Final Count Down

We're nearing the end, folks. Make sure to attend our one-on-one conferences this Tuesday. It's worth 25 points and I assure you it will be practically painless. Come prepared with a question about your paper or a section for me to read and give feedback.

Remember to bring a self-addressed, stamped envelop with your final paper if you would like it returned over break with your grade.

Don't forget to register for spring classes. Contact me for more information about the classes I'll be teaching or with general questions about the English department's offerings.

Frankenstein post

Frankenstein is part of the Gothic genre (other gothic tales we’ve read: “Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Yellow Wallpaper”)
Author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly:
- daughter of two well renown writers
- mother was an acclaimed feminist writer, but died when Mary was young
- Mary had an unhappy childhood, a cold stepmother and feelings of alienation.
- She tried to commits suicide twice
- Percy Shelly was married when he met Mary
- Urban Legend was that Percy and Mary would meet at Mary's mother's grave to hare
sex
- Mary wrote Frankenstein when she was 19 as part of a dare.
- She had problems with childbirth.
*look for themes of childbirth and parenting throughout Frankenstein.*
For more info read the preface and introduction available in the Norton Critical Edition

Full title is Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus
Prometheus = god who created fire and was punished for wanting to be
a benefactor

Characters
Walton: mediator and recorder: writing letters to sister, Margaret, which chronicle the events.
Victor: creator, father and mother figure, god, Promethean figure

Walton and Victor want control, have childlike curiosity, don't take responsibility for
their actions, and have altruistic motives.

The monster: ugly, un-nurtured, abandon, alienated, distorted/deformed, eloquent, gentle, murderer, lonely

Both Walton and the monster are lonely and want companionship.

Think about:
What is a monster?
How is a monster made?
The relationship of the monster to society
The use of dead women
Connections between Native Son and Frankenstein

Final Essay Assignment

For this paper, you will be comparing Native Son to Frankenstein. Remember all the topics we’ve discussed this semester—point of view, symbolism, imagery, literary devices, themes, relationships between characters, characters’ relationships with society, and more. You must create your own topic based on your understanding of the novels and the similarities or differences you feel are relevant. Make sure you keep your topic narrow and focused (too broad a topic is asking for trouble). Email if you’d like feedback on your topic or if you have any questions/concerns about this assignment.

Essay Guidelines:
- Papers must be typed, double-spaced in 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar), with one-inch margins on all sides. You must have a title for your essay, but do not include a separate title page.
- Page length requirements must be observed. Six to eight pages does not mean five-and-a-half or five-and-three-lines. You must write at least six full pages.
- Stay away from contractions. Stay away from vague words, such as “thing” “it” “this” “these” and “that.”
- Proofread your paper carefully.
- Introduce quotes. Analyze quotes. Provide page numbers for quotes. (Remember the four steps.)
- Observe MLA formatting guidelines, especially when citing text.
- Since you will be using multiple books, please include a works cited page.

Preparation materials, Due 11/29: You will submit a freewrite or a brainstorming example (i.e. cluster), an outline and your thesis statement for a total of three items. All items must be typed.

Draft Workshop, Due 12/1: Bring three copies of your essay draft. The drafts need to be cohesive and the page minimum. Anyone bringing less than six pages to the draft workshop will be dismissed and will receive no credit for the workshop. Bring the first page of your essay draft for my review (optional).

One-on-one discussions, 12/6: During the class period, I will sit down with each of you for a quick check-in about your paper. It is an opportunity for you to ask last minute questions and have me review any problem spots in your essay. I will not have time to read anyone's essay in its entirety, so select the section you'd like me to review ahead of time.

Final Draft, Due 12/8: Since there will not be enough time in the semester for you to rewrite, make sure your final draft is as polished as possible. Proofread, use correct MLA format and include a title. On a separate piece of paper, write a paragraph discussing the process of composing this essay and how it compared to writing previous essays for this class.

Absolutely no late papers will be accepted!

Short Assignment #3

Due: Nov. 22

How does the book Frankenstein compare to your previous knowledge of the story of Frankenstein (movies, etc.)? One page, typed, double-spaced.

Short Assignment #2

Due: Nov. 17

Discuss Bigger’s trial. How does racism affect the trial? What role does the media play?
One typed page, double spaced.

Quoting

Direct Quoting
4 easy steps
1. Introduce quotes: use author name to avoid hanging quotes
2. Use the quote: double check for exact wording
3. Cite the quote: use MLA format and always include page #
4. Analyze the quote: to interpret and enlighten, ask yourself
-why is it significant? How does it connect? How does it reinforce your claim?

* Do not restate the quote*
Remember: the length of your analysis should be as long or longer than the quote to avoid some else's words dominating your essay.

Paraphrasing Quotes
"see, say, matter"
"see" a quote and pull it out from the text
"say" what it means in your own words
“matter” explain the "so what" and why that quote is significant by describing the context or relevance of it all and the bigger ramifications

Short Assignment #1

Due: Nov. 10

Choose a scene in the “Flight” section and write a one-page analysis of the language, actions, descriptions, images or symbols that occur in that specific scene.

Essay #2

You will write a 4-6 page essay exploring an aspect of Kate Chopin's The Awakening. Your essay should include a strong thesis statement, claims that reflect careful analysis and evidence to support your claims.

Choose one of the following essay topics and identify your topic in the heading of your paper.

1. Examine Edna's relationship with art and artistic endeavors as depicted in the novel.

2. Both Madame Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz represent different images of Victorian women. Discuss how BOTH these women are characterized and what they represent. Compare/ contrast Edna with ONE of the figures.

3. Chopin uses many symbols and metaphors throughout the novel. Trace Chopin's use of one of these images presented in the novel and discuss what the image or figure(s) represent.

4. Analyze the meaning of Edna's final swim.

5. Edna has distinct relationships with several men. Analyze the relationship between Edna and one of the men in the novel.

6. Create your own topic. You must email me a description of your topic by October 6th.

Draft workshop on October 13th. Bring three copies of your draft (must be a minimum of 4 pages) and the first page for my review (optional).

Final draft due October 20th. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

Helpful MLA site

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html