TOPICS FOR ESSAY #2: Choose one of the five topics to develop into a thoughtfully essay, supported by specifics from the respective story (stories):
Character Foils:
In literature, a character foil is a character who serves as a contrast to another, perhaps more primary character, so as to point out specific traits of the primary character. Because the two characters display contrasting qualities, the reader is better able to see the unique features of each one. In some movies and stories, character foils are clearly defined as the antagonist and the protagonist pitted against each other in conflict. In some stories, the character foils share a similar background or goal, but are strikingly different in their perspective or attitude.
1. In what way are Maggie and Dee character foils in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”? What background do the sisters share? How has that background separated them rather than brought them closer? In what way do their differences toward their mother, their heritage, and the quilts distinguish each sister?
2. In what way does Edgar Allan Poe use character foils in his horrific “The Cask of Amontillado”? What interests do Montresor and Fortunato share? How do they differ in their actions on the night of carnival as they descend into the catacombs? How does the action of each man lead to the inevitable live burial of Fortunato?
3. In the southern gothic tale of “A Rose for Emily,” how does William Faulkner contrast Tobe with the townspeople of Jefferson in regard to the involvement each has with Miss Emily Grierson? Which is more direct? Which seems more self-serving? How does the contrast between Tobe and the townspeople peak immediately after Miss Emily’s burial? What does this reveal about both Tobe and the citizenry of Jefferson?
Setting:
4. Setting refers not only to the time and place a story takes place in a general sense, but also in a specific sense. The characters in a story are placed in a specific location and situation. While some stories could take place almost anywhere, in other stories setting becomes critically important to the characters and to the events that take place in the story. Indeed, in some stories, if the setting is changed, the events in the characters' lives might not be possible. Discuss the importance of setting in "The House on Mango Street," "Everyday Use," and "The Cask of Amontillado," explaining how the setting itself is critically important to the characters and the events that play out in the course of the story.
Foreshadowing:
5. Authors often provide readers with clues or hints early on in a story so that they can anticipate the ending. In William Faulkner's story "A Rose for Emily" the reader is not aware of the careful foreshadowing of events until he or she has finished the story. It is only upon a second reading that the one becomes aware of the subtle clues that hint at Miss Emily's insanity and Homer Barron's death. Identify these clues that Faulkner has placed in his story and explain how each one contributes to the revelation at the end of the story.
Setting:
4. Setting refers not only to the time and place a story takes place in a general sense, but also in a specific sense. The characters in a story are placed in a specific location and situation. While some stories could take place almost anywhere, in other stories setting becomes critically important to the characters and to the events that take place in the story. Indeed, in some stories, if the setting is changed, the events in the characters' lives might not be possible. Discuss the importance of setting in "The House on Mango Street," "Everyday Use," and "The Cask of Amontillado," explaining how the setting itself is critically important to the characters and the events that play out in the course of the story.
Foreshadowing:
5. Authors often provide readers with clues or hints early on in a story so that they can anticipate the ending. In William Faulkner's story "A Rose for Emily" the reader is not aware of the careful foreshadowing of events until he or she has finished the story. It is only upon a second reading that the one becomes aware of the subtle clues that hint at Miss Emily's insanity and Homer Barron's death. Identify these clues that Faulkner has placed in his story and explain how each one contributes to the revelation at the end of the story.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
No comments:
Post a Comment