In Alice Walker’s short story “Nineteen Fifty-five,” does the white musician Traynor adequately credit Gracie Mae Still for launching his musical career? Are his gifts appropriate or inappropriate payment? In answering this question, you may want to consider the degree to which Elvis Presley acknowledged his debt to “colored” musicians, as long as you see […]
Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Minister’s Black Veil” & “Young Goodman Brown” Address one of the following issues: 1. Discuss one thematic connection between “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “Young Goodman Brown.” What integral theme do they share? 2. Note the use of symbol in either “Young Goodman Brown” or “The Minister’s Black Veil.” Examine one central […]
A minimum of 4 sources, at least 4 different quotes in the essay, must have in-text citations -naturalism in the story of the jungle -naturalism in the open boat by Stephen crane -analyze a poem from Hughes -analyze a poem from Cullen -passing and modernism -compare and contrast the poetry of Hughes and Cullen
The American Dream lecture in Week 1 points out that Poor Richard’s Almanac was an annual publication that included calendar lists, home recipes, weather forecasts etc. What made Franklin’s almanac unlike other almanacs was the inclusion of Franklin’s witty parables and humorous writings. Franklin proposes in “The Way to Wealth” that anyone who works hard, […]
This assignment can take one of two forms: 2-3 page paper (uploaded to Canvas) or 3-5 minute video (uploaded to Panopto). If you choose to do the paper, you should include the following: Names of poems and poet(s); How the pieces fit together into one central theme or idea and what the connection is; Whatever […]
Assignment Instructions Answer the following question in the form of a short essay. Your essay should consist of at least five paragraphs. Examine Hemingway’s notion of heroism as it pertains to the character of Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea. How is Santiago a conventionally heroic figure? How is Santiago’s heroism unique or […]
Current Enlightenment Essay Instructions Current Enlightenment: Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin Select a current event that would interest our writers this week. This may be something that would appeal to their sensibilities—an idea they could truly get behind—or something that might appall them. In 500-750 words, explain how one of our enlightenment authors […]
A recurrent theme we will encounter this semester is resistance. As this course embraces the African-centered (Afrocentric) approach, we will center Africa and her inhabitants as subjects with agency rather than passive, marginalized others. In many narratives, to be discussed this semester, a primary act of resistance is to: Emphasize African humanity, intelligence, and self-actualization. […]
Write a paper in which you engage in a thorough interpretation of a idea: compare the psychological approaches used by slave-owners to restrict & control slaves in Douglass &/ or Jacob’s narratives. Requirements: The text of the essay itself must be at least 5 pages in length, double spaced, using a standard font size […]
Address the following question in a thoughtful and substantive post of 150-300 words. 1. Booker T. Washington has been criticized by some modern African-American scholars for being too conciliatory in his vision of racial tolerance and black progress. Briefly summarize his views and comment on why these views have sometimes been seen as too mild […]
