Selections from Stillness and Other Stories (“In the Jasmine Shade,” “Surveillance,” “The Angled City,” “The Daughter,” and “Where None Is the Number”) plus “The Things They Carried”
• At least 2 reliable secondary sources (literary criticism/analysis, film criticism/analysis, journal or professional articles, etc.). Sources may be indirectly related to the works rather than about them directly. For example, newspaper or online news source articles about the effects of war on a particular group (soldiers, women, civilians, etc.), or articles or studies about the topic, ie PTSD, isolation, control, cults, etc. could be appropriate. Also, remember online source and writing assistance are available through the TCC Libraries and Writing Centers. Use ALL available resources and let me know if you have questions.
Choose ONE of the prompts below and write an argumentative analysis of the selected works that focuses on how each work represents or explores the selected theme. Remember to consider what you think each work is saying about the theme.
Refer to the handouts and choose appropriate elements, conventions, or aspects to analyze that best contribute to your purpose. Because this argument is based on multiple works, you may choose to focus on one or two particular elements rather than 3 or 4 – choose what is best for your purpose, but develop your analysis thoroughly and relate your secondary sources clearly to your analysis.
Prompt: 2. Using O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” and at least one of Brkic’s male perspective texts (“Where None is the Number,” “Surveillance,” and “The Angled City”), analyze how the authors explore their main characters’ issues of identity in their respective works.
