Paper , Order, or Assignment Requirements

Choose one of the topics below to write your literary research paper. Remember your paper must be at least 1200 words.

1. Discuss the relationship between Aylmer and Georgiana in “The Birthmark.”. In your essay, incorporate at least one quote from the article by John J. McKenna and one quote from the article by C. R. Resetarits.

(Ideas you should consider: Why does Aylmer focus obsessively on Georgiana’s birthmark? Why does Georgiana agree to participate in Aylmer’s experiment? What effect does their isolation from others have on their relationship? How does their relationship critique the traditional conceptions/misconceptions of love and marriage? Whose article  (McKenna’s or Resetarits’s) did you find most helpful? Why? Does the story suggest that science and romance are incompatible? In what way is Aylmer represent an example of the “divided self”? Can you think of any modern examples where scientists have acted in unethical, inhumane ways in the name of science? )

2. Discuss the relationship between Twyla and Roberta in “Recitatif.” In your essay, incorporate at least one quote from the article by Helane Adams Androne and one quote from Marie Knoflickova.

(Ideas you should consider: What does the story suggest about believing in and/or acting on stereotypes? What does the story suggest about other forms of disunity and discrimination? What does the story suggest about abuse, especially abuse of the disenfranchised and/or disabled? What role does memory (or the suppression of it) play in their relationship? Why do Twyla and Roberta lose the bond they had?)

3.Choose one of the following topics for a research paper on “Sonny’s Blues,” and include at least one quote from the article by Donald C. Murray and one quote from the article by Keith A. Byerman.

1. How does the narrator change from the beginning of the story to the final scene? At what points in the story do you see these changes occurring? What memories, insights, and conversations does he have that facilitate his change?

(Look closely at paragraphs 177-178, 215-216, and 238.)

1. Discuss the theme of addiction in “Sonny’s Blues.” What causes does the narrator suggest underlie drug addiction? How does the narrator divide the responsibility for drug addiction in his characters?

In other words, how much does addiction seem to be the result of large, endemic, social problems and how much by family and personal issues? In this story, what resources help Sonny overcome the pull of his addiction and remain a recovering addict? (Look closely at paragraphs 75-80, 190-200, and 215-225.)

240. Discuss the theme of music in the story. What importance does music serve in the lives of Baldwin’s characters? (Look closely at paragraphs 180-181 and 235-240.)
241. Discuss the theme of racism in the story. (Look especially at paragraphs 81-110)