Sample Topics for Essay #1 1. In an essay explain the light OR darkness/cloud imagery in "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." Distinguish types of “light” or levels of darkness that are used and discuss what role these play and the significance these descriptions offer toward helping readers interpret the story. 1. For example, explain Tobe’s motivation for staying all those years in “A Rose for Emily,” and what that says about society at the time; OR the true significance of the mother’s last line in “Town & Country Lovers”; OR O’Connor’s portrayal of the Misfit in “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” Are there things that any of the stories suggest to you that we did not discuss in class? Develop one for an essay. 1. Take a really close look at the lists of “things” that “they carried” in the story of that name, especially in 2 or 3 characters we DID NOT talk about in class. Does O’Brien do a good job of getting across the emotional issues and symbolic baggage of these characters? 1. What does “The Red Convertible” reveal about Native American life on the reservation. Comment on things such as Henry & Lyman’s mother or sister: what is their role, or the role of women among and in the Native American community. In other words look closely at the narrative to see what Erdrich reveals about being in their situation. 1. Examine the theme of passion, along with uses of symbolism and the treatment of gender in Kate Chopin’s story, "The Storm" (available online). Does what happens here resemble some of what occurs in “Town & Country Lovers?” If so, how? If not, does it describe “love” or is something else at work here? Provide sufficient explanation for your point of view. 1. Examine the use of SYMBOLISM (i.e, water, landscape, specific setting, a use of color, OR another element) in detail in one story that we read, or compare/contrast the use of the same symbol between two stories that we’ve discussed. 1. Select an aspect of a story that we did not cover in depth during class discussion to explain or interpret your ideas about what the author/story may be saying about their culture or society. What does looking at that component add to your understanding of the story? The message? 1. The story “Assembly Line” by B. Traven, is on the course Moodle site. It deals with the clash of cultures when a NY businessman meets a native Indian in southern Mexico. Although written many years ago, are there parallels with the characters in this story and the corporate world of “profit” and “bottom line” today? 1. Offer an analysis of a character’s motivation, especially if it really doesn’t seem clear or easy to interpret, OR contrast your views with those that may have been expressed in class about a character that we discussed. BE SURE TO SUPPORT & EXPLAIN YOUR IDEAS/VIEWS. ***These are “suggested” topics. You can come up w/one of your own or re-work some ideas that these samples offer. Essays should be typed or word-processed, approx. 3-4 pag.

1. Sample Topics for Essay #1
1. In an essay explain the light OR darkness/cloud imagery in
"The Jilting of Granny Weatherall." Distinguish types of “light”
or levels of darkness that are used and discuss what role these
play and the significance these descriptions offer toward
helping readers interpret the story.
1. For example, explain Tobe’s motivation for staying all those
years in “A Rose for Emily,” and what that says about society
at the time; OR the true significance of the mother’s last line in
“Town & Country Lovers”; OR O’Connor’s portrayal of the
Misfit in “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” Are there things that
any of the stories suggest to you that we did not discuss in
class? Develop one for an essay.
1. Take a really close look at the lists of “things” that “they
carried” in the story of that name, especially in 2 or 3
characters we DID NOT talk about in class. Does O’Brien do a
good job of getting across the emotional issues and symbolic
baggage of these characters?
1. What does “The Red Convertible” reveal about Native
American life on the reservation. Comment on things such as
Henry & Lyman’s mother or sister: what is their role, or the role
of women among and in the Native American community. In
other words look closely at the narrative to see what Erdrich
reveals about being in their situation.
1. Examine the theme of passion, along with uses of symbolism
and the treatment of gender in Kate Chopin’s story, "The
Storm" (available online). Does what happens here resemble
some of what occurs in “Town & Country Lovers?” If so, how?

2. If not, does it describe “love” or is something else at work here?
Provide sufficient explanation for your point of view.
1. Examine the use of SYMBOLISM (i.e, water, landscape,
specific setting, a use of color, OR another element) in detail in
one story that we read, or compare/contrast the use of the same
symbol between two stories that we’ve discussed.
1. Select an aspect of a story that we did not cover in depth
during class discussion to explain or interpret your ideas about
what the author/story may be saying about their culture or
society. What does looking at that component add to your
understanding of the story? The message?
1. The story “Assembly Line” by B. Traven, is on the course
Moodle site. It deals with the clash of cultures when a NY
businessman meets a native Indian in southern Mexico.
Although written many years ago, are there parallels with the
characters in this story and the corporate world of “profit” and
“bottom line” today?
1. Offer an analysis of a character’s motivation, especially if it
really doesn’t seem clear or easy to interpret, OR contrast your
views with those that may have been expressed in class about a
character that we discussed. BE SURE TO SUPPORT &
EXPLAIN YOUR IDEAS/VIEWS.
***These are “suggested” topics. You can come up w/one of
your own or re-work some ideas that these samples offer.
Essays should be typed or word-processed, approx. 3-4 pages in
length and are due IN CLASS on the date listed in the syllabus.
PLEASE RETURN THE TOPIC SHEET ON OR BEFORE
2/13//18. [DUE DATE: 3/1/18]

3. CORE 161: Literature & Society
NAME:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC:
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CORE 161: Literature & Society
NAME:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC: