Spring
2014, 101 in-class paper, based on “The Lottery,” “A&P,” and “The Cask of
Amontillado.”
Choose just ONE
of the nine topics listed below.
Construct a properly-developed, multi-paragraph (introduction, body, and
conclusion), grammatically-correct, and well-supported paper that is 300-450
words in length from the start of
your response, not starting from the upper-left-hand-corner “name”
endorsement. The paper will be typed on
the computer in 12-point, Times New Roman, double-spaced font, and it will have
one inch margins at the top, left, and the bottom. If you have a laptop or notebook, bring that
with in case there is a problem with any of the computers in FA104, and you are
stuck without a workstation.
This is essentially an opinion-based paper, but your
support will come in the form of references to the stories (direct quotes
aren’t required), anecdotes (mini-narratives), and/or hypothetical or concrete
examples from the world at large. Use
the present tense in your response.
You may construct an outline or idea sheet to
prepare for the writing of the paper, and you may bring that preparation, your
book, your copies of the stories, and your notes, but you may not bring in a previously written
draft. Anyone using a previously written
draft will receive a failing grade on the in-class paper.
Make sure that you have your flash
drive, so the paper can be saved and then the flash drive can be turned in at
the end of the class session.
Topics
related directly to one story:
Ø In “The Lottery,” the townspeople carry out a horrifying
ritual. In our “real world,” discuss the
types of rituals that are still around but serve no real or good or worthwhile purpose. You may, on the other hand, choose to write about
rituals that have a meaningful purpose.
Ø “The
Lottery” centers on a “normal” town and its people but leads up to someone
being stoned to death: Why do we do
these things? What does this say about
us as a people that we engage in activities similar to, if of course not as
deadly as, this? What does this say
about society, rituals, and what’s right or what’s wrong with those rituals?
v A theme of “A&P” is that young
people often do not wisely choose their battles when they are fighting against
“policy,” or against any “oppressive” system out there, such as Sammy does by giving up his job in defense of the three
girls. When is it “right” to and against
what policy(ies) or system(s) in the world should one fight these battles?
v “A&P”
centers on the rebellious actions of a nineteen-year-old young man. Is it necessary for the young to try to
change things? What comes out of such
actions? What do they gain or lose as
individuals?
o
“The Cask of Amontillado” deals with the
dark side of man’s conscience. What is
it in man’s makeup that drives him to hurt or harm his fellow man? Do we feel good when we do bad things that
satisfy our bloodlust? HOW do we feel
when we get revenge? What does this say
about basic human nature and our reactions when we feel we’ve been hurt?
o
“The Cask of Amontillado” centers on a
man’s “getting back” at someone, but does the story goes beyond just that? What do the narrator’s actions say about us
as individuals and our moral compasses?
How do we get along with the world around us? What pushes people to the edge?
Topics
that may deal with any or all three of the stories:
The characters in all the stories or
have changed from the beginning of the story to the end of the story. Choose one story and discuss how these
changes affect people. What if people don’t change because of their actions,
what does that say about us as people?
[Here
are some things to consider when you
respond:
àHow can civilized people continue to
bump each other off without knowing why?
àDoes Sammy grow as a man?
àThe narrator has lived with his actions
for fifty years as he tells his story.]
Setting plays an integral role in the
meaning of a story. Choose one story and
discuss how the meaning would change if the time or place were different. After having done that, then take a look at
real people and discuss how they would change if their surroundings
(upbringing, friends and associates, socio-economic place in the world) were
different.
[Here are just some things just to think about when you respond:
For example:
àCould the Lottery happen anywhere?
àWould the narrator in “Amontillado” bump
off Fortunato in a different way, if at all, if
he didn’t do it in the
catacombs?
àWould Sammy’s story be different if he
worked in a place other than a supermarket
near the rich people’s beach?]
All-inclusive
topic:
·
Choosing any one of the stories,
describe what aspect of the story stands out the most: the physical
descriptions, the inner detail of the characters’ minds, the plot, the style,
the characters’ actions? A combination
of these things? Use examples from the
story to support your response.
You
may cross-reference the three stories in any of your answers, if needed.
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