Honors English II.

Assignment: Write the introduction, topic sentences, and 1st sentence of conclusion for 2 different essays. You are NOT writing full blown essays! Due: Monday. Ink or Type.

Essay  1:    Vonnegut  Story  Analysis—You  choose  the  story  

Purpose  for  essay  outline    1  –  Identify  one  or  two  of  Vonnegut’s  key  themes  in  the  story  and  show  how  he  develops  that  theme  through  his  use  of  one  or  two  literary  devices.  

Choose  1  of  Vonnegut’s  short  stories  to  analyze  in  terms  of  theme  and  use  of  literary  devices  (irony,  characterization,  setting,  black  humor)  

Follow  ANT  format.    Creative  attention-­‐getter  (an  anecdote  from  the  story  would  work  well!),  Necessary  information  including  author  +  title  of  story,  argumentative  thesis  statement  including  theme  and  literary  device(s)  being  discussed.  

Topic  Sentences—Write  3  body  paragraph  topic  sentences.  Each  topic  sentence  should  contain  some  reference  to  the  thesis.    

1st  sentence  of  Conclusion—This  sentence  must  be  a  creative,  interesting  restatement  of  the  thesis  (You  may  write  more  than  one  sentence  if  you  need  to)  

 

Essay  2:  Vonnegut  Themes  &  Style  Analysis—You  choose  2  or  3  stories  to  analyze    

Purpose  for  essay  outline  2—Identify  thematic  and  stylistic  connections  in  Vonnegut’s  short  stories.  This  essay  will  be  a  comparison  essay  where  you  demonstrate  similarities.  Of  course,  the  insightful  student  (you!)  will  also  point  out  some  contrasts,  your  purpose  is  to  show  similarities  in  his  style  and  focus.  

Choose  2  or  3  of  Vonnegut’s  short  stories  to  analyze  in  terms  of  common  links—similar  themes  and  social  criticism  and/or  similar  uses  of  literary  devices.  

Follow  ANT  format.    Creative  attention-­‐getter  (an  anecdote  from  the  story  would  work  well!),  Necessary  information  including  author  +  title  of  story,  argumentative  thesis  statement  including  theme  and  literary  device(s)  being  discussed.  

***NOTE:  For  this  essay,  DO  NOT  list  titles  in  the  thesis  statement!  Mention  the  titles  in  the  Necessary  information  section  of  your  introduction.  This  way,  your  thesis  statement  will  not  become  cumbersome  to  write  or  to  read.  

Topic  Sentences—Write  3  body  paragraph  topic  sentences.  Each  topic  sentence  should  contain  some  reference  to  the  thesis.    

1st  sentence  of  Conclusion—This  sentence  must  be  a  creative,  interesting  restatement  of  the  thesis  (You  may  write  more  than  one  sentence  if  you  need  to)  

Handy  Thesis  Statement  Language:  

Words:    Satire,  irony,  ironic,  disturbing,  unsettling,  futuristic,  black  comedy,  setting,  characterization,  mediocrity,  apathy,  corruption,  mocks,  critiques,  fixated,  self-­‐gratification,  pleasure,  obsession,  self-­‐reliance,  greed,  equality,  

freedom,  oppression,  dystopia  (look  it  up!),  totalitarianism,  communism,  happiness,  bravery,  excellence,  responsibility,  youth,  fear,  ridicules,  injustice.  .  .    

Thesis Statement Structure:

Through  his  use  of  irony,  Vonnegut    reveals  .  .  .  .  

Through  his  use  of  futuristic  settings  and  irony,  Vonnegut  develops  his  theme.  .  .  .  

Vonnegut  explores  the  theme(s)  of_________________________________  through  his  use  of  irony  and  ____________  .    (You  could  choose  characterization,  setting,  or  black  humor  for  your  second  device)  

***Here is a sample AP Lit style thesis for you use as a sort of model  (The  second  thesis  is  the  one  to  use  as  your  model!  It’s  vastly  superior  to  the  first  version).  Obviously,  you  will  only  be  discussing  one  or  two  literary  devices,  but  notice  how  much  thematic  information  is  embedded  in  the  revised  thesis.  It’s  thought  provoking,  smoothly  written,  and  sets  up  an  argument.  

Original:        Frederick  Douglas  uses  syntax,  imagery,  and  figurative  language  to  eloquently  make  his  point  about  slavery.    (Comment:  What  point  about  slavery?!  )  

Improved:  Frederick  Douglas  uses  imagery  to  convey  the  utter  loneliness  a  slave  feels,  and  through  figurative  language  and  syntax,  he  underlines  the  desperation  and  anger  that  slavery  breeds  in  those  enslaved.  (Comment:  Aha!  Now  the  writer  has  something  interesting  to  discuss  about  theme  and  the  way  Douglas  develops  it  through  literary  devices.)  

