Respond to ONE of the following questions. Your response should include the following to receive the points in parentheses:

Question

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.

Answer 1

(c) In the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, the major theme is the danger of blindly following tradition. This theme is introduced in the opening of the story when the villagers gather for the lottery, a ritual that has been practiced for generations. The author develops this theme by showing how the villagers are so accustomed to the lottery that they do not question it, even when it leads to a violent outcome. The characters’ dialogue also reinforces the theme, as they discuss the lottery in a casual manner, as if it is a normal part of life. The author also uses symbolism to emphasize the theme, such as the black box that is used to draw the lottery tickets, which symbolizes the darkness of the tradition. The story ends with the death of Tessie Hutchinson, which serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of blindly following tradition. This reinforces the theme of the story and serves as a warning to the reader.