"The Destructors"

Analyze how Graham Greene uses setting, characterization, point of view, and symbolism to illustrate his viewpoint (universal truth, theme, meaning, significance of the work as a whole) in his short story "The Destructors." 

Passage from FASTING, FEASTING

The assigned passage is taken from Fasting, Feasting, a novel published in 1999 by Indian novelist Anita Desai.  In the excerpt, Arun, an exchange student from India, joins members of the American host family for an afternoon at the beach.  Analyze how the author uses such literary devices as speech and point of view to characterize Arun's experience.

Passage from "The Other Paris"

The assigned passage is an excerpt from "The Other Paris," a short story by the Canadian writer Mavis Gallant.  Explain how the author uses narrative voice and characterization to provide social commentary.

Passage from Henry VIII

In the speech from Shakespeare's play Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey considers his downfall from his position as advisor to the king.  Spokesmen for the king have just left Wolsey alone on stage.  Read the speech carefully.  Then analyze how Shakespeare uses elements such as allusion, figurative language, and tone to convey Wolsey's complex response to his dismissal from court.

"When I Have Fears" and "Mezzo Camin"

In the two given poems, Keats and Longfellow reflect on similar concerns.  Read the poems carefully.  Then compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing the poetic techniques each writer uses to explore his particular situation