 

Questions to Ponder as you think about Vonnegut’s themes:

1. Is  "the  machine"  predominantly  a  force  for  good  or  evil?  2. Does  technological  development  necessarily  constitute  progress?  3. Are  science  and  technology  making  incursions  into  areas  which  should  best  be  left  alone?  4. Are  science  and  religion  necessarily  incompatible?  5. Would  a  return  to  a  more  primitive  lifestyle  be  desirable,  or  even  possible?  6. Can  man  retain,  and  indeed  develop  his  humanity  in  a  world  increasingly  dominated  by  non-­‐human  

forces?  7. Is  man  in  danger  of  becoming  obsolete?  Will  man  need  to  be  re-­‐defined  to  fit  a  vastly  altered  world?  8. Can  money  buy  happiness  and  youth?  Should  it?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vonnegut  links  and  thematic  ideas  mentioned  in  class:  

Becoming  too  dependent  on  technology  is  dangerous  

Man’s thirst for power and control is shown in “Harrison Bergeron,” “The Euphio Question,” “Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow.”

The use of technology for immortality is referred to in "Unready to Wear" and "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow".

"Tomorrow*3" and "The Euphio Question" both refer back to the theme of humanity's attachment an dependence on technological development.

"Harrison Bergeron", "Epicac", "Unready to Wear", and "Tomorrow*3" all refer to current flaws in society, as external as the enhanced control of the government on it's people or as internal as the need for people to set themselves free.

How  important  is  it  to  have  “unshackled  minds”?    His  characters  willingly  abandon  their  free  will  (“The  Euphio  Question”)  or  have  it  forcibly  taken  from  them  (“Harrison  Bergeron”)

In "Epicac" and "Harrison Bergeron" Vonnegut uses irony to criticize the power of technology and the establishment of equality

"The Euphio Question" and "Unready To Wear" both have technologies that make people happy.

People  must  resist  the  temptation  to  take  the  easy  way  out  or  they  will  never  mature  into  thinking,  responsible,  happy  adults.    

The common link in all of Vonnegut’s is that they always satirize the way we act as a culture.

He pulls no punches in criticizing how we act and always presents it in a way that it both humorous and thoughtful.

Writing in a style that is often termed “black humor”, Vonnegut has touched on some of society’s most important issues, as well as some of its most inane, through his works.

Vonnegut’s  uses  social  commentary,  theological  discussion,  ethical  argument,  parody,  satire,  comedy  and  prophecy  to  convey  his  recurring  themes  about  the  dignity  and  worth  of  all  individuals,  and  the  need  for  common  decency.  

With a blend of science fiction, philosophy and jokes, he also wrote about the banalities of consumer culture, for example, or the destruction of the environment.

To Mr. Vonnegut, the only possible redemption for the madness and apparent meaninglessness of existence was human kindness.

 

“EPICAC”:  The  questions  raised  are  broad:  What  is  love?  What  is  friendship?  What  is  human?    

“Euphio”  and  “Harrison”  watch-­‐what-­‐you-­‐wish-­‐for  –  perpetual  happiness/  total  equality  both  have  dangerous  implications  for  society  

The  Euphio  Question:  The  theme  is  that  society  shouldn't  buy  happiness,  but  work  for  it.  

 “Harrison  Bergeron”-­‐-­‐In  this  story  Vonnegut  takes  the  utopian  ideal  that  all  people  should  be  rendered  equal  and  creates  a  frightening  society  of  mediocrity  and  apathy.  

All  stories—You  can’t  always  get  what  you  want.  

Government  control—Harrison  Bergeron  and  Tomorrow,  Tomorrow  and  Tomorrow  

Obsession  /Dependence/Reliance  on  Technology—Euphio  and  EPICAC  

Money  Buys  Happiness/Life  (Should  it?!!!)  –Tomorrow  &  Unready  &  Euphio  

“Harrison Bergeron” -- Vonnegut criticizes the notion of totalitarian government and warns against excessive government control. Further, it questions individual rights and identity.

Dependence on Technology—all except Unready

Longevity—T3 & Unready

Irrresponsibility—Todos

Obsession with Perfection—Harrison, Unready, EPICAC

Standing up against society—Harrison & Unready

Obsession with youth & Beauty—Tomorrow3 & Unready

In Tomorrow3 and Harrison, there are old couples who try to do what’s right despite the corrupt world.

In Tomorrow3 and Harrison, Vonnegut mocks the way goverment functions.