Respond to ONE of the following questions. Your response should include the following to receive the points in parentheses:
Respond in a well-organized essay. Your answer should be written in complete sentences. (16 pts)
(a) Define the term conflict as it relates to literature and explain its importance in narrative writing. Briefly describe the different types of internal and external conflict. Then choose ONE short story or poem you read for this course. Explain how the author introduces, develops, and resolves a major conflict in this narrative.
(b) Recall what you have learned about different genres, or types, of narratives and how to analyze a narrative.
Then choose ONE short story you read for this course. State the author's purpose for writing the story (to
inform or explain, to describe, to persuade, or to entertain) and summarize the main idea. Briefly discuss the techniques the author used (such as figurative language or metaphor). Evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in achieving the author's purpose.
(c) Identify a major theme in ONE of the stories or poems you read for this course. State the theme in a complete sentence. Then explain how the author develops this theme throughout the story or poem through plot events, character development, dialogue, and other story elements. Select the link to access the English Essay Rubric.
English Essay Rubric
(16 points)
(b) Recall what you have learned about different genres, or types, of narratives and how to analyze a narrative.
One short story that I read for this course is "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. The author's purpose for writing this story is to entertain the readers by portraying a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and materialism. The main idea of "The Necklace" is that the pursuit of wealth and social status can lead to self-destruction.
To convey this message effectively, the author uses various techniques. One technique is the use of figurative language. For example, when describing Madame Loisel, the protagonist, the author writes, "She was unhappy all the time as if she had been deprived of something that was not rightfully hers." This metaphor emphasizes Madame Loisel's sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction with her current circumstances.
Another technique is the use of irony. Throughout the story, Madame Loisel dreams of a lavish lifestyle and borrows an exquisite necklace to wear to a prestigious event. However, she loses the necklace and spends ten years in poverty to replace it. The irony lies in the fact that the necklace she had desperately desired turns out to be a fake, highlighting the vanity and shallowness of her desires.
The author's use of symbolism is also notable. The necklace itself symbolizes the pursuit of wealth and social standing. Madame Loisel's obsession with it leads to her downfall, as she spends years toiling to repay the debt incurred by her perceived mistake. The necklace represents the illusion of happiness and the consequences of greed.
Overall, these techniques are highly effective in achieving the author's purpose. The use of figurative language and metaphor helps to create vivid imagery and emotional depth, allowing readers to relate to the characters and their desires. The irony in the story highlights the consequences of Madame Loisel's actions and serves as a cautionary tale. The symbolism of the necklace provides a powerful visual representation of the theme, reinforcing the message that material possessions do not guarantee happiness.
In conclusion, "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant serves as a compelling narrative that warns against the dangers of pride and materialism. The author's purpose is to entertain readers while delivering a thought-provoking message. Through the use of figurative language, irony, and symbolism, the author effectively conveys the main idea and achieves his purpose.