Instructions for the final exam

Some people asked for the final exam instructions again. So...

Please choose one of the following:

1. Two stories: "The Storm" by Elizabeth Bowing and "How About This?" by Raymond Carver, or--

2. Two stories: "My Old Man" by Hemingway and "The Fly in the Ointment" by V. S. Pritchett.

Compare the plots, the style, and the meaning of the two stories that you choose. Make sure not simply to summarize or retell these stories; assume that your reader has already read them. When you tell us what happened, you should be clearly telling it for a reason.

Begin your paper with a statement of your idea. For example, "In both stories, we see the power of love." Then prove your idea by commenting on specific examples from the stories. Your paper should be at least four pages, double-spaced.

Some examples of how to introduce quotes: Pritchett writes, "--". The father in Pritchett's story says, "--". This suggests... This shows... This contrasts with... This tells us that... Pritchett's story ends dramatically: "--". Pritchett's story ends on a sad note: "--". [Statement] For example, in Pritchett, "--"... In both stories, ... However, ... Note: the page number follows the quotation marks in parentheses: (--).

Please remember that you are committing to submit your own original work. Anything that you quote from other sources must be placed within quotation marks ["--"] and clearly referenced. Any thoughts or ideas that are not your own must also be referenced. Taking other people's work for your own is a serious offense; it is really a kind of theft. It will result in an "F" grade, and a chance to take this class again. :)

Your exam is due by Tuesday, December 22, at 10am. Please send it to jmczarne@gmail.com. Make sure to include your name--in Korean is fine. Please do not use Hangul Word / .hwp files -- I cannot open them.

Feel free to discuss with me your questions or ideas before the due date. At least I will tell you whether or not you are on the right track. If you expect an answer from me and do not receive one, check your spam / mass mail folder.

You will have a chance to get your exam back, with corrections and comments, after the New Year. Email me ahead of time to make an appointment.

Final exam questions 2

Write your questions about "My Old Man" or "A Fly in the Ointment" here. Don't leave this until the last minute. Enjoy!

Final exam questions 1

Write your grammar and vocabulary questions about "The Storm" or "How About This?" here. I will try to reply as quickly as possible.

"Fifty Grand"

Let's talk about Hemingway's story--our last story!

"The Scapegoat"

Comments, observations, questions, problems about this story?

Epstein and Faulkner

Recently we read Epstein's "Family Values" and Hemingway's "The Killers." In different ways, both of these stories are about a lack of involvement, lack of attachment; they suggest that a profound solitude is at the heart of modern society. Comments, questions, thoughts?

One Last Puzzle from "Sense of Humour"

At the very end of the story, as Humphrey and Muriel are driving the hearse with the dead body of Colin in the back, Humphrey thinks, or says: "I was proud of her, I was proud of Colin, and I was proud of myself." What in the world does this mean?