The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick-Humanities III

After reading The Shawl, discuss some Jewish symbols and imagery in the novella. How might these demonstrate that, even thirty-nine years later, Rosa's thoughts are never far from the concentration camp? (Post one comment using HTML/MLA format-no less than 250 words).

Loosing My Espanish by H. G. Carrillo-Humanities III

The bicultural and bilingual struggles of living and working in the hyphen world of ‘borderlands’ are viewed in terms of similarities and differences shared with mainstream American life. Discuss the linguistic identity as depicted in Loosing My Espanish. How do issues of education and class relate to issues of language and race? (Post one comment using MLA format- no less than 250 words.)

Cloudsplitter by Russell Banks-Humanities I T/F P.3

In his Author's Note, Russell Banks makes it clear that Cloudsplitter is a work of fiction, and not a version or interpretation of history. Nevertheless, the novel contains much historical information and raises a number of thematic questions. What is the relationship between fiction and historical fact in Cloudsplitter? Is "historical fiction" a deceptive distortion of history, or does it add to our understanding of history? Of the present? (Post one comment using MLA format- no less than 250 words.)

The Fires by Alan Cheuse - AP Language and Composition 9/08

In Alan Cheuse’s novellas, the main characters are set in one case to keep a promise and in another to send out a call of distress. Discuss the symbolism of “fire” and analyze the author’s purpose in writing the stories as a novella.