DIRECTIONS:
Here is a breakdown of some technical requirements, but, in order to ensure the highest score possible, review the guidelines and tips for reading journals in the syllabus.
Your journal should:
consist of four separate answers. Choose ONLY FOUR of the questions below to answer: two for “The Husband Stitch” and two for “The Brothers.” DO NOT ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS.
double-space your document
do not type the question, but number your answers 1-4. The numbers do not have to exactly correspond with the questions you choose from the list below. I should be able to tell what question you are answering based on what you write. Again, do not type the question, but do number your answers 1-4 so I can easily see the distinction between your four separate answers, each worth up to 10 points.
be no fewer than 900 words total, not 900 words per answer. Of course, you can write more than 900 words total as many students do. 900 words is the bare minimum you should write in order to do justice to the questions. (Development of all four answers should be balanced since each question is worth up to 10 points separately.)
include at least one quotation from each of the readings in this assignment. Your goal is to comment on the reading itself, so focus each answer on a specific quotation from the reading and include each quotation in your answers clearly.
Put quotations early in answers so you have room to analyze them.
Do not summarize the stories and, instead, offer your own thoughtful analysis of a specific quotation.
Question:
Please choose EXACTLY TWO of the following questions to answer for Carmen Maria Machado’s “The Husband Stitch”:
Choose one symbol in the story that you see repeated and explain its importance. This could be an object, a phrase, an act or anything else that is repeated throughout the story. Why do you think Machado chose to incorporate this particular element? What does this symbol imply? How do you know?
Characterize the main character. What are her significant qualities? Why did Machado write her with these qualities? What can you infer as the main character’s values? Why are these important? What do you think Machado is telling us about womanhood, motherhood, gender roles in general, sexuality, or anything else you find important through this character? How do you know?
Choose a character other than the main character and explain why they are important to the story. What is Machado implying through this character?
What is significant about the title of the story? Why did Machado choose to name the story “The Husband Stitch”? What is she implying through her title?
Why does Machado incorporate these “campfire” tales/scary folktales throughout the story? How does she slightly twist them? Why is this important?
What do all the male characters in the story seem to have in common? Why did Machado write the male characters in this way?
Did the main character go through any significant changes throughout the story or does she remain the same? Regardless of your answer, explain why Machado chose to show growth in the character or keep her consistent.
Choose any significant moment in the story and explain why it’s important.
What is the most important relationship the main character has in the story? Why is this relationship so important to her? What does it say about her character that this particular relationship is the most important?
Please choose EXACTLY TWO of the following to answer for Lysley Tenorio’s “The Brothers”:
Choose one symbol in the story that you see repeated and explain its importance. This could be an object, a phrase, an act or anything else that is repeated throughout the story. Why do you thinkTenorio chose to incorporate this particular element? What does this symbol imply? How do you know?
Choose a symbol that you only see once but that you still find important in the story and explain its significance. Why do you think Tenorio chose to include this detail?
One could argue that Eric/Erica is the main character of the story, but she is already dead at the beginning of the story. Why do you think Tenorio chose to center the story around a dead Eric/Erica rather than an alive Eric/Erica?
What is significant or symbolic about the way Eric/Erica dies? Analyze as many details about her death as you can. Why did Tenorio choose for Eric/Erica to die this way?
What is significant about Eric/Erica’s appearance on the talk show? What does it mean to her? What does it mean to the television audience? What do you think Tenorio is saying by choosing for Eric/Erica to have appeared on this type of show? Did it turn out the way Eric/Erica wanted it to? Why or why not?
Choose one family relationship in the story and explain its significance. How does the relationship change or stay the same? How do the two people in the relationship treat each other? What is Tenorio telling us through this relationship?
Pick any character and explain why they are important to the story. What purpose do they serve? Why is this important?
Does this story have a typical protagonist and antagonist? If so, who is the protagonist and who/what is the antagonist? If not, why is that choice important?
Choose any significant moment in the story and explain why it’s important.
Note: Don’t forget to number each answer.
