ENG 225 Final, Spring 1996

: Oui ENGLISH 225 Not To Be’ Taken, Sis Reserve Reading ho FINAL EXAMINATION JUNE 22, 1996 INSTRUCTIONS: ~-Read over the entire examination before you begin to write. ~-Be sure you write three separate and distinct essays. t TIMING: ~-The examination has been designed for two and one half hours, but you may have an extra twenty minutes for editing and proofreading if you need them. The examination booklets will be picked up promptly at 10:50 A.M. ---Divide your time equally among the three essays. ESSAY TOPICS: Choose three (3) of the following topics as the subjects of three (3) brief, well-planned, well-organized, and well-written essays. Be sure you write on the topic, the whole topic, and nothing but the topic. In your choice of topics, avoid too much over-lapping. PLAN THOROUGHLY BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO WRITE! 1. Narrative techngiue. Many twentieth century writers have... experimented with new, reader-challenging narrative techniques. With specific reference to Slaughterhouse-Five , Intruder in the Dust, and at least one other work you have studied this semester, discuss the narrative technique and what the author seems to be trying to achieve by departing from conventional story telling. 2. Bildungsroman. Several of the American works you have read this semester contain some of the characteristics of the bildungsroman. Give a definition of this novel type and show in what particular ways the works of Crane, Vonnegut, and Walker fit your definition. (N.B. Avoid plot summary.) 3. Color symbolism. Several of the authors you have read this semester make f color symbolism in the development of their theme or themes. Discuss the use of color and color symbolism in the presentation of the themes in the works of Walker, Fitzgerald, and Crane. 4. Social and cultural criticism. Criticism of American society and culture occurs frequently in the works you have studied this semester. With specific reference to The Waste Land and at least two other works you have studied this semester discuss which social and cultural problems the writers criticize, how these problems are used in the presentation of the major themes, and how (style) these problems are portrayed. HINTS: — 1. Avoid plot summary. 2. Avoid broad generalities. Write in cortcrete specifics and be sure you make frequent reference to the works under discussion. 3. Leave time for proofreading. GOOD LUCK!