Literary Analysis of Short Fiction
Literature is an artifact of culture and humanity. Through literature we grapple with what is known as “the human condition.” However, the human condition(s) can be portrayed in a number of ways and the writer can address different aspects of these condition(s). When we engage with a piece of fiction we are in pursuit of a new truth in regard to human life and expose ourselves to new ideas. Reading fiction not only shows us who the author is and what they think, but fiction shows us who we are when we respond to the ideas of a text. These responses from readers are what evolve into a dialogue.
Assignment: For this assignment, your task is to analyze and make meaning from one of the following assigned pieces of short fiction:[unique_solution]
- “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” by Ursula Le Guin, posted to Blackboard under Paper 1 Readings
- “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury, They Say/I Say A-19 to A-26 (the grey pages)
- “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker, posted to Blackboard under Paper 1 Readings
It is important to develop your own response to the narrative. What engages you? The characters? The themes? The setting? Once you have made your selection, you will perform research and enter the critical dialogue on your chosen short story. What do you notice about the critical dialogue? Do you agree with some critics? Disagree? Is there a gap in the criticism? Do you believe that the critics you have consulted have failed to analyze something important about your chosen narrative?
Requirements:
- Essay Length: 1500-1800 words
- Primary Source: One short story from the course
- Secondary Sources: 2-4 scholarly and peer reviewed sources (Short story does not count as a secondary source).
- MLA Style and Formatting
Research Guide:
Appropriate sources of information for this assignment available for you via Wake Tech Libraries:
- Scholarly books at the library (published by a peer reviewed publication, or university)
- JSTOR Online Database
- ProQuest Arts & Humanities Database
- Bloom’s Literary Reference Online
- Literature Resource Center
- ProQuest Learning: Literature
- Any other databases listed under the Languages & Literatures tab in Resources by Subject in Article & Ebooks
Deadlines
- Prewriting: Introduction with thesis statement and first body paragraph due Friday, February 7th
- Peer Review: Three full pages of rough draft due on Wednesday, February 12th
- Final Draft Deadline: Paper 1 Due on Blackboard by 11:59PM as a Microsoft Word Document on Monday, February 17th