Compare/Contrast Diagnostic

Description

End of First Week PAPER: COMPARE/CONTRAST Diagnostic​​​Due Sunday 7/19 You have now read “Girl” (short-short story orig. pub. 1978) by Jamaica Kincaid, “The School” (short-short story orig. pub. 1974) by Donald Barthelme, “Advice to my Son” (poem orig. pub. 1964) by Peter Meinke and “Rocking Horse Winner” (RHW) short story orig. pub. 1926) by D.H. Lawrence. ASSIGNMENT: Write a Paper that compares 20th century literary attitudes towards children to the 21st century literary attitude towards children. Use RHW plus one other 20th century work to compare to “Cold Little Bird” the 21st century short story by Ben Marcus. Note: you are writing about the similarities and the differences since both approaches lead to a successful examination of the works in question. Your Paper will include: (1) a total of three works of literature: (a) RHW, (b) Cold Little Bird, (c) either “Girl,” “Advice to My Son” or “The School.” (2) your determination of how the narrators of the three works FEEL about the child or children in question – regardless of whether it is an omniscient or first person narrator; (3) a focus on a THEME (see Theme choices below) that you can apply to the three works you are writing about; (4) a comparison/contrast of the three different ways your theme is played out in the three different works (see Theme choices below); (5) a final comment of which of the five pieces resonated the most with you and why. The Title of your Paper will be: “The Child and [Your Theme]: 20/21st Century Literary Attitudes.” Some Questions to consider about “Cold Little Bird”: could this be the modern-day story that upends the argument that all children are innocent and inherently lovable? Or is this a horror story that applies to the dynamics of the 21st century parent/child relationship compared to the 20th century approach to the subject employed by authors of the four previous works (i.e., children should be seen and not heard except in the classroom); or is it a specific environment story as opposed to a general environment one? In other words is “Cold Little Bird” a far-fetched story of modern-day child control vs. parent control — one that is credible for our times? Or could it arguably be a statement on the dark side of the intellectual child? Or maybe even a comment on the reality of the consequences of a child’s access to the internet — a world outside of parenting? Or something else of your own choosing? Your interpretation combined with an examination of the author’s own comments on his “Cold Little Bird” story via the link provided should help you to decipher this story for comparison/contrast to the 20th century RHW+1. On the question of length of Paper – My traditional response has been: whatever length it takes to say what you have to say but since students balk at that simplified requirement I’ll say three pages minimum not counting citation page but keep in mind that I am the instructor who reads papers for content not amount of pages. Also remember that extensive detailed summary is no substitute for critical analytical thinking. (See the “Writing Assistance” folder in “Course Material” on summarizing.) Submit your diagnostic paper in the ‘SUBMIT PAPER HERE” portal any day or time before midnight Sunday 7/19 but no later than 6am Mon 7/20. Read the MLA rules for the first page of your Paper outlined in “Course Materials” if you need them. Note that “diagnostic paper” means that FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT only problematic writing will not affect the grade as I am only considering content. However, you will have to incorporate my comments, edits, revisions, etc., into the writing of future assignments if writing problems are evident. POST ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ASSIGNMENT to the Professor’s Office Hours DB. YouTube video on theme in literature:​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qME64SkxM THEMES Theme = the theme of a literary work is its underlying central idea or the generalization it communicates about life. It is the underlying meaning of the story, a universal truth, a significant statement the story makes about society, human nature, or the human condition. Note that life, society or human nature, are the generalized themes of all literature. Theme = the meaning of life? The theme also expresses the author’s opinion or raises a question about human nature or the meaning of human experience. Note #1:​At times the author’s theme may not confirm or agree with your own beliefs. Even then, if skillfully written, the work will still have a theme that illuminates some aspects of true human experience. Note #2:​The author’s task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. Although the particulars of your experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be just the connection that both you and the writer are seeking. Note #3:​An understanding of theme is dependent upon one’s previous experience of life and literature. At the same time, theme in literature can enlarge one’s understanding of life. Note #4:​Be aware that the theme never completely explains the story. It is simply one of the elements that make up the whole. Some short stories have secondary themes as well. Common Themes in Literature: “The author’s message to the reader is that” [complete this sentence using some words from below to construct a complete sentence and that is your theme] Parent’s role The Meaning of Freedom The Meaning of Life or Death Individual versus society Religion and Faith Liberty and Authority Community and Responsibility Challenge and Success Innocence and Experience Guilt (presence/absence) Family (blessing or curse) Love/Hate emotions Journey of Childhood Change versus tradition Chaos and order Coming of age Disillusionment and dreams Greed as downfall Identity crisis Isolation and Alienation Knowledge versus ignorance Loneliness as destructive force Loss of innocence Power of silence Role of men Role of women