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Completing the Journal
Write 1 developed paragraph (at least 5-7 sentences) on each of this week’s stories (3 paragraphs total). Use the following questions to help you develop the paragraphs. You may write more about each story if you wish.
The narrator of “The Cask of Amontillado” justifies his murder by referencing “the thousand injuries” (Poe 866) he has suffered at the hands of Fortunado. Do you believe his explanation? In other words, do you think he is a reliable narrator? Does his 1st-person perspective make him more or less trustworthy in your opinion?
“Everyday Use” was written in the early 1970s, when many educated young African Americans were embracing their African heritage while rejecting the values and history of their parents and grandparents. In the story, Dee is one of these upwardly mobile young African Americans. Do you admire her accomplishments? Do you agree with her wish to preserve the heirloom quilt and her opinion that her mother and sister “don’t understand . . . [their] heritage” and need to “make something” of themselves (Walker 73)? Is there anything ironic about what she says to them about heritage?
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story was written in the early 1890s, when women had far less power in their marriages, and effective treatments for depression were almost unknown. She says that her husband’s status as a doctor is “one reason I do not get well faster” (Gilman). But because of her severe post-partum depression, the narrator of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is clearly mentally unstable, which makes her an unreliable narrator. We can’t fully trust what she tells us about herself, about her husband, or about the rest of the world she lives in. What are some examples of story events which are probably taking place in the narrator’s mind? Do you think we’d have a different view of events if the story was told from her husband’s perspective? Why?
Expectations for the Journal
In this journal, you will not be graded on grammar, punctuation, format, or structure. Its purpose is to help you to think about the stories in a low-stress format.
You will receive full credit as long as you make an honest attempt to answer the prompts and meet the stated length requirement.
If there is anything else you want to write in addition to the given questions, feel free to do so!
Journal entries should consist of your original thoughts and words. Outside sources should be kept to a minimum: I want to hear what YOU think! If you do use any outside sources to help you, they must be credited by giving a link to each source. Word-for-word borrowings should be put in quotation marks, and the source should be credited in-text. Outside sources are not required for journals.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring Your Journal
- Start with “The Cask of Amontillado”
Begin by reflecting on the narrator’s justification for his actions in Edgar Allan Poe’s story. The narrator claims to have suffered a series of “injuries” from Fortunato, which he believes justifies his violent response. In your paragraph, analyze whether this justification feels believable to you. Is the narrator reliable in your opinion? Consider his tone, actions, and reasoning. Does his 1st-person perspective influence how you perceive his reliability? Explain your thoughts. - Move to “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker
Next, address the character Dee in Walker’s story, who represents the educated, upwardly mobile African American woman rejecting the past. Discuss whether you admire Dee’s accomplishments. Reflect on her desire to preserve the quilt as an heirloom and whether you agree with her views about heritage. Is there any irony in how Dee speaks to her family about understanding heritage? Consider both Dee’s perspective and her mother and sister’s views to deepen your analysis. - Analyze “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Finally, analyze the narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper.” She is mentally unstable due to post-partum depression, and her reliability is questionable. In this paragraph, discuss the events that may be occurring solely in her mind (such as her fixation on the wallpaper). Would we see the story differently if it were told from her husband’s perspective? Consider how his role as a doctor and his control over her treatment affects how she perceives the events and characters around her. - Write Each Paragraph
Each of your three paragraphs should be at least 5-7 sentences long. Focus on being honest and reflective in your responses to the prompts. You can also add any additional thoughts that come to mind as you analyze the stories. - Conclusion
Wrap up the journal by reflecting on the importance of perspective in storytelling. How does a character’s perception shape the way we understand their actions and motives? You can briefly tie together how each story illustrates the impact of unreliable narrators and differing viewpoints.
By following these steps, you will develop a strong journal that thoughtfully responds to the prompts while demonstrating your understanding of the stories’ themes and characters.
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