Purpose: to become familiar with the elements of plot and hone analytical skills. Directions: Choose one or two of the stories listed below and…

Purpose: to become familiar with the elements of plot and hone analytical skills.

Directions: Choose one or two of the stories listed below and analyze how conflict and crisis develop a theme. You may choose to include point of view, setting, character, or symbols in your analysis. Bear in mind that this is a mini essay, intended to help you focus on digging deeper into a topic and understanding as much of it as possible.

Stories:

 “Word Processor of the Gods,” Stephen King, pp. 912-923.

“A&P,” John Updike, pp.58 – 63.

“How to Date a Brown Girl, Black Girl, White Girl or Halfie,” Juno Diaz, pp 100 – 102

“Everyday Use,” Alice Walker, pp 1009 – 1015.

Also read Chapter 7 (analysis), pp. 192 – 215.

Examples to get you started:

How does point of view help us understand Sammie’s conflict in “A&P”?

Compare how infatuation unfolds in “A&P” and “How to Date a Brown Girl, Black Girl, White Girl or Halfie.”

How does King use irony in “Word Processor of the Gods”?

How do symbols illustrate the conflict and reveal a theme in “Everyday Use”?