- Discuss how the narrative structure of Atonement supports McEwan’s claim that the author has ultimate power in manipulating the story and how it is perceived by readers. This means that you will also be discussing this novel as metafiction and self-reflexive Provide three specific examples from the novel that illustrate this idea. Discuss characters, setting, plot, and figurative language in your response.
- Identify a central theme in Drag Your Plow over the Bones of the Dead, and discuss how Tokarczuk employs symbolism throughout the novel to convey the theme. Identify at least three symbols, explain how each one works as a symbol, and explain how each symbol illustrates the theme.
- Explain the significance of the following passage at the end of Siddhartha to the entire novel:
The passage begins with “He no longer saw his friend Siddhartha’s face; instead he saw other faces, many, a long row, a streaming river of faces, hundreds, thousands, which all came and faded, and yet seemed all to be there at once, which kept changing and being renewed, and yet which all were Siddhartha…” and ends with “This, Govinda knew, was how the Perfect Ones smiled.”
Be specific in your detailed, multi-paragraph response—you must use specific examples and descriptive details from the novel to illustrate your points. The examples must be represented by direct quotes.
- Select your favorite novel out of the class list and explain, in detail, why it is your favorite novel and why it appeals to you personally. This may be trickier than it seems. I don’t want you to just discuss something that has happened in your life that makes you identify with the novel. You must stay focused upon some aspect of the novel that you find appealing, such as: character development, conflict, some type of context or genre, use of figurative language, or some other literary element or device that has made this novel “speak” to you personally. Like your other responses, you must discuss literary and narrative devices and incorporate specific textual references and quotes from the text to illustrate your points. Tie these in with your personal connection. NOTE: If your favorite novel is one of the novels you must analyze for the questions above, then you must generate new content for this response. Do not just reiterate things you have said in other responses.