Two Direct Quotes Required English Question
For this assignment, respond to one of the bolded writing prompts below. Note: If you prefer to create your own writing prompt, please contact your instructor for approval. Note: Consulting secondary sources to assist with your interpretation of the literary work is optional. Please refer to the play read in Unit Three: Drama only— The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.
1. Why does Tom go to the movies so often?
2. What are the similarities between Tom and his father?
3. What is the significance of Laura’s unicorn?
4. Why does Amanda nag at Tom so much?
5. Does Jim have the potential greatness attributed to him by Laura?
6. Why does Amanda blame Tom for the failure of the evening?
7. Which characters face life most realistically? Defend your choice.
8. What does the fire escape reveal about each character’s personality?
9. Does Laura fully understand her position and especially the responsibility that Tom feels for her?
10. Choose either Laura, Tom, or Amanda, and argue how the person you chose should be considered the main character of the play.
11. Write an essay depicting Amanda’s strengths and weakness. Is she an admirable person or merely a silly, frustrated woman?
12. Is the message of this play optimistic? Pessimistic? Both? Explain.
13. Create an original playwriting script. The play should include an exposition, well-developed plot (with conflict and resolution), setting, props, dialogue, and stage directions. Note: No intext citations or Works Cited page necessary.
This assignment requires each student to write an 800-word essay (900 words maximum) consisting of at least five paragraphs. The introduction should provide a brief summary of the literary work. The thesis statement should be arguable and should forecast the major point(s) in the essay. The body of the essay should provide appropriate textual evidences to support your thesis statement. Note: A minimum of two direct quotes required for each body paragraph. Each direct quotation should be parenthetically referenced and the literature should be documented on the Works Cited page. The conclusion should restate your thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting sentences, and bring the essay to a smooth close. The essay should follow MLA format (Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12” font, 1” margins, heading, and header). As always, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and word choice will be factored into your grade, so edit carefully. Note: No first person pronouns. No second person pronouns. No past tense verbs. No informal language. No offensive language.