Answer the following two questions in essay form. Do not discuss the same work twice (note that each short story, novel, film, or television episode is considered a work; for example, The Graduate novel and The Graduate film are considered separate works). This will require planning. Also, read the questions carefully and identify the question you are responding to (such as 1A, etc.). Each essay should be entirely original (no outside sources), have a clear thesis that appears in the first paragraph, be well organized with an introduction and conclusion, thoroughly answer all parts of the question, provide textual/filmic evidence as support (you do not need to cite by page number or run time or include a Works Cited page; just make sure you name the works by title and author or director in the beginning of each essay), and be around 2-3 pages in length (double spaced). Each essay is worth 100 points.
Group A (choose ONE)
1. Narratives provide us with the opportunity to consider our own morals, ethics, and values and what we would do if placed in a similar situation. Choose one of the texts we’ve read [“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” “Shiloh,” The Graduate (novel), or “Ozymandias” (poem)} AND one of the films/TV episodes we’ve viewed [Life of Pi, The Graduate (film), Breaking Bad “Pilot”, or Breaking Bad, “Ozymandias”], and identify a morally and/or ethically questionable situation in each work, then explain in what ways the texts/films or episodes show us accepted patterns of behavior in that particular society/culture and in what ways they challenge it (i.e. where is the line drawn in terms of social mores and values and how is it crossed?). Ultimately, how does considering accepted patterns of social behavior and what happens when we deviate from those through narrative help shape our own individual and societal/cultural norms and values?
Group B (choose ONE)
1. How a story is told is often as important as the story itself; narrative choices can reinforce themes, allow us to experience the narrative as the characters do, and give us a deeper insight into a story’s meaning. Choose one of the texts we’ve read [“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” “Shiloh,” The Graduate (novel), or “Ozymandias” (poem)] AND one of the films/TV episodes we’ve viewed [Life of Pi, The Graduate (film), Breaking Bad “Pilot”, or Breaking Bad, “Ozymandias”] and explain how effectively the narrative style/structure (perspective, point of view, narrative voice, dialogue, symbolism, linearity/non-linearity, soundtrack, cinematography, etc.) enhances our understanding of the characters, themes, and the narratives themselves. (If you feel one story is effective and one is not, you may compare and contrast them.) Important: do not choose a text, film, or television episode you already discussed in Group A.
