Reader Response - Browning's "My Last Duchess"

Robert Browning's narrator (which should not be mistaken as Browning himself) is a rather unpleasant fellow. As he discusses the dowry for his future bride to an emissary, they stop in front of a portrait of his late duchess and the narrator reminisces about her.

Directions: How does the speaker reveal his true character through his monologue on the last duchess? Use at least 2 quotes from the text to back up your views. Make sure you fully explain the significance of the quotes. Remember that if we as readers thought the quotes could stand on their own without explanation, then we would not need you to play the role of the critic and point them out.

Reader Response - Auden's "Stop all the clocks"

Directions: After reading both the poem by W. H. Auden entitled "Stop all the clocks" and the Student Writing example that follows, discuss the student's interpretation of the poem in light of your reading of the poem and what you agreed with (or what you at least saw was a valid argument). Pick at least one specific example from the student piece and quote it in your argument. Feel free to comment on any other positive aspects of the essay.

Lastly, pick two aspects of the response that you would improve. These could be mechanical, stylistic, or argumentative choices. State why you would change these things and how your view of the essay would change for the better if these suggestions were implimented. (i.e. You will be proofreading/editing the paper as you would for a peer edit session. Try to steer away from minor spelling or grammar errors.)

Each part of this response should be roughly a paragraph in length.

Flannery O'Connor - "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"

Directions: Address/answer questions 3 and 4 on page 458 of your textbook.

What does the grandmother's use of the words pickaninny and nigger reveal about her? How are readers expected to reconcile this language with her very proper appearance and her preoccupation with manners? How does her use of those words affect your reaction to her?

Explain the irony in this statement: "In case of an accident, anyone seeing her dead on the highway would know at once that she was a lady" (par. 12).

Research Assignment 2 - Graphic Novel

Directions: Read a graphic novel (choose from below) and an article/book chapter that relates to the work you select. Next, write a 2 page reader response (typed, double spaced) where you discuss how the article has enhanced your understanding of the work. You will want to include some of your own analysis of the work and comment on the role of the visuals in connection with the text. Make sure to quote and reference specific passages from both the primary and secondary source. I need to see evidence that you have read and thought about both pieces (primary and secondary source).


You may opt to purchase the graphic novel or to borrow it from a library but make sure you don’t wait until the last moment; not all of these titles will be available just anywhere. Before you finalize your choice, I recommend reading book reviews to make sure you are interested in the work and begin conducting your research for your required source. If you can’t locate an appropriate article to use for your research requirement, then you should choose another graphic novel. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your research. If you realize too late that you can’t find a source, it is still your responsibility to fulfill this requirement.
You do not have to select a secondary source about your particular title, but it must at least be related to the theme of the novel or be a general article on comics/graphic novels (i.e. it must enhance your interpretation and understanding of the work).

Graphic Novel Choices:

• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
• Blankets by Craig Thompson
• Epileptic by David B.
• Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
• La Perdida by Jessica Abel
• Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
• Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Part I) by Marjane Satrapi
• Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine
• Stitches by David Small
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Joyce Carol Oates - "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"

Directions: Which reading/interpretation do you find holds the most weight and why: Arnold Friend as domestic violence partner, as symbol for the Devil, as Christ-like Bob Dylan figure? Use textual evidence to support your reading.