PAPER 1

Those who walk away from Omelas in Le Guin's story (357) might be compared with Susan Hay and her decision to reject the lifestyle provided by her husband in "The Sparkling Bitch." Compare and contrast Susan's behavior with that of those who walk away from Omelas because they are unwilling to prosper from the riches of a morally repellent society.

You do not need to go to outside sources. Use your own thoughts about these short stories.

Requirements

  • 1 1/2 to 2 pages (approximately 400 words of text) + works cited page (the 2 stories)

  • MLA paper format

  • In-text citations per MLA (See Directory to MLA in-text citation models in Rules for Writers #54a --or whatever rhetorical handbook you have.)

  • Works Cited per MLA.  Remember that these poems are in Literaature. The Human Experience, which is an *anthology.  See MLA LIST OF WORKS CITED #10 or MLA section of Rules for Writers.

*an⋅thol⋅o⋅gy 

Points 100

PAPER 2

Analyze 2 or  more of the poems in an essay on the dangers of unbounded passion.  You might consider any of the following poems--or any others that fit your essay focus. 

"Right through the Heart"
"Say You Love Me"
"Sex without Love"
"There Is a Girl Inside"
"Living in Sin"
"Bitch"
"Love Is Not All"

Do not simply paraphrase or summarize the poems you choose.  This assignment requires a discussion of themes.  You certainly may include an analysis of poetic language if this reasonably works in your essay.  Whatever you do, be specific.  Use examples.

Requirements

Points     100

PAPER 3

Analyze the play Trifles, focusing on one or more of the following.  Use examples from the text to support your thesis.

  • Discuss the symbols as they capture the central theme.  

  • Contrast the character development of the men to that of the women.  What accounts for the differences in development?

  • Identify and explain ironic moments in the play.

You may refer to your discussion and other students' discussion on Trifles  in the forum.  Remember that if you borrow another's ideas, you must give credit.  How would you indicate that you are quoting or paraphrasing from a forum?  I'm not sure, but I would try the following in the Directory to MLA Works Cited Models in RW (423): #35.

Requirements

  • At least 2 pages (500 words) of text, excluding works cited page

  • MLA paper format: See link below.

  • In-text citations per MLA for a drama in an anthology: See DOCUMENTING SOURCES #16.

  • Upload this assignment.  If you're confused, see How to Upload Assignments file.

Points     100
 

PAPER 4
Length  6 pages (approx. 1500 words), excluding Works Cited

Subject The Stranger by Albert Camus

Assignment Write an essay discussing topic(s) derived from your reading of The Stranger. Options, which may be combined, are shown below.

Option 1

You might choose to simply analyze the literary elements Camus used in telling his tale. The author of The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature Michael Meyer writes:

The parts or elements of a story work together rather than in isolation to create a particular kind of experience, emotion, or insight for the reader. . . . Understanding the ways in which these elements work together produces a richer and more satisfying reading of a plot that might otherwise be read simply as a children's story. (290-91)

See "The Methods of Fiction" in Literature, The Human Experience (6-10). Also see questions for exploring fiction (10-11).

Option 2

Discuss The Stranger as an absurdist view of society and humans' place in the universe.  In particular, compare Camus' view to that presented by other authors of pieces we have read. The ones that come to my mind are Hemingway's "A Clean Well-Lighted Place" and "Musee des Beaux Arts" by W. H. Auden.  Also, consider the very short poem by Stephen Crane:

"A man said to the universe: 'Sir, I exist!' 'However,' replied the universe. 'The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.'"

In your analysis, you might address the following:

  • Trace Meursault's development--from his opening statement--"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe. I don't know"--to his final lines--"And I felt ready to live it all again too. As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world" (122).
  • Discuss Meursault's style of reporting the events around him. Does it change as the plot unfolds? How does this style mesh with his sense of morality, his view of life--and with Camus' sense of the absurd?
  • Explain the importance of the myth of Sisyphus as an illustration of the absurd. How does your understanding of the myth enlighten your view of Meursault's place in the universe?
  • Discuss the themes centered in an absurdist's view: the irrationality of the universe, the meaninglessness of human life, the importance of the physical world, and the meaning of choice.
  • Explain the irrationality of Meursault's world. Example: Meursault's murder of the Arab is an obvious example of an action taken without cause or reason.
  • Examine "The Myth of Sisyphus" as an example of the absurd. See this week's RESOURCES.

Guidelines

  • Typed or word processed
  • MLA format
  • Printed in 12 pt Courier New or the equivalent
  • Works Cited page containing at least The Stranger and any poems, short stories, or other sources that you referred to in your paper. Any ideas or facts that you picked up in your reading must be given as references--both in your text and in the Works Cited section.
Points    500