ENGL 383
African-American Literature, Spring 2006
Paper #2 Assignment


Pick one of the options below, and compose a 1,500-2,000 word paper in response to that topic. Be sure that you keep your paper focused on your topic, and that you refer to, quote, and cite the literature often -- but no bloc quotations! Also, no plot summary (where you retell the work you're discussing). Assume that we've all read the literature, and get right in to your discussion.

The paper should be uniform and professional:

Citation of the literature should appear in MLA style--see me if you are not familiar with MLA style. You may use outside sources, but I do not require you to -- if you do use outside sources, cite them in MLA style and include a works cited page in MLA format.

PROOFREAD YOUR PAPERS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM. PAPERS WITH BASIC ERRORS WILL BE RETURNED UNREAD, UNGRADED, AND COUNTED LATE. Take advantage of the SU Writing Center in the Guerreri Center for help. (For extra help, see my Writing Tips page.)

»» OPTIONS (pick only one of the following):

  • OPTION 1: explore the theme of awareness of history vs. ignorance of history in either Invisible Man or A Raisin in the Sun or Beloved. What happens when characters are aware of their Black history? What happens when they are ignorant of it? How does this ignorance or awareness affect their lives? Are some characters more aware of Black history than other characters, and if so, then why?

  • OPTION 2: explore the theme of White money benfitting from Black labor in any one of the following: Invisible Man, A Raisin in the Sun or Beloved. What effect on the Black population does working for the financial benefit of Whites have for the characters of your chosen work? How does such labor make them see themselves? How much of those characters' situations are just as much financial as raced?

  • OPTION 3: compare/contrast any one scene or incident from Invisible Man or A Raisin in the Sun or Beloved to any one current but "non-literary" form of African-American expression. (What current "non-literary" work deals with similar subjects or themes? In what ways do they deal with that subject similarly, and how differently? Here, you're linking the past to the present.)

    Paper Due Wednesday May 17, to my office by 4 p.m. Do not e-mail me your paper; I accept only hard copies turned in on time. If you want to discuss your paper or topics with me, please make an appointment for an office visit (344 Holloway). Remember that failure to turn in either of the long papers will fail you from the course.



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