Question 3 of 3

2002, Form B. Often in literature, a character’s success in achieving goals depends on keeping a secret and divulging it only at the right moment, if at all. Choose a novel or play of literary merit that requires a character to keep a secret. In a well-organized essay, briefly explain the necessity for secrecy and how the character’s choice to reveal or keep the secret affects the plot and contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. You may select a work from the list below, or you may choose another work of recognized literary merit suitable to the topic. Do NOT write about a short story, poem, or film.

Question 2 of 3

2005, Form B. One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work.

Happy Vacation!

Hi Everyone!

Per the post title, I hope that you are enjoying some rest and relaxation! I also hope that you are squeezing in a bit of study time.

As promised, I will be posting 3 questions for the week. Answer them when you can.. and remember to have some fun!

QUESTION 1 of 3

In questioning the value of literary realism, Flannery O’Connor has written, “I am interested in making a good case for distortion because I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people see.” Write an essay in which you “make a good case for distortion”" as distinct from literary realism. Analyze how important elements of the work you choose are “distorted” and explain how these distortions contribute to the effectiveness of the work. Avoid plot summary.

New Question!

1990. Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid plot summary.

2011

In The Writing of Fiction (1925), novelist Edith Wharton states the following:

At every stage in the progress of his tale the novelist must rely on what may be called the illuminating incident to reveal and emphasize the inner meaning of each situation. Illuminating incidents are the magic casements of fiction, its vistas on infinity.

Choose a novel or play that you have studied and write a well-organized essay in which you describe an “illuminating” episode or moment and explain how it functions as a “casement,” a window that opens onto the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.

Flash to the Future: Question from 2000

Many works of literature not readily identified with the mystery or detective story genre nonetheless involve the investigation of a mystery. In these works, the solution to the mystery may be less important than the knowledge gained in the process of its investigation. Choose a novel or play in which one or more of the characters confront a mystery. Then write an essay in which you identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

1980 Question

A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work.

Countdown to the Test!

Hi Everyone!

It is hard to believe that in a few short weeks, the test will be upon us. I am so proud of each of you for all of the hard work you have done this year. You are a most remarkable group of students and I am thankful for each of you. As you are well aware, there were two months that were particularly difficult for me, and I hold you responsible for keeping my sanity. I do hope you realize that I  look forward to each and every class with you.

But enough with this sappy stuff! We have work to do still! So, let's use this online forum to hone our skills for the test. We have books to kick and readers to wow!

Each night, I will be posting a free-response question from a past test. I would like each of you to respond with the text you would select to answer this question, and then briefly outline how you would do it.  If someone posts first, and you would select the same text, you can use the comment option- but be sure to think of some suggestion you could give your classmate as well.  Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow!