Assignment for the week of September 8

Your first essay will come from a discussion of the following three stories: "A&P,"   "That Room," and "Flight"

** The story "A&P" can be found in the book and also can be found online. The link can be found on the sidebar to the right.

** The story "That Room" is in the text. I have not been successful finding it online, although there is a plethora of information about the author, Tobias Wolff, especially an article from NPR that you can listen to. Caution should be taken, however, in reading a summary of the story. Although short, this is a powerful story that goes beyond what a paragraph summary may provide.

** The link for the story "Flight" can be found below and on the sidebar.

For the first day of next week:  Read the story "A&P" by John Updike (201) and the story "That Room" by Tobias Wolff (222)

1. Who is the protagonist of each story? What do the two protagonists have in common?
2. In what way do their attitudes regarding the work they are engaged in differ? Why?
3. In the "Glossary of Literary Terms," look up the word FOIL.  In what way is Stoksie a foil for Sammy in "A&P"?  Give specific examples. How are Eduardo and Miguel foils to one another in "That Room"?  Again, be specific and explain.
4. In what way is setting important in each story?
5. How does the motel room and what happens in it take on symbolic meaning in the plot of "That Room"?
6. In what way is point of view important to each story?
7. In "A&P" what is the story's central conflict and what is its climax? How does the climax affect your attitude toward Sammy? 
8. With what kind of Values is Lengel associated? Do you feel any sympathy for him?
9. What role do the girls play in "A&P"?  
10. Explain the significance of the final paragraph in BOTH stories. 

 For the second day of next week:  Read the story "FLIGHT"  by John Steinbeck. (Click on the title of the story for the link to the page.)  It could be helpful to print out the story so you can have a copy to discuss in class.