In this short fiction Final Exam we will focus on Russell Banks—”Sarah Cole: A Type of Love Story” What is an unreliable narrator? How does Ron prove himself one? What details can we look to in the narrative that reify this idea? How do we determine whose account of a story or events are accurate, trustworthy?

A Type of Love Story

Short Fiction Final Exam—Short Discussion (Open Book, Open Notes, & Open Internet Access Permitted). . Choose nine (9) of the following questions to demonstrate your reading comprehension, writing abilities, knowledge of literary and rhetorical devices/theory, and ability to synthesize information to craft substantive, engaging critical insights. All students are required to provide an answer to the reflection prompt evaluating your participation this semester. 1. Use MLA style—original questions must precede your responses. 2. Answer questions in any sequence, but you should consider how you order your responses for overall effect.

A Type of Love Story

3. Omit the Works Cited page. Russell Banks—”Sarah Cole: A Type of Love Story” What is an unreliable narrator? How does Ron prove himself one? What details can we look to in the narrative that reify this idea? How do we determine whose account of a story or events are accurate, trustworthy? Relate, specifically, how an idea or skill from this course will aid in future your assessments of the character of others? Donald Barthelme – “The School” Revision requires cutting all excess content and language to control meaning for the reader. How does Barthelme incorporate the most essential elements and events for effect?

A Type of Love Story

Select a passage to demonstrate a new technique in his work and how you can also incorporate this skill in another course? Rick Bass – “The Hermit’s Story” “The Hermit’s Story” presents a frame story rife with the five components of imagery. Select one image from the initial, outer story that has a parallel in the magical, inner story. How do the sensory images Bass limns remind the reader of the essence of what it means to be human in this world? Richard Bausch – “The Fireman’s Wife” Before Jan states or thinks her desire to leave Martin, how—either via speech or actions—does Bausch signal this eventuality to the reader?

A Type of Love Story

Although negative capability is a literary term, how does the term apply to Jan? How does the concept apply to all our lives and what might we conclude as a result? Amy Bloom – “Silver Water” Rose and Violet’s relationship as siblings and allies seems to come from a place of unconditional love and acceptance—and each willing to face their perspective on reality directly. Provide an example illustrates this dynamic. Does the family’s candor make finding an expert resource such as Walker more or less difficult? How can individuals determine when to accept or reject the advice or treatment or both from some authority figures who are clearly out of their depth?

A Type of Love Story

Robert Olen Butler – “Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot” The husband-turned-parrot returns to torment himself further in his afterlife with the same obsessions he suffered as a mortal. Why would he choose to subject himself to the anxieties of his human life? How does the parrot’s limited vocabulary reinforce the concept that a limited vocabulary may impede communicating the nuances of complex ideas and emotions? Beyond limited vocabularies, does lacking emotional intelligence mean relationship failure is inevitable?

A Type of Love Story

Sandra Cisneros – Never Marry a Mexican In “Never Married a Mexican,” Cisneros centers the concerns women of divided loyalty who have successfully assimilated into American culture, yet consciously and unconsciously act in ways that demonstrate internalized racism. How do individuals with competing intersectional identities build lives and community amid “familial and cultural pressures as well as traditional gender roles” (Yudin & Kanoza 2001)? Using the narrative, discuss the ways the ways in which individuals attempt to exert control—and how those efforts succeed and fail. https://youtu.be/_Pi4N7cpHeA

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