greatest treasures, and Zeus would never have given Prometheus permission to use it in the creation of man. Therefore when Prometheus stole it, Zeus was furious indeed. He chained Prometheus to a great, lofty rock, where the sun scorched him by day and the cruel frost tortured him by night. Not content with that, he sent an eagle to tear him, so that, though he could not die, he lived in agony. For many centuries Prometheus hung in torment, but he was wiser than Zeus, and by reason of a secret he had, he forced Zeus in later ages to set him free. By then, also, Zeus had learned that there is more in ruling than power and cruelty. Thus, the two at last were friends. 􏰄