CCi Custom Edition (2008). Introduction to American Literature. Boston: Pearson Publishing.
American Literature Study Guide.
Hawthorne’s story, “Young Goodman Brown.” “The Cask of Amontillado” by Poe and “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras” by Twain, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes, Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street.
Include at least two of the works from the entire term.
Which works have had the greatest impact upon you?
Which of the readings did you relate to personally because of your own life experiences?
If there was a character with whom you identified, which one was it?
Why do you think you felt a connection with that character?
Please format the essay correctly by doing the following:
Reflective Essay:
Amongst all of this term’s readings, Hawthorne’s story, “Young Goodman Brown” and Sandra Cisneros’s novel, “The House on Mango Street” (CCi Custom Edition, 2008) have had the greatest impact upon me. Sandra’s novel clearly brings out the issue of gender roles in society, and the fact that girls and women must really struggle in order to become independent beings. Hawthorne’s story, on the other hand, clearly brings out the theme of good versus evil. Hawthorne portrays a human being as having the potential to either be good or evil. Accordingly, it is very easy for anybody to lose their goodness to evil.
Personally, I easily related with Hawthorne and Cisneros’s readings. Cisneros depicts a sense of optimism, particularly for vulnerable women in society. She displays a determination to dream of a better life, to persevere, and to achieve personal goals. She sends out a message that no matter the difficulties we go through, it is possible to achieve whatever we want as long as we believe and work hard. Hawthorne also shows that human beings are naturally capable of good and evil. Hawthorne reminds me of several situations in life where my conscience deems evil but my adventurous nature just lures me into the situations.
Esperanza Cordero is the character that I admired. She is a very determined girl, yet charmingly awkward. Just like her, at times I feel ashamed about some parts of my identity. In my life, I have encountered various experiences of violence against women, which have changed my perceptions towards marriage.
Reference:
CCi Custom Edition (2008). Introduction to American Literature. Boston: Pearson Publishing.