A) Many critics consider this one of the greatest short works of fiction of all time. Why do you think they say this? Write about or discuss some of the important themes Steinbeck addresses in this short book: The importance of relationships, responsibility to others, the nature of home, respect for old age, the difference between right and wrong, and the evil of oppression and abuse. Discuss how he uses the story and characters to address the theme. What can we learn about the theme from Steinbeck's book? Answer these questions with regards to 1 or 2 themes only in an essay. (4 pages)
The Old Man and the Sea Assignment
A) While the book might just seem to be a story about a man trying to catch a fish, many argue that it is in fact about heroism. You are to write an essay in which you explore the theme of heroism as it appears in the story. You will want to think about the old man, the young boy, the fish itself (consider how the fish might be seen as mirroring the old man), and Joe Dimaggio. Explain in your essay not only how the topic comes up in the story, but also what Hemingway seems to say about it. What are the qualities of a hero as suggested by the book? (3.5 pages minimum)
OR
B) After watching the movie The Old Man and the Sea (based on the book), write an essay in which you compare the strengths/ weaknesses of the movie to those of the book. You are to look for major differences (i.e. don�t say �This character has blonde hair in the book and brown hair in the movie). Think about major differences in plot, setting, character development, themes, etc. Did they leave some very important parts of the story out of the movie? What was the effect of this change? Did they add elements to the story in the movie? What was the effect of these additions? Be sure to support everything you say with examples. You must take notes on the movie and turn them in with your assignment, and you will probably want to watch the movie more than once. (Essay total=4 pages minimum)
Animal Farm Assignment
In an article called, �Why I Write�, Orwell states, �Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism.� Animal Farm is in fact considered to be Orwell�s foremost book on the subject of totalitarianism. You are to write an essay in which you explore the specific points Orwell makes about totalitarianism through the book and how he makes them. Be sure to carefully consider the following questions in light of the book:
1. Out of what is totalitarianism born and how does it grow?
2. What is necessary for it to continue?
3. Who are the parties involved?
4. What are the effects of totalitarianism on different individual?
5. How does power figure into totalitarianism?
6. Are there stages in the development of a totalitarian system?
7. What are the final consequences of a totalitarian system?
Be sure to support everything you say with specific examples from the book. (4.5 pages minimum)
A Separate Peace Assignment
Choose A or B
A) You are to imagine you are Gene, and write a letter to Finney after his death OR imagine you are Finney, writing a letter to Gene before dying. Either way, you must discuss the emotional/psychological events of the book. Be sure to touch on the themes of jealousy, conformity, and regret. Also, be sure to capture the voice of the character (your letter should seem like it is written by Gene or Finney, not you). This will mean first taking some time to consider what characterizes either character�s way of speaking. (5 pages)
B) At the end of the novel Gene says, � . . . my war ended before I even put on a uniform; I was
on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there.� An essay in Time magazine
about A Separate Peace states, �. . . one of the things the novelist seems to be saying is that
the enemy Gene killed, and loved, is the one every man must kill: his own youth, the innocence
that burns too hotly to be endured.� Think about these quotations. Then answer at least two
of the following questions in an essay which focuses on the theme of innocence in the book. (4 pages)
� Do you believe that the writer of the essay and Gene are referring to the same enemy�
innocence? Why or why not?
� Do you believe every person must leave his or her innocence behind in order to mature?
Why or why not?
� What is an example of Gene�s innocence early in the novel?
� Does Gene �kill� his innocence? Explain.
� Does Finny lose his innocence? Explain.