School Notes

Choose three of the following essay prompts. For each prompt, create a two-paragraph response. Each response should demonstrate an understanding of the text, literary analysis, and persuasive writing.

1) Analyze the two characters in “Hills Like White Elephants” (203 – 208). What do you think happens after this story’s ending? (Why do you envision this particular epilogue?)

2) Argue whether or not the characters and events in “A&P” are an example of realism. Should readers look for symbolism in this story? Why / why not? (Stories p.450 – 457)

3) Analyze the character arc of the protagonist in “Cathedral” (Stories p.84 – 98) What, if anything, is the main character’s epiphany?

4) Analyze / evaluate the feelings of the speaker in “Mending Wall” (Poems p.124). In particular, how does he feel about the wall he is building. Do you agree with his sentiments?

5) Describe the personality of “Ulysses” (Poems p.304). How should the reader feel about his departure?

6) Analyze the different types of men that are described in the poem “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” (Poems p.313). What is the speaker trying to accomplish?

7) Compare / contrast the two sisters in “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker (Stories p. 459 – 468).

Analyze the characters and/or themes of “Prince Behran and Princess Al-Datma” (Arabian Nights 266 – 270)

Arabian Nights:
Bonnie – The Tale of the three Apples (271 – 278) (Wed)
Carla – Prince Behran and Princess Al-Datma (266 – 270) (Tue)
Carly – One of the tales from The Fisherman and the Jinnee (A selection between 37 and 73) (Wed)
Patsy – The Ebony Horse (74 – 104) (Tues)

Stories:
Elia: “Hills Like White Elephants” (203 – 208) (Wed)
Mahmud: “Everyday Use” (459 – 469) (Wed)
Wendy: “A Worn Path” (469 – 478) (Tues)
Jaspreet: “The New Dress” (492-500) (Tues)
Kelly: “A&P” (450 – 457) (Wed)
Kenya: “Cathedral” (84 – 98) (Wed)
Danielle Gurrola: “I Stand Here Ironing” (401-410) (Wed)

Poems:
Maria “Mending Wall” (124) & “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed” (223) (Tues)
Tyler: “Dover Beach” (14) & “Ulysses” (304) (Tues)
Manpreet: “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” (313) & “After Death” (271) (Tues)
Casey: “anyone lived in a pretty how town” (79) & “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” (256) (Wed)

Plays:
Danielle (Any soliloquy/monologue from Hamlet)
(Wed)

Here are a couple handy links to help you correctly cite dramatic literature:

Bell Writing Guide to Quoting Plays

Easy Bib (A Bibliography Tool)

Students will analyze one (or more) of the following plays:

• Oedipus the King
• A Doll’s House
• The Importance of Being Earnest
• Trifles
• Death of a Salesman
• A Raisin in the Sun
• Fences

Choose one of the following:

A) Focusing on one or more characters from a play, analyze the ways in which the character(s) changes (or remains static). What motivates the character to change? What can readers learn from the character’s transformation – or from a character’s refusal/failure to change?

B) Compare / contrast two characters from a single play – or compare/contrast two characters from two different plays. In your analysis, consider some of the following: character development (flat vs. well-rounded), motivation, choices, reactions, emotional growth (or lack thereof). It is up to the student to create a focused thesis statement. (Tip: Develop a specific opinion based upon your compare/contrast analysis.)

C) Identify and evaluate the messages / themes of August: Osage County. Argue whether or not readers can any valuable “life lessons” from the play.

D) Analyze the symbols within the play (the objects, actions, people, animals, people) which represent something more than its surface appearance. As you explore what the symbols represent, argue whether or not the symbolism adds to the emotional and/or intellectual experience of the play.