1. In their writings, Dickinson (“She Rose to His Requirement,” 1863), Chopin (“The Story of an Hour,” 1894), and Gilman (“The Yellow Wallpaper,” 1892) offer creative commentaries on the ways in which women were expected to conform to patriarchal gender roles (“Of Woman, and of Wife,” as Dickinson writes) and not rebel against them in the second half of the nineteenth century in America. In a short MLA format essay (including in-text citations) of at least 3.5 full, double-spaced pages, use at least two of these texts—as well as at least one outside source (scholarly or popular)—to write an essay in which you analyze the situations/conflicts/solutions/final outcomes of these pieces to discuss what these authors were saying about a woman’s place in society back then, as well as how much or how little has changed in the years since. (In other words, are modern day American women still as subjugated as they were then? Do men—and husbands in particular—still expect to have unquestioned dominance and free reign over their female counterparts?)
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"gender roles" AND "nineteenth century" AND "Kate Chopin"
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2. In their writings, Vonnegut (“Harrison Bergeron,” 1961), Ellison (“‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman,” 1965), and Auden (“The Unknown Citizen,” 1940) present creative explorations on a different kind of conformity and conflict: citizen vs. government. In other words, these pieces touch upon the expectations of and rewards for people unquestionably adhering to governing rule like wholly obedient machines (and conversely, the punishments for defying that rule to seek independence and communal change). In a short MLA format essay (including in-text citations) of at least 3.5 full, double-spaced pages, use at least two of these texts—as well as at least one outside source (scholarly or popular)—to write an essay in which you explore the extent to which the conformity and/or rebellion of the main characters in these pieces is justified, as well as the extent to which these pieces still serve as relevant cautionary tales for today. (In other words, in what ways are Americans still expected to go along with the status quo of societal and governmental rules/actions and never question or challenge them?)
Example search for Option 2
(conformity OR rebellion) AND "Harrison Bergeron"
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3. Both Saunders (“The End of Firpo in the World,” 1998) and Ellison (“‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman,” 1965) feature protagonists who rebel against the people and/or policies around them. In a short MLA format essay (including in-text citations) of at least 3.5 full, double-spaced pages, use both of these texts—as well as at least one outside source (scholarly or popular)—to write an essay in which you compare/contrast the rebellions of those characters (Cody and Everett, respectively) to evaluate the motivations and justifications for their revolts; the level of success each has at their mission; and the extent to which we can see ourselves in (and learn from) their plights in modern times.
Example search for Option 3
"The End of the Firpo in the World"
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Example search for Option 3
Repent Harlequin
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