Assignment Directions:
For your midterm exam, answer four of the five following questions.
Midterm Questions:
1. Mark Twain:
Jim Smiley is a character of questionable ethical and moral standards. He makes a living gambling on animals-however, his bets are usually "sure things" because he spends his spare time training his animals to perform. Is what Jim Smiley does cheating or is it just a smart way to gamble? In 8-10 sentences, construct an answer to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.
2. Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
On page 486 of your textbook, the narrator of "The Yellow Wallpaper" remarks "John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage." What is Gilman saying about marriage by including this quote? Additionally, how does this quote establish the tone of the relationship between John and the narrator for the remainder of the story? Construct an 8-10 sentence response to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.
3. Jack London:
The narrator in "To Build a Fire" says, "The trouble with him was that he was without imagination. He was quick and alert in the things of life, but only in the things, and not in the significances" What does this mean? Is it a problem?
Construct an 8-10 sentence response to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.
4. Zora Neale Hurston:
In Zora Neale Hurston's "Sweat," Delia faces numerous challenges in her life, particularly in her abusive relationship with her husband, Sykes. Using evidence from the text, answer the following questions: In what ways does Sykes' treatment of Delia symbolize the larger issue of racism and gender inequality in the story? Why does Delia keep the abuse she is suffering from Sykes a secret? What is the impact of this secrecy on her character and the story as a whole? Explain your answer to these questions in an 8-10 sentence response using textual evidence.
5. Ernest Hemingway:
This is a classic "Hemingway iceberg story," with more going on than what first appears on the surface.
The wife lists out several material items she wants--what do you think she is really longing for, though?
What does the "cat in the rain" symbolize? Construct an 8- 10 sentence response to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.
Extra Credit Opportunity:
You may receive up to 10 extra credit points for properly answering ONE of the following questions:
Re-read the section of Part 3 in Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" beginning with "As he rose to the surface" and ending with "A whiz and rattle of grapeshot among the branches high above his head roused him from his dream." What do you notice about the sequence of events? What is Bierce's purpose in the way he tells this part of the story? In 8-10 sentences, construct an answer to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.
Ernest Hemingway's short story, "Cat in the Rain" sets up the hotel keeper and George as foil characters. How are these two characters different in terms of their character and actions? Construct an 8-10 sentence response to this question that uses textual evidence to support your point of view.