ENG 225 Final, Spring 1997

ENGLISH 225 FINAL EXAMINATION Spring Semester, 1996-97 June 14, 1999 INSTRUCTIONS: | Read over the entire examination before you begin to write. The examination consists of two short essays. Choose two topics from the list below as subjects for two brief, well-planned, well-organized, and well-written essays. Be sure to avoid overlapping and repetition; i.e., do not write too often about the same work, unless the subject matter and approach are radically different. Remember to make frequent specific reference to the texts under discussion. TIMING: Two hours: sixty minutes per essay. Although the examination has been planned for two hours, you may have an extra half hour for planning and proofreading if you wish. All booklets will be collected PROMPTLY at 10:30 a.m. Plan your time wisely and well. FORMAT, = Please wiite un every other line and observe conventional margins. Be sure you number your topics. TOPICS: Choose two (2).. Do not include among the major choices for your discussion, the poems of Frost, Robinson, or Ginsburg. You may, however, bring them into your discussion at any time. 1. Romance and fantasy. Mired in the grim realities of twentieth century materialism, consumerism, industrial monotony, ethnic and racial intolerance, and the recurrent horrors of armed conflict, man constantly seeks relief in fantasy, imagination, and romance. Discuss, with specific reference to The Color Purple, Slaughterhouse-Five, Intruder in the Dust, and at least one other work you have studied in this course this semester. 2. Color symbolism. Several of the authors you have read this semester make use of color symbolism in the development of their themes. Discuss the use of color and color symbolism in the works of Walker, Fitzgerald, and Crane. 3. Narrative technique. Many twentieth century writers have experimented with new, reader-challenging narrative techniques. With specific reference to The Waste Land, Slaughterhouse-Five, and at least two other works you have read this semester, discuss the narrative technique and what the author seems to be trying to achieve by departing from conventional story telling. 4. Sex and sexuality. In the twentieth century writers have begun to deal more directly and explicitly with sexuality than in the nineteenth century. With specific reference to The Color Purple, The Waste Land, and at least two other works you have read this semester, discuss the uses the authors make of love, sex, and sexuality in developing their major themes. ,, HINTS: 1. Avoid plot summary. 2. Avoid broad generalities. Write in concrete specifics, making sure you make frequent specific reference to the works under discussion. 3. Leave time for proofreading. GOOD LUCK!