Down By Law paper topics

3-5 pages, double spaced, typed, MLA formatting

DUE: Wednesday, February 24th

1. Jim Jarmusch has said that Down By Law is essentially a fairytale. Explain the how this comes across in the film. First present your definition of “fairytale” and demonstrate which elements are similar and why.

2. Jim Jarmusch has said, “I'm drawn to humor, miscommunication and things that arise out of misunderstanding. All those things coexist, so I try to have them coexist in a character or in a film.” Explain what Jim Jarmusch does to create this atmosphere and, in turn, what questions and philosophical issues that this “coexistence” creates.

3. Discuss and explain the symbolism and importance of impermanence in the film. How does Jarmusch show the audience impermanence and why?

4. Pick your own topic (including a thesis statement) and present to Kurt for approval BEFORE you write it.

Very Important Things that your paper MUST include:

AFTER YOUR CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH YOU MUST PUT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT AT THE VERY END OF YOUR ESSAY, LABELED AND PRINTED AS A SEPARATE PARAGRAPH.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction has a clear, obvious Thesis Statement

The topic of each of the Body Paragraphs is presented clearly, obviously and in order.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Each and every Body Paragraph has a clear, obvious Topic Sentence.


Each Body Paragraph gives clear evidence and arguments to support the Topic Sentence.


Each Body Paragraph begins and/or is finished with transitional words and phrases or sentences that clearly connect it to it's preceding and following Body Paragraphs.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion clearly and obviously restates the Thesis Statement.


Conclusion clearly and obviously reviews topics sentences of each of the body paragraphs. 


You use the Conclusion to present some new information, questions, insights, or ideas.

*A thesis statement is a single declarative sentence that states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after having read your essay.

End of the World Study Guide for the Final Exam

These questions should all be answered with a short, well organized paragraph. Specific answers that are supported by direct references to the texts are the best.

1. Is Hamlet truly mad? Why or why not? Be as specific as possible.

2. Which text (film, novel, poem, play, etc.) had the greatest impact on you and why? Be as specific as possible.

3. What do you think Lauren Olamina would explain to Elie Wiesel about about what he was going through and how to deal with it? Be as specific as possible.

4. Think about Simon (“The one who cut the rope”) from Touching the Void. Compare and contrast his “character” and actions to that of Hamlet. Be as specific as possible.

5. Of the following characters is the least sympathetic to you and why? Who is the most sympathetic to you and why? And yes, you must pick one for each. No “cop out” answers will count for credit. Be as specific as possible.

Hamlet

Lauren Olamina

Gregor Samsa

Joe Simpson

Elie Wiesel

Jean Dominique

Willy Loman

6. Define your own philosophical paradigm of one's “world” ending. Which of the texts best reflects your own ideas? Which seems furthest from your own ideas? Be as specific as possible.

Hamlet Act IV and V questions

ACT IV

1. Is Hamlet really mad in this play, or is merely pretending to be mad? (Find lines that support your answer.)

2. A foil is a character who is like the protagonist in some respects but who has contrasting qualities that "reflect" or illuminate the traits of the main character. Who are Hamlet's foils, and in what ways do their characters shed light on his?

3. Do Hamlet and Fortinbras meet in IV.iv? Why is this significant?

4. Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?

5. Look at the scene with Laertes and Claudius (IV.vii). What plans do they have for Hamlet? How does this scene establish Laertes as a foil for Hamlet?

6. Why is Hamlet less present in this act than in the previous three?

1. ACT V

   1. Why does this scene begin with two clowns trading jokes? Do their jokes make any sense in the context of the play?

2. Where do Hamlet and Laertes fight in V.ii?

3. Who is Osric, and why is he included in the play?

4. Does Hamlet realize that he might not come out of this fight alive? See V.ii.225-238.

5. What is the outcome of the fight scene at the end?

6. When Gertrude drinks from the cup, Claudius asks her not to drink and she refuses. Has she ever disobeyed Claudius before?

7. Who is alive at the end of the play, and how do the others meet their ends?

End of the World Paper #3

1. Compare/Contrast the character of Lauren Olamina with that of Willy Loman. Keep your focus on how each deals with their “world” ending. What is the same? (Yes, quite a bit actually!) What is different? You must use direct references to each text to prove your points.

2. Topic of your choice if approved by Kurt. For this to be finalized, you must present a *thesis statement.

Very Important Things that your paper MUST include:

AFTER YOUR CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH YOU MUST PUT YOUR THESIS STATEMENT AT THE VERY END OF YOUR ESSAY, LABELED AND PRINTED AS A SEPARATE PARAGRAPH OR AFTER YOUR LIST OF WORKS CITED, IF YOU HAVE ONE.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction has a clear, obvious Thesis Statement

The topic of each of the Body Paragraphs is presented clearly, obviously and in order.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Each and every Body Paragraph has a clear, obvious Topic Sentence.


Each Body Paragraph gives clear evidence and arguments to support the Topic Sentence.


Each Body Paragraph begins and/or is finished with transitional words and phrases or sentences that clearly connect it to it's preceding and following Body Paragraphs.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion clearly and obviously restates the Thesis Statement.


