Answer the following questions according to the poems and give good explanations for your answers. Do a good job and get a good grade!
1 Langston Hughes was involved in many different types of writing, ‘’In addition to poems and novels, he wrote essays, plays, screenplays and an autobiography; he also edited anthologies of literature and folklore.” (Mays, 641) Since this course included his poem “Harlem” and his play “Soul Gone Home” what do you see him doing in his writing in both that has reader admiring his literary work. This is an analysis across both works and should be two ideas that can be illustrated and explained in both very different writings. Explain what you mean by each idea.
2 Robert Frost was called the poet of the senses “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Give examples of his use of vocabulary representing the senses.
3 In the beginning of Comp 102, you had the chance to write about your own writing, both strengths and weaknesses. Do this one more time. Think about some of the points stressed for your writing in this course with: the writing process of prewriting/writing/editing; using an outline; the organization of an essay including the introduction/body/conclusion, thesis and restated thesis; and use of quotes with citations and work cited. Write a paragraph giving your current strengths and weaknesses of your personal writing.
“The Bear” by Anton Chekhov
4 What four ironies do you find in this play? How well did Chekhov present these and what did he present to give you the ironies?
5 IF this is funny and translated from the Russian, think how good it was in its original language! Why and how can some of this humor cross languages?
6 Explain why the servant Luka is so humorous and give two of his funniest lines.
7 Why was Grigory Stepanovich Smirnov called a Bear by Mrs. Popov? What characteristics doe she highlight by calling him this?
“Andre’s Mother” by Terrance McNally
8 This is a serious topic, was an effective to have this play take place in Central Park? Why and what points are being made?
9 “Andre’s Mother” the key character and title of the play never speaks. How do you know she will finally accept Andre? What is the importance of the white balloons as props?
10 Humor is important in many plays to help in the reception of the serious discussion. Give one example from this play and explain how this is accomplished.
