Assignment
Short answer essays: Answer four of these questions in two to three paragraphs each.
1. Define situational irony and then describe how the plot of "The Story of an Hour," the schemes of Mrs. Slade in "Roman Fever," and Jackson Jackson's quest in "What You Pawn I will Redeem" reflect situational irony.
2. [Needs the handout "The Kidney Shaped Stone that Moves Evetydayi Lieutenant Cross in The Things They Carried," the narrator from "The Yellow Wallpaper," and Junpei from "The Kidney Shaped Stone that Moves Everyday" all experience something or someone holding them back. Are these three characters successful in moving forward and how do they do it? Based on the outcomes of these three stories, what can we learn about the human condition in general?
3. In class we discussed the drive-in restaurant Connie hangs out at in "Where are you Going, Where have you Been?" as being a type of Church for Connie. Punishment for a sinful nature could be a theme in this story because there are numerous details in the story that also point to Arnold Friend being Satan. What are at least three of these devilish details?
4. "Everyday Use," "At Home," and "Where are you Going Where Have You Been" involve the relationship between parents and children. How do you describe Dee's relationship with her mom and Maggie, Seryozha's relationship with his dad, and Connie's relationship with her mom and June? Which relationship seems the most positive?
5. Three stories we read this quarter involve characters who are still being shaped by actions that happened to them in the past. How does thepast continue to influence Uncle Ben in "Uncle Ben's Choice," the women in "Roman Fever," and Jackson Jackson in "What You Pawn I will Redeem?"