Conclusion clearly and obviously reviews topics sentences of each of the body paragraphs. 


You use the Conclusion to present some new information, questions, insights, or ideas.

*A thesis statement is a single declarative sentence that states what you want your readers to know, believe, or understand after having read your essay.

End of the World Art Project

Due: Wednesday, Jan 20^th at the start of class, 12:15pm.

Using the concept of “The End of the World” (and/or any discussions we have had in class that are related to it either directly or tangentially) as inspiration you will create two works of art. Each work in this pair must exemplify and/or question the concepts as we have discussed it in class.

1. For each of the works that make up your Pairing you must have an Artist's Statement, in paragraph form, explaining the subject matter, imagery, and WHAT IT IS AND HOW AND WHY YOU ARE PORTRAYING IT IN THIS PARTICULAR WAY and how it relates to the class. Also, explain what inspired you to create it, and your own opinion/judgment of the particular work.

2. One Meta Essay in which you discuss at least ALL of the following in paragraph form:

a)What is your art questioning, explaining, presenting and how does your art question, explain, present.

b)How does each work connect to the other AND create a whole “text”?

c)What do you feel are your strengths and weakness of your pairing as a whole?

d)What is your own creative process? What were your inspirations, false starts, problems, successes and struggles? Describe it in detail as best you can.

e) How would you describe your own artistic style?

3. Your Pairing include the following:

Two pieces of thoughtfully and carefully executed art that are different media.

At least one must be a piece of visual art such as painting, collage (paper, audio, video), drawing, photo, sculpture or a short film. If you want, the other can be a written work or something like, an original musical performance, short story, interpretive dance, poem or mixed media.

Note: This assignment now is 25 points and is different from the original syllabus for the Art Project. This project is EXTREMELY important and represents an entire 25% of your final grade. This absolutely must represent your best work. Late work, poor effort and poor writing will be penalized severely. DO NOT EXPECT ME TO EDIT YOUR WRITING FOR BASIC SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ERRORS. Editing and proofreading must happen before you turn in your work.

Art Project Rubric:

Uses Appropriate spelling/grammar/MLA formatting: 5 points

Creates and accurately/effectively describes (Artist's Statement) each work: 10 points (5 each)

Meta Essay: 10 points

A LATE PROJECT WILL BE PENALIZED IMMEDIATELY WITH A 10 POINT PENALTY AND THEN LOSE ANOTHER 5 POINTS PER SCHOOL DAY IT IS LATE.

End of the World Grading/Point Total Change

The 2^nd Paper (10 points) is going to be eliminated and the ten points will be divided evenly between the Art Project and the Third paper.

This brings about the following changes:

3^rd paper: 15 points (15% of your grade)

Art Project: 25 points (25% of your grade)

Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Sower: Discussion Questions

1. From reading this book, how would you describe Octavia Butler’s vision of a near future dystopia? What seems very possible to you and what seems very unlikely? Why?

2. What do you think that Octavia Butler is saying about religion with this novel?

2a. Why does Lauren reject Christianity, and how does the new religion of Earthseed differ from Christianity?

3. Why does this book include the Earthseed verses? What do they add to the story? How do they change over the course of the story? Do you see a connection between them and Lauren’ s actions?

4. How does Butler use the idea of slavery in the novel?

Chapter Specific Questions

Chap 1-6

Why does Lauren have the recurring dream described in Chapter 1?

How did the society described in this story develop? What clues can you find from people’ s descriptions of the past?

Describe Lauren’ s home community. How does it work? What are its strengths? Its weaknesses?

What do you think of Lauren’s idea of change?

What does Lauren mean by the phrase, “Intelligence is demanding”? Do you agree?

Why is the shooting of the dog on pp. 39-40 important?

In the argument between Lauren’s father and Cory on pp. 61-63, who do you agree with? Why?

Chap 7-13

Read what Lauren says about naming on p. 68. What does she mean? Have you ever named something this way? Did it change how you thought about it?

Why is Lauren so excited by the prospect of life on other planets?

Why do you think that Keith acts the way he does? Is he at all similar to Lauren? How are they different?

On p.85, why does Cory say what she does about Lauren? Does she believe it? Why?

Read the verse on p.89. Do you agree or disagree with what it says? What state is our civilization in?

How is Keith’s attitude towards guns different from Lauren’s father’s?

Chap 14-20

Why does Lauren return home after the attack?

How do Lauren’s feelings about her father relate to her ideas about God?

Why does Lauren say, “People forget ideas. They’re more likely to remember God” on p. 198?

Why does Lauren believe that establishing Earthseed communities is necessary?

How does Lauren show her abilities as a leader? Is she a good leader? Why or why not?

Does Bankole remind you of anyone else in the story? Who? Why?

Chap 21-25

Read what Bankole says about religion on p. 234. What do you think? Is he right?

On p. 235, Lauren says, “All that I am now is Earthseed.” What does she mean? What is she saying about adversity?

On p. 240, Lauren says, “Not our only one.” What does she mean? What else do they share?

Read what Lauren says about religion on p. 247. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Why does Octavia Butler include the Bible verse at the end?