ENG 246: Native American Literature
Paper II
Fall 2007

 
Respond to one of the following prompts in an organized, well-developed and well-supported essay. You should have a discernible thesis, quotations from the texts, and coherent paragraphs. (Should any of these requirements worry you, please come see me in office hours.) Please do not consult any outside sources.

What makes this paper different from the first paper is that I am asking you to demonstrate your ability not only to analyze but also to synthesize texts—that is, deal with more than one text at a time; find connections between and among texts; and create a coherent argument about more than one novel. Making those connections allows you to demonstrate your ability to think critically. A description of well-developed critical thinking (taken from a rubric): Student identifies a pattern among subsidiary, embedded, or implicit aspects of the topic and addresses their relationship to one another; makes original and meaningful connections between topic and larger issues. Because this is a short paper, you will need to craft a tightly focused thesis, and make every single sentence of the paper count in the construction of your argument.

 
1) Many of the texts that we have read this semester are about healing. As you craft an original thesis, consider who or what the authors portray as needing healing. How do they integrate healing into the plot, theme, characters or motifs in the novel(s)? Who or what is capable of healing? Look for patterns, connections, and similarities among the texts.

2) How do contemporary novelists deal with, treat, incorporate, rely on, or otherwise integrate historical events in their works? As you craft an original thesis, think about how authors revise history, include invisible history, create multiple histories, or otherwise address the past.

3) Many of the texts that we have read include maps as symbols, elements of the plot, and a component in the thematic development of the work. What do maps symbolize to the Native authors we have read? Why are they such a powerful symbol? What themes do authors put forth through their use of maps?

Requirements:

Format: Follow paper requirements listed in syllabus. You must use MLA citation style. Students who make mistakes in MLA citation style are NOT at risk for accusations of plagiarism, but I expect a concerted, good-faith effort at using MLA.

Title: You need a title that suggests both your topic and intention in the paper.

Thesis: In general, the best place to put your thesis statement is at the end of the first paragraph.

Length: Your paper needs to be five pages long in order to fulfill assignment requirements.

Due: October 31, 2007, at 4:00 p.m.