ENG
247: Appalachian
Literature
Short
Writing Assignments
Short Writing
1
Due: September 3 (W)
Spend
some time on the Internet looking for images of Appalachia. (You might
search some of the stereotypes we have briefly discussed in class.)
When you find one that you find particularly interesting, useful,
horrifying, curious, puzzling, or compelling, print it out. (If you do
not have access to a printer, you can email it to me as a jpeg, and I
can print it for you and bring it to class.) Then, write a one-page
analysis of the image. Before you begin, consider these questions: What
does the image show to the
viewer and what does it mean
to the viewer? How does the image contradict or reinforce a stereotype?
Where did the image come from--what was its purpose or function in its
original context?
Short Writing 2
Due: September 8
(M)
In Anne Shelby's essay, she focuses on a number of issues that we have
introduced in the course, including stereotypes, political correctness,
and authenticity. What is her essential argument regarding these
issues; that is, what is her thesis? Be sure to use examples from the
text to support your argument about her essay.
Short Writing 3
Due: September 15
(M)
Consider the characters in Life in
the Iron Mills. Which of the characters are disabled or
physically at a disadvantage for life in the iron mill? What do these
characters' bodies represent in the story? What is Davis seeking to
convey to readers through her portrayal of these characters?
Short Writing 4
Due: September 17
(W)
After reading the assigned excerpts, look back at your notes on local
color and regionalist writing. How do these two readings work as
regional texts? That is, how do they fit into the framework for
regionalism/local color as we discussed in class?
Short Writing 5
Due: September 22
(M)
In
what ways do we see the continuation of some elements of “local color”
or
regionalist writing in Hall's Aunt
Jane of Kentucky and Miles's
The Spirit of the Mountains?
Short
Writing 6
Due: September 24
(W)
Identify the point of view in the excerpt of The Quare Women by Lucy
Furman. Because of this particular point of view, the narrator
does not provide judgment on the characters and events in the story.
How do we know what judgments to make ourselves without this insight
from the narrator's point of view? How does Furman use other characters to
portray the "quare women" and their activities?Which characters should we believe?
Short
Writing 7
Due: October 1
(W)
What is the conflict that is set up in these early chapters?
That is, what two oppositions does Still illustrate repeatedly? Which
characters respresent which side? Which plot events illustrate this
conflict? What symbols does Still use to demonstrate the conflict?
(Remember not to write your paper as a series of answers to these
questions but a coherent, one-page analysis of the way Still shows the
conflict to the reader in various ways.)
Short
Writing 8
Due: October 8
(W)
How is River
of Earth, by James Still,
Appalachian as we are beginning to understand that tradition?
Short
Writing 9
Due: October 22 (W)
Write
a one-page analysis of the role of Gertie's faith in terms of plot,
theme, and characterization in The
Dollmaker. Consider these questions: What
role does religion play in Gertie’s life? Does her faith sustain her in
Detroit?
Is it
transformed by her migration to the city?
Short
Writing 10
Due: 27 October
2008 (M)
Saving Grace is a novel about faith and doubt. What does Grace
believe in? What is she doubtful about? Who are the models of
faithfulness and faithlessness that she has?
Short
Writing 11
Due: 3 November
2008 (M)
Why
does Kingsolver begin the novel with a story about Taylor's fear of
tires? What do we learn from this anecdote about, for example, the
setting of the novel or about Taylor as a character?
Short
Writing 12
Due: 17 November
2008 (M)
Compare
and contrast the setting of the film Songcatcher with another
early-twentieth-century narrative that we read this semester. How
does setting allow storytellers (either authors or filmmakers) to
communicate an important theme in their works?
Short
Writing 13
Due: 8 December
2008
What does the quilt
in the title of Clay's Quilt symbolize in the novel? How does House
develop that symbol throughout the novel? (Give at least three examples
from the text to support your answer.)
Short
Writing 13
Due: 10 December
2008
Answer one of the sample essay
questions from your Final Exam Study Guide.