Homework
For the homework, select one of the prompts below and write a comparison essay (minimum of 1000 words) which not only notes similarities and differences but also achieves synthesis. When finished, the essay should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the READ and ATTEND sections.
1) Select at least two stories from chapter 4 that comment on the nature of love. What type(s) of love are portrayed? What elements nurture and what elements damage "love"? In what ways is the definition of love questioned or tested? What can we learn about love from the texts? Do you agree or disagree?
2) Re-read the four "poems about blackberries" on pp. 354-358 in chapter 9. Using at least two of these poems, compare how the poets use blackberries to symbolize some larger issue or concept (e.g., disappointment or loss). What issues do they address and how are blackberries an appropriate symbol? What characteristics of blackberries do the poets emphasize? How does the poet suggest the symbolic meaning (e.g., figurative language, imagery)? How do the endings of the poems convey the poem's theme?
3) Re-read the two "poems about America" on pp. 359-360 in chapter 9. How do the two poets characterize America? What does it mean to be American? How do the poets convey these ideas? In what ways do the poems express similar ideas? In what ways do they express different ideas? How are these similarities and/or differences significant?
4) Re-read the "stories about grandmothers" on pp. 364-373 in chapter 9. Although these two stories are very different, each contains an elderly woman as its main character. Write an essay that compares these two characters, the stories they tell, and the effect that their stories have on the reader. What is the story that each grandmother tells, either aloud or in her head? How does each story explore big questions such as love and death? What is left unresolved in each story? How-and why-do you, the reader, have to guess at the meaning of each story?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.